Business Journal 141

d-mars.com 19992019

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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

May 2019

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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141st Edition

TWENTY YEARS OF MAXIMIZING Keith "MR. D-MARS" Davis, Sr.

20-21

INSIDE

10 TRAPPED poem by: Kashmere High School student Pharrell Simmons-Fulghum

25

University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

12 Delta Education and Charitable Foundation Scholarship Award Program

Save The

DATE

2019

7th Annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards Gala

August 23,

2019

The Houstonian Hotel 111 N. Post Oak Lane Houston, TX 77024 www.top30women.com

FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES EMAIL OPERATIONS@TOP30WOMEN.COM

May 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 Keith J. Davis, Sr. and the release of his book,

Port of Houston

BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. COO & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tiffany Brown ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla STAFF WRITER Carly Hammack ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kendra Wiseman PROJECT COORDINATOR Lindsey Ford DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Morgan A. Owens Stacy M. Brown Mayor Sylvester Turner

"Our lives and experiences should be used to bless other people. If God puts you in a position of influence, you have to look out for yourself, but also look out for others. That is the only way our community is going to grow."

METRO

— Keith J. Davis, Sr.

City of Houston

Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest. For years people have known him as MR. D-MARS, but now, in his 20th year of business, MR. D-MARS is here to reintroduce himself and show the community who Keith J. Davis, Sr. is.

Davis details his journey over the past 20 years, sharing his personal experiences and lessons learned along the way. He also reveals what’s next for him in this new chapter of life.

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.

HISD

CONTENTS

11 Education 11 Inspiring Children And Young Adults To Try Computer Science 27 How Nationwide Program Supports Early Childhood Education 32 5 fun and easy ways to help your kids keep learning all summer 30 Finances 30 5 Financial Wellness Moves Every Family Should Master 32 Ways Female Founders Turbocharge Their Businesses 20-21 Cover Story 20 Twenty Years of Maximizing: 20-21 Keith "MR. D-MARS" Davis, Sr. 09 Health 25 University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 09 Top tips for hosting a standout brunch 34 Real Estate 18 Addressing The Needs Of 34 Shopping for a Home this Spring: Caregivers Helping Our Military, Map Out Your Journey Veteran Heroes 38 Best Strategies To Beat The Heat 20 "I Am Life" City’s First-Ever 38 And Save Energy This Summer Health Campaign Creating an on-trend outdoor 21 Black Women’s Health Imperative space with flowers Announces Strategic Partnership 23 Grow your own food in small spaces 36 Technology 36 Agriculture Insight Major Players 18 In the Business Community…

Nurture Innovation 18 Maximizing Your Own Treasure by supporting startups Chest Book Release 26 Sisters Network Walk-A-Thon

VBE

DBE

OUR SERVICES

04 Business 04 10 Tips for Teaching Your Children About Saving 28 How Small Businesses Are Mastering The Art Of Selling Online 06 Community 06 6 Ways To Stay Safe Around The Water This Summer 06 Get Ahead Of The Storm: Check Your Coverage Before Hurricane Season 08 Commentary: Don’t Skip the Work 10 Mayor Turner’s Open Letter To Houston 12-13 10 TRAPPED poetry by Pharrell Simmons-Fulghum 13 Delta Education & Charitable Foundation Scholarship Award Program 14 Texas Black Expo Wants You to Take Your Business to the ‘Next Level’ at 16th Annual Summer Celebration

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4 | May 2019 BUSINESS

10 Tips for Teaching Your Children About Saving By d-mars.com News Provider

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ids often view money as having one function only: to buy stuff, right now. Give a young child $5 and he’ll likely spend it all, often looking for things that cost $5.

Parents play critical roles in teaching children financial fundamentals, including the importance of saving. Here are 10 ways to teach children to make smart money choices:

5. Make family events money management exercises.

savings created by staying home and how those savings could be used.

Planning a vacation? Give middle- or high-schoolers responsibility for planning and saving for one aspect of the vacation, such as a family meal or an evening’s entertainment.

8. Use your grocery store as a classroom.

9. Involve children in household money management.

Enlist their help in opening bills, identifying what they’re for, and circling amounts payable and due dates.

This gives them an appreciation of routine living expenses and the need to save to pay for services like electricity and water.

1. Bring out the piggy banks.

Have children divide their money into three banks or jars for spending, saving and giving. This helps them understand spending is not the only use for money. To make the rewards of saving more concrete, consider matching some of their saved funds.

10. Engage your CFP professional.

6. Introduce investing.

Ask your Certified Financial Planner professional to speak to your child about smart money choices. This can be particularly valuable for kids leaving for college.

For older children, explain that money they save can be used to “own a piece” of a good business, either by buying the company’s stock or by finding a mutual fund that holds this kind of stock. Talk about businesses your child knows, such as Disney, Apple or Starbucks.

For more tips, visit letsmakeaplan.org.

Give young children firsthand money management experience. Doing so will make it more likely that they develop the framework necessary to manage personal finances as adults.

2. Give your child opportunities to earn.

Consider paying your child an age-appropriate allowance. You may decide to tie it to chores, or simply provide a small stipend without conditions.

3. Open a savings account.

Many banks and credit unions offer savings accounts for kids, with low-balance minimums and maintenance fees, goal-setting tools, and even rewards for reaching goals. The benefit of saving regularly will become apparent as your child watches the account balance grow.

4. Help them identify personal saving goals.

Are they eyeing a new toy or video game? Hoping to see a movie or ball game? Help children determine how much their “want” costs and make a plan for saving up.

Show your child how to comparison shop, checking unit prices of similar items and deciding which is better.

Consider sharing a portion of the “savings” with them, to dedicate to something of their choice.

7. Model daily spending and saving decisions.

By discussing money-making decisions with your child as you shop, cook and pay bills, you provide concrete examples to model. When deciding whether to prepare dinner at home or go out, talk about the

Source: StatePoint

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May 2019 | 5 COMMUNITY

A HIT DOG WILL HOLLER Every Saturday morning at the Sunrise Senior Center they have social events organized by a local youth group. The weekends are a time to connect and get know someone. One particular weekend the youth group decided to host a show-and-tell contest. Each senior resident and young adult were expected to pull out their best items to showcase and present. Many of the youth brought their technology and new age gadgets, showing the seniors how they worked.

The senior participants brought items that were a lot more sentimental ranging from things their grandchildren made for them to expensive valuables that had been passed down from generations to generations. Ms. Hattie brought out a big beautiful diamond ring that her husband upgraded for her prior to his passing. Everyone was in awe of how gorgeous her ring was. In conclusion to the show-and-tell ceremony the youth made a nice display table to showcase all of the great items with cards that included the back story about the item.

They decided to leave the objects out during lunch for viewing and after about

DID YOU KNOW GAINESVILLE, FL — Dr. Mrs. Gloria Irene Williams Norman Clark passed away peacefully at home on April 3, 2019.

Gloria will be sadly missed by her husband, “Lean on Me” Eastside High School Principal, Dr. Joe Clark, her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, brothers, and countless relatives and friends.

Gloria was born on the 11th of September 1944 in North Carolina. She attended elementary, junior high and high school in Dunn, North Carolina, where she lived with her mother, brothers, cousins, grandparents, great aunts and uncles. Gloria was the only girl in her immediate family, so her uncles took her anywhere she needed to go. Her grandmother took her to church every Sunday.

Her grandmother was also a missionary, so she would take Gloria on her visits to the poor and shutin, instilling in Gloria her life-long commitment to service. Gloria’s childhood summers were spent with extended family throughout the state.

two hours of break they realized Mrs. Hattie ring was missing. Everyone quickly grabbed their items in fear that they would too become missing. The youth and residents looked high and low for the ring with no luck. The day had gone by and it was time for the youth to dismiss, but before they could go the team leader wanted to have a discussion about the missing ring. He explained the ring was taken between 11:30am and 1:30pm and that the senior facility would be reviewing the cameras to find the culprit. Randall quickly shouted, “That’s unfair for them to criminalize us when we are there to brighten their day!”

Another student replied, “It’s only fair that they find the ring because it was the last memory Mrs. Hattie of her late husband.” The team leader expressed that he had no idea why Randall responded that way and told the class, “Only a hit dog will holler.” If everyone was honest there would be no issue to view the tapes and find the ring.

GLORIA IRENE WILLIAMS NORMAN CLARK SEPTEMBER 11, 1944 - APRIL 3, 2019

Gloria enjoyed school. She graduated high school at 16 and worked at an elementary school as a teacher’s aide until she was 17, when she then spent a year of study at North Carolina Central College. That year, she met her first husband, Rufus Norman, Jr. and married and moved with him to Brooklyn, New York. Soon after they welcomed their first-born daughter, Cheryl.

An early Civil Rights volunteer and “Women’s “Libber,” Gloria continued working with children at Jamaica Daycare Center in Queens, New York where, together with her husband, they purchased her first house.

They had two more daughters, Victoria and Judith, before moving to New Jersey, where she would live most of her adult life.

While raising her three daughters, Gloria returned to college. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Montclair State College and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. She next earned a Master of Art Degree from Jersey City State College, where she was initiated into Delta Pi Epsilon. Gloria taught in private schools and public schools, later serving as a high school administrator.

Gloria continued her education, earning enough graduate credits from summer courses at University of California-Davis to put her at Ph.D status.

During her tenure at Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, she met her second husband, Dr. Joe Clark. Both retired from their careers in education

and relocated to Gainesville, Florida, a community she has proudly called home for the past twenty years.

Even in her retirement, Gloria remained active in the lives of her children and grandchildren and her Gainesville community. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the Grand Female Protective Society Lodge # 1, and Greater Fort Clark Missionary Baptist Church.

Gloria brought her bright smile and keen humor, her most reliable sense of commitment, her lioness-like courage, her innovative creativity, and her unwavering perfectionism to all she did, as a home-maker, caretaker, garden-creator, community server, patron of the arts, mother-mentor, and compassionate friend.

Gloria was pre-deceased by her mother, Shirley Mae Gilmore and stepfather, Charlie Gilmore, Jr. and countless other relatives and friends who were instrumental to her life.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joe Clark; brothers, Willis McKoy and Johnnie (Mary) McKoy; daughters Cheryl E. Norman, Victoria D. Norman Brown, and Judith I. Norman; stepchildren Joetta (Ronald) Clark Diggs, Joe (Jearl) Clark Jr., Hazel (Shane) Clark Mac; and grandchildren Umar Alim, Carla, Jasmine, and Jason Lee, Satchel and Cole Brown, Joe Clark, III, Jonetta Diggs, and Hazel Mac. All who knew her were loved and prayed for by her and will miss her. Gloria passed happily at home on April 3, 2019.

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6 | May 2019 COMMUNITY

6 ways to stay safe around the water this summer Get ahead of the storm: Check your coverage before hurricane season By d-mars.com News Provider

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By d-mars.com News Provider

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ummer is fast approaching, which means that more children will be in and around water areas such as pools, lakes and oceans. Like many parents, you worry about your children's safety around water, no matter how old they are.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of injury death among children aged 1-4, and the third leading cause of unintentional injury death in children and adolescents aged 5-19. Two children die every day due to drowning, and according to a study from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, 88 percent of children who drown do so while under adult supervision. Many don't realize that drowning can occur quietly, with no overt signs that the child is in trouble.

The good news is that you can follow safety tips - and teach your children skills - to help keep them safe while enjoying water activities. Supervising children vigilantly and creating barriers to accessing water unexpectedly are the first steps in averting a tragedy. Teaching children how to be safe in and around water is one of the most important life skills parents can give their children. In fact, research shows that participation in formal water safety and swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children 1 to 4 years of age.

Lindsay Mondick, Senior Manager of Aquatics at YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) offers important safety tips to protect your children from harm around water, whether it's in the bathtub, at the beach or in a pool.

Never swim alone.

Nobody should swim by themselves, in case of accident. Teach your children that they should never enter the water anywhere without a lifeguard and/or responsible caregiver attending them.

Stay attentive and watch without distraction.

If you're with a large group, or even if a lifeguard is present, designate one person to watch the child or children at all times. If children are in a pool or near a body of water, a caregiver needs to be close, paying full attention and not distracted by a phone or other diversions.

Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

Children and adolescents must wear appropriately sized and weighted life jackets in or around watercraft.

It's important to understand that not all life jackets are

Coast Guard approved. Adults can check this feature by looking at the tag on the inside of the jacket. Nonswimmers and small children should always wear life jackets when near water and while swimming. Adults should also wear them to model safe behavior.

Don't practice holding your breath under water.

Children should not have breath-holding contests or participate in underwater swimming challenges that could risk their lives.

Learn CPR. When seconds count, bystanders may be the first to help, so learning CPR may save a life. If you were CPR certified years ago, take a refresher course. CPR classes are available at community centers, hospitals and the American Red Cross.

Teach basic swim skills early.

Not only do most children enjoy swimming lessons, but taking formal lessons can save their lives. Many free or reduced-cost options for classes are available at your local YMCA for children from 6 months old through adults. Learning basic water safety and swimming skills at an early age helps children cope with potential dangers. In Safety Around Water classes at the Y, adults and children learn what to do if they find themselves in water unexpectedly. Participants practice basic skills like how to float and tread water; learning how to push off the bottom of the pool as they are submerging to get back to the surface can help a child find and grab the side of the pool for safety.

Each year, the Y teaches over a million children and teens how to swim, providing lessons about water safety in a fun, safe environment. There are classes available to meet every family's needs and schedules. Water safety not only saves lives but also builds confidence. Learning to enjoy activities in and around the water nurtures children's social-emotional, cognitive and physical development. Water safety and swimming lessons promote a lifelong enjoyment of swimming while encouraging healthy living.

For more information visit www.ymca.net.

Source: BPT

urricanes provide little advance notice of their arrival, and as landfall approaches, insurance companies may temporarily suspend new coverage and coverage changes.

That means it's usually a good idea to review your insurance coverage yearly to make sure it matches your needs.

An insurance representative can review your policy, explain limits and deductibles, and help you identify coverage gaps. "You should ask your representative for tips on hurricane risk mitigation that may lower your insurance premiums and better protect your property," said Tom Woods, assistant vice president of property underwriting for USAA. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety offer numerous suggestions for improving the resiliency of your home during a hurricane.

"Many of these things don't cost a lot of money," Woods said. During your annual coverage review, consider the following:

Flooding.

Flood insurance, which covers losses from rising water, isn't provided in routine homeowner’s insurance policies. However, it is available from USAA through the National Flood Insurance Program. Premiums vary depending on how flood-prone the covered property is and how much coverage you desire. Members can use USAA's Property Risk Assessment Tool to see what flood risk their home faces. Typically, flood insurance doesn't become effective until 30 days after purchase.

Windstorm damage.

Windstorm damage is covered with its own deductible in some homeowner’s insurance policies, and a separate wind policy might be required in some places.

Hurricane and windstorm damage in high-risk coastal areas may only be available through a state-managed insurance pool. It too may have a waiting period before coverage begins.

Temporary living expenses.

Review your policy's coverage for temporary living expenses. See how much your policy will pay and how long it will pay after the storm ends.

High-value personal possessions.

Coverage under USAA's Valuable Personal Property policies helps replace a homeowner's costliest possessions, including jewelry and artwork. Typical homeowner’s policies provide some coverage for those belongings, but it is limited and could keep you from reacquiring the full value of lost items.

Personal belongings.

Renters insurance can cover the loss of renters' personal belongings, which are not covered by the landlord's insurance. Renters can get temporary living expense coverage in their rental policies, and their belongings should be covered if stolen.

Source: BPT

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May 2019  |  7

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8 | May 2019 COMMUNITY

COMMENTARY

Don’t Skip the Work

By Morgan A. Owens NNPA Newswire Contributor

M

y father always told me I needed to, “pay my dues” in life and I never truly understood what that meant and why I needed to. My life was planned: you go to school, you go to college, you graduate, and you get a good job. I learned the hard way that life isn’t a step by step puzzle and the pieces will not fit perfectly or easy together. It doesn’t matter if you went to a prestigious school or come from a great family – no one is going to just hand me success. I have to earn it.

The media has inundated us with various articles and studies stating that millennials feel entitled and privileged. I can agree to a certain point, but I think it applies to more than just millennials. I feel many of us feel so eager for success or accolades that we forget to do

level without mastering the level you are on currently.

Often, we get wrapped up in someone else’s’ journey and want to compare theirs to ours. Truth is, you never know what work they did behind the scenes to get to where they are today. People only show you what they want to show you. The struggle and work are often left out.

The work can be unsexy. I totally get it and understand.

We often find ourselves unmotivated to just even start.

Our checklist is next to us but then we seem to use every excuse and distraction to delay us from diving into what needs to be done. This is where determination kicks in.

If you truly want to succeed you have to start. There is no magic pill, secret sauce or easy button – the magic is in the action.

Here are a couple ways to help you navigate the work:

Do it With Purpose Don’t confuse purpose with passion. Many of us lead with passion because we are ready for an end result such as a paycheck or an award. At the end of the day, purpose will prevail due to it being your calling. Many people working in corporate or as an entrepreneur lead with purpose because it’s what we truly love doing. We wouldn’t endure the sacrifices, long nights, stress if we weren’t truly doing it for purpose. I’m not saying you can’t have passion about your purpose, but make sure purpose is your number one focus.

pop out of nowhere with the perception that are doing great things. Most certainly, they have been working hard at their career or business for a while, but their work is just now starting to “bloom” from the seeds they have planted. Stay consistent and you will see growth soon.

Do the Work There isn’t much explanation needed for this one. You have to devote the time, sweat and tears into making your goals realities. Seek out mentors that will help you stay accountable, steer towards what you need to do, and give constructive criticism (and not just a pat on the back). Wake up, get dressed and do the work, every day.

Need more motivation? Stay connected with me at www. morganaowens.com and IG miss_morgan86

Don’t Skip the Steps the steps. To appreciate the journey of highs and lows, to learn from our mistakes and from our achievements.

I talk in my book, “Finding My Sparkle” about how I hated the way I looked but had to take a deeper dive into what I was doing about it. I was complaining, I was living in my feelings of sadness – but what was I doing to change it? I had to put in the work. In that case, it was making a plan to change my eating habits, working out more and overall making a lifestyle change. This applies to everything in life, including climbing the corporate ladder or building a successful business.

Too often, I see clients and others give up because life is not going their way, but then when asked, “Did you do XYZ?” they only did X. You can’t skip to the next

Make a plan. Want to move up the corporate ladder? Map out a 5-year plan on how you’re going to get to your desired position(s). Along the way you may need to complete additional educational or professional development courses. Do them. You can’t jump from an assistant to the vice president overnight.

Do It Over Time There is no such thing as an overnight success. Social media can be very misleading where people seem to

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Source: NNPA

May 2019 | 9 HEALTH

Top tips for hosting a standout brunch toothpicks or cocktail umbrellas to prepare fruit kebabs for each guest's glass.

By d-mars.com News Provider

A

ny special occasion - whether it's Mother's Day, a birthday, a wedding shower or a baby shower - presents a great excuse to host a delicious, memorable brunch for family or friends. You can create not just a delicious meal accompanied by tasty drinks, but a special event that your guests will be talking about long after it's over.

For an amazing brunch celebration, follow these tips.

Plan your menu early Make a list of all the necessary ingredients for your menu. Shop early in the week, to allow yourself time for substitutions (in case some items are unavailable). Select dishes featuring fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables and offer guests a fresh fruit salad as a side or dessert. Make baked goods a day ahead of the event, which will allow you time to perfect any recipes.

Do your cleanup the week before Spend the weekend before the brunch date decluttering the main rooms you'll be using; then give the whole place a thorough dusting and vacuuming.

If possible, enlist help from everyone in the family.

Turn cleanup into a game with points and prizes, to get the kids involved. If the weather's nice, open up all the windows and air out your home, to give it a fresh feeling. Replace worn-out area rugs or find a colorful new tablecloth to brighten up your home for the big day.

Ingredients: 2 8-ounce packages of SeaPak® Maryland Style Crab Cakes 2 English muffins, split and toasted Hollandaise Sauce: 3 tbsp margarine 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 pinch turmeric 1 cup unsweetened soy milk 1 big pinch of cayenne pepper 2 tbsp nutritional yeast Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tbsp mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Set the stage for a fun celebration Put out fun decorations, table settings and centerpieces a day ahead of time (so you can focus your attention on food preparation - and more importantly, your guests on the day of the brunch). Decide on your special day's theme, then buy or make decorations to highlight that motif, with visuals like baby booties for a baby shower or rings for a wedding shower. When setting the stage, include plenty of gorgeous fresh flowers to heighten that spring feeling. Make delicious, festive drinks.

Cocktails or punch featuring fruit flavors are perfect for a spring brunch. Make a pitcher or two without alcohol, for guests who do not imbibe, as well as for

Crab Cakes Benedict

Using savory ingredients, plan meals you know your guests will love. SeaPak offers high-quality seafood for all kinds of terrific recipes. What could be more delicious - and popular with guests - for brunch than Garlic Shrimp and Butter Grits. With SeaPak Shrimp Scampi and a package of quick grits, your results will be hearty and delicious. If you need another crowd-pleaser, try whipping up some Crab Cakes Benedict. This benedict is a wonderful take on a breakfast favorite and perfect for any brunch. The crab cakes, meanwhile, look and taste amazing and the recipe is foolproof, using toasted English muffins and SeaPak Maryland Style Crab Cakes.

Prepare crab cakes according to package directions and keep warm.

Place one warm crab cake on top of each toasted muffin half. Top with a poached or fried egg and spoon hollandaise over top.

Hollandaise Sauce: Heat a small saucepan over medium to low heat. Add the margarine until it is boiling.

Whisk in the flour all at once to make a paste and continue to whisk it constantly for about a minute. Add in a small pinch of turmeric for color and mix well.

Slowly whisk in soy milk. Bring sauce to a boil, whisking frequently. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes and remove from heat.

Whisk in the cayenne and nutritional yeast. Add the lemon juice and mix well. Taste for seasoning.

Mix in the mayonnaise for a little bit more creaminess.

Salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

For your special occasion brunch, make the day amazing for your guests by planning and preparing high-quality, delicious food they are bound to enjoy. Relax and have fun - hosting a successful event is all about setting an atmosphere of enjoyment for everyone, including yourself.

Source: BPT

kids. Choose drinks based on seasonal fruits for this time of year, such as strawberries, cherries, mangoes, pineapples or oranges. Use festive skewers, decorative Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

10 | May 2019 COMMUNITY

MAYOR TURNER’S OPEN LETTER TO HOUSTON

Connecting People and Creating Growth

By Sylvester Turner Houston Mayor

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When government works with non-profits and business, it’s a win for everyone. We’re able to bring the best people together to come up with solutions that benefit the city.

While in office, I’ve established several partnerships between city government, non-profits, and private companies.

These collaborations have helped Hurricane Harvey survivors recover, moved Houston closer to being a technological “smart city,” and launched my Complete Communities initiative.

Complete ommunities is a public-private collaboration leveraging private investments, philanthropic gifts, and public funding to develop neighborhoods that have been under-resourced for too long.

Gulfton is one such neighborhood, and that’s where you’ll begin to see improvements for pedestrians and cyclists on Hillcroft Avenue between Bellaire Blvd. and High Star Drive. The work is being done by a first-of-its-kind arrangement by the City of Houston. We’re collaborating with the non-profit Together for Safer Roads.

Together for Safer Roads includes members and friends like AT&T, Lyft, and PepsiCo. The group is making a first investment of $125,000 in funds and services to drive the community involvement in the safety improvements that will be made. Public Works will earmark $500,000 in unassigned intersection improvement funds to make the upgrades happen.

That’s the strength of my Complete Communities strategy – it leverages private investments, philanthropic gifts, and public funding to build up and strengthen neighborhoods that have been under-resourced for too long.

Shannon Buggs, the first director of the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, is leading the effort and helping City Hall departments collaborate with each other and residents to move all five of the Action Plans forward.

The Houston Endowment, Inc. gave the city a grant to launch the office and pay Shannon’s salary – another public-private partnership.

Shell Oil Co. also invested in my vision of Houston as a city of strong and complete communities by donating $1.8 million to improve our resiliency and hire the city’s first Chief Resiliency Officer Marissa Aho. She is developing a plan that will help Houston neighborhoods prepare for, withstand, and bounce back from the “shocks and stressors” that can devastate a city and stall its growth.

Our city has been tested by and recovered from hurricanes, floods, economic booms and busts – the type of catastrophic events that have crippled other cities. Marissa is capturing what we know how to do and building on that, so our city bounces back quicker every time. She’s also planning for slow-moving and incremental threats, such as aging infrastructure, homelessness, climate change, economic inequality and cybercrime. These can be the seismic changes that disrupt 21st century life if we don’t prepare for them now.

My administration is already addressing the challenges of helping our homeless population. The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Initiatives works closely with private, philanthropic, faith-based, neighborhood and local homeless service organizations to advance Houston’s regional

response to homelessness known as The Way Home. The city provides leadership to The Way Home and works closely with its lead agency, the Coalition for the Homeless, and over 100 public and private agencies to prevent and reduce homelessness using the data-driven, national best practice of ‘Housing First.’ By providing supportive housing to the homeless, Housing First breaks and ends the cycle of homelessness. Since 2012, The Way Home and its partners have permanently housed over 16,000 individuals and families, with 90% still housed to this day, resulting in an overall reduction in homelessness of over 50% since 2011.

We’re also seeing improvements as we work toward making Houston a smart city. Just a few weeks ago, we announced that Microsoft and Intel are collaborating on a Houston program aimed at helping companies developing sensors, robotics, and other technologies that focus on transportation and disaster response.

None of these improvements to our city could be done without generous partners who also see that Houston can only get better if we work together to make it better.

Non-profits work directly with communities to provide resources and expertise on my initiatives to strengthen neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all residents. Corporations provide volunteers and financial contributions to identify and expand education and work opportunities in the city. Industry leaders join forces to transform the City of Houston into a technology hub.

These partnerships and collaborations can only mean good things for the future of our city.

As your mayor, I will continue to connect people to create partnerships that will help our city grow.

TRAPPED I’m the girl who struggles with depression My heart just full of rage Darkness, the power that can never change Seems like I’m trapped into flames Drawing on my skin to see my blood drip As darkness fades away, Things seem to change Why do I feel so dull?

Take me from this misery that I once adored Who thought I’ll get the chance to overcome you!

But I’m STONGER, POWERFUL, and ready to change my life The dark side I once looked up to Finally reached the LIGHT! BY: PHARRELL SIMMONS-FULGHUM (KASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT)

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

May 2019  |  11 EDUCATION

Inspiring children and young adults to try computer science High school:

By d-mars.com News Provider

M

ath, science, history and ... coding? For today's students, learning how to code is becoming just as important as learning how to read.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says computer science is the fastest growing profession within the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field. They also project that, by 2020, there will be 1.4 million computer science-related jobs available and only 400,000 computer science graduates with the skills to apply for those jobs.

Historically, access to computer science education and

The vast majority of public elementary and high schools, particularly in low-income communities, do not offer computer science classes. Each year, Amazon Future Engineer provides 2,000 schools across the country (totaling about 100,000 students) with Intro to Computer Science and AP Computer Science classes through trusted curriculum providers. All students participating in this program also receive a free membership to AWS Educate, which provides them with free access to computing power in the AWS Cloud for their coding projects, and content to learn about cloud computing.

Jennifer Tulipano, a teacher who is using the course in her classroom at Monsignor Scanlan High School in the Bronx says, "It's exciting to see the significant increase in my students' creativity, logical thinking skills and confidence levels, since learning to code, and there is no doubt in my mind that we have paved the way for them to head down very successful career paths in the field of computer science. I truly believe our students, particularly our female students, have been empowered by the computer science courses being offered to us through Amazon Future Engineer."

College scholarship:

skills training has been absent in the curriculum for many underrepresented and underserved communities, despite research showing that exposure to these subjects at a young age makes students more likely to pursue computer science in college. The new childhood-tocareer program, Amazon Future Engineer, is working to change that in a four-step process to ensure access for all students and inspire more than 10 million kids to explore computer science.

As students head off to college, Amazon Future Engineer continues to offer new resources to support their continued education in the field. The program provides 100 students from underrepresented and underserved communities committed to studying computer science in college with a $40,000 college scholarship - $10,000 per year. For many students, this financial aid is the catalyst that allows them to pursue post-secondary education and

Internship: Amazon Future Engineer also offers the 100 scholarship recipients a guaranteed, paid summer internship after their first year of college. Interns partner closely with a technical mentor and manager, as well as their fellow interns, to innovate and create on behalf of Amazon customers.

"As an Amazon Future Engineer intern, I not only witnessed but was immersed in what it's like to be a software development engineer," explained Nari Johnson, a sophomore at Harvard University studying computer science. "I left my internship feeling more confident in my ability to transform a vision for a service or product into reality. As a woman in computer science, Amazon's commitment to diversity and early computer science education has been especially meaningful to me."

Students, teachers, school administrators, and parents can learn more and apply at www.amazonfutureengineer.com.

Source: BPT

K-8: Amazon Future Engineer recognizes that it's never too early to introduce computer science to students and begin fostering an interest in the field. The program has afterschool computer science workshops, coding camps hosted at schools and various locations, and online computer science courses like Coding with Kids and Code.org's Hour of Code: Dance Party - all designed to encourage students to explore computer science.

"Without Amazon Future Engineer funding this coding camp, my son would not have had such a wonderful opportunity because I simply could not afford it," explained Kelly Garcia, whose son Pierce attended a Coding with Kids camp in Seattle, Washington.

a career in computer science. "This scholarship is very important because it means when I go to college, I won't have to constantly worry about money," said scholarship recipient Leo Jean Baptiste, from Orange High School in Orange, New Jersey.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

12 | May 2019 COMMUNITY

Delta Education and Charitable Foundation Scholarship Award Program Twelve students from various schools throughout the Houston area were the recipients of this year’s scholarships. The event also included encouraging words from special guest speaker Congressman Al Green, as well as remarks from Delta Education and Charitable Foundation President Dave Moss.

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he Delta Education and Charitable Foundation held its 2019 Scholarship Award Program at the Ensemble Theatre recently. The Foundation was created to provide needed services to the Houston community through literacy programs, cultural enrichment, physical and mental health programs, math and science programs for young girls, teen pregnancy education outreach efforts and AIDS awareness and prevention.

This Scholarship Award Program is an opportunity for the Delta Education and Charitable Foundation to support hundreds of young men and women in Houston through merit and need-based scholarships. They have awarded almost $1,000,000 in scholarships, donated solely from membership and community supporters.

I am confident that these scholarships will enhance opportunities for financial support of students' educational endeavors as well as contribute to their overall vitality," —

President Dave Moss

Morgan Thompson

Melissa E. Atkin

Cydney A. Hancock

Roy Myles Angelo Davis

Linzi Wright

Ariyanna S. Young

Kristopher G. Hoskin

Jade Davis-Douglas

Brice L. Gambrel

Martinera Henry

Cleveland L. Shepherd, IV

Mya A. Little

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May 2019  |  13

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

14 | May 2019 COMMUNITY

Texas Black Expo Wants You to Take Your Business to the ‘Next Level’ at 16th Annual Summer Celebration

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

hese days, it seems like everyone is starting a new business, which is great for the economy, but only if those businesses are successful. For the past 16 years, Jerome Love, founder and CEO of the Texas Black Expo, has been working to help small business owners in the black community amass the tools, information and insight needed to thrive through the annual Texas Black Expo Summer Celebration.

This year’s event will take place June 7-8 at the George R. Brown Visitors and Convention Bureau, with ancillary events happening at the Marriot Marquis Houston Hotel. The theme is “Next Level Business: Educating.

Investing. Expanding.”

dynamic business gurus will share their knowledge at the Coffee & Conversation breakfast event. Immediately following the breakfast will be the Corporate Awards Luncheon, which brings together high-profile entrepreneurs, professionals and public figures for some serious networking. While these are ticketed events, the rest of the Expo is free.

This year, the Expo is bringing back its most popular feature – a live outdoor concert. Grammy-nominated recording artist Elle Varner will be the headline of the Party in the Park concert. Houston native Lil Keke will also perform along with a lineup of other local acts.

On the schedule for the Summer Celebration are activities, workshops, panels and fun for the entire family. The Summer Celebration includes a free college fair where students can become eligible to win scholarship money and visit with over 40 schools, many of which are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Students will also be able to participate in several careercentered workshops where they will insight from industry experts.

The four-day weekend actually kicks off on Thursday, June 6th with the Next Level Professional Networking Happy Hour, where a new awards feature will highlight local entrepreneurs and professionals at the top of their game. On Friday, June 7th, some of Houston’s most

In true form, the Summer Celebration will also feature the Night Light K ids Adventure Zone sponsored by McDonald’s Houston, a health and wellness pavilion, the Beauty Under One Roof beauty pavilion, and the much-anticipated Diva Dialogue panel, moderated by actress and attorney Jalene Mack.

In addition to the dozens of businesses displaying and selling their products and services will be the Business Resiliency & Disaster Preparedness Bootcamp sponsored by the Houston Minority Business Development Agency. The Bootcamp is a series of workshops for business owners on topics such as marketing, e-commerce, accounting, leadership development and more. In addition, Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards will moderate the Houston Recovery & Disaster Preparation Forum with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Leading up to Expo weekend, the public can catch the TBE Next Level Business Show hosted by media and business expert Misty Starks on Amazing 102.5 FM radio station and live on Facebook, each Saturday at 9 a.m.

The Texas Black Expo continues to serve as a staple in Houston’s business community as a vehicle for entrepreneurs and a foundation for building a strong network.

For more information about the Texas Black Expo Summer Celebration and to see the full schedule of events, visit www.TexasBlackExpo.com.

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Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

16 | May 2019

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“Courageous. Innovative. Strategic. Witty. These are a few adjectives that describes the author. Prepare to be inspired, the D-MARS way!”

-Bishop James W.E. Dixon II, The Community of Faith Church

“In his book “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest,” my friend and brother, Keith J. Davis, Sr., reveals to us that our greatest withdrawal will come from the deposits on the inside of us. It has often been said that the cemetery is one of the richest places on earth, because so many individuals experience death before their potential of riches, which are inside of them, is ever revealed. Not only does Keith share the wealth of knowledge and experience he has gained throughout his lifetime, he freely opens his treasure box to anyone who desires to discover the wealth he/she possesses within. “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest” is not only informative, it is transformative and this book proves to be one of the greatest books of all times.”

-Terrance “Pastor J” Johnson, Pastor, Higher Dimension Church

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May 2019 | 17

Even though Keith J. Davis, Sr., lost his mother at an early age, he was clearly molded by her love, legacy and forceful guidance. As I have watched him in his commitment to his faith, family and community, he is truly someone who believes in the power of giving to others. He has been a role model for the growing small business community and he has exemplified the very essence of this book: “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest.” The idea that you can capture what you have to build on it to maximize your treasure chest is just the way he has lived his life. He has taken what he had and what he has, and he has developed it into a conglomerate of giving to and helping others.

I believe this book will be a must-read book and a challenge to all who feel they have little, because Keith has provided us with a roadmap to say what is little is really large, and frankly it can be even better if you maximize your own treasure chest.”

-Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

What I admire most about MR. D-MARS is his genuineness. His delivery has a lack of filter, with a no nonsense attitude and approach. He demonstrates this when it comes to business and personal relationships, which is something to be revered and respected. His commitment and tenacity to see a plan or idea come to fruition is remarkable... plus the fact that he never takes no for an answer, that is his secret!

It’s extremely important to control the narrative. “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest” is a great inspirational example of learning from your past experiences to affect your present, which directly and ultimately affects your future.”

-Carl Anthony Payne II, Actor, Director, and Producer

“I’m beyond proud of you Keith, “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest” is truly your life manifested in print. By sharing some of your most intimate moments and how they shaped your life, you have basically given the world a blueprint on how to navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs. In addition, you have shown me personally that a little boy from Houston’s 5th Ward can do anything he sets his mind to and that inspiration means the world to me. I’m blessed to call you my boss, my mentor and most importantly, my brother and friend.”

to inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders.”

-Karen E. Jackson, Founder/CEO, Sisters Network Inc

-Kimberly Floyd, COO, Vaskey Media Group, Inc.

“Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest” is the most important piece of our time. Many of us have struggled to build what we have and forget to celebrate the things, legacy, and recipes given to us to make life happen. MR. D-MARS is a mentor and friend who offers stories of the past that give you a positive outlook on any situation. Take a moment to reflect on the stories of your past and redirect the narrative as stepping stools to a bright future.”

“Keith J. Davis, Sr. is a dynamic, young business visionary who understands the power of networking, resilience and finding your niche. Over the years, I have proudly watched him continue to build his business empire while staying connected and giving back to his community. We need more people like Keith J. Davis, Sr. in this world

“Congratulations on your literary property publication, as this is an outstanding antidotal work that’s absolutely PRICELESS and worth sharing with others. Your eyes have seen many “Truths of Success” and this writing of yours is

-Roosevelt Petry, Jr., President and CEO, GP Industrial Contractors Inc.

a beacon that will direct others to success. Continue to let GOD use you as one of HIS Leaders, as “Leaders Create Leaders!” GOD Bless you and your family Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis (also known as my Brother).”

-Attorney Ricky Anderson, Anderson & Smith P. C. .

“MR. D-MARS is my guy. Behind his southern drawl and teddy bear physique, he’s got that good down-home wisdom everybody with some sense loves to hear. He’s one of the movers and shakers of Houston. When you listen to MR. D-MARS talk...be prepared to digest an earful about life—real life. Now the Teddy Bear has written a book so you can hear from the man himself.

He has gone through every phase and level of business— from great successes to painful failures—and now he’s sharing the wisdom of that experience with you… even if it is said in a southern drawl.”

-Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles

“I’ve witnessed firsthand my father utilize the exact concepts detailed in this book to overcome the many obstacles he’s faced in his life’s journey. The message in this book is so important for this generation and will truly challenge every reader to search for hidden gems in their life that can be shaped into diamonds. I am truly proud of my father for not allowing his circumstances to limit his pursuit to finding the gold and for sharing his knowledge with others. Let this book be a roadmap for achieving success in your life’s journey.”

-Keith J. Davis, Jr., Principal, Jerrold & Company, LLC

“Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis, Sr. is someone who has been a trailblazer by using innovation and maximizing his own treasures to attain success in various fields. I have watched and learned many things from him that I use in my business dealings today and will continue to use. “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest” is something I believe any person in business should use as a learning tool to better your chances of success by tapping into the greatness in you!”

-Warren Broadnax, CEO of She’s Happy Hair, Happy Me Tee, GGB Trucking and The She’s Happy Foundation Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

18 | May 2019

In the Business Community…

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

Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest Book Release The release of Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest was held recently at the Houstonian Hotel. This invite-only event included members of the Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest ambassador list as well as close friends, family and mentors of Keith J. Davis Sr. Guests enjoyed food, drinks and a special reading of the book, followed by an opportunity for a personalized book signing. The author also held a Q and A, answering questions about his inspiration and purpose for writing the book.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

May 2019  |  19

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

OF M

20 | May 2019

a years beliefs,” Da by holding on to changed lives and h business and in their thanks to the peo people who the co

By d-mars.com News Provider

or years people have known him as MR. D-MARS, but now, in his 20th year of business, MR. D-MARS is here to reintroduce himself and show the community who Keith J. Davis, Sr. is. Influenced by Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich,” Davis always said if he made it 20 years in business, he would write a book, sharing his journey and the things he has learned along the way.

Growing up, his idea was just to become a successful businessman. And his plan to achieve this goal was to meet as many people as he possibly could, hoping that this would increase his chances of success.

“I became the hook up man,” Davis said. “I was trying to meet everybody I could and find a way to hook them up and help them out.”

Davis did not know what he wanted his business to be specifically, he just knew he wanted a way to help the community and help local business owners. He asked God to give him a vision and help him to do three things through his company: make a living for himself, help the community make a living and help local businesses grow. With a background in business, newspaper and accounting, Davis was given a vision for his career and started his business, becoming MR. D-MARS (Discount Membership and Referral Services.)

His natural gift of compassion and a personality that drew people near made it easy for him to connect with others and build up a client base.

“We were Groupon, before there was actually Groupon,” Davis said.

“Mr. Carwash, Thrifty Car Rentals, Breakfast Klub…all of these com-

F

panies took our membership card, and our business grew faster than I could believe.”

Starting d-mars.com gave Davis the platform he needed to start making a difference in the community. A native of 5th Ward Houston, he was surrounded by so much negativity in his community and could not believe there was never anything positive being said about the black community. Realizing this issue, he vowed that if he was ever given the opportunity to change this community, he would work to inspire by showing people they are doing alright, inform them on what is happening and educate others about the community. These established the core values of the company – to inspire, inform and educate.

“One thing I am proud of is, for 20 years, I have kept my core beliefs,” Davis said. “I know that by holding on to those values, we have changed lives and helped people grow in business and in their personal lives. It is all thanks to the people who supported us, people who saw we were good for the community.”

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

MAXIMIZING

May 2019 | 21

MR.D-MARS

One thing I am proud of is, for 20 s, I have kept my core avis said. “I know that o those values, we have helped people grow in personal lives. It is all ople who supported us, o saw we were good for ommunity."

tails about his life, but somehow, also allows the reader to reflect on their own lives and replace his personal accounts with their own, giving them the chance to apply the lessons in the book to their life experiences and uncovering things about themselves they may have looked past.

“In your treasure chest you may have some diamonds that do not look valuable or desirable, but sometimes all they need is a little cleaning to really shine and be put to use. We also have gems in our treasure chests to give away and use to bless the lives of others.”

Davis has made it a point to encourage his audience to buy more than one book – to bless another. He wrote this book in the hopes that it would be bought in multiples and handed out as a gift by the people who buy it.

“Our lives and experiences should be used to bless other people,” Davis said. “If God puts you in a position of influence, you have to look out for yourself, but also look out for others. That is the only way our community is going to grow.”

This new chapter for Davis doesn’t end with just writThe focus of the story of Keith J. Davis, Sr. is that we ing a book. He has plans to start touring and speaking all have treasure chests full of diamonds representing throughout the state with the intent to start a moveour individual skill sets, life experiences and natural ment of “maximizing your own treasure chest.” He plans born gifts. The special thing about “Maximizing Your to continue sharing his stories and encouraging others Own Treasure Chest” is that Davis was able to write this to speak up and start sharing theirs. book from a personal perspective, sharing intimate deDavis has done so much good under the name “MR. DMARS,” and he does not want the community to think he is done with that part of himself. He has entered a new chapter in his life, however, and is focused on showing that same community a more personal side of himself and his journey and making it his responsibility to reach back and help pull the next generation forward to greatness.

His introduction for Keith J. Davis, Sr. comes in his debut book, “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest,” where he details lessons he has learned throughout his life and shares personal accounts of the ups and downs he has experienced.

“In the 20 years I have been in business,” he said, “I have learned a lot of lessons, had some ups and downs, and for me to be truthful to this community, it is time for me to start giving back and sharing my story. I built my career on a journal that shares the stories of others.

Now it is my turn to inspire, inform and educate through my own story.”

— Keith J. Davis, Sr.

By sharing our stories, we are going to create a fire, and our community is going to be on fire for change.”

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

22 | May 2019

TO MY AMBASSADORS

I would like to thank all of my friends for becoming ambassadors and supporting “Maximizing Your Own Treasure Chest.”

You all understand the importance and impact this book can have on the lives of the people around you. I appreciate your

support, inspiring the people in our community and for making efforts of your own to create change. It is with your help and support that I can continue to inspire, inform and educate.

Thank you!

AL COLBERT: CEO, Colbert Ball Tax Services ALDEN J. MCDONALD, JR: President and CEO, Liberty Bank and Trust Company AMBER NEWMAN, MPA: Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County ANDRE & MIRANDA HORN: President & Vice President, Industrial Welding Academy ANGELA LEE: Owner, Evolution By Design ANTHONY J. SNIPES: President, National Forum for Black Public Administrators ANTHONY NEWTON: Founder & CEO, Kaduceus Holdings, Inc. ATTORNEY AUDWIN SAMUEL: Owner, The Samuel Firm ATTORNEY RICKY ANDERSON: Attorney at Law, Anderson & Smith P. C. BARBARA HARRIS CURTIS: Author & Speaker, Barbara Curtis Ministries BISHOP JAMES W.E. DIXON II: Pastor, The Community of Faith Church BISHOP SHELTON BADY: Senior Pastor, Harvest Time Church BRIAN G. BUSBY: Chief Operating Officer, Houston Independent School District BYRON ALFRED: Attorney, VB Attorneys CARLA LANE: CEO, LaneStaffing and Founder, This Woman’s Work, Circle Maker, The WinHer Circle, Philanthropist CARLECIA D. WRIGHT: Chief Diversity Officer and Director of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity CARMEN HERRERA: Managing Partner, CMHC Wealth Advisors CARRIE POOLE: Chief Executive Officer, Professional Career Training Institute CHARLES O’NEAL: President, Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce and Chairman, US Black Chambers, Inc. DANNETTE K. DAVIS: Principal, Kay Davis Associates LLC/ Kay Davis in the Community Foundation DAVE J. MOSS, JR: Franchise Owner, McDonald’s DAVID L. EDWARDS: Founder & CEO, United National Insurance Agency DEREK LEONARD: President, ProABC DR. ABDUL HALEEM MUHAMMAD: Southwest Regional Student Minister Muhammad Mosque No. 45, The Nation of Islam DR. ALISON SCOTT CUILLIER: Dentist/Owner, Lasting Impressions Dental Group and Founder of Awesome Angels Inc

DR. HEATHER BROWN: Orthodontist/Owner, Dr. Heather Brown Orthodontics and Founder of Smile For A Lifetime Houston Chapter DR. KA-RON Y. WADE: Owner, Cosmetic Dental Texas and CEO/ Founder, Houston Medi-Dent Mobile Health Corporation EDDIE FLOYD: CEO, GCE Presents ERIC D. JACKSON-GOODWINE, SR: Founder/CEO, DaddyCares.org ERROL HUGHES: Porsche Master Brand Ambassador, Porsche of West Houston EUREKA PATTON: Owner, Massage Envy – Aliana FIRE CHIEF EUGENE CAMPBELL, JR: City of Missouri City GARY GUIDRY: CEO, G-Squared Events GAYNELL FLOYD DREXLER: Attorney at Law HEATHER DAVIS: HD Realty HELEN CALLIER: President, PermitUsNow, a division of Bradlink LLC HONORABLE DERRICK MITCHELL IGE JOHNSON: Broker, Re/MAX & Owner, GLO Beauty Bar JAJA BALL: President, Colbert Ball Tax Services JAMES DAVIS: President & CEO, Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep JAMES L. MARSHALL, JR: President/ CEO, Marshall Wealth Management, LLC JASON MEDLOCK, MBA: Executive Director, Glennlock Construction Inc. JOHNNY HOLLINS: CEO, JG Hollins Builders JOHNTE’ ARCHER: CEO, J. Archer Insurance Group and the SHE IS A CEO Foundation JON MANNING: Broker & Owner, The Manning Group Real Estate Firm JUDGE MARIA T. JACKSON: Presiding Judge of the 339th State District Court and Administrative Judge for the Felony Courts JUSTIN R. JORDAN: Vice President, Cornerstone Government Affairs KAMICA HAMPTON: Luxury Realtor at K. Hampton Luxe Real Estate Group Powered by eXp Realty and Founder and Creative Director of Kamica Hampton Luxury Footwear KEITH J. DAVIS JR: Principal, Jerrold & Company, LLC KEN JONES: Owner, Level One Fitness

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May 2019 | 23

KEVIN A. MURRAY: Attorney at Law, Murray Real Estate Properties, Murray Motion Pictures KIM ROXIE: Founder, LAMIK Beauty LA’TORRIA LEMON: Owner & CEO, Lemon-Lime Light Media LORENZA PHILLIPS BUTLER, JR: Publisher Emeritus, Butler/Wiseman MARGARET ALLEN, DDS: Amazing Smiles, Pllc General & Cosmetic Dentistry MARLENE PETRY: Independent Sales Director, MaryKay MARSHALL ISOM: President, Optimum Security Professionals MAYA P. THORNTON: Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Department Director, University of Houston MOJEED MARTINS: Owner, AristocratLife MYRON G. DAVIS: Attorney at Law, Myron Davis Law NANNETTE RAY, M.B.A.: President, TNR Accounting & Management Consulting, LLC NATHANIEL CURVEY: Owner, Accurate Security NICOLE AND ANTHONY WEST: Owners, Westco Ventures and NCA Investigations NORMAN MITCHELL: Co-Founder and CEO, Bee Busy Wellness Center PAMELA ELLIS: CEO, Smahrt Solutions and Founder, Smahrt Girl Foundation PASTOR CHRISTOPHER F. HARTWELL: Founder and Senior Pastor, Crossroads Community Church Pearland PASTOR TERRANCE & TORSHA JOHNSON: Higher Dimension Church PETRIA MCKELVEY: CEO and Founder, Precision Medical Billing RALPH JONES, JR: CEO, T&T Highway Express, LLC REVEREND REGINALD DEVAUGHN SR: Founder, Pastor, Director, and CEO of Silverlake Church

ROBERT TURNER: Owner, Turner Chevrolet RODERICK BROWN: District Community Relations Manager, and District Health & Safety Manager, UPS Red River District RODNEY R. JONES, ESQ.: Managing Partner, Rodney Jones Law Group P.C. ROOSEVELT PETRY, JR: President and CEO, GP Industrial Contractors Inc. ROY G. PERRY: Chairman and President, Prairie View A&M Foundation SHARONE MAYBERRY: President and CEO, Mayberry Homes, Inc. SHERIFAT LAWAL PRICE: Vice President of Retail and Small Business Lender, Branch Banking and Trust STATE REPRESENTATIVE RON REYNOLDS: Texas House of Representatives, District 27 TERRENCE RAY, C.P.A.: Chief Executive Officer, AnesthesiaOS TEXAS STATE SENATOR BORRIS L. MILES: District 13 THELMA “MAMA” SCOTT: Founder, SAFE Diversity Communities TIFFANY MASSIE DAVIS, MSN, RN: Chief Executive Officer, E-PIC Training Center, Inc and Founder/Executive Director, Young Adults of America TONY CHASE: Owner, ChaseSource TROY B. SMITH: Owner, Troy B. Smith Professional Services TROY MARSAW: Owner, Psych on Site and Willie L. Marsaw Foundation TROY PRADIA: Attorney, The Cox Pradia Law Firm, PLLC VICTOR P. ALLOTEY: CEO, The Empire State Group LLC, Nyammings Event Space, Nyammings Fusion Bistro & Empire State Transportation WARREN BROADNAX: CEO, She’s Happy Hair, Happy Me Tee, GGB Trucking and The She’s Happy Foundation ZAKI MIRZA: President and CEO, Instant Cash, LLC

TO MY COMMUNITY To my community, I have been blessed to survive 20 years in business. The experiences and lessons I learned as an entrepreneur have shaped many of my decisions in life. It has been a wonderful journey to inspire, inform, and educate my community, and for the next twenty years, I want to encourage others to do the same. Although my work in the marketing, advertising, media and communications business is not complete, I want to share this book with those who want to positively impact their community as well. I am thankful to have your support to grow my businesses and for allowing me to help other businesses grow as well.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

24 | May 2019

order your copy today

available at WWW.KEITHJDAVISSR.COM (713) 373.5577 Keith J Davis Sr.

@KeithJDavisSr

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In the Business Community…

May 2019 | 25

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

The University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) The University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) recently featured the Latino Art Now! Houston. Remarks were given by Dean Antonio Tillis of CLASS during the reception with Cuban painter Reynier Llanes at his solo “Lineage” exhibition . The University of Houston CLASS works to be a significant and visible showing of the university's mission to maintain and cultivate diversity.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

26  |  May 2019 EDUCATION

WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GRADUATE FEEL GREAT THIS SEASON

By d-mars.com News Provider

I

n keeping with tradition this time of year, parents across America are getting ready to celebrate the graduation achievements of their children, nieces, nephews and other friends and relatives.

Many will be moving forward from preschool, elementary school or middle school. A whopping 3.3 million will graduate from high school. And at the college level, students are expected to have earned an impressive one million associate's degrees; 1.9 million bachelor's degrees; 780,000 master's degrees and 182,000 doctor's degrees over the 2018-19 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Because these milestones are such an important part of life, your graduate will want to preserve memories of friends, accomplishments and key experiences gathered along the way. If you're a proud parent helping your student celebrate this transition into the next phase of life, here are some ways to make it feel extra special.

Share the great news

Even if you're not planning a huge event, you can still show pride in your grad's achievement by mailing out

personalized announcements that include graduation photos. Friends and family will appreciate hearing that your student has passed a milestone and moved on to the next stage of life. And the photo will give them a tangible memento they can display and keep.

Plan a personalized grad party

Honor your graduate's individuality by creating customized signs, banners, tableware, balloons, favors, candy, a cake and/or other party gear that features their name, image, hobbies, school colors and logos, etc. You might even spring for a life-sized standalone cut-out of the guest of honor. Many personalized products can be easily created at the self-service Kodak Picture Kiosks available at most CVS and Target stores across the nation. In fact, most can be completed and returned on the same day they're ordered.

Serve up your grad's favorites

In American culture, love is often expressed through food. Whether your celebration will consist of a big party or a small, private family affair, putting your grad's favorite food and drink on the menu will show him or her you care.

Of course, that's made easy now that graduation parties feature such a wide range of cuisines; consider ordering take-out from your grad's favorite BBQ restaurant or

having your local supermarket hand-craft beautiful sushi platters to serve to guests.

Make a personalized playlist

Compile and record a selection of your grad's favorite music to play at his or her celebration party. Sprinkle in other songs that may bring a smile; consider childhood favorites, tunes with sentimental lyrics, school fight songs and/or music associated with band, orchestra, theater or dance performances.

Commemorate friendships through photo gifts Your grad and his or her classmates will treasure their school memories well into the future if you custom-create gifts featuring their favorite photos. Digital photos can be brought to better light, and create more smiles, when they're turned into functional items like keepsake boxes, calendars, mugs and magnets on KodakMoments.com.

Your child will remember his graduation celebration for years to come if you personalize every element. Start planning the details now so you can be ready by the end of the school year.

Source: BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

May 2019 | 27 EDUCATION

How Nationwide Program Supports Early Childhood Education By d-mars.com News Provider

T

oday, there is more awareness that the future of the world is in the hands of young children. It’s understood that between birth and 5 years of age, the brain develops rapidly to build the foundation of cognitive and character skills necessary for success in school, health and life. It is now widely accepted that the same dollar will go much further if invested early than it will later on, and more research is showing that quality early childhood education reduces dropout rates,

poverty and crime, while improving the skills of the workforce of tomorrow.

However, inequality in early childhood education produces inequality in ability, achievement, health and adult success.

One example of a program leading the charge to move the needle is PNC Grow Up Great, a bilingual initiative to help children from birth through age 5 prepare for success in school and in life, now celebrating its 15th anniversary. Grow Up Great goes beyond the classroom, supporting learning and social-emotional development at home and across communities, by providing free resources and tools to parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers.

When PNC employees chose this philanthropic focus in 2004, investing in early childhood education generally did not have the widespread support it does today. Fifteen years ago, in its headquarters state of Pennsylvania, the government didn’t have a line item in its budget for early childhood education, and fewer than 2,400 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in state-funded preschool programs. In 2017, more than 28,000 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in Pennsylvania state-funded preschool programs, according to research done by the National Institute for Early Education Research.

A lot has changed in 15 years, but one thing has remained the same, PNC’s focus on and commitment to improving access to quality early childhood education. To date, more than 5 million children across the country have been supported through PNC’s grants and educational programming. Employees spent more than 100,000 hours volunteering for Grow Up Great in 2018, up 13 percent from 2017.

That trend is significant and powerful. The company has made a difference by leveraging its influence with the business community, policymakers and other key stakeholders to garner support for quality early childhood education. And teaming with partners that share its goals such as Sesame Workshop, Fred Rogers Productions and the National Head Start Association. Working with The Pew Charitable Trusts and Committee for Economic Development, they launched the first-ever summit of the nation’s top economists to explore the economic impact of investment in early education.

“All children deserve to begin their lives on equal footing and receive high-quality early learning experiences that have a lifelong positive impact,” says Sally McCrady, chair and president of the PNC Foundation.

“Fortunately, we are making progress and look forward to the day that vision becomes a reality.”

Source: StatePoint

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How small businesses are mastering the art of selling online By d-mars.com News Provider

onsumer buying habits have changed dramatically over the years. With the rise of online shopping, many small and medium-sized businesses find it difficult to reach customers in the vast ocean of the internet. To succeed online, businesses need a partner to help them reach a national - or even global - customer base, and to support them throughout the process of building their business and fulfilling increasing demand for their products or services.

An amazing variety of small and medium-sized businesses now boost online sales by selling in Amazon's stores, reaching more customers and bringing their business to a whole new level. More than half of the items sold in Amazon's stores worldwide are from small and medium-sized businesses.

And the number of small and medium-sized businesses exceeding $1 million in sales in Amazon's stores worldwide grew by 20 percent last year, to more than 25,000.

C

When Tara Darnley, co-founder of lifestyle baby brand Darlyng & Co., started selling online in 2015, she initially hesitated to sell in Amazon's stores, despite being an Amazon customer. However, she changed her mind when she noticed a reseller offering one of their popular products for three times the retail value on Amazon - and selling out.

"We knew then that we were leaving money behind by not establishing our brand ourselves on Amazon," Darnley says. Once Darlyng & Co. moved their business to Amazon, their sales increased instantly.

Darnley explains that their products appeal to "parents who are up late in the night with a cranky teething baby and the only time they get a chance to browse the internet is late at night. We actually could not keep up with the demand from Amazon in the beginning. We were getting 100 orders a day."

Darlyng & Co. turned to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to help handle their influx of orders. With FBA, businesses store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, so Amazon can pack, ship, and provide customer service for them. Using FBA also makes products Prime eligible,

providing members with free shipping and other benefits.

The success of Darlyng & Co. is booming, according to Darnley: "As a result of selling on Amazon we've been able to grow our brand globally without the need for a middle person or distributor. We sell on Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and recently Amazon.au, and now our products are more accessible to customers worldwide."

Small businesses are also finding success with Amazon Handmade, where artisans from all 50 states and more than 80 countries offer genuinely handcrafted goods.

The owner of John Leslie Studios started selling his handmade jewelry and personalized gifts made from reclaimed wood online in 2014, with moderate success. The Amazon Handmade team approached Leslie in 2015 about being among the first sellers to join the new store.

"I hesitated because of the time and effort involved in creating all new listings but, after serious thought, put the work in to create my Amazon Handmade storefront. Best decision I've ever made," says Leslie. His first year in the new store, sales doubled and continue to grow.

Leslie describes how quickly things changed: "I saw sales almost immediately since I started at the beginning of the Christmas season. It got so busy that Amazon contacted me because they wanted to make sure I could keep up with the sales volume."

That was the best thing about the online store for him - the personalized support from the Amazon team. Leslie explains, "The greatest thing is that you can request a phone call from the help desk and in minutes you are speaking with a real person who can walk you through your issue."

Leslie recommends Amazon to any small business, saying, "My sales have steadily increased on Amazon year after year.

Last year my sales on Amazon alone were over $150,000.

Simply being on Amazon is a huge visibility boost because Amazon is often the first place people go when seeking to purchase almost anything."

Source: BPT

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May 2019  |  29

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30  |  May 2019 FINANCEES

5 financial wellness moves every family should master By d-mars.com News Provider

I

f you had to grade your financial literacy, what would it be? Are you an A+ saver, investor and planner, or do you think you could do better? If you grade yourself average at best, you're not alone.

When asked to grade their own financial literacy, more than half of Americans say they'd earn a "C" or lower, according to new data from Prudential Financial. This isn't surprising, considering data from Prudential's Financial Wellness Census shows less than half of Americans are on track to meet their financial goals, including planning for retirement.

"Regardless of where you are on your family's financial wellness journey, the best way forward is through financial literacy," says Prudential Advisors President Brad Hearn.

"Researching, educating yourself and getting advice from a financial professional can help you make the best decisions based on your life stage, risk tolerance and goals."

Hearn says each family's situation and goals are unique, and things like life stage and personal preference will impact how they choose to prepare for their financial future.

To get started, here are five financial wellness basics every family should master:

Set up an emergency fund Life is a series of experiences, and sometimes the unexpected can hit your finances hard. Whether it's a car breaking down, your AC unit on the fritz or even losing a job, it's important to be prepared for emergencies. If you don't already have an emergency fund, start saving a little each month until you reach your goal. A good rule of thumb is to have three months' worth of expenses saved in an emergency fund. So, if your monthly expenses are $2,500, you should have $7,500 saved.

Create a budget

Save for retirement

Saving for college? A new car? How about starting that emergency fund? Whatever your family's financial goals are, it's important to have a plan in place that helps you achieve those goals. Budget to manage day-to-day expenses,

According to Prudential data, of Americans who have retirement savings and debt, nearly one-quarter have more in total debt than in retirement savings (23%), while 15% of Americans say that they have no debt, but also have nothing saved for retirement. Planning for retirement is something that should start as soon as possible. If your work offers any type of matching program, make sure to take advantage. If you don't, you're essentially leaving free money on the table.

Seek professional advice

and include in that budget a commitment to save for bigger milestones. For tips on getting started, do some research.

There's no shortage of advice, whether you decide to go it alone or consider using the help of a professional financial advisor.

Plan for the unimaginable If you have people who count on you for financial support or caregiving, you should have life insurance. A life insurance policy can help give your family financial peace of mind should the worst happen. There is no rule as to how much life insurance you need, but important things to consider are your annual income, mortgage debt, potential college costs for kids and other future financial obligations.

Retirement, life insurance and savings can be confusing. Information overload is partly to blame. According to Prudential data, two-thirds of Americans agree that the list of things they need to learn to successfully manage their finances keeps growing, not shrinking. That's where financial literacy programs and professional financial advice can play a key role. Nearly two-thirds of Americans don't have a financial advisor. They say they cannot afford one (42%) or don't believe their financial situation warrants needing an advisor's help (26%). The reality is that advice is more within reach than ever before - and it's not just for the wealthy. A financial professional can help at various stages in life and work with you to create a strategy based on your timeline, risk tolerance and goals.

"Financial wellness isn't always a matter of having more money," says Hearn. "Instead, it's a journey that takes a combination of proactive effort, dedication and professional guidance."

Prudential Advisors is a brand name of The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries. Life insurance is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ and its affiliates.

Source: BPT

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May 2019  |  31

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

32  |  May 2019 FINANCES

make improvements while reducing costs and delivering added value to their community, which ultimately leads to increased resident satisfaction and support.

New ways HOAs are communicating with residents By d-mars.com News Provider

W

ithout thoughtful communication, relationships between board members, residents and property managers of community associations can go from smooth to contentious in a hurry. From single-family communities to high-rise condos, everyone has their own ideas about what's best for the neighborhood. But despite what most headlines will have you believe, the reality is that homeowner satisfaction in managed communities and HOAs is reported to be at an all-time high. Embracing the right communication style to connect with their community is a key reason.

Savvy HOA boards customize their communications to residents' ages and lifestyles. By identifying trends within communities, HOA boards and property managers are employing more effective tactics to convey important information, make decisions and even defuse tension.

Sharing in bits and bytes: Millennial messagin For example, younger generations are more receptive to messages delivered through digital media, online platforms and mobile apps. In high-rise communities where millennials are prevalent, association boards are using these channels to connect with tech-savvy residents. Apart from distributing important building information, board members are also able to get better buy-in and feedback on community initiatives. The use of digital media lives up to its name, as

Traditional communication still important

previously hard-to-reach residents are now being brought into the fold to create richer living experiences and more representative communities.

"Community relations, like technology, should evolve with the user," said Alan Missen, CIO of FirstService Residential, a national property management company. "People's widespread use of digital platforms as primary conduits for daily information and interaction must be reflected in a managed community's communication network to create more touchpoints of engagement among residents, boards and staff."

On-demand communication tools engage working families Single-family or master-planned communities are home to more established residents, mainly working professionals and families. They tend to prefer email or texting over inperson meetings, with the added option to source information themselves. The community management industry is responding with innovative tools that allow these self-directed individuals to engage on their own terms.

One of the biggest markers of progress in the industry is the increasing adoption of online resident portals. FirstService Residential Connect is an online property management platform that allows residents and boards to communicate directly with one another and the community manager without being disruptive.

Residents can check account balances, reserve amenities, manage visitor access and track package deliveries. Online property management platforms also enhance board members' ability to spot and respond to operational needs and

There is no denying that growing numbers of mature residents are "plugged in" and finding their voice in the digital age. Nevertheless, more traditional forms of communication, including emails, physical mail and in-person consultations, are still preferred by this generation.

While face-to-face conversations are welcome, they can open the door to confrontations just as easily. Understanding this, community board members, with the assistance of property managers, are increasingly employing personalized communications techniques to navigate difficult personalities in the face of such interactions.

For instance, summarizing a complaint in writing after a resident airs grievances can help them feel heard. Laying out the logic behind a decision can help residents feel more comfortable with the process, even if they don't like the decision. These small changes are much more effective in managing relationships than simply saying, "Thanks for your comment."

As HOA boards focus on these kinds of interpersonal tactics, they've seen fewer disgruntled residents and more small issues remain small issues. The key is to communicate directly, plainly and sincerely.

Becoming an interpreter

Forward-thinking HOA board members and community managers say effective communication is all about speaking the same language as their residents. That means delivering messages in a way they'll respond to and be comfortable with.

By mirroring preferred communication channels, association boards and residential managers are changing the game to give everyone a voice and create stronger communities. For more insight about HOA communications, visit fsresidential. com/corporate/hoacommunications.

Source: BPT

EDUCATION

5 fun and easy ways to help your kids keep learning all summer your child at their reading level and build their self-esteem.

Designed for preschool through eighth grade and aligned with state standards, these award-winning, teacher-recommended workbooks include monthly goal-setting to help children work toward a completion certificate for a sense of accomplishment.

Pages are numbered for each day, making it easy for kids to complete the activities on their own, with plenty of time left in the day for play!

By d-mars.com News Provider

D

id you know 96% of teachers say that each fall, students appear to have forgotten or lost some of the knowledge or skills they learned the previous school year?

But don't worry, the good news is that 89% of parents plan to continue some form of educational activities with their children during the summer. Many of these activities may be things you already do with your children. And 92% of teachers agree that students will be more successful overall if they keep learning during the summer months.

What are the most enjoyable and successful ways to help your children learn while they're having fun and enjoying their summer?

Here are five ideas to keep your kids' minds and bodies active all summer, so they'll be eager to pick up where they left off when the new school year begins.

1. Plan fun field trips.

Take advantage of your community's attractions, museums or historical sites that offer wonderful learning opportunities, as well as being really fun outings the whole family can enjoy. Find interesting locations to visit online, involving older children in the search. Use trips to the zoo, farm or museum as learning opportunities by engaging your children in a little pre-trip research, exploring the background of the animals, artwork or history of the location beforehand to get them excited. Plan what you'll do when you get there, and follow up with a related activity after you get home. Many familyfriendly venues offer learning materials and guides for schools

4. Find summer camps. and parents, so call or check their website ahead of your trip!

2. Visit your public library.

Most libraries offer summer reading programs to encourage kids to read, as well as fun events for infants through middleschoolers. Older students love choosing their own books and delving into reading for pleasure that they may not have time for during the school year. And all reading helps children develop their vocabulary and reading comprehension.

3. Invest in daily learning activities.

Help your kids retain skills in math, reading and language arts, as well as exploring science, social studies, fitness and character development with Carson Dellosa Education's Summer Bridge Activities workbooks, available in paperback and as eBooks. Just 15 minutes a day of fun, age-appropriate activities and hands-on projects help children review skills and knowledge learned the previous year. Then the lessons transition into exploring exciting new levels of learning to prepare them for the coming school year. Summer Bridge Activities provide recommended reading lists, plus handy flash cards that are easy to use, even on the go, that engage

Any parent knows that kids thrive with structure, so finding day camps or other group activities your children will enjoy is a terrific idea. Whether built around physical activity, creative pursuits or specific interest, find programs that include skills you want to see your child keep up, like reading, writing, math, science or physical education. Classes that encourage your child's curiosity and keep them engaged will help your children learn even while they're socializing and having fun.

5. Involve the whole family.

If one set of skills or area of knowledge you want your child to develop is not your strong suit, enlist help from a grandparent or other relative to spark your child's interest.

Often learning about hobbies or the career of someone they know has more impact than just telling them that math is useful in real life, for example. Learning how to measure correctly to build a treehouse with grandpa is a great - and practical - lesson in using math skills.

Summer is all about fun and relaxation, but it's easy to include effective learning with a little planning and creativity. To invest just 15 minutes a day to help your children be ready for the next grade, visit summerbrains.com.

Source: BPT

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May 2019  |  33

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

34 | May 2019 REAL ESTATE

Shopping for a Home this Spring: Map Out Your Journey By d-mars.com News Provider

S

pring is here, which means the weather is warming, there’s more daylight, flowers are popping up… and so are “For Sale” signs in yards nationwide.

In fact, 40 percent of annual home sales happen between the start of spring and the start of summer, according to the National Association of Realtors, and more than 2 million people are expected to buy a home this spring.

The process of buying a home can be thought of in the same way as taking a spring break road trip. You have to map out your journey, create a playlist, and assemble your co-pilots. To make your journey less stressful and more successful, the experts at Freddie Mac are offering the following tips:

Mapping Out a Plan Before hitting the road, get a lay of the land by understanding the current market. The median home price is $249,500, up 3.6 percent from last year. It is also useful to know that there is 3.5 months of housing inventory on the market, which means supply is low. What does all this mean for you? Competition is high, rates are historically low and generally the market is holding steady.

Make Your Playlist Like having the perfect soundtrack for a road trip,

buying a home requires building a “ homebuying playlist” of sorts and the order of the playlist matters.

Getting familiar with the essential homebuying concepts -- ahem playlist tracks -- such as down payments, credit scores, pre-approval letters and closing costs, can help you enjoy smoother sailing (and maybe even dancing). To learn more, visit freddiemac.com/blog.

Assemble Your Co-Pilots A road trip is no fun with the wrong people. Be sure to pack your car with trusted professionals who’ll help you avoid bumps in the road.

If this is your first time hitting the road, you may want the company of a housing counselor, whose services are often available at little or no cost and can help assess your financial situation and educate you on the process.

Other people to invite with you on your journey include your lender, responsible for helping you secure the best financing options for your situation, a home inspector who can spot problems with the property, a closing agent, who will oversee the closing or “settlement” of

your loan and help you avoid closing day jitters, and last but not least, your real estate agent, who rides shotgun.

Your realtor should be at your side helping you navigate and readily available to answer all your questions throughout the journey.

Get to know your team well and ask questions. It’s their job to support you on this adventure. To learn more about other professionals who will be involved, visit myhome.freddiemac.com.

If all goes as planned, at the end of your road trip, you will be a homeowner. But remember, half the journey is getting there, so keep your eyes on the road and stay focused.

Source: StatePoint

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36 | May 2019 TECHNOLOGY

AGRICULTURE INSIGHT

Major players nurture innovation by supporting startups By d-mars.com News Provider

E

nvironmental pressures like drought confront growers across the globe, and they can exacerbate the many other demands growers face. The challenges are intertwined, coming from every direction, including profitability requirements, food-supply-chain demands and nutrient shortages.

"Across the industry, growers will have adapt to deal with those growing pressures," says Colin Steen, who heads up operations for Syngenta Ventures, one of the world's first venture capital groups dedicated to agriculture.

Members of the research and development group at the organization identified Sound Agriculture as a promising new startup based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Their mission: to create a suite of products that mitigate drought stress, decrease fertilizer needs and increase crop yields.

"Sound Agriculture was looking at a common problem from a new angle," Steen says. "They were discovering new products that could be tools for enhancing yield and resilience. We invested in them last year and have been very pleased with their progress."

Investing for long-term results Today, Sound Agriculture is one of more than 15 companies in Syngenta Ventures' portfolio. There's no one-size-fits-all formula for the ideal investment.

It's more about casting a broad net and finding companies that share the vision for making growers' farms more sustainable and more profitable, which is viewed as a long-term partnership.

AgriMetis - a Syngenta Ventures' portfolio company in Maryland - which develops natural products to protect crops from weeds, diseases and insects, is another example. "AgriMetis needed a little help developing its testing capabilities and our R&D group stepped in," Steen says.

He collaborates with a team of seven professionals in the U.S. and Europe. Their talents, he says, reflect three pillars of a successful venture ag-focused group. First, the group must understand what's happening on the farm. "That's the key. We have to understand the stresses growers face so we can look ahead for solutions," he says.

Second, technical expertise is essential. "The driving force for many companies we evaluate is novel technology," Steen says. "The best way to build relationships is to speak the same language."

Finally, Steen says that a good venture capital team must be savvy enough to make commitments and decisions that play over a long time period, often more than 5 years. Making good decisions today requires understanding future challenges.

The future of ag technology

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"The ag-technology sector has completely changed and thrived in just the past 10 years," Steen says.

Satellite imagery and drones, for example, felt like the stuff of sci-fi novels just a decade ago, but now they're common sights in ag offices and fields across the world.

One portfolio company, Phytech, draws on spatial imaging, hyperlocal climate information and agronomic modeling to help farmers improve their profitability.

"Helping to develop successful companies directly impacts the agriculture industry," Steen says. "Our core mission is to help create new tools to make growers more profitable. For us, it's all about the collaboration to maximize that success."

For more information, visit www.syngentaventures.com.

Source: BPT

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38  |  May 2019 REAL ESTATE

3. Keep hot air out, cool air in Just as you want to keep out cold air in the winter, it's a good idea to check all your windows, doors and insulation for their ability to keep hot air out and cooled air in. Replacing old, leaky windows or using caulk to seal up drafty spots can be a very effective energy saver in the summer as well as the winter. A professional energy audit conducted by your energy company can help you find leaks that may add up to a lot of wasted energy. Then you can develop a plan to replace or repair any windows, doors or areas of insulation where you are losing the most cooled air in the summer.

BEST STRATEGIES

to beat the heat and save energy

THIS SUMMER By d-mars.com News Provider

W

hen the temperatures start going up, so do your energy bills. If you're looking for ways to save energy and keep your house cooler at the same time, there are a number of strategies you can use that will save you money and make you and your family more comfortable all summer long.

1. Get smart about air conditioning Cool your home using the latest smart technology.

LG Electronics' smart window and portable room air conditioners are a great option to beat the summer heat, as they deliver up to 40% more energy efficiency than the minimum Energy Star requirement. Unlike traditional room air conditioners that turn on full blast and then shut off completely to cool a room, LG's new Dual Inverter Compressor(TM) technology adjusts its speed constantly to maintain desired temperature levels - saving energy and reducing your energy bill. They have options for just about any room size, from portable units like the LG LP1419IVSM that can cool an area up to 800 square feet, to window units like the LW2217IVSM that

cool areas from 800 to 1,300 square feet.

For even more energy efficiency, LG's room air conditioners allow for remote control through their SmartThinQ mobile app from anywhere, so you can start or stop cooling, change the mode or set temperatures using your smartphone. It also works with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can change your air conditioner settings with voice commands at home.

2. Block the sun It may seem obvious, but the heat of the sun each day is what can make rooms in your house unbearably hot.

Take a look at the window treatments you currently have, starting with the ones that see the most sunlight during the day. Using effective blinds, shades, shutters or curtains can help shield especially south-facing rooms from getting overly hot. Likewise, smart landscaping outside those windows can also help. Consider planting trees and shrubs strategically in your yard to help shade your home, which can also help shelter your house from harsh winter winds. Effective planting can be a great long-term aid in keeping your home cooler.

A good landscaping consultant may be able to help you develop a plan.

4. Turn off what you're not using You'd be amazed how much energy you can save just by consistently turning off all the lights and other electronics when they are not being used. It's also a good idea to replace your old lightbulbs - which produce heat - with LED bulbs, which are both cooler and use less power.

5. Use appliances strategically Avoid heating up the entire house by not using your oven on hot days. Instead, cook with your microwave, on the stovetop, using a toaster oven or grilling food outdoors. Run the large appliances such as your clothes washer, dryer and dishwasher during off-peak hours, like during the evening.

All of these approaches can help you save tons of energy as well as money, and will keep you and your family cooler throughout the summer. Looking for a new air conditioner before temps heat up? Visit www.lg.com.

Source: BPT

REAL ESTATE

Creating an on-trend outdoor space with flowers By d-mars.com News Provider

E

ach season brings new opportunities to express your personal style. Like putting together an outfit, decorating your outdoor space is an opportunity to showcase your favorite trends. Adding petunias to your porch, patio or garden is an easy way to create a space uniquely your own. They're easy to grow and maintain, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners and a constant favorite for seasoned gardeners. Petunias brighten up gardens, patios and balconies with bold long-lasting color - and they're virtually care-free. They love sunshine and add style and dazzling color with minimal upkeep.

Here are a few ways to incorporate the latest trends into your outdoor space.

Make a statement.

Add a pop of color to your outdoor space with this season's most talked about tones. Taking inspiration from the runway, try the new award-winning Wave Carmine Velour petunia in a vivid red-hot cherry hue. Or, add the Pantone Color of the Year to your porch or patio. For 2019, it's Living

Coral, chosen for its ability to "energize and enlighten with a softer edge," especially in nature. The friendly and lively color will be everywhere this season, from clothing and accessories to furniture and accents. Plant a container of Easy Wave Coral Reef petunias to brighten up your oasis.

Mix it up.

Just as the perfect look for a night on the town needs the right heels and accessories to create a killer outfit, your containers can combine several of your favorite elements to make a show-stopping composition. Make your containers do double duty with combos of flowers, vegetables and herbs. Not sure what varieties play nicely together? Plug & Play combos with Wave petunias take the guesswork out of combining flowers and flavors. The Plug & Play Combo Cantina Heat pairs peppers alongside Easy Wave Blue spreading petunias and yellow French marigolds for a mix of colors as bold as the flavors within it.

Be festive.

From Mother's Day to Labor Day, spring and summer are filled with holidays, each providing a new opportunity to dress your outdoor spaces accordingly. Hanging baskets make a great gift for mom that she can enjoy all season

long. In addition, the Flying the Flag combo of red, white and blue Wave petunias features patriotic colors for a festive nod to the Fourth of July.

Get creative.

Wave Petunias can be enjoyed beyond the flower bed, too! Petunia blooms are easy to press and dry, and can be the showcase of DIY projects, like a personalized phone case, picture frame and more.

Adding pops of color to create an inviting, on-trend outdoor space is simple, and Wave petunias are an easyto-maintain yet striking flower for everyone, from new to advanced gardeners. They're the perfect way to update your outdoor space for a fresh, stylish look that's welcoming all season long.

To learn more and for ideas, DIY inspiration and easy ways to beautify your outdoor spaces, visit www.wave-rave. com or follow @WaveGardening on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Source: BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

May 2019  |  39

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