Business Journal 173

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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

January 2022

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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173RD Edition

Quotes & Scriptures

That Will Help You Navigate 2022

If you look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough.

-Oprah Winfrey

Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis, Sr. PUBLISHER & CEO OF VASKEY MEDIA GROUP, INC. 10-11

INSIDE

04

Steps To Help Small Businesses Emerge From COVID-19 Challenges

28

What Type of Person Wants To Buy Your Home?

23

Ring in the New Year With Three Simple Financial Resolutions

2 | January 2022

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

January 2022 | 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.

Happy 2022! The word, “resolutions” can make one cringe and possibly be intimidating, as you look at your list of previous resolutions unaddressed. But it’s about a positive perspective. You can’t move forward, focusing on the past.

So, what are your motivators? Maybe it’s people. Maybe it’s quotes. Maybe it’s Scripture verses. What will encourage, drive, and move you to propel to the highest level? This is a special cover, as it’s giving you some of our favorite quotes

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

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

—Booker T. Washington, educator, author, orator, and adviser to several presidents of the United States

METRO

City of Houston

and Scriptures that keep us in a positive place. We pray that these motivators we share with you will be implemented for achieving great success in the spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, and physical.

We hope this cover inspires you to push through.

We know the times we are in are uncertain, but what is certain is that when you not only read or listen to Scripture and positive messages, but also implement them, you will see positive results. Remember, it’s during the challenges and tests when you see how strong you are. Success is knocking on the other side of the door. Will you answer?

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

HUB

VBE

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CONTENTS

OUR SERVICES

04 BUSINESS 04 Steps To Help Small Businesses Emerge From COVID-19 Challenges 04 What Every Small Business Owner Should Know Today 06 Biden-Harris Administration Announces Reforms to Increase Equity and Level the Playing Field for Underserved Small Business Owners

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION

08 COMMUNITY 08 4 Important Programs Improving the Lives of Military Spouses 08 New N’COBRA Study Finds Genetic Damage From Historical Racism Linked to Poor Health and Transgenerational Trauma in Black Americans 12 EDUCATION & CAREER 12 Need a Career Boost? Try an Accelerated Degree 10-11 COVER STORY 10-11 Quotes & Scriptures That Will Help You Navigate 2022 13-20 HELTH & WELLNESS 14 10 Doctor-Recommended New Year’s Resolutions to Make Today 16 Americans Report Significant New Health Behaviors Over the Last Year 17 Smart Flu Prevention Tips for Workplaces 18 Resolutions for Your Relationship

DISTRIBUTION Mike Jone

22 EDUCATION & CAREER 22 Oil & Natural Gas Industry Engineering Successful Opportunities for People of Color and Women

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marla Lewis Stacy M. Brown d-mars.com

23 FINANCE 23 Ring in the New Year With Three Simple Financial Resolutions 24 New Study: What Does It Really Cost To Take Out a Small Loan?

• Business Journal • Health & Wellness Journal • Community Weekley Report • 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 REAL ESTATE 26 Is It Too Late To Reduce Your Mortgage Payment by Refinancing?

28 REAL ESTATE 28 What Type of Person Wants To Buy Your Home?

29 IT & TECHNOLOGY 29 3 Trends Poised for Growth in 2022 and the Tech Startups Helping to Fuel Them

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4 | January 2022 BUSINESS

BUSINESS

Steps To Help

Small Businesses Emerge From COVID-19 Challenges By d-mars.com News Provider

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he COVID-19 pandemic has impacted small businesses across the country in numerous ways.

From new health guidelines and supply chain woes to hurdles with hiring and retaining employees, weathering the dramatically altered business landscape continues to be challenging for small businesses.

This has been especially difficult for small businesses of 100 employees or less. While the pandemic has affected each organization differently, navigating the tight labor market amidst the pandemic is a shared problem without a simple solution.

"A close connection to an organization's mission and a more personal work environment used to be enough for people to want to work at small businesses, but expectations have changed," said Zarifa Reynolds, Head of Strategic Growth Markets & Small Business Segment at Guardian. "A mission-driven intimate work environment is no longer enough to attract talent and retain employees as they are looking for employers to provide them with a great place to work as well as provide resources to address their health, wealth and lifestyle needs."

This evolving reality for small businesses is highlighted in the 10th Annual Workplace Benef its Study from Guardian titled "Inflection Point: How Small Businesses are Emerging from COVID-19." The report highlights some of the strategies small businesses should consider to help them attract and retain talent, including:

Flexible Flexiblework workpolicies policies The pandemic accelerated the trend for flexible work policies. Investing in collaborative technology and communicating regularly with employees helps maintain workplace connectivity and boosts productivity, whether a workforce is in-house, remote or hybrid.

In fact, nearly six in 10 small firms plan to continue remote work in some capacity in the future. Continued agility as work cultures change is essential.

Additionally, changing work dynamics during the pandemic has prompted small businesses to focus on disability programs and paid leave policies, including paid sick time.

Offering flexible scheduling allows employees to adjust their work hours to accommodate their personal lives, such as for caregiving responsibilities, childcare needs, or personal health conditions.

Voluntarybenefits benefits Voluntary Many small firms have faced revenue and staffing losses during the pandemic, yet overall have improved employee benefits. These important actions directly impact hiring and retention, making small businesses more competitive as they look to attract and retain talent.

While small business owners might have ideas about noteworthy benefits to add, most are seeking strategic guidance from a benefits broker, consultant, or individual agent.

Specifically, small business decisionmakers have leveraged the deep knowledge of industry professionals for guidance on voluntary benefits and technology solutions that will help them standout in the competitive marketplace for talent.

A notable trend within the small business segment is the growing interest in voluntary benefits, also known as supplemental health, which can either be a shared cost between employer and employee or paid solely by the employee.

Voluntary life insurance products have been increasingly popular as employees seek to protect themselves and their families. Additional voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and short- and long-term disability are also gaining traction among small businesses.

Mentalhealth healthand andwell-being well-being Mental Nearly half (46%) of small firms offered a wellness program in 2021 compared to only 23% in 2018, showcasing a trend of small businesses prioritizing employee health and well-being. Most small firms also took some action to help improve employees' physical (65%) and mental health (76%) during the pandemic.

Some top wellness programs for small business employees include: * Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that offer a range of services such as mental health and substance abuse counseling, financial guidance, and legal advice. * Wellness initiatives that promote better nutrition, fitness, and overall health awareness. * Telehealth medical and dental consultations for evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment through digital channels. * Mental health resources, such as access to counselors or meditation apps.

Technology Technology Offering benefits has become increasingly important for small businesses to attract and retain employees, but many are overwhelmed by the complexity of the process and ensuring that their employees receive a good customer experience. This is especially true for organizations that don't have a dedicated HR manager.

Fortunately, technology can help overcome barriers.

In addition to investing in technologies that support remote work functions such as employee collaboration and customer service, many small businesses are offering technologies for human resource functions as well. In fact, nearly all (96%) of small firms now outsource one or more HR functions to an external third party, including payroll (91%), benefits enrollment (78%) and ongoing benefits administration (75%).

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, but the pandemic has hit them particularly hard.

Sharing these insights on how small businesses have continued to support their employees by providing needed benefits has helped these businesses and their employees to thrive," said Reynolds.

What Every Small

Business Owner Should Know Today By d-mars.com News Provider

G

iven how much has changed about the way people do business over the last few years, experts say it may be time for entrepreneurs to rethink how they store and protect company data, and collaborate with their teams.

According to Brian Mallari, a marketing director in Western Digital’s hard drive business unit, a shared storage or network attached storage (NAS) solution can help, and here’s why: • Cost: As every owner of a small- or mid-sized business (SMB) knows, cutting costs without cutting corners is key to protecting the bottom line. While cloud storage fees can incur ongoing costs, adopting a NAS solution is a great way to pay once while keeping sensitive data local to the office or home.

• Capacity: Before selecting a storage solution, consider your needs. From wedding photographers to graphic designers, many businesses need a storage solution that can grow over time.

Popular NAS storage drives for small and medium businesses, such as the WD Red family of products from Western Digital, range in capacity from 1 terabyte (TB) to 18TBs, making them a good solution for those who work with large amounts of data.

• A shifting workplace: With hybrid and remote workplaces becoming the norm for businesses of all sizes, this has added new challenges for business owners and their staff wishing to easily collaborate, edit files and work with shared files and databases. With a NAS storage system, all users’ PCs and laptops can be assigned permission to access the storage solution, giving them the ability to load files and data wirelessly or via connected ports. What’s more, such a system can help protect your team’s work and data against loss from a network outage or potential cyberattacks, as remote/home data can be backed up to the storage device itself at the office. Because NAS solutions use several hard drives, they can provide protection of data via redundancy, also referred to as RAID. In other words, should one drive fail, the data lives on.

• Getting set up: Getting set up with a SMB NAS storage system is easy. The solutions are available at consumer electronics stores and online, and you can choose from a NAS system that includes from two to 24 slots or “bays” for hard drives to make sure all your data is covered. Most NAS solutions, especially twoand four-bay solutions, can simply plug into an internet router via Ethernet.

To learn more about NAS-ready data storage options, visit westerndigital.com.

“In today’s world, small- and mid-sized businesses need both reliable, affordable data storage solutions, as well as tools that allow for collaboration among workers near and far,” says Mallari. “Rethinking how data is stored can help entrepreneurs achieve both these goals.”

Source: BPT

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Source: StatePoint

January 2022 | 5

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6 | January 2022 BUSINESS

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Reforms to Increase Equity and Level the Playing Field for Underserved Small Business Owners

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

P

resident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have announced a set of reforms to the federal procurement process to help meet an ambitious target of increasing the share of federal contracts to small, disadvantaged businesses (SDBs), advance the President’s Management Agenda and increase opportunity for all underserved businesses.

The actions announced recently, include for the first time, asking agencies to increase their goals so that governmentwide spending results in 11 percent of contracting dollars being awarded to small, disadvantaged businesses, up from the current statutory goal of 5 percent.

“This is the first step towards meeting the President’s goal of ensuring that 15 percent of federal contracts go to SDBs by 2025,” the White House noted in a Fact Sheet.

The administration also for the first time called for the release of disaggregated data of federal contracting spent by race/ethnicity of business owners, which officials called a powerful transparency and management tool.

The administration also plans to implement major changes to the federal government’s use of “category management” to boost contracting opportunities for underserved small businesses, increase the number of new entrants to the federal marketplace and reversing declines in the small business supplier base.

President Biden and Vice President Harris also are adopting key management practices to drive accountability and institutionalize achievement of small business contracting goals.

According to the fact sheet, for the first time, asking agencies to create ambitious goals to exceed the existing statutory goal of 5 percent by spending 11 percent of

Fiscal Year 2022 governmentwide procurement dollars on small, disadvantaged businesses.

“Small business contracting goals are a key element of our federal procurement system, driving priorities for nearly 40,000 federal contracting officers,” administration officials wrote.

The action puts agencies on a path to meeting the President’s goal of increasing annual SDB spend from an average of 9.8 percent over the last 5 years to 15 percent by FY 2025.

“The reforms we are putting in place now will help ramp up the amount of money going to SDBs in the coming years and keep us on a path to meet the President’s goal of an additional $100 billion to SDBs over the next five years,” the White House stated.

Over the course of the coming year, the federal government will also update goals for other “socioeconomic” categories of small businesses, including women-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and HUBZone businesses.

The administration noted that the federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world, buying everything from software and building construction to financial and asset management – making its procurement a powerful tool to advance equity and build wealth in underserved communities.

“Despite this, less than 10 percent of federal agencies’ total eligible contracting dollars typically go to small, disadvantaged businesses, a category under federal law for which Black-owned, Latino-owned, and other minority-owned businesses are presumed to qualify,” the White House said.

“Moreover, while women own roughly 20 percent of all small business’s economy-wide, less than 5 percent of federal contracting dollars go to women-owned small businesses.

Increasing federal spending with underserved businesses not only helps more Americans realize their entrepreneurial dreams, but also narrows persistent wealth disparities.”

According to new analysis from the White House Council of Economic Advisers, based on data provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA), differences in business ownership account for 20 percent of the wealth gap between average white and Black households.

For this reason, at the June 1 centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, President Biden announced a bold new goal: increasing the share of contracts going to small, disadvantaged businesses by 50 percent by 2025 – an unprecedented target projected to translate to an additional $100 billion to SDBs over 5 years.

The White House said the announcement built on the President’s Day One Executive Order 13985, which directed agencies to work to make contracting opportunities more readily available to all eligible firms and to remove barriers faced by underserved individuals and communities.

Additionally, on November 18, the Administration launched its President’s Management Agenda (PMA) Vision.

The third PMA priority – managing the business of government to build back better – recognizes that fostering lasting improvements in the Federal acquisition system can create opportunities for underserved communities, the White House noted.

The PMA Vision states, “By creating more opportunities for all types of businesses and underserved entrepreneurs to compete for Federal contracts, the Federal marketplace can serve as a platform to create a more equitable economy.”

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association

January 2022 | 7

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8 | January 2022 COMMUNITY

4 Important Programs Improving the Lives of Military Spouses By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he average military spouse moves eight to 12 times in the span of a 20-year military career.

Each move results in starting over in the new location and dealing with the struggle of meeting new people, sustaining meaningful employment, and feeling a sense of community in each new location.

While the USO is most often thought of as an organization that entertains U.S. service members, their work extends to providing vital support to the entire military community, including these programs that directly support military spouses: • Networking: In 2016, the USO launched its Military Spouse Networking Events. This worldwide initiative empowers military spouses by connecting them to their social, professional, and community networks. Offering opportunities to interact with other military spouses, attendees instantly connect with one another and to their communities.

The USO also invites local hiring employers, community and military leaders, and organizations to support military spouses. Spouses leave these networking events with customized business cards, a professional “elevator pitch,” and a collection of 15-25 new connections.

• Friendship: Each year, the USO hosts hundreds of monthly “Coffee Connections,” connecting thousands of military spouses in their local communities and networks. These gatherings are an opportunity to connect

with old and new friends, share advice, and learn about local events.

In 2019, Coffee Connection Live launched in response to requests from those who didn’t have ready access to a USO location. These virtual “coffee chats” between USO military spouses and influential guests cover timely topics relevant to the military spouse community, such as employment and wellness. All episodes are recorded and available at uso.org/campaign/coffee-connection-live.

• Workshops: Feelings of loss, uncertain identity and a lack of purpose caused by the rigors of military life are common, according to USO research. However, a series of workshops launched in 2017 help fill that gap, including Brittany Bocher’s “Discovering Your Spark.” The purpose of the workshops is to help military spouses find their passion and help them approach life’s challenges with a positive and proactive outlook.

“Discovering Your Spark” can be found at uso.org/ programs/discovering-your-spark.

• Baby showers: Many military moms-to-be are often away from their families, friends and support networks during their pregnancies. The USO hosts virtual or hybrid baby showers for military families featuring baby shower games, local guest speakers, and drawings for gifts to provide a sense of home. In 2020, Johnson & Johnson proudly became the presenting partner, supporting the USO Special Delivery program for all expectant military families. More than 13,000 expectant service members and military spouse parents have been served through this program since it began in 2013.

Members of the military community -- service members and spouses -- can learn more about programs available in their area by downloading the USO mobile app. For those interested in learning more about how they can help the USO deliver these vital services to the military community, visit uso.org/programs.

Thanks to a range of programs and new support, military spouses are more empowered than ever to meet the many challenges associated with military life.

Source: StatePoint

COMMUNITY

New N’COBRA Study Finds Genetic Damage From Historical Racism Linked to Poor Health and Transgenerational Trauma in Black Americans

By NNPA Newswire

W

hen the wounds are caused by generations of racism, it takes a group like the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA) to do the necessary deep cleaning. Since 1987, N’COBRA has been the leading mass coalition dedicated to obtaining Reparations for African descendants in America. Most recently, their work has been recognized by the MacArthur Foundation for their cutting-edge efforts.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is the lead House sponsor for H.R. 40, legislation that would put Reparations on the agenda of the full House of Representatives for the first time since its introduction in 1989. The Congresswoman is a long-time supporter of Reparations.

Now, N’COBRA is releasing its 2021 report The Harm Is to Our Genes: Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance and Systemic Racism in America. The research team was headed

by Dr. Joan Kaufman of Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Citing current scientific research, the seven-section report persuasively documents the ongoing impact of historical trauma, starting with the TransAtlantic Slave “Trade”, and includes racial segregation, mass incarceration, police brutality, and economic exploitation. These, and other harms, reveal that “ancestral adversities can negatively impact descendants across multiple generations through epigenetic (chemical) changes in the DNA.” Yes, trauma that happened to past generations can and is reflected by the current generation. The same can be expected to occur in future generations, if the report’s recommendations are not adopted. “Our report

emphatically attests that if the Black community is ever going to heal from the consequences of systemic racism, in addition to established medical protocols, we must not hesitate, but be inclusive of African-centered health and wellness modalities,” explains Lisa Davis, N’COBRA Health Commission co-chair.

“These findings demand that every conversation about the health inequities and health problems confronting Black Americans should include historical trauma and its effects,” says Kamm Howard, N’COBRA National co-chair.

A United Nations report released earlier this year concluded, “Racism is embedded in the structures of our society.” While police brutality, the wealth gap, and other issues grace the headlines – health disparities are often overlooked. And, when those disparities are generational, it’s even more difficult to determine the why and who is at fault. “You must accept that systemic racism is the reason bad health has existed for generations for those of African descent,” he adds.

Howard further breaks down and discusses the importance of the report, noting that: 1) Historical trauma is present not past; 2) Historical trauma is group trauma; 3) Historical trauma is multi-generational; 4) Health challenges of future generations are guaranteed; and 5) HR 40 must be passed. The report also includes several important policy recommendations that will bring relief to Black Americans, namely: Eliminate Structural Racism and Decolonize Health Disparities, Build Black Wealth, Fix the Criminal Justice System, Fast Track Police Reform, and Strengthen Voting Rights Legislation. “People of African descent demand repair and the immediate enactment of all their human rights and equal status inside the United States,” says Dr. Onaje Muid, N’COBRA Health Commission co-chair.

Howard concludes, “These findings make our demand for Reparations even more urgent. Resources must be targeted to address the multitude of harms in addition to the health challenges detailed in this report. H.R. 40 must pass!” H.R. 40 was voted out of committee by the House of Representatives this past April. There are currently 200 members in favor of passage; 218 votes are needed.

Why it has taken more than 30 years for the U.S. Congress to even entertain a conversation about Reparations is hard to digest. “The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America’s report, Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance and Systemic Racism in America, provides us with a singular, significant, historical and scientific presentation of the extended devastation of the impacts of slavery on the descendants of enslaved Africans and all of America. Over the years, we have witnessed the impacts of systemic racism,” says Congresswoman Jackson Lee. “This report now details how systemic racism has flowed through the centuries and through the communities of African Americans. The right answer to this report is for Congress to pass H.R. 40, The Commission to Study Slavery and Develop Reparations Proposals. H.R. 40 will provide a studied analysis and response for the best pathway forward to heal America and to end forever the stigma of systemic racism and its varied social, political, economic, and environmental impacts as detailed in this report. This is the right time in America’s history to pass H.R. 40 and to establish this important Commission!”

For more information about N’COBRA, visit www.NCOBRAonline.org.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association

January 2022 | 9

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

10 | January 2022

Quotes &

That Will Help Y By d-mars.com News Provider

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“

History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.

—Michelle Obama

“Change is the law of life and those who look only in the past or the present will certainly miss the future.”

—John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

—Babe Ruth

“Every experience in your life is being orchestrated to teach you something you need to know to move forward.”

—Brian Tracy

“Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.”

—Stephen Covey

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. I nvolve me and I learn.

—Benjamin Franklin

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

e know it’s been a rough couple of years, bu 2022! If you have made it to this year, you blessed and have much to be thankful for, de challenges. Not to say that you haven’t encountered problems, but changing your perspective, you can push through. The word, “resolutions” can make one cringe and possibly be intimidating, as you look at your list of previous resolutions unaddressed. But again, it’s about a positive perspective. You can’t move forward, focusing on the past.

So, what are your motivators? Maybe it’s people. Maybe it’s quotes. Maybe it’s Scripture verses.

What will encourage, drive, and move you to propel to the highest level? This is a special cover, as it’s giving you some of our favorite quotes and Scriptures that keep us in a positive place. We pray that these motivators we share with you will be implemented for achieving great success in the spiritual, mental, emotional, fi—Muhammad A nancial, and physical.

“If a man looks at the world when he is 50 the same way he looked at it when he was 20 and it hasn’t changed, then he has waste 30 years o his life,”

Many of life’s failures are people w did not realize how close they were success when they gave u

—Thomas A. Edis

January 2022 | 11

Scriptures

You Navigate 2022

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Below are Scriptures, quotes, and words of wisdom you can implement in your life to help you in those goals for 2022.

Scriptures: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23

Purchase

“Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest” at www.keithjdavissr.com

For booking, please call (713) 373-5577, or email contact@d-mars.com

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.

—J. K. Rowling

“If you give it to God, H e tran sform s your test into a testimony, your mess into a message, and your mi sery into a mini stry.”

—Rick Warren

“Losing is only temporary and not all encompassing.

You must simply study it, learn from it, and try hard not to lose the same way again.”

In addition to the above, here are some things to consider to help you reach those goals for this year:

• Are your goals realistic ? It’s important that your goals are realistic and achievable with your lifestyle. For example, if you have a husband/wife and children, is it realistic that you have a goal of walking daily or 3 times a week? You know what you can achieve with your current responsibilities. If your goals aren’t realistic, you are more likely to feel defeated and may quit altogether. So yes, aim high, but be realistic.

• Are you turning your goals into habits?

Everything in life is the result of a habit. If your resolution is to stop a bad habit, you need to replace it with a good habit to serve the same purpose. So let’s say, for example, you find yourself hungry at 3:00 PM every day. That daily donut won’t help you lose weight. But, swapping it out for a banana and a handful of almonds instead will satisfy both your hunger and sweet tooth. You should also intentionally avoid things that will trigger bad behavior. Instead of walking past the donut shop, take a different route.

Small changes today will help yield larger results in the long run.

• D o y ou support? No

“It always seems impossible until it’s have done.”

—Nelson Mandela

one can ac complish a ny t h ing without help and support, so who is in your tribe?

Support can come in many forms like paid coaches, trainers, and assistants. But free help is still help. So, ask your spouse to make breakfast for the kids while you go to spin class every Saturday morning. Or start an accountability group text with a few friends. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for what you need.

• Are you tracking your progress? Habits and resolutions take time. Make it simple by tracking things such as your daily food, monthly measurements, and weekly weight. Write everything down in an old fashioned notebook or use an app or spreadsheet. Goal tracking will keep you motivated. By having a visual representation of your results from the previous month, you are more likely to stay motivated and keep going.

We hope this cover inspires you to push through.

We know the times we are in are uncertain, but what is certain is that when you not only read or listen to Scripture and positive messages, but also implement them, you will see positive results. Remember, it’s during the challenges and tests when you see how strong you are. Success is knocking on the other side of the door.

Will you answer? Happy 2022!

—John Wooden Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Sources: Forbes.com Jamesclear.com Everydaypower.com Blissquote.com Unfinishedsuccess.com Brainyquote.com Christianity.com Dailyverses.net

12 | January 2022 EDUCATION & CAREER

Need a Career Boost? Try an Accelerated Degree By d-mars.com News Provider

A

midst dramatic shifts in the national workforce and ever-changing job market, those in or entering their careers without formal education face an uphill challenge.

In a recent survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nearly half of the more than 800 occupations they analyze annually require a college degree.

Those occupations at the bachelor's or master's degree level are now netting graduates about $36,000 more in median annual salary than those at an associate's level or less - and this trend is likely to continue increasing.

With such a wide wage gap, it's clear that undergraduate and graduate degrees are profitable investments for employees looking to upskill or change careers and first-year students alike. However, the cost of these degrees and the time needed to complete them can still be a barrier. While taking additional courses in high school or transferring credits from prior collegiate experiences can help, not everyone can take advantage of these opportunities.

Fortunately, innovative universities now offer an alternative: earn both degrees in less time.

Arizona State University is leading the way by creating affordable 4+1 degree programs, allowing students to concurrently complete an undergraduate and graduate degree. The ASU Online 4+1 programs include degrees for in-demand fields such as information technology and health care.

Students in any of these online programs are able to fasttrack their degrees and accelerate their career potential by saving up to a year of master's coursework and tuition.

Is an accelerated degree program the next step in your career path? When evaluating your options, consider how much time these programs take to complete, the total cost and how they may affect your career outcomes.

Time Time Generally, it takes a minimum of four years to attain a bachelor's degree and an additional two years to graduate with a master's. An accelerated program allows learners to shorten the time it takes to attain either of these degrees.

ASU Online, for instance, combines undergraduate and graduate coursework during senior year for dual credit, so a student receives both degrees in five years.

This process isn't exclusive to first-time-incollege students. Transfer students can also benefit from an accelerated degree program.

They can complete these degrees even faster by working with their academic counselor to chart a plan for which courses they need to take to be on track with an accelerated program.

What's more, the pace and structure of online programs allow learners to maintain employment while they get their degree. Earning while learning is especially advantageous to master's degree students who are less likely to receive grant aid, fellowships or tuition waivers than undergraduates and doctoral students.

Career Careeroutcomes outcomes

Looking to the future, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects to add the most jobs in 2020-2030 in industries where careers typically require an advanced degree.

While some individuals may have a defined passion and clear career path, others may not know what credentials are necessary to pursue a position in their desired industry.

Conducting research on what occupations are growing and what knowledge can help you enter those fields can yield beneficial results.

When considering employment trends for 2020-2030, the bureau projects health care and social assistance will add the most jobs of all industries, with an estimated 3.3 million jobs.

Technological advancements will also increase the longterm demand for computer-related occupations, especially with the rise of teleworking, which has expanded the need for computing infrastructure and IT security.

ASU Online, aiming to make education accessible for students across the country, currently offers more than 30 accelerated 4+1 degree programs. Several programs can lead to careers in these rising industries, nursing, biological sciences, information technology, internet and web development, and global cybersecurity.

No matter the career, the path to attaining necessary knowledge and experience can be rewarding. Research universities that offer the degree or certification program you're looking for online, and that are specifically designed and have dedicated resources to work with online learners.

To learn about ASU Online's accelerated and traditional degree programs, visit ASUOnline.asu.edu.

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Source: BPT

d-mars.com

January 2022 | 13

FREE

®

HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

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

December 2021

|

Inspire, Inform & Educate

|

25th Edition

10 DoctorRecommended

New Year’s Resolutions to Make Today

16

INSIDE

16

Americans Report Significant New Health Behaviors Over the Last Year

18

Resolutions for Your Relationship

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17

Smart Flu Prevention Tips for Workplaces

14 | January 2022 HEALTH

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Dr. Mikenah Joyy and Dr. Simone Ellis

10 Doctor-Recommended

New Year’s Resolutions to Make Today By d-mars.com News Provider

W

hile investing in your health and wellness can sound like an overwhelming goal, doctors say that there are easy, tangible resolutions you can make to feel your best and better protect your health.

“A new year is the perfect time to consider your personal goals, and how you can make positive health choices in the coming year,” says American Medical Association (AMA) President Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. “Small lifestyle changes today can have a lasting effect in improving your health.”

Not sure where to start? Consider these resolutions from the AMA: 1. Make sure your family is up-to-date on their vaccines, including the annual influenza vaccine for everyone age six months or older and the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age five and older. Anyone with questions about the COVID-19 vaccines should speak with their physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org.

2. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes by taking a simple online 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes. org. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

3. Be more physically active. Adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.

4. Know your blood pressure numbers. Take the time to visit ManageYourBP.org to better understand your numbers and take necessary steps to get high blood pressure -- also known as hypertension -- under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.

5. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Also reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead.

6. If your health care professional determines that you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed.

Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem and antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.

7. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans -up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

8. Talk with your doctor about tobacco and nicotine use and quit.

Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.

9. If you are taking prescription opioids, follow your doctor’s instructions, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication.

10 . M a n a g e stress. A good diet and daily exercise are key ingredients to maintaining and improving your mental health, but don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or mental health professional when you need it.

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If you don’t have health insurance, the AMA also encourages you to visit healthcare.gov to sign up for coverage. You may benefit from recent changes that improve access and affordability. The deadline to enroll for 2022 coverage is Jan. 15, 2022.

More health resources and tips can be found by visiting ama-assn.org.

For a happy, healthy 2022 and beyond, consider making these 10 doctor-recommended New Year’s resolutions today.

Source: StatePoint

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16 | January 2022 HEALTH

Americans Report Significant New Health Behaviors Over the Last Year By d-mars.com

"This survey confirms a growing consumer demand for product transparency and traceability - a demand further accelerated by growth of health and wellness supplement usage during the pandemic,"

News Provider

I

f you've started exercising more, been more mindful about eating and started taking vitamins and supplements, you're definitely not alone. While navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have undoubtedly made significant changes to their health and wellness habits.

Recently released results from a global survey conducted by Amway, an entrepreneur-led health and wellness company, and The Logit Group are putting a finer point on consumer behavioral changes over the past 20+ months.

The survey - which analyzed 1,000 respondents in the U.S. - found Americans reported new health and wellness behaviors over the last year. Roughly two in five Americans report that they have made positive changes with diet (41%), fitness routines (41%) and the addition of new multivitamins or other supplements (44%). Furthermore, three in four Americans surveyed report they now regularly consume health and wellness supplements (75%) as they seek out ways to help strengthen their immune systems.

Motivators for these positive changes vary, with 75% of American respondents saying they are trying to improve their current state of health and 54% saying they are trying to prevent future health conditions.

Consumers expect transparency regarding where a product comes from and how it's made.

Adults are more concerned about the types of products they consume, and 57% of Americans said that traceability - knowing where a product and its ingredients come from - is an important consideration in purchasing decisions. Furthermore, almost seven in 10 Americans say they would have more trust in a company if its health and wellness products are easily traceable.

said François Renard, Amway Chief Marketing Officer.

"At Amway, we believe that consumers deserve to know what is in the products they are taking. For products like Nutrilite, that means tracing botanical ingredients from seed to supplement to ensure they are pure and ethically produced, and documenting manufacturing details to ensure every product is made safe and effective. Traceability is an integral part of our supply chain and has been core to our business for more than 60 years."

Additional results from the survey include: * Adults say they feel more

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concerned about the products they consume, including 62% of American respondents, compared to a year ago. * 60% of American adults are more likely to look for a trusted seal of approval or check the ingredients; 52% want to understand how the products have been safely tested. One in three think beyond the product itself, contemplating how many people it had to go through before arriving at their doorstep. * A majority of American respondents (58%) have become more aware over the past year of how consumable health and wellness products are made and the testing done to prove their safety and quality. * The majority of American adults (53%) feel that traceability is an important consideration when buying food. * Celebrity endorsements or social media recommendations were cited as two of the least influential factors that impact the likelihood of purchasing health and wellness products, only 21% and 25% respectively.

Source: BPT

January 2022 | 17 HEALTH

Smart Flu Prevention Tips for Workplaces home and care for sick family members.

• Advise employees to stay home if they feel ill.

Individuals with the flu should stay home for at least four to five days after symptoms begin.

• Ask unwell employees to go home. Employees who appear to have flu symptoms at the workplace should be promptly separated from others and asked to recover at home.

• Provide facial tissue, no-touch trash cans, handwashing stations, as well as alcohol-based hand sanitizer to promote preventive actions.

• Provide signage, such as posters and flyers, that explains healthy habits and employee policies.

• Help promote flu vaccination among your staff.

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

t’s estimated that influenza sent up to 400,000 people to the hospital with flu complications and caused an estimated 22,000 deaths in the United States in the 2019-2020 flu season. As more Americans return to their workplaces, employers can play an important role in flu prevention.

While experts aren’t exactly sure what the upcoming flu season will look like, relaxed COVID-19 preventative measures such as physical distancing, reduced travel, staying home and strict mask-wearing policies, will likely result in the return of seasonal flu. And because of a mild 2020-2021 influenza season, the 2021-2022 flu season may begin early and could be severe.

Vaccination is the best way to help protect against the flu and over the course of over 50 years, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received routine flu shots. Build vaccine confidence by addressing employees’ questions and concerns and by sharing accurate scientific information and facts. Offer vaccination opportunities in the workplace or nearby in the community, as well as paid time off for vaccine appointments and recovery from illness. For more workplace flu prevention tips and insights, visit lung.org/fend-off-flu.

“All employers should actively promote healthy habits to help prevent the spread of flu, address barriers, and make it easier for employees to get vaccinated at their earliest opportunity,” says

Albert Rizzo, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. “Keeping staff healthy

benefits not only individual workers, but employers too, making flu prevention not only an obligation, but a smart business strategy.”

As part of its Fend Off Flu campaign, the American Lung Association in partnership with Anthem Foundation is offering these tips to help businesses and organizations prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses in the workplace: • Offer flexible paid sick leave policies to encourage employees who fall ill to recover without fear of lost wages.

• Offer telework policies that allow employees to stay

Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization, severe complications and death. Because people spend so much of their time in the workplace, employers have a special obligation and opportunity to help reduce employees’ risk for contracting flu.

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Source: StatePoint

18 | January 2022 HEALTH

Resolutions

for Your Relationship Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Contributing Writer

E

very January allows a new opportunity for personal and professional renewal, but why not focus on renewing your relationship as well? Typically, people make New Year’s resolutions to replace negative behaviors which tend to fade by mid-February. For 2022, focus on setting achievable goals to improve the quality of your relationship in 2022. Below are four suggested relationship goals to try.

1. Pick a new hobby to engage in together. It’s so easy to fall into a rut of doing the same thing week after week or engaging in separate interests. Exploring new ventures creates opportunities to spend more quality time together and bring new energy to the relationship. This could be anything from taking up ballroom dancing, home remodeling, getting fit, cooking, or volunteering.

2. Plan routine, weekly date nights as you did when you were dating. If you have kids, it takes a bit more planning, but make plans to have bi-weekly date nights, at a minimum. Dating your spouse starts long before the actual date. It means paying attention and doing the little special things that express your love and respect for your spouse.

Think outside of the box, and be creative by choosing various and unique random activities that each of you like. Then take turns exploring new adventures to have more fun, and select a regularly scheduled night, committing to it. There is no reason you cannot make the effort to revitalize your relationship.

3. Be fully present when you are together.

This is the age of technology overload, and we leave technology on our jobs and come home and get back into technology, be it the TV, computer, video game, and/or cell phones. I hear so many couples claim they don’t have enough time for each other, but when I ask them how they spend their time in the evenings, it is usually doing things independent of each other. After you get settled in from work and get the kids in bed, if that applies, take at least 30 minutes to talk about your day, but don’t spend too long on the negative aspects. Talk about the positive. Make a rule of no phones at the dinner table, in the bedroom, or before you spend quality time with each other first. Communication improves the more you practice being fully present.

4. Focus on what you can do to make life better for your spouse rather than focusing on what they can do for you. My pastor once said in bible study that if each partner focuses on outdoing the other, how can you lose? Do something from the heart without any expectation of the favor returned. Sometimes you can influence positive behavior in the other just by exuding it.

Start your New Year off with some of these suggestions, but you should take time to name goals relevant to the needs of your relationship. Change can only happen through action, and remember that nothing beats a failure but a try.

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“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.”

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

As your relationship coach, my goal is to work with individuals and couples to improve communication and restore confidence in 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.

Tami Vienn Allen is the owner of Allen Counseling Group and specializes in relationship counseling.

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

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January 2022 | 19

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20 | January 2022

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January 2022 | 21

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22 | January 2022 EDUCATION & CAREER

Oil & Natural Gas Industry

Engineering Successful Opportunities for People of Color and Women

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

A

manda Eversole spent 13 years in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., where she cemented a legacy of leadership and innovation before joining JP Morgan Chase, where she created a framework for the firm’s philanthropic approach.

Now, as executive vice president and chief operating officer at the American Petroleum Institute (API), Eversole has the monumental task of leading efforts to integrate the trade association’s diverse functions and develop and implement a strategic plan for the natural gas and oil industry.

Eversole, a graduate of the College of William & Mary and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, now puts her strong track record of driving consensus and winning strategies to the test as API and all-in oil and natural gas wrestles with ensuring people of color and women are a large part of the lucrative industry.

“Every day, we get up and say what we’re going to do to make sure that we are giving people opportunities to interact with this industry, and it changes people’s lives,” Eversole told NNPA Newswire.

API states that about half of new industry-related job opportunities through 2040 are projected to be filled by African Americans, Hispanic, Asians, and women.

Eversole remarked that talk isn’t good enough.

“The default narrative that the industry is old, dirty, and predominately white male is not true anymore, and the way we

prove that is not by statistics,” Eversole exclaimed.

“It is by standing up and doing the work that we’re doing and showing people by opportunities and not by talking points.”

Eversole reiterated that API possesses a strong belief that educational opportunities remain critical to successful employment.

Backing that belief are programs like the organization’s Minority Serving Institution Initiative, where API has partnered with Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to provide students free access to the trade association’s world-class standards.

API also has joined Discovery Education’s STEM Careers Coalition where a coalition of industry partners joined to nurture a diverse culture of STEM education in K-12 schools nationwide.

In five years, that program aims at impacting 10 million students at 5,000 schools.

“There’s this common thread of opportunity, and I had not worked with an industry like oil and natural gas where the constant focus is on improvement and optimization,” Eversole asserted.

“There are career opportunities that can last an entire lifetime, and there’s a sense of intergenerational opportunities through education to children with STEM skill sets.”

Eversole continued: “When I talk about the opportunities we have in the industry, I step back and say, ‘How does API, which represents more than 600 members, figure out how to accelerate the journey we’re on together in

America understanding and acknowledging those suffering and working through racial inequities?’ I’m proud to say that we have a lot to show for our work.”

API is also building a job readiness training program through API’s Global Industry Services platform that facilitates baseline industry knowledge and skills, leading to entry-level operational roles across the industry.

API is partnering with Opportunity@ Work in Houston, the world’s ener-

gy capital, where it’s estimated to have proportionally more rising STARS – Skilled-Through-Alternative-Routes.

“What API is trying to do is expand our networks to people we haven’t always included,” Eversole reminded.

“It’s a journey. When you think about long term workforce programs and when I think about STEM education and some of the internship programs – in terms of how to get that pipeline ready – we’re evaluating points of continuum and figuring out where some of those barriers are and why we are not seeing proportionality within the overall workforce.”

Eversole said the oil and natural gas industry “can do better.”

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“We will do better,” she declared. “I’m encouraged that there’s a building sense of momentum.”

Officials can further recognize that momentum on the supplier diversity side where they share best practices and practical advice among API members to advance the demand for supplier diversity.

Among the accomplishments on the demand side is completing a benchmark survey that pinpoints where the industry stands. They’ve also launched a Diversity Matters webinar series and a supplier diversity program.

On the supply side, industry officials are scoping out short-and-long-term opportunities to develop minority-owned businesses.

Eversole said partnerships represent a crucial component of the DE&I approach and learning that should lead to success.

API’s long-established diverse external stakeholder program, Energy Action Alliance (EAA), counts as a critical component to industry goals.

“What we want to do is help people see other people from their communities in roles that are paying almost 80 percent higher than the average wage, and some that don’t require a four-year degree like others,” Eversole stated.

“I’m three years in, and I’m so positive about the opportunities that we have going forward, and I’m looking forward to the future. There’s a commitment, a desire, and mentality on figuring out how to get it done.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association

January 2022 | 23 FINANCE

Ring in the New Year With Three Simple Financial Resolutions By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he New Year offers the perfect time for a fresh start and a renewed commitment to getting finances back on track after a season of spending – one where many Americans felt the effects of the pandemic on their wallets even before the onset of the holidays.

In fact, COVID-19 has already prompted consumers to start thinking differently about their finances. According to Lincoln Financial Group’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker, 59% say they are planning to make permanent changes to the way they spend and save due to the crisis. The findings went on to show that consumers’ top three financial concerns in today’s market include emergency savings (41%), having enough income in retirement (40%) and inflation (39%).

“Our research found consumers are especially interested in protection during times of financial uncertainty, which reinforces the need for financial planning,” said Sharon Scanlon, senior vice president, Customer Experience, Producer Solutions

and Retirement Operations for Lincoln Financial Group.

“Everyone has competing priorities but making a few easy adjustments can help people achieve their financial goals.”

Here are three simple financial resolutions Lincoln Financial recommends for 2022 to help strengthen consumers’ financial outlooks in the new year: 1. Review finances holistically.

Ensure you eva luate the big picture – not just where you a re spending, but where you are saving and protecting your future too. A simple budget will help you differentiate between needs and wants, enabling you to find areas to cut back or eliminate to find money to meet

your financial goals, like retirement or emergency savings. Maximize online budgeting tools, calculators and other financial wellness resources available through your employer too.

2. Prepare for the unexpected.

Wit hout the right protections in place, an unexpected event can derail retirement savings, disrupt your ability to provide for your family or drive you into additional debt. Look into coverages like disability, accident and life insurance that may be available through your employer or consider an individual life insurance policy. Also, commit to funding your emergency savings account as part of your budget. And don’t forget to think about how you would fund the cost of care if you or a loved one had a long-term care event.

3. Plan for the future. Start with your employer-sponsored retirement plan and commit to save at least up to the match, if available. If you already meet

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the match, resolve to increase your retirement contributions each year, or with each increase in pay. You don’t just need a retirement plan, though – you need a plan for retirement! Consider diversifying your portfolio with an annuity. Also, in-plan guaranteed income options can serve as a powerful tool to protect savings during periods of market volatility, while still benefitting you when the market goes up.

In addition to these resolutions, also consider meeting with a trusted financial professional who can help you identify solutions that best meet your individual needs and situation. Visit www.lfg.com for more tools and resources.

With a few proactive strategies, you can get 2022 started on the right financial foot.

Source: StatePoint

24 | January 2022 FINANCE

New Study:

What Does It Really Cost To Take Out a Small Loan?

By d-mars.com News Provider

I

f you've ever had a financial emergency - like a car breakdown or unexpected medical bills - you know how stressful it is. Especially if you have no savings and little or no credit history, borrowing a small amount of money may seem like your best option - but not all loans are created equal. Make the wrong choice, and you can end up paying several times more than the amount you borrowed, when you can least afford it.

A new study reveals how much people lose by borrowing money from sources like payday loans or online installment loans. High interest rates, balloon payments and fees can send you into a downward spiral of debt that increases over time, further damaging the credit history you wanted to build. The new "True Cost of a Loan" study by Financial Health Network and commissioned

by Oportun shows how the kind of loan you choose can cost thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

Whattotolook lookfor forininaaloan loan What In the study, people without a credit score or a marginal credit score (near prime and below) or a solid credit history who borrowed small dollar amounts like $500 through online-only installment loans ended up paying interest and fees of over $2,400 over the life of that loan.

How do you know how much a loan will really cost you? Certain types of loans are likely to be far more expensive in the end. The True Cost of a Loan study found: • Online-only installment and payday loans incurred interest and fees totaling over $3,000 on a loan of $1,500 - tripling the borrower's

original loan.

• Typical $3,500 payday loans were the costliest, adding a whopping $10,775 in interest and fees over time.

Before you borrow money, research or ask questions like: • What is the interest rate?

• Is that rate fixed, or could it change?

• What are the terms of repayment?

• Are there origination or other fees added to the cost?

• What fees are charged if you miss a payment or can't repay the loan?

"It can be difficult for consumers to assess loan costs as credit products vary widely in their structures and fees," said Marisa Walster, VP of financial services solutions, Financial Health Network. "This rigorous analysis shows that responsible loan construction paired with competitive interest rates can contribute to substantial savings for consumers."

Betteroptions optionsfor forborrowing borrowingand andbuilding buildingaa Better credithistory history credit One option to consider is a loan from Oportun, which the study found to be six times more affordable than other available loans of equal amounts, on average for non-prime credit consumers, including those with little to no credit. The company uses advanced data analytics and 15 years of consumer insights to serve low- and moderate-income consumers with a responsibly structured, easy-to-understand, unsecured installment loan with fixed payments and fixed interest rates throughout the life of the

loan. This contrasts with many other loans that are built for failure, as those companies make their money on fees.

"The reality is that the people who most need affordable credit often pay the greatest amount in interest and fees," said Matt Jenkins, COO and general manager of personal loans for Oportun.

"But we have designed our loans to help borrowers succeed in repaying them."

Loans from Oportun are structured to: • have no prepayment penalties • have no balloon payments • charge below 36% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) • range from $300 to $10,000 • have repayment terms of 12-48 months Using artificial intelligence (A.I.) to evaluate credit risk, the company scores 100% of its loan applicants - even those with no credit history. By reporting its customers' repayment performance to major credit bureaus, Oportun has also helped over 945,000 people begin establishing their credit history.

To learn more about understanding credit reports, how to build your credit history or to apply for a loan, visit Oportun.com.

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Source: BPT

January 2022 | 25

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26 | January 2022 REAL ESTATE

Is It Too Late To Reduce Your Mortgage Payment by Refinancing?

By d-mars.com News Provider

E

xperts say that with mortgage rates beginning to rise, refinancing your home now might be your last best chance to lower your monthly mortgage payment, as rates remain near all-time lows.

Those who refinanced early in 2021 have already reaped the benefits. Borrowers who refinanced their 30year fixed rate mortgage into another 30-year fixed rate mortgage during the first half of 2021 saved over $2,800 in mortgage payments on principal and interest annually, according to a recent Freddie Mac research report.

But mortgage rates are rising. Indeed, in October 2021, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which is the most common type of mortgage, rose to its highest point since April, surpassing 3.0%. Freddie Mac forecasts that mortgage rates will continue to rise, averaging 3.5% for the 30-year fixed in 2022. That’s up from an average of 3.0% in 2021.

So is it time to refinance your home loan? To help you make an informed decision, Freddie Mac is offering answers to commonly asked questions about the refinancing process: • What does refinancing mean? When you refinance your mortgage, you’re applying for a new mortgage to replace your current one, which will result in a new rate, term and monthly payment. The most

common type of refinance is a no cash-out refinance, in which you’re refinancing the remaining balance on your mortgage.

• When should I consider refinancing? Generally speaking, refinances make the most financial sense when average interest rates are at least half a percentage point lower than the interest rate on your current mortgage. Another reason to consider refinancing is if your financial situation has improved, allowing you to secure a loan with a shorter term and own your home sooner. Finally, if you currently have an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and it’s adjusting upward, you may wish to convert to a fixed-rate mortgage that provides you with the security of consistent payments.

• Is refinancing free?

Although refinancing your mortgage could save you money both in the long- and short-term, it isn’t free. For the most part, refinancing costs are similar to what you paid when you purchased your home, including a loan origination fee. There are required services involved, such as appraisals, and state and local fees that can vary significantly based on where you live. The average cost to

refinance is almost $5,000, so you should carefully consider how long you plan to stay in your home to ensure the savings to outweigh the costs.

• Who should handle my refinance? You don’t have to use your current lender to refinance your loan.

In fact, it’s in your best interest to shop around and compare multiple lenders’ loan estimates in search of the best terms and cost. It may take more time, but even a difference as small as one-quarter of a percentage point can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your home loan. The good news? Rates are often negotiable. In other words, you can ask lenders to match the rate quoted by another lender.

There may be no time like the present to lock in the lowest possible rate and receive the highest monthly savings. To get a sense of what refinancing could save you, access Freddie Mac’s refinance calculator, along with additional home buying and refinancing resources, at myhome.freddiemac.com.

As with any big financial endeavor, you’ll want to do your homework, look carefully at your short- and long-term goals, and work closely with your lender to do a cost-benefit analysis.

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Source: StatePoint

January 2022 | 27

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28 | January 2022 REAL ESTATE

What Type of Person

Wants To Buy Your Home?

By Marla Lewis President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association

P

eople may select homes based on their wants and needs, but their personalities affect the transaction, too. As a seller, you can benefit from knowing about the different types of buyers you’ll encounter. Such an understanding will help you avoid frustrations and make the transaction and negotiations go much smoother.

Aggressive Some buyers can be aggressive. This may just be their nature – some people jump into everything – or because of circumstances. In the current market, for example, competition from other wou ld-be buyers may pressure someone into being pushy. But it’s also possible that they are being forced to relocate for work or they’ve been looking for so long that they’re tired of the house-hunting process and are ready to buy. The aggressive buyer is ready to make the purchase and will usually be an allcash buyer or have financing lined up.

They may push for an earlier closing or make lots of demands in the contract.

Procrastinator Maybe they will, and maybe they won’t.

Those who just like to look might buy a home at some point, but today? Well, they’re not really sure if it’s the best time.

What’s the rush? Buyers in this group usually spend a lot of time at open houses – virtual or in-person – and looking at properties online. They’ll tour your house more than once and seem to really like it, but they’re not ready to move forward.

These folks may even have their financing lined up but refuse to pull the trigger on a purchase.

Perfectionist Then there are the perfectionists. Sure, they will make an offer – on the perfect home. Be prepared for these buyers to view your home more than once, but end up determining that the eastern-facing front door is not an acceptable feature, and then move on. Or, if they do make an offer, it comes with so many extra conditions that

you’ll wonder why they don’t just build a new house on their own.

They will want you to replace the front door because it’s the “wrong” color or rip up the carpet in the master bedroom because it clashes with their sheets. Such small details shouldn’t matter. A little paint goes a long way, carpet can be replaced, and furniture can be changed. But logic doesn’t matter to this buyer.

Investor The opposite of the perfectionist is the buyer that doesn’t care about your home’s problems. Outdated bathrooms? Popcorn ceilings in every room? A bad foundation?

No problem. These buyers either intend to remodel the moment they get the keys or they are real estate investors who will buy

nearly anything to turn a profit. While these buyers won’t be scared away by a property’s shortcomings, they also will want a low price.

Call for help?

Your realtor can help you understand the different types of homebuyers you may encounter. He or she can come up with a marketing plan and negotiation strategy that works best for the type of buyer interested in your house. This service may even include determining if the potential buyer is even qualified to submit an offer, saving you time and aggravation.

The ultimate goal of a real estate transaction, of course, is a timely sale. However, being aware of the motivations and characteristics of different types of buyers can reduce (but probably not eliminate) the stress of selling your home.

For more helpful real estate information and access to real estate listings across the great state of Texas, please visit HAR. com. And for more about the Houston Black Real Estate Association, please visit hbreahouston.org.

Content provided by the Houston Association of Realtors

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

January 2022 | 29 IT & TECHNOLOGY

3 TRENDS POISED

for Growth in 2022 and the Tech Startups Helping to Fuel Them Trend 2: Interactive fashion resale marketplace the pieces they're browsing.

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he past year has brought a flurry of changes for many people. Maybe you've embraced online shopping and want to start to incorporate meal planning into that experience. Perhaps you've gotten into selling things from the comfort of your home or you're now working remotely with people around the world.

Digital solutions meet modern needs so you can do these types of things successfully, whether you're a consumer or an entrepreneur. Three of the top digital trends of 2022 showcase the growth of technology solutions by innovative startups focused on making life better.

What people choose to wear defines who they are, and today more people than ever want to stand out in their own unique way. That's why interest in vintage clothing, upcycled fashion, and handmade accessories is soaring, and Galaxy is connecting passionate sellers with engaged buyers.

Trend 3: Symbiotic solutions to labor needs and economic empowerment The labor shortage crisis, the Great Resignation, diversity challenges - job economy topics continue to capture headlines. Companies of all sizes are struggling to fill roles with quality candidates who meet their needs.

Meaningful Gigs is one solution that solves many issues that companies are facing today. This tech-packed platform connects skilled African designers with companies seeking high-quality digital design work. Their vision is to create 100,000 remote skilled jobs in Africa by 2028.

Meaningful Gigs provides companies with a way to tap into global diversity while also delivering critical design solutions for their businesses for creative, product and marketing teams. By supplying people in Africa with skilled jobs, the company focuses on continuous economic empowerment and socioeconomic advancement.

Discover more at MeaningfulGigs.com.

Trend 1: Simplified online grocery shopping The food marketplace is an evolving space with two trends poised for continued growth: online grocery shopping and meal planning. Grocery Shopii is the solution for shoppers who want to integrate meal planning into a customized online shopping experience.

Today, meal solutions are helping consumers tackle meal fatigue and save time. Not only are Shopii recipes curated by top bloggers, they're hyper-personalized to each client's preferences, offering suggestions that align with existing shopping habits. Plus, Grocery Shopii utilizes machine learning to expedite meal planning and online grocery shopping to 5 minutes or less.

Grocery Shopii is free for shoppers and helps grocers provide a tailored experience, which in turn builds customer loyalty. Learn more at GroceryShopii.com.

Galaxy enables the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs to find and build their community, plus, unlike other platforms, takes no commission or fees.

Visit Galaxy.Live for more information.

Galaxy is the first platform of its kind to fuse live shopping and fashion resale, creating a truly social, entertainment-geared shopping experience with sustainable fashion at its core. With Galaxy, shoppers can have conversations while buying, allowing them to make more informed decisions and understand the stories behind

2022 is sure to be a year of continued change as people increasingly rely on digital solutions. Explore these trends to see how they impact your life, and consider new technologies to meet your needs.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Source: BPT

30 | January 2022

"Fair, Balanced, and Competent"

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

January 2022 | 31

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication