MARCH 2021
COVER STORY
Celebrating the Women of Small Town America 2021, pg. 9
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Contents
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader
Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—
5 Love and Life Inspire Success for Two Black Women Entrepreneurs
17 Why Heart Health Awareness Is Crucial for African Americans
8 Five Tips for Starting Your Own Business
19 How the 5G Economy Will Boost Jobs And the Economy
COVER STORY 9 Celebrating the Women of Small Town America Mini-Feature 12 Newly self-employed? You May Be a Small Business In The Eyes of the IRS 13 Stroke awareness: It’s always an emergency 14 At the Forefront of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Physician Anesthesiologists Are Saving Lives 16 Why Nonprofit Leaders Need To Lead The Way In Innovating Education
20 Five Steps to Help Stop the Rise in Deaths from Heart Attack and Stroke 23 What if One Blood Test Could Detect More Than 50 Types of Cancers? 24 Medical Innovations Poised to Transform Healthcare in 2021 25 How to Learn More About New Virtual Internship Programs 27 The Future of Investing 28 Twenty Twenty One 40 under 40 Call for Nominations
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com
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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—
Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag
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Love and Life Inspire Success for Two Black Women Entrepreneurs Two rising, women entrepreneurs - Jena Holliday and Kalilah Wright - have found their voice and are using it to spread Black joy, solidify Black representation in retail and shine a spotlight on what success looks like. With the help of Target, Holliday and Wright’s stories are being told via the retailer’s Black History Month campaign, celebrating the creators building Black economic vitality and leaving a strong legacy for future generations. With just a bit of faith, illustrator and author Jena Holliday walked away from her mainstream marketing job to embrace her passion for art. What started as a hobby eventually evolved into a full-time commitment of spreading kindness and hope through her drawings depicting Black women. That commitment blossomed into a blog, aptly named Spoonful of Faith, and has thus become not only a successful business but a cultural beacon. “Authenticity is the most valuable quality to me,” said Holliday. “Portraying Black women as raw and honest is what I know how to do, and I feel it shows other aspiring creators to lean into who they uniquely are. We are all unique and not meant to be like everyone else.” Holliday’s parents taught her that from a young age, which she feels freed her creative spirit and drives her to positively impact the Black community. Holliday wants her journey and her illustrations to motivate others, especially young Black women, to face fear and find their voice. “Your voice matters,
your culture matters, your background and experience matter,” she said. “You matter because you are here.” Her business, started in 2014, took time to emerge into what it is today. For those looking to emulate Holliday’s journey, her sage advice satisfies both the emotional and professional ambition it requires to take that leap of faith and start paving a new path. * Start small: “A start is a start. Remember to accept and work with what you have and create the best version of you and your talent that you can right now. A spoonful is all you need to start.” * Be honest: “If you understand yourself 100%, including what you can and cannot carry, you’ll produce great work. And, be honest with your support team and let them know where you need help.” * Trust your uniqueness: “Believe you are creative and listen to your heart. Creativity shows up in so many ways, so don’t be afraid to try things that fall out of your wheelhouse.” * Live life: “Try new creative outlets to help nurture your personal spirit. Read books, watch movies, draw, write poetry, dance, sing, laugh or listen. Find the joy in living by nourishing your soul.” Unafraid to use her words to send a message, activist and apparel designer Kalilah Wright bottles authentic and unapologetic phrases about being Black in every clear canister from her company Mess in a GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2021 5
Bottle. Printed proudly across the front of her tops, declarations like, “A Black Woman Created This” and “There Are Those Who Will Change History, And Those Who Will Be Sad They Didn’t Try” give a voice to the voiceless and allow people to express themselves without having to say anything at all. “My messages are about love, life, career and current events - they are depictions of my life and things going on around me as a Black woman in the Black community,” said Wright. “I want people to be able to walk past each other and stand in solidarity with each other, that’s why I chose apparel.” Like her clothing, Wright offers no-nonsense insight for others striving for Black success. * Find your authenticity: “Success looks different for everyone, so march to the beat of your own drum - people will listen.” * Embrace the courage to keep going: “Fear can handicap you but only if you let it; always be moving forward.” * Utilize the tools you have: “Resources and money don’t have to be abundant but be resourceful and
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budget concise every step of the way.” * Stay business minded: “Keep focused on business first and know that if the business succeeds, then you will have another platform from which you can speak your truth.” Holliday and Wright credit much of their success to strong Black female mentorship. With guidance and support, Black voices can rise up. Both Holliday, a middle child of seven with four sisters plus a mom always telling her to “go for it” and Wright, mentored by savvy businesswoman Cici Gunn, understand that being part of Target’s Black History Month gives them the opportunity to uplift other Black women. MHolliday and Wright are two examples of the many success stories of Black entrepreneurs and products Target is highlighting during Black History Month and all year round. Visit Target’s Black Beyond Measure Shop for more information.—
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Five Tips for Starting Your Own Business There’s no doubt the pandemic has hit small businesses hard. Even in its early weeks, February to April 2020, the number of active businesses plummeted by 22%, according to a report from the National Bureau of Economic Research. And unfortunately, the consequences of the early shutdowns impacted minority-owned businesses even harder, with Black-owned businesses seeing a 41% drop, Latinx businesses 32%, Asian businesses 26% and women-owned businesses 25%. Does that bad news mean that now is the wrong time to consider starting a new business? Not necessarily. Opportunities exist for small businesses today, including support and funding for start-ups - and especially for minority business owners. If you want to start a small business, here are steps to get you started. 1. Do your research. First, make sure you understand the current market for your business. This step is crucial to turn an idea into a full-fledged business plan. Ask questions like: * Is this product or service in demand right now? * Are there similar products and services out there, and are they succeeding? * Can this product or service be delivered safely for employees and customers? * Could the business support rapid growth if it really took off? Ask other business owners about their challenges and rewards to explore whether this is a good option for you. Use market analysis tools recommended by resources such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) to get to know the market for your business. 2. Write a business plan. No business can find funding, investors or partners without a solid business plan. Learning to write a comprehensive plan also forces you to fully think through every aspect of your proposed idea. The SBA is a great resource to research types of business plans. Enlist the help of other business owners during the process if you can to understand how their plans helped them and what to avoid. 3. Fund your business. Every business needs capital to get started. Your business plan’s financial section should provide a clear idea of the capital you need to launch. Most businesses rely on multiple financial sources, including: * Personal funds * Bank loans or personal loans * Investors 8
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* Crowdfunding SBA loans can be a good option. For example, Huntington Lift Local Business is a small-business lending program focused on serving minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. Huntington is a top SBA 7(a) lender that has developed creative lending options and other features to help bring relief, recovery and growth to small businesses across the Midwest. With Huntington’s program, businesses can secure SBA-guaranteed loans from $1,000 and up to $150,000 with: * Zero origination fees * SBA fees paid by Huntington * Lower credit score requirements * Free financial education courses * Checking accounts with 24-Hour Grace overdraft fee relief, and service fee waived for 36 months * Flexible, longer-term repayment options “The economic uncertainty sparked by the pandemic has highlighted the need for increased financial opportunity for everyone starting or sustaining their small businesses,” said Huntington’s SBA program director, Maggie Ference. “Everyone deserves a shot at success, and our program delivers a new solution to customers when they need it most, whether for a startup or an established business looking to grow.” 4. Develop a marketing plan. Creating a brand identity and communicating it well is crucial to success. Consider hiring or contracting marketing services to help you choose your business name, create a logo, build your website and develop a strategic marketing plan to get the word out about your business. 5. Take care of business. Dotting the Is and crossing the Ts is necessary for any business. Details include choosing your business location and registering your business, applying for all the required licenses and permits, including federal and state tax IDs - plus opening your business bank account. Also, consulting an accountant with experience helping small businesses can ensure you have your business and financial ducks in a row. Starting a small business is a daunting challenge, but it can also be a rewarding opportunity. Taking the time to fully explore and utilize all the resources at your disposal can help ensure that your new business will be a success.—
2021
Celebrating the Women of Small Town America COVER STORY Rural Leader Magazine is pleased to announce the honorees for the 2021 Celebrating the Women of Small Town America Honor. The task was extremely difficult because of the vast talent of the individuals nominated this year. The selection committee selected 21 phenomenal women throughout Alabama and Georgia. This feature is merely a snippet of the accolades achieved by this year’s honorees. We are, nonetheless, proud to shine a beacon of light on these exemplary individuals. We salute their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments. Furthermore, we proudly honor these women of small town America, who make the world a better place because of their contributions to society. Congratulations, 2021 Honorees of Celebrating the Women of Small Town America!—
Tesharra Alexander
Patty Bentley
Hometown Cuthbert, GA/ Marietta, GA
Hometown Butler, GA
Field Business/Education
Field Government
Realtor Maximum One Reality AND
State Representative Georgia District 139
CEO Tesharra Alexander Real Estate, LLC
Sara Lee Crumbs
Belva Dorsey
Hometown Sylvester, GA
Hometown Cuthbert, GA/ Eufaula, AL
Hometown Columbus
Field Business/ Social Services
Field Nonproift Management
Owner/CEO CAZ Counseling & Behavioral Healthy
Director Quitman County Family Connection (GA)
CaSandra CrappsCromer
Proud Member
Field Nonprofit Management CEO Enrichment Services Program Columbus, GA
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Sharin Gilbert
Erica Harris
Nicole W. Howell
Yormica T. Jordan
Pinneice Mosley
Hometown Fort Gaines, GA Days Crossroads, GA
Hometown Blakely, GA
Hometown Marshallville, GA/ Ft. Valley, GA
Hometown LaGrange, GA/ Atlanta, GA
Hometown Albany, GA
Field Nonprofit Management
Field Business
Field Law and Social Services Coordinator Victim Witness Assistance Program Pataula D.A.'s Office
Field Social Services Services Coordinator Pataula Center for Children
Director Macon County Family Connection
CEO 2 Easy Fitness, LLC Proud Member
Field Healthcare Community Relations Coordinator PeachState
2021
Celebrating the Women of Small Town America
Shaunae Motley
Sharonda Murphy
Elaine Nealy
Hometown Atlanta, GA/ Albany, GA
Hometown Blakely, GA
Hometown Preston, GA
Field Nonprofit Management CEO and President United Way of Southwest GA
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Field Business Owner Murphy Mortuary & Cremation Services & Sharonda's Jewelry and Assessories
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Field Community Volunteer & Support Chair Webster County Family Connection
Lartarsha Parramore Hometown Cuthbert, GA/ Jonesboro, GA Field Business CEO and Founder L.L. Parramore Catering, LLC
Mia Pittman George Hometown Blakely, GA Field Business/Education Author Certified Life Coach CEO The Real Trendsetter Continued on Page 29
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Newly self-employed? You May Be a Small Business In The Eyes of the IRS If, like so many others, you lost your job in 2020 and decided to turn your hobby into a money-making venture, congratulations! That’s what we call resilience. But did you know, you don’t need a brick-andmortar store or even employees to be considered a small business by the IRS? If you’re self-employed as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, you’ll likely need to report your income and expenses on the IRS Schedule C tax form, included with your personal income tax return this year. “At one point in 2020, and any other year for that matter, someone’s hobby could have turned into a business,” said Ian Hardman, general manager and vice president of small business at H&R Block. “Maybe they haven’t registered their company name or rented a location to conduct business outside of their home. But, having an official name or separate location isn’t a litmus test for whether or not a business exists - the intent to make money is.” If you made money from your business last year, you must pay taxes on that income on the 1040 tax form. And you will likely need to include a Schedule C to report your income and expenses and figure your net self-employment income. If you didn’t keep accurate records last year, now’s the time to reconcile everything so you’re not caught off-guard when April 15 rolls around. The penalties for not filing accurately can be serious and costly. In other words: Accurate tax filing will keep you out of trouble with the IRS. The information Schedule C collects includes basic bookkeeping information, such as gross receipts/ sales, cost of goods sold and business expenses. Without Schedule C, small business owners can’t deduct eligible business expenses, including supplies, advertising and vehicle costs. Schedule SE, which is the Self-Employment Tax form, must also be filed if net earnings exceeded $400; however, there is no
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minimum income requirement for filing Schedule C. The good news is that one-half of your self-employment tax is taken as an adjustment to income (aka above-the-line deduction) on your Form 1040. “It’s important for self-employed individuals to see themselves as small businesses. Getting professional guidance about how to handle small business taxes instead of relying on gut instinct or assuming their situation is like a friend’s could help self-employed small business owners avoid costly mistakes,” Hardman said. Help is available year-round, in-person and online. For good reason, many new and longtime small business owners who aren’t numbers experts have concerns about how to approach their 2020 tax returns. By working with Block Advisors, they can address this annual chore with confidence; with an average of 12 years of experience and focus on small business taxes, Block Advisors small business certified tax pros can meet the needs and expectations of self-employed small business clients. Also, help from Block Advisors is available yearround, not just at tax time. And they can help with other small business financial tasks, including bookkeeping and payroll. Block Advisors will help you come up with a plan so you can get back to what you love. And when things change - and they always do - plans can be reviewed and revised at quarterly care checks or as the need arises. Clients can meet with their Block Advisors tax pros in person, virtually, via phone, chat or secure messaging. To start working with the experts at Block Advisors on self-employed and small business tax returns, visit blockadvisors.com.—
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At the Forefront of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Physician Anesthesiologists Are Saving Lives When COVID-19 reached the U.S. a year ago, physician anesthesiologists rose to the challenge, providing critical frontline care to seriously ill patients, while at the same time developing guidelines for safe care based on ever-evolving knowledge about the deadly virus. Now, as vaccine distribution ramps up and the virus surges again, physician anesthesiologists continue to lead the way to ensure patients receive vital health care such as elective and essential surgery safely - even if patients have tested positive for COVID-19. “Physician Anesthesiologists Week provides an opportunity to reflect back on a year like no other,” said Beverly Philip, M.D., FACA, FASA, president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). “Nationwide, we have put our lives on hold to care for critically ill patients, while renewing our commitment to transforming health care for the better.” Providing expert guidance to improve care. Since March, the ASA has released more than 20 COVID-19-related statements or recommendations, from guidance on wearing facemasks in public and the most efficient use of personal protective equipment (PPE), to minimizing medication waste and COVID-19 testing before surgery. For example, ASA has joined with other organizations to strongly encourage the public to wear masks - which is vital as we fight the latest surge - as well as continually revised guidelines to ensure elective and essential surgeries are safe. Inevitably, people who have tested positive for COVID-19 will need elective surgery and ASA’s latest guidance recommends how to proceed safely. The ASA and Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) note that elective and essential surgeries can safely proceed in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection when the physician anesthesiologist and surgeon or proceduralist agree jointly to proceed, using the following wait times: * Four weeks if a patient had no symptoms or has recovered from only mild, non-breathing-related symptoms. * Six weeks for a patient who had symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, but who was not 14
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hospitalized. * Eight to 10 weeks for a patient who had symptoms and has diabetes or is immunocompromised, or hospitalized. * Twelve weeks for a patient who was admitted to an intensive care unit for COVID-19 infection. Delivering life-saving care during a challenging year. Highly skilled to provide safe anesthesia care during surgery and make critical decisions in emergency situations, physician anesthesiologists are made for moments like when the pandemic hit, stepping up to provide critical care for the sickest patients, from performing intubations to directing ventilation strategies. Physician anesthesiologists, from hospitals that weren’t experiencing a surge, volunteered as critical care physicians in areas hardest hit last spring, such as New York City and New Orleans. Thousands stepped up, such as Scott Roethle, M.D., FASA, who took three weeks “vacation” from his Missouri hospital to volunteer in New York City and Dennis Gray, M.D., who took a leave from his Atlanta hospital to work nights on a COVID-19 unit in Brooklyn, recalling the nightly cheers of encouragement from city dwellers that would get him through his exhaustion as he walked home in the morning. Now, as the pandemic surges again throughout the country, physician anesthesiologists continue to lead their health care centers and institutions in developing best practices and collaborate with one another across the country to find solutions to help patients win the battle against the virus. As leaders in the operating room, and partners in leading critical care, the actions of physician anesthesiologists in U.S. health care have helped save hundreds of thousands of lives.—
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Why Nonprofit Leaders Need To Lead The Way In Innovating Education Deb Mallin, Forbes Councils Member, Forbes Nonprofit Council Founder of LiteracyMatters.org, a foundation on a mission to close the literacy gap with scalable, ethical technology & evidence-based instruction. As 2020 came to a close, were you looking at the glass half full, or depending on the day, half empty after almost a year of surviving the pandemic? In 2021, millions of American families will continue to struggle to put food on the table, while others will have children set up, sitting up, and eager to join virtual classmates and teachers, in Zoom classrooms across this nation. If they have access to the internet and equity in education - that’s a big, powerful word - if. And if not now, when? When the vaccine makes its way across the country and schools hopefully reopen, there is a question we will have to address as a nation: What becomes of the preexisting condition and national crisis of illiteracy that continues to destroy the future of our nation’s children? How many children have fallen even further behind this year because we did not innovate to educate, reach and teach all children how and where they learn? According to research from Gallup and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, low adult literacy rates could be costing the U.S. economy $2.2 trillion in GDP. The research found that roughly 130 million adults in the U.S. are “reading below the equivalent of a sixth grade level.” Reading levels in grade school-aged children have been stagnating and even dropping off. In 2019, national average reading scores for fourth and eighth graders were slightly below average reading scores in 2017. Whether we look at the data on our failing education systems as a travesty of justice or from the lens of an economist astounded by the loss of human capital, there are questions we should be asking. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome, we should apply this principle to our education efforts. Why haven’t today’s classrooms changed much in the way they look and operate over the past several decades? Why, in 2020, in this rapidly advancing, digital age of technology and machine learning and AI, are we still teaching children as though they rode to school in a horse-drawn buggy? We scaled Braille 16
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across this nation in 1918, during the time of the candlestick phone and the 1918 flu pandemic. Why can’t we provide the fundamental skills of literacy, a sound-to-symbol and symbol-to-sound system that teaches the English language? Who benefits when children are unable to move from learning to read to reading to learn? Access to evidence-based, whole child-centered learning is not a pie. We don’t need to ration piece by piece when we have the ability to democratize education. There is more than enough pie for everyone. We all do better when we all do better. As nonprofit leaders, we have the immense responsibility to redefine and rethink how we approach our education initiatives. I challenge you as leaders to rethink how we provide sustainable systems change, starting with acknowledging that our efforts are dramatically diminished if we continue to work in silos. Collaboration, partnerships and coalitions offer us opportunities to strengthen our impact by harnessing the power and resources our fellow nonprofits have to offer. As leaders in the education space, let’s commit to supporting the best of both proven and innovative ways of approaching this generation’s national epidemic of illiteracy. I believe we can deconstruct the problem and mobilize an all-American effort to provide equity in education, with teachers properly trained in the science of literacy instruction, scalable individualized curriculum and the use of ethical technology that makes it all possible. Another crucial element to our efforts is to educate ourselves on political candidates, state budget proposals and public-private partnerships that commit to targeted and accountable literacy education initiatives. We are the players who can evoke real change and advocate for greater education in-roads. The ROI isn’t just for the children we’ll teach. It’s exponentially significant to the donors who invest in our nonprofits - and for society as a whole. As a nation, we can accept the hierarchy of responsibility and work together to make 2021 be the year we apply the lessons learned from the pandemic and scale literacy and justice for all.—
Why Heart Health Awareness Is Crucial for African Americans
When former NBA player Caron Butler was in the league, exercise wasn’t something he needed to worry about during his 14-year professional career. These days, in his new role as an assistant coach at Miami Heat, he’s learned to be more mindful about incorporating physical activity into his daily routine to help maintain good heart health. “Now that I’m retired, staying in shape is no longer part of my job,” Butler says. “I have to make sure I set aside time to shoot hoops with my kids or go for a walk during the day - especially while we’re spending more time at home.” Butler hopes others follow his example. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States each year,[i] and African Americans are about 20% more likely to die from the condition compared to other racial or ethnic groups.[ii] With these statistics in mind, and as you navigate life during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important to be aware of heart health as existing heart conditions can increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.[iii] Black men, in particular, face disparities when it comes to heart disease and heart health. These disparities can include medical procedures and care.[iv]
A 2018 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that Black men were less likely to receive cardiac medical procedures than white men even when presenting with similar symptoms.iv To help increase awareness and encourage action, Butler has teamed up with Astellas to encourage Black men and women to set the screen - make an appointment for a heart health screening. Set the Screen is a national campaign designed to empower African Americans to prioritize their heart health by raising awareness of some of the known (smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity) and lesser-known cardiovascular risks, such as genetics.[v] Butler has experienced heart disease on a personal level with his extended family and is passionate about ensuring Black men know their risk and, importantly, speak with their doctor to help reduce it. Now that he’s not playing professional basketball every day, Butler tries to adhere to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ guidelines that suggest 150-300 minutes of moderate activity or 75150 minutes of intense activity each week.[vi] Physical activity is vital to heart health, but so is rest. The benefits of a good night’s sleep can extend far beyond sweet dreams. Almost one-third of Americans get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, which puts GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2021 17
them at a higher risk for heart disease.[vii] As Americans are increasingly aware of their health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, scheduling a cardiovascular screening virtually or in person is an important step in taking control of your health. “Set the Screen” and make an appointment with your doctor today. “I am proud to partner with Astellas and the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), to help address some of the health disparities that exist in this country today,” says Butler. “By encouraging more African Americans to talk to their doctors, I believe we can empower them to make their heart health a priority.” To learn more about how to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease[viii], visit MindYourHeartFacts.com.— Sponsored by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. [i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Vital Statistics Reports. Deaths: Final data for 2017 (06-24-2019). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ nvsr/nvsr68/nvsr68_09-508.pdf. Accessed 10-072020. [ii] U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health. Heart Disease and African Americans (02-14-2020). https://minorityhealth.hhs. gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=19. Accessed 1124-2020. [iii] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). People with 18
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Certain Medical Conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html#heart-conditions. Accessed 12-03-2020. [iv] Arora S, Stouffer GA, Kurcharska-Newton A, et al. Fifteen-Year trends in management and outcomes of non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction among black and white patients: the ARIC community surveillance study, 2000-2014. J Am Heart Assoc 2018;7(19):e010203. [v] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Know Your Risk for Heart Disease (12-09-2016). https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm. Accessed 11-24-2020. [vi] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018. [vii] Virani SS, Alonso A, Benjamin EJ, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics-2020 update. Circulation 2020;141(9):e139-596. [viii] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (12-09-2019). https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm. Accessed 12-09.20. 089-0335-PM
How the 5G Economy Will Boost Jobs And the Economy While the nation struggles with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy has taken a serious hit. At the same time, technological advances continue, including the rollout of multiple nationwide 5G networks. And this advance will be the catalyst for an economic surge - along with huge job growth in key industries. With every technological advancement comes a burst of innovation that can’t always be anticipated. For example, the leap to 4G led to innovations like ridesharing, music streaming and contactless payments. Some aspects of the 4G move helped spur the U.S. economy to recovery after the 2008 recession. Just as with 4G, every innovation arising from 5G technology may be hard to anticipate. But it is possible to predict many changes that will come with the 5G Economy, as some are already in the works. And the impact will be huge. Research by Boston Consulting Group and CTIA revealed that the 5G Economy will contribute about $1.5 trillion to U.S. GDP, creating about 4.5 million jobs in the next decade. “Our analysis shows that the 5G Economy’s impact will be broad and deep, unlocking significant benefits across the U.S.,” said Enrique Duarte Melo, a BCG managing director and senior partner and lead author of this report. “The GDP growth and job creation that America’s 5G networks are beginning to unlock will be instrumental in jump-starting the country’s economic recovery.” Their research also shows how and where some of those contributions will appear - and are already beginning. According to the study, the three key industries that will benefit directly from the 5G transformation are: 1) Information services - This sector will see 205,000 new jobs and contribute $217 billion to the GDP. Highly advanced 5G networks will create a bigger demand for more engineering and software services. 2) Manufacturing - This industry will see a boost of 380,000 jobs and will contribute $165 billion to the GDP. In addition to the demand for infrastructure-related equipment that comes with 5G networks, advances in manufacturing processes will increase efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, enhance the supply chain and optimize production schedules. The 5G factory floor includes high-density sensors and other
advancements to increase the precision of manufacturing processes. For the automotive industry, 5G connectivity will drive autonomous and semi-autonomous transportation. 5G helps cars talk to each other, not only for safe autonomous vehicles, but also for enhanced safety features such as lane assist and automatic emergency braking. 3) Healthcare - The healthcare sector will see 341,000 new jobs and contribute $104 billion to the GDP. With enhanced connectivity, wearables and monitoring devices help connect patients directly to their healthcare providers, making healthcare services more accessible and more targeted. Telemedicine is also greatly enhanced by improved connectivity, as video calls become more seamless and reliable - with no delays or disruptions - and the network increases accessibility for those in more remote areas. Public-private partnership to deliver on the promise of the 5G Economy. To ensure that the benefits of the 5G Economy are fully realized, policymakers, regulators and the private sector must work together so the 5G rollout continues to be smooth and rapid - and that the talent pipeline is sufficient to meet the demand. Delays in network infrastructure build-out would carry significant opportunity costs. According to the study, every six-month delay in 5G network deployment at the national level could mean missing out on an average of $25 billion of potential 5G benefits by 2030. “This study confirms the significant benefits that will come as a result of the 5G Economy, as long as there are no delays,” said CTIA Senior Vice President Nick Ludlum. “America’s wireless industry is building the foundation for the country’s post-COVID economic recovery.” The 5G Economy will unlock many broad benefits across the U.S., with some of those benefits yet unknown. New services will emerge across all industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and education. These changes and the benefits that come with them will help pull the U.S. into a thriving post-COVID economy. To read the full report from Boston Consulting Group and CTIA, visit ctia.org/5Geconomy.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2021 19
Five Steps to Help Stop the Rise in Deaths from Heart Attack and Stroke 20
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Permission granted by ShantaQuilette Carter-Williams.
At 42, ShantaQuilette Carter-Williams never saw herself as someone who had a heart problem. She was active, paid attention to what she ate and felt healthy. But one day, while on her usual run, she felt her heart flutter and went to the doctor. Six years later, after several trips to the emergency room and misdiagnoses, she had a heart attack and a stroke. That’s when she learned she had cardiovascular disease, which can lead to both. She also was surprised to learn that it runs in her family - her mother had suffered a heart attack at a young age and hadn’t told her about it. Carter-Williams’ story is not uncommon. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death each year in the US, and it is on the rise. Black Americans are 30% more likely to die of this disease than others, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are many reasons for these higher rates, such as family history, implicit bias within the medical community and unequal access to health care. “Cardiovascular disease is not usually discussed in Black culture,” says Carter-Williams, “but we need to talk about these real issues - it could potentially save lives.” Today, Carter-Williams is an advocate for women, especially Black women like herself and her mother. Her goal is to help others take charge of their cardiovascular health, so they don’t have to go through what she did. Now is the perfect time to start this important conversation - February is both American Heart Month and Black History Month. There are changes you can make to help in the fight against this deadly disease. Carter-Williams offers the following tips: 1) Put your health first. Making your health a priority can go a long way to curb the risk of cardiovascular disease. This can include getting regular checkups and making lifestyle changes like a heart-healthy diet, daily exercise and reducing stress. For example, Carter-Williams scaled back her hours at work and made time for healthier habits such as exercising more and spending more quality time with her kids. A lower-stress lifestyle gives her more opportunities to teach her kids how to make healthy choices and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. 2) Talk about your family history. Lasting change starts with education. Black Americans have a disproportionately higher risk of cardiovascular disease,
in part due to genetic factors. Carter-Williams encourages everyone, especially Black women, to learn about their family health history and discuss it with their health care teams. 3) Find the right health care team for you. Bias can exist in the health care system, even if it’s not intended. These biases can affect the way patients with cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions are understood and treated. Carter-Williams now looks for doctors who “look like her.” “I need someone who understands me culturally,” she says. “To relate to my doctor in that way makes a difference.” It’s important that she trusts her health care team and feels comfortable talking with them. A good relationship with your doctor - with regular checkups and conversations about cardiovascular disease - can help you manage your risks over the long-term. 4) Take steps to know your cholesterol numbers and manage them. The majority of deaths from cardiovascular disease are a result of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which can cause stroke, heart attack or even death. ASCVD is caused by high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood. But there are steps you can take to manage your bad cholesterol and lower your risk. Regular testing can help detect high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Talk to your doctor about how often you need to have your cholesterol checked and what you can do to help lower high bad cholesterol and keep it low - including following a healthy diet and adding or adjusting medication, if needed. 5) Take the pledge. There are many more steps you can take to contribute to a healthier future for yourself and others. A great place to start is by taking The Legacy We Lead pledge to help lead a legacy of fewer lives lost to cardiovascular disease and signing up to receive resources that will help you turn your pledge into action. The Legacy We Lead is a national effort led by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation dedicated to help stop the rise of cardiovascular-related deaths. With stories and inspiration from people like Carter-Williams, the program aims to inspire individuals to make a commitment to create a healthier future. “My heart matters and so does yours,” says Carter-Williams. “The Legacy We Lead urges everyone to take care of their own heart health and to support others.” Join the effort to create a healthier future and take the pledge at www.thelegacywelead.com. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation East Hanover, New Jersey 07936-1080 © 2021 Novartis 1/21 XIN-1399548 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2021 21
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What if One Blood Test Could Detect More Than 50 Types of Cancers? Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, whether it’s a friend or family member facing a diagnosis, or their own worry about susceptibility to the disease. This year alone, roughly 1.8 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. Nearly 1,700 lives are lost to cancer every day. Despite numerous advances in oncology - the field of medicine that treats cancer - cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is projected to become the first. That’s in large part because most cancers go undetected until it is too late because there is no early screening available today for the majority of deadly cancers. The current guideline-recommended screenings in the U.S., while critical, test for five cancers and screen for one cancer at a time. Cancers without available screening tests account for 71% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. The importance of early detection. Medical experts agree that early detection of cancer saves lives and correlates with the ability to treat the disease successfully. Because screenings exist for five types of cancer when there are more than 100 types in total, the most pressing unmet need in cancer early detection is to identify cancers for which there are no existing recommended screening tests. “Late-stage cancer detection is deadly,” says Dr. Joshua Ofman, chief medical officer and external affairs at GRAIL, a company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. “The five-year survival rate of a person diagnosed with cancer once it has already spread is just 21%, compared to an 89% survival rate of someone whose cancer is found in early stages. There is a significant opportunity to reduce cancer deaths through early detection.” Potentially game-changing technology. Medical
advances are poised to change how cancer can be detected. Researchers have been working hard on a single blood test capable of finding many cancers. The novel multi-cancer early detection blood test, called Galleri, is developed by GRAIL and expected to be commercially available for the first time in 2021. In a clinical validation study, an earlier version of the test demonstrated the ability to detect more than 50 types of cancers - over 45 of which have no recommended screening today - including at early stages, with a very low false positive rate of less than 1%. When a cancer signal is detected, the test can determine where in the body the cancer signal is located with high accuracy. “A simple blood test capable of detecting more than 50 types of cancer is a ground-breaking and potentially life-saving advancement that could have a tremendous human and economic benefit,” explains Dr. Minetta Liu, research chair and professor, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic. “Recent modeling data suggests if all cancers currently diagnosed at stage IV could be detected earlier, evenly distributed across stages I-III, cancer deaths could fall by 24%.” A new era in early cancer detection. “With the introduction of Galleri, we are approaching a long-awaited and pivotal moment in cancer care, and we are dedicated to bringing this potentially life-saving technology into the hands of patients, providers, and communities,” Ofman says. “We are thrilled to be making a blood test that can detect multiple deadly cancers early a reality.” Biomedical innovation is evolving, and this new blood test has the potential to save many lives through early detection. To learn more about this technology, visit grail.com/galleri.—
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Medical Innovations Poised to Transform Healthcare in 2021
Experts in healthcare are continuously striving to develop new innovations that can improve and save lives. Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists, physicians, and researchers continued to advance medical knowledge, enhance screening and diagnostic tools, and improve disease management platforms, bringing new hope to patients in 2021. When it comes to medicine, there’s a lot to be excited for in the new year. Here are the top innovations you should know about and the potential impact they may have on healthcare. Novel blood test detects over 50 types of cancers. While current guideline-recommended cancer screenings in the U.S. are critical, they are limited, testing for just five cancers and screening for a single cancer at a time. The Galleri test from GRAIL strives to transform cancer care and save lives by detecting a multitude of cancers at once and at earlier stages, when treatment is more likely to be effective. In clinical validation studies, an earlier version of Galleri demonstrated the ability to detect more than 50 types of cancers - over 45 of which lack recommended screening today - with a very low false positive rate of less than 1%, all through a single blood draw. Galleri will be commercially available in 2021 and could have a tremendous human and economic impact. Learn more at grail.com/galleri. Life-changing vaccinations for COVID-19. With pharmaceutical companies accelerating vaccine development timelines to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, and healthcare researchers around the world collaborating and exploring solutions, hope is on the horizon: long-awaited vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Now in the process of being distributed, the vaccine will first be available to vulnerable popula24
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tions and frontline workers most at risk of the virus. Smart-device connected pacemakers. Pacemakers and defibrillators are implantable devices that regulate and correct heartbeats through electrical pulse. Remote monitoring of these devices is essential to ensure proper functioning, which in the past has occurred through bedside technology that communicates data to healthcare teams. This can be cumbersome, confusing, and time-consuming for patients. In 2021, patients will have new pacemaker options that work through wireless communication to a mobile app that provides data to their physicians. In addition to streamlining the data collection process, these apps are intended to engage the patient more deeply in their healthcare so they better understand their wellness journey. Telehealth and remote patient monitoring. Resource constraints and a global pandemic has positioned telehealth to be more widely adopted, with many experts predicting remote healthcare to become standard practice for a multitude of applicable purposes, including routine checkups and mental health appointments. Insurance policy changes are also supporting this option for connecting patients and their providers, even when physically distant. Although standard telehealth appointments might take place via secure video conference, the potential of virtual healthcare is even more dynamic. Remote patient monitoring uses special technology to connect healthcare teams to patients in their homes and can be used in chronic disease management, post-op recovery, and much more. Patients input vitals and other data and complex algorithms advise healthcare teams of trend departures so they can act quickly and effectively, helping improve health outcomes and reduce costs.—
How to Learn More About New Virtual Internship Programs It’s not news that the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on learning opportunities for high school and college students. Unfortunately, that’s been especially true for underrepresented students, who often face roadblocks in accessing professional opportunities. One glaring issue is that the in-person internships so crucial to on-the-job experience have been largely unavailable in this time of remote learning. As a result, students are missing out on the chance to participate in real-world work settings, gaining practical new skills, networking with other professionals and growing further in their careers. That’s a big deal, given the importance of that experience to both employers, who are seeking to hire future leaders, and job applicants. Prior to the pandemic, a 2019 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 58% of graduating college seniors who received full-time job offers had completed internships - and notably, they received 16% more job offers than those not privy to internships. The good news? Nonprofit organization The Center for Excellence in Life (TCEL) has stepped up to
launch the first-ever paid virtual internship program geared specifically toward underrepresented students and uniquely focused on nurturing students beyond job skills in a specific field. This program already has served more than 80 Black, Latinx and Asian students in the U.S. in 2020. And with help from new supporters, its founders hope to provide many more with valuable work experiences throughout 2021 and beyond. “Today’s students are our future workforce and leaders, but even with hope on the horizon for COVID-19, the negative consequences for underrepresented students can be long-lasting,” notes TCEL founder Mary Stutts. “At TCEL, we seek to help students understand what is possible and achieve their goals, by providing access, connections, exposure, and development of the ‘whole person.’” Here’s what you should know about the program, whether you’re a prospective intern, a company wishing to participate or a donor interested in providing financial support for underrepresented students: Internships are available in multiple fields. TCEL arranges remote learning opportunities in disciplines ranging from STEM fields to communications, GetRuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2021 25
finance, life sciences, fashion, digital entertainment and more. The internships are structured so company mentors regularly work online with participants to help them experience practical, real-life settings and situations, as they develop the multifaceted skillsets and perspectives the future workforce needs. And the program is intended to be accessible to all - for example, in 2020, 13% of the TCEL interns without access to a computer completed the program using only their phones. Supporting the “whole person” is key. For TCEL interns, education goes beyond specific career tracks, with every intern participating in the “Whole Person” track. Access to this unique training teaches interns how to define a personal brand, build a career while balancing multiple interests, better understand personal finances and care for their mental health. “The TCEL interns I spoke with wanted to better understand financial topics,” notes John Clay, a vice president at Morgan Stanley and TCEL mentor. “As a result, I joined forces with TCEL to continue providing financial mentoring sessions for all cohorts, to build foundations for future interns’ personal and professional successes.” Mental health struggles are at a dangerous high for young people. More than 90% of TCEL’s 2020 interns wrote in their application essays of experiences with anxiety and depression, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and social unrest, and a lack of opportunity. That’s why Kaiser Permanente became a TCEL sponsor. Its mental health professionals will provide mental health-focused mentoring sessions - so that participants are more equipped to help themselves and others. Would-be interns should apply now. Because the goal is to impact students early in their education, interns can apply as high school juniors and seniors or college freshmen and sophomores. In 2021, internships will be available in the spring, summer and fall. Throughout the program, students receive stipends to help cover expenses as they work, since unpaid internships present a barrier for some students. “My goal is to serve as an ambassador for the United Nations, and I know that there’s a great need for 26 RuralLeaderMag.com | MARCH 2021
more women and people of color in ambassadorship roles,” notes TCEL intern Kaylyn Goode, a George Washington University sophomore studying international affairs. “The TCEL internship provided me with important connections and knowledge as I work to achieve great things.” Donors and supporters are needed. To thrive, TCEL needs more financial support from individual and corporate donors who believe in the importance of supporting underrepresented young people and helping to build paths to success. Additionally, TCEL is actively searching for industry leaders and companies willing to share their expertise. Recently, TCEL was one of the first nonprofits to receive a contribution from Life Science Cares, a newly formed consortium of Bay Area life science companies leveraging employee expertise and corporate profits to tackle society’s greatest social issues including pervasive racial and socioeconomic inequalities. MThe program arose from humble beginnings. Stutts, a foster child from a young age, credits her foster mother (a special education teacher) with teaching her that all people are valuable regardless of their labels. While achieving a successful career in the biotech industry, Stutts developed a passion for nurturing underrepresented youth and founded TCEL to cultivate creative, academic, professional, entrepreneurial and life skills. She and her daughter Loren created the TCEL internship program to address disadvantages from the combined forces of the pandemic and racial injustice. Supported by major corporations such as Blue Shield, W2O Group and others, the virtual internship program has been enormously uplifting. Donors and supporters can visit TheExcellentLifeCenter.org for more information. TCEL’s overall mission is to mentor, inspire and empower youth and adult professionals in the pursuit of excellence. Potential participants in the TCEL Virtual Internship Program are encouraged to apply at TheExcellentLifeCenter.org.—
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The Future of Investing Robinhood was built for a new generation of investors. For millions of people who have felt left behind by America’s financial system. For people who felt turned away by the big Wall Street financial institutions. For those who are making their voices heard through the markets and showing the world that investing is for everyone. Robinhood was founded to help more people build wealth - not just the 1%. Before Robinhood, investing required expensive commissions to place trades, making it impractical for people with smaller balances to participate. In addition, many were unable to satisfy minimum account balance requirements, or were otherwise uncomfortable walking into a financial institution to complete paperwork or answer jargon-filled questions they did not understand. Robinhood pioneered commission-free trading with no account minimums. They built a modern financial services platform to serve everyone, regardless of their wealth, income or background. Because Robinhood believes that everyone should be welcome to participate in our financial system. In late January, we witnessed something the stock market has never quite experienced before. Short squeezes on a small number of stocks triggered wild gyrations in prices, massive volatility that prompted clearinghouses to take swift action to protect the plumbing that handles stock trading every day. In a matter of days, Robinhood’s clearinghouse-mandated deposit requirements related to stocks increased tenfold. These deposits are the collateral they post to ensure their access to clearinghouse services on behalf of their customers. They are what led Robinhood to put temporary buying restrictions in place on a small number of securities that the clearinghouses had raised their deposit require-
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ments on. It was not because they wanted to stop people from buying these or any stocks - Robinhood was built to provide access to investing for all. And it certainly wasn’t because they were trying to help hedge funds. It was a week that Wall Street and Main Street won’t soon forget. It is possible the unusual and dramatic market swings could occur again. Robinhood is committed to being a responsible partner and being there for its customers through any trading environment - and communicating about the rules their industry faces and how they’re living up to them so they can be here for customers for decades to come. The world is witnessing a massive transformation taking place across financial markets, driven by the intersection of technology, democracy and finance, and one that is ushering in an entirely new era of financial participation and market dynamics. With a new generation of investors at the helm, the future looks a little brighter. Robinhood Financial LLC is a registered broker dealer (member SIPC). Robinhood Securities, LLC provides brokerage clearing services (member SIPC). Robinhood Crypto, LLC provides crypto currency trading. All are subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc. (‘Robinhood’). All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of capital. Commission-free trading means $0 commission trades placed on self-directed accounts via mobile devices or web. Keep in mind, other fees may still apply. Please see Robinhood Financial Fee Schedule at rbnhd.co/fees to learn more.—
Terri Raven
Freddie Powell Sims
Vatisha Starling
Wesiona Walker
Kelsie West
Hometown Albany, GA
Hometown Talbotton, GA/ Dawson, GA
Hometown Cuthbert, GA/ Albany, GA
Hometown Eufaula, AL/ Savannah, GA
Hometown Valdosta, GA
Field Government
Field Business
Senator State of Georgia District 12
CEO True Vinyl
Field Social Services/ Business
Field Ministry Founder Prophetess Terri Raven Ministries
Proud Member
Proud Member
CEO Wesiona Walker Professional Services & Founder Helping Hearts Heal Outeach Ministries
Field Music/Entertainment Songtress Also Known As "West Love"
2021
Celebrating the Women of Small Town America
Joycelyn W. Yates Hometown Albany, GA Field Nonprofit Managment Chief Quality Officer Albany Area Primary Healthcare
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