Houston Style Magazine Vol 24 No 43

H TSU CELEBRATES HOMECOMING 2013 H Complimentary H Houston Premiere Weekly Publication H Volume 24 H Number 43 OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

SPOTLIGHTS

JESSE JACKSON Talks About Congress’ Unacceptable Behavior

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

Meet The Stars Of The Film

BREAST CANCER Seperating Facts From Myths

SERAFINA’S PROMISE 2013 AAMA GALA NOMF HONORS MARTINA WELLS FARGO $760K GRANTS Terri Reviews A Book

 NEWS  COMMENTARIES  SPORTS  HEALTH  ENTERTAINMENT

By Ann E. Burg

PG 2

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

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04 05 Local Briefs 09 Terry McMillan

Its Time To Stop..

By Jesse Jackson

Volume 24 • Number 42• october 17 - october 23, 2013 EDITORIAL

editorial@stylemagazine.com FRANCIS PAGE, JR. Publisher and Editor fpagejr@stylemagazine.com 713-927-5444 Jo-carolyn goode Editor-at-Large editorial@stylemagazine.com 713-320-5611 lisa valadez Hispanic Managing Editor lisa@stylemagazine.com 832-228-0764

By Demez White

Feature Writers lan – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com

Tonja Ward – Health tonjaward@aol.com

Aiaina mayes – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com

Samantha Vallejo – Video Reporter sjvallejo@yahoo.com

CYNTHIA NEVELS – Business cynthian@integrality.us

Mical Roy – Feature 832-647-4687 micalroy@stylemagazine.com

Dr. Lovell Jones – Health Editor editorial@stylemagazine.com

Demez White – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com

Manuela Gomez – Video Reporter manuelagomezv@hotmail.com

GWEN JOHNSON – Sports wendolynbj@gmail.com

Pamela Crawford – Political editorial@stylemagazine.com

erik granacos – Video Reporter JANAE THOMAS – Entertainment erikmichaelg@gmail.com janaet14@gmail.com

DEE DEE WHEATON – Local momwifeandeverythingelse@gmail.com

dr, latisha rowe – Health Editor editoral@stylemagazine.com

Dawn Paul – Local dhoustonp@gmail.com

keandra scott – Local keandrascott@lifesaesthetics.com

Kim davis – Sports kim@thekdcompany.com

Lindsay Buchanan – Fashion DE’NEISHA BELL – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com Bell@totallyrandie.com

Heather nelson – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com

Burt Levine – Political burtjlevine@comcast.net

Yolanda Pope – Culinary Yolandapope@stylemagazine.com Rebecca Briscoe National Entertainment briscoerbrs@aol.com 409-504-0569 Susie Stillwell Entertainment Juicy_culture33@yahoo.com

ERIC FORD – Editorial Intern editorial@stylemagazine.com

GWEN JOHNSON – Sports wendolynbj@gmail.com

National Writers

marilyn moore – Local marilynmooremdg@gmail.com

departments 2 Haute Shots 4 Commentary 5 Local Briefs 6 Health 8 Culinary 11 Feature 12 Beauty/Political 14 Entertainment 18 Book

JESSE JACKSON jjackson@rainbowpush.org ROLAND MARTIN www.rolandmartin.com JUDGE GREG MATHIS www.askjudgemathis.com

ART, DESIGN & WEB Brittany brown Art/Graphic Designer brittany@keyprgroup.com 225.937.4302

KERMIT WILLIAMS Web Master and Graphic Designer webmaster@stylemagazine.com 832.488.2626 JEFFERY T. CRUMP, JR., Chief Designe webmaster@stylemagazine.com

PAGE 16

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JOE ENGLISH 832-888-6922 englishhst@gmail.com Video Editing

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COLBY MULLEN – Video 713-922-1759 airyobi@gmail.com

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©2013 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2007 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC).

Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP). National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP).

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OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 3

JESSE JACKSON

COMMENTARY

It’s Time to Stop Abusing America’s Public Employees

American Federation of Govern-

ers forced people to work without

minority of Republican votes. In

ment Employees, told me on my

pay, it was called slavery.

the Senate, the Democratic majority

radio show, essentially “indentured

As this is written, reports

can pass it on their own, if Repub-

servants.” They’re forced to work

suggest that Senate leaders Harry

licans stop filibustering it. It’s time

without pay. About half of AFGE’s

Reid and Mitch McConnell are

for the majority to act.

670,000 members are deemed “es-

close to an agreement. But House

For Boehner, allowing a

sential.” They are required to work,

tea party Republicans continue

vote may risk his position as speak-

and face disciplinary action if they

to oppose a settlement. Shutting

er, as tea party Republicans would

he government shut-down

don’t. But they aren’t getting paid

down the government has under-

accuse him of surrendering. For

engineered by the Republi-

and won’t be until the shutdown

mined America’s reputation across

Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mc-

can tea party zealots in the

ends and Congress decides to vote

the world. Defaulting on our debts

Connell, ending the filibuster would

them retroactive pay.

threatens a global financial melt-

aggravate the zealots, and possibly

down. The time for these games has

strengthen the tea party challenge to

long past.

him in the Republican primary for

T

House of Representatives is headed into its third week. The damage is

These employees include

spreading. Infants go without nu-

nurses, food inspectors, janitors,

trition. Children are locked out of

firefighters and more. Most are not

It’s time for a vote. A Sen-

his Senate seat. But it is long past

pre-school programs. Scientists are

big earners. They have to buy food

ate deal can end a filibuster; an end

time for both to stop cowering and

losing support and locking up labs.

and gas, pay rent or mortgages, keep

to the shutdown would pass the

start leading.

the

electricity and heat on. Most have

Senate. That will put pressure on

Scorn for bureaucracy and

biggest hit, of course, are pub-

to pay to get to work and back -- in

House Speaker John Boehner to al-

government is a long-standing

lic employees -- the workers who

gas, in mass transit fees, in parking.

low a vote in the House. The real-

American tradition. But perhaps

serve the American people. Some

They are drawing down savings or

ity in this standoff is that a majority

this shutdown will help people real-

800,000 of them were initially fur-

going into debt just to keep going.

of legislators in both the House and

ize that we have a huge stake in an

The

people

taking

loughed without pay. Ironically,

This is unacceptable. We all

Senate would support reopening

effective and efficient government.

those deemed the most essential are

benefit from dedicated and skilled

the government and lifting the debt

We should show far more respect

paying the highest price.

public servants. They work for us.

ceiling to avoid default.

for those we employ with our tax

government

And now we’re punishing them,

In the House, a resolu-

dollars. They are like all workers.

employees are now, as Jeffrey

and no doubt, driving the best out of

tion would have to be passed with

They struggle to support their fami-

David Cox, the president of the

government. When private employ-

Democratic votes joined by a likely

lies. They go to work every day.

“Essential”

Many live paycheck to paycheck, while laboring to put aside a little money to pay for their children’s education. Few can afford to work without pay and none should be forced to do so.

Shutting down the government and punishing the people who work for us should be unacceptable to all those who care about this country.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson.

Share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

PG 4

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

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Local Briefs Let The Fashions Begin, Inc. Announces Distinguished Men Who Will Walk The Runway

honorary chairs are Francis and Kristyn

letthefashionsbegin.com to purchase in-

Lone Soldiers Program, which supports

Page and Judge Michael McSpadden and

dividual tickets and view our sponsor-

Lone Soldiers financially, socially, and

Anne Van Horn. “We are ecstatic about

ship levels.

emotionally throughout their military

our 17th annual Men of Style event. Hotel ZaZA will never be the same,” says MOS founder, Judge Clarease Yates.

The 2013 Men of Style honorees are

Let the Fashions Begin, Inc. Founder Judge Clarease Yates and the 2013 Men of Style honorees

Texas Family Pledges $100,000 to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Lone Soldiers Program

service. The pledge was made as Reuben and Deborah Bar-Yadin’s two children, Ze’ev and Rachel, recently made Aliyah (moved to Israel) and will be joining the

professional and civic-minded men who

IDF. When Ze’ev and Rachel join the

are being recognized for their fashion

IDF, they will be a part of the FIDF Lone

savvy and contribution to the commu-

Soldiers Program. Israel’s Lone Soldiers

nity including: Living Legends - Darryl

are those with no immediate family in

H

Wischnewsky, Dr. James Douglas, At-

being held on November 15th at Hotel

Judge Marc Carter, Mark L. Christensen,

ZaZA, 5701 Main St., Houston, Texas

Keith Davis, Sr., Dimitri Fetokakis, John

77005 at 6:00 pm. The theme for the

Jamil, Danny Nguyen, Chester Pitts, Car-

Gala is “Dare To Dream”. The Gala

ouston, Let The Fashions

torney Nelson Jones, and Mark Wallace;

Begin, Inc. is having its 17th

2013 Men of Style honorees - Michael

annual Men of Style Gala

Aldridge, James Banks, Astley Blair,

Israel, among them soldiers whose families live abroad and who chose to leave their countries of origin to serve the State Reuben, Ze’ev, Reuben’s mother Tzipi, and Tzipi’s husband Yaacov Hersage with a soldier planting a tree at the Negev Educational and Wellbeing Center.

of Israel. “I’m very proud to be a sup-

he pledge was made their as

ben Bar-Yadin. “Without a strong IDF,

Son and Daughter Move to Is-

Israel would not survive. FIDF helps sol-

rael and Join IDF The Bar-Ya-

diers’ personal welfare and allows them

roll Robinson, Esq., Dr. Stephen Simko,

T

porter of Friends of the IDF,” said Reu-

din family, Friends of the Israel Defense

co-chairs are Linda Wischnewsky, Van-

Dr. John Stanford, Jr., R.G. Thomas, and

to do their job.” For more information,

Forces (FIDF) Texas Chapter supporters,

essa Hall and Constance Charles. The

please visit www.fidf.org.

Gilad Zadok. Go to our website www.

recently pledged $100,000 to the FIDF

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OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 5

Health

T

Breast Cancer in 2013: What You Need to Know

hirty years ago, a diagnosis of breast cancer was thought of as a virtual death sentence for many women, but since that time significant progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer. Reduced mortality, less invasive treatments, an increased number of survivors and other advancements have their roots in breast cancer research – more than $790 million of it funded by Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest breast cancer organization.

However, the reality is that breast cancer is still a serious disease. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held each October, brings awareness to the disease and empowers women to take charge of their own breast health.

This year, about 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the U.S. and nearly 40,000 women will die from it.

Globally, 1.6 million people will be diagnosed, and 400,000 will die. Despite the increased awareness of breast cancer, major myths still abound. Women must re-

Local

Learn the facts about breast cancer.

main vigilant against this disease by learning the facts and understanding how they may be able to reduce their risk.

The Myths and Facts on Breast Cancer.

Myth: I’m only 35. Breast cancer happens only in older women.

Fact: While the risk increases with age, all women are at risk for getting breast cancer.

Myth: Only women with a family history of breast cancer get the disease.

Fact: Most women who get breast cancer

have no family history of the disease.

However, a woman whose mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer has an increased risk.

Myth: If I don’t have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, I won’t get breast cancer.

Fact: You can still get breast cancer, even without a gene mutation. About 90 to 95 percent of women who get breast cancer do not have this mutation.

Myth: Women with more than one known risk factor get breast cancer.

Fact: Most women with breast cancer have no known risk factors except being a woman and getting older. All women are at risk.

Myth: You can prevent breast cancer.

Fact: Because the causes of breast cancer are not yet fully known, there is no way to prevent it.

Actions to Reduce Your Risk

Breast cancer can’t be prevented; however, research has shown that there are actions women can take to re-

duce their risk of developing breast cancer.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight – Postmenopausal women who are overweight have a 30 to 60 percent higher breast cancer risk than those who are lean.

• Add Exercise into Your Routine – Women who get regular physical activity may have a lower risk of breast cancer by about 10 to 20 percent, particularly in postmenopausal women.

• Limit Alcohol Intake – Research has found that women who had two to three alcoholic drinks per day had a 20 percent higher risk of breast cancer.

• Breastfeed, if you can – Research has shown that mothers who breastfed for a lifetime total of one year (combined duration of breastfeeding for all children) were slightly less likely to get breast cancer than those who never breastfed.

For more information on the facts about breast cancer and what you need to reduce your risk, or to find resources in your community, visit Komen.org or call 1-877-GO-KOMEN.

TSU is “Proud of Our Stripes” for Homecoming 2013

October 15, 2013 Turn Up to Fitness 6pm * Recreation Center October 16, 2013 Pep Rally Noon-1pm * SSLC Office/Dormitory Judging Noon-2pm Charity Auction 4-6:30pm * SSLC Celebrity Basketball Game Premixer with players 5pm 7-10pm * Health and Physical Education Arena Starring DJ Big Tho, Dougbezzy, Gross Mann, Propain, and Stunna Bam

Halftime entertainment Double HTown and Ivy Shades Cost: Free with student ID and can good or $1 Alumni with alumni membership card $5 General Public $10 October 17, 2013 12th Annual Tiger Paw Classic 8am * Goose Creek Country ClubBaytown, TX Office/Dormitory Judging Noon-2pm Seriously Funny 4-7pm * Granville Sawyer Auditorium Alumni Awards & Meet/Greet Reception

PG 6 OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

6-11pm * Westin Galleria Hotel Channel 13; Ricky Anderson, a Thurgood Marshall School of Law gradu(Monarch Room) ate, an attorney and Houston businessman; Perry Miller, from the College of TSU Got Talent 7-10pm * Granville Sawyer Audito- Science and Technology, who serves as general manager, Houston Airport rium System, William P. Hobby Airport; and Gerald Womack, from the College October 18, 2013 of Business, who serves as president Yard Festival 10am-6:30pm * Back of Student of the Houston Black Realtors Association Life Center Entertainment by Howard Hewitt, Regina Belle, Chris Walker, Natalie ForeCollege/Schools Open House man and Vincent Powell 9am * Campus Wide 2013 President’s Gala Pan Hellenic Council Greek Show Reception 6pm Dinner 7pm * Westin Galleria Hotel Step Wars Recognizing TSU Alumni, Com- 7-10pm * Health and Physical Educamunity Leaders, and Corporate and tion Arena $15 pre-sale/$20 at the door Philanthropic Partners Alumni Honorees include Dale Long, a College of Science and October 19, 2013 Technology graduate, who has been Tailgating recognized nationally for his work 6am-midnight * TSU Campus with Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Alice Mendoza, a College of Phar- Homecoming Parade macy and Health Sciences graduate 10am-noon * Downtown who serves on the Texas State Board of Pharmacy; Winfred Frazier, a Jes- TSU vs Alcorn se H. Jones School of Business ma- 2pm * Tiger Stadium jor and vice president at KTRK-TV,

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OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 7

Business

By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil

W

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil

ith a current buying power of $1 trillion, manufacturers and marketers should be paying careful attention to the shopping patterns of African-American consumers.

The latest report on Black consumers, Resilient, Receptive and Relevant: The African-American

What’s in Our Shopping Cart Consumer 2013 Report, illustrates how much of that spending breaks down: Our annual retail spending makes up 87% of the total market retail spending, while retail spending for the Total Market accounts for 70%. This is a narrow gap in retail spending between Blacks and the Total Market which indicates our importance as Black consumers. We shell out 30% more of our annual income than the Total Market as well.

So now that you have a glimpse as to where the bulk of our household incomes are spent, let’s take a look at where that spending occurs. Annually, African-Americans, make 154 shopping trips, which is eight trips more than other group.

We average, 20 trips to dollar stores, seven trips more; 15 trips to convenience/gas stores, which is two more than any other group and 15 trips to drug stores, which is one more to drug stores than any other group.

Less time is spent at grocery stores, with three fewer trips. The exception

PG 8 OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

to grocery store shopping, though, is with Blacks who earn upwards of $100K annually. We also make three fewer trips to warehouse stores and two fewer trips to mass merchandisers than the Total Market. However, more upper-income Blacks (73%) shop at warehouse clubs than nonBlacks annually.

The Center for Disease Control has identified a phenomenon specific to some of our communities known as “food deserts” or “retail deserts.” We all know you won’t find some large chains in some urban areas. And, some existing grocery stores simply don’t carry the freshest, most nutritious foods. This might explain the occurrences and store preferences of food shopping trips in the African-American community. As the data also shows that African-Americans tend to frequent retail stores located in our communities, there is an opportunity for expansion of both affordable, quality product variety and actual stores in our neighborhoods. In an effort to try to attack this “Food desert” trend, the Whole Foods chain, plans to build a store in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Earlier this year, the chain announced that a new store would be open in 2016.

Another retail area that’s big for us is ethnic health and beauty care products – I know, no shocker there, right? We spend more than nine times more than any other demographic on Ethnic Hair and Beauty Aids. Sure, of course there are other hair care products on the shelves, but those products are not identified as ethnic, but they can lead to tremendous market growth opportunities, as Blacks’ hair care spending within traditional CPG retailers is underdeveloped compared to the total market. In fact, 46% of Black households shop at Beauty Supply Stores and have an average annual total spend of $94 on products at these stores.

Among other edible and non-edible products, the report shows that on average, AfricanAmericans also purchase more unprepared meat and frozen seafood, dry vegetables and grains, refrigerated juices & drinks (in addition to those that non-perishable and can have an extended shelf life), feminine hygiene products, fresheners and deodorizers. And, that’s just a few of the categories that we tend to over-index. On the other hand, the insights show that we spend less money on the range of dairy products (milk, yogurt, etc.) on the edible side and this could be because

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many of us are lactose-intolerant; and categories like hair care (not to be confused with Ethnic HABA), some magazines with selected titles plus lawn and garden products round out the non-edible list.

African-Americans are brand loyal consumers, but like other consumer groups; we enjoy value (e.g. better per-item pricing) and spend 18% of our retail dollars on private label brands. You know – the store brands. I am always fascinated by how varied different groups’ preferences tend to be. For instance, in the private label category, disposable diapers rank as the most popular item for us; but they rank fifth on the store brand list of White non-Hispanics.

Again, this is an opportunity for marketers who are paying attention.

And here’s one of the new areas that we explored for this year’s report. All of us make fast food runs from time to time – some of you I know, more often than others, but hey, there is no judgment here. I am sure our busy schedules and multiple mouths to feed at home, make hitting those drive-thrus a lot easier. So we took a look at our preferences for fast food or Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) over the last three months.

These are the top five Black household QSRs in comparison to other U.S. households: 1.McDonald’s (65% vs. 60%) 2. Burger King (44% vs. 36%) 3. Subway (43% vs. 40%) 4. KFC (37% vs. 26%) 5.Wendy’s (36% vs. 30%)

Now, I know with all of these powerful insights, you want more right? Have no fear! Our special fourpage copy of the Resilient, Receptive and Relevant: The African-Consumer 2013 Report will continue to be included as an insert in your newspaper. If you would like to learn more, I invite you to visit our website at www.nielsen.com for the full report.

I would love to hear from you so we can keep the conversation going. So, hit us up on Twitter or Facebook. In the meantime, remember how powerfully relevant you are with every consumer choice you make.

Follow Us on Twitter @ NielsenKnows #AAConsumer13

Like us on Facebook: wwwfacebook.com/NielsenCommunity

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsen.com.

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OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 9

culinary

G

Fire Up the Grill All Year Round

rilling is no longer just

turkey or chicken instead of ground

2 tablespoons Tabasco Chipotle

for summer. Spice up

beef when making burgers for an un-

Pepper Sauce

per. Form into 4 patties and grill or

your grilling repertoire

expected change of taste and texture.

1/2 pound ground beef

broil to desired doneness, about 5

1 teaspoon salt

minutes per side for medium. Baste burgers with Tabasco Original Red

year-round with a Smokehouse Burg-

Made-Over

Margaritas

er with Peppered Bacon and Cheddar

Combine frozen strawberries, tequi-

1/2 teaspoon pepper

that’s sure to please a crowd.

la, lime juice, sugar, Tabasco Original

1 tablespoon Tabasco Original

Grilling Tips

Red Sauce and ice for a refreshing

Red Sauce

Here’s a list of items to con-

strawberry margarita.

sider when preparing for your grill-

ing get-together:

visit www.Tabasco.com.

Quick Fix – Using store-

–

4 ounces Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Place bacon slices on rack

bought hummus or salsa, stir in some

pered Bacon and Cheddar

positioned over baking pan and

Tabasco Original Red Sauce to en-

Prep Time: 15 minutes

brush generously with Tabasco Chi-

hance the flavor and add an extra

Cook Time: 40 minutes

potle Sauce. Bake for 8 minutes,

Makes: 4 servings

flip, baste again, and bake until crisp

kick for a tasty side.

Meat Mix-Up – Use ground

8 slices bacon

PG 10 OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

Combine beef, salt and pep-

Sauce and top with cheese.

Serve burgers with melted

cheese topped with bacon on rolls.

4 hamburger rolls

For more grilling recipes,

Smokehouse Burger with Pep-

about 8 more minutes.

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Smokehouse Burger with Peppered Bacon and Cheddar

Feature

By Demez White Style Feature Writer

Terry McMillan Visits Houston with New Novel 40, all excited. “There are a lot of you

Fanning her hand across the

but I’ll stay as long as it takes to sign

room she smiles and thinks about the

all your books.”

question for a minute. “I like Twitter

She was asked by a young more than Facebook because I can

girl in the audience, maybe one of the get my thoughts out so much quickonly ones in the room. “What advice er on Twitter. You can say a lot with would you have for young writers?”

140 characters. Most of the women in

this room are my age, my generation,

I can’t speak for everyone

else but I was expecting the standard, they aren’t here because of social me“Don’t give up, keep pushing, follow dia; they are here because they like your dreams.”

to read. Maybe for the younger gen-

eration but for the majority of my fan

As the young lady stood

there, Terry looked over her glasses base it’s still word of mouth.” and said, “Most young writers want to

N

have a bestselling book, make a lot of

Terry McMillan

What’s evident in how com-

fortable she is on stage is that she’s

money and have that book turned into been doing this for a long time. Talk-

o one was tweeting,

ing since she took her first creative

a movie. You have to love writing; ing about how much she misses her

there were more antici-

writing class at Berkley. Putting on

you have to read a lot. Don’t just read home, how she’s been on the road

pation and smiles then

her glasses and reading from the

African American novels but read all since 9/11 people soak in every word.

there were conversations. Most of

thoughts of a seven year-old boy she

novels, all races, all genres. Get better

the events I go to are sort of funny

has the entire room laughing and in-

and expand your horizons. You have in the morning just to write. I’m ex-

about starting times, meaning, they

terested. She’s not trying too hard,

to decide is this really something you cited about what the characters are

rarely start on time. That wasn’t the

simply reading.

want to do.”

case on this night, at 7:00pm sharp

with no decorations or music, no real

seven-year-old boy she’s doing more

knew she wanted to be a writer since

introductions. Acclaimed author Ter-

than just reading, she’s gaining inter-

her first creative writing class at UC the best part. Not the book cover, not

ry McMillan walked on stage with

est without giving away too much of

Berkeley and writing editorials for the tours but the actual writing.”

her new novel “Who Asked You?”

the storyline, without reading from

the school newspaper the advice

in one hand and her glasses in the

the minds of the main characters.

comes from real life experience.

other and simply said, “Those lights

Anyone listening either can’t wait

are way too bright cut them down. Is

to buy the book or can’t wait to go

another young person, this time a sitting down with Oprah and count-

that a child? My writing really isn’t

home and read it.

man. Maybe one of four in the room less other TV personalities it’s still all

for children.”

who asks, “I want to thank you for

The way she commands the

of reading she stops and smiles, looks

being professional on Twitter, do

room without trying comes natu-

out over the room of roughly 200

you think social media helps you sell mez at www.demezw.com.

ral for a woman that has been writ-

people. Mostly women, mostly over

books more than word of mouth?”

Speaking from the mind of a

After twenty-three minutes

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“I wake up sometimes at five

going to say, what they’re going to do

Coming from a woman that because I don’t know. For me at this point in my career, writing the story is

What I take away from the

event and the moment is that even

Looking around, choosing after bestsellers, after movies, after

about the writing.

You can read more from De-

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 11

BEAuTY

By Jo-Carolyn Goode Editor-At-Large

Shawna Fa-rooq , owner of Zayd’s Natural Kids Hair Salon

I

know my mother had a time combing my hair. I wouldn’t hold my head still. I was always crying from pain. It was not fun for either of us. She screamed with delight when I was old enough to go to the beauty shop. Relief for her but still a headache for me. I hated the beauty shop. I had to sit there all day long listening to adults’ blah about gossip and watch boring TV shows. Plus I was still in pain. I wished there was a

New 1st of Its Kind Kids Natural Hair Salon Opens in Houston

shop that catered to kids. Well now there is.

Sitting in the heart of Museum District is Zayd’s Natural Kids, a fullservice natural hair salon that caters to children, ages three (3) to thirteen (13).

Zayd’s Natural Kids’ owner, Shawna Farooq , who is also the owner of Zayd’s Naturally Natural Hair Studio, notice that with her adult hair salon that all of the attention was placed on adults leaving the kids very bored. “I wanted to have something that would be conducive towards kids,” said Farooq. “They got bored. We had nothing to entertain them with. We didn’t have pictures of children’s styles from them to choose from. So I wanted to have a place where they could feel comfortable and feel like this is for them.”

Thinking solely of what kids would want Farooq has created a whimsical salon for kids. Walking through the doors and I hit by color. Yellow, blue and green pain adorn the walls, with equally colorful salon chairs at all workstation.

Across from that area is a play zone with an athletic theme featuring the Houston

Texans, Rockets, and Astros. Next what caught my eye was a second play station, which I thought. I came to learn that it was the pamper party place. A group of little girls can have the ultimate day out doing their nails, makeup, playing dress up or whatever floats their boat. The area is all decked with pink and purple walls and is complete with hand chairs, boas, and others things to have a grand time. There is even a reading nook in the salon so children can grab their favorite book and catch up on some reading while getting their hair done.

Zayd’s Natural Kids is a full service salon offering an arrange of servicing including Cornrow Braiding, Double Strand Twists, Coiled Twists, Locks, Bantu Knots, Pressing and many more natural hair styles for children.

Prices are reasonable. Some examples include hair cuts for $19, flat iron styles for $50, braided Mohawk for $60, and rodded Mohawk $69.

“The natural hair movement is finally becoming more prominent and

accepted in America, and Houston. We are truly excited to provide relief and education to Houston parents who need assistance with maintaining their children’s natural hair,” said Farooq.

Zayd’s Natural Kids Hair Salon is located at 221 Almeda Road, Houston, Texas 77004 and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am-5:30pm. Contact them online at www.zaydsnaturalkids.com or by calling 7135261009.

Some of Zayd’s Natural Kids Hair Salon’s clients

POLITICAL Congresswoman Maxine Waters Wows Fort

By Burt Levine Political Writer

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irebrand Congresswoman Maxine Waters brought her fire hose brand of oratory to the Fort Bend Freedom Fund Banquet Saturday in seizing upon the federal government shutdown to get the sold out Missouri City event to its feet applauding her for her no holds commentary.

“I am lifetime card carrying member of the NAACP but being a lifetime member means more than carrying a card. It means carrying your head up high. It means fighting for what is right for your country and your community,” she said before rushing right into the issues at hand.

“The reckless irresponsibility of this shutdown cannot be overstated. As we slowly emerge from the worst economic crisis in over 70 years, I am saddened that ideological extremism has led to another self-inflicted wound that could have dire consequences for our fragile recovery, said Waters came invited by

PG 12

Bend NAACP

her colleague Congressman Al Green and State Rep. Ron Reynolds.

Waters, 75, was born the fifth out of 13 children. She has represented the Los Angeles area in Congress for more than nearly 23 years and before that served in the California Assembly since 1976. Waters is the most senior of the 12 black women currently serving in the United States Congress, and is a member and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“Even a short shutdown threatens job creation, harms small businesses, and leaves families with uncertainty and instability. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are immediately and indefinitely furloughed. Some agencies are forced to drain reserve funds, while others are closing entirely. The SBA will stop approving loans and loan guarantees for small businesses. Housing loans to low and middle income families in rural communities will be

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

put on hold, as will start-up business loans for farmers and ranchers. This not only harms those seeking these loans, but the small banks that offer them, slowing business and leading to potentially large backlogs,” she said as the Congress’ ranking member of Financial Services.

“Representatives are gambling with our American economy to make an ideological point. Each day this shutdown continues risks further irreparable damage to our financial system, our economy and our middle class. It must end now,” she said.

Waters said her friend, Houston’s Congressman Al Green can be polite but she won’t be polite when policies impacting people as much as this does continue to be held in limbo.

“As hundreds of thousands of federal workers go without pay; as home buying slows to an eventual halt; and federal agencies remain

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unable to complete their important work the debt ceiling must be raised,” she said to standing ovations followed by her call that not doing so “has significant impacts on our financial markets and the economic security of all Americans.

“I urge my colleagues to stop using the debt ceiling to push extremist ideology and vote now on a clean debtlimit increase,” she said before accepting a Texas cowboy hat from Dr. Jontia Reynolds.

State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Dr. Jonita Reynolds

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OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 13

Entertainment

By Susie Stillwell Entertainment Writer

Somali Pirates Hold Captain Hostage in Navy SEAL Rescue Thriller tionship with Muse in order to stay alive. So it’s a relationship that none of them wants, but they’re forced to try and understand each other.

SS/JC: As an actor, what is it like working on a Paul Greengrass set?

BA: Paul Greengrass before every scene would take me and Tom and we would go to the side. We would discuss that particular scene and how it had to be done. After the scene it’s either everybody’s quiet or Paul would give me a direction.

There was nothing in between. He would give me more insights, details, how Tom’s character’s feeling, how I’m feeling, and how my character was feeling. He would always have some sort of insight to make the scene better.

Tom Hanks: They built the exact replica of the original lifeboat and put it on a gimbal and that’s where we shot. It’s a very uncomfortable space. It smells horrible. The air is bad. It’s hot and you are right on top of each other. There are a lot of

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aptain Phillips is based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips, portrayed by Tom Hanks, and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, which was the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. In the film, Barkhad Abdi plays Muse, the leader of the Somali pirates who forges a reluctant and strange relationship with Phillips during the ordeal. Abdi’s real-life friends, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, and Mahat M. Ali, play Muse’s pirate cohorts. The screenplay was written by Billy Ray (The Hunger Games), and based on Phillips’ book “A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea.” Paul Greengrass directed the film.

While I was in Los Angeles for press day for Captain Phillips, I viewed the film. I found Captain Phillips it to be exhilarating, filled

with on the edge my seat drama and anticipation. I had the opportunity to interview two of the stars, Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi.

Susie Stillwell/Juicy Culture: How did you become involved in the casting process for Captain Phillips and ultimately get the role?

Barkhad Abdi: One night the news came on and they said that a casting group in Minneapolis was casting a Tom Hanks film and looking for Somali actors. So it was an experience I wanted to try.

SS/JC: Can you talk about the mutual respect that your character Muse unwillingly forges with Captain Phillips during the course of the film?

BA: The relationship between these two men is weird. They are in this situation and they don’t want to be around each other. Muse has to keep Phillips alive to get money. But Phillips has to build a rela-

PG 14 OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

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places to bonk your head and crack your knee. We all did that. … But Paul sets up an environment that is very realistic and I can’t imagine doing it any other way.

SS/JC: Did you gained any crucial insights from playing Captain Phillips?

TH: Yes. It’s always surprising. You don’t necessarily go in and talk to the real person in order to try to find some secret key to the lock. But just he is an accomplished merchant mariner. That’s the main thing.

Captain Phillips hit theaters nationwide last Friday, October 11, 2013. Juicy Culture always keeps you abreast, informed and on top of BLACK HOLLYWOOD.

For comment or question go to susiestillwell.com. Click on Juicy for your comments or email us at juicy_culture33@yahoo.com. Juicy Culture. KEEPING IT REEL TO REEL!

Entertainment TV Producer Bentley Evans Continues

By Rebecca Briscoe

National Entertainment Wrtirer

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Bentley Kyle Evans

entley Kyle Evans is the Creator and Executive Producer of Bounce TV’s “My Crazy Roommate,” starring Laila Odom and Brittany Richards, and is also currently producing season four of TV One’s “Love that Girl.” The television exec has an “eye for funny” and has used that eye to help nurture rising stars and make TV history for African Americans in the industry.

A 20-plus-year veteran of television and film, Evans began his career as an intern for Robert Townsend’s film, “Hollywood Shuffle.” He had the acting bug and gave it a whirl, but his greatest passion was found behind the lens in the writer’s room, creating characters from experiences with his real-life family, friends and neighbors.

Evans partnered with Martin Lawrence on Fox Network’s classic hit sitcom “Martin” [1992-1997] where Evans served as Executive Producer. He sky-rocketed to success, becoming the first AfricanAmerican TV exec to have sitcoms airing on two networks simultaneously with the creation of “The Jamie Foxx Show” [1996-2001]. Both shows aired over 100 episodes and continue to run in world-wide syndication today.

Evans has some serious roots in Texas, where his wife grew up in Houston. They still visit the Bayou City frequently, and you could tell he got a little homesick when he relished about signature staples like The Breakfast Club, Frenchy’s Chicken and the best Ice cream in the world, Blue Bell.

to Make His Mark in Hollywood

With the premiere of “My Crazy Roommate” and “Love That Girl,” Evans will repeat television history, with sitcoms airing on two networks simultaneously.

RB: Congrats on another season of “Love That Girl on TV One and “My Crazy Roommate” on Bounce TV. Are there any teasers this season for “Love That Girl?”

BE: I will give you some teasers not spoilers. Imunique has taken control of the show, and is the driving force of the sitcom this season. This is the first year a hood chick has ever been the center and main character. We can’t wait to get the viewer’s response on that. Viewers will also notice that Imunique and Latrell are a lot closer than they used to be.

RB: Many people take the road less traveled, what was yours?

BE: I think outside the box and don’t take NO for an answer!

Throughout my career, I have concealed my intentions by operating while others aren’t looking. You know that old saying you never let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. I move forward at all cost, by any means necessary.

RB: To have so much longevity in TV, where does your motivation come from?

BE: I must admit it comes from my father. He was a self-made guy who worked in real estate, and as a paralegal. My father set the best example of the man I am today; therefore I have adopted that same work ethic. My father is now 85 years old, and hasn’t skipped a beat.

RB: Your footprint in TV made Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx household names. What is your secret in developing talent?

BE: Martin and I are good friends, and as you know he is one of the Executive Producers of “Love that Girl.” In my opinion there is no brick road to success; it’s not a secret, nor formularic. I am blessed to have the gift and talent to recognize their abilities to make people laugh, showcase their vulnerabilities, and capture

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real scenarios with relatable storylines that people recognize. As you know both Martin and Jamie started from humble beginnings, and my eye for talent developed their inner most beings which constructed their alter ego. Once their alter ego was established for their character, I watched it magnify through their performances.

RB: You have been creating quality programming in African American households, how do you feel about the explosion of reality TV that characterizes African Americans in a negative light?

BE: As a producer, I understand the business of Reality TV. It is a cheaper-scripted production that doesn’t require a star-studded cast (whose platform acquires the same amount of advertising as a scripted sitcom). When the reality explosion took over, it caused me to be out of work because I didn’t understand the functionality. Presently, I have noticed the cycle of quality TV programming swinging back to our households such as: Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire. Unfortunately those negative stereotypes still do exist in our communities; however it’s only a small fraction the media glorifies. I am not criticizing the business, but as a producer, there is nothing better than a scripted TV with a great storyline and plot.

RB: With over two decades of experience in Hollywood, has it gotten easier for AA to pitch shows to networks?

BE: No it hasn’t! It’s tougher now to get an African American show green lit to a major network.

It’s hard to believe that these are still pressing issues since we have an African American First Family. When you do the math, the last major all African American cast during prime time were: The Cosby Show and A Different World. We definitely have a long way to go because we lack the voice of African American executives as our influencers and decision makers. In today’s world, investors want you to have a rock-solid busi-

ness plan and business model; which makes it hard when you have no capital or opportunities on the table. African Americans are the number one consumer, yet we still have a limited voice in Hollywood. I applaud networks like TV One, BET and Bounce for supporting African American programming and content. I didn’t let those issues become a setback, so in 2009 I started my own production company. With that being said I am in total control of my creativity. I have my own in-house studio, production company, and can green light my own show along with others.

RB: Family is priority #1on and off set, tell HSM about that BE: I have been in business for over two decades, and this is the first time that I have ever worked with my wife. My wife is a Houston native who majored in Interior Design so it was only natural for her to design the “Love That Girl” set. Initially it was a tough process to balance due to the scheduling conflicts, but being in each other’s presence all the time has strengthened our relationship.

RB: What’s next for Bentley Evans?

BE: Actually, I feel like I am just getting started. New stories need to be told. New networks need content.

I consider myself a content provider not a producer. I want to create a distribution outlet where I can manage the pipeline.

RB: Three words that describe Bentley Evans BE: Focused, determined and humble For more information: @BENTLEYEVANS My Crazy Roommate premieres October 14th at 10P ET / 9P CT on BounceTV www. bouncetv.com Get ready to fall in love all over again with TV One’s Love That Girl! Tune in Friday, October 11 at 9:30/8:30c for the season premiere! www.tvoneonline.com TV One’s “Love that Girl” Fri, Oct 11, 9:30/8:30 CT (Season 4) Bounce TV’s “My Crazy Roommate” Mon, Oct 14, 7pm PT/10pm ET (Season 1)

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 15

POLITICAL

By Tom Cohen. Holly Yan and Greg BotelhoEd

President Barack Obama

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s it a model for bipartisan governance or a short-term solution that only hardened long-held positions?

Democrats and Republicans had wildly different takes on Thursday on the agreement passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama that ended the 16-day partial shutdown of the government and averted a possible U.S. default.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers returned to their jobs across the country and national monuments such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis reopened under the agreement considered a victory for Obama because it lacked substantive changes to his signature health care reforms targeted by con-

Obama Wants New Approach After Shutdown

servatives.

In a tough and somber statement, the President challenged the Republican right to drop its anti-government ideology and change how business gets done in Washington.

The standoff “inflicted completely unnecessary damage (to) our economy” by slowing growth and increasing borrowing costs, Obama said, declaring that “there are no winners here.”

At the same time, he blamed the brinksmanship that flirted with the first default in U.S. history on no-compromise tactics of the Republican tea party wing in Congress, saying that “the American people are completely fed up with Washington.”

“Let’s work together to make government work better instead of treating it like an enemy or purposely making it work worse,” Obama said in a direct jab at tea party conservatives.

“You don’t like a particular policy or a particular president? Then argue for your position. Go out there and win an election,” he added. “Push to change it, but don’t break it” because “that’s not being faithful to what this country’s about.”

Saying “we can’t degenerate

into hatred,” he ended by quoting part of the Pledge of Allegiance that states America is “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

While no Republican leaders offered on-the-record reaction, a senior GOP congressional aide told CNN’s Dana Bash that “the President’s comments are not designed to help this process, only to lay blame in advance”of upcoming congressional battles over the budget, immigration reform and other issues.

The congressional stalemate ended when Republicans caved to the insistence of Obama and Democrats that legislation funding the government and raising the federal borrowing limit should be free -- or at least mostly free -- from partisan issues and tactics.

After all the bickering and grandstanding, the billions lost and trust squandered, the result amounted to much ado about nothing.

Hardline Republicans, whose opposition to Obama’s signature health care reforms set the shutdown and debt ceiling crisis in motion, got pretty much zip -- except maybe marred reputations.

“To say we as Republicans left a lot on the table would be one of the biggest

understatements in American political history,” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina tweeted.

The agreement amounted to the cliched kicking of the can down the road, because the deal passed by Congress in lightning fashion Wednesday night and signed by Obama in the wee hours of Thursday only funds the government through January 15 and raises the debt ceiling until February 7.

I t also set up budget negotiations between the GOP-led House and Democratic-led Senate intended to reach a broader agreement on funding the government for the fiscal year that ends on September 30.

Ideally, a budget compromise would ensure government funding and include deficit reduction provisions that would prevent another round of defaultthreatening brinksmanship in three months’ time.

CNN’s Brianna Keilar, Deirdre Walsh, Dana Bash, Erin McPike, Steve Brusk, Eliott C. McLaughlin, Paul Steinhauser, Ashley Killough, Craig Broffman, Jim Acosta, Mark Preston, Dan Merica and Lisa Desjardins contributed to this report.

THIS WEEK:

Tacos y Tacones Gala Photography By Roswitha Vogler n Saturday, September 28, 2013, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Hilton Americas Hotel for the Tacos y Tacones Gala. Martha and Demetrius Navarro were the gala chairs while Linda Gonzalez and Roland Rodriguez were the honorary chairs. Guests enjoyed dinner and dancing to Mango Punch. Tacos y Tacones is AAMA’s signature fundraising event that attracted approximately 500 of Houston’s leaders.

The event featured both live and Big Board auctions in addition to a Fund a Dream mission appeal. All proceeds from the gala benefit AAMA and the more than 20,000 people it serves each year.

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PG 16

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

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Houston, TX

THIS WEEK:

Houston, TX

THIS WEEK:

Houston, TX

Annual Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation Luncheon Photography By Roswitha Vogler n Monday, October 7, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at The Westin Galleria for the 12th Annual Nancy Owens Memorial Foundation (NOMF) Luncheon. This year luncheon featured Martina Navratilova, an inspiring cancer survivor and tennis star whose career has spanned an amazing four decades. Yearly, the NOMF holds this affair to help charities that support education, care, and research to find a cure for breast cancer, while memorializing Nancy Owens’ life who lost her battle with breast cancer. Some in attendance were Trudy Bennett, Carmen Densing, Bea Rusk, Carol Peyton, Tamara Mannen, Rosann Rogers, Afshan Baptista, Samekka Wade, Isabel Dove, Mary Haskins, Dr. Xiaosong Wang, Kaiti Kling, Betty Byrd, Ruthie Chuvac, Cathy Coleman, and Tiby Bernstein.

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By Jo-Carolyn Goode Editor-At-Large

Heineken’s National Black MBA Association Farewell Mixer

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Photography By Colby Mullen

n September 14, 2013, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at Lucky Strike for the National Black MBA Association Farewell Mixer presented by Heineken. Houston hosted the 35th National Black MBA Association, Inc. Annual Conference and Exposition on September 10-14, 2013. Some in attendance were Darrell James, Jermone Love, Vernita Harris, and Houston City Councilman Larry Green.

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OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 17

Terri Schichenmeyer

“Serafina’s Promise” by Ann E. Burg

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ou’ve got a dream.

Every kid does, but yours is special. You want to be a football player someday, or a star onstage.

Maybe your dream is to visit Europe, drive a hot car, be an astronaut, buy your own house, ride a horse, write a book, or help others.

You’ve got a dream, and you’ll do anything to see it happen. But in the new book “Serafina’s Promise” by Ann E. Burg, realizing a dream might mean going through nightmares first.

Eleven-year-old Sera-

fina had a secret.

It was a good secret, too. It made her think while she carried water four times a day, took care of Manman, emptied chamber pots, swept the floor, gathered wood, and piled charcoal. Her secret kept her mind busy while her hands were working, too.

Her secret was this: Serafina wanted to be a doctor someday. She’d wanted it ever since Antoinette Solaine took care of Serafina’s baby brother, Pierre - and though Pierre had died, Serafina saw that being a healer was something special. Even Papa said she had a “gift” for it.

But she knew that first, she needed an education and that was very expensive.

Manman said that there was no money for a uniform or shoes and besides, she needed Serafina at home. Gogo reminded

Serafina that chores needed doing. Manman’s belly was round with another baby, and there were things she couldn’t do.

So Serafina spent her days carrying water and doing chores, and turning her secret over in her head. Gogo always said that Grandpè thought an education was important. Serafina knew that she needed to speak to Papa, who would talk to Manman about school.

A trip to the city for Flag Day seemed like a good chance to ask.

And ask she did, on their way to Port-au-Prince.

Papa listened – Serafina loved that about him – and though she wasn’t sure what would happen, he smiled when she promised to find ways to earn her own money for school. It would take the rest of the summer, but once the new baby ar-

rived, Serafina was sure she’d have time to do it.

And then the ground began to shake…

Page through “Serafina’s Promise,” and you might think there’s not much here.

Indeed, the pages are largely empty and the words are spare, but don’t let that fool you: young readers won’t be able to help but be affected by this powerful little tale.

In a matter-of-fact manner befitting her optimistic young character, author Ann E. Burg portrays Haiti’s poverty and problems without making the story one of weepy drama.

That lack actually gives this book more believability, and it made me love the pluckiness of Serafina even more. In the end, those bare pages packed a huge punch and I think kids will like that a lot.

Meant for kids ages

10-14, I think a slightly younger “good reader” will find this a nice challenge. For her, or for any child who wants a quick, enjoyable novel, “Serafina’s Promise” will be a dream.

c.2013, Scholastic $16.99 / $18.99 Canada 304 pages

Writing by Faith

By Jo-Carolyn Goode Editor-At-Large

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iving on purpose is what many strive to do but often the road to finding their purpose is long and troublesome. On the other hand, there are those who live their entire life knowing their purpose but run from it. Imani once was one of those other people. When she finally did embrace her true purpose, she began to write by faith.

All of her life Imani knew a few things she wanted to help people, she had a creative soul, and she loved to write. She followed her passion to write by majoring in journalism at the University of Texas. Her pre-graduation years were filled with thoughts of moving to New York to explore a writing career. However as graduation inched ever so closer her NY state of mind didn’t seem practical. Instead of drawing towards her purpose, Imani turned and ran away to what she thought was

the more sensible career of being a lawyer.

Although Imani wasn’t fulfilling her ultimate purpose she wasn’t completely letting it go. Being a lawyer was not a detour for her, as it would seem but just another step along her journey of becoming an author. “If I hadn’t done it (lived her life) this way, I wouldn’t be the person that I am,” said Imani about living with no regrets. In the law field, Imani was able to help people and utilize her communications skills learned when she earned a journalism degree.

While living her practical life as a lawyer, the creative side of her would not sleep. Time and time again Imani would email her friends inspirational messages. Soon her friends would forward the emails to others. Those other people would email Imani to ask to be on her distribution list. Her list grew so big and she had so many messages that she decided to take all of her messages and author her first book, You Are Not Alone, and

the birth of a new identity. She writes under the name Imani, which means by faith. She believes that she lives and writes by faith.

With the release of her first book about three year ago Imani could no longer deny her creative side and took the lunge to write her first novel, which recently debuted, When I Was Broken.

Just as with her first book, Imani relies heavily on the details of her own life to tell the story in When I Was Broken, a woman’s journey to overcome pain, loss and heartache in the wake of her crumbling marriage to discover her own power and truth. The novel also brings to light another issue that is a bit taboo for all of America but daily we are pushed to address it, the issue of mental illness. Even though mental illness is more in the eye of the media, the story of loving someone with mental illness is not, hence the inspiration behind Imani ’s novel. “I am hoping that this book will be inspiring for people who have been there and also be a

PG 18 OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

reminder that we need to do the things that we can to stay as emotionally healthy as possible,” said Imani. “I think a lot of times we as a world, but also in particular black women, tend to think it is a badge of honor to be really strong and to not need any help, and so sometimes, sometimes we do, oftentimes we do.” That is probably one of the biggest take a ways from the novel.

No matter how much you love or care for someone else don’t forget to love and care for yourself.

If just reading a review of this book sounds like a great movie then you have a good eye. Besides being an author Imani is also a filmmaker and will soon turned her novel into a motion picture. “A lot of people who have read the book says it reads like a movie already,” laughs Imani.

Though her debut novel has only been out for a couple of months, Imani is already hard at work on her second novel, Bittersweet. “It is a story of a woman whose husband’s has died and she is

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trying to heal,” said Imani. “ She is angry at God, angry that life didn’t turn out the way she thought it would. So this is her journey of healing.”

Much like the characters in her books go through a journey to be healed, Imani is on her own journey of healing and transforming with every book that she writes. She hopes that through her words she can inspire and heal others writing by faith.

Read more by Imani online at www.byImani.com.

National Mayor Parker, Wells Fargo Announce $760,000 in Grants to Help Provide Housing, Support for Chronically Homeless

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Wells Fargo representatives at Houston City Hall.

ayor Annise Parker and Wells Fargo & Company, one of America’s leading community banks and the nation’s largest home mortgage lender, today announced the company will make donations totaling $760,000 over three years for two Houstonbased nonprofits to help support Mayor Annise Parker’s goal of ending chronic homelessness. The local grant recipients were identified in close collaboration with the City of Houston and Mayor Parker to assist the city in the areas of transitional and permanent supported housing and shelter and support services for the homeless. In response, Wells Fargo is making $760,000 in grants to nonprofits serving Houston including: The Corporation for Supportive Housing and The Coalition for the Homeless Houston/Harris County. The grants are funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation through the

company’s NeighborhoodLIFTSM program. For more information, visit www.youtube.com/wellsfargo.

Next Day Access Delivers Accessibility Solutions to Houston

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ext Day Access, the new national franchise business of Memphis-based American Access, recently launched one of its first locations in Houston, Texas, serving the Greater Houston area. Offering a number of accessibility products, such as wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, pool lifts, ceiling lifts, bathroom safety products and vertical porch lifts for residential and commercial environments, Next Day Access works to restore quality of life and independent living with a “whole home, whole life” approach.

This is the second franchise location in Texas opened by Claiborne Self.

Next Day Access Houston serves individuals and businesses across the Houston Metroplex and within a 100-mile radius of the city, including areas such as The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Conroe, Galveston, Pearland, Baytown, Katy and League City. For a free home or business evaluation, call 713-344-0031 or 1-800-4230751. For more information about Next Day Access, visit www.NextDayAccess.com.

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Phillips 66 Awards $1.5 million Grant to Rice university to Improve Early Childhood Literacy

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hillips 66, an energy manufacturing and logistics company, is awarding a $1.5 million grant over three years to Rice University’s School Literacy and Culture project (SLC) to help improve literacy among children in the Houston area. SLC, a part of Rice’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, and Phillips 66 are partnering to solve the problem of illiteracy among youths in the Houston area by developing the Early Literacy Leadership Academy.

This new center for expert teaching will help teachers gain expertise as innovators who promote higher-order thinking skills, second-language learning and relationships that impact children’s self-regulation and autonomy. For more information, visit www.phillips66.com or http:// tinyurl.com/AboutRiceU.

Houston Doctor Starts Celebrity Medical Concierge Service

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Dr. Kadisha Rap

he opening of Dr. Kadisha Rapp’s Concierge practice heralds the arrival of a new approach in personalized and preventive health care for members of the entertainment and business community. Utilizing an approach to health care that includes a personal commitment to her patients and col-

laborative consultations with them, Dr. Rapp’s concierge service specializes in offering convenient and high quality medical treatment for a variety of ailments faced by her high-end business and celebrity clientele. “I believe in working directly with my patients on a one-to-one basis to achieve the best results,” says Dr. Rapp. “Most medical problems can be addressed by adopting simple measures such as a sound approach to prevention and management of medical conditions. I work with my clients so that they can maintain a higher quality of health thus enabling them to perform their jobs to the highest standards.” For additional information visit: www.drkbrapp. com

texas childrenʼs Hospital opens Oculoplastic Clinic

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exas Children’s Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report honor roll pediatric hospital, announces a new, first of its kind in Houston, Oculoplastic Clinic exclusively for pediatric patients. This new service will provide access to comprehensive evaluation, treatment and correction of congenital abnormalities of the eyelids, tear ducts and eye sockets. The clinic will offer compassionate care by board certified oculoplastic surgeons with expertise in the management of complex oculoplastic disorders that affect children in coordination with pediatric specialists in ophthalmology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, anesthesia, and other subspecialties as needed.For more information about the Oculoplastic Clinic please visit: texaschildrens.org/oculoplastic-clinic. To make an appointment at Texas Children’s Oculoplastic Clinic call 832-824-1000. Appointments are available today.

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

PG 19

PG 20 OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 23, 2013

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