Empower Atlanta Magazine Spring 2021 Edition by Empoweratlmag

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 8

ARTHUR M. BLANK

THE ARTHUR M. BLANK FOUNDATION

JOHN HOPE BYRANT

STEVE DEFRANCIS

DR. TAZ BHATIA

STACY WATSON

AMANDA LUCEY

TRACEY WEST

ENTREPRENEURSHIP 101: MARKETING ESSENTIALS

THERE’S SOMETHING I HAVE TO TELL YOU ALL… MOMMY HAS CANCER

ROY BRODERICK, JR

JASMINE CROWE

DERRICK HAYES

YOLANDA OWENS

BIPARTISAN BOURDEAUX RESOLUTION

ANDREA RIVERA

STACY BLAKLEY

JAMES BAILEY

GILDA PEDRAZA

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AARON F. HENDERSON

JEFF ARNOLD

KATE KORDSMEIER

THIP ATHAKHANH

LORRAINE HARRISON

ENTREPRENEURS IN THE HOUSING MARKET TODAY

TRISH MILLER

BRANDI & JERMAIL SHELTON

CLARENCE & DONNICA BOSTON

MEN: TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

DEBLAIR TATE

GEORGIA ENACTS CHANGES TO NEW VOTING LAWS

DR. JOY HARDEN BRADFORD

CLOE GUIDRY

DR. ROSHAWNNA NOVELLUS

QUIANA WATSON

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SICKLE CELL

LOOK AT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION HOLISTICALY

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EMPOWER ATLANTA

FROM THE PUBLISHER

M A G A Z I N E

GREETINGS EVERYONE!

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Towanna Hogue MANAGING EDITOR Alexis Harder DESIGN EDITOR Seatiel ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Scott Tyler ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Jada Hogue CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stephanie Howard Teala Smith Tracey Stephenson Ralph Taylor Adam Young CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Christaan Felber

Empower Atlanta Magazine (ISSN 2693-339X) is published quarterly, four issues per year by T.H. Publishing. Principal office address: 1775 Parker Road, C-210, Conyers, GA 30094. Mailing address: P.O. Box 362, Conyers, GA 30012. Main number: 1 (833) LOVEATL. Copyright © 2020 by Towanna Hogue. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The one-year domestic subscription rate is $7.95 plus shipping. The single edition rate is $1.99 plus shipping.

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Welcome to our 2021 Spring Edition of Empower Atlanta Magazine! We have owner and chairman Arthur M. Blank of the Blank Family Businesses on our cover. His businesses include the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United; the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore; three ranches in Montana, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch and Paradise Valley Ranch; and MercedesBenz Stadium. Mr. Blank also believes in giving back and has donated millions through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Empower Atlanta Magazine is known for promoting thriving businesses. We have included 25 entrepreneurs, including John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPE, the largest not-for-profit provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment tools and services. Steven DeFrancis of Cortland, a global, vertically integrated multifamily investment and asset management company focused on delivering superior, resident-centric apartment living experiences. Jasmine Crowe of Goodr, a sustainable waste management company that leverages technology to combat hunger and reduce food waste. Roy Broderick, Jr., of The Authentique Agency, a marketing agency designed to blend the positioning of the LGBTQ and multicultural audiences. Andrea Rivera of MejorJuntas, an organization focused on wellness and beauty for upscale Latinas in the United States. We have included many more diverse businesses that are doing great things throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan area. Many men struggle with their health. Per the CDC, men have a life expectancy of 76.4 years versus 81.2 years for women. We want to make sure that men are aware of the steps they can take now to reduce their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and other long-term illnesses. What do you know about Sickle Cell? Did you know it is an inherited red blood cell disorder? It is estimated that SCD affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States, mainly African Americans. We continue to inform, inspire, and make a difference in every edition of Empower Atlanta Magazine. We thank our readers and advertisers for continuously believing in our mission.

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ARTHUR M. BLANK O W N E R A N D C H A I R M A N - B L A N K FA M I LY O F B U S I N E S S E S PHOTO C R ED ITS : A MB S E C R EATIV E | H E A DS H O T: A R N I C A S P R I N G R A E P H O T O G R A P H Y

erhaps best known as co-founder of The Home Depot, Arthur Blank is now widely recognized for his diverse businesses. He has been distinguished by Forbes as one of the World’s 100 Greatest Living Business Minds 2017, Sports Business Journal’s Executive of the Year 2018, and Sports Business Journal’s one of the 50 Most Influential People in Sports 2016, 2017, and 2018.

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T H D P H O T O C R E DI T: H O M E DE P O T ARC H I V E S

The Foundation also leads giving programs for each of the for-profit businesses in Blank’s portfolio. Through his Foundation and businesses, Blank has donated nearly $7 million to COVID-19 pandemic relief.

donated more than $113 million to communities, while associates participated in hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer time. Blank is applying the same business acumen and values in building his competitive, successful, and community-oriented businesses today. Blank is dedicated to his own giving back. Since 1995, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted more than $560 million to support early childhood development, education, the arts, social causes, veteran-causes, and parks and greenspace. The Foundation also leads giving programs for each of the for-profit businesses in Blank’s portfolio. Through his Foundation and businesses, Blank has donated nearly $7 million to COVID-19 pandemic relief.

In addition to the Blank Family Foundation, Blank’s Family of Businesses includes the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United; the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore; three ranches in Montana, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch and Paradise Valley Ranch; and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which hosted the 2019 Super Bowl and is home to the Falcons and Atlanta United.

A native of Queens, N.Y., Blank received a B.S. Degree in Business Administration with Distinction from Babson College. Blank resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the father of six children and has six grandchildren. Consistent with the way he approaches work and life, his favorite T-shirt appropriately reads, “There is no finish line.”

Blank believes in the importance of making a difference – professionally and personally. In addition to the company’s financial success, during his 23 years with The Home Depot, the company

To learn more about one of the most successful businessmen and philanthropists, Mr. Arthur M. Blank, please visit blankfamilyofbusinesses.com.

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“Arthur Blank invested in the idea of an Atlanta-based National Center for Civil and Human Rights more than a decade ago, before we had a building, and has been a champion ever since,” said Jill Savitt, CEO of The Center. “This generous gift allows us to expand our vision – to be a national organization working to help people tap their own power to change the world and to live with purpose. We hope Arthur Blank’s leadership investment invites others to join us in promoting fairness and dignity for all.”

National Center For Civil And Human Rights Receives A

$17 MILLION GRANT FROM THE ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION

To Expand The Center’s Footprint And Programming

New Wing to Feature Premier Space for MLK Papers; New Gallery to Engage Families and Children The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced a five-year, $17 million grant to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) in downtown Atlanta. As part of The Center’s capital expansion to add 20,000 square feet to the existing footprint and transform its programming, $15 million of the grant will fund The Center’s new three-story West Wing. An additional $2 million will be dedicated to new programming that seeks to connect our racial history to the present, bring diverse groups together, and make progress through conversation and leadership. “The most effective way to make progress together as a community is to shine a light on the issues that exist and to then do something about them so that everyone can feel a sense of understanding and support,” said Arthur M. Blank, Chairman, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “We believe in the power of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to educate, include and transform the whole of this community and this country so that together, we can create tangible, positive change.” The new three-story West Wing will include a 2,700 square-foot gallery on the lobby level to engage families and children, a 2,500 square-foot gallery to showcase the Without Sanctuary Collection of postcards of lynching and anti-lynching artifacts, gallery space for temporary and visiting exhibitions, and a 900 square-foot café. The top floor will feature the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, which guests will experience as the culmination of their visit. Through the Truth and Transformation project, The Center will create the broad civic architecture and processes required for conversation and reconciliation about our community’s history of racial terror, violence, and injustice – and the ongoing manifestations of these challenges today. The Center will use dynamic storytelling, sector organizing, and facilitated conversations.

The capital expansion and programming will provide the opportunity to scale the work around civil and human rights, elevating The Center to a national leadership role. The work of the Truth and Transformation project, with a national expert advisory network in formation, aspires to lead a community process on truth and reconciliation in Atlanta, which would include changing the name of the Atlanta Race Riots of 1906 to a more historically accurate name. A project partner, the Civil Rights Cold Cases Project at Emory University, is researching the lives — and deaths — of the riot’s victims as a way to set the historical record straight about Atlanta’s history with race and violence. Other project partners include the Emblematic Group (for VR storytelling) and Equitable Dinners (for community conversations). With this commitment, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has provided more than $20 million to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, including an initial $1.5 million grant for construction of The Center in 2013. Blank, who hosted the annual NFL Owners Gala at The Center when Atlanta hosted Super Bowl 53 in 2019, has also pledged his proceeds from his recently published book Good Company to The Center in perpetuity.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

he National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta is a cultural institution that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to the struggle for human rights around the world today. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors to The Center are immersed in experiential exhibits – powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. For more information, visit www.civilandhumanrights. org. Join the conversation on civil and human rights: facebook.com/ctr4chr/ | instagram.com/ctr4chr/ | twitter.com/Ctr4CHR

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JOHN HOPE BRYANT Founder, Chairman & CEO of Operation HOPE

To realize this mission, Operation HOPE is working with leading global commerce company, Shopify, which intends to provide up to approximately $130 million of resources through 1MBB over the course of this initiative. John Hope Bryant is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and financial dignity. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., the largest notfor-profit and best-in-class provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment tools and services in the United States for youth and adults. Bryant is on a mission. His belief in the importance not only of diversity but also economic inclusion for Black and Brown people infuses everything he does. In 1992, he began his pursuit to help poor and disenfranchised individuals transition from “Civil Rights to Silver Rights,” at a time when financial equity simply wasn’t on most radars. Today, Operation HOPE continues to uplift communities through financial dignity programming and coaching at no cost to individual clients. His organization also provides innovative partnerships that allow Fortune 500 companies to advance their diversity and inclusion goals with trust and transparency. 12 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

As the author of four best-selling books, Bryant has positioned himself as a champion for moving the financial inclusion needle. He strongly asserts that the primary issues driving division in America today are linked to poverty and economic immobility rather than race and ethnicity. And the most direct route to social justice is through economic opportunity and financial inclusion. Bryant’s ideas are well-received globally, earning his distinction on LinkedIn as one of the Top Voices of 2020. Bryant’s latest quest is what he calls The Third Reconstruction, a manifesto that succinctly outlines the collective efforts required to achieve “an entire and perfect equality,” also known as the American dream. The three-point plan includes ensuring financial literacy for all, creating one million new Black businesses, and accelerating career opportunities within corporate America over the next decade. Bryant’s bold approach to thinking big— and doing big— is aspirational yet offers an actionable blueprint that is anchored by collaboration among private and public sector partners.

Most recently, Bryant pledged to help create one million new Black-owned businesses in the U.S. by 2030. To realize this mission, Operation HOPE is working with leading global commerce company, Shopify, which intends to provide up to approximately $130 million of resources through 1MBB over the course of this initiative. In addition to the 1MBB partnership with Shopify, Bryant has recruited other notable CEOs, civic and faith-based leaders to take up his cause, including Delta’s Ed Bastian, Bishop TD Jakes, and Nextdoor’s Sarah Friar, to name a few. Each agrees that financial empowerment is an effective tool to build strong and more resilient communities, which benefits society as a whole in the long run. Bryant’s mission is clear: to offer a path toward “a more perfect Union” by expanding access and free enterprise – for all. To learn more about the work and programs of Operation HOPE or to read HOPE Stories, testimonials of empowerment and transformation from across the nation, please visit Operationhope.org.

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STEVEN DEFRANCIS Founder and CEO, Throughout his career, Steven has specialized in multifamily development specific to neighborhood revitalization and positive economic growth. Steven DeFrancis is the founder and CEO of Cortland. He has more than 25 years of experience in complex multifamily development and management, specializing in unique development and value-add opportunities. Steven founded the company in 2005 as a development firm focused on intown, mixed-use, apartment community developments. Today, Cortland is a global, vertically integrated multifamily investment and asset management company focused on delivering superior, resident-centric apartment living experiences. Cortland has significant experience in acquiring, developing, renovating, owning, and operating multifamily communities, leveraging the services of its construction, design, and property, asset, and investment management affiliates. Through its hospitality-driven, consumer-focused approach to apartment living, the company seeks to challenge the conventional practices of the apartment industry while working to deliver outsized returns in high-growth metro and suburban areas. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cortland ranks as one of the largest apartment owners and management firms in the country,

with more than 65,000 apartment homes across nearly 200 apartment communities, primarily throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and Texas. Internationally, Cortland operates development, investment, and property management services in the UK to support the growing build-to-rent sector in that market. The company employs 2,000 associates in the US and UK and is a National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) Top 50 Owner and Manager, the “Top Brand Performer” for online reputation among property management companies (Reputation. com, 2020), and a Great Place to WorkCertified™ Company (2020). Throughout his career, Steven has specialized in multifamily development specific to neighborhood revitalization and positive economic growth. Prior to founding Cortland, Steven served as President and Owner of Capitol Realty, a family-owned real estate brokerage and property management firm in Atlanta that he took over upon graduating from college. In 1995, Steven co-founded Capitol Development Group, whose focus was the development of workforce multifamily properties in Georgia and Florida. He went on to develop over 5,000 apartment homes utilizing various

affordable housing programs, including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. His dedicated efforts took what began as a neighborhood property management company to a half-billiondollar investment, development, and asset management company in less than ten years. Steven earned his bachelor’s degree in Real Estate from The University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. He is a member of The Buckhead Coalition and serves on the boards of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership and AZ Partsmaster. He is also a member of The Real Estate Roundtable, The Urban Land Institute, and the National Multifamily Housing Council. Steven resides in Atlanta with his wife, Mary Alicia, and two children, Kennon and Jack. Cortland headquarters is located at 3424 Peachtree Road, Suite 300, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. For additional information, call 404.965.3988 or visit their website at www.cortland.com.

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TAZ BHATIA, M.D. Integrative Health Expert, Founder of CentreSpring MD, and TEDX Speaker

Dr. Taz Bhatia, M.D. is a board-certified integrative medicine physician and wellness expert who gained national recognition as a best-selling author of the books “What Doctors Eat,” “The 21 Day Belly Fix,” and “Super Woman RX.” Her integration of Eastern medical wisdom with modern science, along with her unique Power Type discovery, has led to featured segments on The Today Show, Dr. Oz, Live with Kelly & Ryan, and eventually the premiere of her own PBS special Super Woman RX with Dr. Taz. She is also the host of the Super Woman Wellness podcast. Dubbed “a superwoman in her own right,” Dr. Taz is committed to empowering women to radically transform their lives through personalized lifestyle, diet, exercise, self-care, and relationship strategies to help them rediscover their own “superpowers.” Personal health challenges in her twenties, combined with a broken health care system, motivated Dr. Taz to pursue an alternative definition of health and healthy living. As a young resident, she was sick and without answers and began searching for help to heal her health issues. Studying various systems of medicine, including Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, and Ayurveda, she found a wealth of information not yet taught in conventional medical schools.

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It led her to open her now nationally recognized practice, CentreSpring MD. Today, Dr. Taz and her team work relentlessly to find a patient’s core health problems, their centre, in order to spring them forth in health, pulling from multiple systems of medicine, including integrative, functional, Chinese, and holistic medicine. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for GLiMMER, an international organization led by Dr. David Katz, MD, which is dedicated to health and healthy living, and the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Protection & Potential. As a passionate advocate for child health and nutrition, she is a committee member for UNICEFs Southeastern Speaker Committee, which exists to support UNICEF’s mission –to protect children’s rights and help meet their basic needs so they can reach their full potential. Dr. Taz is passionate about the profound connection and synergy between women’s and children’s health and their ultimate impact on the health of the entire family. Her Atlanta-based center is dedicated to helping patients understand his or her core health issues and develop personalized treatment plans. She continues to train her team in thinking exhaustively about each patient and expanding their options for health and healthy living.

MEDIA

With an established agenda of improving women and children’s health, Dr. Taz expanded her reach through media in 2003. Since then, she has served as a medical expert for CNN Headline News, a Dr. Oz Sharecare expert, columnist, and contributing editor for Prevention Magazine and has been featured on numerous media outlets including, Live with Kelly & Ryan, The Doctors, TODAY, The Dr. Oz Show, Access Hollywood, The Weather Channel, EXTRA! and more. She continues to have a strong media presence and desire to educate others about living a healthy life.

CREDENTIALS

Dr. Taz MD is a fellow of the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine led by Dr. Andrew Weil, having completed the fellowship in 2008. A native Atlantan, she attended The Westminster Schools, Emory University, the University of Georgia, and the Medical College of Georgia. After completing her residency in pediatrics at the Medical College of Virginia in 2000, she received the Emily Gardner Award for Best Pediatric Resident. Dr. Taz has been featured in Atlanta’s Top Docs and voted numerous times as Best Atlanta Integrative Medicine Physician. To learn more, visit www.centrespringmd.com.

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STACY EMERI WATSON, MBA President, Victory Insurance Group

In response to the financial hardships and frustration her clients experienced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Stacy Emeri Watson made the prayerful decision to resign from her previous role as a successful captive insurance agent of over eight years to step out on faith and launch Victory Insurance Group, Inc. Victory Insurance Group, Inc. is a full service, independent insurance and financial services agency located in Conyers, Georgia and partnered with several national insurance carriers utilizing the latest technology to offer clients affordable options for all of their insurance needs, including homeowners, auto, life, business, motorcycle, specialty, and financial services.

to serving their best interest. The team at Victory Insurance Group, Inc. is committed to “doing insurance differently” by being transparent in business, taking the complexity and frustration out of the customer’s buying experience, and offering more competitively priced options to fit the client’s individual budgets and needs.

While soaring as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, Stacy believes her success in this business has ultimately been a direct result of her faith, determination, and commitment to serve. She has ensured that her staff possesses the same values, serving as trusted advisors to every client, committed

Stacy’s educational background includes a BS in Applied Behavioral Science from National Louis University. She also received an MBA in Public Administration from Strayer University.

Victory Insurance Group offers property & casualty and health/life insurance in GA, TX, SC, AL, and FL. Stacy holds her Series 6 and Series 63 securities and variable licenses, allowing her to assist her clients with various financial service and retirement needs, including mutual funds, college savings plans, and more.

Stacy is actively engaged in her community, volunteering her time

and resources, and is passionate about advocating for those in need. She is a current board member with Rockdale Emergency Relief, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Rockdale County residents in need of emergency assistance. She is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Rockdale and actively donates her time and financial resources to other organizations, some of which include the Rockdale Coalition for Families and Children, Meals of Love ATL, The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., The Still Standing Organization, Rockdale County Public Schools, and the Rockdale County Chapter of the NAACP. Stacy is married to Robert Watson and the mom of three boys, ages 16, 5, and 1. In addition to raising her boys, she is a devoted caregiver for her mother. Her family is originally from Central America, and she is the first in her family to attend college. She is immensely proud of her culture, history, and accomplishments.

Call (678) 805-9511 or visit Victory Insurance Group online at www.VictoryInsuranceGroup.com for all your insurance and financial service needs. Connect with Stacy on Facebook, IG, and LinkedIn @victoryinsurancegroup. The office is located at 920 Green St. SW, Conyers, GA 30012.

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AMANDA LUCEY CEO of The Partnership

She managed all marketing and communications efforts and was responsible for issues and crisis management, media training, and developing marketing strategies.

Amanda Lucey has been a communications leader, providing strategic public relations, branding, and corporate communications for clients and companies across the country for close to 20 years. Amanda is the CEO of The Partnership, Atlanta’s oldest privately-held agency. The firm is a full-service marketing, branding, and digital communications agency which has been recognized for excellence by AIGA, Addys, American Advertising Federation, CLIO Awards, Communication Arts, EFFIE Worldwide, New York Festivals, One Show, Radio Mercury, NY Art Directors Club, the Sawyer Award, & US Film Festival. She is an accomplished entrepreneur, founding Moxie Media and Marketing in 2012 (dba M3 Effect). The company grew tremendously within its first five years, doubling growth in 2017. Making a strategic decision to accelerate growth in March 2018, Lucey announced a joint venture between M3 and The Partnership,

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which led to the full acquisition of the Partnership in November 2018. Amanda has extensive marketing experience, including consulting roles with the Georgia Department of Labor and DeKalb Economic Development Authority. She has worked on several political campaigns and served as the marketing chair for various non-profit organizations. Her background includes serving as the Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, a marketing organization promoting milk and dairy products. She managed all marketing and communications efforts and was responsible for issues and crisis management, media training, and developing marketing strategies. She has held executive roles with both the U.K. and U.S. governments. She was the Vice-Consul, Head of Political, Press, and Public Affairs for the British Consulate General, in which she managed all media

relations strategies and delivered the UK’s policy and public diplomacy priorities. She also served as a media correspondent and director of communications for the U.S. government and has extensive public affairs experience. Prior to working in D.C., Amanda worked for the Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives. Amanda is an accomplished public speaker, business owner, and volunteer. She is an active member of The Junior League of Atlanta, serves as the Chair of The Green Chamber of the South, member of Entrepreneurs Organization Atlanta, and holds a seat in the CEO Roundtable for her local chamber of commerce. Lastly, Amanda is on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, the University of West Georgia. Amanda lives in Vinings, Georgia. Go to Amandalucey.com for additional information or visit Thepartnership.com to learn more about her full-service and digital communications agency.

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TRACEY WEST

Owner of Irresistible Pound Cakes

Tracey West is the owner of Irresistible Pound Cakes, a southern-style flavored pound cake company. A native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Tracey moved to Atlanta to attend college. She received her master’s degree in Computer Science and her bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Clark Atlanta University. With over 25 years of business consulting experience and certification as a Project Management Professional, Tracey has worked with some of the top companies such as Accenture, KPMG, IBM, and AT&T. Her professional experience spans across project management, client relations, training, and business analysis. In 2012, Tracey decided to pursue her passion for baking. She started Irresistible Pound Cakes out of the love she has for her Aunt Ola and for creating desserts with a southern style flavor. When she baked her aunt’s cake, it brought back many happy childhood memories and the warmth of her Aunt Ola’s embrace.

This cake was the centerpiece of every family affair and the glue that kept the family together. Her aunt’s tried-and-true recipe remains as the company’s signature product, which is made with patience, kindness, and love.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). She is also a member of The ATL Airport Chamber, the Atlanta MBDA Business and Manufacturing Centers, and is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Atlanta.

Irresistible Pound Cakes has been featured in Essence Magazine, Professional Woman’s Magazine, Pride Magazine, Savoy Magazine, Voyage ATL, and Shoutout Atlanta. The company has also been featured on CBS Atlanta Plugged In. In 2020, Tracey was nominated for the WBE Trailblazer of the Year Award for the GWBC LACE Awards. She is also a 2021 graduate of the Sonoco Minority and Women Business Enterprises Leadership Academy.

Her corporate client list contains many large companies such as the HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, Wells Fargo Co., Delta Air Lines, Accenture, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Hilton, Sonoco, and Grady.

Tracey’s company is certified with the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC), Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC), as a WomenOwned Small Business (WOSB), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and an Airport Concession

With the client list continuing to grow, Tracey remains engaged and determined to reach her goal of mass-producing her aunt’s irresistible pound cakes and sharing them with the world. Tracey is currently working on new cake mixes, products that customers can bake at home. She is expecting these products to launch by the fall of 2021. Visit irresistiblepoundcakes.com and place your order today!

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Entrepreneurship

101

MARKETING ESSENTIALS

B Y S TE P H A N I E H O WA R D, M .B .A .

As new businesses launch and existing companies pivot, grow and reposition during this global pandemic, one thing remains true; Marketing and communicating effectively is a critical component to business development. A trait of new entrepreneurs is the constant search for ways to get the word out about the newest endeavor, but it is important to have a plan. Developing the basic marketing essentials is necessary to be effective at promoting a new or existing venture. While these essential tips are not the only marketing tasks a new business will face, they are the starting blocks of creating an effective and sustainable marketing strategy. So, grab your planning materials, and let’s get started with these five steps. example, a salon’s target audience may include: Women age 25-35, with an income range of $40k-$80k, who are collegeeducated with professional office jobs.

1. DEVELOP A DETAILED TARGET AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION •

Selecting the target audience for a business is arguably the most important decision to make. A business is a solution to an identified problem (or gap) in the market, and that solution is valuable to a specific segment(s) of the population. With that in mind, it is critical to have a highly detailed description of who this group is for your business. Effective target audience descriptions include both quantitative and qualitative details that give a clear depiction of potential customers. More simply, both numerical and descriptive information is needed about the people a business is providing value to. Details to start with are age, gender, income range, and lifestyle characteristics. For

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The more specific the description of potential customer segments, the easier it is to develop effective ways to communicate with these targeted groups. Your target audience should have enough details to create a typical day for a customer and develop steps to offer the company’s value to them.

2. SET S.M.A.R.T GOALS •

Goal setting is an effective process that helps businesses focus on creating strategies that lead to future successes. If your business is going to be sustainable, it is important to set SMART goals. SMART is an acronym for Specific,

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Holding a physical copy of the plan will “sell” you on its contents. It becomes a reference guide that you can easily write on and refer to quickly, much like a desk calendar. Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Based. ¾ Specific – clearly state what you want to achieve. ¾ Measurable – goals should be set with metrics and specific criteria in mind. Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to set measurable goals. Examples of Key Performance Indicators are the number of leads generated, referrals, or new customers closed. ¾ Attainable – while goals should be challenging, they also need to be realistic. For goals to be attainable, there must be adequate resources to achieve them. So be honest and realistic about what the company is capable of achieving during the fiscal year. ¾ Relevant – Set goals to bring the company forward and that is worthy of the time investment. ¾ Time-Based – Be sure to set the timeframe and include specific deadlines. This will keep goals on track for completion.

3. CLEAR MESSAGING AND OFFERS •

While it is tempting to try to communicate everything that the company offers, it is more effective to select the most valuable information and offer(s) that will resonate with the selected target audience. For example, a coffee shop may have various beverages on the menu, but it is more effective to communicate that Iced Coffee is now available as warm weather approaches. Messaging should be easy to explain to potential customers. If it’s too complicated, it will not resonate.

Offers are usually being communicated in the message to the target audience, so be sure to have a clear call to action and offer what is profitable or on track to goal attainment.

4. PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE FISCAL YEAR •

A fiscal year is the company’s financial year used for budgeting and financial reporting. This does not always line

up with the calendar year, so it is important to make sure that the marketing efforts (and expenses) match the fiscal year. Also, it is important to create a marketing plan in advance for the entire year. No more on-the-spot planning! That’s like trying the fly the plane while building it. Take the time to think critically about the company’s marketing efforts for the entire year. Planning 12 months at a time allows businesses to be proactive instead of reactive and create the best processes for reaching and serving customers.

5. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT •

All marketing goals, objectives, and strategies need to be written down. Create a comprehensive document, which is otherwise known as a marketing plan. These plans are long, so do not be alarmed at the page count. This is a working document that is referred to almost daily, as it is essentially an elaborate marketing to-do list for the year. Make sure that printed copies are available to the entire company or at least the marketing team. Printed versions are in addition to having a digital version as well. Even in this modern era of all things electronic, it is still important to have a printed version on the plan. This is a sales technique that rings true even with strategic planning. If you can get a customer to physically touch a product, you’ve sold them. The same with your marketing plan. Holding a physical copy of the plan will “sell” you on its contents. It becomes a reference guide that you can easily write on and refer to quickly, much like a desk calendar.

These tips are the first steps on the road to effective marketing, and if done well, it will only need minor updates year over year. Marketing tools are in abundance online today and are easily accessible. Check out the free 12 Month Marketing Plan Guide developed by SCORE at https://www.score.org/resource/ marketing-plan-guide.

ABOUT STEPHANIE HOWARD

Stephanie Howard is Director of the Mercer Innovation Center and Lecturer of Marketing in the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business at Mercer University. She is an experienced marketing professional and advocate for small business development. E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E | 19

SPRING 2021

Lifelong Writer And Survivor Of Cancer

SHARES HER STORY IN A CHILDREN’S BOOK Accomplished writer and survivor Towanna Hogue talks about her debut children’s book titled “There’s Something I Have To Tell You All… Mommy Has Cancer.” “There’s Something I Have To Tell You All…Mommy Has Cancer” is the first children’s book from the talented writer and publisher Towanna Hogue as she shares her personal story of surviving cancer. The children’s book aims to bring awareness to the emotional struggles of mothers and their families coping with finding the strength to have faith during such a challenging time. “To hear the words “You have cancer” is one of the scariest moments of a recently diagnosed cancer patient. My goal is to help other people in similar situations and their families deal with the effects of the unfortunate phenomena.” “There’s Something I Have To Tell You All…Mommy Has Cancer” is a story about a mother of three children who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. She was a young, active mother who played and was actively involved with her children, but one day was too tired and sleepy with no energy at all. She went from having long beautiful hair to wearing beautiful scarves and wigs. “I remember when I was diagnosed with cancer as if it were yesterday! I went to the doctor’s office and had a physical examination and was told nothing was wrong. The doctor said I was healthy. How was I healthy but had cancer” said Towanna Hogue? The book is designed to give hope to mothers and their families. “I pray that this book could be used as a resource. When my children were younger, I could not find a book that carefully explained what I was about to go through and the challenges our family was about to endure.

“There’s Something I Have To Tell You All…Mommy Has Cancer” will be available in eBook and print format on Amazon, Google Play, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and more. Towanna Hogue also has a self-help book called “Through It All I’m Still Standing…Bringing Awareness To Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Emotional Abuse.” For more information about Towanna Hogue and her works, please visit www.towannahogue.com.

TOWANNA HOGUE

Towanna Hogue is a mother of three who resides in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. As a lifelong writer, she first began writing poems and short stories in college. She is also available on

20 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

You are NOT

ALONE 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness

Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. Across the country, many people just like you work, perform, create, compete, laugh, love and inspire every day.

1 in 20 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness

12 MONTH PREVALENCE OF COMMON MENTAL ILLNESSES (ALL U.S. ADULTS)

17%

of youth (6-17 years) experience a mental health disorder

12 MONTH PREVALENCE OF ANY MENTAL ILLNESS (ALL U.S. ADULTS)

Personality Disorder 1% Schizophrenia 1% Borderline Diagnosis 4%Dual 3% Bipolar Disorder

19% Anxiety Disorders

8% Depression 1% Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 4% Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

21% of all adults 14% of Asian adults 17% of Black adults of Native Hawaiian or 17% Other Pacific Islander adults Hispanic or adults 18% ofLatinx of American Indian or 19% Alaska Native adults 22% of white adults adults who report 32% ofmixed/multiracial lesbian, gay and 44% ofbisexual adults

WAYS TO REACH OUT AND GET HELP

Talk with a health care professional

Call the NAMI HelpLine at 800-950-NAMI (6264)

Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources. Find citations for this resource at nami.org/mhstats

Connect with friends and family

Join a support group

SPRING 2021

ROY BRODERICK, JR. President & CEO of Authentique Agency

Roy travels the country sharing thought leadership on avoiding tone-deaf multicultural marketing and the business impact awaiting brands that choose to align with the spending power of this emerging audience.

From starting strong early in his career with posts at MTV Networks, VH1 Networks, and Turner Entertainment Networks, to leading strategic campaign development and execution on the agency side of the business for Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Screen Gems, and Tyler Perry Studios, Roy’s industry-savvy, astute business acumen, and powerful rolodex are the fruition of a five-star foundation in the game. In 2016, Roy launched The Authentique Agency – a marketing agency designed to blend two of his passions: positioning LGBTQ and multicultural audiences as an integral component of the brand’s marketing strategy and curating go-to-market plans that create an authentic connection to both audiences. “Authentique is focused on leveraging the power of identity. Certified Minority and LGBT owned, we are intentional about creating brand campaigns

that genuinely reflect multicultural and LGBTQ life, voices, and viewpoints. We believe that to build affinity, a brand must observe the intersectionality of cultural identity and account for how it influences a consumers’ decision-making. We have over 15 years of experience in creating purposeful brand interactions that drive growth and deliver results.” Lauded by Black Enterprise magazine as a “young marketing genius,” Roy and the Authentique’s team’s work includes working with brands like AT&T, Instagram, The Dallas Mavericks and successfully serving as the Agency of Record for the $90 million National Museum of African American Music. From large brands to Atlanta-based SMBs like K. Botchey, ZuCot Gallery, and JJ Just Move, Authentique has quickly developed a reputation for delivering superior results.

Since launching Authentique, Roy travels the country sharing thought leadership on avoiding tone-deaf multicultural marketing and the business impact awaiting brands that choose to align with the spending power of this emerging audience. In his spare time, he serves as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Atlanta Chapter of the American Marketing Association, Immediate Past President of the Association of Black Alumni for the University of Florida, an ambassador for OUT Georgia Business Alliance and a board member for Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company.

For additional information, please visit AuthentiqueAgency.com. You can also find The Authentique Agency on LinkedIn and Instagram @AuthentiqueAgency. 22 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

SPRING 2021

JASMINE CROWE Founder & CEO of

Jasmine Crowe is an award-winning social entrepreneur, TED Speaker, and leader who is working to make the world a better place. Jasmine’s goal is to foster change and create awareness about the leading socioeconomic issues and challenges of today, including poverty, food waste, and hunger. She has been featured on CNBC, Oprah Magazine, Inc., Forbes, Fast Co., NY Times and named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 100 influential female founders.

In 2017, after years of feeding people experiencing homelessness from her own kitchen, she launched Goodr, a sustainable waste management company that leverages technology to combat hunger and reduce food waste. Under her direction, Goodr has redirected over five million pounds of surplus food from restaurants, event centers, airports, and businesses to the millions of people who are food insecure. During the start of the pandemic, Goodr pivoted to food

distribution by organizing pop-up grocery stores for the community as well as launching a grocery delivery program that provides weekly delivery to seniors to over 2,000 seniors. Goodr clients include Hartsfield Jackson Airport, NBA, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Public Schools, and many more. Since March of 2020, Goodr is responsible for providing over two million meals to people in need.

ABOUT GOODR

Goodr is a food recovery and distribution company that leverages technology to combat hunger and reduce food waste. Goodr partners with companies to organize pop-up grocery stores and grocery delivery for families facing food insecurity. Since March of 2020, Goodr is responsible for providing over 10 million meals to people in need. For additional information about Goodr and to find out how you can help to feed more, waste less, please visit www.goodr.co.

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SPRING 2021

DERRICK HAYES Philanthropist and CEO & Founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks The philosophy of his businesses is rooted in community involvement, quality food, and exceptional customer service.

As a West Philadelphia native, restaurateur, and philanthropist Derrick Hayes understands the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. His vision for his restaurant, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, began in 2014 as he aimed to merge his passion for people, food, and business. What started as a small water-ice shop (Dave’s Philly Water Ice) in a Shell gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia since 2016 (renamed Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks) has augmented into a nationally known, thriving cheesesteak empire with locations in Downtown Atlanta, Doraville, Georgia, and two food trucks. Having experienced its biggest year to date in 2020, during a global pandemic, with an increase of over 100% in sales, Hayes takes pride in Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks being “Bigger Than Food.” Placing much importance on lending a helping hand to those in need, whether offering free meals to customers, feeding local frontline workers, or employing the communities’ youth.

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After numerous non-profit partnerships, in February 2021, Hayes stepped into the vegan food world, partnering with Slutty Vegan CEO & Founder Pinky Cole on “Dinkies,” a vegan cheesesteak establishment located inside of Bar Vegan, at Atlanta’s popular Ponce City Market. The philosophy of his businesses is rooted in community involvement, quality food, and exceptional customer service. Derrick Hayes continuously pours into the very communities that support and stand behind the Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks brand. He credits his inspiration and motivation to succeed to the namesake of the Big Dave’s establishment: his late father, David Hayes, to whom he promised he would start a business of his own before his passing. Galvanizing his staff and his community’s efforts, he believes the story Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks is writing will leave an incredible legacy for years to come. Hayes has plans to continue to spread his food and community efforts not only across Georgia but across the nation.

Website: https://www. bigdavescheesesteaks.com Instagram: @bigdavescheesesteaks Facebook: facebook.com/ bigdavescheesesteaks Twitter: @bd_cheesesteaks Downtown Location: 57 Forsyth Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (Hours of Operation: 11 am – 9 pm) Doraville Location: 6035 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30360 (Hours of Operation: 11 am – 9 pm)

SPRING 2021

YOLANDA OWENS The Skincare Farmer and Founder of

Genuine, Passionate, and a Natural Talent are a few words to describe Yolanda Owens – The Skincare Farmer who has been handcrafting raw skincare products for nearly two decades. As the founder of iwi fresh Farm-to-Skin Spa in Atlanta, Georgia, she pioneers a movement that inspires and educates people to care for the body’s largest organ – the skin. The name iwi is an acronym for “it is what it is,” which describes products that are truly natural and contain only raw fruits, vegetables, and herbs. After she left her engineering career to pursue a passion in skincare, her spa partnered with local farms and community gardens to bring its vision to fruition. Inspired by her grandmother’s home remedies, her raw skincare products pamper and relieve the skin in ways that have transformed the skincare industry. Her business was invited by Whole Foods Market to launch their first RAW skincare products equipped with a mini-refrigerator to avoid the use of preservatives. Amongst its many

accolades and awards, iwi fresh was voted the Best of Atlanta ‘Made From Scratch Spa Treatments’ by Atlanta Magazine. The skincare products and spa experience of iwi fresh are praised by numerous customers who include celebrities. Her powerful story and resilience as a business owner were featured in the 2020 small business series by the New York Times. In 2018, Facebook selected her spa as a local business featured in its online commercial series. Yolanda has also appeared in outlets such as WABE 90.1, Atlanta Daily World, Essence, Sister Circle, the Root, Fox 5 Atlanta, and CBS. Yolanda graduated from Albany State University with a degree in computer science and a minor in engineering. She is passionate that her products reflect the integrity and authenticity of her life. This is a message that she enjoys sharing with others. Along with her thriving business, Yolanda is a public speaker who continues to inspire and educate the best in skincare, beauty, health, business, and life!

The iwi fresh Farm-to-Skin Spa is located at 341 Nelson Street Atlanta, GA 30313. For additional information, please call 404.577.8072, visit www.iwifresh.com, and follow @iwifresh.

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Specializing in

Authentic Tennessee and South Georgia

Style BBQ HOME DELIVERY & CATERING ARE AVAILABLE

KNOCK U OUT BBQ: Full-Service BBQ restaurant in Conyers, Georgia Address: 948-A Railroad St. Conyers, GA. 30012 Phone: 770-992-9227 Website: www.knockuoutbbq.com Instagram: Knock U Out BBQ

SPRING 2021

BIPARTISAN BOURDEAUX RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ATLANTA SHOOTINGS PASSES HOUSE

The United States House of Representatives recently passed the bipartisan H.Res. 275, a resolution authored by United States Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA07) and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu (CA-27) that condemns the March 16, 2021, shootings in Atlanta and reaffirms the commitment of the federal government to combat hate, bigotry, and violence against the AAPI community. H.Res. 275 previously passed the Senate on April 29. Passage of the resolution comes the same week as the House passed the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, separate legislation strengthening efforts to crack down on hate crimes, by expediting reporting and providing support for law enforcement agencies to respond to hate crimes. President Biden is expected to sign the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act later this week. “I am proud that our bipartisan resolution condemning anti-AAPI hate and the heinous March shootings in Atlanta passed the House of Representatives today,” said Congresswoman Bourdeaux. “We all have different stories, but together, we are one united nation. An attack on any one individual community is an attack on all communities.

While Atlanta continues to mourn for the lives lost, we know that if we stand together, our light can never be dimmed.” The names of those murdered in the Atlanta shootings on March 16 are: Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Soon Chung Park, and Yong Ae Yue. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux lives with her family in Suwanee, Georgia and represents Georgia's 7th Congressional District in the 117th Congress. Carolyn is a strong advocate for affordable health care, an economic recovery that puts workers and small businesses first, and investing in her district's world-class public education system and transportation infrastructure. Georgia’s fast-changing 7th Congressional District includes portions of the northeast Atlanta metropolitan area, including portions of Forsyth and Gwinnett counties and cities Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake, Sugar Hill, Norcross, Cumming, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Snellville, Lilburn, Suwanee, Grayson, and Buford.

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SPRING 2021

ANDREA RIVERA Co-Founder of MejorJuntas

In 2015 the GHCC named her company, H3 Media, as Business of the Year, and in 2014 she was recognized by the Women’s Entrepreneurial Project as Rising Star.

Andrea Rivera is an Emmy® Awarded producer, cross-cultural marketer, entrepreneur, and connector. She is a completely bi-cultural and bilingual Hispanic that connects seamlessly across cultures offering a unique insight into a growing microcosm of Hispanic segmentation in the United States. Throughout her expansive career in marketing, she has helped companies and organizations to develop creative expressions of their brands in order to grow their presence and influence online and offline. Andrea is the co-founder of MejorJuntas, an organization focused on wellness and beauty for upscale Latinas in the United States through events that include the annual EXPO MUXER women’s conference that gathers thousands of Latinas and showcases luxury brands and wow experiences for this growing segment of the market.

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Andrea is dedicated to serving her community, actively serving on several boards and committees, including the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she is the Chair-elect of the board of directors, Hispanic Organization Promoting Education (H.O.P.E), and other community-serving organization. She also serves as the Executive Director for the Alcanzando Un Sueño Scholarship Program and is the co-Chair of the Race Relations Task Force for the GHCC. Andrea is also the founder and past co-Chair of EME de Mujer and the past Executive Director of the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association and previously served in board positions for ALPFA, the National Black and Latino Council, and the Latin American Association, among others. In 2019, the SE Television Academy awarded Andrea with an EMMY for Best Commercial for her copywriting

and production work in ‘No Te Quedes Callado’, a 30-second spot highlighting the sacrifices of Latino workers. In 2015 the GHCC named her company, H3 Media, as Business of the Year, and in 2014 she was recognized by the Women’s Entrepreneurial Project as Rising Star. Andrea has also been recognized for her business and civic leadership in several publications, including Mundo Hispanico, Latina Style Magazine, and most recently featured Voyage Magazine. If you are an organization, small business, or individual that wants to improve the way you connect with diverse audiences, call Andrea at 404-421-8838 to discuss. Of course, you can also connect with her via email at arivera@h3media.net, or LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram @ andiriveratv or visit www.h3media.net.

SPRING 2021

STACY BLAKLEY, P.E. Owner & CEO of Douglas Consulting Group, Civil Engineering Solutions

Stacy Blakley, P.E., is the owner and CEO of Douglas Consulting Group (DCG), a Civil Engineering Solutions firm located in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 2016, her company boasts 60+ years of combined civil engineering expertise in a wide range of projects in public infrastructure and private development. Her experience includes commercial site development, roadway design/ improvements, Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4), stormwater resources, private land development, Feasibility Studies and Site Assessments, Erosion control design and inspections, and Department of Transportation permits throughout the southeastern United States. Stacy has successfully permitted projects through agencies with demanding review processes. Her project management experience includes managing projects from start to finish through design and construction services. From client negotiations, project kick-off, scope determination, staff supervisions, and

project coordination, Mrs. Blakley has successfully delivered projects on time and within budget to the client. Stacy is recognized as an active leader in her region and state, participating in prestigious leadership programs. She was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Influential Women in Georgia Engineering in 2021. She is also a graduate of the statewide 2020 Zell Miller Leadership Institute; graduate of the 2020 class of Leadership South Fulton; a 2020 graduate of South Fulton University; 2019 graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Regional Leadership Institute; and a 2018 graduate of the American Council of Engineering Companies Future Leaders Program. Stacy is also an active servant leader as she devotes time to various organizations throughout metro Atlanta. She is on the Board of Directors for Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); President of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Black Women in

Construction (NABWIC) and National Board member; Board of Directors 1st Vice President and Board member of the Atlanta Airport Chamber of Commerce; Board of Directors of the Aerotropolis Alliance; Secretary of the Aerotropolis Alliance Foundation; Board member and Secretary of the South Fulton Parkway Alliance; and member of the Chattahoochee Riverlands Steering Committee Stacy is an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. She is a native of Covington, Georgia, and resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and four amazing sons. To learn more about the Douglas Consulting group, please call (404) 626-1650 or email Sblakley@ douglasconsultinggroup.net.

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SPRING 2021

JAMES “JAY” BAILEY President and CEO of the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

James was also named to both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Best and Brightest Leaders of the Future”.

Committed to living by his personal motto, “Build As We Climb”, change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur, and emerging philanthropist, James M. Bailey has dedicated his life to serving others. James serves as President and CEO of the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE). Honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J. Russell, Sr., he will lead the development of the largest center in America, driven by impact, dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners; over 50,000 square feet designed to inspire ideas, create jobs, grow companies, and increase wealth in the community.

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An Atlanta native and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, James has a proven track record of success, recognized by 3 U.S. Presidents for his leadership and community efforts. In 2012, James was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Dedicated to service, James is a National Point of Light Award and Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award recipient. James has served on numerous boards, including the Metro Atlanta and the Georgia Chamber Board of Directors, the Atlanta Beltline TAD Advisory Committee, a Georgia Forestry Foundation Trustee, and Chairman of Citizens Trust Bank’s Next Generation Advisory Board.

A graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, James was also named to both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Best and Brightest Leaders of the Future”. He is a recipient of the coveted Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, a New Leaders Council Fellow, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta. James and his wife, NBC news correspondent Blayne Alexander currently reside in East Atlanta. For additional information about RICE or to learn how you can get involved, please visit russellcenter.org.

SPRING 2021

GILDA (GIGI) PEDRAZA Founder and Executive Director of the Collective Strength and Investment

Gilda is also the recipient of numerous awards, including a Caminar Latino Leadership Award, a TUMI USA winner, a Woman of Inspiration by the Atlanta Dream, the 2018 NFL Hispanic Leadership Award, and one of nine Hall of Fame members of the Latinx community in Georgia.

Gigi Pedraza is the founder and Executive Director of the Latino Community Fund in Georgia (LCFgeorgia.org ), a grantmaking public charity dedicated to advancing knowledge, increasing civic engagement, catalyzing investment, building capacity, and promoting collaborative work in the Latinx/Hispanic community. Through her work, LCF Georgia has become an Emmy Award Winning organization for its work in public information campaigns, has been recognized as a Best Partner Organization by Ser Familia, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia, and the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association, and has invested over 3 million dollars in Latino-led organizations and the community in Georgia supporting

civic participation, programs, and COVID-19 relief since 2017. Gilda’s extensive and diverse professional experience covers various industries as well as four continents. She has an active role in the community. Gilda was CoChair of the Georgia Latino Complete Count Committee for the 2020 census. She is a member of the Steering Committee at Grantmakers for Southern Progress. She sits on various grant-making review panels and is the past chair of the Feminist Women’s Health Center board. Gilda is also the recipient of numerous awards, including a Caminar Latino Leadership Award, a TUMI USA winner, a Woman of Inspiration by the Atlanta Dream, the 2018 NFL Hispanic Leadership Award, and one of nine Hall of Fame members of the Latinx community in Georgia.

Gilda has earned an Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from the Fuqua College of Business at Duke University, a Masters in International Tourism Planning from the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain, Executive Business Certificates from the Peruvian University of Sciences in Corporate Training and Strategic Marketing and has a BA from the Hotel Management School – College of Tourism in Lima, Peru. Gilda lives in Atlanta with her husband, two smart and strong daughters, a spoiled dog, and two pet mice. For more information about the Latino Community Fund in Georgia, please visit LCFgeorgia.org.

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SPRING 2021

Artist Visual Artist Aaron F. Henderson produces a remarkable body of art, which brings to life the brilliantly vibrant colors that are so much a part of African and African American culture. His ambition is to capture the powerful, spiritual, and expressive feelings of his themes and to transfer them into passionate images for his viewers. Aaron was lured to the easel at an early age by the expressive freedom that accompanied creativity and has devoted his life to exploring, creating, and enjoying art. Though never formally trained, Aaron has a unique ability to paint memories & emotions, dreams & spirits, harmony & rhythm. He has been painting for more than 40 years and has dedicated much of his life to studying and creating art. He is a narrative artist, and when viewing his work, one often sees classic “life stories” unfolding in the faces and the movements of his subjects. His goal is to show his audiences a compelling interpretation of his narratives. This is accomplished through Aaron’s exquisite use of color to create works of art, which convey emotions, harmony, and rhythm. Aaron is fully aware that he has been blessed by God with an extraordinary talent. His objective is to obtain knowledge and use his God-given talent to reflect all of his experiences, dreams, and visions through his work. His work has been featured at the 2019 Detroit Institute of Arts, “Detroit Collects Exhibition”, on HGTV’s ‘Ground Breakers’, and acquired by the permanent collection of the Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B.

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Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Chattahoochee Valley Art Museum, LaGrange, Georgia and featured in exhibits at the Coca-Cola Company, and the Tom Joyner Foundation and the Executive Leadership Council. Aaron’s work can be found in numerous private collections. Aaron is a narrative fine artist whose art reflects is the love of history and African and African American culture. He developed an interest in art and storytelling at a very early age in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, where he earned a B. S. in Electrical Engineer. His work is currently divided among twelve series dealing with realistic and representational paintings and drawing with themes from social justice issues to historical discoveries and his love of reading. Most of his work is full of vivid colors of gouache and oil paint on canvas and paper. “I use gouache on paper and oil on canvas as my primary means of expressing narratives that reflect my life experiences. These conjured narratives determine the direction, style, and format of the created work. For me, the narrative is the most important component of the

creative process, often beginning with cultural and social explorations. It allows me to journey to the past, speculate on the future and interpret the present through my visual renderings. The ability to traverse time and space while being grounded in an African/African American culture allows me to fully utilize and passionately appreciate my gifts.” Aaron is a recently self-published author of a coffee book titled “Fight On - A Visual Interpretation of African American Spirituals.” Fight On brings together three dynamic elements to tell the story of the African American Spirituals tradition: fifty-nine paintings from a series by Aaron F. Henderson, the lyrics of fifty-six spiritual songs, and narrative writings by scholars of art and culture, and Henderson himself. The elements come together to make this more than an art book, a lyric book, autobiography, or cultural commentary. Fight On is a celebratory document of African American culture, giving evidence to how Black people in a nation that grew rich and powerful on the strength of their unpaid labor survived and liberated themselves. He is a partner in his family business Premier Art, Inc., and his work is managed by ZuCot Gallery.

SPRING 2021

ABOUT ZUCOT GALLERY “ZuCot” was the nickname given to his paternal grandmother, Frances Ann Taylor. Mrs. Taylor was born in the late 1800s on the British colony of Saint Christopher (now St. Kitts). She was one of the first women allowed to own a stall in the local produce market. In 2011, Taylor attended an art show produced by Onaje and Omari Henderson, both engineers from Tuskegee University, who were managing the art careers of their father and several others through their company Premier Art, Inc. A year later, Taylor partnered with the Hendersons and rebranded ZuCot Gallery as a gallery that primarily focuses on the works of living African American Artists. The trio became known as the “The Art Brothers” and adopted the philosophy that “…What you hang on your walls is a reflection of you. It is a window into your soul, your character, and your beliefs.” ZuCot Gallery has grown to become the largest African American Fine Arts Gallery in the southeastern United States. ZuCot represents artists from all over the country and possesses a client list from high school teachers to corporate CEOs.

The gallery has hosted events for congressmen, senators, supreme court justices, mayors, professional organizations, Fortune 500 companies, student field trips, as well as the occasional birthday, anniversary, and wedding bash. ZuCot Gallery has developed a reputation for not only being a fine arts gallery but a place where like-minded individuals gather, network, and connect through the world of art. We are custodians of our culture. COME. SEE. COLLECT. To review art from the ZuCot Gallery and purchase the “Fight On A Visual Interpretation of African American Spirituals” book, visit https://www. zucotgallery.com. E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E | 33

SPRING 2021

JEFF ARNOLD Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of

are also widely recognized across his home state of Georgia, where he received the prestigious Phoenix Award, which honors companies and individuals who embody strength, tenacity, and leadership in Georgia’s healthcare information technology industry. His achievements and leadership

Jeff Arnold is chairman and chief executive officer of Sharecare, a digital health company he founded with Dr. Mehmet Oz to help each person – no matter where they are in their health journey – build a longer, better life by enabling health transformation at the individual, organizational and community level. Sharecare’s comprehensive platform enables people to go from assessment to action and connect to the personalized information, evidence-based programs, benefits, community resources, and health services they need to live their best lives. Previously, Arnold was chairman and CEO of HowStuffWorks.com, an awardwinning online resource used by millions of people each month, which he sold to Discovery Communications, where he served as chief digital strategy officer and chief architect of The Curiosity Project until December 2011. In 1998, he founded and served as CEO of WebMD, the first healthcare company to harness the power of the Internet to create a destination for consumers, healthcare institutions, and physicians to find trustworthy medical information.

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Prior to WebMD, Arnold founded Quality Diagnostic Services (QDS), a cardiac arrhythmia monitoring company that was one of the first organizations to use the concept of telemedicine over 25 years ago. Arnold has been widely recognized for his innovative contributions to media, healthcare, and technology throughout the years, including EY naming him Entrepreneur Of The Year in the Southeast twice – first in 1999 after founding WebMD and again in 2019 for Sharecare – making him one of only a handful of winners in history to receive the award for two different companies. He also was inducted into the American Academy of Achievement and named a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, and Johns Hopkins University presented him with the Blumenthal Award in recognition of his exceptional ability to bridge business and technology. For his superior contributions to the advancement of nursing and health care on both a national and global level, Arnold was inducted into the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau

International, as an honorary member. His achievements and leadership are also widely recognized across his home state of Georgia, where he received the prestigious Phoenix Award, which honors companies and individuals who embody strength, tenacity, and leadership in Georgia’s healthcare information technology industry. Additionally, Arnold was inducted into the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia, named a Health Care Hero by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, presented with a Groundbreaker Award by Atlanta Magazine, and honored by the Atlanta chapter of The IndUS Entrepreneurs with a Lifetime Achievement Award. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Arnold has been on numerous boards for public, private, and charitable organizations over the years. Currently, he serves as chairman of Forbes Travel Guide and co-chairman of Endeavor Atlanta. Take control of your day-to-day health and visit www.sharecare.com.

SPRING 2021

KATE KORDSMEIER Writer, Educator, & Creative Entrepreneur

Kate Kordsmeier lives in Atlanta with her husband, Matt, their kiddos, Jackson and Gemma, and their 3 fur babies, Scout, Boo, and Finch (yes, like the book!). She is a Libra, an Enneagram 3w2 (that’s code for overachiever), an INTJ, a Questioner, a Generator, an outgoing introvert, a bookworm, an information addict, sushi fiend, animal lover, an OCD planner, and an entrepreneur down to my bones.

created Root + Revel, a holistic wellness blog with a focus on true mind-body-soul health.

For nearly a decade, Kate was a fulltime, freelance journalist for over 125 magazines, newspapers, and websites, including USA Today, EatingWell, Cooking Light, Travel + Leisure, The Washington Post, Forbes, Esquire, Women’s Health, Clean Eating, Wine Enthusiast, SELF and Real Simple. She is also the author of the cookbook Atlanta Chef’s Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the Big Peach.

And so The Six-Figure Blog Academy was born. 6FBA is the digital course where Kate empowers her students with actionable advice and inspirational content to help them make their dreams of being their own boss a reality. It’s the exact step-by-step system she used to grow Root + Revel into a six-figure business in just three years. She did it all without selling her soul. “I stayed true to myself, put authenticity and integrity first, alongside my readers’ best interests, and provided the most value possible to my tribe!”

In October 2015, after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Leaky Gut Syndrome (IBS), and hypothyroidism, and subsequently healing her symptoms naturally, Kate

After turning the blog into a profitable, six-figure business, Kate started getting questions from people nearly daily about how she did it. So she started writing Income Reports to show people that, yes, you can actually make money blogging.

Speaking of soulful business, Kate has been self-employed for over ten years

now. While taking strategic action is important, mindset is perhaps the most integral part of a successful business. She always strives to provide her readers, students, and coaching clients with holistic business advice. If you’re a heart-centered entrepreneur, if you value relationships and mindfulness, spirituality, and your health, then you’re in the right place. In fact, her podcast, Success with Soul, launched in April 2020 so she could really dive deeper into these very topics. Kate works from a place of rest, not hustle. She values time with her family, taking care of the one body she has been given, and helping others above any profits, fame, or fortune. Kate has found that it’s these very principles that have allowed her to find true, sustainable success as an online entrepreneur. To learn more about Kate and to listen to her Success with Soul podcast, please visit Katekordsmeier.com.

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SPRING 2021

THIP ATHAKHANH Chef and Restaurant Owner of

Thip Athakhanh, chef and restaurant owner of Snackboxe Bistro in Doraville, brings Laos to Atlanta alongside her husband. Through their passion for Lao culture, tradition, and cuisine, their dream of opening a Lao restaurant came into fruition during their honeymoon to Laos in 2016. It was the very first-time Thip returned back to her birth country since she immigrated to the United States in 1982 with her parents. In her own words, “The trip was a transformation. This was home, and I felt deeply connected to everything and everyone in Laos. I knew I needed to bring those experiences to Atlanta.” Thip’s professional background includes over ten years of experience in global supply chain and project management. Her expertise in procurement, negotiating, and the ability to streamline processes transferred seamlessly into the restaurant industry, allowing Snackboxe to offer quality ingredients while keeping costs competitive. She creates her own menu and recipes, constantly brainstorming 36 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

innovative ideas to marry old-school tradition with the latest food trends. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when restaurants shuttered left and right, she shifted gears, re- strategized, and introduced new menu items and concepts to keep her restaurant afloat. She added a “Grab and Go” mini-mart which included homemade sauces, pickled veggies, and meats with a long shelf life for customers to stock up and enjoy at home. She offered take-out friendly dishes such as the popular Khao Chee Pate “Lao Banh Mi Sandwiches.” She also recently launched her online store Snackboxesnacks. com in April 2021, selling handcrafted Lao snacks and packaged goods that are currently being shipped all over the country from New York to California. The snacks became an instant hit and will soon be distributed from local wholesalers such as Metro Chef in Duluth and other retail locations. Despite operating at 50% capacity and the challenges faced with running a restaurant in a Post- Covid world, Thip,

and her husband are very active within their community. They offered their mini-mart as a central location for “mom and pops” to sell their homemade goods, collaborated with local talents and chefs, organized fundraisers, charity events, and provided meals to frontline heroes. Every year, during the Lao New Year celebration in April, a portion of food sales are donated to local Lao temples in Georgia. Thip’s sheer determination, drive, persistence, and the ability to connect with people scored her Eater Atlanta’s “2018 Chef of the Year”, Dining Out Atlanta’s “2019 Chefs to Watch”, featured in Atlanta Magazine’s “2018 Best of Atlanta” amongst many other awardwinning accolades. She has undisputedly put “Lao” food on the map in Atlanta; the international cuisine people have been missing. To review the menu or order online, visit www.snackboxebistro.com.

SPRING 2021

LORRAINE HARRISON CEO, About Marketing, Inc.

She has received many awards over the years, including the Small Businessperson of the Year twice and Woman of the Year at the We3 Women’s Conference.

Lorraine Harrison has always been an entrepreneur. She has either been in commissioned sales or owned her own business her entire career. Lorraine has enjoyed the creative process involved in starting and growing small businesses. She has started four businesses and partnered in two more. They have all been successful, and each led her to the next step in her business career. Her goal has never been to have a huge company but to have a quality company that makes a difference for her clients and her community.

Lorraine has been active in many community and nonprofit organizations over the years and continues to support them in as many ways as possible. She was the first female County Commissioner in Rockdale County and was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Conyers Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. Lorraine was a graduate of Leadership Georgia. She has received many awards over the years, including the Small Businessperson of the Year twice and Woman of the Year at the We3 Women’s Conference.

Lorraine is currently the CEO of About Marketing, Inc. This business is committed to her passion for working with small businesses for growth, prosperity, and time for a good life. She publishes three magazines, one of which has been in the market for 21 years. She is a radio/TV host of About Women in Business which allows successful women to share their stories and share wisdom with the audience. She was also one of the founding members of the Olde Town Conyers Wine Festival.

Lorraine is always looking for ways to contribute to the local business owner’s success. Since Covid-19 has wreaked havoc with so many small businesses, she is in the process of creating a new initiative called “Save Small Business, Take the Pledge.” This asks everyone to take the pledge to make a purchase from a local small business at least once a week. When making that purchase, let the business know this is your “Save Small Business Purchase” for the week. It is a small action that anyone can take

and, when multiplied, can help our small businesses survive as they reopen from Covid-19 lockdown. Join us and Take the Pledge at www.savesmallbiz.net. Lorraine has been married to Tom Harrison for 16 years. They have four children and six grandchildren. Her hobby is creating art from vintage jewelry. She loves the opportunity to work with families using the family jewelry to design art which becomes a treasure of memories to be shared. You can see her work at www.myvintageart.com. Some facts you might find interesting are she has been swimming with sharks in Australia, bungee jumping in Las Vegas, and is married to Santa Claus. For additional information, please call (770) 289-9621 or email Lorraine@ aboutmagazines.net.

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SPRING 2021

ENTREPRENEURS IN THE HOUSING MARKET TODAY

The

Journey

Homeownership BY TEALA SMITH

Entrepreneurs are some of the most hardworking and creative people in the workforce today. They build businesses from the ground up, taking on greater than normal financial risks. Interestingly enough, approximately 30% of the American workforce is considered to be self-employed, according to Elaine Pofeldt of Forbes Magazine1. With new professions popping up like Uber, Lyft, Grub Hub, and Amazon deliveries, more and more people are considered to be entrepreneurs or self-employed. Even real estate agents are self-employed individuals. As an entrepreneur, it might be a journey to purchase a home, but a journey well worth the trip when you open the door to your new home!

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According to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, a self-employed individual is anyone who holds 25% or greater ownership interest in a business, an individual who is not a W2 employee, or anyone receiving income by an IRS 1099 tax form. Self-employed income requires a two-year history of verifiable income from Federal Tax Returns. When qualifying self-employed borrowers, it is pertinent “to determine the amount of income that can be relied on by the borrower in qualifying for their personal mortgage obligation.”2 Athletes, like the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, are considered to be self-employed individuals requiring documentation of consistent income or a contract with a three-year commitment.

In the process of qualifying for a home loan, entrepreneurs are held to the same level of credibility as other applicants in the aspect of credit, debts, down payment, and income. The difficult part can be documenting self-employed income. When qualifying a borrower, your lender wants to ensure income is stable, consistent, and likely to continue. A lender will request a two-year history of signed Federal Tax Returns under the same business or field to verify this information. During the mortgage process, underwriters use a formula to calculate self-employed earnings using all of the information they have gathered along the way. The calculation starts with gross income subtracting deductions

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then adding back certain deductions like depreciation and mileage. It is incredibly important for self-employed homebuyers to get pre-qualified as early as possible in the home buying process to allow time for this analysis. Another requirement will be the verification of assets. Generally speaking, it is necessary to furnish asset statements for a two-month period showing adequate funds for the down payment and closing costs. It is permissible to liquidate 401K, IRA, stocks, or mutual funds; however, it is unacceptable to take out a personal loan, cash advances, credit card advances, or borrowed funds for a down payment and closing costs. If using assets from a business account, it must be clear that using these funds will not have a negative impact on the business. In addition to providing proof of funds for closing, expect to present a current year-to-date profit and loss statement exhibiting business expenses and monetary gains. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federally-backed mortgage companies have put in place additional guidelines for lending practices and qualifying criteria for self-employed borrowers and entrepreneurs. Those guidelines include: a COVID impact letter to explain how COVID has impacted the business operations and how the business has responded, a review of the business’s most recent three months business bank statements, proof of current work, and third-party verification of licensing/business activity. Some COVID overlays are slowly being lifted, while others may remain in place permanently.

One last item to prepare for as a selfemployed individual purchasing a home is all tax obligations owed to the IRS must be addressed. They must either be paid in full or must be entered into an IRS-approved payment plan. If on a payment plan, the payment will be included in your overall qualifying profile. Remember these tips if you are a selfemployed individual looking to purchase a home in the near future. The right guidance is absolutely crucial for homebuyers to have a smooth transaction through the financing process. Self-employed homebuyers should be especially familiar with the mortgage process and the requirements in order to obtain financing. By getting pre-qualified early, you can be armed with the knowledge of exactly what loan amount you can expect to be approved for. Now you know the basics of the mortgage journey, let’s get you qualified and on your way to your homeownership goals! If you have questions about applying for a mortgage, I would love to help you finance your dream home.

SOURCED SITES

1Survey: Nearly 30% Of Americans Are Self-Employed, Elaine Pofeldt of Forbes Magazine 2AllRegs B3-3.2-01, Underwriting Factors, and Documentation for a Self-Employed Borrower Corporate Disclaimer: Certainty Home Loans, LLC NMLS 2146 is a Delaware Limited Liability Company headquartered at 6860 Dallas Pkwy Suite 450/455 Plano, TX 75024. This is not a commitment to lend. Program restrictions apply. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS ID# 2146 (www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

Teala Smith, Mortgage Loan Officer, NMLS# 1961007 Phone: 770-200-2809 Certainty Home Loans, LLC 60 Chastain Center Blvd. Suite 66 Kennesaw, GA 30144 Branch NMLSR# 1525996 E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E | 39

SPRING 2021

TRISH P. MILLER, MBA, MPH Founder & CEO of

Trish Miller has over 20 years of experience working as a corporate and public health professional. She is the Founder and CEO of SwemKids, a school-based nonprofit program that eliminates the barriers to Black children learning to swim by transporting them to local pools for water safety and swimming instruction as a part of the school’s curriculum. Trish is passionate about the health and well-being of children and works to create equitable opportunities for their development. Originally from Virginia, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia, a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary, and a Master of Public Health from Emory University. Her own near-drowning experience as a teenager fueled her passion to overcome cultural, social norms and ensure that she and other members of her community learn how to swim. This experience led to the creation of SwemKids, a culturally relevant swimming, and water safety program focused on equipping Black children with the skills to have a healthy and safe relationship in and around water. Within its first year, SwemKids plans to teach over 500 Black children in metro Atlanta Title 1 public schools how to be proficient swimmers. Trish lives in Atlanta with her 14-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son.

The Atlanta Swim School provides culturally relevant private and group water safety and swimming instruction to adults and children to enable our communities to have a healthy and safe relationship with the water. For additional information about the Atlanta Swim School, visit Atlantaswimschool.com or on Instagram @ Atlantaswimschool.

Ane Swimwear is an athletic swimwear brand that removes the obstacles to swimming proficiency for all. Our flagship product, a patent-pending fully waterproof swimming cap, keeps thick and curly hair dry & provides protection while enjoying the water.

Trish is a Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Fellow, Spanx/ Sara Blakely Foundation Resident, and a Center for Civic Innovation Fellow and Resident. She has been featured in Radiant Health Magazine, NPR, and was a 2019 TEDx Atlanta speaker. SwemKids has been recognized by the Georgia Senate for its work to reduce drowning rates in our communities.

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SPRING 2021

BRANDI AND JERMAIL SHELTON Owner of Just Add Honey Tea Company

Our mission is to connect unlikely circles over a cup of tea while providing intentional space for customers to slow down and pour back into themselves.

Brandi and Jermail Shelton are the owners of the just add honey tea company. Born in New Orleans, LA, Brandi Shelton{AKA ‘the tea lady’}, grew up with a grandmother that had a concoction for every aliment. While traveling abroad, Brandi found visiting tea rooms as a way to learn the lay of the land and meet a new friend over a cup. Back in the States, blending tea leaves with a little bit of fruit or herbs became her way of making the perfect cup. Brandi decided she would make fun and fanciful blends and share it with the world. Just add honey tea company was born. Since 2006, she’s blended what feels right and tastes delicious. Plain and simple with a lot of love. Mr. just add honey, Jermail Shelton, offers a smile, kind words of encouragement, and is the perfect taste tester! Joining the company in 2008, when he said “I do”

to ‘the tea lady,’ he juggles wholesale accounts, mobile tea bars, online sales, and daily operations. Whenever there’s a minute of downtime, you can find Jermail enjoying time with the family, traveling, kayaking, or hiking. Just add honey is a family-owned and operated loose leaf tea company located in Atlanta, Georgia. “In addition to our tea house, where we serve local customers the best in loose leaf tea, we serve thousands of customers monthly on our website. All ingredients are natural, pure, and easily recognized. Our mission is to connect unlikely circles over a cup of tea while providing intentional space for customers to slow down and pour back into themselves. There’s no greater feeling than seeing repeat customers come back to tell us how drinking our tea started them on a new journey of becoming healthier”.

www.justaddhoney.net TEAonTheBeltline retail cafe:: 404 850-6510 A picture says it all: Instagram.com/justaddhoney Be our friend: Facebook.com/justaddhoney Hear it on Twitter: Twitter.com/justaddhoney 684 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue Suite E2 Atlanta GA, 30312

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SPRING 2021

CLARENCE & DONNICA BOSTON Owners of

We have just one goal in mind: brewing balanced, tasty, creative beer to serve to Georgians and all beer lovers. Clarence and Donnica Boston are the owners of Hippin Hops Brewery, the newest brewery in East Atlanta Village. According to the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, Hippin’ Hops is the first Blackowned, brick-and-mortar brewery. Hippin Hops Brewery also includes a seafood restaurant run by “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Iron Chef International” contender Jamarius “J” Banks. Items on the menu include oysters, shrimp and grits, lobster rolls, po’boys, and more. Appetizers are cajun shrimp deviled eggs, and gator bites served with Hippin Hops Hippin remoulade sauce. Chef Donnica, 42 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

Clarence’s wife, used her Baton Rouge roots to craft an authentic Louisiana flavor. “We have just one goal in mind: brewing balanced, tasty, creative beer to serve to Georgians and all beer lovers. Thanks to our experience and dedication, we have managed to produce a variety of unique ales and lagers. Fresh, bold, and hearty flavors, with the right amount of malt and hops, sweetness, and bitterness, to give beer lovers an unforgettable mouthwatering experience.” Hippin Hops Brewery has an outdoor area that can seat approximately 60

people. It features a beer garden where you can engage in fun games such as Cornhole, Beer Pong, and Jenga (Hippin Hops Style). The beer is always tasty, always cold, and always Hoppin. Hippin Hops plans to brew a variety of craft beers to sell on-site and to local bars and restaurants, with plans to eventually can its product for retail sales. Hippin Hops Brewery is located at 1308 Glenwood Avenue S.E., Atlanta, GA 30316. For hours of operations and additional information, visit www. hippinhopsbrewery.com or call 678.713. BREW.

“The work that we did in the civil rights movement wasn’t just about being able to sit at the counter. It was also about being able to own the restaurant.”

Join the Community BA NKGREENW OOD. COM

SPRING 2021

MEN: TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH BY A D AM YOUNG

Most men need to pay more attention to their health. Many of the major health risks men face can be prevented or treated with early diagnosis provided by screening tests. Men can take steps now to reduce their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and other long-term illnesses. Making healthier lifestyle choices such as healthy eating combined with physical activity, choosing not to use tobacco, limiting your alcohol use, and getting regular health checkups will improve your quality of life. Men have a life expectancy of 76.4 years versus 81.2 years for women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health, United States, 2015 report. Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women. Don’t put off regular checkups and medical care. Take charge of your health. Compared to women, men are more likely to: • • • •

Smoke Drink too much alcohol Make unhealthy or risky choices Put off regular checkups and medical care

The good news is that you can start taking steps to improve your health today!

How can I take charge of my health? See a doctor for regular checkups even if you feel healthy. This is important because some diseases and health conditions don’t have symptoms at first. Plus, seeing a doctor will give you a chance to learn more about your health. Here are some more things you can do to take care of your health: • • • • • •

Eat healthy and get active. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. Quit smoking. Know your family’s health history. Get screening tests to check for health problems before you have symptoms. Make sure you’re up to date on your shots.

Eat healthy and get active. Remember, it’s never too late to start healthier habits. A healthy eating pattern and regular physical activity can help control your: • • • •

Blood pressure Blood sugar Cholesterol Weight

By keeping these numbers in the normal range, you can lower your risk of serious health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 44 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

Make eating healthy and being active part of your daily routine. In addition: • •

If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. If you smoke, make a plan to quit.

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Make small changes every day. Small changes can add up to big results – like lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes or heart disease. Here are some examples: • • •

Take a walk instead of smoking a cigarette. Try a green salad instead of fries. Drink water instead of soda or juice.

Talk about it. Don’t be embarrassed to talk about your health. Start by talking to family members to find out which diseases run in your family.

Stay up to date on your shots. Make sure you’re up to date on your shots. Get a flu vaccine every year. The seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu. Get the Tdap shot to protect from tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis). Everyone needs to get the Tdap shot once. After getting a Tdap shot, get a Td shot every ten years to keep you protected from tetanus and diphtheria. Older adults need to get shots (vaccines) to prevent serious diseases. Protect your health by getting all your shots on schedule.

Take Action: Get Preventive Care Get preventive care to stay healthy. Many people think of the doctor as someone to see when they’re sick. But doctors also provide services – like screening tests and shots – that help keep you from getting sick in the first place. Get screening tests to find problems early. Screenings are medical tests that check for diseases and health conditions before they cause any signs or symptoms. Screenings help find problems early, when they may be easier to treat. Depending on your age and medical history, you may need to be screened for things like: • • •

Certain types of cancer High blood pressure or high cholesterol Mental health conditions, like depression

Even if you got all your shots as a child, you still need shots as an adult. The protection from some shots can wear off over time. And as you get older, you may be at risk for other diseases.

Do I need any other shots to help me stay healthy? You may need other shots if you:

If you’re age 50 or older:

•

Get shots to prevent shingles. Shingles cause a painful rash that can last for months.

•

If you’re age 65 or older: Get shots to prevent pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease can include pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections.

•

• • • • •

Didn’t get all of your shots when you were a child Have a health condition like HIV that makes it harder for your body to fight off infections Have a long-term health condition like diabetes or heart, lung, or liver disease Are pregnant Are a man who has sex with men Smoke Spend time with infants, young children, or older adults Travel outside the United States

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about other shots you may need to stay healthy. E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E | 45

SPRING 2021

DEBLAIR TATE Certified Fitness Coach & Owner of

With a primary focus on health, wellness, and making people feel confident about who they are and how they treat themselves, DeBlair’s goal is for those she encounters to reach a place of wholeness—mind, body, and soul.

DeBlair Tate is a certified Fitness Coach, a former professional figure competitor, a military training instructor, and the successful owner of the 8Figured brand. With a primary focus on health, wellness, and making people feel confident about who they are and how they treat themselves, DeBlair’s goal is for those she encounters to reach a place of wholeness—mind, body, and soul. Her passion centers on helping others break through barriers and fully realize their ability to live happy, healthy, and prosperous lives.

DeBlair has over 15 years of experience as a certified fitness trainer and has participated in professional fitness competitions throughout her career. Her accolades include placing 4th in the nationally recognized Supernatural Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition and later placing 1st in a competition that catapulted her into worldwide pro-status competitions, an accomplishment that typically requires years of hard work and dedication. After racking up numerous titles and awards, DeBlair received the spotlight as Miss Georgia Fitness for two consecutive years.

In addition to her career in health and fitness, DeBlair balances her career as a First Sergeant U.S. Air Force Military Training Instructor, where one of her courses is titled “Resiliency,” the epitome of her lifestyle as a fitness trainer and as the owner of the 8Figured brand. DeBlair is a member of her local motorcycle club and serves her community proudly as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

To view the 8Figured Spring and Summer Collection, please visit 8Figured.com.

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SPRING 2021

GEORGIA ENACTS CHANGES TO NEW VOTING LAW BY TRACEY STEPHENSON

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 202 into law. The 95-page bill adds new provisions to state election laws. Kemp stated, “With Senate bill 202, Georgia will take another step toward ensuring our elections are secure, accessible, and fair.” Republicans believe the bill will expand voter access. However, many other people and organizations argue that the election changes violate the federal Voting Rights Act and the constitutional right of free speech. The Democrats have equated the new bill with “Jim Crow” laws and is more about voter suppression.

Listed below is a summary of Senate Bill 202: Voters must now have some form of identification to vote by mail. If the voter does not have the license or state ID, their date of birth and last four digits of their social security must be submitted with their ballot; if the voter does not have a Social Security number, they must include a photocopy of another form of accepted identification. Election officials are not allowed to mail absentee ballot applications to voters unless they request one. Voters can request a ballot starting 78 days before Election day. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 11 days before Election Day. Senator Reverend Warnock stated, “SBS 202 will allow for a hostile takeover of local boards of elections if the Georgia legislature, filled with politicians, doesn’t like the outcome of an election. It is anti-democratic, and it is unAmerican. They are trying to make it harder for people to vote rather than make it easier. It is the state legislature that is trying to take over local elections if they do not like the outcome. What is the purpose behind all of this? You are literally going to make public policy based on a lie? Based on the feeling that some people had that things shouldn’t turn out the way you wanted? I thought we made public policy based on fact. Our democracy is in a 911 emergency. I am not about to be stopped or stymied by debates about senate rules. It is a contradiction to say we must protect minority rights in the Senate, while right now here in Georgia they are trying to crush minority rights in society.”

Every county will have at least one dropbox. Drop boxes can now only be placed inside early voting locations and will only be available during voting hours. No more than one ballot dropbox per 100,000 active voters in every county. Early voting can take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. during weekdays, but counties have the option to extend hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Private parties are prohibited from handing out food and drink to voters standing in line to vote. It applies within 150 feet of a polling place or within 25 feet of any voter at a polling site. Election workers are allowed to set up self-service water stations for voters in line. The state election board has the power to take over any county election office for underperforming. The general assembly has more say over the state election board. The bill also removes the chairmanship from the secretary of state and instead is a non-voting ex-officio member. Lawmakers will now be able to choose the chair. Is Senate Bill 202 considered voter suppression or a better way of ensuring a fair election? You choose! Visit gov.georgia.gov and decide for yourself. Never allow change to stop you from voting!

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SPRING 2021

DR. JOY HARDEN BRADFORD Licensed Psychologist, Speaker, Media Personality & Host of

“A lot of times when we talk about mental illness or mental health, I think there’s a lot missing from the conversation. I don’t think we always do a great job focusing on mental wellness and realizing that we all have mental health we have to take care of. It doesn’t always have to be about mental illness.”

Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a Licensed Psychologist, Speaker, Media Personality, and the host of the wildly popular mental health podcast, Therapy for Black Girls. Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. She also serves as the Resident Psychologist for O, The Oprah Magazine. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana, her Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Arkansas State, and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Georgia.

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Dr. Joy is a member of the Advisory Board for the Crisis Text Line and also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her work focuses on making mental health topics more relevant and accessible for Black women, and she delights in using pop culture to illustrate psychological concepts. “A lot of times when we talk about mental illness or mental health, I think there’s a lot missing from the conversation. I don’t think we always do a great job focusing on mental wellness and realizing that we all have mental health we have to take care of. It doesn’t always have to be about mental illness.”

Her work has been featured in Forbes, Bustle, MTV, Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, and Essence. Dr. Joy lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband and two sons. To learn about Dr. Joy, visit hellodrjoy. com. To find a therapist or to listen to her popular podcast, go to therapyforblackgirls.com.

SPRING 2021

CLOE GUIDRY Founder & CEO of

Cloe has a passion for helping small and middle-market businesses build successful teams, identify new opportunities for growth and develop a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and development. Cloe Guidry is the Founder and CEO of Hire Ground. Hire Ground helps companies better manage their existing suppliers, strategically source diverse suppliers, track and measure economic impact, and ensures supplier training and development aligns with 21st-century enterprise needs.

around risk, human capital, and supply chain inclusion. Cloe has a passion for helping small and middlemarket businesses build successful teams, identify new opportunities for growth and develop a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and development.

With a B.A. in Economics from Agnes Scott College and M.B.A. from Georgia State University, Cloe is passionate about leveraging technology and innovation to accelerate the transition to an equitable and sustainable economy. Prior to starting Hire Ground, Cloe served as Principal and SVP in two global brokerage firms and has spent over 16 years successfully helping clients solve complex problems

Cloe has been involved heavily with the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, serves on the Board of Advisors for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and serves as a Pipeline Partner for the Center for Workforce Innovation through the Atlanta Committee for Progress (ACP). Cloe lives in Atlanta with her husband and four children. She enjoys gardening, reading, design thinking, and exploring new ways to solve old problems.

To learn more visit, www.hireground.io or send an email to Cloe@hireground.io.

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DR. ROSHAWNNA NOVELLUS Founder and CEO of

P HOT O CREDIT CH R ISTAAN FEL BER

“I believe that women entrepreneurs are the cornerstones of society; our businesses not only create jobs, but they strengthen economies and sustain whole communities.” Dr. Roshawnna Novellus is the Founder and CEO of EnrichHER, a financial technology platform that matches revenue-generating companies led by women and founders of color to individual and institutional sources of funding. Dr. Novellus is a gender equality advocate who believes in economic empowerment and inclusive economic growth. “I believe that women entrepreneurs are the cornerstones of society; our businesses not only create jobs, but they strengthen economies and sustain whole communities.” Dr. Novellus holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, with a Minor in Finance, a Masters of Science in Information Technology emphasizing Information System Engineering, a Bachelor of Arts

in Business Management Economics, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering – achieving Summa Cum Laude in each. Dr. Novellus served on the Commission on Women for the City of Atlanta. She was honored as one of the Women Who Means Business by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, one of the 40 Under 40 by Georgia Trend, a Halcyon Fellow for Social Impact, one of the Top 25 Disruptors and Innovators in Tech, one of the 27 Black Founders and Investors to watch in 2019 by PItchBook, a LinkedIn Top Voice in Technology, and winner of the FinTech South 2020 Innovation Challenge. She has also been featured in two national brand campaigns since February 2021: Logitech and Mastercard.

ABOUT ENRICHHER EnrichHER is a financial technology platform that matches revenuegenerating companies led by women and founders of color to individual and institutional sources of funding. Since 2017, EnrichHER has deployed upwards of $4 million through its platform and matched business-owners to $13 million in working capital through its Accelerator. By providing capital, coaching, and connections, we are fueling the fastestgrowing demographic of business owners. Our network has engaged with over 23,000 advocates through its digital community and in-person activations.

Social: IG: @ienrichher, @roshawnnanovellus | TW: @ienrichher, @drroshawnna | LinkedIn: EnrichHER, Roshawnna Facebook: @iEnrichHER | Website: https://enrichher.com

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QUIANA WATSON CEO of

Quiana knows the key to success can be unlocked with the right balance of care, professionalism, and drive for excellence.

With a penchant for high levels of detail, fierce customer advocacy, and unmatched professionalism, it’s no surprise Quiana Watson, MBA, real estate agent, broker, and CEO, has sold millions of dollars of properties and taught other agents how to do the same. Part of the elite top 2% producing real estate professionals recognized by the National Association of Realtors, Quiana is a highly sought-after real estate magnate in the metro Atlanta area. She owns both Watson Realty Co. – a full-service, top-of-the-line real estate brokerage, and Agents Tool For Success – a coaching business for real estate agents looking to live the good life all while scaling their income to seven figures and beyond.

Real estate professionals and clients rely on Quiana’s extensive knowledge and creative approach to buying and selling property to find the house of their dreams and build a multi-million-dollar business. Her exemplary commitment, dedication, and attention to detail has garnered her recognition as one of Atlanta’s top brokers. Quiana knows the key to success can be unlocked with the right balance of care, professionalism, and drive for excellence. Acquiring her Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) designations has allowed Quiana to serve her clients the crème de la creme. Her background in marketing and management is another piece of what

makes Quiana one of the most admirable and effective sales agents in the metro Atlanta region. Quiana is a firm believer in integrity, quality, respect, trust, courage, agility, and ultimately fun. When she’s not delivering exceptional, round-the-clock service to her clientele, she can be found nurturing relationships with industry-leading brokers, training other sales agents to become seasoned experts, or donating her time as an ambassador at several nonprofits. Visit www.watsonrealtyco.com to find out more about how you can tap into Quiana’s real estate, marketing, and business acumen to achieve your real estate goals.

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What You Should Know About Sickle Cell Disease What Is Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. • Healthy red blood cells are round and they move through small blood vessels carrying oxygen to all parts of the body. • In SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”. • Sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. • Sickle cells can get stuck in small blood vessels and block the flow of blood and oxygen to organs in the body. These blockages cause repeated episodes of severe pain, organ damage, serious infections, or even stroke.

What Causes Sickle Cell Disease? SCD is inherited in the same way that people get the color of their eyes, skin, and hair. • A person with SCD is born with it. • People cannot catch SCD from being around a person who has it.

Who Is Affected By Sickle Cell Disease? • It is estimated that SCD affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States, mainly African Americans. • The disease occurs among about 1 of every 500 African-American births and among about 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic-American births. • SCD affects millions of people throughout the world and is particularly common among those whose ancestors come from subSaharan Africa; regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India; and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy.

What Health Problems Does Sickle Cell Disease Cause? Following are some of the most common complications of SCD: “Pain Episode” or “Crisis”: Sickle cells don’t move easily through small blood vessels and can get stuck and clog blood flow. This causes pain that can start suddenly, be mild to severe, and last for any length of time. Infection: People with SCD, especially infants and children, are more likely to experience harmful infections such as flu, meningitis, and hepatitis. Hand-Foot Syndrome: Swelling in the hands and feet, often along with a fever, is caused by the sickle cells getting stuck in the blood vessels and blocking the blood from flowing freely through the hands and feet. Eye Disease: SCD can affect the blood vessels in the eye and lead to long term damage. Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS): Blockage of the flow of blood to the lungs can cause acute chest syndrome. ACS is similar to pneumonia; symptoms include chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing, and fever. It can be life threatening and should be treated in a hospital. Stroke: Sickle cells can clog blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. A stroke can result in lifelong disabilities and learning problems.

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disorders Division of Blood Disorders 52 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

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FINANCIAL FOCUS

Look at Your Financial Situation Holistically Right now, the pandemic is causing chaos and uncertainty for colleges and students. But it won’t always be that way. And if you have children who will be heading off to school in the next few years, you’re probably thinking about more typical concerns – such as expenses. How will you pay for the high costs of higher education?

What’s the biggest financial mistake you can make? Choosing the wrong investments? Waiting too long to save for retirement? Underestimating the costs of retirement? All these are reasonable answers, but the biggest mistake you might make is not looking at your financial picture holistically – that is, not bringing • into the picture all the elements of yourself. Let’s consider some of them: •

•

Your views on helping your family – Your decisions about helping your family are clearly going to be a major part of your financial strategy – and this is true at virtually all stages of your life. When your children are young, you’ll need to decide if you’re going to put away money for their college education, and, if so, how much, and in what investment vehicles. When they’re young adults, you may also need to decide how much financial support you’re willing to provide for things such as the down payment on a new home. And when you’re drawing up your estate plans, you’ll need to consider how to distribute assets to your children, grandchildren or other family members. Your personal beliefs – As someone with civic, ethical, and moral

concerns, you want to positively affect the world around you. And that’s why you may feel compelled to make charitable gifts throughout your life and then make philanthropy part of your legacy. To accomplish these objectives, you’ll want to include gifting techniques in your financial strategy today and your estate plans for tomorrow. Of course, for the estate planning component, you’ll need to work with your tax and legal advisors. Your purpose in life when you retire – When you retire, you may be stepping off a career path, but you’re also entering a world of possibilities. How will you define and live out your new sense of purpose at this stage of your life? Do you seek to broaden your horizons by traveling around the world? Do you want to give back more to the community by volunteering? Can you spend more time pursuing the hobbies you enjoy? Each of these choices will carry different financial implications for how much you’ll need to accumulate for retirement and how

much you will need to take out each year from your retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k). •

Your health – Your physical and mental health can play big roles in your financial plans and outlook. On the most basic level, the healthier you are, and the better you take care of yourself, the lower your health care bills will likely be during retirement, which will affect the amount you need to put away for health care. And you also may need to prepare for the costs of long-term care, which can be enormous – in fact, a private room in a nursing home can easily cost $100,000 per year, according to the insurance company Genworth.

It can be challenging to weave all these elements into a single, unified vision, so you may want to get some help from a financial professional. But, in any case, be prepared to look at your situation holistically – because, when putting together a lifetime’s financial strategy, every part of your life matters.

RALPH E. TAYLOR, II, CRPC® | Edward Jones Investments | Financial Advisor 2970 Peachtree Rd. | Suite 650 | Atlanta, GA 30305 Office: 404-254-3178 Fax: 888-844-2346 Ralph.Taylor@EdwardJones.com E D WARD JON E S , M E M BE R S IPC

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. This content should not be depended upon for other than broadly informational purposes. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. Make sure to discuss the potential financial aid impacts for your specific situation with a financial aid professional. 54 | E M P O W E R A T L A N T A M A G A Z I N E

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