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March - April 15, 2015
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43th Edition @dmars_com
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Putting the “Unity” Back in Community
First Priority Minister Eugenie Doualla According to Colossians 1:17, when setting our priorities, it is important to understand that JESUS is the holding power of all that is good in our lives. PAGE 8
The Elliott-Chandler Foundation Goes Hollywood By Contributing Writer The Elliott-Chandler foundation has been providing an opportunity for young men to live their dreams of becoming future leaders.
Pictured (l-r): MR. D-MARS and LisaRaye
page 4
LisaRaye Rocked Houston with Empowerment
PAGE 10
Saving Our Selves By J. T. Myers M.Ed, MRT, ED In a war, there are multiple casualties to the unprepared and unassuming side. More often than not, it is the less prepared that experience the most losses. PAGE 12
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Austin, Texas Hosted the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Summit Join our e-mail list for the latest updates @ d-mars.com
I’m a reflection of the community. – Tupac Shakur
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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
ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla
Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dawn Paul
PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines
As an active member in the Houston community, I have seen the pride our leaders, our activists, and residents take in seeing our city be the best that it can be. The theme of this edition of the Community Journal is Putting the “Unity” Back in Community, because we believe if the community unites, great things can happen. LisaRaye is featured in this edition. Like so many others in our community, she’s spreading a message of empowerment. Our mindset is that after you create your own success, bring others up as well to create a greater community. We’re proud of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Our pride leads to a community that takes responsibility for supporting its members and ensuring that each and every person in that community is valued. At the end of the day, a community that strives to keep its area and activities safe for all its members creates a vibrant and caring place that is a pleasant and enjoyable place to live and thrive together. This is a community in which we can all be proud of. 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.
MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes Angel Rosa
Contents
DISTRIBUTION
LisaRaye’s Life Rocks Vision Board Tour Brings Empowerment to Houston................................................................................... 4
Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden
Austin, Texas Hosted the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Summit.................................................................................................... 6
LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Minister Eugenie Doualla J. T. Myers M.Ed, MRT, ED
First Priority........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 The Elliott-Chandler Foundation Goes Hollywood...................................................................................................................................10 Saving Our Selves............................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Are you Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level? 499.99
MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman
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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.
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LisaRaye’s Vision Board Tour Rocked Houston By Dawn Paul
Associate Editor
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isaRaye may be best known as the star of “Single Ladies” and proud mom of daughter, Kai, but she’s also a humanitarian, having shown fans another side of her, spreading a message of empowerment and success during her “Life Rocks” Vision Board Workshop Tour. This tour has hit major cities across the country and recently made a stop in Houston, TX. Lisa Raye’s “Life Rocks” Houston event gave fans an up close and personal interaction with her in an intimate setting that encouraged, empowered and started to ignite the attitude to live the life you have envisioned. LisaRaye’s own vision board is her secret place where she goes. Her vision board allows her to go to the things that she wants. On this tour, LisaRaye was open and honest about her struggles and shared her personal stories and journey of overcoming through her vision board. LisaRaye’s vision board is like her checklist. She had attendees walk away encouraged, but most importantly, empowered to take the steps to put their plan into action. The “Life Rocks” Vision Board Workshop Tour showed attendees that life can rock by setting a plan in motion and making it happen. LisaRaye helped attendees kick start that life they have envisioned for themselves.
“I’m not afraid of failure and sometimes you have to fail at something to get to something. I want to be able to be more creative than I’ve ever been, and to be more open, learn more, and find that peace I’m looking for. Don’t be scared to jump in, because life rocks!” –LisaRaye, Actress On LisaRaye’s “Life Rocks” Vision Board Workshop, she also talked the power of words. She is one that believes in words and the manifestation of those words can create positive or negative
experiences. Attendees were reminded on this tour that your history tells you who you are, but also where you are going. LisaRaye is a strong believer in surrounding yourself with like-minded people and believes there is strength in numbers. This tour’s unique and intimate setting allowed attendees to motivate each other and create relationships through hearing each other’s stories. Everything starts in picture form and you visually see the words first. LisaRaye feels that the vision board for herself helps her go further every day and attendees walked away with that same feeling. One of the things LisaRaye envisioned was to make more money, but spend less time on the set. Even though it seemed impossible, especially in Hollywood, it happened for her. On “Single Ladies” Season 3, they introduced more characters and because she was one of the main characters, she was still making money doing less scenes. That was just one of her personal stories she shared on this tour, proving that the power of words can manifest what you believe and speak. It’s great to think big and LisaRaye’s “Life Rocks” event was all about encouraging us to think and do big. LisaRaye did remind us however, that even though we want to accomplish big things, we first have to start off making small goals. Accomplishing those small goals can encourage you to make bigger goals and give you light at the end of the tunnel. At first things may not seem bright, but you have to have faith
and believe in things not seen. Though you may start off slow, LisaRaye believes that you have to keep moving forward to get that life you have envisioned for yourself. We talked with LisaRaye about true wealth and riches and you may be surprised that she said she has not found that out yet. She feels that even though she has had all kind of material things, she is looking for peace and unconditional love. “I don’t think that I’ve peaked love yet that will allow me to still be me, but guide me in a gentle way that I’m no longer afraid of love,” she said. One of the things you have to respect about LisaRaye is that she’s always honest and that is why this tour has been so successful. LisaRaye’s “Life Rocks” tour also touched on awareness. Her being aware has been a key to success in her life. It’s
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easy to do what has already been done, but LisaRaye encouraged attendees to just jump in, because sometimes when you think too hard and try to balance things out, you talk yourself out of experiencing a great opportunity. LisaRay expressed, “I’m not afraid of failure and sometimes you have to fail at something to get to something.” Another key to her success has been to play mind games with herself to help her conquer her fears and do different things. Doing this “Life Rocks” event has allowed her to grow and learn more about herself. LisaRays also said, “I want to be able to be more creative than I’ve ever been, and to be more open, learn more, and find that peace I’m looking for.” LisaRaye ends with this, “Don’t be scared to jump in, because life rocks!” To read more about LisaRaye, please visit www.LisaRaye.com.
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Austin, Texas Hosted the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Summit By Dawn Paul
Associate Editor
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he Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TLBC) was formed in 1973 with only eight members and since that time, it continues to grow and support the community with its programs through support of the membership and friends of the organization. Recently, the TLBC hosted its African American Legislative Summit in Austin. The summit continues to examine critical issues impacting the African American community. Acclaimed actress & Emmy Award winner Lynn Whitfield was the TLBC Excellence Award Recipient. Keynote speaker of this year’s TLBC Scholarship Banquet was Willie Brown, former Mayor of San Francisco and Speaker of the California State Assembly. Also in attendance were elected officials Borris Miles, Sylvester Turner, Rodney Ellis and Ron Reynolds. To read more about the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, please visit www.texaslegislativeblackcaucus.com.
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First Priority Minister Eugenie Doualla
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Contributing Writer
According to Colossians 1:17, when setting our priorities, it is important to understand that JESUS is the holding power of all that is good in our lives. HE should always be our first priority, because HE holds everything together. A couple cannot have a good marriage if JESUS is not holding it together. In fact, people have difficulty having good personal relationships if JESUS is not leading and influencing. Our finances are usually a mess without JESUS. Our thoughts are clouded and confused without JESUS, and our emotions are out of control without HIM. Colossians 1:18 tell us that JESUS is the head of the church body. HE alone, in every respect, should occupy the chief place in our lives. If JESUS is not first in our lives, then we need to rearrange our priorities. Matthew 6:33 tells us other things will be added to our lives if we seek first of all the kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness. The Amplified Bible defines this righteousness as, “HIS doing and being right.”
Seeking the kingdom means finding out how GOD wants things done, finding out how HE wants us to treat people, and how HE wants us to act in situations and circumstances. Seeking the kingdom also means finding out what HE wants us to do with our money, finding out what kind of attitude we should have, and even finding out what kind of entertainment JESUS approves of. Our lives will not be blessed keeping GOD in a little Sunday morning box. As long as we are here in this world, we will
have to resist becoming like the world. Life in our world can be a daily battle, but the key to victory is to remember that JESUS holds everything together and that we need to keep HIM first in our lives. Victory starts by establishing a personal relationship with JESUS and inviting HIM into our life. My prayer today is, “Lord JESUS, I believe you hold everything together. I am a sinner. I come to you as I am. Please forgive me. Come into my life and take
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control of it. I believe that you are the savior of the world and came to pay the ultimate price for our sins by laying down your life for us. You died on the cross and you rose on the 3rd day. You are sitting at the right hand of our Heavenly FATHER and you will come back. Give me your grace to love you and follow you all the days of my life. Put me in your hand and I know that no one can push me out of your hand. Amen!” Source Used: Joyce Meyer, www.joycemeyer.org
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The Elliott-Chandler Foundation Goes Hollywood Contributing Writer
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he Elliott-Chandler foundation has been providing an opportunity for young men to live their dreams of becoming future leaders. They recently celebrated the future Hollywood style at their 7th Annual Gala. This red carpet affair brought elected officials, community leaders and supporters of the mission of the Elliott-Chandler Foundation. The Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men (MLCPA) was recognized for the fantastic work they are doing with young men. Since 2011, the MLCPA has been fostering the full potential of students in a positive environment that encourages and enhances confidence. The keynote speaker was former U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige. The Elliott-Chandler Foundation will continue to mentor and provide financial assistance and pave the way for young men who desire to succeed and become a leader of tomorrow.
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Part Three of a Three-Part Series
Saving Our Selves
Tools Of The Trade: Armed and Dangerous By J. T. Myers M.Ed, MRT, ED Contributing Writer
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n a war, there are multiple casualties to the unprepared and unassuming side. More often than not, it is the less prepared that experience the most losses. The Battlefield here is the educational system. The tools of the trade are what a parent and child both need to be armed with to successfully navigate the landmines that are both seen and unforeseen on the educational gridiron. Basic training for any solider is the foundation for what an individual must acquire to possess the most essential of survival skills. In education, basic training involves the all-important preparation tools that a student and a parent must use to dodge in and out of the razor sharp system that has pinned the unknowledgeable between a rock and a hard place. The education that many children today receive in public school, especially those living in urban areas, proves to be an almost overwhelming handicap. The fundamental role of schools should be to help students gain t h e skills needed for prime success in the future and the assurance of options throughout life. If we accept inferior education for our children from this day forward, in essence we are signing a death warrant for their aspirations. As their parents and first te acher, we are the keys to starting and keeping our children on the right path as well as making sure they stay the course. In order to do this, there are tools that you and your child must not only use, but use effectively. The parental tools are: review and check homework, develop a personal action plan with your child,
and encourage outside reading. The tools for the child are as follows: speak standard English; be an active listener; read, read, read; and know the difference between wants and needs. As parents of black children, there is a responsibility to lead and inspire your children to plow toward and explore the very potential that lies inside them. The first tool that assists you with accomplishing this is to review and check your child’s homework. Although some parents may feel they lack they ability or expertise to help complete this task, do not despair. There are a number of free websites such as www.funbrain.com, www.abcya.com, and www.chem4kids. com that help you as well as your child’s understanding of common school concepts taught in class. Therefore, it will take away much of the apprehension that is felt with reviewing and checking your child’s work. Another pivotal tool
is developing an action plan with your child. An action plan outlines the goals, the time frame, and the steps your child must take to achieve the milestones that are set forth. It puts a child’s goal in an attainable perspective, while also seeing what is needed to achieve them. The final tool is encouraging outside reading. Reading is the skill that allows windows of opportunities to open. It is a tool that gives our children the capacity to expand their vocabulary as well as be able to converse about various topics. These tools are sources of strength for children to use to propel them forward in their quest for winning on the battlefield. A battle ax in combat allows soldiers to strike down impediments in their way. Black children’s battle ax is encompassed in the following tools: speaking standard English; being an active listener; read, read, read; and knowing the difference between wants and needs. Speaking standard English allows anyone and everyone to understand and be able to communicate with you regardless of the locale because the ability to communicate is what transcends what environment a child is from or what financial resources one does or does not possess. It is the
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glue that allows Black children to be understood and heard despite the circumstances into which they may have been born. The second tool – being an active listener, involves a child being able to carefully listen and be able to decipher what is key information and what is not. This is detrimental to being successful on the battlefield as a child undertakes more challenging and rigorous concepts as they move up through various grade levels. Taking accurate notes and being able to explain them is also an important part of being an active listener. “Read, Read, Read” should be a personal mantra of every child because it is one of the most vital components to change a shallow mind into a powerful cannon of information. This information can be readily drawn on to debate the ideologies and stereotypes that society or others attempt to place upon them. Lastly, the tool of knowing the difference between wants and needs and how this can affect what financial resources they will acquire and maintain. If a child does not understand this, then the cycle of poverty will continue to be a force to be reckoned with. This is because only through knowing the difference will an individual be able to make an i n for me d decision on what is important and what is not – thus helping to put priorities in order for what should be done both academically and financially. These simple but powerful tools on the battlefield can not only raise our children’s achievement, but also overwhelmingly shape their lives for the better. Parents and children who undertake this mission and use the tools that are outlined here can raise not only their children success in the classroom and beyond, but also enhance their educational growth for a lifetime.
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