JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020 by Phenomenal Woman Magazine

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TIWANNA WILLIAMS Founder PearlFlower Catering /////////////////////////////////////////

VIRGINIA CARTER Senior Project Engineer Ozanne Construction /////////////////////////////////////////

WHY RESOLUTIONS TO SAVE MONEY FAIL ...PG 6

DANITA HARRIS

EMMY-AWARD WINNING ANCHOR / FOUNDER OF S.H.I.N.E.

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Beletu (Belé) Wondwossen Founder / Publisher Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Nirvana St. Cyr

Creative Belé Wondwossen Jason Garrett

Cover Story: Shelley M. Shockley Photo: Jason Garrett Contributing Writers Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Stephanie Phelps Kimberly Smith-Woodford

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley

Has your dream been fulfilled? Happy mild winter to all in northeast Ohio! Are you elated about the lack of snow and bone-chilling days thus far? Many of us are dancing in the streets because we haven't had many days of delays due to excessive snowfall, but are we thinking about the impact that is having on our future? I know in many circles the mere thought of climate change brings out visceral conversations leaning toward the idea of it being a hoax or “fake news”, but I for one have started to believe the hype. The site of entire islands overtaken by plastic has given me thousands of reasons to pause and wonder, what is going on? Now I don't consider myself old, but I can remember when we drank out of paper straws when we only packed our groceries in brown paper bags, glass milk bottles and paper cartons as storage for milk, juice and other liquids. There is a saying 'the more things change, the more they stay the same,' as well as 'history always repeats itself.' Here, in Cuyahoga County, we now have a law banning the use of 'single-use' plastic bags, and the local grocery chain Giant Eagle is the first to eliminate these single-use bags as part of their packing. Many other smaller retail locations have also stopped providing plastic bags for your purchases, instead, you must bring your own bag to take home your purchase. Glass bottles are also being used by dairy farmers around the country. History is repeating itself in so many ways, but are we? Are we thinking back to the days when we were not so excessive? You know those days - you shopped for quality clothing over the latest fad; you cooked at home instead of going to pick up “fast food,” ultimately your life moved at a slower pace and you valued what you owned. So what does this have to do with your dreams? In a word everything. If we were to incorporate some of the habits of yesteryear into our lives we might be able to achieve our dreams. Think about the hundreds of dollars you could save if you didn't buy that new outfit for the banquet, opting instead to where the one that sits in the back of your closet. How much would you save if you cooked at least three times a week? 4 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

My point coincides with our column from Marsha Eastwood entitled, “Why Resolutions to Save Fail,” where she outlines why we could all save ourselves some angst and time by not resolving to save without a plan. You should read her column as you think about the first 30 days of the new year and where you stand on your annual list of resolutions. Our dreams are more than resolutions and in this edition, we feature three women who have realized their dreams, and at the heart of each of them was an element of hard work and confidence. Our cover story on Danita Harris exhibits how hard work can pay off, but can be altered when you don't have selfconfidence. In her case, she found confidence through her relationship with God. Tiwanna Scott Williams was established in a career she loved when she began a side hustle catering business using the insight she picked up from her grandmothers. She was so successful that today her side hustle is a primary hustle. Along the way she put in long hard hours as a nurse and catered afterward. Learn more about her transition and how you can emulate her actions on your road to goal fulfillment. Then there is Virginia P. Carter, senior project engineer, with Ozanne Construction. Carter is the ultimate planner for not only her professional life but her personal life as well. At a young age it was apparent she had a proclivity for math and science and she was steered in the direction of a career in STEM. Through hard work and perseverance, she achieved her dream and continues to work hard to be the best while paving the way for more engineers that look like her. Take a moment to read her story. So, 30-45 days have passed and you may have slipped a little on your 2020 path, but as I said in the last edition, “tomorrow is a new day. Wipe the slate clean and start again.” Remembering the words of my parents, “Don't put off until tomorrow, what can be done today.” Why is that important, tomorrow may not come. I've missed the beat to start the year, but my word for 2020 is Purpose, and I will work in purpose each day, win or lose. Until we meet on these pages again, remember to be true to yourself and you will achieve success.

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COVER STORY /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

DANITA HARRIS

READERS & WRITERS

FROM THE EDITOR

Cleveland Public Library

Shelley M. Shockley

WHY RESOLUTIONS TO SAVE MONEY FAIL

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Marsha Walker Eastwood

When Danita Harris enters the room heads turn, she's not only a beautiful, woman she carries herself with assurance. Her smile is infectious and resonates through her eyes, which exude the warmth she is offering to those she encounters. She quickly acknowledges you, because she rarely ever meets a stranger. She may not have the opportunity to connect at that moment, but give her a few minutes and she will engage with you.

RECIPES

This Month’s Feature

MAIN FEATURES

Dr. ANGELA KYEI TIWANNA WILLIAMS

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Over the years, the city of Cleveland has become incubation ground for entrepreneurs. One such example is Tiwanna Williams, a proud Clevelander who after serving as a nurse in one of the most demanding hospital departments became a successful entrepreneur.

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VIRGINIA P. CARTER

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is a senior project engineer with Ozanne Construction. For over 20 years, Carter has thrived in the construction industry as a highly respected professional garnering tangible results. She continuously acquaints herself with new methodologies enabling her to obtain va l u a b l e i n d u s t r y- b a s e d certifications.

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WHY RESOLUTIONS TO SAVE MONEY FAIL If you are like millions of people who listed saving money as your top resolution for the new year, you will very likely be among the millions who fail to do so. This is because resolutions are self-talk, feel good ideas that are often abandoned as soon as the holiday credit card bills start to roll in, along with the regular maintenance bills. Saving money requires research, introspection and strategizing. It is a plan of action that follows a call to action which requires goal setting and significant and meaningful behavior modification. By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, B.S.Ed, MSHSV PWM Contributing Writer

The reasons why anyone should save money are numerous. Some are common sense and apply to almost everyone, while others not so much. They all depend on personal circumstances. The reasons to save money include emergency funding for unforeseen circumstances, surviving a temporary job or to supplement retirement income, a college education, a down payment on a house or car, leisure activities such as vacations or hobbies. The number one reason is to decrease stress and frustration by taking full control of your finances. Everyone needs to create an emergency fund. This fund can help cover the cost of car and home repairs, healthcare deductible, and other insurance deductibles, unforeseen non-covered dental and optical emergencies, emergency pet care, replacing appliances and other unforeseen emergencies that need to be dealt with expeditiously without maxing out a credit card or taking out an emergency short-term loan. Income generation of some sort is the key to survival for most people. This is especially true for those in the workforce. Even a very temporary loss of a paycheck can have a significant impact on the ability to pay the rent or mortgage, buy food, make utility and car payments etc. Money previously set aside in a savings account can help tide things over until work resumes. For many retirees, pensions and social security payments fall short when it comes to maintaining a lifestyle, and the thought of outliving their money looms ever large. Salting money away during their working years can help cover the costs of rent, mortgages and even the repayment of college loans for children and grandchildren. Speaking of college funds, many parents and grandparents save for the college education of their child or children or grandchildren. A better reason is to create a post-college survival fund to help cover expenses for the first six months after graduation. Every graduate doesn't leave the college campus and enter a well-paying job in their area of study, and the sixth month is when the first student loan payments come due. Creating this fund helps 6 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

eliminate the need for more credit cards and those dreaded short-term installment loans. Employment of some sort is front and center in the lives of a great many people and having reliable transportation can make all the difference in the world. No matter how much you love your current “Betsy” or “Sam”, at some point it will need to be replaced. Creating a savings account devoted to a down payment will allow for a lower car payment and decreased interest expense over the life of the loan. The same holds true for housing. Everyone must live somewhere and for those who dream of home ownership, creating a savings account for the down payment, escrow and title fees associated with home ownership can make the process more rewarding, and less stressful. Creating emergency funding for priority needs is one thing and creating a savings account to help a kid out after college is another. It is so easy to get caught up in the care taking of other people's needs that a lot of people forget to take care of their own needs. The stress of creating a realistic work-life balance, finding those few extra moments to meditate or read a book or some other form of relaxation can take its toll quickly. While many people opt for taking staycations, creating a vacation savings account can provide the opportunity to really getaway from spending a week or two “catching up on things around the house” or entertaining others. A vacation provides an opportunity for rest, relaxation and renewal. It also provides an opportunity to rest those credit cards. It goes without saying that the positives far outweigh the negatives when it come to saving money. Independence, freedom for certain kinds of debts, and the ability to handle emergencies all contribute to having greater control over personal finances. The big question is how to go about the business of saving money. Stashing a few dollars in a cookie jar or dumping pocket change into a jar is fine but what about the bigger picture. Where is the real money going to come from? In order to answer that question, you must look at your spending habits- how you spend money and why you spend it in the amounts that you do. What is a priority and what isn't, and how much can you rob Peter to pay Paul? Food, shelter, and clothing are necessities of life. These necessities should be based on your own specific needs and affordability and not trying to keep up with the Joneses or the Johnsons who can afford their lifestyles. Biweekly visits to the nail salon is a feel-good luxury, but not if you use a credit card it is far more expensive. If you can't afford cash, it is not a priority. The same holds true with shoes. If you can't afford to keep up with current styles, don't. Consider getting more wear out of the ones you have or better yet saving for them. A $100.00 pair of shoes

placed on a credit card could very well end up costing $116.00 or more depending on how long it takes you to pay for them on a card with no outstanding balance. Multiply that by everything else you use that card for. The same applies for a car. If there is nothing wrong with the car you are driving, or even it needs minor repairs, leverage that against coming up with a down payment and new debt. Multiply these behaviors exponentially and you will find more money to save than you realized. Behavior modification isn't just about how you spend money but also why. Do you make a list and stick to it, or are you an impulse buyer? Are you tempted by infomercials, slick car ads or even “stuff” at the checkout counters- earrings and purses in a shoe store, small electronics in the checkout lines in the supermarket? Do you answer the requests for loans whenever your children run short of cash? Are you taking advantage of cash reward credit, debit and gasoline cards? Are you a new item only kind of shopper or would secondhand do just fine?If you answered yes to any of these questions you can easily see where money could be used in a savings account of some sort. In addition, all that loose change deposited in that jar could be wrapped once a month and deposited into a savings account. The same holds true for raises at work or from benefits. While December 31st and January 1st seem to be the days for creating resolutions, anytime is a good time to consider opening a savings account and making your money grow. There are several ways to do this and once again you have to consider how much money you have to deposit on a

regular basis and are you disciplined enough to curb spending habits and not touch it unless there is a true emergency. If you have less than $50 to get started think outside the box and do a comparison study. Consider interest rates offered by brick and mortar banks as well as online banks. Learn the importance of APY, the annual percentage yield on your account. Online banking offers high interest rates on your deposits, usually with no minimum balance and low or no monthly fees. If you decide to use online banking for savings always makes certain that there is a debit card attached so in case of an emergency, you have access to your money. While there is a slight difference in the amount of interest paid on their savings accounts Ally Bank suits the needs of many when it comes to creating a savings account. They require no minimum deposit, 1.60 APY and a free checking account which also doesn't have a balance requirement. They also offer full access to their other financial products. Resolutions in and of themselves are just words, and without action they are as empty as a room without furniture. Behavior modification creates and answers the call to action and the results can be financially rewarding. Perhaps T.T. Munger said it best, “The habit of saving is itself an education; it fosters every virtue, teaches selfdenial, cultivates the sense of order, trains to forethought, and so broadens the mind.”

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Photo Credit: Kamron Khan

Tiwanna Scott Williams, A Champion Entrepreneur Did you ever wonder what the world would be like without entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurs play a vital role in any economy, create jobs and activate and stimulate all economic activity. Over the years, the city of Cleveland has become incubation ground for entrepreneurs. One such example is Tiwanna Williams, a proud Clevelander who after serving as a nurse in one of the most demanding hospital departments became a successful entrepreneur. Born and raised in Cleveland as the youngest of two girls, Williams' parents both worked for the Cleveland Municipal School District, her mom worked as a secretary and her Dad as a custodian. Williams graduated from John Marshall High School before attending Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania and transferring to Ursuline College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN.) Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Williams worked as a surgical nurse for the Cleveland Clinic in the cardiothoracic 8 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

operating room. There, her role was to care for critically ill patients, including adults and children with congenital heart diseases. On her experience she said, “It was very fast paced, but what I loved the most is that it was a team approach. I could get called into work at any time of the night if I was needed for a heart or lung transplant and the surgeons could be very demanding and harsh at times to say the least, but I loved it!” She continued, “everyone was under a lot of stress because our patients' lives were on the line. I took pride in working with the best and brightest cardiac surgical team in the world.” So how did this qualified nurse become a successful entrepreneur? The answer lies in her creative skills coupled with important guidance from her two grandmothers, Pearline Scott & Delores Flowers. She said, “my paternal grandmother Pearline inspired my love for cooking good food, while my maternal grandmother Delores Flowers was a small business owner.”

When Williams initially started catering at small events for friends and family, she said, “I had no idea that what started as a side-gig would eventually become the main gig.” She continued, “As the business grew, I remember asking my grandmother (Delores Flowers) when I would know it was time to walk away from my job. Her answer was simply 'You will know.' “I wasn't that entrepreneur who took a big leap out of the gate. I worked as a nurse as long as I could, scaling back from full time, to part- time to PRN. I was so conditioned to getting a “paycheck” the stability and great health care benefits that came with being a nurse made it difficult to walk away.” The transition from being an employee to an entrepreneur requires overcoming obstacles and most importantly calls for greater determination. Williams put all her valuable experience and family guidance to good use and established the PearlFlower catering company. Today, PearlFlower Catering is a full-service corporate, weddings and special events catering company servicing the Greater Cleveland area and beyond. On the services they provide, she said, “we specialize in providing authentic-flavorful food, unique presentation and exemplary service that leaves our clients with a memorable culinary experience. We provide personal chef services for Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns; and our first restaurant concept called Pearl's Kitchen opened in Sept. 2019 inside of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.” Pearl's Kitchen pays homage to Grandma Pearl who passed away this past June as she was the one who inspired Williams to cook. The menu is comfort-centric including classics like mac n cheese, shrimp & grits, crispy chicken, Shrimp rice bowls and bread pudding. PearlFlower is also a preferred vendor for The Western Reserve Historical Society and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park wedding venues. Thanks to its exceptional services, the company is proud to have earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Running her business has not been without challenges. Williams explained, “the biggest challenge for me has been finding balance. Starting and running a business is a difficult task for anyone, but I feel that there is definitely a double standard that exists for women. The expectation is not for mommy to be the one keeping late hours, or missing basketball games or not cooking dinner in the evenings or breakfast in the mornings. Everything immediately became subject to whether or not I had catering events.” She said, “I realized though, that it is also important for my daughter to see an example of a strong woman who can do anything she puts her mind to doing. She is very proud of me and that's what keeps me going! I've become more intentional about making sure that the time we spend is about quality more so than quantity.” Williams was part of JumpStart's Core City: Cleveland Impact Program, an intensive business assistance

program designed to support the development and growth of businesses located within Cleveland's core neighborhoods. When asked how she heard about the program, Williams said “I met Danielle Morris, who works for JumpStart at an event that I was catering for University Circle Inc. She thought that I would be a good fit for the Core City Program and reached out to set up a meeting. I met with her and a few other JumpStart team members. They encouraged me to apply to the cohort and I haven't looked back since.” Williams completed the twelve-week Core City Impact Program, organized by JumpStart Inc. that helped her reach a new level of entrepreneurship. The free program is designed to drive economic impact in the city of Cleveland by helping individuals overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship through hands-on advising and industry-specific mentoring. Williams not only benefited from the components of the program, but during the program's culminating entrepreneur showcase, she pitched her business PearlFlower Catering, taking home the top prize of $10,000 to grow her business. Her win demonstrates a clear testament to how far she has come in growing her company. JumpStart is credited with supporting numerous entrepreneurs to scale up and grow their businesses. Entrepreneurs who had the chance to work with JumpStart speak highly of the organization's support and encourage other business owners to gain their services. According to Williams, the secret behind managing a successful catering company lies in building a team. For those who wish to become entrepreneurs, she suggests to make use of 'every opportunity you can to learn from those around you.’

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In her own words, Williams explains the significance of utilizing all the small business development and support resources available in the Cleveland area. She benefited from organizations such as the Women's Business Center, JumpStart Inc., University Circle Inc. and the Urban League. She said, “The NAACP and ECDI were very instrumental in helping to create opportunities for minority businesses with the Cavs and Aramark. I'm grateful for those efforts because I truly believe it has helped in my success.”

Photo Credit: Kamron Khan

The number of women owned businesses has been increasing in recent years but more needs to be done, Williams said. "Honestly continuing to bring awareness to the stories like mine and other female entrepreneurs. I think our biggest fear is of the unknown. We get in our own way. Once we see that other women are out here doing it, it gives us inspiration to know that we too can do the same things. Also, building a support system… I say it a lot, but it truly takes a village… whether it's a team of moms, or fellow entrepreneurs, you need to have your tribe of people who support you and want to see you win no matter what!” Williams participates in numerous community organizations and is a professional member of The James Beard Culinary Foundation, NAACP, COSE, Women's Business Center, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. Each year her PearlFlower Catering supports local non-profits such as Harvest for Hunger, American Cancer Society, Alive on Purpose, Richmond Heights Education Foundation and Brand-New Youth Mentoring. Moving forward, Williams plans to work on team building, creating systems and operational structures that will help to scale her business. She plans to grow her restaurant brand concept and relationship with the Cavs and Aramark. She intends to launch her non-profit The PearlFlower Foundation to support local women centric initiatives through mentoring, scholarships and events.

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In conclusion the can-do Williams said, “Aspiring entrepreneurs need to work hard and maintain a commitment to providing quality products and service. Never compromise quality to gain a few extra bucks. That is what will give your business a huge advantage over the next.”

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VIRGINIA P. CARTER A seasoned civil engineer with a passion for STEM Virginia P. Carter is a senior project engineer with Ozanne Construction. Founded in 1956 in Cleveland, Ozanne Construction is a multi-disciplinary construction management company doing business throughout the mid-western and southern parts of the US. Ozanne has successfully worked for some of our nation’s most respected and demanding owners including the City of Cleveland, United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, United States Air Force Construction Management Division, Army Corps of Engineers, United States Post Office, NASA Glenn Research Center, the General Services Administration, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. For over 20 years, Carter has thrived in the construction industry as a highly respected professional garnering tangible results. She continuously acquaints herself with new methodologies enabling her to obtain valuable industry-based certifications. The youngest of seven children, Carter was the only girl. She was raised in the Glenville neighborhood but subsequently bussed to attend Collinwood High School. 12 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

She hails from a typical nuclear family of honest, hardworking parents who instilled strong work ethics and solid family values. Her father worked in security for the USPS. Her mother worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) during the night shift allowing her to be home when the children came home from school. Carter fondly remembers her beloved neighborhood describing it as a tight knit community supporting each other like one family. In high school, Carter performed extremely well achieving top grades in science and math. These results were noticed by her high school counselor who encouraged her to pursue studies in engineering. Driven by this guidance and a strong desire for science and math, Carter joined Cleveland State University and started with electrical engineering before switching to civil engineering. On switching her field of study, she said “civil engineering incorporated a broader field of study.” Indeed, civil engineering offers a wider range of specialties dealing with the design, construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, dams, pipelines, structures, airports, buildings etc.

What stood out for Carter among these fields were buildings! She is thankful to her brother, Larry who was a sheet metal worker, “he actually showed me how to read plans and key items to look for during construction,” She said. The discussions she had with her brother on his construction works planted a seed in her. Carter's dreams came to fruition as her efforts and hard work paid off dividends enabling her to graduate with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Cleveland State University. She is deeply indebted to her parents who instilled in her the values of ethics and hard work, critical factors which contributed to her success. Her career started in the public sector with the City of Cleveland, Division of Engineering & Construction where the bulk of her work was Project Management of roadway and bridge projects. She then made a transition to RP Carbone before joining the design firm, Camp Dresser McKee. Despite working in different organizations, she said, “in each of these positions, I was performing work related to construction management.” In a nut shell, construction management deals with the utilization of techniques to oversee a project from beginning to end. This no doubt helps towards cost effectiveness as well as ensuring timely delivery of construction projects. Discussing her first major engineering project, Carter said, “There was a creek in the City of Cleveland where trash was placed in the berm. Over time the stream eroded

the berm away and trash was falling into the stream. The project was to remove the waste and regrade the berm and place erosion controls in the stream to prevent further erosion. This project exposed me to work with a designer on an unconventional project for the City of Cleveland.” She continued, “one day there was a pocket of an unknown substance that we were exposed to and fire departments from three cities were called as residents within the area were alarmed of the smell. My inspector and I were attending a meeting regarding the incident and were sent to the hospital. We had no idea that we had been exposed, apparently our smell required the meeting to be postponed until we were released from the hospital later that day.” As a senior project engineer with Ozanne Construction, Carter undertakes a multitude of responsibilities including preparing, coordinating and monitoring projects from the commencement of construction to final completion, saying, “I am responsible for monitoring costs, schedule and procurement of construction items. When needed, I facilitate discussions and create solutions between our contractors and the owner.” In all her professional work, she ensures putting in the best engineering practices while overcoming numerous challenges. Citing challenges, the senior project engineer stated “the biggest challenge is being sure the owner is satisfied with the final product but also being aware of the final budget and costs.” Continued on next page ... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 13

“when I look at schools like John Hay that have a waiting list of students who are interested in STEM, I think we are missing the mark. We should have other schools that are devoted to STEM. It is hard for a teacher to be able to garner interest in what the math and science is used for, when you are focusing on state test scores.” Carter underscored the importance of family support systems. “STEM fields are not usually a typical eighthour position. I think the work-life balance is better when your partner understands the demands and can adjust and work with your schedule.” She said. “I noticed a number of men that I worked with were married to teachers. Their schedule allows less unsupervised time for kids during the day and they are usually off during the summer months. If you are working 10-12 hours a day on a project, it can take a toll on a family if roles and responsibilities are not adjusted to accommodate for children and your partner.”

VIRGINIA P. CARTER

When asked whether gender gives a different perspective and experience from her male counterparts, Carter replied, “my experience is that your role/responsibility is always questioned when meeting your counterparts until you prove yourself and show you're capable.” Although some progress has been made, women and minorities are still disproportionately represented in STEM fields of studies in general and in engineering in particular. Biases still exist in our society that deter girls from joining engineering fields of studies, which are perceived to be challenging. Studies indicate that while women represent over half the U.S. population, only 12 percent of the civil engineering workforce is composed of women. These disproportionate levels convinced Carter to exert time and effort to nurture/mentor girls and minorities to join STEM fields of studies. In this regard, she serves as a Lead Mentor for the ACE mentor program. The Architecture, Construction Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program, founded in 1995 is an innovative way of attracting students, particularly minorities, women, and low-income populations into careers in the integrated construction industry including architecture, construction, and engineering. The program also exposes high school students to the industry. Carter headed a pilot program at Max Hayes high school and was instrumental in its success and with the participants continuing their education. The 2018 ACE Mentor Program Cleveland awarded 30 scholarships totaling $125,000 to graduating seniors from across Northeast Ohio and over $25,000 went to six Max Hayes students. ACE is currently in the Cleveland Metro Schools and Warrensville Heights. While Carter acknowledged the increased awareness of the importance of STEM fields of studies, she noted, 14 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

She also attributes her success to the emphasis she gives to detailed planning. “I have a planner that contains work and life items. I plan for the big things and let the little things fall where they can. There are a number of times when we as a family are trying not to overbook. We have a family calendar on the refrigerator. If you think it is important and you want the family to participate then you have to place it on the calendar.” She continued, “I ask my child's teacher to give more than a week's notice for anything she would like for us to participate in, otherwise it can't happen. My week begins with listing all the work items/tasks I didn't complete last week. I am a big proponent of planners. I call it my brain.” Advancing her career, Carter is currently completing her certification in ProCore (advanced project management software) and maintaining credentials in LEED (an internationally recognized green building certification system.) For those who wish to pursue engineering studies, she said, “in college it is essential to align yourself with organizations that can provide support. I was a member of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) the year I graduated from school and it was the largest number of black engineers graduating from Cleveland State University. I still maintain contact with a number of my fellow NSBE members.” Carter is concerned that “this generation is bombarded with information and technology and sometimes it is hard to focus when you have information overload.” Nonetheless, she suggested “our young girls should participate in as many after school activities as possible. These activities expose them to a number of professionals that they would not necessarily meet during school hours or outside of their parent's circle of influence.” She acknowledged that civil engineering is an exciting field as no two days are the same and there is never a boring day in construction. Carter's remarkable accomplishments in all aspects of her construction management works and exemplary contributions to inspiring young students to pursue STEM fields of studies stand her in good stead as she navigates through her brilliant career. There is more to come!

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PHOTOS: JASON GARRETT

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DANITA HARRIS EMMY-AWARD WINNING ANCHOR COMMITTED TO HER COMMUNITY By Shelley M. Shockley PWM Managing Editor

“Be intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.” Proverbs 3:5 Passion Translation

hen Danita Harris enters the room heads turn, she's not only a beautiful woman she carries herself with assurance. Her smile is infectious and resonates through her eyes, which exude the warmth she is offering to those she encounters. She quickly acknowledges you because she rarely ever meets a stranger. She may not have the opportunity to connect at that moment, but give her a few minutes and she will engage with you. Harris, WEWS NewsChannel 5 anchorwoman recently took time between news broadcasts to chat with Phenomenal Woman offering a glimpse into the life of an Emmy-award winning journalist, mother, daughter, pastor and founder of S.H.I.N.E. Before sitting down, she poses for several photos and watching her that same radiance shines through for the camera. She is relaxed and definitely comfortable in front of the lens. As we find a fairly quiet space to chat, it's clear she doesn't mind opening up and sharing her journey. What isn't clear to the naked eye is the struggle it took for her to get to this day. Raised in Chester, PA, Danita decided at the age of six that she wanted to be a news anchor. The glimmer in her eyes as she recalls watching the news with her grandmother as a young girl is similar to the joy she finds in her career. A career stymied by fear for many years despite having all the skills and talent to soar. Danita's vision for her career began watching Lisa Thomas-Laury, a black anchor on the ABC affiliate WPVI in Pennsylvania. She recalled, “I would sit there in front of the TV, and look at Lisa Thomas-Laury and think she was so pretty,” and she must be so smart. In explanation, she remembered the wild imagination of her youth, “I used to think that news anchors memorized all the stories. I sat there and I was like you must be some kind of special to memorize all those stories in your head and then you say them so smoothly, don't make mistakes, you look good you must be super smart and I was fascinated with it.” An only child, Danita, she never lacked attention or role models. Both of her parents were college-educated and stressed the importance of a good education as the key to success. Her dad was a math teacher and her mom was an

example of how hard work and perseverance can take you anywhere. She said of her mom, “My mom was very hard working. Growing up I saw a woman that demonstrated if you worked hard, you could achieve success,” as she went from working in the mailroom to the boardroom. This taught a young Danita that despite differences in men and women, she could achieve her goals with hard work inspite of her gender. Attending school was not hard for Danita. She loved to achieve and learned that she loved to write. As she got older, writing served as a coping mechanism because there were many things she wouldn't say about herself, but she would write them, “It was a release,” she said. An “A/B” student, she enjoyed doing well and strived to be the best, in class and as a cheerleader. So, looking back at her television idol, she was emulating her in many ways she's pretty, she enjoyed learning, talking and writing, but still lacked faith in herself. The impact of this fear and low self-esteem had her convinced, “I can't do that. I'm going to make a mistake, everybody is going to see it,” so she went off to the University of Maryland to study print journalism. In her mind, as much as she loved television and writing she would best be suited to write the stories that others read. This solution was short-lived and only lasted about one semester before Harris realized this form of journalism would not work for her entire life. Instead, she decided to be a television producer where she could, “come up with show ideas, but I don't have to get in front of that camera.” Remembering that time in her life, she used a plant as an analogy, “That's what low self-esteem does. It convinces you that as long as I'm around this plant I'm good, but I'll never be that plant.” To fuel her love for television she applied for and was offered a position on the staff of Black Entertainment Television (BET) in Washington, DC after college so she could be in the business she had been fascinated with from childhood. Her tenure at BET began as a production assistant on “Our Voices with Bev Smith,” a talk show discussing the issues of the day. The show aired from 1988-1998, and Danita worked her way up to Associate Producer in the news department before transferring to the entertainment department. Here she was a Special Project Producer putting together half-hour specials. At the time, BET would feature African-American films and she and the on-air talent would package specials that included behind the scene footage. Harris would write the copy, shoot the footage and she would oversee the process of completing the package. Continued on next page...

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“I am special, I will be helpful to those in need, I will influence my peers to do the right thing, I am needed in my community, and I will excel through hard work and discipline.”

Danita Harris with Shelley Shockley

Her progression at the station continued when she took the position of Line Producer for Screen Scene, a show similar to Entertainment Tonight. Unbeknownst to her at the time, this show would ultimately change her course in life. While working on Screen Scene, they decided they needed a reporter that would travel between DC and New York to cover events. A call went out seeking someone with five years experience in front of the camera and after interviewing for about six months, they still hadn't found anyone when they opened the position up to BET staff. Many of Danita's co-workers urged her to apply, but she kept saying no, “I don't have any experience in front of the camera.” Her father who had always hammered into her 'nothing beats a failure, but a try' was encouraging her to apply and she finally relented and applied. Looking back she said, “That was a turning point. If I had never tried, I would probably still be hiding.” Today, as she leans firmly on her faith she said, “But I truly believe it is where God wanted me to be, all God was waiting for. He presented an opportunity and all I needed to do was sign my name. I got the job. I believe that the job was meant for me from the beginning. That's why they couldn't find anybody. So when I got in front of the camera, it gave me a lot of confidence, it was a great job.” After finding her confidence in front of the camera, Harris worked for about two years before BET laid off a lot of people and she found herself unemployed. She remembers, “When I came to Cleveland in 1997, I was unemployed. I came here to live with my parents and I had $1.82 to my name.” Although she was fortunate and got a job a month after arriving in Cleveland, she was unemployed for 6-7 months before getting here. That humbling experience of being unemployed, collecting unemployment checks prompted her to use her faith. In coming to Cleveland Danita said, “He showed me how I could turn my life around if I established relationship and stopped playing church, so to speak.” This strengthening of her faith was not a personal issue, it was very public because she was not shy about pronouncing her belief in Christ. As an example of the public nature of her faith, she was a columnist for Connection Magazine, a local Christian magazine.

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“Know who you are first. Tap into the things that are not tangible. Be your own cheerleader.”

Danita Harris with Mark Johnson WEWS Chief Meteorologist

During her first stop in Cleveland, Danita had the opportunity to do a great deal of reporting allowing her to get to know Cleveland and she fell in love with the people of the city, and the community. The bonus was that her parents lived here as well. She left after about a year and a half and headed back to the east coast, but found that she was “missing something,” and that something was Cleveland. She said, “The reason I love Cleveland so much and this community is that I birthed my natural DNA to give back to the community, and Cleveland is where Danita discovered who Danita really is. Cleveland helped me to define my purpose. On her return to Cleveland, Danita the anchor blossomed and excelled. She received an Emmy for her work on Good Morning Cleveland, and her commitment to the community has afforded many honors as well. The return also resulted in the development of a strong relationship with God, one which led many to tell her she was a “Preacher,” a calling she was fighting. The columns in Connection Magazine led local churches to invite her to speak at their churches, but she didn't see this as her calling. Danita recalls that moment at the age of 28 and the feeling that she must be “losing her mind.” At that time, she had not immersed herself as she should, but she said, “I knew I was called. I heard Him very clearly,” her response was “I'm not going to do that. I'll give my testimony and then I'm done.” Just as she had not allowed herself to see what others recognized in her professional career, Danita was also denying what God was calling her to and what other ministers saw in her. She recalls Rev. Dr. Robin Hedgeman of Bethany Christian Church being one of the ministers who saw the Preacher in Danita. Seeing the gift she had,

Dr. Hedgeman invited her to speak at Prayer Breakfasts for a number of years before finally saying to her next time I need for you to Preach the Sunday Service. She eventually stopped running and today she is Rev. Danita Harris. With two high profile positions in the community, Danita used to remove herself from the world by spending a weekend in a hotel. One of these weekends was where she was given the directive to start “It's Your Time to S.H.I.N.E.,” the women's support group designed to help troubled and hurting women find their authentic selves. She said the download from God came as she was sitting in a hotel room listening to worship music and journaling while seeking God's guidance on how to proceed with her life. She said, “I'm seeking him for guidance and as I'm writing - you're going to do Shine you're going to meet with women once a month it means you're special to God you're hand-picked to do something unique.” Once again she wasn't in tune with the plan set in place for her. For two months Danita procrastinated and did nothing to prepare for these monthly meetings. She finally got to work in October, but she had no idea what she was really supposed to do. She booked a meeting space in the Hyatt Place at Legacy Village but beyond that, she didn't have a clue. She said, “I'm used to going to things like that and speaking, but not starting it, doing it and then talking - talk about what?” So, she had someone prepare a flyer, she posted it on Facebook and without registration, she didn't know if anyone would come or if hundreds would show up, so on that date, she set up sixty chairs along with juice and water and waited. The response was overwhelming and the small room she reserved had to be expanded. So many people came, the hotel said we love this but we can't accommodate future gatherings. Continued on next page... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 19

This past November, “It's Time to S.H.I.N.E.” celebrated its third anniversary, and Danita loves the impact it has had on the community. After that initial gathering, she walked away saying to God, “You're calling me to this because there is untapped pain inside of women. It's like they hold it in, and hold it in and they don't give themselves permission to break.” Women now have a sacred place to gather once a month and break, but in the end, she wants them to know they are needed and even in their dark space, they can be a light to others. For that to happen, each month the ladies of “Shine” donate to a worthy cause and as she explains, “It doesn't have to be monetary, it could be a pair of socks or your time. At the end I want them to know 'You're needed in the kingdom of God.'” In May of 2018, Danita's son, Chase, said to her, "girls need what you do for women." Three months later she received a message from the principal of Dike School of the Arts, asking would she mind doing a pilot program with her girls. Three months later in October, a program focusing on peer-pressure, bullying, low self-esteem for young girls was born. In addition to these topics, she brought in volunteers to discuss financial literacy and good relationships versus bad relationships. The acronym has changed to “I'm a Girl who S.H.I.N.E.S,” which is “I am special, I will be helpful to those in need, I will influence my peers to do the right thing, I am needed in my community, and I will excel through hard work and discipline.” Although it's not something she would have expected to do, she said, “It's been good for me because we talk about our youth, but when you're in it with them to hear what's going on with them. It's been awakening. The heaviness concerns me.” The program is now at Wilbur Wright Elementary and she said really just listen to them. The girls in the program also are involved in community service. With two high profile positions in the community and a growing and thriving nonprofit, you wonder how she can find time to just be Danita and to that she says, “My home is my sanctuary. When I come home I'm off. There's no makeup, no heels it's just me and nothing matches.” Often, she said she will spend days with her parents and her son, just having quality family time. Another form of escape is driving, “I love to drive and look at the scenery. It relaxes me.” The community service is “what balances me, it is naturally what I enjoy doing.” When advising young girls who seek to follow in her footsteps she says, “Know who you are first. I teach them to tap into the things that are not tangible. Be your own cheerleader.”

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PHENOMENAL FACTS Graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a major in broadcast journalism Received the 2020 Media Personality of the Year Award Recognized by MetroHealth with a "SHEROE" Award for her work with S.H.I.N.E. (2019) Received three Emmy awards for Best Daytime Newscast, Best Evening Newscast and Breaking News: Caught in the Crossfire (2019) Received two Emmys for best evening newscast and a special on domestic violence (2017) Recipient of the prestigious Chuck Heaton award from the Press Club of Cleveland (2016) Recognized by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the Outstanding Women in Ministry in Cuyahoga County (2011) Served as a guest host on ABC's “The View,” and interviewed talk show host Oprah Winfrey Received the prestigious “Woman of Vision” award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women for her commitment to community service (2010) Inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame (2010) Honored by the organization Black Women in Sisterhood for Action at the Salute to Distinguished Black Women 2006 gala in Washington D.C. Received an Emmy when Good Morning Cleveland won Best Morning Newscast (2004)

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LENOVO RELEASES FY 2018/2019 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION REPORT Harvard Law School's First Deaf-blind Graduate Joins the Company as a D&I Consultant Lenovo, a leader in innovation and developing transformative products, services and solutions, recently released its 2018/2019 Diversity & Inclusion Report. One key highlight is Haben Girma, Harvard Law School's first deaf-blind graduate joining the team as the first external D&I consultant helping to better integrate the needs of the disability community into its products and workplace. Girma, an advocate for equal opportunities for people with disabilities, is an African American and firstgeneration immigrant that has earned President Obama naming her a White House Champion of Change, the Helen Keller Achievement Award and a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. The report demonstrates the company's continued investment in their employees to foster growth and development that leads to better decisions, better products and better business results. “We are proud of our progress in diversity and to be a part of recasting the model for multinational companies,” said Yolanda Lee Conyers, Chief Diversity Officer and President, Lenovo Foundation. “We are committed to continuing our work of advancing greater diversity in all its forms across our workforce and to foster a sense of belonging with inclusive practices.” The report revealed in the last 12 months, 66 unique nationalities were hired across 61 markets, 100 different languages are spoken by Lenovo employees, five unique nationalities are represented among their top 14 executives in the Lenovo Executive Committee and 97 percent of their business managers are native residents to the markets they work in. Lenovo also succeeded in achieving their goal of impacting one million people through the benefit of philanthropy and volunteerism around the world. In October 2018, Lenovo launched The Lenovo Foundation to invest in STEM education programs, increase access to diverse populations and empower employees to improve their communities. As a result of their commitment, The Foundation awarded 16 mini-grants to organizations around the world such as an organization in Kenya that was outfitted with a new computer lab to serve a disconnected community. In an effort to continue to progress and advance diversity and inclusion, Lenovo partnered with The Atlantic magazine to host their first ever Inclusion in the Workplace conference, bringing influencers and thought 22 ▒ JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

Yolanda Lee Conyers, Chief Diversity Officer and President, Lenovo Foundation. leaders in the community together to share insights and best practices for increasing inclusivity in business. In addition, the company launched two new employee resource groups in the US, with plans to further expansion that focuses on new professionals and earlycareer employees, and individuals with disabilities and caretakers and allies of the disability community. “We have many achievements and milestones to celebrate, and meeting our goals requires constant focus and is a continual journey,”said Conyers. “We are taking steps to make sure our workforce reflects the best insights, creativity and experiences reflective of our customers and society.” About Lenovo Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$45 billion Fortune Global 500 company and a global technology leader in driving Intelligent Transformation through smart devices and infrastructure that create the best user experience. Lenovo manufactures one of the world's widest portfolios of connected products, including smartphones (Motorola), tablets, PCs (ThinkPad, Yoga, Lenovo Legion) and workstations as well as AR/VR devices and smart home/office solutions. Lenovo's data center solutions (ThinkSystem, ThinkAgile) are creating the capacity and computing power for the connections that are changing business and society. Lenovo works to inspire the difference in everyone and build a smarter future where everyone thrives.

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Make the Most of Your Bathroom Renovation Renovating an outdated lavatory can improve your home's usability and increase its value, too. Before you get started, take into account these considerations about the design and function of your new bathroom from the remodeling experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Space A primary consideration is the available footprint to create your new bath. This is often a concern as children reach their teen years and also with expanding families. If there aren't enough bathrooms in the house, you may want to add another, or it may be that you simply need to improve the layout and features to make better use of the existing space. For example, if the bath will be shared by multiple members of the family, a separation of the sinks from the rest of the room may be helpful. Features Determining how you will use your bathroom dictates the features you'll want to include. A guest or hall bath is likely to have far fewer features than a master bath but may share some similarities with a kids' bathroom. First, you'll need to make decisions about basics like lighting, the number of sinks and amount of counter space you'll need.

Carefully consider this aspect of the room during your preplanning phase. To help determine how much space you need, make a list of all the items you need to store in the bathroom, including cleaning agents, toiletries, linens, first aid items and medications. It's a good idea to also think about where in the room you would like to store each of these items. You may want some of the toiletries in the shower area, while others will be used near the sink or dressing area. Sustainability Many contemporary bathroom fixtures are designed with sustainability in mind, so you can manage your water usage while still enjoying a water-rich environment. You can find water-saving features on everything from toilets to shower heads to even sink faucets. Accessibility Applying universal design principles to your project can promote safety and increase your home's appeal to a wider range of buyers in the future. In the bathroom, you can improve safety by incorporating non-slip flooring surfaces and ensuring the space is well-lit.

If you like baths, you'll need to decide between a tub and shower combination unit or separate facilities. With a separate tub, the style you prefer may guide your overall design. The aesthetic for a bathroom with a focal point like a claw-foot tub is likely different from a jetted tub.

Other ideas include adjusting counter and toilet heights to make bathrooms more accessible (wall-hung toilets should be approximately two inches higher). You could incorporate structural bracing around the tub, shower and toilet for grab bars. You might also consider a walk-in tub or stand-up shower with no threshold, levered handles for faucets and an adjustable showerhead.

Storage Storage is one of the biggest concerns in any design, particularly in rooms as small as typical bathrooms.

Find more ideas and inspiration for your bathroom design at remodelingdoneright.com.

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Mar 13 - 15 | Hanna Theatre That Golden Girls Show - A Puppet Parody 'That Golden Girls Show!' is a brand-new show that parodies classic Golden Girls moments - with puppets! Get set for an evening of cheesecake, laughter, jazzercise, shoulder pads, sex, and the elegant art of the quick-witted put down. From Sophia's get-rich-quick schemes, to Rose's tales from St Olaf, Blanche's insatiable hunt for men and the Fountain of Youth, and Dorothy's daily struggle to make sense of her life and keep her roommates in check. Devoted fans will fondly remember our four girls from Miami, and for the first-timers, this will be a joyful introduction to the brilliance of that television series.

Mar 14 | Mimi Ohio Theatre Stephen Petronio Dance DANCECleveland Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Stephen Petronio is widely regarded as one of the leading dance-makers of his generation. New music, visual art, and fashion collide in his dances, producing powerfully modern landscapes for the senses. He has built a body of work with some of the most talented and provocative artists in the world. Founded in 1984, Stephen Petronio Company has performed in 40 countries throughout the world, including numerous New York City engagements and 24 seasons at The Joyce Theater. The Cleveland performance will feature an evening of mixed repertoire including Bloodlines, a project of Petronio’s Company to honor and curate a lineage of American postmodern dance masters. Distinguished for creating original languages that embody the highest level of artistic excellence displayed through extreme physical and conceptual rigor, these artists have had a profound impact on Petronio’s own artistic path. These works will be part of the company’s March performance and will mark the company’s Ohio debut.. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 29

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