Bill Mercer Chairman Onslow County Advisory Board for Brigade Boys and Girls Club.

Willie Bradley is a one of those artists you simply must respect. We met soon after I moved to California. Found out we were both North Carolina boys so that common ground paved the way for a friendship. However the thing that brought our souls together was when we shared our stories of addiction, our struggles and our roads to redemption. This man is my brother and I love him.

Being able to feature Willie in my magazine brings me a true level of joy and satisfaction. So read and enjoy this amazing interview with our Music Editor Gail Jhonson. GAIL: Hello Willie. You have been on the grind, back and forth to Los Angeles, performing and burning up the Billboard charts....tell our readers about yourself, where did you grow up and how you got started on this journey.

WILLIE: Okay. Well, I grew up in Orangeburg South Carolina and I started playing the trumpet in the fifth grade. I continued playing in high school at WilkersonOrangeburg High School, the only High School in my hometown . We had a new band director who’s name was Dwight McMillan and he was the one who introduced me to jazz. GAIL: We do have to be introduced to Jazz. I was talking with a friend of mine Keith Williams drummer. He’s teaching students now and they all know about trap music, but they don't know about jazz. So yes I am right with you on that. So what really got you started in music ?

WILLIE: What really got me started in the music was my dad who had every album that you could name. Me and my siblings had to have our clothes ironed for five days for the next week for school and none of us could go outside. We couldn't turn the TV on to look at cartoons. But we can turn the stereo on, so yeah, we're in the living room acting like we're the Supremes, Dizzy Gillespie and Lena Horne. We were just mimicking all the people we heard on those records. You can name every kind of music and my dad had it. That's where I really fell in love with the trumpet listening to Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker and Miles Davis..

Most people approached December 31, 2019 with the same mix of enthusiasm and wonder that is typically characteristic of the tradition of turning the page on another year. Many around the world celebrated the possibilities of a fresh start with New Years Eve celebrations and resolutions. 2020 was supposed to be ‘that year,’ a year of vision, promise and increase.

The first 25 days of January were relatively uneventful with the exception of renewed interest in gym memberships, dieting and weight loss programs, and then January 26 came. The fatal helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe and Gigi Bryant and 7 others stunned the world. For weeks, the seeming cruelty of this tragedy was overwhelming, and none of us could imagine that 2020 could have gotten any worse. Few saw the approaching storms on the horizon, and yet much of what 2020 has devolved into was inevitable and predictable. Historic tropical storms; catastrophic wildfires; political turmoil; voter suppression; legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act; controversial Supreme Court appointment; and murder hornets were just a few of the forces that destabilized our lives. Environmental abuses, fierce partisan politics and escalating racial and religious tensions fueled by overt racism and intolerance have cast troubling signs on the American landscape for decades.

Also, unseen in January was an unprecedented threat to the health ecosystem. The first cases of a novel Coronavirus named COVID-19, a deadly infection that had already begun to trigger lockdowns in Asian and European nations, was emerging on the west coast and would soon spread rapidly around the nation as it already had been doing around the world. The 1918 flu pandemic was a mere footnote to history for most, and no one could imagine how the disease would ravage our nation and the world’s healthcare systems and economies in such a short and dramatic period of time. More than 230+ thousand people who began the year with us won’t be with us this holiday season, and the virus has changed how we confront illness and death and life, and we still don’t have a vaccine or a national strategy to combat the disease.

The cry for social justice was elevated with the deaths of Ahmaud Arberry and Breonna Taylor, a demand made more profound by the collective voices of a nation and a world that saw the murder of George Floyd under the knee of a police officer over an excruciating period of 8 minutes and 36 seconds. A myriad of people energized by the Black Lives Matter movement conducted numerous protests calling for an end to inequities in law enforcement, the criminal justice system and more. Many say justice delayed is not justice denied, but the general sentiment of this summer of protest was enough is enough as a result of 400+ years of waiting for that justice, not from this or that court case, but from the full acknowledgement of the words professed by the Declaration of Independence, “that all men (and women) are created equal.” The twin pandemics of racism and COVID-19 became the most dominant features of 2020, and both have profoundly altered the course of our history.

We all hope that as we approach the end of 2020, and turn the page toward a new year, that 2021 will be a year of recovery and progress and take us toward a brighter future.

Story by Tony Smith

Let me first say that I have known Mr William " Bill" Mercer nearly my entire life. Growing up in Richlands NC. Childhood friends. Sports team mates. A couple of good ole country boys. I asked him if he would talk about what he is doing now and his work with the Onslow county Boys & Girls Club.

I’ll let Bill tell you the rest.

BILL MERCER

Thank you my friend, for allowing me to tell you why I support The Brigade Boys and Girls Clubs of the New Hanover, Pender and Onslow County region. The reason is quite simple really, we provide love and security for Our Kids, many of whom that could and do, otherwise, take drastically different life paths. Since our founding in Hartford, Connecticut in 1860, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America have provided children and teenagers a place to flourish, under the guidance of caring adults.

Above: The Mercer family

As the saying goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” That old axiom certainly still holds true where elementary age kids on up to teens are concerned and those we support in our Tri County area are no different.

Above: Bill with the kids at the Brigade Boys & Girls Club

In various locations throughout the region, our Program Mentors provide Our Kids with guidance and a place to grow and express themselves in a “semi” controlled environment which includes sports of all kinds, art and crafts, improving computer skills as well as a great nutrition program that includes daily meals. We have summer camps and with the onslaught of the Pandemic, we have been blessed with Partnerships that have provided remote learning to offset the time lost through school closings. Our Kids have benefitted greatly from an ingenious and very flexible staff of 73 people that adapted to these unique times and met these inherent adversities head on, 100% committed to the mission of enhancing the lives of Our Kids of the Brigade! I feel very strongly that there is no downside to helping a child, no matter the circumstances that influences their lives. I am passionate about the opportunity to play a small role in the direction of a young person’s life by supporting a great organization such as The Brigade Boys and Girls Clubs. Our mission is a true blessing and one I intend to advocate for the rest of my days.

So Tony, I guess that answers your question. When you and I were growing up together, we had a small town in which to experience life in a relatively safe and controlled environment. If I can play a role in enhancing the life of a child and give them any semblance of the love in which my community ‘made me,’ count me in. I applaud all that I see you’re doing.

Thanks so much.

II. How have you managed to continue your services through these Covid 19 times ?

AM. Since March 2020 we have gone conference line and we love it. Our folks just dial in, no password needed, and we have our bible studies, our church services, I preach over the conference line and again, we love it. When we finish the conference line we have a cash app where people can tithe or they can mail it or stop by the church. And let me tell you something, the tithing and giving and support has not gone down a bit during the Covid 19 period. We’ve kept our senior citizens in mind during these times as well. We have picked up some people from Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia and throughout North Carolina. So technology has blessed us immensely.

II. What is your advice for anyone aspiring to be a pastor ?

AM. I am glad you asked that question. You don’t wake up one day and say I want to pastor a church. The people that do may find themselves in a mess for lack of a better way to put it. We are called by God, and if you aren’t called by God you will find out real quick. That’s because you're going to have to have God out in front of you cutting down some of those mountains, raising up some of those valleys for you. Turning evil into good and helping your enemies, you will definitely need God. My advice also is to be ready to go where God sends you, be it as a pastor an usher or deacon. Just be ready when He calls.

AM. Ok, that’s it from the church perspective but man let me tell you, growing up in Richlands North Carolina in the 70’s, 71 especially, the people around me that made the biggest difference in my life, one was my mom who was a single parent with five kids. There were times when the sun rose there wasn’t a lot to eat but by the time the sun went down she always found a way to get something. I thought I had seen great leadership in the air force but the best leader I ever saw was my mom. Now of the people outside of my family that had a great impact on me was Mr Charles Smith. Mr Smith started a little league baseball team, Tastee Freeze was the name. Basically, we were just field guys who had never played ball before. We were just little boys living in wood frame houses and playing together but had never done anything organized. That first year we lost all 12 games. But he taught us how to lose graciously and respectfully because he knew one day were going to be winning. We won a few games the second year but that third year we were one of the best teams in the state. In learning how to lose we learned how to win. That’s what you call growing up from humble beginnings. Grateful and blessed indeed.

Mr & Mrs Merritt Anthony and Debbie

Shauna Howard A True Renaissance Woman

When I initially thought of entrepreneurs to feature in Indie Incognito, I thought of those like Shauna Howard. Her Instagram intro says it all... “Opera singer. Latin dancer. Cyclist. Owner of @FierceStitch. Philanthropist. Arts & wellness advocate. Proud African - frustrated American.” That sums up my first impression of Shauna Howard . Over lunch at the Americana in Glendale, CA, we chatted it up like two old friends. I saw Shauna Howard as a free spirited woman who is not held captive by societal norms. She exudes a confidence and self assuredness that seems to have served her well as she has made her own way as an entrepreneur and an artist.

Shauna exudes confidence, artistry and the perfect blend of attitude to command the live stage. She has adopted various visual and performing art forms to spread a global message of arts advocacy, leadership, cultural appreciation, and compassion. She shared with me that she is an advocate for the underdog. Having been in that position herself, managing through the potholes and landmines that invariably exist. Shauna Howard is a singer, a Latin dancer, fiber artisan, the owner of Fierce Stitch, and a fundraiser with the Alzheimer’s Association. She serves as Vice President of Membership with SCORE Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization that fosters the growth of small businesses (including artists) through mentoring & educational workshops,. “I utilized my positive psychology training, recruitment, & leadership to build a diverse roster of volunteers & committee members to mentor Philadelphia’s brightest small business owners.” Shauna also works to raise funds for programs, research, and advocacy at the California Southland chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit organization whose mission is close to her family’s heart.

Looking for a different kind of vacation? It might be time to try “Runcation.”What’s a Runcation? It’s planning a trip around a race or running experience during your vacation. That’s the idea behind “Runcation” a term popularized by bloggers to describe a running vacation. Runcations can be domestic or international destinations. You don’t have to be a marathon runner or even a long-time runner to go on a Runcation. Think of a Runcation as your chance to do that race on your bucket list or just get away with some like-minded runners at a destination.

Let’s get the perspective of a Runcation from marathon runner Lisa Laws, a travel advisor and founder of Reggae Runnerz. She began running at the age of 49 in June of 2012. While watching a segment on the Long Island News 12, a story came on about black women running, featuring a running group called Black Girls Run. Lisa said to herself “I can do that” and as soon as she got home, she googled “Black Girls Run” and joined. Lisa ran her first full marathon December of 2012, at the Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica. She was totally unprepared because of devastation by Hurricane Sandy and thus missed a month of training. Undeterred, Lisa went anyway.

Future Projects

This article is in honor of the late Dawn Calhoun . Nov 5 1967—Jan 5, 2020

Lisa described the experience as euphoric. The 2021 Reggae Marathon will celebrate 21 years of bringing runners together from around the world. The Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K start at Long Beach Park situated along Negril’s famed 7-mile white sand beach. The course loops into the town of Negril, then heads north towards the town of Green Island. The mostly flat course isan IAAF certified marathon, half marathon and 10K course. “ I remember the moment I realized that the running community was unique.” While sitting on the beach with her cousin watching a beautiful sunset, she spoke of how the runners were both competitive and encouraging. They all want you to succeed. Since that race in December 2012 her life has changed forever. The following year she returned to the Reggae Marathon with over 160 runners. The Reggae Runnerz became a brand name in 2014 and the rest is history. Reggae Runnerz are runners from various running groups across the United States who have come together to “RUNWHERE THE SUN MEETS THE SEA” at the Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica. Our Runcation is a vacation, held the first weekend in December, away from the cold. A Reggae Runnerz Runcation experience is like no other-Runnerz and Cheerleaderz catch up with friends from around the world once a year. Runnerz’s Cheerleaderz are non-runners who go out on the course and cheer on fellow runners. Reggae Runnerz Runcation has become an annual event to celebrate the end of the running season.” This is the ninth year for Reggae Runnerz, and registration has grown from 12 to 700 Ru nerz and Cheerleaderz just by word of mouth throughout the running community... and most return year after year. However, COVID-19 has altered the race and it will be virtual this year. LA result, 200 registered Reggae Runnerz decided to follow through with their vacation plans and participate in the virtual marathon form the beautiful island of Negril. Reggae Runnerz are runners from various running groups across the United States who have come together to “RUN WHERE THE SUN MEETS THE SEA” at the Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica. As a combine group, Reggae Runnerz supports Green Island School in Jamaica, with each registrant making a $20 donation. Over the years, Reggae Runnerz has contributed over $62,000 to assist students with the cost of their Exit Exam Fees as well as funding the school’s Track and Field Team’s participation in Penn Relays in Philadelphia. Green Island students have been making great strides, not only excelling academically, but also agriculturally and in athletics. Reggae Runnerz also sponsors athletes from the track and field team to participate in the Reggae Marathon, allowing them to experience the thrill of the Marathon and compete against other high schools from around the area. If adventure is what you’re seeking, you can create your choice of exciting or challenging excursions. Whether you choose to climb the magnificent falls, horseback ride along the pristine Caribbean Sea or get up close and kiss a dolphin...there’s truly something for everyone. Enjoy authentic Jamaican Cuisine while hanging out with the rest of the Reggae Runnerz on the beach, dancing and partying with the hottest DJ in Negril. The 2019 Reggae Runnerz Neon Blast Beach Party featured special guest, Big Daddy Kane. If you are interested in additional information on travel accommodations for the Reggae Runnerz Runication Negril Jamaica Dec 2-6, 2021 visit reggaerunnerz.org

Carla Vault Scott is a regular columnist for Indie Incognito magazine providing her traveling expertise. Contac Kingdom Travel at www.KingdomTravel.biz for your travel needs