Business Journal 153

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

Entrepreneur | Business | Education and Career | Finance | Legal | Real Estate | Technology | Insurance

May 2020

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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153rd Edition

The Law Office of Willie D. Powells III and Associates:

Where There’s No Limit, Just a Direction 10-11

INSIDE

05

Mayor Turner Appoints Office of Business Opportunity Director

24

HISD Coach Goes Beyond the Call of Duty

06

Huewitt Named Interim President

By Board Of Regents

May 2020 | 3

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

MR. D-MARS CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

d-mars.com is proud to share the success stories of African American businesses and civic and community leaders. We know that success does not always come easy and it is not always measured in money. How have you helped your fellow entrepreneur? Have you supported your locally-owned African American business? Have you donated to a nonprofit that is working in our underserved communities? Questions to think about and actions to take.

This month’s issue highlights Willie Powells, the president and

Port of Houston

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

METRO

BEHIND THE JOURNAL

—Oprah Winfrey

City of Houston

05 COMMUNITY 05 Mayor Turner Appoints Office of Business Opportunity Director 06 Huewitt Named Interim President By Board Of Regents 06 Mayor Sylvester Turner names Marvin Odum the City of Houston’s COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Czar 08 “Into the Unknown” (Part Two) 08 Over 200 Doctors, Nurses, & Physicians Received Free Ice Cream To Keep Spirits High Amid Covid-19 Pandemic!

24 HISD Coach Goes Beyond the Call of Duty

DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Noel Pinnock

2 Girls Who Travel d-mars.com

21 DID YOU KNOW 21 Statements from the Edwards family and Mayor Turner on the death of former State Rep. Al Edwards 10-11 COVER STORY 10-11 The Law Office of Willie D. Powells III and Associates: Where There’s No Limit, Just a Direction 13-20 HEALTH & WELLNESS 14 4 simple tips and tricks to help manage arthritis pain 4 simple tips and tricks to help manage arthritis pain 16 Spring Clean Your Diet With 5 Fridge Essentials 16 As You Age, Keep Nutrition Top of Mind 18 5 essential steps for managing blood sugar

VBE

DBE

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION

COO & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd

ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa

HUB

OUR SERVICES

04 BUSINESS 04 How small businesses can boost sales

STAFF WRITER Carly Hammack

HISD

CONTENTS

PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

CEO of the Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III & Associates PLLC and his journey to finding his passion and owning his own firm.

As years have passed, Powells’ passion for his career has only grown stronger. Owning what is now a multi-award-winning firm that boasts million-dollar verdicts and a staff that genuinely cares for its clients, Powells says there is still only greater things to come.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen

10-11

• Business Journal • Health & Wellness Journal • Community Journal • Black Pages Online Business Directory • Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals • Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs • Top 30 Influential Women of Houston • Top 25 Prime & Subcontractors for Diversity • Business Connection • Business Development • Business Consulting • Graphic Design • Photography • Printing • Web Design • Online & Email Marketing • Public Relations • Social Media • Advertising • Writing • Promotional Marketing

26 TECHNOLOGY 26 Stay safe from COVID-19 scammers 26 How communities are connecting during the COVID-19 crisis 28 TRAVEL 28 4 Fun and FREE Things to Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic

12,29

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4  |  May 2020 BUSINESS

By d-mars.com News Provider

W

ith over 30 million small businesses in the U.S., it's tough to stand out from the crowd.

Successful small businesses turn first-time customers into repeat business, building momentum and growing sales.

How can you achieve this? Marketing. Finding effective, easy-to-execute marketing strategies can boost your business by helping you engage your customers while attracting new ones. Here are some proven ideas to help your business thrive:

businesses can change their fortunes with this approach.

"Our most successful small business customers don't just send a reminder email to shoppers about items left in their carts," said Pienaar. "They take it a step further and include positive reviews and ratings about that product with the follow-up, knowing how much importance buyers place on others' experiences. By featuring personalized product reviews for abandoned cart items, there can be a recovery rate of 5-10%."

Get started

Engage first-time customers Show new shoppers that they matter. Send welcome emails and recommend products to complement what they bought. Offer special deals to keep them coming back.

Utilize positive customer reviews Did you know over 60% of consumers read reviews before buying? Reviews can include ratings, testimonials, photos, videos and more.

Treat reviews as marketing gold, sharing them with customers and prospects to build trust and increase sales. You can generate and integrate them into your website, on social media and other marketing efforts.

Turn shopping carts into opportunities Let's face it, plenty of potential customers add items to their online shopping carts and never check out. While these "abandoned carts" seem challenging, they're an opportunity.

An effective way to convert abandoned carts into sales is by drawing on the power of customer reviews. Adii Pienaar, vice president of commerce product strategy for the email marketing platform CM Commerce, says small

based on each customer's shopping experiences and interests are far more successful in driving sales.

Creating customized content may sound complex, but it all comes down to how you organize your customer list. For example, segment your customers by which products they've purchased, then use this information to inform them how to best use their products or remind them when it's time to re-order.

Personalization really pays off when you incorporate dynamic content - information that changes based on a person's interests - in promotional emails. Use a customer's previous purchases and shopping interests to generate ideas on products to complement items they already bought. For example, recommend a similar flavor of cupcakes to ones they ordered before.

Spark interest with special offers Entice new and returning business by offering discounts, encouraging shoppers to give your business a try.

Also, if you don't have one already, create a loyalty program for frequent shoppers, or a referral special for those inviting friends to your website or social media.

Personalization matters Shoppers don't want mass emails treating them like just another number. Small businesses that tailor emails

These proven marketing approaches can springboard your business to success. But, how do you get started?

Marketing has greatly evolved, with many new, easy-to-use tools. You don't need to be a marketing expert, technical whiz or creative designer to use them.

For example, CM Commerce is an email marketing platform designed for small ecommerce businesses.

It can easily create professional email campaigns to enhance and grow your business.

To help small business owners, CM Commerce features pre-built email marketing recipes for everything from welcome emails and newsletters to abandoned cart reminders and more. Business owners can follow these guidelines and put their email marketing plans in place with a single click.

"I always recommend small business owners invest in email marketing," said Pienaar. "It's a cost-effective way to establish your brand and regularly reach your customers and prospects. Most importantly, email marketing has the potential for huge returns and can truly make your business stand out."

For more tips and ideas to grow your business, visit The Marketing Resources Hub.

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May 2020 | 5 COMMUNITY

Mayor Turner

Appoints Office of Business Opportunity Director

to continue providing economic opportunity and workforce inclusion in the News Provider city of Houston,” said Mayor Turner.

“She has consistently shown great leadouston City Council approves ership and is committed to workforce appointee. development as evidenced through her Today, Houston Cit y professional achievements. Since I’ve Council confirmed Marsha E. Murray been mayor, Houston has awarded nearly as Director of the Office of Business more than one billion dollars in City of Opportunity. She has filled the role as Houston contracts to MWBEs (Minority Interim Director since September 2019. & Women Business Enterprises). I expect Murray previously served as Deputy that level of commitment to continue.”

Director of OBO from 2012-2019.

“I am extremely honored to be asked to While at OBO, Murray played an lead the Office of Business Opportunity. instrumental role in the department’s I am keenly aware of the important role growth and led comprehensive opera- the Office of Business Opportunity tional changes and policy updates in plays in ensuring the success of local the department. Murray also led the small businesses and creating employexpansion of OBO’s services to facilitate ment pathfree legal assistance and guidance for ways for disHouston’s small business community enfranchised doing business globally. individuals," said Marsha E. Murray, “Marsha Murray’s Of f ice of Business experience and Opportunity success working director.

"Under my with the business le a d e r s h ip, community is the I ’m c o m m it t e d t o kind of leadership the providing Office of Business transformational services and programs Opportunity needs to to support their resiliency and continue providing economic success.”

Murray has a Bachelor opportunity and workforce of Arts degree in Political inclusion in the city of Science and Spanish from Colgate University and a Houston,” said Mayor Turner. law degree from Villanova University School of Law. Murray is active in the local In February 2019, Murray received community and serves on the board of OBO’s Advisory Board Chairman’s Zonta Club of Houston, a global orAdvocate of the Year award for her ganization of professionals empowering work on behalf of Houston’s business women worldwide through service and community. advocacy.

Prior to joining the City of Houston, She is a graduate of the Center for Murray served as legal counsel to New Houston’s Future Business/Civic York City government for 10 years. Leadership Forum and has served as an During that time, she worked to ensure advisory board member of the World that the most vulnerable New Yorkers Chamber of Commerce. She has served had access to social services and led pro- on national and international panels adgrams that served to maximize housing vocating for the continued support and options for citizens in a perpetually chal- development of small businesses. Her lenging housing market. advocacy for businesses to thrive globally “Marsha Murray's experience and suc- has led her to earn a National Association cess working with the business com- of Small Business International Trade munity is the kind of leadership the Educators Certified Global Business Office of Business Opportunity needs Professional designation.

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6 | May 2020 COMMUNITY

Huewitt Named Interim President By Board Of Regents

Regent Albert Myres Selected As Board Chair By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he Texas Southern University Board of Regents unanimously named Kenneth Huewitt as the Interim President of Texas Southern University during its regular meeting held Thursday, April 16, via telephone conference call due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are fortunate as a university to have someone with the skills and background of Mr. Huewitt during these critical times that TSU faces,” said Albert Myres, Sr., who was elected as Board Chair during the meeting. “The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Huewitt, his administrative team, as well as the faculty, staff, students and alumni, to keep TSU moving forward and doing great things.”

Huewitt, who joined Texas Southern in 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administration, was named Acting President in January 2020. The Board of Regents will begin the search process for the 13th president of Texas Southern University six to eight months after the completion of TSU’s accreditation reaffirmation process later in 2020.

Prior to the official announcement of the Presidential Search Committee, the Board will seek input from the diverse University community, including alumni.

“I am honored to serve in this role, and I appreciate the confidence that the Board has shown in me and the

TSU administrative team,” said Huewitt. “We have a lot of important work to do, especially with the current coronavirus situation. Our students, as well as the entire TSU community, deserve nothing but the best from this university, and that is what we will deliver.”

In his previous role with TSU, Huewitt oversaw all financial functions of the university including Treasury & Budget, Administration & Finance, Risk Management, the Controller’s Office, Procurement Services, Facilities & Maintenance, and Building & Grounds.

During his time as CFO, the university’s investment rating (Moody’s) has improved from ‘negative’ to ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ over a three-year period. Additionally, a three-year strategic Capital Expenditure Plan was developed and implemented, “days cash on hand” more than doubled, and a negative reserve in 2016 was transformed into a healthy, positive reserve.

Huewitt began his career as an auditor with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. He has held a variety of roles during his career including Senior Audit Specialist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Senior

Associate for Coopers & Lybrand, and Regional Director of Finance for The ServiceMaster Corporation.

Shortly after leaving ServiceMaster, he joined the Finance Team at the Houston Independent School District. Over his first 11 years with the district, Huewitt served as the Controller focusing on Budgets, Payroll, Treasury, Food Services Accounting, General Accounting and Bond Fund Accounting, as well as handling day-today operations of the Controller’s Office. The next three years, he served as Chief Financial Officer leading all the financial services functions of the district. His last three years at HISD, he served as Deputy Superintendent and Interim Superintendent where he developed and executed strategic plans and district-wide policies and programs related to all activities of HISD, impacting 215,000 students on 283 campuses, and overseeing a $1.8 billion general operating budget.

Myres, who was appointed to the TSU Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott in April 2019, formerly served as Vice Chair of the Board. A resident of Houston, he is President and Chief Executive Officer for Octcet, Inc., a rapidly developing oxygenated fuel enhancement company focusing on the bulk diesel industry.

Other Board action included the selection of Regent Marc Carter as Vice Chair of the Board. Anita Lockridge, who formerly served as Senior Associate Vice President of Administration and Finance, was approved as Interim CFO and Vice President for Administration and Finance for the university.

COMMUNITY

Mayor Sylvester Turner names Marvin Odum the City of Houston’s COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Czar By d-mars.com News Provider

M

ayor Sylvester Turner on Monday named former Shell Oil Co. Chairman and President Marvin E. Odum as the city's COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Czar.

In this role, Odum will work with business leaders, chambers of commerce, employee groups, and nonprofit organizations on a plan to safely and responsibly restart Houston's economy. Odum will also work on strategies to address the challenges faced by the city's vulnerable and at-risk populations, develop a plan to avoid the resurgence of community spread, and help the city prepare for a future pandemic or viral attack.

"Marvin is no stranger to working on disaster recovery, as he previously served as Houston's Chief Recovery Officer after Hurricane Harvey," Mayor Turner said.

"From all sectors, he received rave reviews for the team he assembled, the task force he created, and the collaborations he forged.

Marvin is the right person for the job."

During his time as Houston's Chief

“To be clear, this is about keeping people safe and getting people back to work and re-energizing our economy,” said Odum.

Recovery Officer, Odum was credited with working successfully with regional, state, and federal partners to secure funding for housing and reform policies. He broke new ground in disaster recovery and helped move Houston forward as a more resilient city.

"To be clear, this is about keeping people safe and getting people back to work and re-energizing our economy," said Odum.

"We have been charged with completing the plans that reflect the delicate balance between the need to return to work with the necessary vigilance required to keep

people safe and healthy."

Mayor Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo have had numerous conversations about the region's recovery from the COVID-19 health crisis. Odum will work directly with the county's designated representative to forge a cohesive strategy and a plan for Houston and Harris County.

"Over the past two months, we have aggressively worked to save lives and blunt the progression of coronavirus, and we see positive results, but the virus is not yet under control. Before we send people back to work and reopen businesses, we must also have robust, ubiquitous testing. We also must consider what happens if we reopen the economy, and we start to see an increase in the number of positive cases," said Mayor Turner.

"You can expect that this plan with be gradual and phased, and I'm sure we all understand why things cannot immediately return to normal," said Odum. "We will need the continued cooperation of all Houstonians to ensure this plan is successful,

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and we will provide more details as soon as possible."

Odum served as Chairman/President of Shell Oil Company from 2008-16 and was a director/executive committee member of Royal Dutch Shell. In addition to working with and investing in several technologybased start-up companies, Odum is a board member of Europe-based Stena international and Stena Drilling, CEO of TerraLithium and Chairman of AAL LLC - focused on low carbon energy technologies. He is a board member of the National Urban League and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the Dean’s Council for Harvard’s JFK School of Government, advisory board for University of Texas’s Cockrell School of Engineering and co-chair of the capital campaign for the University of Houston which has exceeded its goal of raising $1 billion.

In March 2020, BakerRipley honored Marvin and his wife, Mariloli, with the Alice Graham Baker Award for their work on Hurricane Harvey recovery and their commitment to help vulnerable communities.

May 2020  |  7

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8 | May 2020

“Into the Unknown”

By Noel Pinnock Contributing Writer

W

e are picking up where we left off in the previous article with analyzing Elsa’s response to an peculiar voice that was pushing her to get out of her comfort zone and enter the unknown in the blockbuster movie, Frozen 2, You see, the voice calling Elsa (like you and me) into the unknown was challenging her mindset and mundane living. She was doing just fine after Frozen 1 but there was an agitation that persisted and kept her up at night, trepidatious and reluctant to escape from the comfort the has confined her perspectives.

We all get comfortable and enjoy what comfort brings.

Many people see comfort as an adjective, describing an attribute or something, when, in fact, comfort is a noun.

Comfort enters your home as a guest, remains as your host, and will eventually become your master. Comfort is a silent killer and has been charged with homicides in careers, families, marriages and almost every place imaginable where growth and development are quintessential factors to success. Our limited KASH affects our ability to create or solve problems in two important ways: it heavily influences the kind of opportunities or problems that we recognize as being important enough to create (opportunities) and/or solve (problems); and it influences the analysis of the potential (opportunities) and cause (problems) and therefore the proper course of action to maximize the opportunities in life or to minimize the duplication of problems that have been solved in our past. What’s the definition of insanity?

There, you got it, doing the same thing while expecting different results or better yet…being fearful of entering the unknown.

Our mindset should be challenged. We should have a desire to grow but that’s not innate in us. Physically speaking, our bodies do this on the regular. When we are hot, our bodies don’t sit there and internally combust. No, our bodies respond to the external stimuli by sweating to ensure we don’t overheat and dehydrate in the process. If the hairs in our nose tickle a bit, we sneeze. In other words, our bodies respond to external forces and are not going to be suppressed by anything.

COMMUNITY PART II

Like our physical nature, our psyche (not psychic) nature, which comprises of our mind, will and emotions should, like a thermostat, adjust to the external environment to maintain the proper climate in our lives. To do this we must be committed to the foundational premise of continuous learning and development. Without challenging ourselves, we subscribe to an internal newsletter whose content never changes. Imagine that, picking up a magazine and reading the same articles over and over again. Certainly, the cure to insomnia. So, if you want to challenge your mindset and are daring to enter the unknown to discover and unlock your internal talents and gifts, you must evict comfort because comfort is the enemy of change. Not to mention, we must dismiss the notion that nobody likes “change” but a wet baby.

Apostle Paul, whose mindset was drastically change on the Damascus Road, wrote that we are not to be conformed to the ways of the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds or mindset. He realized, like we should, that transformation doesn’t end with age or experience, but it continues daily as we invent and reinvent ourselves. If you can agree with this, then you must establish parameters to keep your mind percolating and hungry for more.

Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926, on her second attempt.

19-year-old Gertrude Ederle swam 21 miles from Dover, England, to Cape Griz-Nez across the English Channel, which separates Great Britain from the northwestern tip of France. On August 6, 1926, Ederle entered the water at Cape Gris-Nez in France at 7:08 a.m. to make her second attempt at the Channel. The water was predictably cold as she started out that morning, but unusually calm. Twice that day, however–at noon and 6 p.m.–Ederle encountered squalls along her route and Burgess urged her to end the swim.

Ederle’s father and sister, though, who were riding in the boat along with Burgess, agreed with Ederle that she should stay the course.

Ederle’s father had promised her a new roadster at the conclusion of the swim, and for added motivation he called out to her in the water to remind her that the roadster was only hers if she finished. Ederle persevered through storms and heavy swells, and, finally, at 9:04 p.m. after 14 hours and 31 minutes in the water, she reached the English coast, becoming the sixth person and first woman to swim the Channel successfully. Furthermore, she had bettered the previous record by two hours.

Afterwards, Ederle told Alec Rutherford of The New York Times, “I knew it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.” She went on to say

that she was successful the second time around, not because of the incentives outlined by her father but because she possessed a mindset that failure was not an option. She started the journey with intentionality to reaching the English coast. It was in her mind from the beginning even though she felt like giving up and her body became fatigued. She was set on not breaking the record but breaking up the comfort in her mindset that would oftentimes tell her she wasn’t capable, or the feat was impossible.

What has kept you anchored in a position of mediocrity? What has prevented you from going to the next level? I can guarantee you this…that something would be your mind. The richest place on the planet, found in every place across the globe, is the graveyard – filled with so many people who could have, would have and should have, but for many (not all) were scared to enter the unknown. I am inspired by these words myself, and will likely archive this article because I, like you, will no longer be afraid to enter the unknown, because when we are there, we can unlock some of our life’s greatest experiences and moments. There I say again, let’s #getatit!

COMMUNITY

Over 200 Doctors, Nurses, & Physicians Received Free Ice Cream To Keep Spirits High Amid Covid-19 Pandemic!

By d-mars.com News Provider

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ouston-based coowner of Boyce Kids Crea m Machine, London Boyce has a heart as big as Texas. At only 7 years old, she is described as a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with.

This 1st grader is an Actress (costar of Antebellum), and author of " Wonder London I Hate My Curls". As the co-owner of Boyce Kids Ice Cream Machine, she

works closely with her siblings to provide sweet treats to the community.

London is also the new face of Bluebell Ice Cream mini sandwiches.

London Boyce and her brother, TJ Boyce (star of Wayne Brady's "Comedy IQ") provided smiles to the nurses, doctors, and staff at Methodist Hospital by bringing their Ice Cream to the hospital to give out free ice cream and popsicles to over 200 Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

nurses and doctors. She has a passion for making others smile, so this idea came about when London saw on the TV how hard our heroes have been working to keep our community healthy.

Also, on Friday, May 1, 2020, London provided hundreds of staff members at LBJ Hospital with Bluebell mini- ice cream sandwiches. She plans to continue to provide smiles during this pandemic.

May 2020  |  9

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10 | May 2020

Attorney Willie Powells:

Finding His Passion in Personal Injury Law By d-mars.com News Provider

W

illie Powells has been the president and CEO of the Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III & Associates PLLC for over 10 years, but the journey to owning his own firm was a winding road of self-discovery and lessons learned.

Powells knew from an early age he would pursue a prestigious career. Doctor. Engineer. Lawyer. Concert Violinist.

In his yearbook he even mentioned wanting to be a medical doctor with aspirations to become a brain surgeon, but it wasn’t until his college experience that he knew a profession in law was the right choice.

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for Engineering Professions with honors, Powells received full scholarships to several universities and decided to attend Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on a full chemical engineering scholarship. While attending Drexel, he began a fortunate streak of meeting and working with some very influential people, all playing significant roles in guiding Powells to where he is today.

One of the first “geniuses” Powell had the pleasure of meeting was Double Doctorate MD PhD Cato T. Laurencin, who was a graduate from Princeton, MIT, Harvard and other prestigious institutions, and was Powells’ chemical engineer professor at Drexel University.

“I had a professor who was an African American male, like me, that had worked his way up to be a successful chemical engineer Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

May 2020 | 11

and professor, orthopedic surgeon and world-class scientist all at the same time,” Powells said. “I had the opportunity to work in his scientific laboratory, and since the day I met him, he was someone who always pushed me to my limit, telling me to step up my game or go to the next level. He helped me see I could be greater and do more.”

After several exams including the LSAT, GMAT and MCAT, personality tests and a self-assessment, Powells decided that becoming a medical professional like his mom was not the dream career he was after. Being an attorney was a much better fit, similar to his uncle who was a judge in the Chicago area.

So, keeping with his ambitious personality, he finished school at Drexel, typically a five-year program, in just four-years with a B.S. in chemical engineering, a duel minor in biology and piano and a concentration in biomaterials and tissue engineering along with working experience, and then started applying to law schools. Naturally, he was accepted into several schools, but stuck with his plan to move back home to Houston and attended South Texas School of Law. “I knew it would be important to go to law school in the place I intended to work,” Powells said. “Being a part of the community is a big component of being a lawyer. It’s about being a part of the community, networking and knowing who's who.”

While in law school, Powells’ plan was to gain as much experience as he possibly could, and having done so well in his first year, he received two prestigious internship opportunities that summer, one from JP Morgan Chase and one from ExxonMobil. He chose ExxonMobil and began trying his hand at corporate law.

making huge checks, and I don't know the answer to a basic law question. That was a very eye-opening experience for me.

This is when I decided to go off on my own and become a general practitioner. Along the way I worked at several boutique law firms and did a little tax, family, criminal and injury law, that way if someone did have a question about something, I would definitely be able to give them the answer.”

Powells received his first commercial car accident case, his first case where he had to be the one to figure out how to work the case, manage the case and support his client. He loved every bit of it and knew he had finally found his passion.

Fast forward to today and Powells has not changed his mind one bit, if anything, his passion for his work has grown stronger.

“It’s like I never have to work a day in my life,” Powells said.

“While I do have to put in the work, it's not really work when you're having a great time doing it. Do we have some tough days? Yes, but the good days far outweigh them all. Every day I wake up looking forward to working on my cases. I’ve had the chance to work with so many different lawyers, including the well-known Willie Gary. I get to go to so many different places, and we now have cases all over Texas.”

“I had a professor who was an African American male, like me, that had worked his way up to be a successful professor and chemical engineer, orthopedic surgeon and world-class “I had the opportunity to work scientist all at the in his scientific laboratory, and same time,” Powells since the day I met him, he was said. someone who always pushed

me to my limit, telling me to step up my game or go to the next level. He helped me see I could be greater and do more.”

“I chose to work with ExxonMobil that summer, and I am so glad I did,” Powells said. “It was a great experience, and I made so many wonderful connections that I still have today. But, it also helped me realize that corporate law was not something I could see myself doing forever.”

Having such a strong science background, he then pursued Patent and Intellectual Property Law, which is an area of law that protects scientific studies from being claimed by others. He landed a work opportunity with one of the only women-owned patent law firms in the City of Houston, one that boasted well-known, respectable clients such as AT&T. This allowed Powells to continue his fortunate streak of meeting supportive and influential people. This time it was Ms. Wendy Buskop.

“While I was at [Buskop Law Group], I had a conversation with [Buskop] expressing to her I didn't know if this was something I could do long-term,” Powells said. “I didn't know if I could ever fully express myself at this job. I felt like I was in a box, and she said, ‘if there's something else that you want to do, you've got to just do it, you have to see what’s really for you.’”

Powells went on to work for a larger law firm to gain some litigation experience. It was there that he had a major realization.

“I received a phone call from my sister, asking me a very basic question regarding a law issue, and I did not know the answer,” he said. “Here I was, working at this huge law firm,

Despite such infinite success at the Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III & Associates PLLC, a multi-award-winning firm that boasts million-dollar verdicts and a staff that genuinely cares for its clients, Powells has remained humble, continuing to give all the credit to God. And as for what is next, Powells says anything is possible.

“I don’t see a limit, I just see a direction, and that is to keep moving forward.”

Looking for an attorney who cares about his profession, the people he serves and achieving results?

Call Willie Powells today!

Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III and Associates, PLLC One Arena Place 7322 S.W. Fwy., Ste. 2010 Houston TX 77074 Tele: 281-881-2457 Fax: 713 583-3100 www.williepowellslawfirm.com

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12  |  May 2020

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May 2020 | 13

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HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

BIOTECH | BUSINESS | CAREER | EDUCATION | HEALTHY LIFESTYLES | MEDICAL | MENTAL HEALTH | POLICY | RESEARCH | SPORTS MEDICINE

May 2020

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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96th Edition

As You Age, Keep Nutrition Top of Mind 16

INSIDE

14

4 simple tips and tricks to help manage arthritis pain

16 Spring Clean Your Diet With 5 Fridge Essentials Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

18

5 essential steps for managing blood sugar

14 | May 2020 HEALTH

4 simple tips

and tricks to help manage arthritis pain By d-mars.com News Provider

A

rthritis joint pain is a daily reality for millions of people in the United States. For some, this pain is temporary due to an injury, but for others, it can be a persistent and even debilitating symptom of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, affecting more than 30 million adults in the United States1. About one in four adults report experiencing severe joint pain related to arthritis, and nearly half of adults with arthritis experience persistent pain2.

Whether your arthritis pain is temporary or ongoing, it’s important to take steps to alleviate discomfort. We may not realize how much joy comes from the simplest everyday movements, until pain gets in the way. Here are four simple tips that may help lessen your arthritis joint pain so you can feel better and keep moving.

1. Use hot and cold therapy Applying hot and cold compresses to your joints can help provide some much-needed relief. When joints feel stiff, use heat to help them relax and feel more agile. A morning bath or shower can make a world of difference for stiff joints after sleeping. For joint pain that involves swelling and inflammation, look to incorporate cold therapy into your routine. For instance, if your knee is sore and looks puffy, apply a cold compress or bag of frozen veggies wrapped in a towel.

2. Move your body If you have arthritis symptoms, including wrist, hand or knee pain, the idea of getting up and exercising may seem counterintuitive. However, thoughtfully moving your body helps increase blood flow to joints and stretches muscles and ligaments, which can provide some relief. Regular movement helps increase flexibility while also building muscle, which is important for the health of the joints.

3. Use over-the-counter medicines If you want an alternative to taking pills to manage pain, there is now an

effective topical arthritis pain relief solution available without a prescription.

The FDA recently approved Voltaren Arthritis Pain as the first and only full prescription-strength topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) gel available over the counter for the treatment of arthritis pain in adults in the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle or knee.

Visit www.voltarengel.com/what-is-voltaren/ now to preorder Voltaren Arthritis Pain (available nationwide next month).

If you order now through May 12, 100% of profits from pre-order will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation to provide virtual care and connection for their patient community*. Additionally, for every donation made to the Arthritis Foundation between May 13 and May 31 in support of its goal to provide virtual care and connection to their patient community and mission, Voltaren will match up to $100,000.

4. Add glucosamine and omega-3s to your diet Fish oil has been studied for dozens of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, according to the Arthritis Foundation3. You can get the omega-3s by taking a high-quality fish oil supplement. Look for fish oil options with at least 30% EPA and DHA (both types of omega-3s). According to the Arthritis Foundation, taking up to 2.6 grams EPA/DHA twice a day may help relieve osteoarthritis pain.

If arthritis joint pain is a part of your life, try these simple strategies at home to help movement so you can live a full, healthy life. * GSK Consumer Healthcare will donate 100% of the net profits with a maximum of $100,000 from the preorder of Voltaren Arthritis Pain. * https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/ basics/osteoarthritis.htm * https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/ pain/index.htm * https://arthritis.org/ health-wellness/treatment/ complementary-therapies/ supplements-and-vitamins/ supplement-and-herb-guide-forarthritis-symptoms Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

May 2020  |  15

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16 | May 2020 HEALTH

HEALTH

Spring Clean Your Diet As You Age, Keep Nutrition With 5 Fridge Essentials By d-mars.com News Provider

Recipe: Sweet Potato Bowl Spring cleaning is a tradition that often includes dusting, mopping, decluttering and organizing homes for a fresh start. Many families may be cooking more while home right now, so this is a great opportunity to refresh your kitchen staples by filling the fridge with foods that support a healthy diet.

Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner shares her top five fridge essentials to boost overall health and wellness:

Leafy greens

Leafy greens are a powerhouse of nutrients like vitamins A and C, potassium, calcium and iron. They're great for soothing chronic inflammation and increasing energy levels naturally. Some tasty and versatile leafy greens to add to your grocery list include spinach, arugula, kale, chard and watercress. You can use these as a salad base, add to sandwiches or wraps, create tasty side dishes or incorporate a handful to your favorite meal to add supercharged nutrition.

to mention snacking on a few throughout the day is a great way to naturally satisfy a sweet tooth. Frozen berries are a wonderful alternative when fresh aren't available, providing similar health benefits. You can mix into a smoothie, yogurt, or thaw for baking!

To celebrate your fridge makeover, explore new recipes featuring these nutritious ingredients, such as this Eggland's Best recipe for Sweet Potato Bowls.

Sweet Potato Bowl Ingredients: • 2 Eggland's Best Eggs (large), poached • 1 large sweet potato • 2 teaspoons olive oil, separated • salt and pepper • 1 cup ground sausage • 1/2 cup salsa • 1 avocado, diced

Eggs

Eggs are an important source of essential vitamins and nutrients, but not all eggs are created equal. Eggland's Best (EB) eggs offer superior nutrition compared to ordinary eggs at the grocery store, such as 25% less saturated fat, more than double the omega-3s, 10 times more vitamin E and six times more vitamin D. EB eggs also contain more than double the vitamin B12 compared to other eggs, which may help maintain energy levels while giving your house a spring makeover. By simply incorporating EB eggs into your family recipes, you can easily boost the nutrition of your favorite meals.

Greek yogurt

Yogurt is a trending health food, but some yogurts offer greater health benefits than others. Reach for plain Greek yogurt on your next trip down the dairy aisle, because it has twice the protein and less sugar than regular yogurt. Not to mention, its thick, creamy consistency may help you feel fuller longer, reducing the likelihood of extra snacking. Create your own parfait by choosing plain yogurt and add natural sweetness with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey. Plain yogurt also makes a great base for healthier dressings and other tasty recipes.

Oats

Fiber is an essential part of any diet because it fills you up, helping you to feel more satisfied throughout the day. Although not technically stored in the fridge, oats are a fiber superstar and a must-have for every kitchen because they offer an affordable and accessible way to get a healthy dose of daily fiber. For example, when eaten as part of a balanced breakfast, oats help curb cravings and keep you feeling satisfied until lunch time. For a simple breakfast on-the-go, blend oats into your favorite smoothie.

Berries

All berries are rich with antioxidants that keep your heart healthy and your brain sharp. Berries add great flavor to breakfast foods, salads and more, not

Directions:

1. Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a medium pan over med/high heat and brown the ground sausage.

2. While the sausage cooks, fill a large pot with a few inches of water and place over medium/ high heat until it just starts to simmer.

3. Crack eggs individually into a ramekin or cup and create a gentle whirlpool in the water.

4. Slowly pour the eggs one by one into the water and leave to cook for three minutes.

5. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.

6. While the eggs poach, spiralize the sweet potato using a spiralizer.

7. Heat the other teaspoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

8. Add in the sweet potato noodles and cook until they just begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.

9. Season with salt and pepper.

10. Transfer the cooked sweet potato noodles into a large bowl.

11. Drain the ground sausage and add to the sweet potato noodles.

12. Toss with 1/2 cup of the salsa.

13. Divide the noodles and sausage between two bowls, top each with diced avocado and a poached egg!

SOURCE: BPT

Top of Mind By d-mars.com News Provider

G

etting proper nutrition can be challenging for everyone, but especially as we age for a variety of reasons, including changing tastes, physical or dental conditions, and lack of access to healthy foods.

“It’s critical that people of all ages get proper nutrition, but especially seniors, and particularly now with the spread of COVID-19 in the United States,” says Dr. Gina Conflitti, chief medical officer with Cigna’s Medicare Advantage business, which offers Medicare plans in 18 states and the District of Columbia. “Good nutrition helps older adults stay active and vital, and can help them stave off or better manage chronic conditions.”

Cigna provides the following nutrition tips: • Make healthy choices. Add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your plate for colorful, nutrient-rich, fiberfilled meals. Add flavor with spices and herbs instead of salt. Stay hydrated with plenty of water. Even light exercise can stimulate appetite and strengthen bones and muscles.

• Consult your doctor. If your appetite is changing or you’re losing weight, talk to your primary care physician.

There could be an underlying reason for these changes.

For instance, your medication might be affecting your appetite. Or maybe you’re dealing with depression. Your doctor can work with you to identify possible causes.

• Adapt to changing tastes. There are a number of ways to change your eating habits to improve your nutrition, from eating more frequent, smaller meals to trying new foods and cooking styles. For tips on preparing healthy meals, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov.

• See a dentist. A dentist may be able to address any dental problems impacting your ability to enjoy food.

If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you may have access to dental benefits at no extra cost. Check your plan for details.

• Explore options. If mobility is an issue, look for local organizations offering transportation or meal delivery to older adults. If you have an MA plan, you may have access to home-delivered meals following a hospitalization. One-third of hospital patients are malnourished at admission and poor nutrition increases their risk of having to return to the hospital after being released. Good nutrition helps patients regain their strength and energy faster for better recoveries. Check your plan for details.

• Get help. Some older adults with limited resources may qualify for assistance with food purchases through programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many older adults qualify for this program and don’t know it. One way to verify eligibility is to visit Cigna.BenefitsCheckup.org and enter your information under the “Food & Nutrition” section.

If you aren’t eligible for this type of assistance, you can still find ways to save on food bills, including asking for senior discounts, using coupons, having a store discount card and buying store brands.

These are just a few resources. Every individual has unique needs. Cigna encourages you to talk with your physician for additional information about your personal nutrition requirements. For videos about senior nutrition and some warning signs of malnutrition, visit wnpt.org/ agingmatters/nutrition-aging.

Proper nutrition is essential to overall health. As you age, keep nutrition top of mind and explore new ways to eat well.

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18  |  May 2020 HEALTH

5 essential steps for managing blood sugar By d-mars.com News Provider

I

n the U.S. alone, 28.1 million people are living with diabetes, and an added 7.2 million are living with undiagnosed diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the American Diabetes Association reports that 84 million American adults have prediabetes, but nearly 90 percent of them don't even know it.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as frequent urination (often more than ten times a day), persistent thirst or chronic fatigue, it's possible that you are living with diabetes - and it's crucial to get tested so you can get the treatment your body needs. That's particularly important now, because, according to the CDC, diabetes sufferers are among those at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Although the current pandemic and social distancing measures make things more challenging, the following tips can help you manage your blood sugar and prioritize your health if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, a family history of diabetes or are experiencing diabetes symptoms:

1. Get tested The only way to be sure about your blood sugar health is to get tested. It's easier than ever to determine your risk for diabetes, even when spending more time at home. LetsGetChecked offers an at-home HbA1c test that measures your blood sugar over the previous three months to help identify prediabetes or check how well

you are controlling the disease following diagnosis. After you receive your results, a team of physicians and nurses are available to help you navigate them and answer your questions. You can find the LetsGetChecked diabetes test online.

eating them. Carbohydrates with a low GI, such as porridge, brown pasta, noodles and multiseed/granary breads, are the best type of carbohydrates to eat for prediabetes or diabetes. 'Pulses' such as chickpeas, garden peas, butter beans, kidney beans, black beans and lentils are high in fiber and protein, which will also help slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose in the blood. This means that they don't give that sharp rise in your blood sugar levels.

4. Stay active Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and will help keep your blood sugar levels within normal limits. As a rule of thumb, aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise into your day 5 times per week. Many free classes are available online, for all fitness levels, to help you start or continue your exercise routine.

5. Prioritize sleep 2. Keep track of your symptoms Identifying your symptoms will help you tackle your health issues head on. Keep an eye out for symptoms of high blood sugar, including feeling thirsty all the time, feeling tired all the time or weak, frequent headaches, concentration issues and a fasting blood sugar level of 100mg/dl or more. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to get tested for diabetes right away.

3. Choose foods with a Low Glycemic Index

Sleep affects blood sugar, and your current blood sugar affects your sleep. Studies show that those who sleep for six hours or less will have significantly higher blood sugar, and a lack of sleep leads to slower fat metabolism and slower glucose processing - so aim to get at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night.

While staying active, eating the right foods and keeping track of your symptoms can all help manage your blood sugar, the most important way to make sure you are managing your health is to get tested.

The Glycemic Index (GI) is a ranking of how quickly certain foods make your blood glucose levels rise after

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Source: BPT

May 2020  |  19

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20  |  May 2020

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Statements from the Edwards family DID YOU KNOW

and Mayor Turner on the death of former State Rep. Al Edwards By d-mars.com News Provider

F

ormer State Representative Al Edwards passed away recently at the age of 83. Edwards was a prominent civil rights activist and, during his 30 plus years as a state representative, was instrumental in passing the legislation to recognize the abolition of slavery in Texas as an annual holiday.

The Edwards' family statement is below, followed by a statement from Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Edwards family statement

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce that former District 146 State Rep. and Civil Rights Leader, Al Edwards Sr. died today from natural causes. He was an ordained minister, father, and grandfather that notably sponsored the legislation making Juneteenth the first legal Texas state holiday for African Americans.

He was a proud graduate of Phyllis Wheatley High School and Texas Southern University. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him. He was 83 years old."

Mayor Sylvester Turner

“The Honorable Al Edwards worked tirelessly for the people of House District 146 and the state of Texas. During nearly three decades in the Texas House, he served with distinction on several influential committees. In 1979, in the face of considerable opposition, Edwards passed legislation to recognize the abolition of slavery in Texas as an annual holiday, earning him the well-deserved nickname “Mr. Juneteenth.”

“As a former chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, Edwards was instrumental in getting the Texas African American History Memorial installed on the Texas State Capitol grounds in Austin.

“Edwards and I served together in the Texas Legislature for more than two decades, and during that time, he became like a brother to me. I deeply loved him. And I will miss him greatly.

“On July 28, 2018, I had the honor of proclaiming Albert E. “Al” Edwards Day in the city of Houston.

“Because of the COVID-19 public health crisis, his family and many friends will not be able to gather in person for a memorial service. But make no mistake, Al deserves a grand celebration for his lifetime of achievements.

“I look forward to honoring my friend and brother at the appropriate time” Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

May 2020 | 21

22  |  May 2020

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May 2020  |  23

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24 | May 2020 COMMUNITY

HISD Coach Goes Beyond the Call of Duty Black Middle School has the largest student athletic program in all of HISD, so Obeng knew there were a lot of students to serve that would be interested in this effort.

The workouts consist of a variety of things to get the students up and moving. The moves range from sprints to endurance running, line drills, foot work movements, push ups, sit ups and much more.

By d-mars.com News Provider

H

ISD Coach Austin Obeng from Black Middle School has gone above and beyond during school closures to ensure his students are maintaining a healthy workout routine.

Obeng, an employee at Black Middle School, where he coaches football, basketball, track and strength and conditioning, as well as swim at Waltrip High School, has taken it upon himself to provide his students with daily workout routines even while schools are closed.

“I received a message from a parent saying their son was feeling down about his track season being cut short,” Obeng said.

“So I decided to send him daily workouts to keep busy. I thought, if I can send it to one student, I can send it to all, and that is how this whole thing got started.”

At first Obeng did not know if creating the workouts was worth it, but by the end of the first week feedback was pouring in from parents and students who loved receiving the tips for keeping active. He sends the workouts via the app Remind, which allows student to respond with any questions.

“All of the positive feedback motivated me to keep creating these workouts,” Obeng said. “I felt it

was important to keep my kids I shape, and this was something the whole family, neighbors and friends could join in on.

This gives them a release as well as some structure with something to look forward to every day.”

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May 2020  |  25

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26 | May 2020 TECHNOLOGY

Stay safe from

COVID-19 scammers By d-mars.com

instead, type the official URL into your browser.

News Provider

Wire transfer requests

W

hile you take care to limit social interactions and wash your hands to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, you also need to take steps to protect your finances and identity. Scammers are now taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to lure victims in with new phishing scams.

"We know consumers are managing their money and finances online, so it's more important than ever to raise awareness of smart security practices," says Vice President of Security at Navy Federal Credit Union, Chip Kohlweiler. "Being proactive and learning about your security is a great step toward keeping your accounts and information safe.

There's a good chance your bank or credit union has resources available for you to learn about how to identify scams, which is a great place to start."

Phishing remains one of the top ways cybercriminals get access to your identification and financial information. Using phone calls, emails and even copycat websites, scammers are creating content that appears official and related to COVID-19 - tricking you into revealing personal information like bank account numbers, login IDs and passwords. At the same time, by clicking a link, you may also unknowingly download malware that infects your computer and captures your data.

"Just because caller ID shows your financial institution is calling, do not provide information such as one-time passcodes or PIN to the caller. Additionally, phony links in emails can be a major threat to your system. If you don't know the sender, a general rule of thumb is don't click any links in the email," says Kohlweiler.

Here are a few tricks scammers are using in their phishing attempts:

Names of real companies Phishers often use legitimate company names and copy the look of official websites and emails to fool you. Right now, they're even sending out correspondence that looks like it's from the World Health Organization, local governments or other trustworthy sources.

Be wary of unexpected emails from a "company employee" looking for information.

Threats and urgent messages "Urgency is a big red flag. While you may have an urgent need, you should always validate it. If it's in regards to one of your accounts, call the company associated with the account from a number on their official website, or on a recent paper statement, to confirm if urgent action is needed," Kohlweiler advises.

Official-looking URLs Sometimes the URL (web address) will look right, but instead of taking you to your intended website, it will lead you to a copycat website. Check to see if the URL begins with https://, which indicates a site is secure. Most phishing scams won't have a secure website. Never click on a URL within an email;

In these scenarios, a scammer sends what appears to be a legitimate email requesting a wire transfer to cover title, escrow or any number of other costs.

Unfortunately, money you transfer as a result of the fraudster's email ends up in the fraudster's bank account - and you're not likely to get it back. If you receive such a request, call your financial institution to verify that it has made this request.

"Once you know what to look for, you can start to use some best practices to avoid these scams," adds Kohlweiler.

1. Set up your accounts for success.

Using strong passwords (never the same for different sites), setting up transaction notifications and ensuring your contact information stays up to date with your financial institution are all easy ways to enhance your online security.

2. Call and verify.

Be sure not to use a number provided in a suspicious email or even in the Caller ID. Use numbers on your statements or policies or from the official website.

3. Look for bad spelling.

Phishing emails often have unnatural or incorrect grammar and misspellings.

Keep an eye out for grammar and spelling mistakes.

4. Beware of links.

It pays to be wary of emails you're not expecting. If you're suspicious of an email, don't click on any links or buttons in the email. Hover your mouse over the link and see if the address that appears matches the link typed in the message.

If it doesn't match, don't click on the link, as it could take you to fraudulent websites or download malicious software.

5. Read your statements.

This can help you detect fraudulent transactions faster if your identity is stolen.

6. Increase your security.

Consider using a password manager solution to improve your security posture.

7. Use a different computer.

If you find fraudulent transactions on your account or suspect your info has been compromised, use a different computer to change your passwords.

And, make sure you notify your financial institution right away.

8. Keep up with the news.

Stay up to date on news of phishing attacks to protect yourself. Anti-phishing organizations, such as Anti-Phishing Working Group, provide lists of new and current phishing scams.

TECHNOLOGY

How communities are connecting during the COVID-19 crisis By d-mars.com News Provider

D

uring the uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis, people are searching for ways to connect with experts, co-workers, friends, neighbors and their community. They are accomplishing this by using technology including virtual meetings, webinars and conference call services.

Everyone is making sacrifices during this time and adjusting their regular routines and habits. TownSq, an all-in-one communication app used in the community management industry, has analyzed the platform’s trends during the crisis.

Residents take guidelines seriously The app’s analysis found that access-controlled communities’ guest invitations dropped more than 50% in the first week alone.

Residents are forgoing seeing friends and family and canceling events to ensure they are doing their part to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19.

Another interesting statistic is the drastic increase in package deliveries to communities. As COVID-19 concerns began growing in late February and early March, deliveries to communities started to increase to levels generally seen around the holiday season.

Homeowners are social distancing while maintaining necessary supplies and avoiding crowded grocery stores and markets.

Neighbors help neighbors The World Health Organization has reported that certain groups have an elevated risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, including people over 65 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions.

As a result, solidarity is growing organically in communities.

Younger residents are offering to help with things like picking up groceries or other essentials for residents that are in the high-risk group. That shows an altruistic desire for people to naturally want to help those that need it most during these times.

Technology assists in effective communication As more strict guidelines get put into place, and more people are operating from home, individuals and companies are looking for new tools to help improve communication during the crisis. In communities and HOAs, this essential need is equally present; effective communication is the key to making sure every resident is informed properly and up to date on important community news. The app has seen an increased trend of board members and managers publishing 92% more critical announcements and documents during this time.

“Announcement growth is directly tied to managers and boards making relevant information available to all residents in real-time. The need for urgent news has increased, so we are seeing the results of the platform accommodating that need,” said Luis Lafer-Sousa of TownSq.

Virtual tools facilitate connections From the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the app has tracked a dramatic increase in platform engagement. Residents have taken social distancing seriously with a 45% decrease in visitor requests and an uptick in package deliveries, neighbors helping neighbors, and vital communications from boards of directors to residents.

“We see this exponential growth as a strong sign of effective communication among our customers. It shows that people are looking for new ways to connect and help each other during this time,” said Lafer-Sousa. “Communication between residents is surging with an outpouring of support for those most at-risk in communities.

For homeowners, they understand the importance of community connection and recognize the value of virtual tools to facilitate those connections.”

It is crucial to stay connected during times of crisis. That is why the app is offering features like real-time updates, a resident forum, targeted communications and more free for 90 days. To learn more, visit https://learn.townsq.io/90-day-free-trial.

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Source: BPT

May 2020  |  27

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4 28 | May 2020

Fun and FREE TRAVEL

Things to Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic #3 Support Small Businesses in Your Area – Order lunch or dinner to-go!

Valerie Jones

#1 Virtual Vacation at The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History We love museums and plan museum stops on almost every trip we take. During this travel lockdown (and considering most museums are closed right now anyway), The National Museum of Natural History is offering free virtual tours of their permanent exhibits, current and past exhibits as well as a few other interesting virtual tours.

Kim Floyd

T

hings have surely changed for 2 Girls Who Travel during this Coronavirus pandemic.

During this time, we are no longer traveling (domestic or international), visiting restaurants for our leisurely brunches and happy hours, or even enjoying concerts and movies the same way! The Coronavirus has changed the way we social butterflies maneuver.

Believe us, we feel your pain. In that light, we are sharing some fun and free things to keep you entertained and sane during this time.

There are tons of small businesses that are in need of our support during these times.

Many of the restaurants that are keeping their doors open during this time can only do drive-thru, to-go or delivery orders. We want to encourage you to support your area A great spread from restaurants. Yes, you pay for the food, but a ton Turkey Leg Hut of the delivery services are offering free delivery or great specials during this time. We’ve even seen a roll of toilet tissue with some orders! We are big fans of the Turkey Leg Hut and The Breakfast Klub. #supportsmallbusiness

For more pictures, details and tips about traveling, visit www.2girlswhotravel.com and subscribe to our blog so you an keep up with all of our adventures!

Gumbo from Turkey Leg Hut

TBK Wings and Waffles

#4 Attend a Free Live Concert

#2 Visit the Houston Zoo – virtually from your couch!

If you’re a fan of animals like us, chances are you’ve visited the Houston Zoo. Right now the Houston Zoo is closed, but you can still tune into Facebook Live Monday through Friday at 11am CST to get a FREE peek at what the animals are doing every day. Plus, you can share your animal-watching photos from home.

Musicians, DJs and musical organizations are finding creative ways to engage with their audiences who are missing them. Many are doing free shows on Facebook Live, Instagram Live and their personal websites.

For instance, DJ D-Nice did a “#HomeSchool” quarantine party and had over 100K online viewers tuning in to hear him. We dropped in a few times and it was lit for hours! If R&B/Hip-Hop isn’t your thing, don’t worry because lots of musicians are joining in. If that’s not your cup of tea either, how about the Metropolitan Opera? While the stage is dark, the Met is offering free encore presentations from the company’s Live in HD series.

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30  |  May 2020

T H E

E X P E R T

N E TW O R K

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