career + lifestyle cl-magazine.com
Summer | Fall 2021
GOING THE DISTANCE
FOR OUR
COMMUNITIES. At Dominion Energy Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShare® program has raised $6.8 million and helped more than 70,000 people in Ohio alone. These resources, combined with more than 6,300 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.
contents 6
The Power of Leverage: Three Proven Power Methods to Get What You Want by Phillip Germany, II
9
Coping with Grief Over the Holidays by Karen Hatfield
13
A History of Voting in the United States
17
SCORE: No Longer Your Old, Retired, White Man’s Organization by Montrie Rucker Adams, APR
27
Book Suggestions: A Wealthy Girl by Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharman Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulner
32
Who’s Stressed? How to Create Peace and Serenity by Cassandra Hill
34
Cleveland Public Library’s Mission to Be a Diverse and Inclusive Organization Extends beyond Its Buildings by Cleveland Public Library Staff
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 3
Summer | Fall 2021 • Volume 7 • Issue 3
CL Magazine Team Publisher and Chief Editorial Officer Alexandria Johnson Boone Creative Director Jennifer Coiley Dial Senior Copy Editor Michelle E. Urquhart Business Manager Paula T. Newman Assistant to the Publisher Bernadette K. Mayfield Senior Strategist, Subscriber & Community Development Simone E. Swanson Database and Information Coordinator Cheretta Moore For advertising information please contact us at: advertising@CL-Magazine.com Subscribe free online: www.CL-Magazine.com
CLMagazine_ CLMagazine_ CLMagazine
C L Magazine is published digitally on a quarterly basis by the Women of Color Foundation (WOCF), a 501 (c) (3), tax-exempt organization, for the benefit of women and girls of all colors. Our offices are located at 4200 Warrensville Center Road, Medical Building A, Suite 353, Cleveland, Ohio 44128. Toll Free Phone number: 866.962-3411 (866.WOCF.411). Copyright © 2014-2021. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be distributed electronically, reproduced or duplicated in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. Readers and advertisers may subscribe for free at: www.CL-Magazine.com Magazine Production: GAP Communications Group
4 | CL MAGAZINE
SAVE LIVES.
LETTER from the
Publisher 20 Years of Service to Women and Girls! Dear Readers, Sponsors, Donors and Advertisers, WOW, OMG! 2021 has been an amazing year for the Women of Color Foundation. And now we will begin planning a year-long celebration of our 20th Anniversary in 2022. Our plans begin with the unveiling of our 20th Anniversary logo, and the announcement of our first national 20th Anniversary Celebration Event to be held Sunday – Wednesday, October 23-26, 2022, at an exclusive venue in Northeast Ohio. But none of this would be possible without your support, encouragement, and generosity. So, in 2022, we will celebrate all you and, this important milestone. The staff, board members and consultants at the Women of Color Foundation have been steadfast in their efforts to positively impact the lives of women and girls of all colors. We have served them in times of pain, and in times of prosperity, throughout the region. Asking only that they pay it forward. However, what is most exciting and rewarding at this very moment is the fact that we have been provided the resources and network to ensure the continuation and expansion of our legacy of service. We hope you will continue this journey with us for another 20 years. With God’s grace we will surely make it! In the spirit of the greatness in us all,
Alexandria Johnson Boone Publisher/Chief Editorial Officer, CL Magazine and Chairwoman/Founder Women of Color Foundation
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 5
The Power of
Leverage:
3 Proven Power Methods to Get What You Want by Phillip Germany, II Why do some people succeed in life? How do people advance in their career? How are others successful? How do they have better jobs, health, cars, and homes? You may have asked these questions. However, the real question is: What are the factors that help some people move ahead more rapidly than the average? The answer is leverage. This article will discuss three forms of leverage that you can develop to accelerate your career, quintuple, yes quintuple, your income, and multiply your results in life. These methods are common and available to everyone. However, they require self-discipline and concentrated effort to incorporate them into your life. You can make more progress in a few years than others make in a lifetime. Achieving financial independence, cultivating excellent relationships, and doing the work that you love depend on these concepts. It doesn’t matter where you are in life. You can use leverage to help others and yourself get what you want.
6 | CL MAGAZINE
KNOWLEDGE The first form of leverage is knowledge. Currently we have access to knowledge and information at our fingertips. Knowing where to look and being in right place can save you a lot of time and money. Organize your life so you can seek out and take in new practical knowledge that you can use in your career to move ahead. You can gain knowledge from research, classes, observation, and the work of others. You can leapfrog your competition by being skillful in finding the information you need at the appropriate time. Make it a goal to create a list of the knowledge you need and places to find it and then act on it. SKILL The second form of leverage is skill. You can learn and develop any skill you want. The information to obtain it is readily available to you. It’s incumbent upon you to acquire it, practice it, and perfect it. If you’re in a place where you don’t like your current job or situation and don’t what to
Helping entrepreneurs
grow their businesses through one-on-one mentoring, business advising sessions, educational workshops and more.
learn more at jumpstartinc.org SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 7
be the best at it, then acquire a skill that will allow you to find something you are passionate about and will put your whole heart into. NETWORK The third form of leverage is your network. This is huge. Your success is depended upon who you know and who knows you in a positive light. The more people you meet and get to know the more likely you’ll find someone that can help you and open doors of opportunity for you. The famous quote “Your network is your net worth.” is very true. If you look back over your life, you’ll find that almost every great opportunity or new direction in your life came about by meeting someone or knowing a particular person. Successful people are always looking for opportunities to meet others who can help them and they are looking for people they can help in return.
Make a strategic plan to meet the people you want. You can use the professional networking website LinkedIn to get you started. You can ask for informational meetings of new or existing contacts. You can use these meetings just to network and stay close to your contacts or ask for specific help. If you need more information on how to do this please contact me and I will gladly help. Using these methods as action exercises will set yourself apart from the competition. If you employ these concepts you can transform your life and the lives of others. Most people in this world go to their grave having worked a job they hated all their life. So, if you have the ability to use these methods to make a living doing what you love, you’ve won. You will become the kind of person who relentlessly, like a lion chasing its prey, move toward the accomplishment of every goal you set for yourself. Good luck! Reach Phillip Germany II at www.linkedin.com/in/pjg2 or pgerm2@yahoo.com
8 | CL MAGAZINE
sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss Coping with sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss Over the Holidays sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss
Grief by Karen Hatfield
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 9
sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss Christmas carols will soon be playing in the stores, holiday decorations will be out and ads touting the latest “must have gifts” will be everywhere. The annual commercial blitz is already starting and will soon be in full swing. For many, material expressions of the upcoming holidays can act as a cue to get into the spirit. However, for those who are grieving the death of a loved one, the commercial frenzy, family traditions and overwhelming to do list often associated with the holidays can make the season an exceptionally difficult time. Karen Hatfield, Director of Western Reserve Grief Services at Hospice of the Western Reserve, offers the following tips to help cope with grief over the holidays: Shopping and baking. Allow someone else to do the shopping and baking this year or have a friend share in these activities with you.
10 | CL MAGAZINE
Give gift cards or shop online to eliminate the pressure of “finding the perfect gift.” Find grounding and support in your faith-based community. If you are a person of faith, turn to members of the clergy and the supportive community in your place of worship for resources and support on your grief journey. Surround yourself with those who are supportive and understanding of your grief. Avoid people who will place expectations on your feelings and your grief. Separate the wants from the shoulds. Be kind to yourself. Separate how you would like to observe the holiday season from how others feel it should be celebrated. Plan ahead. Decide now how you would like to spend the holidays to reduce anxiety. Where would you like to spend the holidays? Who will host the holiday dinner? Are there any changes you need to make this year to
sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssss Karen Hatfield, Director of Western Reserve Grief Services at Hospice of the Western Reserve
enable you to better cope with the loss of your loved one?
one in a journal every day or begin planning a memory garden you can plant in the spring.
Lower expectations. Lower your expectations about actively participating in the holiday season. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Give yourself permission to forgo some of the usual holiday activities, or to make changes to observe traditions in a more low-key way. It’s okay to leave social events early. Consider taking a brisk walk to refresh your body and spirit or spending quiet time at home with a good book and a cup of tea. Follow your heart when determining what feels right for you when you are grieving.
Consider grief support groups. Western Reserve Grief Services offers a variety of virtual grief support groups where you can connect on the web with others who have experienced a loss in a safe, supportive nonjudgmental setting. For many, participation provides hope and healing on their grief journey.
Start a new tradition to honor your loved one. Volunteer, or donate to a cause your special person believed in. Create a holiday wreath, a scrapbook, a piece of art or a poem in their memory. Visit the cemetery, share stories about your loved one and reminisce about past holiday celebrations. Write to your loved
Western Reserve Grief Services, the bereavement center at Hospice of the Western Reserve, supports anyone in the community who has experienced a loss due to death. We’re here to help. For more information about resources, visit hospicewr. org/griefandloss, call 216.486.6838 or email thebereavementcenter@hospicewr.org.
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 11
A History of Voting in the
United States
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 13
Today,
most American citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote in federal and state elections, but voting was not always a default right for all Americans. The United States Constitution, as originally written, did not define specifically who could or could not vote—but it did establish how the new country would vote. Article 1 of the Constitution determined that members of the Senate and House of Representatives would both be elected directly by popular vote. The president, however, would be elected not by direct vote, but rather by the Electoral College. The Electoral College assigns a number of representative votes per state, typically based on the state’s population. This indirect election method was seen as a balance between the popular vote and using a state’s representatives in Congress to elect a president. Because the Constitution did not specifically say who could vote, this question was largely left to the states into the 1800s. In most cases, landowning white men were eligible to vote, while white women, black people, and other disadvantaged groups of the time were excluded
14 | CL MAGAZINE
from voting (known as disenfranchisement). While no longer explicitly excluded, voter suppression is a problem in many parts of the country. Some politicians try to win reelection by making it harder for certain populations and demographics to vote. These politicians may use strategies such as reducing polling locations in predominantly African American or Lantinx neighborhoods, or only having polling stations open during business hours, when many disenfranchised populations are working and unable to take time off. It was not until the 15th Amendment was passed in 1869 that black men were allowed to vote. But even so, many would-be voters faced artificial hurdles like poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures meant to discourage them from exercising their voting right. This would continue until the 24th Amendment in 1964, which eliminated the poll tax, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ended Jim Crow laws. Women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the long efforts of the women’s suffrage movement resulted in the 19th Amendment.
With these amendments removing the previous barriers to voting (particularly sex and race), theoretically all American citizens over the age of 21 could vote by the mid 1960s. Later, in 1971, the American voting age was lowered to 18, building on the idea that if a person was old enough to serve their country in the military, they should be allowed to vote.
matters when it comes to electoral results. Most states have a “winner take all” system where the popular vote winner gets the state’s electoral votes. There are also local and state elections to consider. While presidential or other national elections usually get a significant voter turnout, local elections are typically decided by a much smaller group of voters.
With these constitutional amendments and legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the struggle for widespread voting rights evolved from the Founding Fathers’ era to the late 20th century.
A Portland State University study found that fewer than 15 percent of eligible voters were turning out to vote for mayors, council members, and other local offices. Low turnout means that important local issues are determined by a limited group of voters, making a single vote even more statistically meaningful.
x
Why Your Vote Matters
If you ever think that just one vote in a sea of millions cannot make much of a difference, consider some of the closest elections in U.S. history. In 2000, Al Gore narrowly lost the Electoral College vote to George W. Bush. The election came down to a recount in Florida, where Bush had won the popular vote by such a small margin that it triggered an automatic recount and a Supreme Court case (Bush v. Gore). In the end, Bush won Florida by 0.009 percent of the votes cast in the state, or 537 votes. Had 600 more pro-Gore voters gone to the polls in Florida that November, there may have been an entirely different president from 2000–2008. More recently, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 by securing a close Electoral College win. Although the election did not come down to a handful of votes in one state, Trump’s votes in the Electoral College decided a tight race. Clinton had won the national popular vote by nearly three million votes, but the concentration of Trump voters in key districts in “swing” states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan helped seal enough electoral votes to win the presidency. Your vote may not directly elect the president, but if your vote joins enough others in your voting district or county, your vote undoubtedly
How You Can Make Your Voice x Heard If you are not yet 18, or are not a U.S. citizen, you can still participate in the election process. You may not be able to walk into a voting booth, but there are things you can do to get involved: • Be informed! Read up on political issues (both local and national) and figure out where you stand. • Get out and talk to people. Even if you cannot vote, you can still voice opinions on social media, in your school or local newspaper, or other public forums. You never know who might be listening. • Volunteer. If you support a particular candidate, you can work on their campaign by participating in phone banks, doing door-to-door outreach, writing postcards, or volunteering at campaign headquarters. Your work can help get candidates elected, even if you are not able to vote yourself. Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past. No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your rights. “A History of Voting in the United States” is reprinted from the National Geographic website. SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 15
14 | CL MAGAZINE
SCORE:
No Longer Your Old, Retired, White Man’s Organization by Montrie Rucker Adams, APR Gone are the days when connecting with someone at the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) meant you were paired with an elderly white man who knew little about what you desired to do, especially if it involved technology. At least that was my experience in the mid-1990s when I was contemplating starting a business and was encouraged to talk to someone at SCORE. When SCORE was founded in 1964, the national non-profit’s sole purpose was to provide free business counseling to people running small businesses. At that time, they pulled from a pool of retired male executives. To be fair, white men were the business owners in those days and overwhelmingly served in executive positions. Today, the national organization utilizes the expertise of a variety of individuals with business experience. SCORE Cleveland has 85 volunteers: 30 percent are minorities and 33 percent are women. Of their more than 1,500 clients, 60 percent were women, 46 percent were minorities, and 9 percent were veterans (from 2020 statistics). Nationally, SCORE boasts 250+ chapters. Annually they provide counseling services in all business areas to more than 300,000 entrepreneurs and business owners. Since its opening one year after the national organization, Cleveland SCORE, the Northeastern Ohio SCORE chapter which serves Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga, Ashtabula, Huron, and
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 17
Erie counties, has helped tens of thousands entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses. In addition to mentoring, the organization provides workshops, webinars, seminars, educational services, and advisory boards. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all mentoring sessions and workshops are currently virtual. Counseling sessions are by phone, email, video, or live webinar. Their website has hundreds of blog posts and articles from which to choose. An example of online blog topics include: 8 Best Business Podcasts for Business Owners, 11 Sales Techniques to Help Grow Your Small Business, How Small Businesses Can Generate Traffic Without Spending Money on Ads, The Growth of Digital Assets in Black Business America During the Pandemic, How to Get a Small Business Grant, and What the Latest COVID-19 Relief Bill Means for Your Small Business. Getting Help Where It’s Needed In July 2021, Cleveland SCORE entered a six-month pilot partnership with the Harvard Community Services Center (HCSC). There was a need to support small businesses based in the Lee-Harvard neighborhoods. “It’s going great,” said Bob Cohen when asked about the partnership. “We are doing a lot of one-onone mentoring. We participated in a resources event in Ward One held by Councilman Joe Jones. SCORE handed out materials and encouraged people to sign up to become SCORE clients and mentors.” Cohen is one of SCORE Cleveland’s co-chairs and has volunteered with SCORE for six years. For years, he has served as the head of a sales team for Encore Event Technologies, an organization that rented audio-visual equipment and technicians for the hospitality and convention industries. When asked about how businesses in the Lee-Harvard area secure a mentor through the partnership, replied Cohen, “We have it set up where if a client has an issue or problem, there is a number they call and talk to Richard 18 | CL MAGAZINE
Bob Cohen Goudreau, HCSC’s Community Development Director. He will get information from the business/client and refer them to SCORE. There is an assignment team dedicated to clients based on the request and the client’s need. Anyone can also go to the website and sign up. According to the answers, we try to match a mentor with specific skills the client needs,” adds Cohen. No Longer Business as Usual SCORE has striven to shake the “old, retired, out-of-touch, white man” stigma that has dogged it for years. Cohen said forty percent of SCORE members are not retired. They are working individuals who volunteer their time to help other business owners. “Our goal for our mentors is to match the look of the community we serve. We are not there yet, but we are working diligently to get there,” he said. “Sixty percent of our clients are African American women. To help guide our clients, it takes a special understanding and know-how to have a relationship and rapport between mentor and mentee. One of the most important things we can do is listen and ask good questions. We need to know what’s on our clients’ minds and find ways to support them,” he adds. Dena Davis is the subject matter expert (SME) volunteer focused on human resources. “I help
shape out the overall design and direction of the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming for the Cleveland chapter,” Davis explains. “I decided to volunteer because I’ve used SCORE’s services in the past and felt that I was ready to give back.” Davis has volunteered for one year as a mentor, trainer, and assists with networking. As owner and chief consultant at Davis-Hill Consulting, a human resources (HR) and change management firm, she serves as a business partner helping organizations of all sizes with a variety of HR needs. She still uses SCORE’s services to advance her business initiatives. “Overall it’s been a great relationship for me, professionally and personally,” offers Davis. As a program lead for SCORE, Davis helps shape out the design and direction of the programs and the DEI goals. “The first thing is to increase awareness, education and access to resources for the mentors. We want to make sure we’re giving mentors the resources they need to share quickly and easily with clients,” she explains. “We’re very specific about how we incorporate diversity in the organization. More than half of the businesses that come to us for assistance are women- or minority-owned. I make sure we have a good representation of volunteer mentors, but we also want to make sure the mentors are equipped and skilled in how to manage and respond to some of the unique needs some of our clients may have,” she adds. Mentors are trained in the SLATE method which is also part of their mentoring methodology and credo. SLATE=Stop and Suspend judgement. Listen and Learn. Assess and Analyze. Test Ideas and Teach with Tools. Expectations Setting and Encouraging the Dream. “We work with the client to help them come to their own conclusions in terms of the viability of their idea. We are not there to tell them what to do. Our role is to help them down the road to discovery on their own. We are there
Dena Davis to be a cheerleader and to help them with the business side of it, giving them the tools and the templates,” shares Cohen. What’s It Like Being a Mentor? “To me, a good mentor is somebody that understands small businesses, who is in a career or has completed a career, brings an open mind, and is willing to learn,” says Cohen. “A really good mentor is one who could manage the aspects of our chapter. Chapter involvement is important. That said, we have people who can only give up two hours a month. They are good at what they do and are very valuable to the organization. Others may have 20 to 30 hours to spend with us. “We are looking for a variety of skills. People will come to us who are in careers in marketing, sales, finance, legal, intellectual property. We have people who come from strong financial backgrounds. Others come from the manufacturing industry and understand product development. They can help our clients who are inventing new products and want to bring them to market,” adds Cohen. The organization is also looking for mentors SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 19
with diverse business backgrounds: engineers, chemists, operations, and information technology (IT). “That’s what’s good about SCORE. If I need a specific mentor, I can reach out to one of 12,000 throughout the country. I can find a specialty online throughout the web system,” says Cohen. “If I don’t have them in my chapter, I can reach out to other chapters. Virtually, I can bring a co-mentor to a session.” When a mentor is assigned a client, they “own” that client. If it is realized that there is a skill that the mentor doesn’t have, they can call on the other 80 volunteers in SCORE Cleveland or reach out to 12,000 others throughout the US. “That’s one of the good things about SCORE. We are a big organization,” Cohen said. Sharon Rose
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Following are a few organizations that partner with SCORE Cleveland: Candid. Central Kitchen Cleveland Foundation Cleveland Neighborhood Progress COSE ECDI gBeta Great Lakes Innovation & Development Enterprise Greater Cleveland Partnership HFLA of Northeast Ohio JumpStart Legal Aid Society State of Ohio Latino Affairs Commission State of Ohio Small Business Development Centers 10,000 Small Businesses The Presidents’ Council Urban League of Greater Cleveland 20 | CL MAGAZINE
Who Comes to SCORE? Anyone who has started a business, is thinking about a business, is in the middle of running a business, or is considering transitioning out of a business, it doesn’t matter where one is along the business journey. SCORE is available to offer assistance, free of charge. No matter the question or the challenge, there is someone within the organization that can help. “We believe that anyone can start a small business with the right support. We also know that the road is harder for some than for others. SCORE for All is the bridge that makes the journey to success more direct and sure-footed for entrepreneurs who need more support,” reads SCORE’s website. “The path to small business success is different for every entrepreneur. For some, access to small business funding and key resources is challenging. For others, increasing business knowledge is the key to success. Whatever the needs, SCORE offers free mentoring, education and resources to make the path to success easier and more direct.” Along with Cohen, Sharon Rose co-chairs Cleveland SCORE. She’s served as a mentor for a year and a half. As an IT professional, she owned a small consulting company and managed IT in both small and mid-sized businesses.
View the new publication
Experience the Multicultural Flavors of Cleveland
culinarycle.com
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 23
When Rose retired from Lubrizol, she decided that she wanted to share her experience. “I was looking for a way to give back. I always enjoyed mentoring and working with people,” she shared. Rose was amazed at what she found at Cleveland SCORE. “Not only does it do an amazing amount of good for people, but my colleagues are also experts and willing to share. They never say no. I enjoy working with clients and interacting and working with my colleagues helping to run the organization,” she said. An interesting client project involved a 26-yearold female who came out of the foster care system. She was intent on starting a non-profit to help youth transition out of the system. “She knows what they need and will help them find places to live, further their education… anything that will help them to be successful on their own,” Rose shared. Rose describes a woman who owns a soup kitchen and wants to expand it to people who have financial difficulties, need groceries, education, and housing assistance. She mentions the emphasis on encouraging collaboration between organizations who are providing similar services. “You can extend what you are doing through collaboration,” Rose adds. SCORE mentors can help clients clarify and articulate their ideas, and when necessary, help them view their thinking from different perspectives. Assisting them in researching the feasibility of their thoughts will lead them to a decision as to whether they should move forward with their business. “There are people who’ve lost their jobs and feel that if they can start a business, their lives will be much better. Then they find out that it doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye. We’re there to encourage and educate, and get them to a place where they feel it’s the right time 22 | CL MAGAZINE
for them,” Rose says. Volunteers Needed! SCORE wants as many people as possible to know about the organization – not just clients – volunteers. As they focus on the work with Lee-Harvard clients and others, they need mentors. Getting the word out is important. There is onboarding and training for new mentors. It involves: 1) Going to the website and completing the form which goes to the recruiting/onboarding team. 2) An interview with two people. After the interview, if it is determined that you have the people skills and time to commit, you will be recommended for acceptance as a provisional volunteer. You are then assigned a coach who works with you to complete the required online courses within a 30- to 60-day timeframe. Once completed, you will then work with your coach to co-mentor clients and contribute as opportunities arise. After enough cases, you and your coach will determine when you are ready to handle a case on your own. In addition to mentors, the organization needs SMEs and workshop presenters. These are often people who are working full time and can’t mentor, but they can conduct a workshop. With seven district chapters and four in the region, there is always work to do. “We have several teams that keep our organization running: Marketing, DEI, and client services. Our community outreach team oversees partnerships. They approach large corporations for donations and entering in an ongoing partnership. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization,” says Rose. Thankfully, SCORE is shedding its “old white man” image and moving toward progressive change to help small businesses succeed. For more information about SCORE, visit https://www.score.org. The site has a wealth of free information that can be immediately accessed and used.
2021 Calendar of Events Cleveland, Ohio (Virtual Event)
18th Annual Personal and Professional Development Retreat “Connections, Community and Career 2021” Thursday, May 20, 2021 9:00 am - 12:00 pm HOSTED BY: Women of Color Foundation Cleveland, Ohio (Virtual Event)
10th Annual “Speaking of Women: A Dialogue Series for Women in Leadership” Thursday, August 5, 2021 11:30 am - 1:30 pm HOSTED BY: Dominion Energy Ohio Cleveland, Ohio (“LIVE” and Virtual Event)
5th Anniversary C-Suite Executive Women’s Summit Sunday-Tuesday, October 24-26, 2021 Walden Inn & Spa 1119 Aurora-Hudson Road, Aurora, Ohio 44202 HOSTED BY: Women of Color Foundation LEARN MORE
womenofcolorfoundation.com 216.391.4300, ext. 307 or 866-962.3411 (toll free)
Women Color Foundation of
4200 Warrensville Center Road Medical Office Building A, Suite 353 Cleveland, Ohio 44122 SPRING | SUMMER 2021 | 25
Women Color Foundation of
5th Annual
C-Suite Executive Women’s Summit Sunday, October 24 – Tuesday, October 26, 2021 Walden Inn & Spa
Virtual spaces still available!
Register Now
womenofcolorfoundation.com
Book
Suggestion In A Wealthy Girl, you will learn that you don’t have to be old, rich, male, or white, to be wealthy. Wealth expert Charisse Conanan Johnson, CFA, brings together all of her unique experiences over the last twenty years as an investor for JPMorgan’s $10 billion equity fund and Yale’s alumni venture fund, a financial technology entrepreneur, and a strategy consultant to Fortune 500 companies, governments, and foundations. Are you tired of being defined by systems and structures that have historically tried to prevent you from fairly participating in the traditional accumulation of wealth? Most Western cultures were built on imperialist systems and structures of patriarchy, sexism, racism, and classism that have tried to put you in a box. Charisse is a young Black woman with Filipino roots who has amassed great wealth, and she shares all her advice to break that box wide open for you to be wealthy too. In the book, you’ll learn: 8 Myths Stopping You From Becoming Wealthy Step 1: Build an Environment for Wealth Creation Step 2: Work Your Craft Step 3: Develop an Investor Mindset Step 4: Run Wealthy Experiments Step 5: Start a Business or Support the Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Around You Step 6: Build a Faith Muscle Step 7: Be a Girl BONUS Step: Enjoy Your Wealth Through the pages of A Wealthy Girl, you will be shaped by a new wealth conversation, rooted in both the tangible and intangible aspects of wealth, told through the lens of Charisse’s unique inspiring life journey and the stories of other powerful women. Through it all, Charisse shares openly about her journey with a common-sense approach, grit, and dozens of great tips to implement immediately. Description courtesy Amazon.com SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 27
Book
Suggestion Legendary leadership and elite performance expert Robin Sharma introduced The 5am Club concept over twenty years ago, based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize their productivity, activate their best health and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity. Now, in this life-changing book, handcrafted by the author over a rigorous four-year period, you will discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish epic results while upgrading their happiness, helpfulness and feelings of aliveness. Through an enchanting—and often amusing—story about two struggling strangers who meet an eccentric tycoon who becomes their secret mentor, The 5am Club will walk you through: • How great geniuses, business titans and the world’s wisest people start their mornings to produce astonishing achievements • A little-known formula you can use instantly to wake up early feeling inspired, focused and flooded with a fiery drive to get the most out of each day • A step-by-step method to protect the quietest hours of daybreak so you have time for exercise, self-renewal and personal growth • A neuroscience-based practice proven to help make it easy to rise while most people are sleeping, giving you precious time for yourself to think, express your creativity and begin the day peacefully instead of being rushed • “Insider-only” tactics to defend your gifts, talents and dreams against digital distraction and trivial diversions so you enjoy fortune, influence and a magnificent impact on the world Part manifesto for mastery, part playbook for geniusgrade productivity and part companion for a life lived beautifully, The 5am Club is a work that will transform your life. Forever. Description courtesy Amazon.com SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 29
Step Forward helps people find hope, believe in their future and take steps to make it a reality. As the State’s designated anti-poverty agency for Cuyahoga County, Step Forward is tasked and trusted to lead the fight on the ground against poverty in our community.
in 2020, Provided mediation and advocacy support to
500+ individuals.
Provided
652
cooling units to households during the Summer Crisis Program.
Connected
94%
of Head Start students and families to medical exams.
How can you help? Donating
Donations help us provide the best services to Cuyahoga County residents.
Spreading the word
Joining our team
Help us connect with residents in need and keep up-to-date with our services on social media
Check out our open and available positions at
Book
Suggestion A business memoir from lemonade entrepreneur and one of TIME Magazine’s Top 30 Most Influential Teens, Mikaila Ulmer, and her advice for life and business--now in paperback! When Mikaila Ulmer was four, she was stung by a bee-twice in one week. She was terrified of going outside, so her parents encouraged her to learn more about bees so she wouldn’t be afraid. It worked. Mikaila didn’t just learn what an important role bees play in our ecosystem, but she also learned bees are endangered, and set out to save them. She started by selling cups of lemonade in front of her house and donating the small proceeds to organizations dedicated to bee conservation. When she realized the more lemonade she sold, the more bees she could help, Me & the Bees Lemonade was born. Now she sells her lemonade across the country. From meetings with Fortune 500 CEOs, to securing a deal on Shark Tank, to even visiting the Obama White House, Mikaila’s lemonade and passion for bee conservation have taken her far. In Bee Fearless, part memoir, part business guide, Mikaila shares her personal journey and special brand of mindful entrepreneurship and offers helpful tips and guidance for young readers interested in pursuing their own ventures, instilling in them the bee-lief that they can bee fearless and achieve their dreams too. Description courtesy Amazon.com
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 31
32 | CL MAGAZINE
Who’s Stressed?
by Cassandra Hill
How to Create Peace & Serenity in Your Life The day is so full of tasks to be completed. You are running from work/business to home doing your best to take care of everyone except yourself. The busyness of life has resulted in you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. The effects of long-term stress can be detrimental. Consequences include high blood pressure, weight gain, and higher cholesterol levels. All right you know stress is not good for your health. Now what? Learning effective coping mechanisms will allow you to manage stress in ways that will keep you productive. AROMATHERAPY Utilizing essential oils can have a positive impact on your mood. Start your day with mediating and prayer. In a diffuser combine ylangylang with patchouli this combination will help you achieve emotional balance. Be careful you may become so relaxed that you are tempted to go back to sleep! Creating a spa like experience in your bathroom is possible with essential oils as well. In a warm bath add one drop of bergamot essential oil and one drop of cedarwood essential oil with 2 drops of a carrier oil. One of my go to carrier oils is jojoba oil. At the end of the day, you have juggled many hats from running a business or being an executive to taking care of a family. To help your mind unwind utilize Yin Yoga. This form of yoga is great for beginners. During your yoga session wear an aromatherapy pendant filled with rose essential oil. Not only does rose essential oil smell great and relieves stress it also serves as an aphrodisiac.
endocannabinoid system? This system regulates things in your body like sleep and mood. Since the endocannabinoid system controls your sleep, it does play a role in your stress levels. When looking for CBD be sure to check your label and know what you are getting there are many products on the market making false claims. Verify that the product has underwent third party testing and read their analysis paying attention to the ingredients that listed with the tester versus the product label. LIFE FULFILLMENT When you are living your dream, life is fun. Now is this time to get to know yourself. The better you become acquainted with yourself you will discover what makes you happy. One of the reasons stress has become prevalent in the world is because people are packing their schedules with mundane tasks. These mundane activities over a period of time cause you to feel overwhelmed and stressed because they offer no positivity to your life. There are many things you can do that will put a smile on your face. Once you know those activities start doing them. Cassandra Hill Christian Holistic Wellness Influencer www.cassandrarhill.com
CBD It seems like overnight CBD has become popular. There are many benefits of taking quality CBD products. Did you know your body has an SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 33
Cleveland Public Library’s Mission to Be a Diverse and Inclusive Organization Extends beyond Its Buildings
Cleveland Public Library is changing the way it is doing business. The Library has established a Supplier Diversity Council to ensure the Library’s suppliers are diverse and representative of the community the Library serves. “When you look at the population of Cleveland, our business partnerships should mirror that population,” remarks Dr. Sadie Winlock, Chief Equity, Education & Engagement Officer of Cleveland Public Library. “The Supplier Diversity Council is part of the bigger picture surrounding the Library’s desire to be inclusive internally and externally across all layers.” Any procurement/supplier contract of $10,000 or less, for example, will go to a minority-owned company. Larger contracts will undergo a bidding process that includes at least one bid from a minority-owned business. This can be seen in efforts to rebuild and reimagine our neighborhood branches.
34 | CL MAGAZINE
Cleveland Public Library is working with a diverse group of architects such as Moody Nolan, the nation’s largest African American architecture firm, and Vocon, a woman-owned firm. Two women-owned firms, Regency Construction Services and The AKA Team, will serve as construction managers at risk for the following projects: Brooklyn, Eastman, Lorain, Rockport, and Sterling. “It’s important that as we serve our community, we’re providing equity and access, and that economic inclusion is reflective of the population that we’re serving,” adds John Lang, Chief Operations Officer at Cleveland Public Library. The Supplier Diversity Council is made up of Library leadership and prominent local business leaders including Chris Nance, Vice President, Construction & Inclusion Talent Initiatives for the Greater Cleveland Partnership; Glen Shumate, Executive Vice President of the Construction Employers Association; Gail Dolman-Smith, President and CEO, Paragon TEC; Roger Riachi, Owner, RFC Contracting; Gregory G. Guice, Esq., Partner, Reminger Co. LPA; and Jeff Epstein, Executive Director, MidTown Cleveland. Along with Dr. Winlock, Supplier Diversity
Council members within Cleveland Public Library include John Lang, Chief Operations Officer; Carrie Krenicky, Chief Financial Officer; Carol Hubler, Procurement & Contract Coordinator; Bryan Szalewski, Chief Legal Officer; and Twyla Turner, Director of Inclusion and Leadership Development. According to Shumate, “The work of inclusion starts with the institutional owner—in this case, the Library—making a commitment and a pledge to help support the local economy.” The Supplier Diversity Council meets regularly to identify local underrepresented vendors, to engage diverse suppliers, and, in some cases, encourage partnerships between major organizations and minority-owned companies. “This is an opportunity for Cleveland Public Library to be a trendsetter among public libraries and to make sure we’re impacting the community,” adds Twyla Turner, Director of Inclusion & Leadership Education at Cleveland Public Library. Learn more about the Supplier Diversity program and contractor opportunities with Cleveland Public Library. This article is from cpl.org
SUMMER | FALL 2021 | 35
