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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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September 2021

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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169TH Edition

The Alfred Firm:

Your Trial Law Champion —Byron C. Alfred, Founder of The Alfred Firm

10-11

INSIDE

04

NBA Foundation Sends Millions in Grants to Black-Owned Businesses

22

Nation’s Only Black Cybersecurity Reskilling School Receives $10M Funding Boost To Connect Students With High-Paying Careers in Tech

26

Tips to Manage and Improve Your Personal Finances

2 | September 2021

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September 2021 | 3

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

MR. D-MARS CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

d-mars.com is proud to continue our partnership with the community, publishing positive content and success stories promoting the advancement of our African American businesses and civic and community leaders.

This month’s cover story highlights a leader in the courtroom and in the community. The Alfred Firm, led by Board Certified Trial Lawyer Byron C. Alfred, is an award-winning, client-focused, catastrophic injury and wrongful death law firm founded on purpose where the clients come first.

Seeing his father and grandfather work in refineries in Port Arthur, Texas, has been a driving force in this firm’s passion for representing industrial workers and their families. It is with

Port of Houston

BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Bria Casteel ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marla Lewis Stacy M. Brown d-mars.com

“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country.

This is your democracy. Make it.

Protect it. Pass it on.” — Thurgood Marshall (July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993) was an American lawyer, civil rights activist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the first AfricanAmerican Supreme Court Justice in the history of the United States.

METRO

City of Houston

a compassionate approach that the firm exceeds expectations in client relationship management and legal strategy, obtaining favorable results for countless clients. Whether it’s a trucking accident or a case with a fatality, the firm’s track record speaks for itself.

Reading this month’s cover story will hopefully encourage you to not only serve with excellence as an entrepreneur and professional, no matter the field, but to also utilize those skills to benefit the community. Whether you are up-and-coming or established, this mindset applies to us all.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com, progressing our publication’s efforts to highlight the communities in which we serve, live, and work. Partnering together, we succeed in making positive things happen.

HISD

CONTENTS 04 BUSINESS 04 NBA Foundation Sends Millions in Grants to Black-Owned Businesses 06 How Women Entrepreneurs Can Plan for Success 08 OP-ED: This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Black Wall Street 08 COMMUNITY 08 AARP Report Puts Spotlight on ‘Consumer Fraud in America: The Black Experience’ 12 Family of Congressman John Lewis Carrying His Legacy by Fighting for Voting Rights 10-11 COVER STORY 10-11 The Alfred Firm: Your Trial Law Champion 13-20 HELTH & WELLNESS 14 America’s Booster Shots Draws Criticism from Some World Leaders 15 Why Couples Should Attend Couples Therapy 16 Why Black Women Are More at Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer 18 The American Heart Association Announces New President of the Board for Greater Houston Division 22 EDUCATION & CAREER 22 Nation’s Only Black Cybersecurity Reskilling School Receives $10M Funding Boost To Connect Students With High-Paying Careers in Tech 23 Overcoming Learning Loss Begins at Home 24 Minority Serving Institutions Initiative (MSI) Developing in Oil and Natural Gas Industry 26 FINANCE 26 Tips to Manage and Improve Your Personal Finances 28 Getting Smart About Your Credit Score

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4 | September 2021 BUSINESS

NBA Foundation Sends Millions in Grants to Black-Owned Businesses Here is the full list of the third-round recipients:

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

T

he NBA Foundation has announced 22 new grants totaling $6 million to help create employment opportunities, further career advancement and drive greater economic empowerment for Black youth.

The grant recipients were named as part of the NBA Foundation’s third grant round on the one-year anniversary of its incorporation on Aug. 6, 2020.

In its first year, the NBA Foundation has awarded 40 grants, inclusive of those announced recently, totaling $11 million to nonprofit organizations.

The grants help enhance the impactful programs of these national and local organizations in alignment with the NBA Foundation’s mission to provide skills training, mentorship, coaching and pipeline development for high school, college-aged, job-ready, and mid-career individuals in communities across the United States and Canada.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate our one-year anniversary by awarding 22 deserving recipients with new grants that will further their efforts and our shared mission to create short- and long-term opportunities for Black young people,” said Greg Taylor, NBA Foundation Executive Director.

“The commitment shown by NBA players, teams and governors in our inaugural year has been inspiring, and we look forward to deepening our efforts and operating with intention to reach more youth in additional cities in the years to come.”

The Foundation will continue to collaborate with all 30 teams, their affiliated charitable organizations and the NBPA to support national and local organizations, utilizing the collective $30 million annual commitment from the NBA Board of Governors as well as additional funding sources.

• New Door Ventures • The Center for Teen Empowerment • Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization • SGA Youth & Family Services • Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan • Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation • Sphinx Organization • Running Rebels Community Organization • Summit Academy OIC • The Sanneh Foundation • YouthForce NOLA • All Star Code • SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, Inc.) • Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCo) • Hopeworks Camden • DC Central Kitchen • Black Girl Ventures • College Possible • Equal Opportunity Schools • iMentor • National Summer Learning Association • The Hidden Genius Project

To learn more about the NBA Foundation or apply for a grant, please visit www.nbafoundation.com or follow @NBAFoundation.

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Source: NNPA

September 2021 | 5

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6 | September 2021 BUSINESS

How Women Entrepreneurs Can Plan for Success By d-mars.com

Knowledge Knowledge

News Provider

Knowledge is power. Visit Wells Fargo’s WomenOwned Business Resources page for free tools to support critical business decisions. Also, female entrepreneurs should check out some of these women-specific podcasts to pick up new strategies from savvy leaders:

T

he nearly 13 million small businesses owned by women nationwide are essential to the U.S. economy. Accounting for 42% of U.S. small businesses, they employ nearly 9.4 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in revenue annually.

Healthy and growing women-owned businesses are vital to an inclusive economic recovery, yet women entrepreneurs face distinct challenges, including fewer resources and less access to professional networks, on top of having a greater share of caregiving duties.

“For many small businesses, having access to trusted experts in areas like marketing, business planning, technology and legal can be a critical turning point for getting back to growth,” says Jenny Flores, head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo. Right now, the company is deploying over $55 million from its Open for Business Fund to 93 nonprofits across the country to provide more women and diverse entrepreneurs with resources.

According to Flores, these tips and resources can help entrepreneurs pivot from surviving to thriving as they recover from the pandemic and look to the future:

Mentorship Mentorship

Connecting with mentors is a powerful way for women business owners to share best practices and learn from each other but it’s often hard to know where to find them or initiate those relationships. A new program between Wells Fargo and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center called Connect to More is giving women entrepreneurs complimentary support through its signature Milestone

Mapping Coaching Circle. Born from the challenges of COVID-19, participants get hands-on help setting and reaching business goals from a network of peer mentors and industry experts.

“As a non-profit committed to access and equity in entrepreneurship, we are grateful to partner with Wells Fargo to help women business owners accelerate their personal and professional growth as leaders and gain support as they solve big problems that make their families and communities stronger,” says Nicola Corzine, Networking

Networking Networking Networking is more than a buzzword. It can help open doors to growth. Check the local chamber of commerce or consider joining a well-known organization like the National Association of Women Business Owners.

• Being Boss digs into the mindsets and tactics that can help women business owners make money doing what they love.

• She Leads features respected female leaders from all industries who let listeners know what it takes to rise to the top.

• The Center offers a playlist of workshops and classes for women-identifying entrepreneurs.

• Women at Work, hosted by Harvard Business Review editorial staff, features conversations about where women are and how they can move forward.

Strategy Strategy Having a concrete business plan is essential to running a successful business. During the pandemic, many small businesses had to create more online offerings, change relationships with supply chains or reduce hiring. Now’s the time to review which of these adaptions can be built upon in the future.

Running a business is never easy. But new resources and support can help women entrepreneurs overcome the distinct challenges they face and plan for growth as the economy picks up.

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Source: StatePoint

September 2021 | 7

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8 | September 2021 BUSINESS

OP-ED: This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Black Wall Street

By Tristan Wilkerson NNPA Newswire

L

et me first say, I love my grandma. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t love their grandma. And yet, we live very differently than the generations that have come before us.

The 21st century looks different for entrepreneurs, in particular entrepreneurs of color. And, as the digital global economy evolves, we are learning that entrepreneurship and enterprise are still your best shot at prosperity, systems change, and social equity.

We may live differently than Grandma did, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we live better. And this is our challenge – to make tomorrow more than different, but undeniably better. Here’s why rebuilding America’s Black Wall Streets is the win we’ve all been waiting for.

So, what happened to Tulsa’s Black Wall Street? The story of that terror is best told by Viola Fletcher, a grandmother and 107-year-old survivor of the Tulsa Massacre that demolished one of America’s foremost prominent Black Wall Streets in vibrant Greenwood, Oklahoma.

“I have lived through the massacre every day…I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street.” she recounted in a powerful testimony to Congress.

To put it plainly, the form of terrorism Black folks endured in Tulsa was calculated (and state-supported).

It did what it was intended to do; embed a permanence of fear and inferiority among Black people. In a visceral poem, AJ Smitherman penned:

“Kill them, burn them, set the pace.

Let them know that we are white men, Teach them how to keep their place.”

Prior generations of Black Wall Streets across the country withstood violent racism intended to deny wealth-building for their families and equity-based economic participation. This includes redlining and the

deliberate financial exclusion of Black banking and Black borrowers, a denial that many still face today. Systemic racism prevented entire generations of Black Americans from building wealth, leaving behind a persistent and devastating racial wealth gap where the median Black family wealth is less than 15% than that of their white counterparts.

Many have tried to blame the Black-White racial wealth gap on Black ineptitude, but that’s misplaced propaganda. The greatest threat to Black wealth, historically, isn’t Black ineptitude; it’s White supremacy.

Creating and sustaining a Black economic ecosystem, where dollars are invested and circulated within a network of Black businesses and entrepreneurs, will look physically different than the Black Wall Streets of the past, thanks to the digital economy.

Paying for a vegan hot plate with Apple Pay, menus imprinted on QR codes, online retail, vertically integrated e-commerce, socialized media, digital marketing, streamlined manufacturing, influencers, and content creators are just a handful of the things that you wouldn’t have found on Black Wall Street back in the day thanks to the internet. The post-pandemic economy sits squarely in this digital world, and represents a golden opportunity to finally invite the permanent participation of firms, producers, technologists, and entrepreneurs who are Black, Black-led, and women.

In 2020 alone, we lost 41% of Black businesses between the months of February-April. Many of our brick-andmortar mainstays didn’t survive the economic shutdown, particularly those who weren’t sufficiently tech-enabled.

Many of those mom-and-pop shops or small-to-medium size enterprises (SME) have been subsumed under the new everyday economy. The everyday economy is now almost entirely online, and the central reason we have to tech-enable every Black business at little to no cost.

Rebuilding Black Wall Street requires long-overdue repair of many forms. Black communities have incurred compounding negative interest, while their counterparts have enjoyed opportunities to build incredible wealth.

Repair is more than access to capital. And access to capital does not mean high-interest loans or loans at all.

And it isn’t always money. What access to capital really entails is its relationship to resources. It means lowcost, affordable capital at every stage in the life cycle of a business. It also means knowledge sharing, access to technology, and proper participation in supply chains.

In short, it’s wholesale economic participation for Black entrepreneurs.

Repair is more than Black banking too. Repair is Blackled Venture Capital and Private Equity firms like High Street Equity that are committed to “creating value with more than capital.” Repair is closing the Black-White racial wealth gap could unlock nearly $1.5 Trillion in untapped GDP. Rebuilding Black Wall Street requires a shift in thinking that asset frames Black business. One that values Black life. Only then will we begin to heal the harm of violently systemic racism and create the opportunity for a world of better for generations to come.

Tristan is the grandson of sharecroppers and church folks.

His background is rooted in public policy and political econ. He’s a Capitol Hill alum and campaign veteran turned entrepreneur and investor. He leads Think Rubix as Managing Principal and lives in Washington, DC. Source: NNPA

COMMUNITY

AARP Report Puts Spotlight on ‘Consumer Fraud in America: The Black Experience’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

B

lack adults most often encounter the government imposter, lottery, and work-from-home scams, according to a new AARP report: “Consumer Fraud in America: The Black Experience.”

The report authors wrote that for both fake job postings and romance scams, Black adults far outrank White and other racial groups but are on par with Latino adults.

Black and White – and other racial groups – adults rank being targeted by immigration scams the lowest.

Further, Black adults under age 30 are most likely to report being targeted by a scam as nearly 1 in 5 between the ages of 18 and 29 report being targeted by a government impostor or mortgage scam.

The report revealed that the rank of awareness of scams differs by race.

Compared to White and other racial groups or Latino adults, Black adults reported higher awareness of fake job

postings, Covid-19 stimulus payment, work-from-home, tax preparation, and Black Lives Matter scams.

They also reported lower awareness of utility, grandparent, immigration, and business coaching scams.

Incidence of scam awareness also varied significantly by racial groups in the report.

Black adults reported lower awareness of utility, grandparent, and immigration scams than one or both of the other racial groups.

AARP commissioned Precision Market Research, Latino Decisions, and the African American Research Collaborative to conduct the study, where 2,808 American adults participated.

The study focused on Black and Latino adults.

The researchers concluded that education is critical in helping consumers spot and avoid scams.

However, the survey indicated that Educational efforts about scams and fraud might underserved black adults compared with White and other racial groups.

According to the report, Black older adults, less affluent, and female, are less aware of scams, putting them at higher risk of experiencing a scam.

Black adults who are men attained a bachelor’s degree and reported annual incomes of $100,000 or more indicate a greater incidence of losing money to a scam, the report continued.

Compared with White and other racial groups, Black adults are less likely to have robocall protection or have posted their phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry; these protections are designed to reduce fraud susceptibility.

In addition to the direct economic consequences associated with scams, the survey identifies physical and emotional health consequences that Black adults suffer after a scam experience.

“Exposure to scams – being targeted and, or a victim – among Black adults was on par with other racial groups, with about one-quarter reporting being a target of two or more scams,” the AARP researchers wrote.

“A similar trend exists among those who report being a victim of a scam, which

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represents about 1 in 5 adults within each racial group.”

The organization reported a troubling trend across all racial groups: more than half of those victimized were victims more than once.

“The proliferation of financial fraud in the form of scams is undeniable,” AARP officials wrote on the organization’s website.

“Federal data show the highest ever year-over-year rise in fraud reports between 2019 and 2020, and we know that scams are severely under-reported.

“We also know that when consumers are aware of specific scams, they are far less likely to engage with them, and far less likely still to lose money or sensitive information.”

Visit aarp.org to view the full report.

Source: NNPA

September 2021 | 9

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10 | September 2021

Committed To Every C

Standing on Credibility. Securing Settle

What do clients have to say about The Alfred Firm?

“Byron Alfred represented my family and I after we were involved in a rearend collision. During a very difficult time he served us with compassion, honesty, dedication, and determination. He is an amazing attorney and by far the best for anyone who needs a voice in court in times of need or despair. I recommend him for any person needing sound advice and effective firm representation.”

—Shermette, Client of The Alfred Firm

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

oday it seems that many law firms market to the everyday person with antics, without compassion or credibility, promising quick cash. While a law firm is indeed a business with the goal to increase profits, there should be a purpose for practicing law. The Alfred Firm, led by Board Certified Trial Lawyer Byron C. Alfred, is an award-winning personal injury firm founded with a purpose - top results and second-to-none client service. They are committed to every case, regularly securing top settlement value for their clients.

Before founding The Alfred Firm, Byron had been representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases, securing over $100 million in verdicts and settlements in his first seven years of practice. In 2018, Byron secured a $44 million verdict, which was the largest work-related injury verdict in Texas. In October 2019, Byron settled $22 million in cases in a single month.

Byron founded The Alfred Firm in January 2020 and immediately needed to add more trial attorneys to his legal team. His brother

Johnny, who also attended law school at South Texas College of Law - Houston, was naturally the perfect fit to be the first attorney added to The Alfred Firm's trial team.

Seeing their father and grandfather work in refineries in Port Arthur, Texas, has been a driving force in the firm’s passion for representing industrial workers and their families. Even in law school, the Alfred brothers proved to be a powerful force, competing and winning moot court and mock trials together. One of their first major wins together as attorneys was settling a challenging and

massive case in 2019, which became the largest reported school district sexual assault settlement in Texas history.

In addition to Byron and Johnny, The Alfred Firm recently added a new attorney, Kai Henderson, who was the Executive Editor of the Law Review and a moot court champion in her own right at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The Alfred Firm’s team of attorneys are backed by a talented legal support staff, headed up by Chief of Staff Amanda Zubire, and on the business side, Director of Operations, Talia Alfred. “I, along with our Chief of Staff, Amanda Zubire, work with law practice management consultants to implement state-of-the-art systems and processes to ensure that our clients are receiving the best possible services as our firm

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grows,” said Byron. “Our Director of Operations, Talia Alfred, has done a stellar job leading our relationships with banking and financial professionals that have built a strong foundation of financial resources, allowing us to do battle with large corporations and insurance companies. The business side of The Alfred Firm is run like a Fortune 500 company.”

The Alfred Firm uses a team approach to client communication.

Byron said, “Our process of client communication ensures that, by

the end of the representation, the clients will have had meaningful conversations with every single member of our team.”

September 2021 | 11

Case.

ements.

Q&A WITH THE ALFRED FIRM: D-MARS: Talk about the consequences of not hiring a trial lawyer after an accident.

ALFRED FIRM: The consequences of waiting to hire counsel following an accident are potentially fatal to a person’s case. Evidence collected immediately following an accident oftentimes tells the story of what happened. If the evidence is not immediately preserved, the court’s chances of finding the truth of what happened are dramatically decreased.

D-MARS: What is the criteria for your firm to accept one’s case?

ALFRED FIRM: I have been fortunate to be involved in some of this country’s most important, high profile cases throughout my career. The Alfred Firm was founded, in part, to allow me to handle more cases and to help more people. Our case selection criteria begins with determining whether the client is a good fit for our firm.

We then determine whether the case has merit and whether our involvement will allow the potential client to achieve his/her desired outcome.

“It was a wonderful experience working with The Alfred Firm.

Byron and his staff were helpful and responsive to all of our questions and concerns.

He was able to get me a great settlement in under a year. He was kind and caring, always looking out for what was needed.”

—Steve M.,

Client of The Alfred Firm

D-MARS: How does your firm approach cases and clients to combat the stereotype that sometimes comes with the personal injury/trial law profession?

ALFRED FIRM As a Black lawyer, I feel uniquely qualified in combating stereotypes. I’ve been doing this all my life. Personal injury lawyers and law firms are often criticized for outlandish and frankly, silly marketing tactics that are oftentimes directed at the stereotypical Black consumer.

They think our people want to hire flamboyant, loud talking, lawyers, when in all actuality those are usually not the lawyers trying the cases in the courtroom. I have a problem with that, especially as it pertains to the serious, catastrophic cases that my firm handles. The Alfred Firm is proud to promote a brand of results-oriented, client-focused service that commands the respect of our peers and opposition through merit not gimmicks.

you overcome some of the challenges to receive the settlement for your clients?

ALFRED FIRM: Four months after receiving the largest work injury verdict in Texas, we tried a case to jury verdict that recovered less than $50,000. Our opponents know that we are just as serious about our demands in a minor car wreck case as we are about a catastrophic multi-million dollar case. One of my mentors expressed to me, “There are no small cases, only small lawyers.” We understand that, no matter the value of the case, every case is always of major importance to every client.

D-MARS: Are there any notable cases that your firm is presently working on that you want to mention?

ALFRED FIRM: The Alfred Firm is presently involved in two major Houston work-related fatalities that occurred in 2020. The Alfred Firm is currently representing the family of one of the two employees who lost their lives in the Watson Grinding Explosion in Houston, Texas.

The Alfred Firm is also representing the family of one of the two employees who lost their lives while attempting to clean inside a tanker at the and wrongful Qualawash facility in Houston.

“Injury death cases require attorneys to give of themselves in a distinct way not called for in other practice areas. There is nothing more gut-wrenching than sitting with a family member after they’ve recently lost a loved one. Yet, if channeled properly, a genuine connection and trust develops between client and attorney, contributing to a positive outcome for the client.”

The Alfred Firm was launched amidst movements sparked by the injustices committed against those such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. In founding this firm, Byron feels charged with a responsibility to show the immense possibilities of Black and Brown professionals when ethics, professionalism, and skill are coupled with a laser focus on restoring the lives of our communities. The firm believes in pouring into the community it serves, opening doors for other minorities to achieve in the legal profession and seeking out opportunities to support those in need in atrisk areas.

“The Alfred Firm is proud to be a Black-owned law firm, producing top results for our clients. As we are in one of D-MARS: What are some of the biggest the most diverse cities in this challenges you face as a personal country, I am proud that our injury trial attorney in court against firm’s clientele and qualified the opposition, and how do you legal team are an example overcome those challenges with a —Byron C. Alfred, mirroring that diversity,” Byron successful outcome for clients?

Founder of The Alfred Firm said. Understanding the ALFRED FIRM: One of the challenges importance of surrounding is that we are sometimes oneself with mentorship underestimated by the opposition and like-minded leaders as because we are a young firm. We overcome this an element for elevation, he is inspired by the work of challenge by proving ourselves in court with wins and Keith Davis aka “MR. D-MARS” and mentions Davis’ book, settlements. Also, we are mindful of remaining credible, Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest, as an encouraging and this is why we are selective with the clients we read for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to choose to represent. Credibility is the foundation of all maximize their potential. winning cases. A credible client paired with a credible lawyer presenting a credible case theory is a perfect For more information about Byron and the legal team at combination for success, making us a respected and The Alfred Firm and how they can serve you, please visit reputable opponent. www.alfredfirm.com or call (713) 470-9714.

D-MARS: Even with the verdict in your favor, how do Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

12 | September 2021 COMMUNITY

Photo Caption: Family members of the renowned freedom fighter, Congressman John Lewis

Family of Congressman John Lewis

Carrying His Legacy by Fighting for Voting Rights

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

T

he late Congressman John Lewis, a Democrat, lived every moment of his life doing for others.

And, as the world knows, the Congressman gave every ounce of his time, energy, blood, sweat and tears, in fighting for all Americans to have the right to vote.

Family members of the renowned freedom fighter visited the nation’s capital, hoping to meet with lawmakers to push two crucial pieces of legislation to blunt voter suppression efforts in many Republican-led states.

“When you see something unfair and unjust, you have a moral obligation to do something,” Lewis’ niece, Angela Lewis Warren, told NNPA Newswire.

Lewis Warren joined her uncles, Henry Grant Lewis and Samuel Lewis, on the trip to Washington.

The family said they wanted to continue the Congressman’s legacy by pushing the “For The People Act” and the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.” Both pieces of legislation have lingered in an evenly divided Senate, where Democrats like West Virginia’s Joe Manchin have stubbornly refused to consider abolishing or bending filibuster rules to push the bills through.

“By any means necessary, they have got to get those bills passed,” Samuel Lewis, the 8th of 10 children in the Lewis family.

Samuel Lewis, who served for 28 years in the U.S. military, forcefully opined that Democratic leadership should abolish the filibuster if needed to pass critical legislation.

“I think they should,” he stated.

His brother, Henry Grant Lewis, agreed.

“Our drea m is to keep t he Congressman’s dream and to move his legacy forward,” Grant Lewis, a retired auto industry worker and the 9th of the 10 Lewis siblings asserted.

“That means getting up in the morning, putting on our boots, and catching a plane to Washington. Whatever the case may be.”

Attorney Barbara Arnwine, the president and founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition, joined the family in Washington.

Arnwine, who also serves as co-chair and facilitator of the National Commission for Voter Justice and other voting rights organizations, noted the racist history of the filibuster and agreed that Democrats must act to either abolish it or amend the rules to pass key bills.

“The filibuster is a White supremacist notion,” Arnwine declared, adding that it was created to suppress people of color.

With GOP-controlled states like Georgia, Florida, and Texas, making it difficult for people of color and other underserved communities to vote, the family believes Congressman Lewis would urge his party to protect what he believed was a precious right.

According to the nonprofit Brennan Center, the For The People Act includes automatic voter registration and other steps to modernize U.S. elections.

It includes a federal guarantee of free and fair elections without voter suppression, coupled with a commitment to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act; small donor public financing to empower ordinary Americans instead of big donors (at no cost to taxpayers) and other critical

campaign finance reforms; an end to partisan gerrymandering; and a much-needed overhaul of federal ethics rules.

Critically, the Act would thwart virtually every vote suppression bill currently pending in the states, Brennan Center officials declared.

“These reforms respond directly to Americans’ desire for real solutions that ensure that each of us can have a voice in the decisions that govern our lives, as evidenced by their passage in many states, often by lopsided bipartisan margins,” officials continued. “They are especially critical for communities of color. Racial justice cannot be fully achieved without a system in which all Americans have the means to advocate for themselves and exercise political power.”

If enacted, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would help protect voters from racial discrimination and vote suppression.

“We are going to keep fighting,” Henry Grant Lewis insisted.

“One message that my brother would say is keeping the faith.

Even though these current voter suppression laws have been put in place to deter us from going to the polls, we have to see what’s most important and go to the polls. And we have to do that with even greater numbers in the next election because of these laws. So we have to have a big turnout.”

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Both brothers and their niece spoke somberly of what they miss most about Congressman Lewis.

For Angela Lewis Warren, it was her uncle’s desire and ability to never leave anyone out of a conversation or a greeting.

“His ability that he had to make you feel like you mattered. I don’t care how crowded a room was or if he was talking to someone else. He could look in your eyes and make you feel like you’re the only thing that mattered at that moment,” Warren recalled.

“We knew that we mattered.”

Henry Grant Lewis said he misses the intimate conversations with his brother.

“We used to have early morning conversations when I was on my way to work, and he was on his way to work,” Grant Lewis noted. “Then, we’d have late-night conversations, and they were very real and very special. We had this special bond that tied us together, and he was such a family person who loved being with his siblings and talking with his great-nieces and nephews.”

For Samuel Lewis, it’s simply his brother’s presence that he has a longing.

“I was nine years younger, but we also had a bond,” Samuel Lewis recalled. “We loved to go to ball games together and like my niece stated. “He gave everyone his attention. I recall being at Atlanta Braves baseball games, and I would go to my seat, and sometimes it would be an hour before he would finally come back to his seat because everyone wanted to talk to him. He was really patient with everyone, and it wasn’t fake. He was really genuine.”

Source: NNPA

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September 2021 | 13

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HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

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

August 2021

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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19th Edition

Why Black Women Are More at Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer

16

INSIDE

18

14

Black Men Seeking Mental Health

15

Why Couples Should Attend Couples Therapy

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The American Heart Association Announces New President of the Board for Greater Houston Division

14 | September 2021

America’s Booster Shots HEALTH

Draws Criticism from Some World Leaders

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

T

he announcement by the Biden-Harris administration to begin providing booster shots to combat Covid-19 has drawn the ire of the world community.

The World Health Organization (WHO) responded to the announcement that the doses – the third shot for those who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines – were immoral and unconscionable.

“We’re planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets, while we’re leaving other people to drown without a single life jacket,” Dr. Michael Ryan, the emergencies chief at WHO, remarked.

The organization said poorer countries – including many in Africa – have little access to vaccines, and America should provide doses to those nations.

“If none of us are safe until all of us are safe, why are we

talking about booster shots while less than 2 percent of Africa’s population is fully vaccinated?” tweeted Ahmed Ali, a researcher, and advocate of evidence-based policies.

Global data shows that 32 percent of the world’s population has received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and 24 percent are fully vaccinated.

Approximately 4.84 billion doses have been administered globally, and 34.95 million are now provided each day.

The data shows that just 1.3 percent of individuals in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

In t he United States, health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 189.9 million people – or 57 percent of the total population – have received at least one dose.

Approximately 163.9 million people – or 49 percent of the U.S. population – are fully vaccinated.

“Some richer countries hoard vaccines,” asserted Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the regional director of Africa for the WHO. “They make a mockery of vaccine equity,” Dr. Moeti insisted.

U.S. officials countered that while the country plans to administer 100 million booster shots by the end of the year, America will distribute 200 million more vaccines globally.

President Biden noted that America already had shipped abroad 600 million vaccines.

“I know that some world leaders who say America shouldn’t get a third shot until other countries got their first shot. I disagree,” President Biden remarked.

“We can take care of America and help the world at the same time.”

The rise of the delta variant has further necessitated a booster shot, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated.

“It’s normal for immunity or the protection you get from the vaccine to decrease over time,” Dr. Murthy continued.

“We knew that delta as a variant was different, and it may have impacted the protection we were getting.”

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Source: NNPA

September 2021 | 15 HEALTH Specializes in cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers, whitening and coming soon Botox and lip llers. www.sdshouston.com

Why Couples Should Attend

Couples Therapy Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Contributing Writer

T

here are many benefits to counseling other than addressing conflict and crisis. Therapy, in general, is for every individual and occasionally, individuals may need therapy for self-improvement. Whether looking to improve the quality of the relationship at a critical turning point or feeling hopeless, here are the most common reasons/benefits for seeking relationship counseling.

Dr. Mikenah Joyy and Dr. Simone Ellis

Smile Design Studios, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry 9303 Hwy 6, Suite 300 Missouri City TX 77459

281-969-7388

713.597.4499 877.214.5758 President, Lead Therapist and Mediator at Allen Counseling Group, PLLC. Licensed Professional Counselor approved by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Licensed Professional Counselors.

Texas Certified Mediator - Parenting agreements and relationship dissolution.

“As your relationship coach, I will work with you to identify unhealthy communication patterns, recover from affairs, stop living like roomates, and revitalize your relationship.”

Specializing in Relationship and Self-Improvement counseling for an exclusive clientele of: - professionals - entrepreneurs - celebrities - athletes Desire Full Confidentiality while working through personal challenges.

No worries about sitting in an office wondering who may “see you” because we offer Tele-Conferencing from the location of your convenience. speciali in working with couples, While I specialize I also work with individuals who want to improve their self-esteem and achieve their personal goals.

I have appointments available in the evenings and on Saturdays to fit your schedule.

theallencg@gmail.com www.allencounselinggroup.com

1. Communication - Improved communication can lead to improved intimacy when the couple learns how to speak openly and actively listen to what the other person is saying. By learning new communication skills, you have the opportunity to get out of the “crazy cycle” and restore the intimacy in the relationship.

2. Infidelity - A therapist can provide insight and clarity about the current state of the relationship and how it got to this point. The therapist facilitates the healing journey which requires honesty, transparency, and behavioral changes to restore trust.

3. Premarital - There are many topics that couples need to discuss before marriage such as finances, roles of each partner, future personal and joint goals, family planning, household chores, sex, and family histories.

4. Sex and Intimacy – To improve intimacy, the therapist will help each individual identify their love language and that of their partner so that each can utilize them in their actions together.

Understanding and incorporating your partner’s love language has the potential to improve your physical, emotional, spiritual, and sexual relationship with each other.

5. Trust and Trauma - When trust issues exist, so does a wall that makes it challenging to be open and vulnerable with your partner. Therapy can help you identify the origins of the trust/ trauma issues that are impacting the relationship with your partner.

6. Outside Factors – Outside factors can include but are not limited to in-laws, friends, separate hobbies, job stressors, and even children.

7. Step-Parenting & Co-parenting – Depending on the level of recovery

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from the past relationships, it can be helpful to bring both families together for the therapist to support and guide everyone through the change. The therapist serves as a neutral party to help make a smooth transition so that all parties are on the same page for the sake of the children.

8. Navigating Life Decision - Deciding where to live, job change, expanding the family, returning to school, etc., are decisions that impact both parties.

The therapist will help identify the concerns and needs of both parties and help the couple make decisions that are in the best interest of the relationship.

9. Divorce – While divorce can feel like a failure, parting ways amicably and working together as co-parents can turn out to be successful with the right skills and tools. You can also learn how to discuss things with your children and family.

Deciding to start therapy can be difficult. However, scheduling the first appointment shows commitment to improving the relationship and yourself. You don’t have to be in crisis for marriage counseling to feel beneficial, and you will ultimately gain more tools and skills to use in your relationship.

My goal as a therapist is to work with individuals and couples to help bridge the gaps in your interpersonal development that subsequently affects your relationships.

For more information about me and my services, please visit my website at www.

AllenCounselingGroup.com. You can also reach me by email at Tami@AllenCounselingGroup.com or by phone at (713) 597-4499.

Like and follow the Allen Counseling Group on social media: FB: @AllenCounseling2017 IG: @AllenCounselingGroup Twitter: @CounselingAllen

Source: goodtherapy.org

16 | September 2021

Why

HEALTH

Black Women Are More at Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer By d-mars.com News Provider

H

ealth equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Yet, according to a recently released report, Black women in the United States face a perfect storm of issues spanning across every aspect of the healthcare system and society at-large that are causing them to die about 40% more often from breast cancer than white women. Indeed, in some metropolitan areas, the gap can be as high as 74% Why is this happening? As the report, “Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save Lives of Black Women in America,” by breast cancer leader Susan G. Komen highlights, despite advances in science and increased access to early detection nationally, Black women face the combined effects of racial, gender, ethnic and other forms of bias while navigating systems and institutional structures in which entrenched inequities remain the status quo.

This experience is felt by Black women nationwide, regardless of their income, education or insurance status.

For example, one Black health care professional who participated in a focus group for the report noted that her own experience is poor when she goes for treatment without her “white coat.” “I was ignored until the doctor came into the room and started asking me very specific questions. The way I answered made the doctor stop and ask my background. I asked, ‘why does it matter?’ She said, ‘Do you work in the health care field?’ I said, ‘More or less.’... She stopped, and she said, ‘Oh, so what's your title?’ I said, ‘It’s Dr.,’ and within 30 minutes I was upstairs in a room. If I get treated this way, then what do other people go through? I really felt like I was just another Black face, until they understood that this Black face came with a level of influence and authority.”

These issues are exacerbated by the socioeconomic impacts of segregation, unfair employment practices and racist policies like redlining that still divide many metropolitan areas today. For example, many Black women face difficulties finding high-quality cancer care located near them. In the report, one Dallas-area health care provider recounted how a 65-year-old woman walked about 10 miles in the July heat to get to

her screening mammogram. By the time she got to the hospital she was dehydrated and had to go to the emergency room to get fluids before her screening. And those who rely on Medicaid or similar insurance are often turned away once they arrive or are forced to wait hours to see someone.

These transportation and insurance issues are just a few of the barriers tragically impacting Black women today. Whether it’s substandard care, the availability and affordability of diagnostics and follow-up care, unfair public policies, insurance practices and implicit bias and racism, the report authors stress that Black women are dying more than white women because our systems are failing them at every step in their breast cancer journey.

Leveraging the insights and solutions recommended in the report, Komen is launching a new initiative called Stand for H.E.R. – a Health Equity Revolution, to take specific action in each of the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas where disparities are the greatest. Made possible by funding from Robert Smith and the Fund II Foundation, this initiative will include several specific interventions to improve the quality of care and to overcome obstacles and bias, including connecting women to care through culturally competent patient navigators.

The hope is that by launching this initiative, other organizations and community stakeholders will join with Komen to address the long-ignored issues that continue to marginalize the Black community.

Source: StatePoint

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September 2021 | 17

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18 | September 2021 HEALTH

The American Heart Association Announces New President of the Board for Greater Houston Division

July 2021 marks the passing of the torch in volunteer leadership from Dr. Robert Morrow to Dr. Doug Lawson Q&A With Dr. Lawson:

Photo Caption: T. Douglas (Doug) Lawson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s Health, will serve as President of the Board for the Greater Houston Division.

Through this appointment with the AHA, how do you plan for the organization to support the removal of barriers for those in need/in at-risk areas to have access to quality health care?

The American Heart Association’s 2024 Impact Goal is focused on championing health equity for all. Through our boots-on-the-ground work in Houston communities like Acres Homes, we are creating access to healthy foods with local, sustainable farmers markets and improved access to quality health care. We’re also partnering with Legacy Community Health in collaboration with Houston Bcycle, Precinct One, and Our Afrikan Family for our Heart Healthy Fifth Ward work supporting the launch of a Bike Rx pilot program, the first of its kind in Houston.

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he American Heart Association, the leading voluntary organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, announced that T. Douglas (Doug) Lawson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of St. Luke’s Health, will serve as President of the Board for the Greater Houston Division. The Board of Directors is made up of community leaders, medical professionals and executives who guide the Association to drive breakthroughs in science and technology, change systems and policies, address disparities and transform health care and the health of our Gulf Coast community.

Lawson joined the Greater Houston Board in 2019 and will serve a two-year term as President of the Board. Dr. Lawson’s term coincides with the penultimate year of the Association’s 100th Birthday and the achievement of their 2024 Impact Goal to advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.

“As President of the Board, Dr. Lawson takes the helm during a crucial period in our work to remove barriers to health equity through science, community investment, improvements to health care access and quality, and advocating for change locally, '' said Mel Edwards, Executive Director and SVP of the Greater Houston Division.

“We’re honored to have Dr. Lawson’s leadership as we work to accomplish our 2024 Impact Goal. His passion for the Houston community and commitment to health and wellbeing for all will propel our work.”

Nutrition security, hypertension and blood pressure, maternal health, and mental well-being are top priorities for the Board as the Association’s fiscal year kicks off.

Dr. Lawson emphasizes the need for improved access to healthier food options and preventative care. “I am proud to join the Association’s efforts to reduce the factors and social determinants that can lead to poor cardiovascular and brain health,” said Dr. Lawson. “Education on healthy lifestyles, especially with our youth, and removing the barriers that make healthy living a challenge, has the power to transform our community.”

For more information, please visit heart.org.

Healthy living can be a challenge for youth when parents lack the education or are living what they know, having this habit of unhealthy eating habits passed on to them. What is the AHA’s plan to combat this challenge for a healthier community?

The American Heart Association is engaging families through the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge programs. These initiatives encourage physical and emotional health by inspiring physical activity, volunteerism, kindness, cooperation and development of life saving skills such as CPR. In addition, our goal is to increase access points for healthy food through expanding SNAP and SNAP Double Up Bucks, developing Food Rx programs within clinics, and providing nutrition education with AHA recipes and health information via QR codes or cookbooks.

Please talk about your passion for the Houston community and commitment to health and wellbeing for all. Houstonians are bold and independent — the type of neighbors who always keep an eye out and won’t hesitate to lend a hand. We’re proud to channel that fundamental spirit at St. Luke’s, and proud to live our commitment to care for all our neighbors, near and far. At our heart as an institution, we believe everyone deserves access to the best quality care that’s both affordable and helps build healthier, more resilient communities. As part of the nonprofit CommonSpirit Health, a Catholic health system, all our work stems from a shared mission — to advance the health of all people and to deliver exceptional patient care in the process. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve.

We are still in the midst of the pandemic. What is the reasoning you have seen behind those who have chosen not to be vaccinated?

When it comes to vaccines, our focus is to highlight the safety and efficacy of vaccines and the benefits of inoculation. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a personal choice, but it is important for people to talk to their physicians and to understand that the benefits of getting inoculated outweigh the risks. It’s also important to understand the consensus among national medical organizations that see the enormous value in vaccination. As providers, we have a duty to do everything we can to keep our patients safe. Following thorough review and guidance from leading health organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Nursing Association, the American Hospital Association, and the Association of American Medical Colleges, St. Luke’s Health is requiring all of its employees, physicians, Advanced Practice Providers, volunteers, and others who provide care in our facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, 2021.

What is your message to those who have not been vaccinated?

Please get vaccinated. According to the CDC and FDA, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and tens of millions of doses have been administered with very few serious side effects. In fact, our experience and the current data suggest the COVID-19 vaccines are as safe as a flu shot.

The best defense we have against COVID-19 is the vaccine, and that is why we recently required it for all our employees. Approximately 95% of our current cases are unvaccinated individuals. The average age for admissions is now 40-45 and we are seeing more children in our hospitals with COVID. Our community emergency rooms are largely at capacity during what is now our fourth wave, which further emphasizes the importance and effectiveness of the vaccine. We are all in this together, and must each do our part to get our community through this pandemic as healthy as possible.

Source: The American Heart Association

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September 2021 | 19

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20 | September 2021

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September 2021 | 21

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22 | September 2021

NATION’S ONLY BLACK EDUCATION & CAREER

CYBERSECURITY

Reskilling School Receives $10M Funding Boost To Connect Students With High-Paying Careers in Tech

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

D

etroit-based Automation Workz Institute, Inc., the nation’s only Black tech diversity consulting and upskilling institution, recently announced the closing of $10 million growth financing to drive the expansion of their cybersecurity, network engineer and development certification courses to people of color across America.

• Game-changing funding will increase people of color access to Automation Workz programs • 30 percent of Automation Workz graduates have received six-figure job offers • “The best social justice program is a job, especially a high-paying high-demand tech job” – Automation Workz CEO & Founder Ida Byrd-Hill

Focusing on careers in network engineering, cybersecurity and IT/tech, as a post-secondary vocational school, Automation Workz customizes workforce training to develop diverse adults for high-paying careers in business, tech and cybersecurity.

The announcement took place on Tuesday, August 10, at the 2021 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

“This new funding partnership with Blair is game-changing on so many levels,” said Automation Workz CEO and Founder Ida Byrd-Hill.

“Lack of money should not be a barrier to move into the plethora of high-paying tech jobs that, for too long, have been a barrier to people of color.

“For years, I’ve advocated the best social justice program is a job, especially a high-paying high-demand tech job.

“I’m so thankful to Blair for believing in Automation Workz which I built to discover the tech genius that is often overlooked within inner cities.”

As an immediate benefit, the new funding will increase people of color access to Automation Workz’s program using Income Share Agreements whereby students sign an enrollment agreement.

Upon graduation or receipt of a higher-paying job, whichever happens first, they will share income to repay tuition over four years.

Automation Workz will also be able to add more staff and artificial intelligence capabilities to increase enrollment, hence more job offers.

Automation Workz’s goal is to assist 50,000 people of color to achieve six-figure job offers to create prosperous affluent economies in inner cities across America, thereby reducing crime, poverty and the stress that plagues inner cities.

“Blair is excited to partner with Automation Workz, a leading education provider, to increase upward mobility and afford students the opportunity to achieve great outcomes,” shared Justin Stolzenberg, Head of Growth at Blair.

“Their commitment to providing students an excellent education and lifelong career path is second-to-none,

and continuously proven through their commitment to outcomes-based financing.

We are thrilled to work with Automation Workz on removing the burden of upfront payments from their students and increasing access to their program.”

To date, 30 percent of Automation Workz graduates have received and accepted six-figure job offers with the highest offer received by a Black woman.

Reflecting its community and student constituents, people of color Instructors and mentors provide a safe and inspiring training space to launch into the tech industry.

In addition, beyond a traditional curriculum, handson certification training utilizing digital simulations, games and animation are unique tools to both grow and groom the invisible tech geniuses that live in inner cities.

Both endorsement and validation of its high-powered training is illustrated by Automation Workz’s inclusion as one of the nation’s top 10 Cybersecurity Bootcamps

by Career Karma and being named one the Best Cyber Security Bootcamps of 2021 by Intelligent.com.

In addition, Pearson PLC of London has validated Automation Workz as distinctly having a niche audience of 30–40-year-old Black women which is unique across the world.

For more information, please visit autoworkz.org.

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Source: NNPA

September 2021 | 23 EDUCATION & CAREER

Overcoming Learning Loss Begins at Home By d-mars.com News Provider

S

chool closures. Widespread distant learning and hybrid classrooms. Two summer breaks. Since the pandemic started in March 2020, students in the United States have faced numerous challenges.

While educators nationwide have done their best to shift learning to reach all students, studies show cumulative learning loss could impact students for years to come, especially for students of color.

Whatisislearning learningloss? loss?

What "Learning loss refers to how much knowledge a student loses or misses over a period of time," said Dr. Rebecca Palacios, Age of Learning, Curriculum Board Member. "Summer learning loss happens when schools close for summer vacation, but new studies show the shifting learning environment during the pandemic had a similar impact on knowledge gain and retention."

On average, students lose between 25% to 30% of their school-year learning over the summer, according to the Brookings Institution, with Black and Latino students losing more over the summer compared to white students. This learning loss is compounded by pandemic learning loss.

Last fall, McKinsey research found that students in grades K-5 were on average three months behind in mathematics due to the pandemic. Students of color were about three to five months behind in learning, while white students were about one to three months behind.

Reading skills loss was found but not as significant, with students a month and a half behind historical averages.

Hispanic communities in particular have faced pandemic hardships, which exacerbate student learning loss. According to the Pew Research Center, about half of Latinos in the United States have a family member or close friend who has been hospitalized or died from the coronavirus. Additionally, a similar amount say they or someone in their household has lost a job or taken a pay cut during the pandemic.

How to to help help students students How One of the most impactful ways you can assist students with learning loss happens at home. Palacios said parents and caregivers can create an environment of learning by taking a few simple steps and encouraging kids to engage in learning every day: Step 1) Quality screen time Children have more readily relied on screens for entertainment throughout the pandemic, but not all screen time is created equal. Monitor what your kids watch on TV and opt for educational programming that underscores age-appropriate social and educational skills.

Choose smartphone and tablet apps that are a positive influence on their development as well.

One example of fun, quality screen time is ABCmouse.

Designed by educational experts, and utilized in classrooms, this affordable program features more than 11,000 learning activities in literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music and more. Parents, caregivers and children can navigate major features in English or Spanish, and there is a tracker that allows parents to see how much progress a child is making. Research has

found that with as little as 45 minutes of ABCmouse per week learners show significant gains in math and reading.

Step 2) Daily reading Reading is an important activity that helps support the developing brain in addition to helping children learn important literacy skills. Whether it's reading out loud to a young learner or helping select a book to grow a new reader's confidence, supporting students' reading matters.

In addition to traditional books, explore audio books, digital or e-books, as well as other sources for reading such as newspapers, comics and magazines. Know a second language? Make time to read in both with children.

ABCmouse makes it easy with over 1,500 books, puzzles, and activities in Spanish. Just 20 minutes of reading a day can have a big impact on students learning and help them catch up from learning loss.

Step 3) Teachable moments Hands-on learning is one of the most effective ways for students to retain knowledge, and fortunately for parents and caregivers, learning opportunities present themselves every day. Shift to an educator's mindset and look for ways you can include your child in daily activities to help them learn new skills.

For example, involve kids in measuring and mixing while cooking in the kitchen. Get the family outdoors to help grow a garden. Count your change together at the grocery store. Have older children help you build a project or fix something around the house. Life is full of teachable moments if you take the time to pause and get children involved.

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Source: BPT

24 | September 2021 EDUCATION & CAREER

Minority Serving Institutions Initiative (MSI) Developing in Oil and Natural Gas Industry

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

W

ith individuals of color expected to fill about 54 percent of the projected 1.9 million job opportunities in the natural gas, oil, and petrochemical industry over the next two decades, the American Petroleum Institute (API) has added more historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) along with Minority Serving Institutions to its Minority Serving Institutions Initiative (MSI).

API is providing Grambling, Southern, Prairie View A&M, Fort Valley State, and New Mexico State University, among the universities, free access to a library of world-class standards for oil and gas equipment, processes, and systems.

This access will allow the schools to introduce their students to practical knowledge and industry standards, and the tools will apply to their future careers.

“API is proud to make our standards catalog available to educate and prepare our nation’s future energy workforce,” said Debra Phillips, senior vice president of API’s Global Industry Services.

“A diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce is an essential part of our industry’s future success and API is honored to play a small part in supporting progress toward these students’ bright futures.”

Reportedly, the mission of the MSI Initiative is to develop and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the natural gas and oil industry by providing API’s 700+

standards catalog to students at HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions.

API standards are widely used by the natural gas and oil industry globally to ensure health, safety, and environmental protection and advance sustainability.

Therefore, students will benefit significantly by increasing their familiarity and understanding of the standards themselves and the development process.

The MSI Initiative reflects the commitment by API and the industry to help people of color thrive in professional careers, officials noted.

Officials stated that partnering with these highly regarded institutions fosters the oil and natural gas industry’s drive toward a more diverse, equitable, and

inclusive workforce.

API is continuing to partner with additional HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions as they grow the MSI Initiative.

Access to these standards will enhance the students’ overall educational experience, making them more knowledgeable and competitive in the job market.

In addition to standard catalog access, API’s Global Industry Services division is offering internships to students at participating schools. Applications are currently being accepted for the internships.

API has operated as the global leader in establishing and maintaining standards for the natural gas and oil industry since 1924.

API standards help enhance operational safety, environmental protection, and sustainability while ensuring that industry knowledge is accurately transferred amongst engineers and across organizations.

These standards and recommended practices are also relied upon by regulators worldwide, with more than 600 references in U.S. federal regulations, 3,800 citations in U.S. state regulations, and over 789 references by international regulators.

If you would like to learn more about the initiative or have a connection with a qualified institution, contact API’s Scott Garten at gartens@api.org or go to https://www.api.org/products-and-services/standards/ msi-initiative.

Source: NNPA

FINANCE

5 Things To Know While Searching for Life Insurance By d-mars.com News Provider

I

n today's environment, when many things may seem like they're not in your control, finding ways to help your family feel more financially secure and protected is important. As anyone who has suffered a loss in their family is likely to tell you, having life insurance in place beforehand made a huge difference for their financial situation - and their peace of mind.

However, a recent study found that only 54% of Americans currently have life insurance coverage. This is a decline from just a decade ago when 63% had life insurance coverage, according to the 2020 Insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA). In the study, 44% of families said that if the primary wage earner died, they would face financial hardship within just six months, and 28% would experience financial hardship within just one month.

Having life insurance in place helps to protect your loved ones, ensuring they will have financial resources to rely on, giving both you and them peace of mind.

What know about Whatdo doyou youneed needtoto know life insurance?

Here's a quick about life insurance? Here’s a guide. quick guide.

1

Don't wait According to the "2019 Insure Your Love Consumer Survey" by Life Happens, 69% of consumers with life insurance said that they felt less stressed knowing their loved ones were financially protected. Beyond establishing that protection right away - before it's needed - another advantage is that typically, you can secure lower rates for life insurance when you're younger.

2

Life insurance is a vital part of an overall financial plan A good financial plan for you and your family should include life insurance as a key component. When assessing your family's overall financial picture, one crucial fact can't be overlooked: Your family's financial health may be in jeopardy if you or your spouse is no longer around to provide income. As an article by Michael Aloi in Kiplinger entitled "Whole Life Insurance: It's a Swiss Army Knife for Financial Planning" explains, whole life insurance offers long-term protection - and peace of mind - that very few can achieve through simply trying to

save money over the years. So when you're making a financial plan, consider whole life insurance as a crucial piece of your overall financial planning puzzle.

3

It's about more than immediate expenses Providing life insurance for your family does a lot more than just pay for funeral expenses, debts or medical bills not covered by health insurance that you may leave behind. It can help provide financial stability for your family for years to come.

4

Nearing retirement? Whole life insurance can be an effective investment.

Whole life insurance offers benefits that are especially helpful for older Americans, even if they may think that they no longer need life insurance.

"If you are nearing retirement, your financial obligations may look different than they did 10 years prior. This provides a great opportunity to focus on your own future," said Jim Jacobsen, executive vice president, Distribution and Underwriting at Boston Mutual Life Insurance. "With whole life coverage, your plan can be continued after retirement, at the same premium."

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5

Look for affordable, flexible and portable protection If you're looking for an affordable plan that's right for you, with whole life insurance coverage from Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, you can choose the amount of insurance or the premium amount that best suits your needs and your budget. Their coverage includes: • Family coverage options for you, your spouse, your children and grandchildren • Guaranteed premiums, coverage amounts and minimum cash values • Portability: if you change jobs, you can take your plan with you, at the same rate

END-95 (ESO)(20/21) "Boston Mutual offers working Americans and their families products and services that are designed around their needs," said Jacobsen.

To learn more about your life insurance options, contact your HR department or visit BostonMutual.com.

Source: BPT

September 2021 | 25

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26 | September 2021 FINANCE

Tips to Manage and Improve Your Personal Finances By d-mars.com News Provider

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f you’re like many Americans, having a better understanding of money management is a priority for you right now.

In fact, nearly 75% of Americans hope to improve their financial literacy in 2021, according to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll for World Finance. The same survey also found that 50% of Americans need advice on how to budget properly.

“While money matters can seem overwhelming at first, there is a simple formula for successful personal finances: know your credit score, create a manageable budget and build your savings,” says Chad Prashad, president and CEO of World Acceptance Corporation, the parent company of World Finance, a personal finance company.

Tohelp helpyou youget getstarted, started,World WorldFinance, Finance,which To which helps over one million customers helps over one million customers each year each year improve their financial situations, improve their financial situations, is offering is offering the following tips and insights: the following tips and insights:

or digital envelopes representing different spending categories), zero-based budgeting (earmarking every last penny of your income to a useful purpose) and the 50/30/20 Rule (allocating 50% of your income to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings and debt reduction).

3. Start saving: While building a savings account can be daunting, it’s important to allocate one in your budget. Doing so will mean you have an emergency fund to keep you afloat when the unexpected happens in life.

According to the OnePoll/World Finance survey, nearly 30% of Americans do not feel that they have the safety net or resources available to cover a financial setback greater than $400. If you find yourself in a situation where your savings won’t cover what you need, a personal installment loan with equal monthly payments designed to fit into your budget could be a good solution. Find a lender that will work with you to understand the complete picture of your finances, such as World Finance.

To learn more, visit loansbyworld.com.

“Every so often, it’s a good idea to take inventory of your financial wellness,” says Prashad. “Use the opportunity to understand your credit score, employ budgeting tactics and create a savings fund.

1. Know your credit score: Many banks and lenders will let you review your credit score for free on a regular basis. If your credit score has room for improvement, a simple way to build it is through a credit building loan.

This is a small loan designed to be easy to pay back, helping you establish positive credit through the lender.

When taking out a loan, always be sure to use a reputable lender that reports to credit bureaus so that repaying your loan positively impacts your score.

2. Make, and stick to, a monthly budget: There is no one-size-fits-all way to make a budget so find a method that works best for you. A few systems to try include envelope budgeting (dividing expenditures into physical

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Source: StatePoint

September 2021 | 27

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28 | September 2021

Getting Smart FINANCE

About Your Credit Score By d-mars.com News Provider

G

ood credit opens doors. Not only can it help you secure an affordable loan, but it is also often needed for access to open everyday accounts, such as for your utility services and cell phone.

It can help you land a job, boost your chances of securing an apartment, and even improve your dating prospects, according to research.

Whether your credit is “good” is determined by your credit history, which looks at your payment patterns over time and your credit score, which rates your credit risk at a moment in time. But it’s more complicated than that, and if you’re like many Americans, you may be confused by some of the details.

According to a recent Freddie Mac survey of homeowners and renters, one in three Americans isn’t aware that credit score elements such as the length of credit usage or having joint credit and loan accounts are reported to credit bureaus. Additionally, more than half of homeowners and renters aren’t aware that being behind on housing payment can result in an impaired credit rating, and nearly 60% don’t know or realize it can impact their ability to get a loan in the future.

To Toget getaahandle handleon onyour yourcredit, credit, consider considerthese thesetips: tips: 1. Pay on time. The best thing you can do to build, maintain or improve your credit is pay bills on time. The types of accounts considered for credit payment history include: • Credit cards • Retail accounts, such as credit cards from department stores • Installment loans, such as car loans, on which you make regular payments • Mortgage loans • Student loans • Finance company accounts, such as car dealer in-house lenders

2. Watch your credit card balance. If you allow your credit cards to reach high, unpaid balances, or if you only pay the minimum due, credit cards can cost you hundreds (and even thousands) of dollars in interest and can impair your credit.

3. Review your credit report annually. You’re entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report each year from each major credit bureau via annualcreditreport.com. You can also keep an eye on your credit score through free apps such as Credit Karma, NerdWallet, WalletHub or others.

Be aware, however, the scores shown in these apps are not the same as FICO scores used by most lenders and creditors to make lending or credit decisions. Still, they’re useful for reviewing the financial activities affecting your credit.

4. Get savvy. Education has power. Learn more about managing credit by checking out Freddie Mac’s free suite of financial education resources, CreditSmart.

Over the past two decades, more than 5 million consumers have benefitted from these tools and now this program can be customized by users.

“Financial education is personal. Whether you’re renting a home, are on the path to homeownership or saving for the future, our newly released curriculum empowers you to customize your experience and learn at your own pace,” says Cindy Waldron, vice president, Single-Family Housing Insights and Solutions at Freddie Mac. To access these resources, which are available online or on mobile devices, visit creditsmart.freddiemac.com.

The impact of good credit on your life can’t be overstated. Use free resources to learn more about how it works. Then, stay on top of your credit by actively monitoring it and working to improve it.

Source: StatePoint

REAL ESTATE

Reduce Your

ENERGY BILLS

Bills This Fall With These Tips

By Stacy M. Brown News Provider

T

he updates you make in fall can prepare your home for the long winter months ahead, helping you stay more comfortable all season while reducing your energy bills and other expenditures.

Here are some home improvements to consider, as well as tips and insights for making the most of these upgrades: • Select insulated siding: Did you know that most wall insulation is placed only between the studs? Since wall studs represent up to 25% of the wall surface of an average home, that’s like having one side of your home with no insulation at all! Check out siding that provides continuous insulation, such as CedarMAX insulated vinyl siding from ProVia, which is not only one of the most energy-efficient exterior claddings on the market, but offers enhanced curb appeal and durability.

• Improve windows and sliding glass doors: New windows can make a substantial impact on your overall energy efficiency, if you select wisely. To identify the most energy-efficient windows for your home, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate zone map, which divides the country into four regions. For each region, the agency provides recommended values for the two major characteristics that affect the energy efficiency of vinyl windows: the U-Factor (which measures the window’s insulating value) and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (which represents the amount of heat from the sun that passes through the glass). Learn the specs of any windows you’re interested in before making a purchase to ensure they’re a good fit for your region.

Wherever you live, make sure the windows and sliding patio doors have been independently tested to meet strict EPA energy efficiency standards, and check to see that the windows are ENERGY STAR Certified. The ecoLite, Aspect, Endure and Aeris lines from ProVia all offer comfort and energy efficiency, as well as optional upgrades that can help make an additional dent in your energy bill or add aesthetic appeal. Some lines come standard with ComforTech Warm Edge Glazing, a high-tech glass package that measurably improves thermal performance for less heat loss, warmer glass temperatures and reduced interior condensation. Finally, be sure any new products are delivering their full value with a proper installation that eliminates drafts.

• Seek further savings: Did you know that by installing energy efficient products, you may be eligible to receive an energy tax credit? When purchasing products for your home, consider shopping with companies that are clear about the status of their products, as well as provide needed documentation certifying your eligibility.

• Pass it on: Environmental stewardship is a valuable lesson to impart to the next generation. While you make energy-saving updates to your home, consider checking out free resources that can help your children understand why this matters. For example, the “Sammy the Star” ENERGY STAR Educational Program, found at provia.com/ energy-star, teaches children about the importance of saving energy.

Energy savings and environmental protection go hand-inhand. This fall, consider home upgrades that prioritize both.

Source: StatePoint

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30 | September 2021

Get a Clear View of Roles in a

Real Estate Transaction

By Marla Lewis President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association

T

he last thing you want during a real estate transaction is a replay of the famous Abbott and Costello Who’s on First? routine. Not only is it helpful to understand all the players’ roles during the process, but this knowledge can help you determine what information to share with which parties. Here are the basics.

Customer Customerororclient? client?

If you are working with a real estate agent to buy property, you are that agent’s client, right? Not necessarily. You might be a client or you could be a customer.

While these terms sound similar, don’t think they are interchangeable. They connote different responsibilities on behalf of the agent.

You are a client only when you hire an agent to represent you. Buyers often sign a written agreement when hiring a buyer’s agent. Your buyer’s agent can help you search for properties, give you information about financing, assist you in preparing offers and other related matters.

REAL ESTATE

However, an agent can also help you with these matters even if you don’t hire that person to represent you.

In this case, you are a customer rather than a client. For example, you might work with the selling agent (also called a listing agent) of a home. Typically, the listing agent will provide you information and assist you without offering opinions and advice. Keep in mind there’s a big difference between giving information and giving advice.

The listing agent owes his or her primary loyalty to the seller. As such, you don’t want to share any information that you wouldn’t want the seller to know.

For example, if you make an offer of $200,000 but are willing to go as high as $225,000, you should not tell the listing agent. The listing agent would be obligated to pass this information on to his or her client.

You also might work with what’s called a sub-agent.

A sub-agent also represents the property owner in cooperation with the listing agent. You also are considered a customer when working with a sub-agent, so don’t lose sight that the sub-agent represents the seller.

On the other hand, if you hire a buyer’s agent, that person must put your interests above all others. So if your buyer’s agent finds out that the seller is moving to another state this month and has received no offers thus far, you can expect your agent to share that information with you.

Regardless of whether you are a client or a customer, all agents must treat you honestly.

Howcan canyou yoube besure surewho’s who’swho? who?

How Real estate law in Texas requires a broker to provide you with a form, Information About Brokerage Services, at the first substantive meeting between the two of you.

This form spells out the differences between listing agents, sub-agents, and buyer’s agents. The form also outlines their duties to you. If you have any doubt about what your relationship is with an agent, be sure to clarify this before proceeding.

An intermediary It is possible for one broker to serve as an intermediary between the buyer and seller on the same transaction, as long as that broker complies with certain legal provisions.

An intermediary acts in a manner that does not favor one side over the other. The parties must give written consent to such an agreement.

The intermediary may not disclose certain information to the other party, such as confidential details or anything one of the parties tells the broker not to disclose. The broker also must not disclose whether the seller will accept less than his asking price or whether the buyer is willing to pay more than the amount written in his offer, unless this obligation is waived by the seller or buyer in writing.

Regardless of the choice you make about agency representation, I recommend you work with agents and brokers who are realtors. Realtors go beyond the legal requirements by adhering to a code of professional conduct. To find a realtor and to check out real estate listings across the entire state of Texas, be sure to visit HAR.com. And for information about the Houston Black Real Estate Association, please visit hbreahouston.org.

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