ONYX Magazine July/August 2019

Volume 9 – Number 40 JULY/AUGUST 2019

Jamal

Wilson TALKS ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INSPIRING OTHERS AND EXPANDING HIS FOOD HALL BRAND

7 NEW RULES FOR BUSINESS CASUAL

$3.50 onyxmagazine.com

FROM CO-ED TO CEO

STUDENT MAKES MOVES

WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK FROM BEING YOUR OWN BOSS?

BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP ON THE RISE

contents 6

Publisher’s Column

7

ONYX Salutes James Hammond

8

Elevate: Life – the sequel

10

From Co-Ed to CEO: Makeup by Mochaa

12

Five Answers from a Leader: Dr. Cynthia Johnson

13

Entrepreneurship: What’s holding you back from being the boss?

15

Florida Scope

16

Library Series: Mind your bizness

18

Arts & Entertainment: Anthony Alabi

20 Good Read: Getting down to business 23

Business: Are you working On or In your business

24 Farmers Market: youth make food their business 26 Health and Wellness: Food safety 28

Money Matters: Does lack of funds keep blacks out of office?

30 Workplace: Soldiers bring value to the team 32

On the Rise: Gen Z view higher education as vital to startups

34 SAGE: How retiring Baby Boomers affect the job market 35

4 FEATURE

Jamal Wilson: Entrepreneurship, Inspiration, Expansion Photos courtesy of Jamal Wilson

4 ONYX MAGAZINE

Are business incubators right for you?

36 Men’s Fashion: The new business casual 38

Women’s Fashion: How dressing well can help you earn more

40 Jamal Wilson: Entrepreneurship, inspiration, expansion 42 Beyond Florida 44 Your Business: Small business owner or entrepreneur – which are you?

46 On the Quad 48 Travel: Ideas for the family vacation 50 ONYX on the Move 51

Real Estate: Four tips for house buying

52

Black History: Black Wall Street – the race riot that destroyed a legacy

54 Food and Wine

FROM THE PUBLISHER PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Richard “Rich” E. Black MANAGING EDITOR D. Shenell Reed, M.B.A. EXECUTIVE STRATEGIST Lena Graham-Morris EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Maria Barnes

RICHARD “RICH” E. BLACK

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Gayle Andrews Laura Dorsey Sharon Fletcher Jones

JULY/AUGUST 2019 For more than 21 years, we have sought to educate, entertain and inspire our readers. To that end, it is an honor and a privilege to bring to you yet another exciting issue of ONYX Magazine!

In this issue we are featuring, under the new theme Business and Entrepreneurship, a look into America’s food hall explosion and how Jamal Wilson has staked his claim in the space. The first food hall developer in Tampa, Wilson shares in our cover story his interesting perspective on business and giving back. We look at how Generation Z relies on higher education to be better at their craft; and we ask the critical question: are you working ON or IN your business? The answer could the difference between success and failure for entrepreneurs. We also spotlight a FAMU student who has taken on-campus makeovers to a new business level.

As in every issue, we want to bring to your attention the brightest and best of what Florida has to offer.

We encourage and welcome your comments and suggestions. We look forward to continuing to serve not only the African-American population throughout the state, but also those whose contributions and interests positively impact our communities.

As publisher, I personally thank you for continued support of ONYX Magazine and related enterprises.

Enjoy as you delve into this issue!

Sincerely

DESIGN DIRECTOR Jason Jones INTERN Ruelle Fludd BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt deJager CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Eric J. Barron Lisa Beach Quin Brewington Gigi Brooks Brian Butler Marie Brown Denis

Laura Dorsey Jodi Mailander Farrell Ruelle Fludd Connie Hassett-Walker Mark Hillery Curtis Johnson

B. Mills Deidre “Dee” Parker Laura Schneider Kevin Washington, Ph.D. Roniece Weaver

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brion Price Grafi James ONYX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Deidre Parker, Chair Michelle Tatom, Immediate Past Chair Bob Berryhill Dr. Lavon Bracy Bryon Brooks Marva Brown Johnson Hon. Mable Butler Yolanda Cash Jackson Dr. Cynthia Chestnut James Clark

John Crossman Gary Hartfield Tony Hill Alma Horne Rodney Hurst Ann Jenkins Connie Kinnard Larry Lee, Jr.

Brenda March Nancy Port Schwalb Margaret J. Thompson Gail Thomas-DeWitt Hon. Alan Williams Carla Williams Dr. Samuel Wright Lady Dhyana Ziegler

FOUNDERS

Richard “Rich” E. Black

Lester and Lillian Seays ONYX Magazine is published by ONYX Communications and Media Group, Inc., Address: P.O. Box 555672, Orlando, Florida 32855-5872. Phone 321-418-7216. Subscription rate is $19.95 for six issues. For subscriptions and notification of address change, contact ONYX Magazine at the above address or e-mail us at info@onyxmagazine.com. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Copyright 2018 by ONYX Magazine.

All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writer or interviewee and not necessarily those of the publisher. Manuscripts, photos and art should be submitted with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The publisher does not assume responsibility for any materials not submitted in manner advised. Unsolicited materials are not subject to payment from ONYX Magazine.

6 ONYX MAGAZINE

ONYX Magazine Salutes Lt. Col. James Arthur Hammond

T

ampa businessman James Arthur Hammond was born in Tampa on November 11, 1929 to William and Lucille Hammond. He graduated from Middleton High School in 1946 and attended Hampton University in Virginia.

He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1951 and later obtained his Electrical Contractor’s license. After graduation, he established Hammond Electric Company and served as its president. Hammond enlisted in the Army where earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

While at Hampton, Hammond met Evelyne Murrell of Jacksonville. The two married and became the parents of Kevin, Gary and Lisa, who all attended Hampton University.

Hammond served as the first commissioner of Community Relations for the City of Tampa. He and others formed the “White Hats” who helped quell violence during the 1967 riots—the group received national recognition. With the help of United States Congressman Sam Gibbons, Hammond obtained a $500,000 federal grant to start the first Preschool Program in Hillsborough County. Compensatory Pre-Primary Education (COPE) was the largest preschool program in the United States and started two years before the Head Start Program. He also launched a customer service training program with GTE (now Verizon) to integrate the City of Tampa Fire Department training program for African Americans and Hispanics.

Hammond started Impact Communications and served as its chief operating officer. Impact became one of the largest black-owned television cable construction firms in the U.S. with close to 125 employees. In 1986, he started the Tampa

Hillsborough Action Plan, serving as the president, chairman and on the board of directors. Still thriving, THAP has become the go to for small business gatherings, community meetings and special events. It is occupied by more than 30 businesses.

Hammond worked with at-risk students while focusing on character, development and money management. He always encouraged students to complete their education and shared his “Three Ps Philosophy: Patience, Persistence and Positive Mental Attitude.” He encouraged students to repeat the inspirational words, “I am somebody.” He and his late wife, Evelyne, established the James and Evelyne Hammond Endowed Scholarship Fund which has helped numerous students with their tuition at their alma mater Hampton University.

Hammond served as a chairman of the Civil Service Board, district chairman of Boy Scouts of America, member of the Greater Tampa Urban League Board of Directors, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Community Federal Savings and Loan Association. He is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and the NAACP. He was listed in Who’s Who Among Black Americans and Prominent People in Florida and the United States.

Mr. Hammond served as commissioner of the Unemployment Appeals Commission, having been appointed by Governors Rubin Askew, Bob Martinez, Lawton Chiles and Jeb Bush. As a testament to his history of promoting education and race relations in Tampa, the Hillsborough County School Board named the James A. Hammond Elementary School in 2007.

United States Congressman Alcee Hastings proclaimed May 4 as National James A. Hammond Day.

ONYX MAGAZINE 7

ELEVATE

Life: The Sequel Don’t get caught up in the drama

By Kevin Washington, Ph.D.

tion as did the original movie because in part to the would-be patrons the outcome is known.

Life is the same in many ways. The more we face challenges, the stronger and the wiser we become thus yielding a predictable outcome of victory when faced with a new challenge. Sure, there may be a moment of weakness and temporary lapse in memory about our true power, however, we know that we can overcome our fear by saying, “I have seen this enemy before and I know that I will defeat it.”

It may take more effort and a deepening of the wisdom learned earlier however one must know that they will come out on top.

New events draw out emotions like new movies draw people. We must remember

Kevin Washington, Ph.D., is an academician and head of the Psychology Department at Grambling State University in Baton Rouge, La.

8 ONYX MAGAZINE

to treat the event like an old movie that we now the outcome and therefore not become overly emotional about the situation and loose site of the fact that we have everything that we need to succeed. There is no excuse for us not to produce. Treating events like old news allows us to draw upon our past strengths, to overcome adversity so that we may live an abundant life.

The transformational experience is designed to strengthen us so that we can live life with unlimited wealth and prosperity. The challenging event brings out the best in us like fire brings out the best in gold. Never let your fears interfere with your success in life. So, when a challenge occurs that appears to be new you can say, “This is only a sequel!”

Adobe Stock

L

ife is like a movie or good book.

The characters go through a series of experiences that transform their lives. In the beginning, life is good and things are going well. Then the life-transforming event takes place. It is during this event that profound growth occurs for the main character. Following the transformational event, there is another period of calm. If the story line continues then there would be another event to disrupt this calm period. Such is the case with sequels.

A sequel is defined as a literary or filmic work that continues the narrative of a preceding work. The one phenomenal thing about the sequel is that the main character has gained some much-needed insight, wisdom and understanding resulting from the initial challenging event. This has all brought about profound growth within the main character. In the sequel, a new event happens in a different location and may even appear to be more intense than the earlier challenge, but usually the main character has become empowered by the previous encounter and is thus able to rise above the challenge.

It is rare to have a sequel to the sequel because of their predictable nature. It becomes known that the main character is going to be victorious, but it is just not known exactly how they are going to pull it off. The audience knows that the challenges of the previous struggles have given the character added strength and intelligence. Knowing the outcome decreases one’s interest in attending the movie or reading the book of a sequel. The initial movie is released, and people impulsively show up to the movie. However, sequels often do not get that same type of atten-

NEW BUSINESS

From Co-ed to CEO FAMU Student Launches MakeUp by Mochaa

By Ruelle Fludd

E

rykah Clarke beautifies the campus of Florida A&M University (FAMU) one face at a time. Clarke is the owner of her very own one-woman business, MakeUp by Mochaa and a self-sufficient full-time health care management student.

According to a study held by the American Express OPEN “The State of Women-Owned Businesses 2017,” female entrepreneurship is rising and women of color as business owners has grown by 467 percent from 1997 to 2017. Yet, this study and those similar tend to not account for women pursuing their undergraduate degree as well.

The originality, dedication and passion Clarke gives MakeUp

by Mochaa is the concrete proof that these statistics, just like her business, are only going up from here.

April 24, 2017, marks the first day that the Miami native started her Instagram page for her beauty business and started accepting new clients during the spring semester of her freshman year at FAMU. Clarke recalls her first clients were the incoming freshman

10 ONYX MAGAZINE

of Fall 2017 running for campus positions and pageants.

Word of mouth, recommendations and social media tags made Clarke’s popularity soar during Homecoming 2017 while she and close friends promoted her artistry on social media.

“I made the most money I’ve ever made doing makeup. At that moment, I knew, yes, I can really do this,” Clarke said. “I went from doing makeup only on weekends when there were parties and stuff, to doing makeup every day.”

Luckily enough for Clarke, she has the support of her close friends to help with boosting her social media presence. Doney Eden, 23, has known Clarke since 2012 and witnessed her growth as a woman and a makeup artist. Eden recalls Clarke’s interest in cosmetology in high school and boasts that his best friend did the face of Miss FAMU 2017-2018 as a freshman.

Eden said, “I remember when she was doing faces for $12.”

Clarke can charge enough to pay her own bills, offer product specials and invest in new products.

Photo provided by Clarke

Makeup by Mochaa table at Florida A&M University

Eden has also been in Clarke’s chair as the model for a unique service of male makeup offered on the MakeUp by Mochaa Instagram page. Clarke is a YouTube fanatic and decided to try her hand at male makeup on Eden.

“I felt like that was the perfect opportunity. That post was the biggest post on my page. That post blew up and everybody was loving it,” Clarke said.

Traykevia Gibbs, 21, is one of Clarke’s best friends and can recall when MakeUp by Mochaa started out of Clarke’s dorm room on FAMU’s campus.

“Within the last year and a half or two years, she was really promoting big on Instagram,” Gibbs said.

Since then, Clarke’s page has a reach of more than 1,300 followers and features all types of clients, specials and products under the handle makeupby.mochaa. Clarke credits part of her success to the power of social media but running and working a business isn’t as easy as promoting posts on Instagram.

Through the struggles of being a business owner and a student, including time management conflicts, money issues and self-doubt, Clarke said that her biggest challenge has been a personal one.

“Getting people to understand that this is a business and business doesn’t run on friendships and family… Why do they feel like they have to come to me and expect something for free or at a discounted rate? Everybody has a goal in life; everybody has bills,” she said.

In moments of self-doubt, Clarke turns to friends and her godmother, Elizabeth Garcia, for encouragement and reassurance. Garcia has known Clarke for 16 years when Clarke was in kindergarten.

“I took her on like she was my own child,” said Garcia.

Garcia, owner of Elizabeth’s Secret Beauty Bar, an image consultant and a former educator, was named Ms. Corporate America 2018,. She is a mentor and role model for Clarke who is about her business. Garcia makes sure that Clarke is thinking about what’s next for MakeUp by Mochaa in relation to Clarke’s clients, tech-

niques and beauty products—all while staying on top of Clarke’s schoolwork and encourages Clarke to take business-related classes that will expand the corporate side of MakeUp by Mochaa.

Garcia advised, “Keep setting bigger goals.” “I’ve always encouraged her to go to school. You need that piece of paper to show people that you’re more than just a makeup artist—you have brains,” Garcia said.

Encouragement from Garcia and her close friends allowed Clarke to grow as a young professional while thriving as a student.

Yet, something beyond consistency, encouragement and time management makes Clarke’s business different from the competition in Miami and on FAMU’s campus.

A former client from Miami, Tremia King, met Clarke in 2016 to get her makeup done. She can recall Clarke’s memorable personality still to this day.

“She’s very professional, she’s very courteous, she loves her work,” King said. “We’re in Miami, there are makeup artists everywhere. I can just go to anybody, but you want to go to her.

You get a more personal feel.”

“That’s what you want when you’re trusting someone with your face. At the end of the day, she becomes that friend. That genuine friend,” King added.

While Clarke has faced challenges running her business, she has found success in doing what she loves. MakeUp by Mochaa has expanded to selling five different types of false eyelashes of varying styles that can fit anyone’s look. Clarke has even started her own YouTube channel with the help of Gibbs to boost her popularity.

Clarke offers solid advice to any student considering running their own business.

“Consistency is the key. Treat everyone the same. Do new things that stand out from the rest of the people who are in the same industry as you because everyone is doing the same thing but what are you doing that’s different that will make people gravitate towardyou? Be yourself, don’t let the money make you,” Clarke said.

For more information on prices and products, visit Clarke’s Instagram page: @makeupby.mochaa

Clarke’s table at the weekly Set Friday event at Florida A&M University.

Ruelle Fludd is a fourth-year broadcast journalism student at the Florida A&M University School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

ONYX MAGAZINE 11

LEADERSHIP

Cynthia Johnson, Ed.D.

Five Answers From a Leader

C

ynthia Johnson, Ed.D., is inspired to help Florida enterprise be the best it can be. She does this by helping small business owners take an idea and shape it into something that impacts communities across the state. More than 19 years ago, Johnson was recruited by the county administrator to create an inclusive economic development initiative for the Pinellas County government. She integrated business and education into economic vitality, and the programs have steadily grown to help entrepreneurs realize their dreams. The center director at FSBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development lives by an inspirational quote: “I am blessed to be a blessing to someone else.” The entrepreneurs she counsels are better for it.

1. What is your daily inspiration and how does it impact how you lead others? I wake up every day and give God thanks for blessing me one more day to say good morning. And with that blessing, every day I am inspired to be a blessing to someone else. This impacts my leadership by reminding me to be: Patient – showing self-control and willingness to learn; Kind—giving attention, appreciation and encouragement to others; Respectful – treating others as important people—this goes beyond the golden rule—I live by the platinum rule and treat other as they want to be treated. And I always show Humility.

2. What is the single most important decision you have made for your business to date and how has it shaped your 12 ONYX MAGAZINE

business? The single most important decision I’ve made in doing the business of cultivating and growing entrepreneurs in Pinellas County is to present myself in an authentic manner—being authentic without pretense or arrogance. I found this allows me to create meaningful relevant relationships and allows me to deal better with others.

3. How do you keep your team aligned with your business goals? I am a great listener. I believe that good leaders never stop learning and learning begins with listening. From listening, we can clearly established a uniformed understanding of the goals. In return, my team gets clarity, adjust, offer strategy and have more buy-in in obtaining the goals.

4. What is the most important pitfall leaders should avoid and how? An important pitfall leaders should avoid is over promising and under delivering. People will whisper your successes and shout your failures. By not being realistic about your capability, it is difficult to produce your best product. Be honest about your capability and customers will trust you and work with you if your product is good. I believe in services and products of excellence.

And excellence requires realistic perspective.

5. What words of inspiration do you have for new business leaders/entrepreneurs? Always remember… believe that you can, believe that you deserve it and let your actions reflect those beliefs.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Want to Be the Boss?

What’s Holding You Back?

By B. Mills

Photos courtesy of Frantz Benjamin

I

t’s the first question everyone asks: where do I start?

Well, if you want to be an entrepreneur but you wonder what’s been holding you back, here is the perfect place to start: the mirror.

Everything your life is today is a direct result of what’s been going on between in your brain. Henry Ford said it well, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Here are some things you need to consider before making the move toward entrepreneurship.

Change Your Mindset - How you think, determines outcomes. Accept this and you’re on your way to being not just any entrepreneur, but a successful entrepreneur.

Overcome Fear - We all have it - and for good reason. Sometimes fear saves your life. Long ago, fear served us well when we heard the growl of a hungry tiger. And unfortunately for many would-be entrepreneurs today, the fear they feel is equivalent to hearing that tiger - even though it’s not a life-threatening situation. So instead of moving forward, they end up frozen with fear. Realize this to overcome any fear: the absolute worst thing that can happen is that you fail. Big deal. Get up, dust yourself off and go at it again.

Weigh the Gains - The safe route is the 9-to5 job. The fact is people get fired from “secure” jobs every day. Why not weigh the gain of living the life of your dreams using your new-found mindset of knowing you can succeed?

Here are the other gains of entering entrepreneurial waters: Freedom - the positives include the freedom to set your own hours, leave the office when you want, and vacation on a whim. You not only have 100 percent con-

Making Money Moves FB Collections LLC ( Frantz Benjamin Collections) is a proud black-owned shoe brand serving every culture. We design high fashion shoes for men and women. Visit www.fbcollectionsllc.com and Facebook and Instagram.

trol of your schedule, but also freedom from the negatives of normal jobs: dealing with boneheads, having to show up at a certain time every day, sitting in pointless meetings.

Control - You and you alone sit in front of the control panel of your business. You decide what products or services to offer.

You choose your ideal customer. In short, you control every aspect of your business instead of someone else telling what to do.

Unlimited Income - No one will tell you your salary. You and your new mindset get to create your income. The sky truly is the limit. Just be sure not to set your goal too low and settle for good, when great is achievable. Business guru Jim Collins said it best: “Good is the enemy of great.”

Work/Life Balance - The blessing of not working for someone else. You don’t have to submit a time-off request or wonder if you have accumulated time-off to take a vacation.

“You can’t teach hunger. You either have it or you don’t.” – B. Mills

If you are interested in advertising your entrepreneurial venture in Making Money Moves, please contact ONYX Magazine at info@onyxmagazine.com.

ONYX MAGAZINE 13

Scope FLORIDA

New Dean Arrives at Stetson Law School Professor Michèle Alexandre, J.D., a leading civil rights scholar, administrator and trailblazer, has been selected as the next dean of the College of Law at Stetson University.

Alexandre takes over for Professor Kristen Adams, who has served as the interim dean.

Alexandre, chosen following an extensive nationwide search, becomes the College of Law’s first African-American dean. She begins her new role on June 17. “Dean Alexandre brings an extraordinary wealth of vision and expertise to this position,” said Stetson Executive Vice President and Provost Noel Painter, Ph.D., who announced the appointment.

“Her work in civil rights and gender equity fit hand in glove with Stetson Law’s emphasis on social justice and global citizenship, and our ongoing work for veterans, the elderly and the environment.” Alexandre arrives at Stetson from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where she was the associate dean for Faculty Development and Intellectual Life, as well as a professor of law and the Leonard B. Melvin Jr. Lecturer. Her areas of scholarly work include constitutional, international, civil rights, gender and disability law; critical race theory; and human rights. She joined the University of Mississippi in 2008 as an associate professor. Stetson University Today

Miami courtesy of Ryan Parker on Unsplash

Florida Cities Among the Best in America Best Cities recently announced the top large cities in America (with populations of one million or more); and four Florida cities were in the top 50. Miami tops the Florida list at No. 8, followed by Orlando, 14; Tampa, 23; and Jacksonville, 39. According to Best Cities, the ranking evaluates each qualifying city across the six pillars of place equity: Place, the perceived quality of a city’s natural and built environment; Product, a city’s key institutions, attractions and infrastructure; Programming, the arts, culture, entertainment and culinary scene in a city; People, the immigration rate and diversity of a city; Prosperity, a city’s employment and corporate head offices; and Promotion, the quantity of stories, references and recommendations shared online about a city . For more information, visit www.bestcities.org.

The Nation Mourns Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr. The Florida A&M University (FAMU) community mourns the loss of distinguished alumnus and world-renowned oncologist Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr. Dr. Leffall died Saturday, May 25, 2019, in Washington, D.C. He was 89. “We send our sincere condolences to the Leffall family on the passing of Dr. Leffall,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “Over the years, countless Rattlers have been inspired by his professional accomplishments and unselfish service to others. His name and legend will be enshrined forever in the annals of Florida A&M University.” He was born May 22, 1930 on the campus of what was then the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College (FAMC). His father, LaSalle D. Leffall, Sr., taught agriculture at the Tallahassee campus.

His mother, Martha Leffall, received her elementary education degree from FAMC in 1946. Dr. Leffall, who was raised in Quincy, Fla., completed high school at age 15 and graduated FAMC summa cum laude three years later in 1948. He was just 18. He then entered Howard University College of Medicine, from which he graduated at the top of his class in 1952. A decade later, he joined the faculty as an assistant professor. He later became chairman of the surgery department and was named the Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery in 1992. Dr. Leffall was the first African American to serve as national president of the American Cancer Society. FAMU News ONYX MAGAZINE 15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ANTHONY

ALABI – ANSWERING THE CALL OF

ACTING

By Gigi Brooks

Y

ou probably recognize him from the HBO series “Insecure,” Amazon’s “Bosch,” or maybe “NCIS,” “Modern Family,” or even “The Mick,” and many others. Yes. It is actor Anthony Alabi, former footballer (Miami Dolphins/Kansas City Chiefs). I had the pleasure of talking with Anthony to discuss his role in the upcoming Netflix comedy series, “Family Reunion” starring Loretta Devine, Richard Roundtree, and Tia Mowry scheduled to release in July.

Gigi: What made you decide to become an actor after playing professional football?

Anthony A.: For me, I was always an actor, that’s all I really wanted to do. The problem is when you’re six foot six and three hundred and sixty pounds and you grew up in Texas, you play football. It’s religious.

I made sure that football helped me get to acting, and not necessarily the way most people think—like ‘oh, you’re going to use whatever fame you have from football to get into acting.’ It was more of, I made sure I was financially secure enough to start at the bottom as an actor and work my way up, and not worry about getting an audition or I won’t be able to pay the rent.

It was more of a thing of being stable enough to be able to focus on the acting part of it, and not have all Gigi Brooks is a writer and radio personality.

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of the distractions that would take away from that. Acting came first for me and football was something that helped me get there.

The acting bug started early for me. My dad is Nigerian, my mother is Puerto Rican, so they were both foreigners. My dad’s love for movies transferred to me, especially because every Sunday as a kid we’d go at 11 a.m. and leave at 9:30 p.m. We’d go from movie to movie and I wanted to be every single thing that I saw.

I wanted to be a ninja or a cowboy or whatever it was, and at the end of the day my dad laughed and said if you want to be all of these things you should be an actor. I was like, “what’s that?” from that moment on, that’s all I wanted to do.

When I retired from the NFL in 2010, I moved out to California. I think the big misconception of professionals who move from one profession to another is they don’t want to start at the bottom. They want credit for what they’ve done in another industry. For me, I didn’t want to come in with this attitude of deserving that ‘I am a professional football player why wouldn’t I get this part?’ I didn’t want to disrespect the craft. I made sure I did it the right way; that’s why I took a three-year program. I started from the bottom and learned everything I could.

Gigi: You’ve been on some really great television shows. What is it about your acting that you feel is an asset this time around?

Anthony A.: I wanted to show a big guy like me could be more than the butt of a joke.

There is a timing and intelligence to be able to cultivate a joke and make people laugh in more ways than one. I think that is something that’s special. There are not a lot of people who can do that. I think that’s what we aimed for and what we wanted.

Anthony A.: Loretta Devine plays my mother, and Richard Roundtree plays my dad. Loretta is a legend, and I was really excited to work with her. You always want to go as far as you can and push yourself to be the best version of yourself. As soon as I heard it was Loretta, I was like I really, really want to work with her, because I just want to see what that level of professionalism in this industry looks like.

Gigi: Do you have any advice for struggling actors?

Anthony A.: The first thing anyone should do is make sure you have the right mindset. I think a lot of times people, whether they have a bad audition or something bad goes on, immediately they go to this place of ‘I don’t know if this is right for me, or this director doesn’t like me,’ and on and on. The thing about excuses is they are always valid, excuses are always one hundred percent valid, now it’s your choice whether to indulge in them or not. I think that’s the biggest thing.

Young actors need to say, ‘OK, that audition didn’t go well, what can I learn from that? Let me move forward.’ In your mind, you need to understand that you’re an actor and that’s it. You’re not an actor who’s acting right now, but if it doesn’t work out in three years then I will do something else. If you can do something else, you should do that—that’s what you’ll be happier doing, because acting is something that’s more of a calling. You have to have the mindset that if you’re going to do it, then you’re going to do it, and you’re not going to stop doing it. You have to love acting. A lot of people love being an actor, but not acting. Loretta taught me that. You have to love it!

Gigi: This new Netflix series sounds exciting working with Loretta Devine and Richard Roundtree. What was that like?

ONYX MAGAZINE 19

GOOD READ

Getting Down To Business

By Marie Brown Denis

T

o endeavor as an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. According to the literature, one may not have the success they want if they enter into the business world, or attempt to own their own business, without first assessment of their goals. It also appears that for most entrepreneurs, writing about the struggles to become a business owner can be just as gratifying as actually starting your own business.

African-American Entrepreneurs: Success and Struggles of Entrepreneurs of Color in America

Build Your Own Way Taisha Crayton Taisha Crayton’s book “Build Your Own Way” tells her personal story of trials, challenges and revelations that have taken her through life.

She provides a peak into her past to encourage the reader to overcome their circumstances in order to forge their own success. She writes “Life is not without options. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

By Michelle Ingram Spain and J. Mark Munos In the book, “African-American Entrepreneurs: Success and Struggles of Entrepreneurs of Color in America” (2018 Michelle Ingram Spain and J. Mark Munos) the authors indicate that “one way to try to embrace the various facts and assumptions that drive the AfricanAmerican businessmen’s experience is to write about the owners’ shared experiences and viewpoints.” Rankin’s words feel like fresh cuts into an open wound.

The Entrepreneur’s Guide and Workbook for Mindful Happy and Intentional Living

By Anna Foster Much of the material about African-American entrepreneurial development focused on the personal journey and mental strength required to be successful at any business endeavor. Anna Foster, the founder and CEO of A Maven’s World Lifestyle Brand has offered her take on the road to success in her book “The Entrepreneur’s Guide and Workbook for Mindful Happy and Intentional Living.” She says the guide is for “the entrepreneur who is no longer okay with living a busy, rushed life.” Her newly released guide and helpful workbook are offered in a downloadable format which should be particularly appealing to the on-the-go entrepreneur who is thirsty for knowledge and eager to grow a better business. The book is also relatively short. The workbook pages are ideal for the starting entrepreneur, as well as the reflective existing business-person.

Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires Dennis Kimbro Foster’s work is similar to the instructional book written by Dennis Kimbro entitled, “Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires” which features the “seven laws of wealth” and “the nine disciplines of Black millionaires.” Kimbro includes a short list of familiar, and some not so well known African-American millionaires who offered insight into their process of thought and action toward success. Although released in 2013, the 325 pages include highly informative and timely information—knowledge, which is the first law of wealth according to the book. To learn the other six laws of wealth you must get your hands on this book. Kimbro quotes W.E.B. Dubois as saying, “to whom you give your money, you give your power.”

Patricia Brown Denis is a writer and educator in Tampa.

20 ONYX MAGAZINE

For Your Reading Pleasure Joy Comes in the Morning

By Lucinda Askew “Joy Comes in the Morning” is a riveting novel that takes place in upper New York about a young lady’s hardship through life which she considers her black magic curse. Between love affairs and her dysfunctional family that hate made her more conscientious to become a success no matter what it took and she made sure that all of her siblings exceeded in life as well. The book starts with her being in labor in the delivery room and having serious complications. She then begins to reminisce on her life and no matter how many times something good happened something bad always came about to ruin it. At the end of the day, when Tracey learns to forgive and forget she’s blessed with a love that most women only dream about.

One Big Heart

By Linsey Davis Linsey Davis, Emmy-winning correspondent for ABC News and author of “The World Is Awake,” brings us “One Big Heart, A Celebration of Being More Alike than Different,” a beautiful picture book that celebrates diversity as well as the things we all have in common. From skin, hair, and eyes in a multitude of colors to different personalities and interests, God gave us all special traits and characteristics that make us uniquely ourselves. And we all have things in common too: like sharing fun and laughter on the playground, a sense of curiosity, big feelings, and so many other things that show how we are all more alike than we are different. Combining lyrical rhymes and Lucy Fleming’s whimsical art, this inspiring story of inclusion and connection is the perfect read-aloud for kids ages 4 – 8.

Florida Feature God’s Promise

By MW Harris “Mommy, did I grow in your belly?” That was the question Tampa lawyer and author, Monica Harris had been waiting for her 3-year-old son to ask. “No. You grew in my heart,” she replied. The answer seemed to satisfy the inquisitive child for the moment. However, Harris knew she’d have to give more details later. But how would she explain to her son that she and her husband prayed to God for a baby and he was their gift? That is when she began writing “God’s Promise,” a new children’s book that parents can use to explain adoption to their kids.

“I want him to understand that just because I didn’t give birth to him, doesn’t mean that we love him any less,” says 43-year-old Harris. “He is adopted and that means he is extra special to us. We asked God to give us a beautiful, healthy child and he was our blessing,” she adds.

The 38-page book shares how 5-year-old Isaac, the main character, learns about his birth and how he came to have his mom, dad, sisters and extended family.

The book’s title, “God’s Promise,” was sparked by the prayer Harris and her husband recited during their quest to have a child. After a failed IVF treatment, Harris’ husband reminded her of her prayer. “You asked God to be a mother, not to be pregnant.” Those words inspired her to begin looking at motherhood differently and lead them to the path of adoption. Once she began doing research, Harris realized there is a huge need for African-American children to be adopted. It is hard for many agencies to place Black children, especially boys.

“We knew adoption was the right choice for us when I saw how many African-American children need to be adopted,” explains Harris. “Adoption ended up being perfect for us. I am hoping this book not only helps children understand adoption, but encourages other couples, especially African-American couples, to consider giving a child their forever home,” she says.

ONYX MAGAZINE 21

BUSINESS

Are You Working On or In Your Business?

By Curtis Johnson, Jr.

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ntrepreneurs, Quick question: Are You Working ON or Working IN Your Business? The answer to the question addresses the true meaning of success as an entrepreneur. It does not matter if you have a stellar business plan, fantastic website, thousands of followers, or thousands of Likes. The true essence of your success comes down to the question: Are you working ON or IN your business?

In this article, I hope that you will find the answer to the question and, more importantly, information that will help guide your entrepreneur path.

Each year, thousands of ambitious entrepreneurs start new businesses with the hope of making it big and being successful.

However, the one thing not emphasized or shared by fellow entrepreneurs is the process in which they became successful.

One reason: what worked for them might not work for you. So, they are hesitant to provide what might be inappropriate advice. Another reason is that few people want to talk about their pain, troubles and frustrations; and they couch conversations about becoming a successful entrepreneur.

The good news is it doesn’t matter if you are just beginning or are in the middle of your entrepreneur pursuits; it’s important that you understand the nuances of the question asked above. Understanding the

question can literally mean the success or failure of your business.

As you seek to understand the difference of working on your business versus working in your business, you might come face to face with fear and doubt because working on your business is hard, and uncomfortable. After all, who likes to be told no or given the run around? This is often the case when you work on your business. The revealing aspect of your not working on your business will often manifest as slow or stagnant business deals; or leads for future potential business dwindle. It is simply because you did not work on your business two to three months before.

As you work on your business, make sure you dedicate ample time to focus solely on working on your business. The old 80/20 rule is a great benchmark when it comes to time spent working on your business. Eighty percent of your time should be spent on filling your opportunity funnel with leads, prospects and referrals. When you begin to work on your business, you begin to truly understand that time is money and the more time you spend working on your business, the more money you will generate in your business.

Critical information about business development processes will also be answered— how many business development efforts

did I make today? How many phone calls did I make? How many appointments did I book? How many emails did I send that resulted in a proposal submitted and/or accepted? How many referrals did I request from current clients, prospects or business partners? How many new prospects did I add to my sales funnel to begin the process of KLT communication (Know, Like, Trust)? Entrepreneurs must track analyze these business development questions on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

Once this aspect of business development is completed, the entrepreneur will have a better understanding of what it takes to land a new client and monetize that opportunity.

Contrary to the previous point, many entrepreneurs find safe haven by conducting and doing things in their business as opposed to working on their business.

After all, it is easier to show a check list of the things completed like: developing a presentation, updating your website, posting to social media, doing research about topics, or just plain busy task work. Don’t get me wrong, these are important tasks that must be done but, only 20 percent of your time should be focused on these tasks. In the end you feel good about your accomplishments, but the cash register remains bare because the work of working on your business has been avoided.

Fellow entrepreneurs, there will always be something that you can do in your business but the real question that you must ask yourself is did I work on my business today?

Put another way, did I add any new prospects to my sales development funnel that will derive business tomorrow? Successful entrepreneurs will find a balance between, working on the business and working in the business. If it is the latter, it is not too late to take corrective actions and begin to realize your entrepreneurial dreams.

Curtis Johnson, Jr., is the Founder and CEO of The CUVEY Group, a human resource and marketing strategy consulting organization that helps clients accelerate their performance to meet the needs of dynamic work environments.

ONYX MAGAZINE 23

COMMUNITY

Farmers Market

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ineteen-year-old Richard Stewart isn’t sleeping in on a Saturday morning. He’s busy prepping for his neighborhood’s weekly farmers market.

Before the market opens, he’s handing out flyers in the community, talking with residents and encouraging them to come. At the market, Stewart helps vendors with setting up tables or carrying boxes of produce. If an event is taking place that day, he might be putting up tents, posting signs, and welcoming guests. Often, Stewart staffs one of the stands selling fresh tomatoes, zucchini, and other produce.

Stewart is a lifelong resident of Parramore, a historically African American neighborhood in Orlando, Florida, where residents trek three miles to find the closest grocery store. Because the community’s 6,000 residents lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables, the neighborhood was labeled a food desert in a University of Central Florida study.

In Parramore, Orlando’s highest-poverty neighborhood, the median household income is just $15,493, compared to $42,418 in Orlando. The unemployment rate hovers around 23 percent.

And according to a survey published in Orlando Sentinel, “more than 85 percent of the families had run out of money for bills or food before the end of the month.” In 2015, the city council approved a revitalization plan to transform Parramore, in part focusing on promoting access to healthy food.

That’s why last year the city of Orlando (largely through its Green Works Orlando sustainability program) kicked off Par24 ONYX MAGAZINE

Black Bee Honey team

ramore Farmers Market in an area just outside Orlando City Stadium, owing to grants from the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program and Orlando Health hospital. The problem?

Despite the need for fresh produce in Parramore, the market came to an abrupt halt midsummer due to the intense Florida heat and lack of covered spaces outside the soccer stadium. Plus, it lacked adequate parking.

Summer crops are limited due to the intense subtropical Florida heat. With the state’s soaring summer temperatures and slow growing season, the market went on hiatus. It not only needed cooler weather and some shade; it needed a total reboot.

“We listened to the community and their needs,” explained Jemmy Barrera, the market’s newly hired coordinator. “Now there’s a lot more room for us to grow and to give the community more of what they might like.”

Based on community feedback, the Parramore Farmers Market got a makeover. For starters, it moved across the street to the spacious (and shaded) parking lot of the Orange County Health Department, with ample free parking and plenty of picnic tables.

Held every Saturday morning—now year-round, thanks to plentiful oak trees—the market provides Parramore with sorely needed access to local, fresh produce.

But what makes the Parramore Farmers Market unique is that it’s a neighborhood farmers market run by youths. It taps several teens, including Stewart, from Parramore Kidz Zone, a program launched by Mayor Buddy Dyer in 2006 and sponsored by the

Photo by Itziar Aio

By Lisa Beach

Photo by Itziar Aio

What makes the Parramore FarmersMarket unique is that it’s a neighborhood farmers market run by youths. city of Orlando. In order to decrease Parramore’s juvenile crime, teen births, and high school dropout rates, Kidz Zone is investing in “cradle to career” initiatives: quality early-childhood education, after-school programs, health and wellness programs, youth development programs for teenagers, mentoring, and college-access assistance.

And it’s working. From 2006 to 2015, juvenile arrests in Parramore dropped 61 percent and teen births declined 56 percent, according to a 2016 Florida Health Care Coalition evaluation report. And a case study conducted by Center for Promise shows, among other improvements, that “the graduation rate at Jones High School (where roughly half of Parramore youth attend) has increased by 26 percentage points since the early years of [Kidz Zone].”

During market hours, the teens sell produce, handle money, track inventory, talk with customers, manage vendor relations, and troubleshoot problems.

Kidz Zone invests in a variety of efforts aimed at younger kids, but it also offers youth development programs for teens and includes a curriculum that teaches business skills such as marketing and budgeting.

“They’re learning everything from time management to the logistics of running a farmers market to how to make a profit,” said Barrera, noting that the relaunched market is only a month old. “As the farmers market succeeds, and with more training and workshops, the students can expand on what they’ve learned and get more creative.”

The students are also navigating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and how customers can now buy fresh foods at the market using those benefits. Florida offers Fresh Access Bucks for SNAP-eligible individuals, allowing shoppers to buy twice as many fruits and vegetables because the market doubles their purchasing power.

During market hours, the teens sell produce, handle money, track inventory, talk with customers, manage vendor relations, and troubleshoot problems. Beyond the market’s operating hours, they handle vendor recruiting, marketing, and community outreach.

While that’s a lot of responsibility for the teens, running the market is the easiest part, said Richard Stewart, now a Valencia College student majoring in sound and music production.

“My son puts a lot of energy into his work,” said his mom, Tiffany. “I see him making more of himself by doing this work. He’s been making videos [his passion] and is more involved in the community.”

“Our goal is to get the community involved in market—not just get produce, but get resources.”

Stewart enjoys seeing new faces at the market and loves its friendly vibe, he said, although the challenges are getting people to show up at the market.

Reginald Burroughs, Orlando’s youth employment coordinator for Families, Parks and Recreation, echoed Stewart’s sentiment, acknowledging that the market’s biggest struggle is getting community residents to attend the market consistently. “We’re working to educate and change the mindset of a community that has been living in a food desert for a while,” Burroughs noted. “It’s no secret that habits are hard to break.”

While building a solid customer and vendor base takes time, the market does boast a special relationship with one vendor, Black Bee Honey. Run by 30 students from Kidz Zone, the nonprofit startup business was featured on Steve Harvey’s TV show last year. Besides selling honey at the farmers market, Black Bee partners with local restaurants and sells its products online as well.

What’s the future of Parramore Farmers Market? To become a one-stop shop for the community. With the expanded outdoor space and access to indoor space at the Department of Health, Barrera aims to have food trucks, cooking classes, and educational workshops. Plus, the collaborative effort allows for health care services such as mammograms, HIV testing, and immunizations.

“Our goal is to get the community involved in market—not just get produce, but get resources,” Burroughs said.

Barrera hopes the market affords opportunities to people who might not be able to sell their goods in other markets, and wants to work with partners outside of Parramore. Explained Barrera, “We’re dreaming big with this.”

Lisa Beach wrote this article for YES! Magazine. Lisa is a freelance journalist and copywriter.

ONYX MAGAZINE 25

HEALTH & WELLNESS

E. coli and Food Safety

By Roniece Weaver

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Two types of E. coli that cause diarrheal illness diagnosed in the United States are Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).

STEC are a group of E. coli that produce Shiga toxin. This toxin causes people to have diarrhea, which can be bloody. When you hear reports about outbreaks of E. coli infections in the United States, they’re usually talking about a type called STEC O157.

ETEC are the leading cause of traveler’s diarrhea and a major cause of diarrhea around the world, especially among children.

Who is more likely to get an E. coli infection?

Anyone can get sick from harmful E. coli, but some people have an increased chance of infection. These people are: • Children younger than 5 years of age • Adults aged 65 and older • People with weakened immune systems, including pregnant women • People who travel to certain countries

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ummer time is filled with opportunities to grill outside on your patio or summer kitchen. However and unfortunately food safety handling procedures is not always done properly. In the summer it is no surprise to see food outbreak illnesses due to poor handling techniques. Lets take a look at how safe we all can be handling foods that can cause food born illnesses.

Handle ground beef safely and cook it thoroughly to prevent illness. If you have symptoms of E. coli (severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting), talk to your healthcare provider.

What are Escherichia coli?

Escherichia coli (abbreviated E. coli) are bacteria found in the intestines of people and animals and in the environment; they can also be found in foods.

Most E. coli are harmless and are part of a healthy intestinal tract. However, some cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, bloodstream infections, and other illnesses. The types of E. coli that can cause illness are spread through contaminated food or water and through contact with animals or people.

• Follow the four steps to food safety when preparing food: clean, separate, cook, and chill.

• Use a food thermometerexternal icon to make sure meat has reached a safe minimum cooking temperature external icon: You can’t tell whether meat is safely cooked by looking at its color.

Problem: One in four burgers turns brown before it has reached the safe internal temperature of 160°F. Solution: Use a food thermometerexternal icon to check that it’s safe to eat. ◊ Cook ground beef, pork, and lamb to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (70˚C). ◊ Insert food thermometer into the side of the patty, to the center, to check. ◊ Cook beef steaks and roasts to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (62.6˚C) and allow to rest for 3 minutes after you remove meat from the grill or stove. ◊ Check temperature in the thickest part of steaks or roasts.

Although most kinds ofE. coli are harmless, some can make you sick. Learn about the kinds of E. coli that cause diarrhea, and what you can do to help lower your chances of infection.

What are the symptoms of E. coli infections?

STEC: Most people have bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps that may be severe. Some people may also have vomiting. A high fever is uncommon. Symptoms usually last 5–7 days.

ETEC: Most people have stomach cramps and watery diarrhea.

Symptoms usually last 3–4 days.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea or vomiting that lasts for more than 2 days, bloody stools, a fever higher than 102˚F, or signs of dehydration (including little or no urination, excessive thirst, a very dry mouth, dizziness or lightheadedness, or very dark urine).

Most people with an E. coli infection will recover without any specific treatment. Whether your doctor prescribes antibiotics depends on several factors, including the kind of E. coli infection you have and the severity of your infection.

Antibiotics should not be used to treat STEC infection. Taking certain antibiotics may lead to the production or release of more Shiga toxin, which can increase the chance of kidney damage.

• Prevent cross-contamination by thoroughly washing hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with soap and water after they touch raw meat.

• Do not drink untreated water or swallow water when swimming or playing in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, and backyard “kiddie” pools.

• Don’t eat raw dough or batter.

• Drink pasteurized milk and juices.

• Take precautions with food and water when traveling abroad.

Remember to be safe and healthy. When in doubt , don’t consume it. Its always better to be safe than sorry.

Enjoy!

Roniece

How can I prevent E. coliinfection?

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water.

Roniece Weaver, M.S., L.D., R.D., is a registered dietitian and president, executive director and founding partner of Hebni Nutrition Consultants.

ONYX MAGAZINE 27

MONEY MATTERS

Paying to Win? Candidates already are stomping for the 2020 elections.

Does a lack of funds keep black Americans out of political office?

O

ne of my consulting clients turned me on to a documentary called “Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream,” which I have used in my classroom. The documentary compares the access to opportunities of residents of Park Avenue in New York, both on the Upper East Side and the South Bronx. A writer for the “New York Observer” suggested, “the documentary makes a compelling case that inequity impedes democracy; and that the victims of the inequity include not only those who find themselves in the rapidly expanding underclass, but the American dream itself.” This documentary also introduced me to the politically active, billionaire Koch brothers, Charles and David, who used their considerable wealth to influence the political landscape of our country.

According to the Center for Public Integrity, Oprah Winfrey is worth more than $3 billion, Michael Jordon is worth $1.65 billion, and chairman of Vista Equity Partners Robert F. Smith has an estimated value of more than $4 billion. All three are substantial philanthropists but not big political donors.

Their names are not even mentioned in the same breath as megadonors Charles and David Koch. Even when you hear the word megadonor, it is most often associated with older white men because our country lacks megadonors of color. When it comes to politics, lawmakers are more so indebted to a small group of white donors who do not reflect a country that is becoming younger, blacker and browner.

Money does matter in politics. To get elected, candidates run viable and expensive campaigns. It is estimated that when it comes to politics, the candidate who raises the most money usually wins. To raise money for their campaigns, politicians solicit donations from wealthy people and groups such as Super PACs. To get wealthy special interest money, politicians appeal to their needs and interests and in turn write and pass legislation often that favors their donors at the expense of the public good.

According to “Political Power—The Movement for Black Lives (PPMBL), “Elections funded primarily by wealthy, white donors mean that candidates as a whole are less likely to prioritize the needs of poor and working class black people; and that black candidates are less likely to run for elected office, raise less money when they do, and are less likely to win. Ultimately, black people are not adequately represented by elected officials.” An elite and minuscule donor class—comprised of extremely wealthy individuals, 90 percent white, and overwhelmingly male subsection of the population, like the Koch Brothers—determines who runs for office, who wins elections, and what policies make it onto the agendas in Washington, D.C., and state legislatures across the country.

According to the m4bl.org, although people of color are 37 percent of the U.S. population, 90 percent of our elected leaders are white. White men are just 31 percent of the population but 65 percent of elected officials. At the other end of the spectrum, women of color hold just 4 percent of elected positions in spite of being 19 percent of the population. PPMBL goes on to note, the dominance of white donors disadvantages black people in two key ways. First, candidates running for office (in all races) are less likely to prioritize issues of concern to black Americans because they are forced to spend a significant majority of their time courting the dollars of wealthy donors. Second, black communities are underrepresented in elected office, as black candidates without access to networks of wealthy donors find it more difficult to compete and run competitive campaigns.

Many people of color have no expectation the system of government is going to work on our behalf, particularly when it comes to access to opportunities, healthcare, housing, jobs. Kofi Annan, said, “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress in every society….” As we approach the 2020 elections, in all categories, consider yourself knowledgeable, informed and educated. Know that when it comes to politics, your money matters!

Laura Dorsey is one of ONYX Magazine’s associate editors.

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By Laura Dorsey

WORKPLACE

In Formation Employers benefit when they bring soldiers to the team

By Joe Schembri

Loyalty to the Team Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics concludes that the costs incurred to a business owner for sustaining an employee hovers just under $30.00 per hour per employee. This does not include the “soft” costs of person-to-person mentoring while the employee is learning the job.

With an investment this substantial, hiring executives are in search of loyal employees 30 ONYX MAGAZINE

that will invest in the company with hard work, motivation and dedication. Military personnel bring with them an intrinsic understanding of how loyalty adds to team proficiency and builds trust in a work environment. For business leaders looking to make a thoughtful long-term investment in an employee, military personnel often outperform other candidates as proven team players.

Reliable Work Ethic Knowing the importance of adhering to a schedule and consistently performing well at work demonstrates professional maturity. One of the most difficult challenges to hiring professionals is being able to accurately judge candidates in these areas. Through service, training, and lifestyle, former military personnel will typically have the work ethic that any business owner would be thrilled to replicate in all the organization’s employees.

For employers looking to hire a mature professional with a strong work ethic, a military-trained candidate should receive serious consideration.

Motivated Productivity In today’s technologically driven workplace, self-discipline is at the heart of worker productivity. Convincing workers to respect employer’s rules involving the use of social media, for instance, is becoming an increasing workplace challenge. In addition to this challenge, the loss of time from inefficient work habits and idle down time is a significant concern to employers attempting to retain the competitive edge in a challenging economy. Military personnel have been trained to work toward efficiency, ask for guidance when needed, and exercise self-discipline in professional settings. Hiring managers actively building a corporate culture of increased productivity and strong motivation would be wise

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n increasing number of civilian employers are becoming more aware of the unique strengths former military personnel can bring with them to a civilian job. Whether you are a business leader considering expanding your work force, or a veteran considering which qualities to highlight in your cover letter, reviewing these top four military-related attributes that top executives find most attractive will help you simplify the task at hand.

military attributes are desirable qualities to tap to reach your goals. to consider military candidates not only for their hard skills, but also for the soft skills they bring with them to civilian business settings.

Comprehensive Communication Skills Military personnel not only understand workplace diversity, they know that good communication also needs to be flexible.

Many military personnel not only speak more than one language, but also have traveled extensively and understand the nuances of international communication.

For business owners looking to evolve with the needs of a global marketplace, a military veteran can be just the person your team needs to expand your business. In addition to being aware of diversity, military personnel bring with them a high level of technical literacy which can serve to streamline communication efforts across the organization. Trained in effective writing and professional communications, military personnel know that being successful in today’s world means being able to communicate accurately and efficiently with constituents from all walks of life.

A Military-trained candidate can be the best choice whether you are a military veteran seeking a civilian job, or a hiring professional looking to add top candidates to your team, military attributes are desirable qualities to tap to reach your goals. To increase triple bottom line performance and secure the competitive edge in an increasingly diverse global marketplace, hiring executives need to identify top employees and get the costly hiring process right the first time. Military personnel are uniquely positioned to fill this need and should draw attention to their loyalty, motivation, work ethic, and communication skills when seeking a civilian job. If you are a military veteran looking for ways to translate your other skills into terms best understood by civilian hiring professionals, here are a few helpful resources:

Officer Turned Owner How the military shaped Brian Butler’s Business

By Brian Butler

I

didn’t just “Join the Army to see the world,” I embraced every opportunity the Army provided to learn, lead, and produce results. As an Army officer I gained leadership experiences that help shape the way I navigate business challenges now. Daily, I draw on those experiences in my business, community and family endeavors.

My time in uniform provided me with a wide range of experiences, from traditional Army Officer leadership positions to key training assignments and staff jobs alike. I served as a commander of one our Nation’s largest ammunition production facilities where I was responsible for a 1,700-person workforce on a 7,000 acre munitions production and storage facility which included a team of military personnel, government employees and a contracted workforce.

In my first Pentagon experience, I was a young intern serving on the Public Affairs team in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where I learned the intricacies of the total force and partner nation support in achieving global and national security objectives. I later became a spokesperson and Chief of Communications for an Army Secretary where I had the opportunity to help shape Army messaging, visit troops around world and learn what it takes to fund and prepare the Army for its warfighting mission as well as a focus on technology enhancements and engagement with legislatures.

I served in the White House, where I was the director of Biological Defense Policy on the Homeland Security Council. My responsibilities included helping to develop and shape policy for biological and chemical threats to our homeland. Our team co-authored the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan.

Throughout my military career, I participated in education and training opportunities that helped me master my craft. I earned master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the National War College at the National Defense University. I also participated in several higher-level training, education and certificate programs; I never stopped learning.

Upon retiring from the military and moving back to Florida, I could not find a job. That period of life forced me to go back to the basics and relook my plan. I eventually became a consultant and later a contractor for the Department of Defense. These activities lead me to starting a business out of my house.

In 2007, I started Vistra Communications (Vistra), a public relations company focused on helping small businesses and nonprofits share their stories and gain positive media coverage. Vistra, which stands for Vision, Strategy Action, is the way I think about solving challenges that are placed in front of me. This thinking is consistent with one of my keys for thriving in the Army, to always have a plan.

Brian Butler is the founder and CEO of Vistra Communication in Tampa.

ONYX MAGAZINE 31

ON THE RISE

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Entrepreneurship 101

A 2011 survey by Gallup found 77 percent of students in fifth through twelfth grades said they want to be their own boss and 45 percent planned to start their own business. Today, many of those students are now in college.

For example, when I first met Hunter Swisher as an undergraduate plant pathology student at Penn State, he was busy turning scientific turfgrass research that he learned about in class into a commercial product and startup company.

Swisher saw commercial potential in his professor’s research and worked closely with him to transfer that knowledge into a possible viable product.

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Gen Z Entrepreneurs View Higher Education as Vital to Their Startups

oday’s college students—dubbed Generation Z—are beginning to make their mark on the workplace with a distinctly unconventional and often irreverent approach to problem-solving. In my day-to-day interactions with our students, I find that this group doesn’t only ask “Why?” they ask, “How can I fix that?” And their curiosity, independence, energy and assertiveness are transforming the entrepreneurial space.

These post-millennials are less like the bumbling geeks from the cast of the HBO comedy “Silicon Valley” and more in the spirit of a focused problem-solver like a young MacGyver, who would rather invent and innovate as a means to learning and discovery.

What’s energizing to a university president like me is watching this transformation take place as more and more undergraduates are partnering with public institutions and fueling the next wave of ingenuity.

Pennsylvania, and in just two years, we’ve engaged with more than 4,500 students.

Moving scientific discoveries into a breakthrough business opportunity is powering economic growth and creating jobs. Consider that nationally – in 2017 alone – the Association of University Technology Managers reported: • $68.2 billion in research expenditures • 1,080 startups formed • 24,998 invention disclosures • 15,335 new U.S. patent applications filed • 7,849 licenses and options executed • 755 new products created

Swisher connected with the university’s startup incubator and vast alumni network, put in the work, and became a CEO of his own small business before he walked across the stage at commencement in 2016. Today, his company Phospholutions has five employees and counting and their treatment is being used on more than 50 golf courses in 10 states.

Swisher is not alone in pursuing his entrepreneurial dreams while still in college. He is just one of many entrepreneurs starting their own companies by leveraging resources at their colleges and universities.

Penn State, Indiana University, University of North Carolina, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, Ohio State and other leading public institutions all have thriving entrepreneurial centers that are available to all students, as well as community members and businesses. Penn State alone has opened 21 entrepreneurial space across

Undergraduate students at public universities are fueling this trend Traditionally, higher education has focused their investment on faculty entrepreneurs, hoping to find a breakthrough like the next Gatorade (University of Florida) or Lyrica (Northwestern University). Since universities don’t own the rights to undergraduate intellectual property, there has been less incentive to support these efforts.

Until now.

While we universities are taking a risk on students without a guaranteed immediate return on investment, we think the potential outcomes – for example in alumni support and building our local economies—are worth it.

With their minds set on this entrepreneurial future, a common narrative has emerged that students are skipping college to start their own businesses. In reality, 8 in 10 students believe college is important to achieving their career goals. Sixty-three percent of those same students – all between the ages of 16 and 19—said they want to learn about entrepreneurship in college, including how to start a business.

Land-grant and public institutions are

contributing the practical education that can contribute to economic growth and development. Indeed, generally speaking talent-driven innovation was identified as the most important factor by the DeloitteU.S. Council on Competitiveness.

Through skills training and engaged entrepreneurial experiences, students are realizing the profound impact they can have by solving a problem as well as overcoming obstacles, failures and flops—all under the umbrella of university guidance and resource support.

Innovation is inspiring and a wise investment Research and education have always opened doors that benefit the nation we serve. Today, public colleges and universities are well-positioned to transform our economy and infuse it with innovation and energy. As chair of the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU) newly formed Commission on Economic and Community Engagement (CECE), I’m working with universities and our government partners to identify key areas crucial to maximizing the impact of public research universities.

By the end of this year, tens of millions of Generation Zers will enter the workforce. The challenge for higher education will be how to help the world of business to better harness the many talents, energy and inquisitiveness that Generation Zers bring to the table. The many partnerships that universities have formed with entrepreneurial students serve as an important first step toward this goal.

Author Eric J. Barron is the president, Pennsylvania State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article at www.TheConversation.com.

ONYX MAGAZINE 33

SAGE

smart TVs. This means that technology will be more heavily marketed toward older consumers than in the past, and there could be opportunities for innovation with the influx of new/more frequent users of technology in the coming years.

By Laura Schneider

D

uring each day of the 18 years from 2011 to 2029, about 10,000 baby boomers are expected to reach the retirement age of 65. The generation is defined as those born between 1946 and 1964, which means the oldest members of the generation reached 65 in 2011, and the youngest members will reach that milestone in 2029. By that year, nearly one-fifth of the U.S. population will be 65 or older.

As this generation retires, the technology and IT industries will feel the impact in a few different ways. Some of these changes are great for everyone, while some of them are not so great for the baby boomers.

Flexibility in the Workplace One of the interesting ways that the aging workforce is changing the way we work is by bringing a measure of flexibility to the office. Companies are finding that employees in this age group require different work conditions.

They are less interested in working long hours, less defined by their careers,

34 ONYX MAGAZINE

and much more interested in part-time work. As a result of this trend, quality of life has become a key phrase—job sharing, part-time work, and flex scheduling can be partially attributed to this generation’s influence.

This means you have better chances of finding a company to work for that offers these benefits to everyone since a worklife balance is becoming more important to employers.

More Job Openings As more baby boomers retire, there are fewer replacement workers to take over.

This is causing what has been referred to as a huge knowledge gap. Even if the economy is in a downturn, overall, there will still be a need for specialized workers to take over these new openings.

More importantly, retiring baby boomers are much more tech-literate than their parents and will be taking full advantage of social media and internet-connected devices like tablets, smartphones, and

Wages Increase in Specialized Vacated Positions In the labor market, and specifically in the technology job market, when there are jobs available and not enough workers, wages go up to attract and retain the necessary workers. A large group of baby boomer retirements is no exception. Most tech-related positions were projected to have some form of salary increase after 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Since companies need workers, and because it can take a long time for new workers to acquire the skills needed, tech companies will put pressure on the government to increase the number of new visas approved in a given year—most notably, the H-1B visa, since this is the one most impacted by the tech industry.

Laura Schneider is a writer for The Balance Careers, part of the Dotdash publishing family, where this story originally appeared.

Adobe Stock

How Retiring Baby Boomers Affect the Job Market

A Later Retirement Age Full retirement at age 65 is not financially viable for many baby boomers, and for those born in 1960 or later, full Social Security benefits won’t be available until age 67.

As a result, many will need to continue working, at least part-time, to support themselves. This is a double-edged sword if you’re seeking employment because the niche you want to fill may still be filled by someone who just can’t afford to move on at this time.

A good strategy to counter this problem would be to make sure you’re super specialized with unique skills and experience such as by learning a new coding language. This way, you don’t necessarily have to wait for that position to be vacated to get the same kind of employment.

STARTUPS Colette Glover-Hannah with client Saniya Audrey Gauthier of Channelside Academy of Math and Science in Tampa. While in a business incubator, Hannah’s Shoebox expanded to provide school uniform shoes to students throughout the Bay area.

Benefitting Startups Are business incubators right for you?

Staff Report

G

oing it alone can be frightening—especially in business. Many entrepreneurs jump directly from corporate American’s seemingly endless capital into a shallow pool of few resources and little experience in running a business.

But when they find support, that intimidating leap can become much easier to bear. From shared expenses to sounding boards, small business incubators often provide the comfort entrepreneurs need.

“The biggest benefit for me was the collaborations and shared ideas and information with my cohort,” says Colette Glover-Hannah, the president and CEO of Hannah’s Shoebox, an online store that sells age-appropriate shoes for tweens.

Hannah-Glover joined an incubator at the University of Tampa, which also has a program for seasoned business owners to share best practices with startups.

“Those relationships [in the Entrepreneur in Residence program] were very beneficial for building a solid business foundation,” she said. “As a startup, there are so many things you need to learn that are beyond the core of your business.”

Business incubators are designed to accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial ventures through space, networks and coaches. Here are a few ways the experts say it might be good for your business.

• Free or low-cost workspace. For many entrepreneurs, the biggest challenge is finding a quiet place to work and conduct professional meetings away from the kids and the dog. But office space may pose a financial challenge?

Incubators may be a great match to help you reduce overhead as you grow.

• Guidance and resources. You will be able to tap into a strong network of business partners and investors allows for start-up businesses to network and network productively.

• Like-minded people. You’re not alone in an incubator. Other startup owners are experiencing some of the same successes and challenges. You can bounce your ideas off each other.

• Productive environment. an official workspace plus administrative resources are helpful in giving business owners the space, freedom, and peace of mind to focus on growing their business. Internet access, if available, is also an added perk that can help you be productive.

• Structured environment. This can help businesses stay focused and grow in the right direction.

There are some potential downsides to joining a business incubator. Not all are created equal, so be sure to do your homework when you’re considering your direction.

• Application process. It may become very competitive to get into an incubator. For most incubators, applicants must present a business plan and disclosed all activities.

• Time commitment. Many incubators require a time commitment of around one to two years, plus adherence to the schedule set by the incubator, which can include many trainings and workshops.

Yes, you will learn a lot, but you’ll also spend a fair amount of time doing it.

• Rigid accountability. In most incubators, you’ll be expected to answer to someone other than yourself about your progress. Think of an incubator like a boss who is invested in your success.

Resources

Accion Fast Company Wells Fargo Innovation Cluster ONYX MAGAZINE 35

MEN’S FASHION

Business Casual – The New Corporate Uniform

I

n recent years, professional office attire has changed considerably. Many would contribute the change to the Google Influence and its relaxed no-walls work sites as one reason and others would say companies wanted to attract and keep employees engaged while relaxing rigid and ultra conservative work environments.

Regardless of the reasons, the new business casual uniform is in full affect! Now, even though business attire standards have changed, it doesn’t mean that you have a pass to go to work looking boring and rough around the edges.

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Business casual loosely defined is the less formal approach to business wear with the expectation of a professional appearance and demeanor. If you’re not sure what the new office uniform can look like, take a look at our list of the New Rules.

1. The Not So Dressy Suit. With relaxed office attire you have the freedom of ditching the formal pinstripe, the mandatory necktie and the hard sole wingtip shoes. A number of comfortable and versatile options exist and would absolutely enhance your wardrobe. More designers are creating comfortable silhouettes that

allow the suits to be worn formally with the traditional shirt and tie, or casually with a sweater, T-shirt or polo-styled shirt.

As shoes go, loafers and luxe sneakers are enjoying a comeback. The secret to a successful business casual look is knowing how to style the look with the best accents and accessories while commanding well deserved attention.

2. The New Power Shoe. Casual business looks are not always meant to be paired with sneakers. Some of the most popular shoes to consider when opting for casual outfits are Derby shoes, Loafers,

Adobe Stock

By Mark Hillery

Adobe Stock

Chelsea Boots, and luxe sneakers. Derby shoes are likely the only pair of lace-ups you’ll need, because they go with just about every pant you can imagine. The term luxe sneakers are aptly named since many of them can cost several hundreds of dollars. Each of these particular shoe styles are designed with the casual pant, denim jean or khaki trousers in mind. If you are interested in truly enhancing your wardrobe, take the time to invest in a pair of luxe loafers. You will not regret it.

3. Smart Pants. There so many trouser options that can be purchased to accomplish the business casual look. Besides the obvious slim-fitted looks there are pleated options with pinstripes, checks and plaid prints that are more stylish than ever. Feel free to wear with or without cuffs, depending on your personal preference. The takeaway is that there are more options than the reliable chino pant. Mix and match your trousers successfully with the perfect accessories and you have multiple looks that will make you the envy of the office.

Lastly, whichever trousers you decide to purchase make sure that they are properly tailored.

4. The Friendly Polo. There is a lot to be said for the sophisticated styling of a knit polo shirt paired with any of the trousers described above. Polos also mix well with the relaxed suit jacket for a polished look.

Whether you are wearing it with a suit, leather jacket or denim look, always wear it fully buttoned. Remember, we’re going for the look that suggests you’re the boss...or at least on your way to a next level opportunity. A polished look goes a long way.

Business casual loosely defined is the less formal approach to business wear with the expectation of a professional appearance and demeanor.

5. Over the Top Jacket Variety.

Hope I didn’t scare you, but over the top should not suggest rhinestones and fur.

Instead, make sure you look for a classic styling that’s accents your body type. Go for a slim and tailored look with or without a belt. If possible, look for a camel, black and or navy blue coat. They are not required to hit below or even at the knee. The other option could be a car coat that hits your mid-thigh, which probably appeals more to the younger wearer. In both scenarios, the rule is that the coat or jacket must compliment your outfit and send the correct message that you mean business. If your budget allows, this is the time to add a leather jacket and possibly a nicely designed dark denim jacket. The theme is versatility. Let’s avoid the wardrobe boredom by only having one coat or jacket selection.

6. Lightweight Knitwear. Turtlenecks and sweaters are essential pieces when building a business casual wardrobe.

Besides shielding you from the cold, the sweaters are a great departure from the dress shirt, especially when it’s too cold for the polo styled shirt. The turtleneck is a classic that looks great when paired with suede, leather or denim jackets. If you happen to catch a great deal on a cashmere sweater, this might be the time to buy in quantities. You cannot go wrong with a black, tan, off-white or gray colored solid turtleneck. So, stock up.

7. Daring Denim. This has to be taken in the right context. Only dark denim in a shirt or trucker jacket is appropriate. Please do not think wearing a pair of jeans to the office with a slight tear or rip will go unnoticed. They will get you noticed for all of the wrong reasons. So, if you can’t find a dark denim shirt or jacket, do not invest in any other variation. The secret is to be seen in order to be considered; seen and considered for a new project or promotion should be the motivation.

Business casual dressing is a rare and wonderful freedom many of us are afforded in our place of employment or businesses.

Too often people get relaxed and don’t know how to standout in a crowd and somehow allow their image to take a hit.

You deserve to prosper in your chosen profession and knowing the new rules of casual business dressing will at least even the playing field. Enjoy the journey and take full advantage of enhancing your wardrobe to succeed. If you happen to be the boss and have employees, well, I guess you can share the new dress code.

Mark Hillery is a Corporate Exec|Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger and Creative Director of Styled by Mark.

ONYX MAGAZINE 37

WOMEN’S FASHION

How Dressing Well Can Help You Earn More

By Quin Brewington

though I didn’t have it at that point.

It can be disheartening to think that in spite of the countless accomplishments women have made in virtually every field, our overall success is still tied to how attractive other people think we are. But, the truth of the matter is, people will and often do draw conclusions about us based solely on what they see.

Take former First Lady Michelle Obama for instance. No other wife of an American president has been ridiculed more for her looks than she has. Remember the accusations of unprofessionalism that wearing a sleeveless shift dress for her first official portrait caused? If Mrs. Obama’s story — and even mine to a lesser degree – doesn’t serve as proof that image matters, I don’t know what does.

The road to image and financial success in the workplace can be hard to navigate without proper guidance. So, here are some tips that could help make your journey a little smoother: 1. Don’t be overly provocative: Personal style is just that, it’s personal.

So, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with showing some personality in the ensembles you select. But remember, when it comes

to winning over colleagues or wowing potential clients, be careful that the message your outfit conveys doesn’t alienate the people you want to impress most.

2. Think about what your clothing says: Fashion designer Miuccia Prada

once said, “Fashion is instant language.”

Are the clothes you’re wearing telling your colleagues or clients that you lack good judgment? These days, what is and is not appropriate can be a touchy subject, but generally speaking, being in tune with your environment is an excellent place to start. For example, if you have a meeting in a law office – many of which still adhere to a pretty conservative dress code— you wouldn’t want to show up in khakis and a polo shirt.

3. Always dress with intention: Your style of dress can serve as a powerful extension of your personal brand. What you put on your body in the morning can either reinforce or diminish your skills in the eyes of employers, co-workers and potential clients. So, the lesson here is twofold: choose wisely and dress for the job you want (assuming you don’t already have it, rock star!).

Quin Brewington is an award-winning writer, content creator and founder of SisterLadyGirl.com, a lifestyle and fashion blog in Tampa who teaches women over 40 how to embrace their own unique style and love themselves just the way they are.

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or many people in the workplace, i.e. colleagues, clients and potential business partners, appearance equates to performance. A sharp dresser can be perceived as quick-witted and focused, while someone shabbily dressed can be seen as having a poor work ethic.

When it comes to the qualities that people most often associate with professionalism, a person’s appearance ranks second only to good communication skills. For women in particular, the more successful you look, the greater your chances will be of advancing professionally and in turn, making more money.

Sounds crazy? I thought the same thing.

Then, I remembered my own story.

It was only a few years ago that I started a new job and quickly became known for two things: my curly hair and the way I dressed. After a year on the job, I was promoted. Less than three years later, I had nearly doubled my starting salary.

Do I believe all this happened because of how I look? Absolutely not! I’m a hard worker with a strong work ethic. But, here’s what I do believe: perception is reality. I knew going in I wanted to be seen as a leader. So, that was the image I cultivated. In other words, I dressed for the role I wanted to play even

FEATURE

THE

HALL ON

FRANKLIN

By D. Shenell Reed

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On a nostalgic corner in Tampa Heights, some friends have gathered to nosh on delicacies and sip trendy cocktails. Their space is cozy with mellow, decorative lighting, captivating windows that beckon the sun, and oversized hugging couches. Laughter abounds in this feel-good place where the cool people hang out. Encircling them is an array of eateries where anybody could find a favorite dish. Asian-inspired cuisine, tapas, comfort food, vegan. It’s all there under one eclectic roof—because the onemenu dining experience is quickly becoming passé and Tampa Heights has Jamal Wilson to thank.

“I wanted to do something fun and work with really cool people I like,” said Wilson. “My cousin was watching the news about the food hall explosion in America and suggested that we do it. So, I spent six months traveling the country vis-

iting food halls and I took ideas I liked and added them to my own.”

Creating Something New

The Hall on Franklin, Tampa’s first food hall, is a mashup of upscale restaurants powered by entrepreneurs. Opened in 2017, it is nestled in a bustling newish business district of historic buildings on North Franklin Street and North Florida Avenue, called Yellow Brick Row. The area itself gets bounced around in conversations about what’s going to lure new business to Tampa. The Hall is the most popular storefront on the strip. But if Wilson had stuck to his original plan, the Hall may never have come to pass.

“My whole life was designed for me to be a lawyer or play professional basketball,” he said. “I graduated from Amherst College and played [basketball] five years

Photos courtesy of The Hall on Franklin

O

Tampa’s trendy hot spot’s developer Jamal Wilson talks entrepreneurship, inspiration and expansion

overseas and for a minor NBA team. After that, I was going to law school and needed money to pay for it. So, I accepted a job in real estate…. I flipped my first house, made $30k and that was it for law school.”

From there, Wilson spent his career flipping houses (refurbishing dilapidated homes and selling them for a profit) and making a bundle. He eventually started his own real estate business and scaled it to include finding real estate, funding it, refinancing it, getting the title for it. When the market crashed in 2008, Wilson struggled to keep things going. Then, he struck a deal with GTE and: “We rose like a phoenix. We went from giving one loan every six months to more than 300 every month,” he recalls.

However, the business model got old for Wilson. Creating and developing concepts was great, but something just wasn’t right.

“I decided I liked building something, but the corporate environment wasn’t where I wanted to be. I sold the business to GTE and went back to flipping houses.”

So, when his cousin proposed the food hall idea, he listened. Initially, he thought ‘I don’t do food—I don’t know about food costs and purveyors, etc.’ Then, Wilson did something many of us only dream we could do. He took an interesting idea, married it with something he loved and made it a huge success.

“I buy the real estate and lease it to food vendors so I can focus on what I like— designing and creating an environment and atmosphere and working with really cool people.”

Family Inspiration

Growing up an only child in East Orange, N.J., Wilson says he was fortunate to attend private school where he saw his friends living in lavish homes. When he mentioned this other lifestyle to his parents, he was

quickly met with an explanation why it was that way. He never forgot it.

“From that, I learned early on to always do my best because my parents were making a sacrifice for me to have things they didn’t have,” he said.

It is something he instills in his sons Cannon, 6, and Greyson, 4—to always do your best. Wilson often thinks about the next generation, his responsibility to grow it and how minorities can play bigger roles in business in the future.

“Minorities who are able to build some kind of wealth are not always able to pass it on to the next generation, because we’re too busy trying to bring up the other people in our family, making it harder to achieve and pass that wealth on,” he said.

“It’s ultimately about wealth building.

Entrepreneurship is not about this generation and what I do, but about creating a platform for what my children can do, make it easier for them and then they pass it on to the next.”

You do that by always having a plan and Wilson has many of them. Ultimately, he would like to build boutique hotels with 75 to 150 units and have food halls in some of the lobbies. Now, the halls, he believes, are a stepping stone to developing the hotels. Wilson’s food hall in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village is scheduled to open in the

first quarter of 2020 and he currently is developing one in St. Petersburg’s EDGE District. He wants to have 15 to 20 in the next five to seven years. Getting started in Tampa was ideal.

“I think Tampa is a great place to start a business. The Tampa community, in general, supports something new and exciting,” he said. “We have less density than what you have in other big cities and we are starving for really cool, new ideas. Tampa you wouldn’t say is the hub for new, cool things—you would say, New York, Atlanta and LA; so, when you bring something cool to Tampa everyone comes around you and hugs you and embraces you. Starting is very hard, but once you do, people are open to supporting you and helping you move forward.”

Leap of Faith

Wilson, who lived in Tampa in the 1990s and attended Tampa Prep High School gives back to his alma mater and other charities. However, his best form of philanthropy is sharing advice with the workers in the Hall who are looking to start their own businesses.

“You are never paid your value until you own your own business, not because the owner doesn’t want to pay you what you’re worth, but there has to be a margin for them to make money. So, don’t be afraid to try and fail. You don’t have to live with the failure with the rest of your life.

That’s a prefabrication that we put on ourselves,” he said. “I’ve failed multiple times.

Keep going. If you’re not looking for your best self, then what are you doing? The last thing you want is to be on your death bed and have regrets. I put everything I have into this business—and it was a complete risk—and I’m rewarded by people liking it enough to come back and experience it.

And that means everything.”

ONYX MAGAZINE 41

BEYOND FLORIDA

Lonnie Bunch Named Smithsonian Secretary

The Smithsonian named Lonnie G. Bunch III as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Bunch is the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), a position he has held since 2005. Prior to that, Bunch served as the president of the Chicago Historical Society. He succeeds David J. Skorton as secretary and will be the first African-American to hold the position. In a Smithsonian press release announcing the new appointment, Bunch said, “I am excited to work with the Board of Regents and my colleagues throughout the Institution to build upon its legacy and to ensure that the Smithsonian will be even more relevant and more meaningful and reach more people in the future.” Smithsonian.com Bed Bath and Beyond Names Interim CEO

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. announced that Mary Winston, a seasoned public company executive who recently joined the Bed Bath & Beyond Board of Directors, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Steven Temares has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and resigned as a member of the Bed Bath & Beyond Board. The Board has formed a CEO search committee to identify a permanent CEO and will retain an executive search firm to assist in the search process. The Board’s search process will focus on individuals who have transformation and innovation experience in the retail sector. Winston is the second African-American woman to run a Fortune 50 company, following Ursula Burns who headed Xerox. Bed Bath and Beyond News It’s Official: Burn-out Can Be Medically Diagnosed

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burn-out is included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon. It is not classified as a medical condition. It is described in the chapter: ‘Factors influencing health status or contact with health services’ – which includes reasons for which people contact health services but that are not classed as illnesses or health conditions. Burn-out is defined in ICD-11 as follows: “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy. Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

World Health Organization Study: Most of World Failing at Gender Equity

Nearly 40 percent of the world’s girls and women live in countries that are failing on gender equality, according to information compiled by Equal Measures 2030 and its partners. According to the website for the project, “The 2019 SDG Gender Index measures the state of gender equality aligned to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 129 countries and 51 issues ranging from health, gender-based violence, climate change, decent work and others. The 2019 SDG Gender Index provides a snapshot of where the world stands, right now, linked to the vision of gender equality set forth by the 2030 Agenda.” The index reveals that 1.4 billion girls and women are living in countries that get a “very poor” or failing grade on gender equality. The SDG Gender Index is considered the most comprehensive tool available to measure the state of gender equality when compared to defined SDGs. The average score across the 129 countries – which represent 95 percent of the world’s girls and women – is 65.7 out of 100, which translates to a “poor” rating based upon the index’s scoring system). No single country is the world’s best performer – or even among the world’s top ten performers – across all goals or all issues. For the full report, go to data.em2030.org.

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YOUR BUSINESS

Small Business Owner or Entrepreneur.

Which One Are You?

By Melanie Spring

S

mall businesses are the backbone of this country. They create jobs, come up with new ways of doing old things, and help keep money in the local community. Without small businesses, we’d be in a bigger economic mess. Among those with small businesses, there’s confusion between the terms Small-Business Owner and Entrepreneur. Both can have small businesses, but they have different styles of leadership and thoughts on running their business. One is not better than the other, they’re just different. How do you fit in to these 4 scenarios?

Small-business owners hold steady.

They like to know what’s coming next and where it’s coming from. They make calculated decisions where the outcome is clear.

The result may not be huge, but it will typically keep them moving forward.

Small-businesses owners are sentimental with their businesses.

They never plan on selling or handing their business off to someone else unless it’s family. They like making the decisions and running the day-to-day.

Entrepreneurs love risk.

They step out on a ledge more often than not. They jump in with both feet knowing that if they put in their full effort, the risk will be worth it more often than not.

Entrepreneurs focus on scaling.

They want to grow and grow they will.

Although they may not focus on selling the business, they set it up to run without them. They surround themselves with experts while they end up being the rainmaker.

America needs small-business owners to hold the economy and entrepreneurs to propel it forward. One isn’t better than the other. But the question needs to be asked: Are you a small-business owner or an entrepreneur?

Small-business owners have a great idea.

They solve a problem in their community.

They know their business and target audience. They know what will make their customers happy. They serve their customers.

Small-business owners think about the things they need to finish this week.

They have daily and weekly to do lists.

They manage employees, work with customers, network with new customers, and keep everything rocking and rolling.

Entrepreneurs have big ideas.

They dream big. They think big. They come up with ideas that haven’t been tested, diagnosed, or worked through. A lot of times they don’t even know if their ideas are possible, which gets them even more excited.

Entrepreneurs are thinking ahead six months.

While their team is thinking about what they’re doing that week, they tend to skip the now and focus on the future of the company. They have people to manage the business, and if they don’t, they soon will.

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ONYX MAGAZINE 45

ON THE

QUAD

Florida Memorial Announces the Return of Football

Florida Memorial Athletic Director Ernest T. Jones, the President, and the Board of Trustees are proud to announce the Rebirth of Football.

Since accepting his new role at the University, Mr. Jones has been rallying for the return of Football after a 61-year Hiatus.

“I would like to thank the Board of Trustees, President Jaffus Hardrick, and the city of Miami Gardens Community for the help and support,” said Jones. “It’s A New Day, and Florida Memorial University will become the Global University academically and athletically that others will want to mirror.”

Jones put together an elaborate presentation that included a partnership with the City of Miami Gardens that will not only increase revenue and enrollment at the University but also create a family amongst the students and the city in which they reside.

“Football is more than just a game, it brings immeasurable value in uniting people and having a social and cultural impact on the community and quality of life of our Residents,” said City of Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver G. Gilbert III. “This partnership between Miami Gardens, Florida’s largest predominantly Black City and FMU, South Florida’s only HBCU, underscores our commitment to bring first-rate programs to the community.”

He says, “Florida Memorial University has a rich history of producing graduates who are trailblazers in their respective fields, and this will be no exception.”

After a majority vote of approval from the Board this morning, the rebirth of football will return to the Lion’s Den. “As a member of the board of trustees, we have the responsibility to make prudent decisions that will expand and sustain our historic footprint,” explain Florida Memorial University Chairman Elect William McCormick.

“Today, the rebirth of football on the campus of Florida Memorial University will provide new and exciting opportunities for our students as well as positively impacting our local community.”

He says, “Football will undoubtedly create a tremendous surge of energy, pride and enthusiasm among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the South Florida community.” FMU News

Edward Waters College (EWC) learned of its approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to offer its first online degree program. Accordingly, this program will be the first of its kind at EWC and will provide a new delivery platform for prospective students. The new online degree program will provide students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree with a concentration in Organizational Management via an exclusively online virtual environment.

“This is the first step in the comprehensive re-imagining of our academic curriculum as we look to expand our academic footprint on a national scale to undergird opportunities for future enrollment growth and to provide increased access to our programs to students from throughout the nation and world,” President Faison said.

Additionally, the decision by SACSCOC now authorizes EWC to deliver any portion of any of its SACSCOC approved degree programs via distance learning or online delivery. While SACSCOC has approved EWC to begin delivering its new degree program beginning Fall 2019, the College intends for the online degree program to prospectively launch in the 2020 calendar year. EWC News

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EWC Launches New Online Degree Program

FAMU College of Pharmacy First in Nation to Print 3D Cornea Using Human Cells Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) researchers have, for the first time in the United States, created corneas using a high performance 3D printer.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the project is geared toward 3D printing and additive processing and could lead to breakthroughs in helping patients with eye problems Research assistant Paul Dinh, Professor Mandip and reduce the need to conduct testing on animals.

Sachdeva and doctoral student Shallu Kutlehria spent FAMU Pharmacy professor Mandip Sachdeva, Ph.D., the 18 months creating an entire 3D model of a blinking who leads the three-person team, said this process of eyeball. The corneas are printed in 3D by a bio-printer manufacturing corneas using high throughput 3D printing and made from materials including human cells. technology, which could print a number of corneas in a matter of minutes, should become routine.

The group, which includes, Shallu Kutlehria, a doctoral student from India, and Paul Dinh, a biology major from Tallahassee, spent the past year and a half creating an entire 3D model of a blinking eyeball. The corneas are printed in 3D by a bio-printer and made from materials including human cells.

Research assistant Dinh, 20, became interested in the field while in high school. He said this project requires pushing the envelope on cutting-edge technology.

“Regular 3D printers, normally extrude some sort of hot plastic that eventually takes the shape of whatever you want,” Dinh said. “With a bio-printer, instead of extruding a hot plastic, we can extrude materials that are similar or present in the human body.”

A United Kingdom scientist created the cornea technology, but the FAMU laboratory is working to make it more efficient by creating a mold to print multiple corneas. The diameter and dimensions of an average cornea are entered into the printer, taking nearly 10 minutes to produce six corneas. FAMU News

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B-CU Announces New President Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite will become the seventh president of Bethune-Cookman University, following a national search. He will take office effective July 1, 2019.

Chrite will be stepping down as dean at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business in June. He previously served as dean at Montclair State University in New Jersey, and has held leadership positions at the University of Arizona-Tucson and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Chrite also is an independent director of Gordon Food Service, a $15 billion privately held company, where he chairs the risk committee.

“I am tremendously honored to assume the presidency at Bethune-Cookman University, an academic institution with a storied history; great faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends; and a bright future,” Chrite said. “We face some serious challenges, but we have so much that’s outstanding in our community and traditions—and I have every confidence that together we will make exciting things happen. I am passionate about Bethune-Cookman and am thrilled to be a part of its community.”

At Daniels, where he headed a faculty and staff of 220 serving more than 3,000 students, Chrite led the College through a major strategic shift—overhauling the academic portfolio, expanding the global footprint, creating a new generation of teaching and learning approaches matched to the demands of the 21st-century economy, and growing the faculty. B-CU News

ONYX MAGAZINE 47

TRAVEL

Ideas For Your Family Vacation In Destin And Fort Walton

By Jodi Mailander Farrell

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hite-sand beaches and emerald seas make Destin and Fort Walton Beach ideal vacation playgrounds, but they aren’t the only reason families flock to these Northwest Florida communities. From water parks to boardwalks, there’s never a dull moment.

Best Beaches With 24 miles of soft, white sand, the beaches are the primary pastime in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. There are five beachfront parks and 12 entry points for easy access.

A family favorite is James Lee Park, 3510 Scenic Hwy. 98, in Destin because the water is shallow and clear, plus there are multiple dune walkovers, picnic tables, pavilions, a playground and restrooms with changing rooms.

The 40-acre Wayside Park, 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy. Southeast, on Okaloosa Island is adjacent to a fishing pier for added fun.

Neighboring John C. Beasley Park, 1550 Miracle Strip Pkwy., in Fort Walton

Beach wins points with families for quiet, clean beaches and outdoor showers.

For an overview of the best beaches in the area check out the Emerald Coast Beaches Visit Florida guide.

Fun on the Water

A two-hour dolphin and sunset cruise on an 80-foot, glass-bottom boat is an exciting way to spend the afternoon. One of the oldest cruise operators, Southern Star, docks at HarborWalk Village, 100 Harbor Blvd., at the foot of the Destin Bridge.

Also based at HarborWalk, the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise is a two-hour treasure quest designed for kids that explores Destin Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico, with squirt gun and sword fights, face painting and cannons.

Rent your own pontoon boat from Destin X Watersports, 214 Harbor Blvd, in Destin, and head out to Crab Island, a submerged sandbar accessible only by boat where local boaters congregate and floating restaurants operate from March through October.

Fun Food At Uncle Bucks FishBowl and Grill, 4251 Legendary Dr., in Destin, sharks hang from the ceiling and families can eat while they bowl in an area that feels like it’s underwater. The menu has fried pickles, boneless wings, burgers and tacos, plus fish and shrimp.

Lulu’s Destin, 4607 Legendary Marina Dr., is owned by singer Jimmy Buffett’s little sister, Lucy Buffett. The 350-seat, bayfront restaurant has a seafood-centric menu with a Gulf Shores spin featuring fried green tomatoes, po’ boys and Krispy Kreme bread pudding. Plus there are six different allergy-free menus. Lulu’s has its own sandy beach with beach toys, and it offers activities like face painting, rope climbing and hair wraps to make it fun for kids.

After working up an appetite at the beach in James Lee Park, stop by the oceanside Crab Trap in the park, 3500 Scenic Hwy. 98, for crabs, fried shrimp, grouper sandwiches and burgers – along with great sunset views and a playground for kids.

Family Hangouts More than just an access point to the beach, The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy., has beachfront restaurants and shops for souvenir hunting.

HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd., in Destin is a central spot for rentals of paddle boards, kayaks, pontoon, jet skis, parasaling, glass bottom boats, dolphin cruises and pirate ship excursions. It also is loaded with restaurants and shops.

Destin Commons, 4100 Legendary Dr., is an outdoor mall anchored by a movie theater. A splash pad in the middle is a fun retreat for kids.

Jodi Mailander Farrell writes for Visit Florida. For more information, visit VisitFlorida.com.

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Downtown Fort Walton Beach, with its funky boutiques and antique stores, also has an Art Walk the first Friday of every month from March through November, and a year-round Farmers Market on the second and fourth Saturdays.

Advertise on Clear Channel Outdoor Billboards. Contact ONYX Media Group.

Contact our sales representatives today.

Call 855-986-6699 for more information www.onyxmagazine.com

ONYX ON THE MOVE

ONYX Magazine CEO Hosts Juneteenth Program The Juneteenth Festival Committee members in Daytona knows the importance of June 19—Juneteenth. This year, they honored community leaders who continue the charge of freedom and empowerment. At 100 years old, Narcissus Brown, a retired professional singer, was among the Hometown Heroes celebration held to commemorate the historic day. She was joined by others who make Daytona Beach Great.

ONYX Magazine CEO Rich Black joined the festivities as co-emcee of the banquet along with Dr. Claudette McFadden.

Slavery came to an end in America on Jan. 1, 1863, after Pres. Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. However, in Texas and Oklahoma, the news came on June 19, 1865—more than two years later. This day halted centuries of incredibly misguided and ugly mistreatment of the nation’s black ancestors. Now, we celebrate this day to remind ourselves that freedom came at a price, but it came.

Funk Fest Florida ONYX Magazine was a media sponsor at the two-day spectacular Funk Fest, a nationwide concert that thousands of fans look forward to each year in April. This year, women in Orlando got a treat with the Girl, Get Your WHOLE Life women’s conference. Women noshed on great food while getting insight from experts on how to be power bosses in their own rights. THAP First Wom

Stokley from Mint Condition

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Photos by Maria Barnes

THAP First Women’s Conference Successful Imagine, nearly 100 women in the audience and 10 sisters on a panel, all for one purpose: to uplift each other. The Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan (THAP) Year of the Women empowerment summit in May was that and more.

Newly elected Tampa Mayor Jane Castor shared her sojourn to City Hall and reminded the women that “walking in your truth is the only way you truly succeed.” A former Miss Florida shared her journey as the first woman of color to take the title—on her first attempt—her win colored by prejudice and the lessons along the way. An entrepreneur who inspires her counterparts in Kenya to think globally and give back by building schools where there are Paula Watkins, Host Miss Marilyn J., 5508 Operation none, shared her lessons of grace and abundance.

Director Georgia Kinsey, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Sherryl Ten women with 10 different stories but one prevailing theme—you can, I’m Cusseaux, Shawn Saxton, Melanie Blue, and Hillsborough proof of it. The Year of the Women was the first of its kind held on the campus County School Board Director Tamara Shamburger. of THAP’s 5508 Co-working and Collaboration Exchange, but it won’t be the last if the attendees and speakers have anything to do with it.

“I came to empower and uplift my sisters and ended up being the one who felt like I could fly and conquer any and everything; and I needed that so badly on that day. What a blessing,” speaker Cloe Cabrera shared. “Even if I wasn’t speaking I could have listened all day.” Cabrera’s sentiments were echoed and shared by one and all.

The ladies were treated to a designer fashion show featuring the work of fashion designers Audrey “Pat” McGhee and Elizabeth Carson Racker, who selected women from the audience as models. The women took home issues of ONYX Magazine that focus on Women on the Move, an annual awards luncheon to honor women of color during Women’s History Month.

THAP already has received inquiries about next year’s conference with requests for it to extend beyond half a day. THAP is extremely pleased and touched that the first was so successful. Next year can’t come fast enough! — Georgia Kinsey, THAPgroup

REAL ESTATE

Four Tips for Anyone Buying or Selling A House

H

ow many houses have you been outbid on? And if you’re an owner who can’t even get a nibble out of buyers—if some barely even bother stepping inside—are you starting to feel like screaming?

Yes, times are tricky for both buyers and sellers.

“Rising demand among millennials, full employment, and the strong economy have bumped against limited inventory,” the “Washington Post” reported, “which fuels price increases.”

What to do? Read on for some of the best insider tips.

1. January and February are the best months to buy. Forget the “experts” who warn you shouldn’t try to time the market. A recent study from NerdWallet shows houses typically cost 8.45 percent less during those two months than in June and August.

True, the pickings might be slimmer, given that most sellers list a house in the peak spring or summer seasons. However, not only are you less likely to be up against buyers with wads of cash— they’re probably wintering in the likes of St. Barts—but you’ll also stand to profit from a time-tested truth.

“If their home is (still) on the market in fall or winter,” notes the home improvement website BobVila.com, “chances are they’ll be eager to close.”

With the median price of homes currently listed in the U.S. at $275,000, that 8.45 percent “discount” translates into a very un-chump change savings of more than $23,000—and and a lot more in pricier cities like San Francisco.

Sellers, on the other hand, do best in the first half of May, according to Zillow.com.

2. Generation Z is quick to buy. We hear so much about Millennials these days, but those born after 1995 caught one website’s attention for a very good reason: When they buy, they buy “quickly.”

More than two-thirds of those Gen Z buyers spent less than three months on their search, compared to 54 percent of Millennials and less than half of both Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1976) and Baby Boomers.

One of the best ways to pique their interest? Smart home features that allow just about anything to be remotely controlled on their phones.

3. A new roof is a sure-fire way to boost a home’s resale value.

A perennial fixture on “Remodeling” magazine’s annual Cost vs.

Value Report, roofs are often the first thing prospective buyers notice even before exiting their cars. And if yours pales in comparison to others up for sale in the area — or worse, looks like something out of “Twister” - that could explain the lack of nibbles.

Your roof no longer cutting it? You might want to check out the popular Timberline roofing shingle line from GAF (gaf.com), North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, given their look of luxury at affordable prices. An even more upscale choice: the Designer Shingle line from the same company.

4. Play the online odds. “Studies show that homes with more than six listing photos online are twice as likely to be viewed by buyers,” Trulia.com reports.

Of course, that only applies if the house you’re trying to sell is photo-worthy. And if it isn’t … well, let’s just say you might want to skip this tip.

This article by News USA is endorsed by Deidre “Dee” Parker, broker at ParkerRealty and the chair of the ONYX Magazine Advisory Committee.

ONYX MAGAZINE 51

BLACK HISTORY

Black Wall Street The Race Riot That Destroyed an American Legacy

J

une 1, 1921, will forever be remembered as a day of great loss and devastation. It was on this day that America experienced the deadliest race riot in the small town of Tulsa, Okla. Today, that neighborhood is still recognized as one of the most prosperous African American towns to date.

With hundreds of successful black-owned businesses lining Greenwood Avenue, it became a standard that African Americans are still trying to rebuild. The attack that took place in 1921 tore the community apart, claiming hundreds of lives and sending the once prosperous neighborhood up in smoke.

In the early 1900s, Tulsa, Oklahoma experienced a major oil boom, attracting thousands. Many African Americans migrated from southern states hoping to

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escape the harsh racial tensions while profiting off the oil industry. Yet even in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jim Crow laws were at large, causing the town to be vastly segregated with most African Americans settling in the northern section of the town. From that segregation grew a black entrepreneurial mecca that would affectionately be called “Black Wall Street.” The town was established in 1906 by entrepreneur O.W. Gurley, and by 1921 there were over 11,000 residents and hundreds of prosperous businesses, all owned and operated by black Tulsans and patronized by both whites and blacks.

One of the most prominent entrepreneurs was Lola T. Williams who owned The Dreamland Theatre and a small chain across Oklahoma. The theater seated close to 1,000 people for live musicals, films and more. This was only one of four theaters in the area. Not too far from Mrs. Williams’ theater was the Stradford Hotel on Green-

wood Avenue. Owned by J.B. Stradford, it was one of the largest and most successful black-owned hotels at the time. Prior to opening the hotel, Stratford bought large tracts of land in Tulsa and sold them exclusively to blacks, subscribing to the belief that they had the best chance at economic success by pooling their resources and supporting one another’s businesses.

Greenwood flourished and became a symbol of black wealth, pride, and unity.

At its height, the business center boasted of various grocery stores, nightclubs, drug stores, churches, funeral homes, restaurants, banks, hotels, and the likes. The community was completely self-sufficient and became the home of many black multimillionaire entrepreneurs. With this growth and success came envy from white Tulsans. Many of the businesses in Green-

wood (which they referred to as “Little Africa”) were more prosperous than those in the white community. Racial and economic tensions soon came to a boil in May of 1921.

On May 30, Dick Rowland, a 19-yearold shoe shiner at a Main Street parlor took the elevator at nearby building to use the restroom. At the time, the white elevator operator on duty was 17-year-old Sarah Page.

What happened while the two were in the elevator remains unclear, yet it resulted in Page accusing Rowland of sexual assault.

Although she never pressed charges, the damage was done. The story made the front page of the Tulsa Tribune with the headline “Nab Negro for attacking girl in elevator”, while rumors began circulating that a white lynch mob was searching for Rowland.

The incident further divided the town with one side believing Rowland raped Page and the other holding on to the belief that he simply tripped as he got onto the elevator and grabbed onto Page’s arm as he tried to catch his balance. Hundreds began to gather outside of the county jail that held Rowland. First, a group of armed whites, followed by a group of armed black men fearful of Rowland’s safety and determined to protect him.

What ensued was one of the most devastating riots in American history. An event that can only be characterized as terrorism.

WHAT ENSUED WAS ONE OF THE MOST DEVASTATING RIOTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY. AN EVENT THAT CAN ONLY BE CHARACTERIZED AS TERRORISM. Before dawn, a mob of angry white men stormed into Greenwood armed with guns, some provided by local officers who also participated in the riot. Hundreds of businesses and homes were ransacked and set afire. Black men, some who served in World War I, rallied together and armed themselves, ready to fight for their families and community. Whites indiscriminately shot and killed men, women, and children on foot and by car. As the number of casualties on both sides escalated, airplanes used in World War I were dispatched, fir-

ing rifles at residents and dropping fire bombs on the black community.

Outnumbered and outgunned, the riot grew worse for black Tulsans. Countless families began to flee after being trapped between rampant flames and gunfire. By the end of the attack, close to 300 blacks were murdered, while many others were left injured, homeless and held in internment camps by local law enforcement.

By 1942, remaining black Tulsans rebuilt Greenwood without any assistance from the state and saw a resurgence of over 240 businesses.

The story of Tulsa’s Black Wall Street remains one of the most inspirational and devastating parts of our history, yet it is still unknown by many. If you would like to learn more about the Tulsa race riots, you can check out: Riot and Remembrance: America’s Worst Race Riot and Its Legacy by James Hirsch The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 by Tim Madigan Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District by Hannibal Johnson Death in a Promised Land: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 by Scott Ellsworth & John Hope Franklin Story and photos courtesy of OfficialBlackWallStreet.com ONYX MAGAZINE 53

FOOD AND WINE

On-the-go professionals often don’t get good healthy meals. Slow down and try this quick, easy meal.

B

etween juggling the ever-shifting to-do list and busy weeknights, there’s not always time left in the day to comb through cookbooks to find the perfect recipe. Even with a potential meal plan in mind, life can get in the way, and running to the grocery store might not be a top priority.

For a quick meal without a lot of hassle, an option such as smoked sausage can be paired with whatever you have in the refrigerator or pantry for a fast, foolproof meal the whole family can enjoy. Since it is pre-cooked, all you have to do is heat and eat, taking the guesswork out of cook time while offering a rich and savory protein option for a balanced and delicious meal.

You can be a rebel without a cookbook and deliver diverse and delightful meals for your loved ones, such as this Veggie Smoked Sausage Stir-Fry by Eckrich.

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Veggie Smoked Sausage Stir-Fry Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 2

package smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces servings premade white or brown rice tablespoon peanut oil bag (16 ounces) frozen stir-fry vegetable mix package stir-fry dry seasoning mix tablespoons honey teaspoon vinegar tablespoons sesame oil toasted sesame seeds (optional) sliced green onions (optional)

In pan over medium-high heat, brown sausage; set aside.

Heat white or brown rice according to package instructions.

In same pan over medium-high heat, heat peanut oil and stir-fry vegetable mix. Add stir-fry dry seasoning mix, honey, vinegar and sesame oil.

Divide rice, sausage and stir-fry mixture among four bowls.

Sprinkle each with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.

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A FAST, FAMILYFRIENDLY DINNER