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2014 Metamorphosis Women’s Conference The 2014 Metamorphosis Women’s Conference will be March 12-15 at The Fountain of Praise, 13950 Hillcroft Street, with workshops Thursday and Friday at 6:30pm and Saturday at 9:30am.

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Beechnut Academy Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

d-mars.com’s own Keith “MR. DMARS” Davis spoke to young students about the importance of quality Disciplinary Alternative...

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The Kingdom Man on a Kingdom Mission I Am Proud to Have Had a Past

By Cynthia Strong

It is my past that is giving me the honor to enjoy the present. I am 71 years old and my experiences being an African American have taken...

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HCC Black History Scholarship Gala Join our e-mail list for the latest updates @ d-mars.com

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Black MPAC 2014 Actors Workshop and Panel

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

– Nelson Mandela

www.TheROCKWOI.com Mark Your Calendars

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Journal Behind The

3.

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Valerie Jones

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

With the onset of a new year, what better time to renew your commitment to the community in which you live, work, eat, and play? Whether you volunteer your time to speak at a local school or plan to start your first nonprofit organization, let 2014 be the year you devote to bettering your community. This journal focuses on how to do so, as well as highlighting some community heroes who have already taken that initiative.

As always again, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, 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.

Eugenie Doualla

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Angelle Gillum

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

Contents The Kingdom Man on a Kingdom Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

PHOTOGRAPHY

Am I My Brother’s Keeper? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

Proud to Be the Parent of Two Sons with Special Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

Black MPAC 2014 Actors Workshop and Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Andrea Hennekes

HCC Black History Scholarship Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Wright

DISTRIBUTION

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rev. John Fields Judy Blake J.T. Myers, M. Ed, MRT Jacqueline S. Terrell d-mars.com Charlotte Jackson Cynthia Strong

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month

2014 Metamorphosis Women’s Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Game Changers for the New Year – NO EXCUSES Part Two of a Two-Part Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 National Signing Day for Elsik High School’s Class of 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 To Be [Nonprofit], Or Not to Be? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Mena Freeman Tells Adults How to Jump “Back in the Game” with her New Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Beechnut Academy Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Proud to Be Taking a Different Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 I Am Proud to Have Had a Past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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The Kingdom Man Kingdom Mission

on a

D

r. Dana Carson is a rare resource to the Body of Christ. He is “The Kingdom Man,” as reported in the January 2014 edition of the D-MARS Community Journal. However, he is not only a Kingdom man but most importantly; he is on a Kingdom mission. Research shows that churches are closing at an alarming rate of 4,000 annually and over 70% of pastors are so stressed and burned out that they regularly consider leaving the ministry. Seventyfive percent (75%) of the pastors feel they are unqualified and/or poorly trained to lead and manage the church, and are disheartened in their ability to counsel or to pastor. Fifteen-hundred (1,500) pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches. These statistics are alarming and continue to rise. Dana Carson Kingdom Ministries (DCKM) was designed to address this milieu.

DCKM plants churches worldwide, provides ministry health and growth systems, and a variety of other Kingdom-minded resources that allow Dr. Carson to assist ministries in reaching their Kingdom destiny. Dr. Carson is a man with undaunted Kingdom drive that has compelled him to provide ministry and Bible training resources with a Kingdom focus to the Body of Christ.

Dr. Dana Carson is a Kingdom-minded church planter and leadership developer.

Dr. Carson has been planting and leading congregations for nearly 30 years. He began a church in Austin, Texas from the ground with nine people, which grew to over 5,000. While in Austin, Dr. Carson also planted a church in Houston, Texas, from the ground, which offered a Sunday 4 PM service and a weekday Bible study in a hotel. Eventually, this church grew to over 200 and settled into a permanent location in less than two years – with Dr. Carson traveling to and from Austin, Texas each week. Later, Dr. Carson relocated

with over 300 core members to Alvin, Texas and grew that church to over 1,000 in a difficult rural town right outside of the Greater Houston area. Upon his relocation to Alvin, Dr. Carson left his first church plant under the leadership of Pastor Charles Moody Jr. Dr. Carson’s experience with church growth and planting is extensive, and he has learned how to teach aspiring pastors how to build from the ground with no start-up money. Dr. Carson stated, “I made a vow to God, when I didn’t have anyone to assist me in learning the scriptures or building a ministry, that if God would allow me to get the training, I would provide mentorship and training for those who desire to build Kingdomminded churches.” Dr. Carson further stated that, “I am committed to providing leadership training and development for pastors who desire to build intergenerational, Kingdom-minded churches. I identify and train leaders who have the capacity and discipline to really lead ministries.” Dr. Carson’s church planting and church growth experience has allowed him to have a shepherd’s heart.

Dr. Carson, while being based in Alvin, Texas for the last ten years, has planted churches on three continents: North America, Africa, and Asia. This brand of churches is referred to as Reflections of Christ’s Kingdom World Outreach International (The R.O.C.K. W.O.I.).

Dr. Carson is a pastor’s pastor, possessing profound pastoral insight and ministry experience. He has identified trained, equipped and planted leaders around the world. He has planted: Dr. Charles Moody, pastor of The R.O.C.K. Round Rock, Texas, Pastor Moody has completed three college degrees, in addition to receiving a degree from The Kingdom School of Ministry (KSM). Pastor Louis Straker Jr, pastor of The R.O.C.K. Brooklyn, New York, who leads a fast growing and innovative church using Dr. Carson’s church growth principles. Pastor Straker

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has earned an undergraduate degree and is a graduate of The Kingdom School of Ministry. Pastor Samuel Johnson, The R.O.C.K. Spring, Texas, has earned three college degrees, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant who is currently completing his MBA from Tulane University.

Pastor Johnson is also a graduate of The Kingdom School of Ministry. Pastor Andrew Taylor is the pastor of The R.O.C.K. Brazosport, Texas. Pastor Taylor has earned two college degrees including an MBA, as well as, a degree from The Kingdom School of Ministry. Pastor Freddrick Lewis of The R.O.C.K. St. Paul, Minnesota has earned three college degrees, and is currently completing his degree from The Kingdom School of Ministry. Pastor Lew Williams, The R.O.C.K. Atlanta, Georgia, is college-trained and currently completing his degree from The Kingdom School of Ministry. Pastor J.D. Herron, who leads The R.O.C.K. Katy, Texas has earned both an undergraduate and an advanced degree in education; he is currently completing his degree from The Kingdom School of Ministry. Dr. Carson most recently planted a R.O.C.K. church in San Antonio (Pastor Nathan Roberts); Pastor Roberts is currently completing his degree from The Kingdom School of Ministry.

Internationally, Dana Carson Kingdom Ministries, Inc. has planted three R.O.C.K. churches in South Africa: Bishop Eugene Van Kramberg, The R.O.C.K. Eldorado Park; Pastor Sechaba Mothiane, The R.O.C.K. Vlakfontein; and Pastor Mishael Carson, The R.O.C.K. Brakpan. Each of these pastors holds multiple degrees, proving themselves diligent in preparation for the holy calling to which God called them. Dr. Carson also ordained and oversees Bishop William Kettor of The R.O.C.K. Liberia. Bishop William Kettor’s professional education concentration is in accounting and theological training. Bishop Kettor oversees nearly 30 R.O.C.K. churches in Monrovia and throughout Liberia. Pastor Bobby Torralba, the pastor of The R.O.C.K. Butuan in the Philippines, heads a special children’s ministry for homeless children.

Through Dana Carson Kingdom Ministries, Inc. (DCKM), a global outreach ministry, Dr. Carson takes a holistic approach to providing ministry training and development. It offers church growth and health systems, Kingdombased resources, and leadership education. In order to enhance church leaders and their ministries, Dr. Carson and his church engineering staff have developed Kingdom church growth and health systems that provide functional structures of growth for churches ranging from small to large. These church administration systems provide processes and procedures for every stage of growth that a new church will experience – from zero members to mega-church status. These Kingdom-based church growth systems assist leaders in planting churches, as well as growing existing churches. Dr. Carson and his staff have engineered cutting edge ministry solutions for churches that are seeking to take their ministry to the next level. With an academic background that includes seven college degrees, three doctorates and three masters, attending

such schools as Boston University, Texas A&M University, Duke University, Harvard University, and Regent University, Dr. Carson’s theological training in the doctoral program at Boston University (Theological Studies with an emphasis in Church Growth and Health) and his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership have provided him with the academic tools of ministry development to provide cutting edge resources for church leaders.

Dr. Carson’s Kingdom Church Growth and Health Systems provide the structure and direction for churches to birth successfully and grow healthily.

These systems assist pastors in establishing Kingdom-minded churches in the 21st century. These Kingdom-based Church Growth and Health Systems include: • The C12 Kingdom Church Planting System: The C12 Kingdom Church Planting System is designed to assist pastors who desire to start churches from the ground or what is referred to as church planting. Dr. Carson provides this unique approach to church planting with a Kingdom focus based upon universal principles of growth and the 1st century model of church growth and discipleship. The C12 Kingdom System is specifically structured based on Christ’s model of discipleship of the 12 disciples, which teaches the church planter how to start a church with very limited financial and people resources.

• The Core 40 Kingdom Church Planting System: The Core 40 Kingdom Church Planting System is designed to assist pastors who have churches with less than 40 members.

It teaches them how to grow their church through Kingdom principles of discipleship and accommodates church growth to 100 members.

• The Kingdom Rocket Launch System: The Kingdom Rocket Launch System is designed to assist the pastor who wants to grow his or her church from 100 members to over 300. This system teaches the leader to lead at the corporate level, creating a disciple-making Kingdom-minded church.

• The Body Life Systems: The Body Life System (BLS) is an ex¬ecutive set of systems composed of different modules that assists the pastor in growing a large and healthy church.

The BLS will provide the structure and tools to operate every sub-system that is necessary to support a church’s growth and health from 200 to several thousand members. This is a miscellany, turnkey system, which the leader has the option of adding additional modules as the church continues to grow, disciple, and increase its membership.

• The 6-Pack & A Smoke: This system is comprised of six administrative components of church growth that are designed to facilitate growth and health in your local church. The implementation of this system will provide a ministry with processes

Dr. Carson, preaching the Kingdom message in Asia as many surrendered their hearts to Christ and pastors desired his leadership, resulting in the planting of new R.O.C.K. churches.

Dr. Carson, ministering at the altar in prophecy and the laying on of hands in Cameroon, Africa as hundreds came to Christ and surrendered their hearts and minds to Christ and His Kingdom.

Dr. Carson takes His Kingdom message and mission throughout Africa with boldness and power. The anointing was so heavy upon Dr. Carson that many people were healed, delivered, and set free by the power of God; some were even healed simply by touching him. At this crusade, the faith of the people was so great that a barrier had to be formed in order to keep the people from stampeding him on stage.

Dr. Carson in West African Kingdom Crusade, preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God and demonstrating the power of God by praying for people who, under the power of God, were healed from all manner of sickness and disease.

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that will increase the church’s visitorship, retain existing members while acquiring new members, grow a ministry through the continual involvement of members in fresh ministry opportunities, and sustain a ministry by creating intergenerational disciples who are grounded in and continually grow in biblical knowledge and understanding.

• The Kingdom Citizenship System: The Kingdom Citizenship System is a Kingdom-focused New Members Curriculum that is designed to provide basic Kingdom principles to every church member, providing them with a spiritual foundation for their walk with God and the church. This system will increase your attendance by teaching the importance of the assembly of the saints and inviting, bringing, and compelling, as well as strengthen and broaden a church’s giving base through teachings on stewardship. These classes are all PowerPoint-driven and turnkey.

Everything a pastor needs to begin growing immediately is included in this Kingdom system of church integration.

Dr. Carson can coach churches through every stage of church growth and development because he personally learned it – both through academics and hard earned experience. “Through DCKM, we are able to teach, train, and walk a leader through the initial establishment of a Kingdom-minded church, step-by-step, using turnkey church growth and health systems. We do this for our church plants, and we can also help any ministry that desires our help.”

Dr. Carson is also a certified Church Growth Consultant and a certified DISC Distributor and Consultant. He travels the world providing consultation and training to churches on church development, growth and health through workshops and seminars. In addition, Dr. Carson has also developed systems of organizational leadership including: Incarnational Leadership, Leadership 101, Leading with SNAP, and Kingdom Readiness: Transitioning your Church-minded Ministry into a Kingdom-minded Ministry (IntelliChurch.com). DCKM provides leadership training and mentorship for any leader who desires to take his or her ministry to greater levels, but realizes that it cannot be done alone. Dr. Carson’s consulting services for churches extend to every corner of the world.

Lastly, the Kingdom mission compelled Dr. Carson to create two Bible training programs: The Kingdom School of Ministry, an online institute that provides both affordable and accessible ministerial training for the senior pastor, lay leaders, and laymen. He has also developed an on-campus training program, The Kingdom Bible Institute, with branch locations in Round Rock, Texas; Brooklyn, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Kyle, Texas; and soon, Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Carson’s unique level of biblical scholarship prepared him to write over 100 books, textbooks, and other publications with a primary interest on the Kingdom of God, which he uses in both theologi-

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cal institutes. His extensive library of Kingdom resources teach the truths of the Kingdom of God from its authentic Jewish context, rather than a Westernized perspective, so that readers can gain a more accurate understanding of the scriptures. Through the Kingdom School of Ministry, a church can also send his or her leaders to be trained, licensed, and ordained – thoroughly equipped for ministry service in the Kingdom of God. Dr. Dana Carson has one of the most respected prophetic and apostolic voices in this millennium. His broadcasts, both on radio (Rainbow FM 90.7 in Johannesburg, South Africa and satellite TV – the Omega Channel) have provided invaluable knowledge and understanding for pastors and leaders worldwide.

He has spoken prophetically to nations and thousands of pastors and laymen have been healed, delivered, and made whole by the power of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. With the tremendous resources available through DCKM, help for you or your ministry, specially designed by this powerful Kingdom man on his way to Houston, Dr. Dana Carson, is just a click away.

For more information about Dr. Dana Carson and additional resources please visit www.DrDanaCarson.com.

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Special Edition

Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr...

“We are not makers of history.

We are made by history.�

Ovide Duncantell of Black Heritage Society Honored at Event at Communications Workers of America

Buffalo Soldiers Martin Luther King, Jr. VIP Reception

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North Houston Frontiers Club Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast

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Special Edition

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

By Rev. John Fields

W

Contributing Writer

ho is that? Am I my brother’s keeper? Am I responsible for my brother? He needs to answer for himself. Why should I be accountable for his whereabouts?

In the Book of Beginnings, Genesis, Chapter Four, there is dialogue between Cain and Abel; it is recorded that "Cain talked with Abel his brother, and it came to pass, when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, where is Abel, your brother? Cain said I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The question “am I my brother’s keeper?” has become an attitude that generates negativity. The concept that it takes the whole village to raise a child has been abandoned. Recently, a small child raised the question, “has everyone gone crazy at the same time?” Cain knew where his

brother Abel was because he killed him.

Rather than killing his brother, Cain's response could have been, “I'm glad at least your offering was pleasing.” He had a problem with his brother's success.

People of ebony color are the only ones brought to America in chains. In 1654, Anthony Johnson, a black man, convinced a court that his servant, also a black man, was his for life. Johnson himself had been brought to Virginia as an indentured servant. The court ruled in Johnson's favor, and Johnson became very wealthy, and began importing his own slaves from Africa.

Enslaved Africans were brought from an area near the Senegal River in Northern Africa and Angola in the South. It is suggested that the Angolan coast has supplied more than 50 percent of slaves sent to America – totally chained down in mind, body and spirit. Slavery broke, bent, and caused a sect of people to bow down. Instead of Johnson lifting up his brothers, he put his foot on their necks, and sang in his spirit "no big deal."

On the plantation it had been engrained in the slave, you are a house servant, and he's just a field hand. Don't trust him, watch him and let me know whatever it is that he is doing. Be sure now, that you watch him.

In 1800, Gabriel Prosser, an enslaved African American blacksmith, tried to

rise above the foot that was on his neck.

He organized a slave revolt intending to march on Richmond, Va. with the intent to lift and free his brothers; he was hanged. The famous preacher Nat Turner preached, motivating people to get up off the deck. He started to transform their minds to want to do better, and to work together. He led the most significant slave uprising in American history – a short, but bloody rebellion in Southampton County Virginia, and was killed.

The efforts of Harriet Tubman with her underground railroad, and Lloyd Garrison with his writings in the weekly paper, the Liberator, were not enough to break the chains on hands, feet, and minds of men and women. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring "that all persons held as slaves within the Confederate state" are, and henceforward shall be free.

Two years after, Lincoln is assassinated and the Civil War is ended. The news reached Texas on June 19, setting free 250,000 slaves.

After the struggles of Martin Luther King, Jr. and others to untie serration, hatred, and racism from the hitching post, it seemed as though African Americans were moving forward. Certainly much had been achieved, or so it appeared looking at the surface. An African American senator from Chicago, Barack Obama was elected, and re-elected President, but

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down beneath the surface you can see that the racism and hatred that was untied from the hitching post simply walked around the corner and is back.

When looking over the fence, one can see the Asian, Hispanic, and other communities working with purpose, doing business with their brothers’ reaching, and helping each other; it’s very transparent in the street signs and building signage. However, when looking around the Black community, six or seven guys can be seen holding up one tree. Obviously, beer tastes better when drank on the street corner. What is it that must happen to get people of ebony color to reach to help one's brother? The recording artist Donnie Hathaway said it's a long winding road, but he’s not heavy, he's my brother.

Life is a series of decisions. We tend to approach life with certain autonomy, as though we are independent individuals with no responsibility to acknowledge our brother. We should know that we are best measured not by what we do for ourselves, but rather how we help others.

Special Edition

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2014 Metamorphosis Proud to Be the Parent of Two Sons Women’s Conference with Special Needs

T P

By Judy Blake Contributing Writer

roud to Be the Parent of Two Sons with Special Needs By: Judy Blake We all know that raising children has its rewards and challenges. There are no guarantees as to how our kids will grow up. Will they be responsible adults? Will they be caring? Will they be able to support themselves? We all want the best for our children and will make mistakes along the way.

I often hear parents say that they raised all of their children the same, yet one of them is nothing like the others. They don’t understand what happened or what went wrong. My first thought is that there is no way any parent could raise all of their children the same. You may instill the same values of respect, kindness, honesty and hard work. But no one is the same way every year – parents grow and change just as their children do. Even if you really could raise each child the same, it doesn’t mean that each of your children will interpret your actions the same. We all glean different elements from life’s lessons and they impact us in different ways.

When raising any child, it’s critically important to let them know that you are

proud of them. You shouldn’t praise them just for the sake of praise. False praise can be very confusing to children and it’s difficult for them to determine if they really deserved the praise you gave them.

But I do think that each child must be judged by their own merits. Did they do the best job they could? It may not be to the standards of what you did at their age or what their sibling could do. It’s imperative to remember that each child performed to the best of THEIR ability. If they did, parents should be proud of their child’s accomplishment.

I’ve had to adjust my expectations many times and do so even now, and my sons are 22 and 19. So much in life does not come easily to them. Their life is not about me, it’s about them and what they can achieve. Regardless of special needs, every human being can contribute to society in their own way. It’s up to parents and society at large to accept others even for the smaller accomplishments and to be proud of them in the process.

Judy Blake is a public speaker and author of Judy’s World – The World of Autism through the Eyes of a Mother. Her speeches and book chronicle her life and that of her sons as they cope with hidden special needs. She travels throughout the country and speaks to audiences of all ages. Corporations, schools, churches and community groups – her audiences are introduced to a world they thought they knew. To purchase her book or schedule her as a speaker, please contact judy@judysworld.info or check out her website at www.judysworld.info.

he 2014 Metamorphosis Women’s Conference will be March 12-15 at The Fountain of Praise, 13950 Hillcroft Street, with workshops Thursday and Friday at 6:30pm and Saturday at 9:30am.

Conference speaker Pastor Mia Wright will present the inspirational and uplifting conference for women to realize their destiny. The Metamorphosis Conference will help encourage women to make positive changes, impact their surroundings,

and take hold of destiny by accessing inspirational and practical tools needed to transform their lives.

The Metamorphosis Team has assembled a powerful and gifted ensemble of singers and speakers, which include actress and gospel recording artist Tamela Mann, Pastor Sheryl Brady, Dr. Jazz Sculark, evangelist Jekalyn Carr, and Kathy Taylor.

For more information on the 2014 Women’s Metamorphosis Conference, visit http://mymetamorphosis.org/2014/.

CONFERENCE

SPEAKERS

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Special Edition

Black MPAC 2014 Actors Workshop and Panel Mack Performing Arts Collective, Inc. (MPAC) and The Sports and Entertainment Law Society of Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law recently presented the Black MPAC 2014 Actors Workshop and Panel, featuring acclaimed actress Wendy Raquel Robinson.

Entertainment attorney Jalene Mack founded MPAC, which is a way to give back to the community, expand the growth of the performing arts industry, and make dreams come true. MPAC has provided performing arts-related classes and workshops to children and adults of all ages with the annual Actors Workshop and Panel.

Mack said MPAC offers numerous programs, including education workshops, business panel discussions, and performances – for which MPAC provides free passes to deserving teens and young adults who may not be able to attend due to financial restraints or other issues.

Robinson facilitated the workshop, which was titled “In the Moment: Get Out of your Head and into the Moment.” The panel was led by moderator Kim Davis, journalist and media consultant. Guest panelists included Robinson; Alfred Cervantes, deputy director , Houston Film Commission; Spencer Tillman, analyst, CBS Sports College Football Today; Greg Carter, film producer, My B.F.F., Dysfunctional Friends; and Ricky Anderson, entertainment attorney, Anderson & Smith, P.C. Guest panelists discussed how to sustain a career in the entertainment industry as well as the trends and changes of the legal and business side of television and film.

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13.

HCC Black History Scholarship Gala Nationally known civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a keynote speech at the Houston Community College Black History Scholarship Gala recently.

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Special Edition

Game Changers for the New Year: NO EXCUSES Part Two of a Two-Part Series

By J. T. Myers, M. Ed, MRT

T

Contributing Writer

here is an inherent epidemic in society today stifling the progress of people throughout the world. It involves the lack of tenacity to make things happen right now – while putting off until some unknown futuristic time.

It is called the “Gone-Do mentality.” The “Gone-Do mentality” is a way of thinking that yields to total stagnation. At times, in our lives we have all been guilty at one time or another of falling prey to it. It swoops in allowing us to give lip service to getting something done but never actually doing it. It holds us back as an invisible force that keeps us from reaching our potential. Whatever goals you have this year, it is imperative that you take out the words “gonna do.” This is so you actually get around to the physical task of doing it.

What is one of the most recognizable slogans in the world? It is Nike’s “Just Do It.” These words, although very simple, offer the most straightforward approach to anything we do in life. It makes NO EXCUSES for anything we set out to do in life. It also does not allow leeway for reasons why a goal cannot be achieved.

Although the roads in life are often

bumpy, full of unforeseen setbacks, and riddled with twists and turns, it is the few individuals who recognize the power of the words “Just Do It” that make it happen today and accomplish much.

In life, often you will encounter many that subscribe to the “Gone Do mentality.” Do not be deceived. There are more people in society aimlessly talking about what they “Gone-do” than who actually wake up every day and make the decision to “Just do.” Immediate action for some is quite uncomfortable. It means that you must pursue your goals with a dogmatic passion, offering no excuses for missteps and errors along the way. There is a paralyzing fear that stuns people when they think about actually advancing their life by putting in the arduous work that is required to make things happen. Not only that, it is also like a disease that is highly contagious. When you sit among a group or are associated with people that are not moving forward in life, more often than not you also become the same way. This group now offers a surprising comfort because no one around you is actually doing anything. In fact, they are leaders! – Diabolical leaders of the “Gone-Done Tribe.”

They offer many catchphrases such as “you can’t do that,” “you trying to do too much,” or “that’s too hard,” leaving you complacent with the way things are and

not continuously striving to create a culture of success. There will be many who do not want you to accomplish much, because then it will bring to light the fact that they are actually not carrying out any action of what they said they were going to do.

So, how does an individual escape the “Gone Do mentality?” You must make a conscious decision to make no excuses for why you cannot turn a passion, a goal, an idea into a reality. Stop letting fear para-

lyze your life and impede your progress.

Do everything that you possibly can to take steps to move forward. Stay away from naysayers and negative thoughts that often try to invade and take captive your mind. Let the individuals who have enabled your lack of forward mobility fall by the wayside. It is then and only then that you are ready to shed the “Gone-Do mentality” and make NO EXCUSES. Remember, many have dreams, but few choose to wake up and work hard enough to make them a reality.

National Signing Day for Elsik High School’s Class of 2014

Elsik High School senior Malcolm Washington committed to Fresno State University during National Signing Day Feb. 5. Washington will be attending Division I school Fresno State on a four-year full scholarship and will play defensive back/wide receiver.

It’s your moment.

No matter your passion, HCC can help turn your dreams into reality.

If you’re just getting started, or starting a new chapter, we have the skills and knowledge that meet your goals and your schedule.

HCC has convenient locations and hundreds of programs and degree plans. What are you waiting for? Go get it.

It’s yours.

Your journey begins here.

Pictured (l-r) are Keith J. Davis, Jr.; Malcolm Washington; and Keith J. Davis, Sr.

Register today at hccs.edu

Malcolm Washington (front, center) is surrounded by his family and girlfriend on National Signing Day.

Learn about our logistics program, and many more at HCC.

Its your future D-Mars Spring 2014 .indd 1

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15.

To Be [NonProfit], Or Not to Be?

By Jacqueline S. Terrell Contributing Writer

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” I don’t know who credit for that thought-provoking statement. I remember my mom sharing it with me when I wanted to do something that wasn’t quite good for me. I’ve also heard it in church on Sundays when my pastor warned me about my free will to make decisions that might produce consequences for which I am not ready to deal. When deciding to start a nonprofit, ask yourself, “I can, but does it mean that I should?” There are a few things to consider when deciding if you are really up for the task of starting a new nonprofit organization.

Is there another organization addressing a similar need? Do your homework!

A rising problem with nonprofits is there are too many organizations addressing the same needs. As a result, organizations find themselves competing for donations and grants. You may want to first volunteer with that organization to get insight into how they are addressing the problem you are interested in solving. Or, you could get a group of friends together to raise funds to help the organization accomplish the mission that you both share. If you are an existing organization, a better solution may be to collaborate, or partner, with an existing organization passionate about your interests and already making an impact in your community. Partnership may provide an opportunity to share resources and foster new relationships with others who share the same passion. You must do the research to determine if a need exists for a new organization. If the answer is yes, then move forward!

Do you have the tenacity, energy and wisdom to sustain a start-up nonprofit?

While your passion may be strong, be sure you are strong enough for the challenges to come: spending your own mon-

Mena Freeman Tells Adults How to Jump “Back in the Game” with her New Book BACK GAME

by: d-mars.com IN THE

D

A Dating Playbook for Men Over 40

ating can be difficult.

It’s a new day and age.

It can be especially ABOUT THE BOOK hard for adults, who may be widowed, divorced or separated.

About The Author After raising her daughter as a single parent, Mena Freeman found herself back in the dating pool again – as an adult.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR When she began dating, she observed that men over age 40 who were recently single “had no idea how to approach a woman.”

Barcode to go “Back in the Game: A Dating Playbook Here (with price point) for Men Over 40” is Freeman’s first book and it’s filled with dating tips for men over 40. The book even includes a removable bookmark with seven things to do and seven things not to do on a date.

Freeman pulled from first-hand experiences to write the book. She touches on topics from personal hygiene to online dating.

Freeman has written poetry for many years, mostly about love. She plans on writing more books, the next being a dating guidebook for women.

Faceped mil moluptae. Nequi rem fuga. Neturi net reperiam voluptur reicil maios magnatius arciandi odit, verum que volorem et la nectiatem ipiet quia susae. Nam, untis nossimincius a ipsa quodit, odi re, andisci aecusa nonsedicate num fugia de iur, ium simus dolorem ullectem quis poreseq uiatior rem quam nonsentio. Ut pel expelibus.a Exerfero de modit, omnihillupta consedis dolorro temperferi dus, qui demquiatque ilia dolest, sunt et accaerspid etus issitas peroreictiis alibus aborit re pro occae pa corio. Lendelit aut invenimos moluptat poresti dolutentibus pra velesec tusandunt ommolup tatione num

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Exerfero de modit, omnihillupta consedis dolorro temperferi dus, qui demquiatque ilia dolest, sunt et accaerspid etus issitas peroreictiis alibus aborit re pro occae pa corio. Lendelit aut invenimos moluptat poresti dolutentibus pra velesec tusandunt ommolup tatione num labore et volorporit il idit anim doluptiur? Qui blabore, officae. Porae is estias est, cum ra quat harcienditis diat officimus voluptat laccus, sequosa pientur aut quatureptus andae doluptibus eaque et autasperitil im verum.

ey until your fundraising efforts begin and are fruitful (unless you are a private foundation and the donations are coming from one source), identifying volunteers who share your interests and who are willing and available to donate their time and talents to your organization, among many others. It may take a few years for you to tweak your programs and raise the funds needed to make the difference you are seeking. Ninety percent of all start-ups fail within the first few years, so you need to think about whether you are up for the challenge and have the patience to see it through.

Who’s on your team? When starting a nonprofit, be sure to have a great team in place! Because a nonprofit is a legal entity, you should enlist an attorney and an accountant among the professionals you should have in your back pocket to advise you in areas of their expertise. A good nonprofit consultant would not hurt either when you need advice on fundraising and implementation of programs. And I cannot stress enough the importance of selecting the right board members! Board members are ambassadors of your organization, so there should be a process in place to select the right ones. You may want to ask potential board members to serve in another capacity first to determine the level of commitment they would have to your organization.

BACK IN THE GAME A Dating Playbook for Men Over 40 FRE

7 Th et Pal I E n to D ings N side o O ot Dat n A e!

Poc

k

Mena Freeman Freeman also serves as a dating consultant.

“If you’re a man over 40, divorced, widowed or otherwise single and a bit rusty as to how to approach a woman, send me an email at thedateconsultant@gmail.com,” she said. “Let me help.” http://www.backinthegameplaybook. com/ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I8XWNME

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I hope I have not discouraged you from starting a nonprofit organization. I am proud to be a member of a community where so many have the compassion to solve the many woes we face today. However, it is not helpful to start an organization that is not effective. Do some soul searching and decide if starting a new organization is for you and whether you have the patience to endure. To be or not to be: that is the question.

Jacqueline S. Terrell is Founder and Managing Director of J. Terrell Consulting Firm, LLC, specializing in nonprofit formation and management. Visit their website at jterrellconsultingfirm.com; email: jterrellconsultingfirm@gmail. com; phone: 713-364-2793.

16.

Special Edition

Beechnut Academy Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony d-mars.com’s own Keith “MR. DMARS” Davis spoke to young students about the importance of quality Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs (DAEP) at the Beechnut Academy ribbon cutting ceremony, officially marking the transition to Camelot’s management of the school.

“I am grateful to be able to speak to these young kids because some of them weren’t dealt the same hand as others their age, but they are not letting obstacles defeat them. It’s important for me, as well as others, to mentor these young men and women. When you help encourage the youth, it just makes our community stronger.”

1Whichever comes first. For full details on BMW Ultimate Service® visit bmwusa.com/ultimateservice. ©2013 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

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Proud to Be Taking a Different Approach

By Charlotte Jackson

I

Contributing Writer

n a day where many of our neighbors are so busy on Saturday that they cannot seem to make it to church on Sunday, leave it to a church known for “thinking outside of the box” to take a different approach. If you happened to be driving along North Houston Rosslyn on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, chances are very good that you were wondering why all the cars were not only parked in every inch of grass, including the medians, but also along the street.

For many years, this location had been home to a large Anglo congregation of the United Methodist Church. At one point, there were so many children and youth in the congregation that the campus expanded to have a football field, a softball field and a baseball field. There had been activities daily to help the Biblical foundation, which was poured each Sunday.

And then, at some point in time, as the economy shifted, families began moving away, businesses were more prevalent in the area and membership declined. After much prayer and considering all the options, the membership voted to relinquish their property to the Methodist Conference with the desire that St John’s Downtown would consider this for a second location.

Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus have always been known for doing things a lit-

tle different. When other churches were working on capital campaigns to expand their facilities, St John’s Downtown continued to trust God for funding to provide services to those most often forgotten— the hungry, the mentally ill, the imprisoned and those infected with HIV and AIDS. Taking on a second location would be stretching the staff a little farther, but what if the second location had Services on Saturday morning? Definitely not something many churches would think about, but as anyone who has met Pastor Rudy picks up on immediately, “fitting in the box” is rarely an option. While many ministers work to never disclose their own weaknesses or past failures, both Pastor Rudy and Pastor Juanita are quick to share. Perhaps one of the fastest growing

ministries of the church is The Art Project Houston. At weekly gatherings, clients of The Bread of Life learn to use various forms of art to begin to heal from the pain of life. This ministry was birthed out of Pastor Juanita’s own battle with depression in the past. Pastor Rudy is the first to admit that he is far from perfect, but the

one thing he hope he is never accused of is not offering unconditional love.

After about eight weeks of preparation, St John’s Northwest opened on Saturday, January 4, to an overflowing crowd. Many present on that first day perhaps had at some point been members of the downtown campus; some came because they received an invitation in the mail, and yet others came because they had been seeing the hustle and bustle going on and saw the signs reading “Feel the Love.” The excitement of being bold enough to take a different approach to reach the community is beyond words. Trusting God to use members to love on the community is exciting.

If you have ever wanted to “feel the love” that St John’s Downtown is known for, but are already active in another church, we respect that, but at the same time invite you to come visit on Saturday.

Once you are there, you will understand why I am proud to be taking a different approach.

I Am Proud to Have Had a Past

I

By Cynthia Strong Contributing Writer

t is my past that is giving me the honor to enjoy the present. I am 71 years old and my experiences being an African American have taken me through many levels of emotions.

As a little girl, I was slapped by my mother for questioning why a white boy called my mom by her first name. I asked this question right after the white boy called her name. In middle school (only black in school in Fallbrook, Calif.), I was asked “why is your nose wide and why are your legs hairy?” I even started putting a clothes pin on my nose to see if I could make it smaller. In college my emotions really went deep into rage and grief because sit-ins began and I was right there sitting on the grounds and standing in jail over and over again.

Making history with Dr. Martin Luther King was such an honor. When he passed,

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I made a stern decision that I would never work on the day that he was killed and each year I would pray that a holiday be set aside for him. I was so honored when that happened as well as having streets and highways named for him.

The awesome positive results of these past experiences paved the way for me to accept and be proud of myself. These experiences also help me to impart Biblical Character, Etiquette, and Acts of Kindness into children in America and Ghana.

Dr. King always said that Academics plus Character equals Success. I truly believe and make this my life endeavors for my children. I even began a Love in Action Children’s Fellowship so the children could experience how awesome and wonderful they are.

After retiring from the Georgia School System, I went to the Motherland: Ghana, West Africa. There on the soil of Ghana, I was able to say ‘I am proud to be African because my wholeness of who I am is rooted in the soil of Africa, but my holistic being is African American.’ I salute America as we celebrate Black History Month because our History is awesome: our past continues to pave the way for more Presidents of America who are African Americans.

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JOIN CLUB GEORGE TODAY “YOU WILL NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION”

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HE HEARD MY CRY FELLOWSHIP

he heard my cry

Mission Statement HHMCF is dedicated to following the Word of God, feeding the flock the Word of God and fellowshipping with the saints. That the lost might be saved, the saved might be fed and equipped to edify the body of Christ.

Faith-Filled

Pastor Claude Cummings, Wife Joaquina Cummings & Daughter Jillian I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

-Psalm 116: 1-2

Bible-Based

Family-Friendly

Sunday Morning Worship

Starts at 9:00 AM at the Communication Workers of America Building

1730 Jefferson St., Houston, Tx 77003

Phone: 713.581.0852 | Email: Info@hhmcf.com | www.hhmcf.com | Experience Our World of Advertising Marketing, Media and Communication

He Heard My Cry