What’s Going On In Gvegas? A pictorial look at what is happening in the Greenville, NC area!
Tracey Syphax - Cover Story From Breaking Down Lives To Building Up Futures
Featured Artist Michael Wallace “Butterfly”
Book Of The Month Bishop Eddie L. Long “60 Seconds To Greatness”
Be Inspired Sean Moye & Israel Ward “Owners of I & S Enterprises”
Jersey Connection A pictorial look at what is happening in the Trenton, NJ area!
Have you ever been in a situation…and you thought there was no coming from it. You believed there was no way you could ever make it from this mistake. These questions were flowing through my mind when I thought about the Power of Redemption! No matter what we have done in our lives, we are all able to redeem ourselves through a moment…if given the opportunity. Even if the people we have hurt are not willing to forgive us. We must make a true attempt to redeem ourselves in order to move forward in our destiny of truth. I will never forget a conversation I had with my brother Bill before he died. Bill had caused some issues to happen that affected me and my immediate family. He called me out of the blue one day to say he was sorry and to ask for my forgiveness. I explained to my brother that I had already forgiven him a long time ago. Bill made it clear that he was not apologizing for me, but for himself. At that moment, I knew that my brother was evolving into his true self. He was changing through the Power of Redemption! We are all given the ability to make wise choices…and when we don’t …Thank GOD if we are given an opportunity to begin again! In this issue of IMPACT Magazine, we are highlighting the likings of Mr. Tracey Syphax (“Breaking Down Lives To Building Up Futures”.) . Tracey’s story is a true testament of the Power of Redemption. Tracey spent seven years in the prison system and came out and reinvented himself. Now he is a renowned speaker, philanthropist and is the owner of two successful million dollar corporations. We are also featuring the artistic works of Michael Wallace and in our “Be Inspired” section, we are highlighting the owners of I & S Enterprises. I&S Enterprises specializes in graphic design, web design, and event planning. I&S Enterprises is hosting an event that is designed to promote economic development and to offer minority companies the opportunity to promote their products and services. Redeeming ourselves will take time, energy and patience. It will only begin to take place when we are true to the redemption and it’s process. Don’t fret or fear…or worry about the people..remember this is for you to move forward towards your destiny of truth! Be a blessing to someone today and remember to always walk in peace!
Tunisha C. Brown Editor-In-Chief
is an entrepreneur, community activist, and a motivational speaker. He is the President/CEO of two Million Dollaraward winning corporations; Capitol City Contracting, which specializes in home and building improvements and rehabilitation services. In addition to, The Phax Group LLC, which focuses on real estate development with multiple properties in Trenton New Jersey. Tracey Syphax knows that sometimes it takes the will from within or a push from behind to open the doors in front of you. This knowledge, plus the hard knocks he received as a kid in the streets and as an adult behind bars, helped the New Jerseyan create one of the most successful Black-owned contracting businesses in the Garden State. For Syphax, the road to entrepreneurship was paved with obstacles, with his past as a drug abuser, thief and hard-core, gang-member thug coming back to haunt him. His subsequent jail term and criminal record made it difficult to secure certain business licenses and funding. “I was poor, came from a broken home and dropped out of high school for a few months,” Syphax said in a interview with The Network Journal. “It was a tough period in my life and I did what I had to do to make it while growing up.” After his release from jail, he put his energy into clearing his name and starting a business. He obtained a high- school diploma, took several small-business development classes at a local community college and developed a niche-market strategy to establish and grow Capitol City Contracting. He planned to run the company for several years before approaching lenders for a business loan. Syphax says the company saw $32,000 in sales the first year. “I built my business by re-investing money I made back into the business,” he says. “I didn’t receive a loan for the business until three or four years after starting the
Overcoming and excelling beyond the stigma of the ex-offender… Years after his incarceration and two multi-million dollar businesses later, Tracey speaks on continuously “fighting the felon tag.” Getting out was the easy part. It is the rise up that is the true test of strength, perseverance and human endurance. Through sharing his experience, Tracey proves that it is more than possible to turn your life around as well as make a difference in the lives of others. His first job out of prison gave him an opportunity for a new lifestyle. Now, Tracey stresses the importance of returning this favor and faith in others. From the very beginning his companies have made it a priority to give ex-offenders a second opportunity at rebuilding their lives…. a third if necessary. Awarded nationally and locally for his accomplishments in business and his work encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs, Syphax formerly hosted a weekly radio show, “Violence Shows No Purpose,” on WIMG 1300 and TV show, “Trenton Talks” on WZBN 25. His most recent speaking engagements included: Mercer County Community College, Mountainview Youth Correctional Facilities, Lincoln Technical Institute, 2009 Titusville Academy Graduation Commencement Speech and various occasions for Trenton Public School District, Mo Shea Corporation and Capital Preparatory Charter School.
Sean Moye is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Moye holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Communication Systems with a concentration in Graphic Design & Drafting. Mr. Moye co-founded I & S Enterprises LLC in 2004. Prior to I & S Enterprises, Mr. Moye used his professional business skills to strategically pursue clients in the advertisement and marketing industry. He also attained most of his skills by working on various projects for community service groups, radio stations, authors, comedians, and faith-based organizations. is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Moye holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Communication Systems with a concentration in Graphic Design & Drafting. Mr. Moye co-founded I & S Enterprises LLC in 2004. Mr. Moye is well known for his professionalism and his understanding the skills necessary for sustained success.
Israel Ward is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Ward holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering. He co-founded I & S Enterprises LLC in 2004. Prior to I & S Enterprises, Mr. Ward gained extensive experience in sales and marketing as an Environmental, Mechanical, and Plumbing Design Engineer. He has also been afforded the opportunity to collaborate with many successful business leaders to effectively start and grow programs concerning networking, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Ward utilizes his past experience in project management, design and engineering to contribute to I & S Enterprises’ multi-faceted endeavors. He is proficient in AutoCAD 2000-2009, Architectural Desktop, Microsoft Office, MS Access, MS Project, MS Publisher and Lotus Notes.