Community Journal 34 by d-mars.com

Community Journal

Inspire, Inform & Educate

June 2014

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34th Edition @dmars_com

Bridging the Gap

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Bridging the Gap By Charlotte Jackson By working at a community college as well as serving as an advisor for two student groups on campus, I have been given an opportunity to help bridge not only the generational gap, but also racial and economic gaps. PAGE 10

The Official Unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue and Memorial Plaza at MacGregor Park

page 4

PAGE 12

Numerous Black Businesses Decide to “Join the Movement”

MLK Luncheon and Reception Hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Hall PAGE 14

page 8

Major League Baseball’s 2014 Civil Rights Game and Beacon Awards Luncheon Held in Houston Join our e-mail list for the latest updates @ d-mars.com

There are two barriers that often prevent communication between the young and their elders. The first is middle-aged forgetfulness of the fact that they themselves are no longer young. The second is youthful ignorance of the fact that the middle-aged are still alive. – Jessamyn West

June 2014

Journal Behind The

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 Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

I believe that our elders are some of the best keepers of wisdom and knowledge. There are some things that can’t be learned from a textbook or from a search engine on a computer. But it’s clear that there’s a gap that exists between the youth and the elders in our society and it will take effort from both generations to begin to close that gap. Our cover story about the Black Pages Online is a perfect example of bridging the gap. It’s all about bringing black businesses and business owners – whether young or old – together and spreading the word about the importance of patronizing black businesses. Black Pages Online has created the platform for doing so and serves as a resource for any individual looking for a reputable black business in the Houston area. 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.

Contents Numerous Black Businesses Decide to “Join the Movement”.............................................................................................................. 4

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

d-mars.com Black Pages Online: Pinning and Awards Ceremony....................................................................................................... 5

Andrea Hennekes

Why Should YOU Support Black Pages Online?......................................................................................................................................... 6

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

DISTRIBUTION

Black Pages Online: Ultimate Networking Event..................................................................................................................................... 6 Major League Baseball’s 2014 Civil Rights Game and Beacon Awards Luncheon Held in Houston........................................... 8 Bridging the Gap...............................................................................................................................................................................................10

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

In the Community…...........................................................................................................................................................................................10

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

The Official Unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue and Memorial Plaza at MacGregor Park.............................. 12

Valerie Jones Charlotte Jackson

MLK Luncheon and Reception Hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Hall.................................................................................................. 14

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.” – Mary McLeod Bethune

Are you Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level? 499.99 .99 2991year

Presents

BLACK PAGES ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY What this means to you,

The Business Owner: • The ability to stimulate money in our communities • Publicity at an affordable price • The professionalism it provides to black-owned businesses

It’s time we put our future finances into our own HANDS! We must encourage members to patronize black-owned businesses to further expand the economic power of African American merchants and the households that support them.

ADVERTISING | MARKETING | MEDIA | COMMUNICATIONS

Call today 713.272.9511

It’s Just That Simple!!!

www.d-mars.com

contact@d-mars.com

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June 2014

Numerous Black Businesses Decide to By Valerie Jones Associate Editor

movement can be defined as an organized effort to promote or attain a goal. Some notable movements in American history include the Civil Rights Movement, the Feminist Movement and the Labor Movement. Though each goal was different, the commonality that was shared was the same across the board. Each individual involved in the movement believed wholeheartedly in what they were fighting for. It’s 2014 and there’s another emerging movement – this one happening in our very own backyards. Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. President Barack Obama has stated that small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America. Houston and the surrounding areas are diverse and ripe for small businesses. African American entrepreneurs and businesses owners account for a significant number of new and existing small businesses and it’s extremely important that African Americans support each other in the business realm. d-mars.com Black Pages Online is a comprehensive business directory which lists reputable black businesses in Houston and surrounding areas. Members are individuals and businesses who have taken the initiative and “Joined the Movement” – the Movement being the circulation of black dollars and building up the African American business community. With the Black Pages Online Pinning and Awards Ceremony, members of dmars.com’s elite black online business directory were able to see first-hand the benefits of circulating their black dollars. “When I started d-mars.com years ago, I didn’t understand business like I do now, but I knew one thing: I know a lot of people and I knew I could be successful,’” said Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis. He explained to guests at the event how he went from being ‘D-MARS, the hook-up man’ to CEO of an advertising, marketing, media and communications company. He also described the importance of supporting black businesses. “We don’t create businesses, we create networks…and when you create networks, they move with you,” he said. “If you go into a department store or buy a car, for example, find a black salesperson because they get commission off of that. [Blacks] don’t own everything, but we all need to make a conscious effort when

“Join the Movement”

we go out to spend money in the black community.” The Black Pages Online Awards Ceremony concluded with the Ultimate Networking Mixer, in which members

and guests were able to mix, mingle and cultivate new business relationships with one another – all a significant part of The Movement. “When we say the movement, that’s

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something that entails a lot of people,” said Kevin “Brother D-MARS” Davis. “It’s going to take each and every person to reach someone else…each one, reach one.”

June 2014

d-mars.com Black Pages Online:

Pinning and Awards Ceremony

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June 2014

Why Should YOU Support Black Pages Online? “I like the idea of getting businesses together and try to put them all in one place. That’s great because a lot of times we don’t know who to go to and we don’t know who to trust.” Alfred White, Lockwood Business Consultants

“I think anytime you can get exposure and can network with individuals that are like-minded, it’s good for your business. The Black Pages Online is wonderful. I’ve gotten tremendous exposure and I think it’s a great thing.” Jerome Love, Texas Black Expo

“Black Pages Online is important so that we can better abreast and appraise our group of people, which is family to us, and it’s important that we are able to share information that a lot of people are just not amenable to getting.” Andre Horn, Industrial Welding Academy

“MR. D-MARS is very well-known throughout the City of Houston and I’ve heard some good things about the company. Black Pages Online has been very effective.” Sandra Thomas, Felton International / Sandra’s Gift Shop

“One of the most important things is that we support our own, and especially d-mars.com because he’s been around a while and he’s been an asset to the whole community. Since we’ve joined Black Pages Online, it’s been very effective for my business. We’ve gotten calls coming in so we are very appreciate and thankful for d-mars.com.” James White, White Insurance & Associates

“One of the main reasons I think it’s important to support d-mars.com is because d-mars.com supports the community. In addition, I think it’s important that people such as myself mentor other young African American males and females and introduce them to other black professionals. The best way to do that really is, in my opinion, to follow d-mars.com. Quite a bit of my business comes from

people picking up one of d-mars.com’s journals or event directories.” Mena Freeman, Mena Freeman Financial Services

“We need to support our local businesses and it’s important for us to patronize one another whenever we get an opportunity. In addition to the networking opportunities with Black Pages Online, just putting us in front of the people who actually need and want our services has been very effective for us. We’ve actually gotten a couple of clients and some very good friends.” Denita Holmes, Precision Medical Billing “MR. D-MARS is a champion for the community. Every major cause in this city, MR. DMARS is certainly there. He’s supported us and he’s everywhere doing all good things. It’s not an over-exaggeration. d-mars.com is one of the best entities for promotion in our community.” Bishop Shelton Bady, Harvest Time Church “I met MR. D-MARS about three years ago just by picking up the tel-

ephone and calling the office number. He happened to answer and I told him that I had an idea and he said if I had an idea, then I needed to put it to paper. From putting it to paper, I launched my organization and being connected to the D-MARS family has truly been a blessing to me and my ministry. I can honestly say since connecting with this family and writing for the health and wellness journal, I am able to get the word out even more about how great it is to be a part of the d-mars.com family.” Rhonda Dallas, Reaching 2 Empower Women Daily

“There are a lot of young black professionals in Houston. I think d-mars. com creates a stage where we connect as a member and continue to keep business in the black community, which is very important.” Joseph Johnson, Ultimate Protection Security Services, LLC “As a business owner, you’re always looking for other ways to generate leads, so d-mars.com is a very viable source for that in the Houston market. MR. D-MARS does a great job

Black Pages Online: Ultimate Networking Event

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June 2014

of networking. A lot of people talk about networking, but he really proves it. It’s been a very good partnership for me. It’s been more effective than I realized because I’ve actually had people reach out to me that I didn’t know who saw me.” Byron Riley, Start Solutions “I’ve found that Black Pages Online has been very effective. I’ve gotten two calls alone this week from Black Pages Online. I think it’s a very important resource for having your business presence on the web, but I also think it’s helpful to the consumers looking for a resource that’s easily accessible. They can access it online or from their handheld device. It’s important to support Black Pages Online because the stronger it gets, the stronger we become. There’s strength in numbers.” Dr. J Thomas Smith, The Law Offices of J Thomas Smith “It’s important to support Black Pages Online because black people get $1.2 trillion out of this economy, yet we don’t spend enough money with one another. If we would just spend 10 percent more with each other, we could reduce our unemployment in our community probably by five or 10 percentage points, so it’s very important that we support one another.” Robert Muhammad, NTE Planning Consultants “I think it’s extremely important to support Black Pages Online. I’ d rather

keep my people’s lights on rather than anybody else’s. I think it’s important we continue to support each other and use our resources and keep it in the community and give back to each other. Black Pages Online has been very effective. I have many patients who read d-mars.com publications. In fact, they’re in the lobby of my office and that’s the quickest magazine that leaves my office.” Dr. John Codwell, Codwell Family Foot Center “It’s so important to support the Black Pages Online, and it’s been my personal philosophy that when you look at other nationalities, for example in the Jewish community, money changes hands at least 12 times before it ever leaves that community. Likewise, we need to do the same to build our own businesses up, to build our own communities and to support ourselves. Black Pages Online has been very effective and allowed me to be more successful. I get calls from people that are asking about me. Sometimes they’re individual clients; sometimes they are other organizations that can provide services or come in and do symposiums to help their employees implement health and wellness practices.” Betty Driver, BB Health and Wellness Boutique “I believe that to support the Black Pages Online with d-mars.com is not only important, it’s critical, it’s necessary and it’s absolutely mandatory. Right now, we’re in a crisis in the black community where the black dollar is concerned. The black dollar absolutely does not circulate enough in our community in order for

us to have a healthy economy and if we don’t have a healthy economy, we can’t create jobs for our youth and if we can’t create jobs for our youth, then our youth will go astray, as they have. So we believe what d-mars.com is doing is ground floor, grassroots, community organizing, connecting the black consumer with black businesses. We applaud it, we support it and we encourage everybody within the sound of our voice to support it as well.” Deric Muhammad, www.dericmuhammad.com “It’s important to support Black Pages Online because it’s an initiative that I took amongst my family to support black-owned businesses. If you notice in the Houston area, the black community has really died down. We’re trying to build that back up by supporting all black businesses, if possible. Last year was my first year working with d-mars.com and it was my biggest year in sales and business so far. I attribute about 50% of business to just networking with d-mars.com alone.” Tralan Andrews, TA Enterprises “It gets your name out there and helps you connect with other people you wouldn’t normally connect with or wouldn’t even know to connect with. It helps bring people together to actually network and make your vision actually come to life. I’ve met people at various d-mars. com events and been able to network and collaborate. MR. D-MARS is really good at pulling people together

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at events and saying, ‘ hey, you need to know this person or talk to this person.’” Amber Jones, Diamond in the Rough “I’ve been with the D-MARS brothers for 12 years, and what they say ‘ do,’ I just do. It’s simple…it’s all numbers. With d-mars.com, you get the numbers. What you would normally have to spend to get this product – the product being Black Pages Online – is in the thousands. Before Black Pages Online, I was spending thousands. So far, with $299, I’ve made that 10 times already. And I’ve only been with the Black Pages Online for less than a month.” George Russell, First Impression Custom Clothes “As black businesses, we need to get together and networking is the key. If we communicate and keep in touch and help uplift each company, it will help all of us prosper. Black Pages Online gives us greater exposure through social media, through events and just being out in the community.” Dr. Sharita Warfield, PRN Ambulance Service “Networking is the key. I’m somebody who tried to stand by himself, and Black Pages Online has allowed for networking – it works. Black Pages Online has helped me uncover a whole different area of Houston I didn’t know of and I’ve been here 10 years.” Dr. Brett Warfield, GasDoc Incorporated

June 2014

Major League Baseball’s 2014 Civil Rights Game and Beacon Awards Luncheon Held in Houston

he 2014 MLB Civil Rights Game and accompanying events were held recently in Houston. Events included the “Baseball & the Civil Rights Movement Roundtable Discussion,” the MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon and 8th annual MLB Civil Rights Game between the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles. Dr. Maya Angelou, world renowned poet, passed away on Wednesday, May 28 – just two days before she was to receive the Beacon of Life Award at the luncheon. Robin Roberts, who is a former ESPN anchor and

currently co-anchors ABC’s “Good Morning America, served as the keynote speaker and accepted the award on Dr. Angelou’s behalf. Football Hall-of-Famer, activist and actor Jim Brown was awarded the Beacon of Hope award and Motown record label founder Berry Gordy received the Beacon of Change award. 2014 marks the eighth year of the Beacon Awards, which are given to individuals whose lives and actions have exemplified the spirit of the civil rights movement. The MLB Civil Rights Game is a regular season game which alternates host cities. The Houston Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 game, 2-1.

d-mars.com wants to extend our sincerest and deepest sympathy for the passing of the legendary Maya Angelou. A beloved author and poet, she was a true pioneer and the epitome of a “Phenomenal Woman.”

Photo Courtesy of mayaangelou.com

“Still I Rise”

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries. Does my haughtiness offend you? Don’t you take it awful hard ‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my own back yard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I’ve got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. - Maya Angelou

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June 2014

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June 2014

Bridging the Gap By Charlotte Jackson

Contributing Writer

y working at a community college as well as serving as an advisor for two student groups on campus, I have been given an opportunity to help bridge not only the generational gap, but also racial and economic gaps. In doing so, I have found that at the end of the day, we truly have more similarities than differences. When viewing life through anyone else’s, yes, we get a distorted view. Yet

if we take the time to look a person in their eyes and listen to their story, we develop not only an understanding, but so much more. It is by listening to older people in my life that I have learned most of the things that seem to instill fear in us are truly “False Evidence Appearing Real.” I have also learned that if we learn the power of touch, we learn that life is not nearly as hard as we think. Touch? Yes, another acronym: “Trust, Others, Unconditional, Community, Hope.” If we will trust God, everything really will be okay. (He has not failed anyone yet, why do you think you are so special you would be the first one he fails?) Others must always be a part of our decisions. This is something I learned from the Rotary International Four-Way Test; “Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” Unconditional love and acceptance make the world a much better place. Do you really have time to worry about how others spend

their money? Do you really care if they keep their home clean? Yet, we have to respect them as a unique person with their own desires. Let them live their life. Community—no man is an island. We must think about how our choices will affect others in our community. An example would be if we keep building entertainment venues and displace the chronically homeless, where will they sleep at night? Like it or not, they are our brothers and sisters. If we get so busy thinking about how improvements will benefit our bank account, but do not stop to think about others, is it really a good choice? And “hope” is something that is like water to a dry soul. If you do not share with someone a reason to succeed, why should they try? If we tell the younger generation that they are destined to fail, I wonder where they will be by the time they are 20 years old? It is sad that often elected leaders have listened to special interest groups who ben-

efitted from the multiple prisons and jails being built in Texas (and across America) and voted for millions of tax dollars to build warehouses for youth instead of spending that money to develop the minds of children. Can you imagine if for the next five years, Texas would not build any additional prisons, but instead put that money into school programs and renovations? If children felt like someone cared about them, they just might do better in school. How do I know? Because I have experienced this firsthand. I had people who shut me down due to choices I had made in the past and I felt pretty hopeless. Yet, when I met several of the older people in my life who have become mentors, I found hope. I found love. I found encouragement. I found success. And now, all I want to do is give that same opportunity to a younger person. The gifts that we need to bridge the gap can all be summed up in one word: Love.

In the Community…

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

Industrial Welding Academy Graduation

Konnect2Kidz VIP Networking Reception

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June 2014

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June 2014

The Official Unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue and Memorial Plaza at MacGregor Park

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June 2014

Dr. Dana Carson and The R.O.C.K. invite you to one of our innovative worship services on “the Edge.” Xtraordinary Worship Service - Sunday @ 10am Empowerment and Miracle Service - Sunday @ 6pm Understanding the Bible with Dr. Carson - Wednesday @ 7pm

Dr. Dana Carson, 45 ood Clearw

▼

BS, MS, M.Div., MBA, C.Psy.D., D.Min., Ph.D.

Edgebrook

Senior Pastor

The R.O.C.K.

Reflections of Christ’s Kingdom

9321 Edgebrook Drive Houston, TX 77075

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Our New Campus Features: - State-of-the-art worship experience - Youth development and gaming complex - Children’s live interactive Bible experience - Workout facilities and basketball court - Kingdom Counseling Center - Kingdom Institute of Family, Marriage, and Relationships - On Campus Kingdom Bible College - And much more!

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June 2014

MLK Luncheon and Reception Hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Hall

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June 2014

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June 2014

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June 2014

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Welcome

TO YOUR FUTURE PROMOTION. register today for summer/fall classes. hccs.edu

Welcome_D-Mars Summer 2014.indd 1

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5/21/14 11:03 AM

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June 2014

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