Business Journal 139

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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

March 2019

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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139th Edition

Helping Dental Practitioners Derek Leonard Navigates the Business Side of Dentistry

20-21

INSIDE

04 3 tips to help your adult children establish strong credit

13

2019 Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs

32 Mayor Turner’s Open Letter to Houstonians about Prop B and the Path Forward

Turnkey Solutions for Dental Practitioners

Startups, Transitions, Permanent Placement & Dental Service Organizations

(803) 543-6681 (By Appointment Only)

2245 Texas Drive | Ste 300 | Sugar Land, TX 77479

proabc.com

March 2019 | 3

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

MR. D-MARS CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

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

This month’s issue highlights

Port of Houston

BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. COO & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd

"Your job is not just

to do what your parents say, what your teachers say, what society says, but to figure out what your heart calling is and to be led by that."

METRO

— Oprah Winfrey

City of Houston

04 Business 04 3 tips to help your adult children establish strong credit 05 How to get promoted: 3 secret skills for success

06 Education 06 Tackling the High Cost of Student Loan Debt

ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa

12 Finances 12 Smart Money Tips if You Are Living Paycheck to Paycheck 30 Real estate financing: The 3 main factors lenders consider

DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Glenn Ellis Charlotte Jackson Mayor Sylvester Turner

18

VBE

DBE

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION

STAFF WRITER Carly Hammack

PROJECT COORDINATOR Lindsey Ford

HUB

OUR SERVICES

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kendra Wiseman

HISD

CONTENTS

05 Community 05 Be Present 10 Real-life examples of how unique partnerships bring change 13 Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs 32 Mayor Turner’s Open Letter to Houstonians about Prop B and the Path Forward

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tiffany Brown

ProABC, a nationwide provider of dental and medical practice solutions. It was founded by Derek Leonard in 2005 and offers a variety of services for medical and dental practices, with their focus being on partnering with doctors who want to go into business for themselves and assisting them with all the business aspects of owning a practice.

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

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

13

18 Health 18 Weight Loss Willpower: 5 Tips to Reach Your Goals 19 Wellness Confusion, Lack of Support Can Impact Weight Loss 20 Doctors, Lawyers with Monetary Motives Cause Painful Decisions in Women's Health Care 22 More than a hobby: The relaxing, fun, healthy history of puzzles

08 In the Business Community…

08 Becoming Michelle Obama, Book Tour in Houston

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

20 Cover Story 20 Helping Dental Practitioners: Derek Leonard Navigates the Business Side of Dentistry

34 Real Estate 34 Connetivity Is King This Home Buying Season

20-21

38 Technology 38 How to Choose Tech Toys to Help Your Child Develop Crucial Skills

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4  |  March 2019 BUSINESS

3

TIPS

to help your Adult Children establish

STRONG

CREDIT 2. Millennials are averse to debt

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

oday's millennials and Generation Z face starkly different financial realities than their parents did at their age. As a parent of a young adult, how can you help your children understand their financial options to build a foundation for their futures?

The first step may be to appreciate where they're coming from and how their attitudes may differ from yours. Your assumptions about finances based on your experience at their age may no longer hold true. Once you understand your millennial children's situation, you may better be equipped to help them make sound financial decisions.

Most millennials carry higher amounts of student loan debt than their parents did. As a result, they are reluctant to acquire more debt. For this reason, they may have fewer revolving credit accounts. This behavior is actually smarter and less financially risky on their part, but it results in them having a "thin file," the term for a history with three or fewer credit accounts. In fact, many thin-file millennials have average income levels and assets similar to their thicker-file counterparts. And because they do have the income, they actually have the capacity to handle new accounts. Fortunately, VantageScore

Consider these recent findings about millennials and credit from VantageScore Solutions before advising your adult children.

1. Millennials and Gen Z young adults face hurdles when judged by traditional credit scoring methods Now more than ever, credit scores impact everything from getting an apartment or home, acquiring loans with decent interest rates and more. A poor credit score makes it harder for young adults to get ahead. Because standard credit scoring models assess the length of time credit accounts are maintained and the number of accounts, millennials and their younger siblings are at an immediate disadvantage. It takes longer for them to build a credit history worthy of decent interest rates and large loans such as a home mortgage.

What you can do: Explain that establishing good credit now will increase their ability to borrow later, though it may take a couple of years to establish that history before they're considered creditworthy of assuming substantial debt such as a mortgage. Help them find a good revolving credit account by checking out sites that assess credit cards in terms of interest rates, annual fee (if any), rewards programs and more.

Solutions, a rival to the FICO score, includes trended credit data. According to their recent online article, Millennial Credit Habits: A Major Shift, trended "change the focus of credit data attributions scoring models to better understand actual credit management behaviors over time versus static snapshots." In other words, it takes into account the typical millennial's prudent behavior when it comes to acquiring new debt. Lenders with this understanding of the bigger picture will be more likely to give your millennials the opportunity to borrow.

What you can do: Tell your adult children to utilize credit in a safe and sound manner, and to apply for new credit carefully in order to build a more robust credit history. Stress that they should never spend more on the card than they can afford. Setting up automatic minimum payments on cards can help them avoid late payments, but also advise that they can - and should pay more than the minimum each month, and in full whenever possible.

3. Millennials are likely to put off major milestones Because of millennials' reluctance to assume debt, they may put off major life events such as buying a home until their student loans are paid off. Recent data from VantageScore "shows (millennials) are writing their own story when it comes to using credit," says the company's president, Barrett Burns. Some lenders won't loan to would-be borrowers with thin credit histories, while others offer them more expensive subprime-like products. But the research found that millennials "are anything but conventional." VantageScore credit scores, which take these behavioral differences into account, are used by lenders, landlords, utility companies, telecom companies and many others to determine creditworthiness. However, many mortgage lenders may be missing out on thousands of potential clients by relying solely on traditional scoring models.

What you can do: Reassure your adult children that, while some larger life goals may seem out of reach now, their responsible actions such as paying down their student loans will pay off, sooner than they might expect.

Encourage them to make more than minimum payments on their student loans to save on interest and eradicate that debt sooner.

So what's the upshot? While you may be eager to see your adult children settling down in a home filled with grandchildren, they are actually trying hard to put their financial ducks in a row. You can help by advising them on smart tactics to manage their money and improve their credit scores.

Source: BPT

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March 2019 | 5 BUSINESS

HOW TO GET PROMOTED 3 secret skills for success By d-mars.com News Provider

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egardless of your career path, getting a promotion is often a professional goal. Being recognized and landing a promotion can provide a variety of perks such as more money, increased influence and more control over your daily routine.

So how do you land that promotion? It comes down to building key skills such as self-development, listening and communication. Fortunately, online learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning can help you develop these skills to get to the next level in your career.Here are a few secrets to taking the reins and getting noticed - and promoted - in your career.

Active listening is an art - it is underrated and takes significant practice to master. Identify a leader in your organization who is a strong active listener and watch how they lead. You can also master this skill by taking a course on active listening as part of your own career development.

1. Prove that you're capable of self-development The difference between being a "high-potential employee" versus a "high-performing employee" means everything to your advancement, and to the company where you work. While a high-performing employee does their job well, their performance review will look similar from year to year, revealing little about their potential for moving up. A high-potential employee, on the other hand, shows a willingness to push themselves to learn new skills, take on more responsibilities and be open to lateral moves - especially if that means mastering new abilities.How do you become a high-potential employee? Demonstrate your capacity for self-development by actively soliciting feedback from others to learn how you can grow and improve, and proactively take on opportunities to increase your skill set.

2. Be a strong listener In today's world, there's a misconception that dominating the conversation means you're a leader, but the opposite is actually true. Being a good listener is vital to being a strong leader, and a crucial component to earning that promotion.By taking the time to understand others' perspectives, needs and concerns, you'll be better prepared to communicate your ideas and solutions, and to persuade others to come on board. This is essential to leading, whether it means a small group or an entire corporation.

3. Communicate with purpose Boosting your communication skills is critical to being both a leader and a team player. Demonstrate to your manager and your team that you know how to address the bigger picture, and show how your work ties to the overall company strategy. Express your vision of the larger mission or goals of the organization, as opposed to getting caught up in the details. How you express yourself also makes a huge difference. Be concise, purposeful and confident in your statements. This will help you build a strong executive presence and build trust among you and your colleagues.

Don't wait for a promotion to come to you. Now's the time to be proactive and focus on growing your skill set. Show what you're learning by actively taking on new challenges and communicating with purpose and confidence.

To learn more about mastering the skills you need to advance in your career and get that promotion, visit www. linkedin.com/learning.

Source: BPT

COMMUNITY

BE PRESENT

By Charlotte A. Jackson Contributing Writer

W

e encounter different personalities along our journey. Perhaps this week you will have new neighbors, new coworkers, visitors at church or maybe even a new waiter at your favorite restaurant.

You may be attending a wedding reception or funeral where there are people who do not know. It does not matter if you meet them briefly or if you will be working beside them for years to come, you have to get along with each other. You have to learn to be present and look for opportunities to make a difference.

Life is way too stressful to let someone’s quirky tendencies or obnoxious behavior ruin your day. I learned a long time ago, that I can get along with others without forcing myself to be their friend. I can encourage others without giving them a shoulder to cry on. And the amazing part of that is that I can sleep at night knowing I have not been ugly or had to be fake. Genuine love for God allows a person to live in a way that others cannot always understand.

With all of the shootings and constant uproar that we see many young people involved in, we as older community members must take the time and become mentors and find ways to make a positive difference.

Maybe you do not have time to sign up to be a mentor and commit to one person. Each one of us can definitely keep ourselves in “check” and be a role model for many.

Perhaps it starts with having a relationship with God and then having an accountability partner who you can be honest with and accept constructive criticism from.

The two of you can hold each other responsible for how you react in public as well as live in private. If one of you sees the other one not living in a way that promotes a healthy life, you have to be able to tell each other that.

The two of you then have to make an honest effort to meet new people and have an awareness to promote a life that younger people can be drawn to. When either of you meet someone who needs guidance, you have each other to work with to help the young person out. Everywhere I go to see how I can impact others. Sometimes it is just opening a door for a mom who is trying to get her multiple children into the store. Maybe it is returning the shopping cart to the stall so that an elderly person does not have to do it. Next time you are in line, take the time to allow someone else to cut in live in front of you. When you leave work, tired and ready to be on your way home, let another car get in front of you. Do not look at it as someone trying to cut but instead look at it as someone who may be in a bigger emergency than to you get somewhere. One thing about

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6 | March 2019 FINANCE

Smart Money Tips

if You Are Living Paycheck to Paycheck By d-mars.com News Provider

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early four in five American workers are now living paycheck to paycheck, according to Career Builder. If that describes you, experts say there are steps you can take to live more comfortably and securely.

Build a Nest Egg Having the capacity to absorb a financial shock is one of the major tenets of financial wellness, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Unfortunately, nearly 60 percent of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover a $500 unplanned expense, according to a report from Bankrate.

Does your budget include a line item for a rainy-day fund? If not, it’s time to make room in your budget for one. Most budgets, when closely examined, have some give, so look for where you can cut back in order to divert more funds toward growing your nest egg. Once you’ve determined how much you can afford, automate payments to this account.

Seek Out Buying Alternatives Meeting short-term purchasing needs without

compromising your long-term finances can be tricky when you’re cash-strapped. Though high-interest credit cards, payday loans or rent-to-own contracts might look like lifelines when faced with a necessary expense you can’t immediately afford, these options can quickly devolve into compounding interest rates, hidden fees or even loss of merchandise.

Look into new financing options, such as employee purchase programs, which can offer a better way to buy when cash or prime credit are not options.

“In a high employment market, many employers offer purchase programs as a voluntary benefit to retain loyal, satisfied workers,” says HR industry expert, Racquel Roberts. “It provides easier access to products and services paid over time, but without the usual pitfalls.”

Programs like Purchasing Power, for example, allow employees to pay for items through payroll deduction over the course of 12 months. There’s no interest on the purchase, no fees and no credit check, making this an ultimately more affordable and accessible way to acquire that appliance, computer or other needed item. For more information, visit purchasingpower.com.

workplace designed to help you gain control of your financial life. From financial counseling services to student loan repayment to employee purchase programs, leveraging such tools can help you gain financial footing in a paycheck to paycheck reality.

Give Your Credit a Boost The importance of good credit can’t be overstated.

However, 20 percent of U.S. consumers have FICO scores of less than 600. For those who pay their cable, phone, utility and other recurring bills on time and infull, a new program called Experian Boost may be able to help you boost your credit instantly. The program works by factoring in a consumer’s payment history on such bills, to give those with a limited credit history a boost.

It can be tough, if not impossible to feel secure when you are living paycheck to paycheck, but some smart strategies and helpful resources can help you gain financial footing.

Source: StatePoint

Leverage Other Benefits As more employers learn that a financially secure workforce makes for a more productive workforce, you may find a growing menu of voluntary benefits in your EDUCATION

Tackling the High Cost of Student Loan Debt the 2008 housing crisis, if borrowers default on loans in large numbers.

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

here’s no way around it: Americans are drowning in student loan debt, collectively owing $1.5 trillion. Rising college costs mean that number isn’t likely to drop much in the next few decades.

The average student borrower takes out around $26,000 in loans over the course of a bachelor’s degree -- debt that’s impossible to discharge in bankruptcy, difficult to have forgiven and increasingly unlikely to be fully repaid on schedule.

Here’s a look at the costs of that debt and what’s being done to lessen the crisis.

The Hidden Cost The direct costs of student loan debt are obvious, but hidden costs often prevent lower-income students from pursuing the highest-value degrees.

Because the most selective, prestigious institutions are also the most expensive, those institutions are disproportionately populated by students from affluent families able to afford the burden of early-career debt. And the recent trend of “differential pricing,” in

The Direct Cost New research shows that student debt load is making Americans less likely to buy homes or start families, and more likely to live at home and take jobs just to make ends meet, instead of the more lucrative positions for which their degrees prepared them.

Short-term solutions include deferring loans by returning to school, or consolidating or borrowing from private lenders, which ends up making the problem worse. For students graduating into a tight job market whose credit ratings are impacted by the amounts they owe, loan debt can remain their chief financial concern for decades.

What’s more, the expanding student loan bubble could rattle the entire American economy in similar ways to

which tuition c o s t s are dictated by a student’s field of study, has had an effect on enrollment in high-employment fields, potentially scaring off the students who could benefit the most from an in-demand degree.

Easing the Crisis Organizations such as Scholarship America are working to alleviate the crisis. As the nation’s largest provider of private-sector scholarships, they deliver their most direct impact by giving students funding for higher education -- $264 million last year, and more than $4 billion over its history.

The organization is also lending support to nationwide efforts to reduce dependence on student loans. They’ve mobilized a network of postsecondary institutions, or Collegiate Partners, that agree to not punish scholarship recipients with reductions in financial aid; and their Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance program gives students facing unexpected expenses an alternative to loans. President and CEO Robert C. Ballard sits on the National Advisory Board of the College Promise Campaign, which is developing innovative public-private partnerships to help students earn their associate degrees tuition-free.

“We work with partners to incorporate mentoring, tutoring and financial literacy education into scholarship awards in an effort to help students persist and graduate rather than drop out with debt or get stuck short of a degree,” said Ballard.

No single funder, college or organization will solve the student loan bubble crisis, and it won’t happen overnight. But by working together, the public, private and higher education sectors can continue to reduce student loan debt.

Source: StatePoint

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March 2019 | 7

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8 | March 2019

In the Business Community…

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photo Gallery.’

Becoming Michelle Obama, Book Tour in Houston Students of Evan E. Worthing High School, in the heart of Sunnyside, were given a surprise opportunity to meet with Former First Lady Michelle Obama while in town for her "Becoming" book tour at Toyota Center. The First Lady expressed on her social media how proud she was of the students, saying: “[I am] so proud of you guys. You inspire me! Always remember the power in your stories. I can’t wait to see what you become in the years ahead.”

“I never intended to become a run-of-the-mill person.”

C O N G R E S S WO M A N B A R B A R A J O R DA N

Congresswoman Barbara Jordan was called home more than 22 years ago, yet her legacy, like her bold, impassioned voice, continues to shake the halls of power and inspires us to create a more perfect union. #CelebrateHoustonWomen #LiftEveryVoice

M AY O R S Y LV E S T E R T U R N E R

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Pol. adv. Sylvester Turner Campaign

Please join me in celebrating Women’s History Month — and the strong, inspirational, path-breaking women who built this city, state and nation.

March 2019 | 9

order your copy today

release date april 16, 2019

available for pre-order at WWW.KEITHJDAVISSR.COM (713) 373.5577 Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

10  |  March 2019 COMMUNITY

real-life examples of how unique partnerships bring change By d-mars.com News Provider

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ost of us can come up with at least one good idea to help solve our community's most pressing challenges.

Moving that solution past the kitchen-table discussion stage to implementation is the challenging road down which every idea must pass. It takes time, effort and capital to develop an influential cause from the ground up. But more importantly, it often takes teamwork with multiple sets of hands pulling in the same direction to create real, lasting change.

The Thriving Cities project has examined how and why some communities are able to work through complex challenges in order to flourish and thrive. Their data shows that cities and communities that are able to establish unconventional coalitions - a collection of groups and individuals that otherwise might not cross paths but are willing to come together to address a common challenge - establish far greater success over the long term.

There are myriad examples of organizations across the Pacific Northwest that are utilizing the unconventional coalition model to enlist support from individuals, nonprofits, business partners, government officials, faithbased leaders, community groups and educators to serve the common good. Consider these five nonprofits who are harnessing the power of collaboration and embracing the diverse ecosystem of community partners to make a positive difference in their local communities.

Bridging divides to put foster children first: More than 11,000 children spend at least one day in foster care in Oregon every year. Providing comfort and support to these vulnerable children, as well as helping ensure they find a permanent, loving family, are significant priorities for a variety of organizations and communities across the state that have not traditionally worked in concert with one another. Building on a model piloted by Embrace Oregon in the Portland region, Every Child Oregon has facilitated strategic partnerships that bridge traditional gaps to bring government offices, faith-based groups and locally-focused

community organizations together to serve children in need. Since its inception, the nonprofit has provided a variety of resources to help care for children and families in the foster care system, from helping recruit, train and support new foster parents to assembling tens of thousands of welcome boxes to help children transition into foster homes. They are now on track to work in every county in the state.

A multifaceted way to tackle homelessness: Rasmuson Foundation, an organization with an aim of making a better life for Alaskans, is partnering with the municipality of Anchorage to bring together local business leaders and local service providers such as Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) on Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living (GOAL) to invest in housing developments throughout Alaska's largest city. Their goal is to build 18,000 housing units in the next decade.

Full speed ahead for a city's kids: In a new, co-designed building on a university campus that embeds teacher preparation inside a public school, hundreds of students in Portland, Oregon, are getting a chance to pursue their highest dreams, with a distinct focus on wellness to grow healthy minds and bodies.

Concordia University-Portland has pulled together partnerships with Portland Public Schools' Faubion School PK-8, Trillium Family Services, Basics Market and Kaiser Permanente to create a unique and dynamic campus that prepares teachers while educating and enriching students and their families through the "3 to PhD" initiative.

challenging health issues, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Ebola and HIV. As a result, they develop exciting new innovations that reach over 150 million people a year in 70 countries.

Stronger support for children with disabilities: When a child is born with a disability or experiences a developmental delay, their family needs support and guidance. With the help of Kindering, which has four campuses in Washington (Bellevue, Bothell, Redmond and Renton), more than 5,000 families a year get access to a deep well of special education and developmental therapy expertise. Kindering has formed partnerships with hospitals, government agencies and medical facilities, in part, to connect families with early interventions children need during that critical window of brain development occurring between birth and age 3.

Making a difference in your community As the above examples show, organizations and individuals can unite and make meaningful change in unexpected ways. The next time you're inspired to make a difference, think beyond your inner circle. You never know who's out there, wanting to help as much as you do!

For inspiration and to learn more about the ways the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust supports partnerships such as these, visit Murdocktrust.org.

Source: BPT

Building better health solutions: PATH is an international organization that brings scientists, health professionals, engineers and expert front line practitioners from other specialties together to tackle some of humanity's most

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March 2019 | 11

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12 | March 2019

CONGRATULATIONS 2019 PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS LIVING LEGENDS

Tony Chase

B

Dave J. Moss, Jr.

Robert Turner

arack Obama once said, “Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it’s not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” d-mars.com hosted its 7th Annual Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs of Texas Awards Ceremony, honoring a room full of those who chose

Thank you for continuing to bring such a cross section of Minority business owners and professionals together to celebrate their unique contributions I hope it continues to inspire and uplift those who desire to venture into business as a franchise holder or start their own empire of what can be."

to endure the challenge of making their mark on the world. These honorees chose patience, commitment and determination, and their success shows that those characteristics pay off.

As always, Mr. D-MARS is honored to recognize the top professionals and entrepreneurs in Texas, whose achievements and influence deserve to be seen and celebrated. d-mars.com appreciates all that this year’s honorees have done and is excited to see what they accomplish in the future.

— Robert Turner

SUPER TRAILBLAZERS

Byron Alfred

Mayor Yolanda Ford

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March 2019 | 13

SUPER PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS

Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade

Jonathan H. Cox

Linda Brown

John Gillon, Jr.

Eureka Patton

Norman Mitchell

Dr. Carla Brailey

James L. Marshall, Jr.

Kevin Murray

DeAnna Green

Troy J. Pradia

Donald Cyprian

Emma Donald

Brian G. Busby

Derek Leonard

Dr. Darrell L. Rushing

Dr. Destry Dokes

Otis Johnson

James H. Allen

Cedric Ballard

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14 | March 2019

TOP PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS

Avyrl Gordon

Ken Jones

Stacy Bowers

Fred Vernon

Kicia Carpenter

Marsha Murray

Capt. Jean Olivier Mbog

Jon Manning

Dwantrina Russell

Rosemary Tucker

Ralph Jones, Jr.

Sherifat Lawal Price

Ricky Mayes

Curtis Pettaway, Jr.

Christiana Onita Olojo

Marcus Bowers

La’Torria Lemon

Elizabeth Fletcher

Wendy Richard Tilford

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Victor Allotey

March 2019 | 15

TOP PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS

Alicia Jammer

Brandi Harleaux

Jeralynn Manor

Ikem Onyekwena

Renee Jefferson Smith

Mojeed Martins

DeQuina Moore

Donald “DeP” Paige

EVENTS

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16 | March 2019

2019

BLACK PROFESSION

FIRST ROW from left to right - Jeralynn Manor, Dee Howard Mullins, Cynthia Ginyard, Linda Brown, Robert Turne Kicia Carpenter, Wendy Richard Tilford, DeQuina Moore, Nikita Lamar, Marsha Murray, Christiana Onita Olojo, DeA Smith, La’Torria Lemon, Sherfiat Lawal Price, Troy J. Pradia, THIRD ROW: Audwin Samuel, Curtis Pettaway Jr., Dona Y. Wade, John Gillon, Jr., James H. Allen, Mr. Dmars, Emma Donald, Brandi Harleaux, Dr. Darrell Rushing, Jarren Sma Marshall, Ralph Jones Jr., Datren Williams, Otis Johnson, Charles O’Neal, Derek Leonard, Douglas Johnson, Cedric B Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

March 2019 | 17

NALS AND ENTREPRENEURS

er, Dave J. Moss, Jr., Byron Alfred, Dr. Carla Brailey, Eugene Campbell, Jr., Stacy Bowers, Avryl Gordon, SECOND ROW: Anna Green, Eureka Patton, Elizabeth Fletcher, Jameka Griffin, Alicia Jammer, Dwantrina Russell, Renee Jefferson ald “DeP” Paige, Pastor James E. Nash, Marcus Bowers, Jon Manning, Rosemary Tucker, Donald Cyprian, Dr. Ka-Ron all, Ricky Mayes, Jonathan H. Cox, FOURTH ROW: Ken Jones, Victor Allotey, Norman Mitchell, Brian G. Busby, James L. Ballard, Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

18 | March 2019

COMMUNITY HEROES PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." – Coretta Scott King. ...Thank you Dmars for allowing me to be part of this community of achievers. I hope our recognition will be the impetus to our youth to have a spirit of I can and I will."

— Dee Howard Mullins

Council Member Dee Howard Mullins

Pastor James E. Nash

Cynthia Ginyard

Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum

Council Member Audwin Samuel

Charles O’Neal

Datren Williams

An entertaining and informative event, honoring outstanding people with inspiring stories. I was grateful to represent Missouri City" — Eugene Campbell, Jr. Fire Chief Eugene Campbell, Jr.

UP AND COMING PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS Jarren and I were more than honored to be apart of the D-Mars Top 50 P&E. To be recognized as up and coming professionals, as well as being able to network with various leading professionals is definitely something to proud of."

Douglas Johnson

Jarren Small

—

Douglas Johnson & Jarren Small

Jameka Griffin

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Nikita Lamar

March 2019 | 19

SPONSORS

Robert Turner TURNER CHEVROLET

Maya Thorton UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

Andre and Miranda Horn INDUSTRIAL WELDING ACADEMY

Bryon Alfred VB ATTORNEYS

Troy B. Smith

Derek Leonard ProABC

Nathaniel Curvey ACCURATE SECURITY

Ken Jones LEVEL ONE FITNESS

TROY B. SMITH PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

20 | March 2019

fi HELPING DENTAL Practitioners “I am a business man,” Leonard said. “And helping people in a line of business is what I enjoy doing.

ProABC allows me that opportunity, and I plan to keep taking advantage of that opportunity as long as I can.” — Derek Leonard

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

March 2019 | 21

illing gap dentistry the in

DEREK LEONARD NAVIGATES THE BUSINESS SIDE OF DENTISTRY By d-mars.com News Provider

Y

ou have probably never heard of companies like ProABC, but if you have visited a dental office lately, you have probably seen the work they do. Derek Leonard has made it his mission to help the people around him, and through his company ProABC, he has been able to turn this mission into a career.

Career Leonard is the founder and owner of ProABC, a nationwide provider of dental and medical practice solutions. He attended college at the University of South Alabama in Mobile where he received his degree in financial accounting. While in school, he completed an internship with JCPenney during which he competed in a company contest and placed 1st in district and regional and 2nd nationally. In response to this achievement, Leonard was offered a job with JCPenney straight out of college. He started off as an area manager in the accounting center in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was then promoted and transferred to the auditing department at one of their regional offices in Orange County, California, where he served as a senior auditor.

After staying in this position for several years, Leonard decided to move back to his home town of Metairie in the New Orleans area. He started working for a company called Orthodontics Center of America (OCA). There, he learned about consulting for health care practitioners and how to develop, market and manage medical and dental practices.

OCA was a publicly traded company, worth over $1 billion, but due to some financial issues, the company went under.

Despite this occurrence, Leonard knew he had found his calling and decided to start his own health care practitioner consulting business. He started American Business Consulting, now officially called ProABC, in 2005. Today, he works with over 100 medical and dental offices across the United States.

“I found my calling,” Leonard said. “When I first started working with OCA, I quickly felt like I knew what was going on and why it was going on, and I was able to contribute to what the company was trying to do. I don’t know the professional way to say it, but I got it. I got the concept. It made sense to me, and it gave me an opportunity to help people. I thoroughly enjoy helping others, and that is what I built my business on.”

Services ProABC offers a variety of services for medical and dental practices, working with a client base that is 95% dental, primarily including orthodontists

but also general dentists, pediatric dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and endodontists. Their main service is partnering with doctors who want to go into business for themselves and assisting them with all the business aspects of owning a practice.

“When doctors go into business for themselves, they become business owners,” Leonard said. “So, we basically do everything for them, outside of actually seeing the patient.”

ProABC handles everything from financing and office leasing to hiring, firing and training the practice’s staff. They are also responsible for coming up with the initial business plan, budget and timeline to present to lenders in order for the doctor to get a loan. Leonard even obtained his real estate license to improve his ability to find clients the best office space available.

In addition to setting up a business plan, they also established a marketing plan so when the practice opens, they have a client base ready to be served. ProABC stays partnered with the practice even after they open so they can assure the business is being maintained properly and complying with things like OSHA and HIPAA compliance.

ProABC also assists doctors in expanding to multiple locations through a program called Dental Services Organization (DSO). This allows doctors who own their own practice to open more practices and be able to work at each location.

In addition, ProABC offers a service called permanent placement, which helps doctors that own DSOs find associate or junior doctors who can see patients at the different locations. And the final service they offer is called dental transition. Here, they assist doctors planning to retire in finding another doctor to purchase their practice, typically a recent graduate or younger doctor looking to go into business for themselves.

Next Steps Leonard has been able to continue growing ProABC and helping others since the beginning, and he hopes to continue that pattern in the future.

“ProABC will ultimately get to a point where it owns its own practices and the doctors will be employees of the practices that we own,” Leonard said. “Right now, we work for the doctor, so when the lender loans the money to the doctor, they are in control. If I go to the doctor and say, ‘hey I want to spend $5,000 on marketing and the doctor says, ‘well I prefer to spend $5,000 on a flat screen tv’, I have no control over that decision. And really that is what hurts our relationship and the success of their practice.”

In addition to owning and running their own practices, Leonard also hopes to have franchise opportunities for ProABC, so people can own the different locations of the ProABC-run practices. They are taking steps toward making this a reality and are in the process of purchasing two dental offices in the New Orleans area.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

22  |  March 2019 FINANCES

REAL ESTATE FINANCING

3

The Main

FACTORS LENDERS CONSIDER By d-mars.com News Provider

B

uying a new home is an exciting milestone. While finding the right home is essential, the most important step toward homeownership is making sure you're ready to apply for a home loan.

Applying for a mortgage is not something people do every day, so it's natural to have questions. There are several factors that help determine a loan decision, along with strategies you can follow to help position yourself for the best loan at the best rates.

Angela Patterson, Vanderbilt Mortgage director of Credit and Credit Services, explains the three factors that have the biggest influence on any loan decision.

month is important to a lender when making a loan decision. A debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is one of the tools lenders use to determine your ability to pay. Two things need to be calculated to know this percent: monthly income and the existing credit obligations that are paid monthly.

Lenders typically use verified gross monthly income, your pay before taxes, when determining an ability to repay. Gross monthly income includes a paycheck from an employer, plus any money you may receive in government aid, child support or pensions.

After totaling gross income, the lender will need to determine the amount of debt the applicant pays toward each month. Typically, lenders use a credit report to identify the applicant's debts. Some examples include car payments, student loans and credit card balances.

Income and debts

Determining your ability to repay the debt on time each

Next steps

Understanding these three factors and knowing where your personal finances fit within them is important when applying for a home loan. While there are other things lenders consider, making sure you are financially fit in these three areas is a great start to getting ready to buy a home.

About Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. is a national housing lender that specializes in financing manufactured homes. In business for more than 40 years, the company currently services more than 200,000 home loans and works hard to tailor loans to each family's needs. Vanderbilt has an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau and is a Berkshire Hathaway company. For more information, visit VMFHomeLoan.com.

Credit Your credit is a critical factor for lenders making a loan decision. They will learn more about your credit history and credit score by pulling a credit report.

A credit report shows how well an applicant has repaid any loan or credit obligation. Usually lenders look at the most recent pay history and look for debts with a high balance. While score is important and will most likely have an impact on the interest rate offered, the detailed pay history plays a significant role in whether an applicant is approved or declined.

Does this mean if you have a past blemish on your credit you will be denied a home loan? Not necessarily. There are many factors lenders consider.

"It is very important to our team to call every applicant," says Patterson. "Our customers are more than just a credit score. We want to understand their journey and provide the financing program that best fits their situation."

employed for two or more years. Consistent employment shows a lender stability in an applicant's source of income, which is an indicator of their ability to repay the loan.

How does the lender learn about your employment history? Typically, they will request a Verification of Employment from your employer and will consider the information provided in the loan decision.

NMLS Disclosure

Employment Employment is another important factor that goes into a loan decision. Lenders will look at the type and length of employment. If a person is self-employed, the applicant will need to prove steady income over a two-year period.

Consistent and non-temporary employment are seen favorably by most lenders. This means being regularly

Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., 500 Alcoa Trail, Maryville, TN 37804, 865-380-3000, NMLS #1561, (http:// www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), AZ Lic. #BK-0902616, Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license, GA Residential Mortgage (Lic. #6911), MT Lic. #1561, Licensed by PA Dept. of Banking.

Source: BPT

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March 2019  |  23

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24 | March 2019 COMMUNITY

MAYOR TURNER’S OPEN LETTER TO

Houstonians about Prop B and the Path Forward

By Sylvester Turner Houston Mayor

E

veryone loves firefighters, and everyone wants them to be paid commensurate to what other firefighters are making around the state. Prop.

B goes even further, and links firefighters pay to that of Houston police officers even though the organizational structures and promotional requirements are vastly different. Prior to and after the passage of Prop B, the city’s finance department and the Controller’s Office said the costs would exceed $100 million a year.

Because no funding source was included in Prop B. and the City is required to balance its books by June 30th of each year, the implementation of the voter approved measure places the City in a dilemma; increase the firefighters’ pay by 29 percent which will invariably cause a reduction in personnel and services, seek a determination from the court on whether Prop B conflicts with state law which could only be done after voters approved it, and/ or negotiate with the union to phase in the costs of Prop B over multiple years.

As mayor, I have made sure the city is pursuing all three paths. We have forwarded to the Union a proposal that would phase in the costs of Prop B over five years which would substantially eliminate the need to lay off or reduce services beyond the normal budgetary process. All pay raises would be retroactive to January 1, 2019. If there is an agreement, it would mitigate the continuation of any court action, and this entire matter would be behind us.

At the same time, the City, in the lawsuit filed by the Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU) in Nov. 2018, asked the court to rule on the legality of Prop. B. If the court rules as a matter of law, Prop B was preempted by state law, the HPOU lawsuit is terminated subject to appeal and Prop B is no longer before us. However, until the court rules, the City is obligated to move forward in implementing Prop B with the effective date being January 1, 2019.

Since there have been some misstatements and confusion on the legal action the City has or has not taken surrounding Prop B, let me take a moment to lay out what we have done.

The Houston Police Officers’ Association sued the City of Houston and Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341 on November 30, 2018. In the 2018 HPOU litigation, the court is asked to determine whether Prop B can stand, since it conflicts with state law. The City answered and appeared in the case as required and, later, also made an affirmative claim within the HPOU suit, seeking a declaration that Prop

B conflicts with state law.

No new, separate lawsuit was filed by the City. No new parties were added in the 2018 HPOU lawsuit by the City.

No money damages are sought by the City.

The Houston Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, Local 341, the firefighters’ union, sued the City of Houston in 2017 seeking a pay raise for fiscal year 2018 after the union, not the City, walked away from the collective bargaining table. The union ignored the City’s requests that it return to the table. The union sued the City and asked a state court judge to set (not negotiate) all employment terms.

The City is not mounting a broadside attack, constitutional or otherwise, on the Fire and Police Employee Relations Act (FPERA). In fact, the City wants the firefighters’ union to return to the bargaining table so that a Judge is not asked to set pay without reference to any standards.

In my 30 years of public service, I have supported collective bargaining. I fought for collective bargaining for firefighters in the Texas Legislature in 2005. To this day, I am committed to collective bargaining.

Lastly, if an agreement cannot be reached with the union to phase in the costs of Prop B over multiple years and if the court does not timely rule on the legality of Prop B, the City is already defining parity between police and fire, re-programming its systems and preparing for a reduction in force as needed to balance the budget.

On January 15, 2019, the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341 and IntervenorPlaintiffs Patrick “Marty” Lancton, Gabriel Angel Dominguez, Roy Anthony Cormier, Brian Ray Wilcox, and Delance Shaw filed brand new claims in the 2018 HPOU litigation against new parties: Mayor Sylvester Turner, Finance Director Tantri Emo, Controller Chris Brown, and all elected city council members. The firefighters and their union seek the immediate implementation of Prop B. None of the elected officials needed to be sued. Director Emo, who is not an elected official and does not “sit” at or on City Council, did not need to be sued. Although the process for radically restructuring the City’s Human Resource System and payroll methodology to accurately issue salary checks is difficult, it is well underway and will be done. Moreover, the City plans to make payments under Prop B effective as of January 1, 2019.

The fact is that the City did not start any of the pending litigation involving the firefighters. Firefighters sued the city to destroy the City’s historic pension reform; not just the part relating to firefighters, but all the reforms for all municipal employees. That litigation could add hundreds of millions of dollars to the City’s costs, scuttle some or all the employee pension systems and financially ruin the City.

Fire fighters sued the City in 2017 prior to Prop B, asking a court for a pay raise for the fiscal year 2018. They

have not dropped that lawsuit. They caused Prop B to be enacted. Now, again, in the 2018 HPOU litigation, they have sought the immediate implementation of Prop B as a way to expedite the receipt of money from the taxpayers.

Prop B requires that the City substantially increase firefighter compensation. It was misrepresented to the public as bringing about pay “parity.” In fact, Prop B requires that firefighters benefit if police officers get benefits or raises, even though their working conditions are completely different, but police officers do not benefit from firefighter benefits or raises.

Citizen-driven charter amendments like Prop B are not always carefully-drafted, much less fully-vetted documents when they arrive at City Hall. When they are not, there is next to nothing a city can do to correct even the most glaring constitutional and legal errors in a citizen-driven charter amendment. A city’s only meaningful opportunity to save itself from unconstitutional additions to the City Charter, or obvious efforts like Prop B, comes after the proposed charter amendment passes. After an election, such determinations should be made by our courts.

The City contends that Section 24 to Article IX of the City Charter, approved by voters on November 6, 2018, as Proposition B (“Prop B”), is preempted by State law because: Chapter 174, the State of Texas’ collective bargaining law, contains an express preemption clause that states, “(t) his chapter preempts all contrary local ordinances, executive orders, legislation, or rules adopted by the state or by a political subdivision or agent of the state, including a personnel board, civil service commission, or home-rule municipality” and Prop B is contrary to the provisions of Chapter 174; If not expressly preempted, Prop B is impliedly preempted because it frustrates both the express policies of the State of Texas stated in LGC Section 174.002, and numerous other provisions of LGC Chapter 174 regarding compensation, bargaining, and conditions of employment; and Prop B is void under art. XI, § 5 of the Texas Constitution because it is inconsistent with the general laws of the State of Texas. In this case, the City has asked a court of law to have the final say. That is how our system of law should work.

Let me end where I started. We love and respect our firefighters and want them to be appropriately compensated. Having said that, I don’t believe the voters intended to place our City in financial turmoil, cause our credit rating to tumble and increase the costs of City debt.

As mayor, I have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the financial stability of this city and that includes presenting a balanced budget. Prop B threatens to erase all the financial gains of pension reform and place us in a financial crisis.

As a city, we cannot let that happen.

We must work together to find a path forward no matter how bumpy the course or how hot the rhetoric.

There is just too much at stake.

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March 2019  |  25

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26 | March 2019 REAL ESTATE

Connectivity is king this

home-buying season

place can be a selling point for buyers who want to make sure their new home is as safe as possible, given they'll only have to set up the monitoring subscription upon move-in.

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he spring home-buying season is just around the corner and that means people are busy making improvements to get their homes ready to sell.

These days, home upgrades are increasingly focused on one key feature: connectivity. In 2019, buyers want smart homes they can easily control from anywhere. From smart HVAC and sprinkler systems to connected garage door openers, it's all about creating convenience and comfort.

Security gets connected Security systems are nothing new, but the technology used to arm those systems is changing rapidly. More and more home security companies now offer fully connected systems that allow users to protect and monitor their homes from any smart device. Whether it's a live video feed, the ability to lock and unlock doors remotely or just checking that all sensors are working properly, integrated security systems offer peace of mind. Having the infrastructure in

Updated garages add value

According to Remodeling Magazine's 2019 Cost vs. Value survey, a garage door replacement is the number one home improvement project in terms of return on investment. But these days, more homeowners are taking it a step further and installing new technology to make the garage more user friendly. For example, the SilentMax Connect garage door opener from The Genie Company comes with Aladdin Connect technology built-in to improve convenience and functionality. Not only is the opener super quiet - ideal for attached garages - but the connectivity features allow you to check whether your garage door is open or closed, grant individual access with virtual keys, instantly know when someone is operating your garage door (authorized or not), and provide a log of when each opener was used - all from your phone or smart device. Thanks to this technology, you can open the garage door remotely for delivery people, a housekeeper or for your child coming home from school.

Considering your garage is one of the most accessed points

in your home, this functionality is a great security feature and proves that garages offer more than just storage space.

With the right connectivity tools and features, they can provide convenience that will be attractive to future owners.

Save energy, increase comfort As home improvement trends go, increased connectivity is rivaled only by the desire for more energy-efficient homes. Smart thermostats accomplish both these aims and can increase the value of your home in the process.

Smart thermostats let you easily control the temperature in your home from any connected device. You can set a daily schedule for your heater, adjust the temperature in individual rooms or let the system program itself based on your usage history. For energy-conscious buyers, this kind of technology provides a way of living that's as aspirational as it is attainable.

Lighting the way Smart lighting has turned from a novelty to a practical tool as products have gotten more advanced. Programmable lighting allows you to schedule when your lights will come on, turn on and off lights remotely or change the lighting to improve aesthetics. With a smart lighting system, you'll never have to get out of bed to turn the lights off downstairs, and you can always come home to a fully lit house, boosting your sense of security. With these kinds of applications, your home's lighting can go from a 'given' to a must-have, attracting buyers like a moth to a flame.

New, smart products are hitting the market every day.

For homeowners savvy enough to incorporate this new technology into their homes, they'll not only be more connected, but they'll likely see more offers rolling in when it comes time to sell.

Source: BPT

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March 2019  |  27

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28 | March 2019

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For more information about how to do business with the University of Houston, bid opportunities or to be kept abreast of events, workshops and seminars, visit www.uh.edu/hub or email us at hubevent@uh.edu

THE HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS (HUB) Program at the University of Houston was established to identify and encourage HUBs to participate in the competitive bid process with the objective of increasing the number of contracts and subcontracts awarded to HUB vendors.

HUB OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON HUB PROGRAM is committed to expanding business opportunities available in order to promote the successful development of growing businesses, to have a positive impact on improving our local economy and to give back to our community.

We encourage solicitations from HUB vendors in an effort to award more contracts to those businesses.

WWW.UH.EDU/HUB Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

30 | March 2019 TECHNOLOGY

HOW TO CHOOSE Tech Toys to Help Your Child Develop Crucial Skills By d-mars.com News Provider

C

hildren today are growing up surrounded by technology from infancy. But even in a digital world, research has found that it’s crucial for kids to draw on classic play patterns that they have enjoyed for decades -- such as coddling a doll, kicking or throwing a ball and learning to follow the rules of a board game.

The world may have changed in today’s digital age, but playing in classic ways is essential for children to reach healthy physical, cognitive, social and emotional developmental milestones. However, with so many technological toy options, it’s more challenging than ever for parents to choose playthings that kids can understand and that will help them develop critical skills they need to mature.

“In many ways, it’s a Golden Age for children and play.

There are more options -- physical toys, games, digital devices and content -- than ever before. But there’s a downside to more play options. Too many choices make it harder to find high-quality toys ideally suited to a specific

child’s needs, interests and abilities,” says David Kleeman, an ambassador with The Genius of Play, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to promoting the importance of play in children's learning and development.

The solution is to ask yourself some key questions when reviewing toy options, especially those loaded with the latest technologies, say the experts at The Genius of Play.

Here are some things to consider that are important for child development: The benefits of play are numerous and experts urge parents to return to one main consideration when choosing a new plaything, regardless of the amount of technology it has: what is the child’s contribution versus the value that the toy adds?

More tips and advice for play ideas to help children develop can be found at www.TheGeniusofPlay.org.

By choosing the right toys for your children, you can help them build confidence, creativity, critical thinking and other skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Source: StatePoint

• Does a doll that’s equipped with technology change the way your child can play with it? Can the doll still be carried, fed and bathed? If the doll uses artificial intelligence to “communicate” with children, does this guide or restrict the conversation so much that it’s no longer spontaneous or imaginative?

• Does a ball with added technology make it difficult to roll, throw or kick? If so, is it in fact still a ball?

• Does a digital board game make all the decisions so that the players are left watching the computer play?

• Is a screen-based construction app like a bottomless box of pieces with which the child can freely envision and create, or is building limited to a few pre-programmed models?

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