Sophisticated Charlotte Magazine

Issue 4 Oct./Nov. 2011

Charlotte NC Fashion Week Creator Anthony Simons

Models

Present - Rochelle Harris Future - LaNika Lucas Vintage - Lakertisha McIver

Fall Fashion

Winter Wonderland • Autumn Nights • Plus Size Fall Into Fall SCM4 Single Pages.indd 1

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The Thrower Group is a management consultancy that helps clients drive business growth through the integration of information technology with strategic marketing, customer engagement, supply chain optimization, corporate real estate and staff transformation across the total spectrum of virtual and physical touch points.

We take an end-to-end view to create sustainable solutions, which drive predictable results for our clients. We are driven by the principle that success is defined by our clients’ results. Our team of management consultants bring extensive experience solving complex strategic business, marketing, and information technology (IT) problems within global, Fortune 500 companies.

Our approach is to engage and partner with clients ensuring alignment and creating solutions tailored to the client’s organizational strengths.

This enables effective execution, which is the critical link between great ideas and excellent results. Our team’s experience, overlaid with a factbased assessment process, enable us to quickly clarify issues and identify root causes to known client issues. Through this process, we offer objective views to help discover untapped opportunities.

We serve our clients with solutions in:

• Strategic Marketing and Customer Engagement • Information Technology Cost Efficiency • Corporate Real Estate & Workforce Productivity • Supply Chain & Operations Management • Organization Transformation • Product Quality & Service Management

Our Client’s

• Results are central to our purpose • Get the truth as we know it • Trust is earned by delivering on our promise

Our Solutions

• Are developed collaboratively with clients • Are informed by extensive executive experience • Are data-driven and supported

Our Practitioners • Live and demonstrate passion for helping clients succeed • Understand that it is a privilege to partner with clients • Treat the client’s business with respect and confidentiality

Our Business

• Values innovation, diverse ideas and learning • Is modeled on a principle of mutual accountability for mutual benefit

11204 Waightstill Way Charlotte, NC 28277 Main: (888) 850-3432 Fax: (888) 830-0743 www.thethrowergroupllc.com 02

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editorial

SOPHISTICATED CHARLOTTE MAGAZINE

CEO/Editor In Chief Sharon Young Chief Operations Officer Lakertisha Slade-McIver Spiritual Advisor Bishop Walter Gwin Creative Art Director/Graphics Production Director Wayne Rose / Work of Art Design Senior Editor Vanessa Burke Senior Copy Editor/Interview Writer Nicole Carter

Fashion Issue This Fashion issue is a tribute to all fashion and the people here in Charlotte that make it their passion. We also want to show that Fashion is not just for the tall and thin, fashion encompasses everything and everyone.

In this issue we will show you just that.

From jewelry to shoes, from runway models to children with great fashion sense started by their parents, it is fashion. You can display your fashion sense in your home, from the choice of color on your walls to accents and furniture. You have fashion in your garden, arranging beautiful flowers by color and design.

Fashion can also be on your face, with the color of your eye shadow and lipstick as well as a beautiful fashion hair style of curls and lengths. So you see when you think of fashion, widen your mind to see it everywhere. The industry wants you to think only of what your wear, but as I just showed you the industry needs to also broaden its scope of what fashion is and is not.

contact us

Cover Photographer Kevin Douglas / Captured By Kevin Photograper Todd Youngblood

It is a way of expression, an expression of ones style, ones thoughts and ones eye for what they feel is beautiful to behold. It is not the only the model it is the beauty from head to toe, from thin to plus and beautiful.

Website Manager Tenessa Moore / Creative Ink Contributing Writers Jared Chatman Jason Brown Shenna Simpson Shella Sylla Elisa Gaines Sadruddin Abdullah

We have seen tons of movies about the industry take on fashion, from my favorite “The Devil Wears Prada” to Monique‘s “Phat Girls”. Even the word “PHAT” took on a new fashion phrase, “Pretty Hot and Thick”. Saying that means that fashion crosses all size barriers.

Email admin@sophisticatedcharlottemag.com

So SCM wanted to show all fashion, and that fashion is for your eyes to behold.

Phone 704-910-5166 Office 980-322-9460 Other

Sharon Young Editor In Chief

Website www.sophisticatedcharlottemag.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/#!/pages/SophisticatedCharlotte-Magazine Twitter sharonscm Distribution Distbu Tec

www.sophisticatedcharlottemag.com Story submissions: SCM is not responsible for unsolicited artwork or manuscripts.

SCM Magazine values our readers’ input and solicits your opinions.

Let us know your thoughts! Send your comments via email @ syoung@sophisticatedcharlottemag.com We reserve the right to edit all letters and posts. All published letters become the property of SCM Magazine.

Copyright 2011 by SCM, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. SCM is a trademark in the USA. Printed in the USA

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commentary Beauty

is in the Eye

of the Beholder

Fashion is beauty, and beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

The fashion industry has its own way of looking at fashion. It is not what we think. We look at it as just fashion. They look at it as dressing the world with color, style, length and sophistication. They display this around the world with fashion shows that bring out the “who’s who” of fashion for one week.

Fashion Week is now being held in every major city around the world. The biggest are in New York and Paris. Designers show next season‘s fashions; all of which are what we should wear to be in style for that season. Their models are 5’9 and taller, wear a size 0, and look nothing like average women. Young girls who look at the fashion magazines feel that in order to look like these girls they must starve themselves to fit into those beautiful clothes. But in fact they do not.

After talking with some industry people, here is the real information. The industry recognizes that the average woman is not a size zero; however since they are showing their designs all over the world, and shooting in every fashion magazine, their designs must be able to transfer from model to model. They do not have time to refit each piece for every single model. So size zero clothes can fit any model. They can go from show to show and know that their creation will fit and hang the way it was designed to. When we see shows or go on model calls and they call for models who are 5’9 or taller and a size zero, it is not the person who is putting on the show who makes these demands.

It is the designers in the industry. It is their job to sell this fabulous look to all of us who want to look like we stepped out of the pages of a magazine. When we go to the fashion shows and are mad because there are no people who look like us, let’s not blame the one who put it together; instead blame the industry. We also blame them for not recognizing the African American models. Beauty comes in every color; however they choose

not see us. One out of thousands makes it. You can name them on one hand: Tyra, Naomi, Eva and maybe two more.

Has the industry forgotten about petite, plus, and average-sized women? Are we important to the industry? Of course we are.

We are the ones who buy into the fashion. Many of us feel like we have made it to the top when we can buy Fendi, Gucci, and Dolce and Gabbana. We pay hundreds of dollars on fashion trends to say to the world that we made it. But, what we need to say to the industry is that we want to see more shows with women like ourselves. They really make their clothes to fit the top 5% of the world. Then they make them for the average person. They do have plus size fashion shows, but do we really support them?

Not really. We flock to the ones with the tall models and the designs that we try to find in our size. The one thing that some of the industry people talk about when they see a plus-size show is the models. The industry considers a plus-size model to be a woman size 8 and up. That’s right, a size 8! Where are the agencies that support these models? Where are the agencies that get them work?

If beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, we need to make our voice heard. We have so much power through the amount of money we spend. We spend money to visit these shows and purchase their designs. We can change the industry if we say we will not support designers that do not take into consideration the average-sized person who makes up 90% of the buying market.

We want to see the diversity in our fashion by using and designing for US... the everyday person. By doing this we send a message to our young people.

Beauty comes in every size and every color...

Let‘s use that voice.

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table

Issue 4 Oct./Nov. 2011

feature articles

cover story Anthony Simons

One on One Shug-A-Bug Kids’ Spa Pg. 9

Fashion Week Creator

One on one

The Man Behind the Scenes

Model Rochelle Harris Pg. 21

One on One

29

Model Lakertisha Slade-McIver Pg. 25

One on One Todd Albaum/Scarlett Plus Pg. 27

fresh face Model LaNika Lucas Pg. 17

photography Tom Youngblood Pg. 45

photography Charlotte NC Fashion Week Pg. 39

photography Plus Size Fall Into Fall

Pg. 35

photography Fall Fashion by Belk Pg. 32

photography Dillards/Randy Shaw Pg. 12

photography Fall Fashion by K&G Pg. 37

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of contents departments editorial Fashion Issue

17

Pg. 03

commentary Beauty Is In The Eye of the Beholder

Pg. 04

health The First Few Months of an HIV Diagnosis

Pg. 07

fashion Fashionably Broke

Pg. 15

fashion Dressing Down for he Sophisticated Man

Pg. 16

new face Kendra

Pg. 13

food & wine On Pairing Food and Wine Pg. 49 Kalu Asian Restaurant Review Pg. 51

dining divas of charlotte Brio Tuscan Grille Restaurant Review

21

Pg. 52

business Denise Cooper: Coaching In Today’s Business Market Pg. 47

community leaders Chief Rodney Monroe

sports Big Pat

41

Pg. 41

25

Pg. 43

off the shelf Jo Evans Lynn/The Promise of Friendship Pg. 53

gospel truth Colin Pinkney - Marriage Matters

Pg. 55

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health

By Roberto Olmo-Bermudez

Walk a Mile in These Shoes:

The First Few Months of an HIV Diagnosis Every nine minutes someone is infected with HIV. Experts say that about half become aware, while the other half doesn’t know, or are afraid to know. I invite you to walk a mile in the shoes of an HIV positive youth during the first few months of the awareness of their status. Over the next few issues you will be taken through a range of emotions and become informed on the process and challenges that HIV positive youth undergo. Try the shoes on.

Taking the first step In the back of your mind you have a suspicion that something within your body is not working quite right. It has been five years since you have had your last fever, and that was during flu season. The tonsils in your throat are swollen and you can hardly swallow water.

The usual cure-all, Nyquil, is taking days to take effect, when before all you needed was a good night’s rest. The suspicion is growing inside, and pushing you to make that visit to the clinic. As you walk inside the clinic, you see the posters of attractive young men and women telling you, “My deciding moment (insert random statement here) Greater than AIDS.” Across from you is a young man that can hardly sit still. He was in your shoes two weeks before, but today is the day his question is answered. He is called to the back, and a few minutes later he walks out smiling; a reflection of his relief. You’re next.

A lovely young lady introduces herself to you as she escorts you into a room she claims is her office during this common procedure.

She begins to ask you questions about the things you do behind closed doors and you cannot help but find it amusing.

“Have you ever injected substances for recreational use? How many partners have you had sex with within the last three months?

Do you have sex with men? How often do you practice safe sex?”

The Department of Public Health is not the only option for testing in many communities. There are anonymous testing options available to everyone. After this extra personal interview she escorts you to the phlebotomist who draws a sample of your blood and says, “Your results will be ready in two weeks, but if you do not hear back from us by then you can stop by and get your results, but that usually means you have nothing to worry about.”

The wait The best thing you can do at this point is wait and not worry. It is useless to panic over something you have no control over. You take it easy the next couple of weeks. You go to the movies, the amusement park, the club; anywhere to get your mind off of it. Fourteen days pass and you decide that you are not ready to get your results today.

Sixteen days have passed and you are beginning to feel relieved remembering what the phlebotomist told you. Twenty-two days pass and you receive a phone call. “Hello, my name is such-and-such and I want to know when is the best time to meet with you in order to discuss a matter of public health.”

Brace yourself You find yourself sitting across from the gentleman that is about to give you the worst news you may ever receive in your life. You keep your composure as he tells you, “The reason I am meeting with you today is to discuss a matter of public health. A few weeks ago you

went to the clinic and received a test that is used to check for HIV antibodies present in the blood stream. Unfortunately your test results were positive for HIV antibodies...”

POSITIVE is the word that stands out to you at this point. He continues, “This diagnosis is not the end of the world.” Only thing that you are focused on right now is preventing the tears that are welling up in your eyes from sliding down your cheeks. “HIV is now a very manageable condition. There are people who have had HIV for twenty years and are still alive and kicking.”

While your world continues to fall apart in your mind, he hands you a pen and a legal document stating, “You are now informed of your HIV-positive status. You are now legally responsible for anyone you expose to yourself from this day forward. You are no longer a human being, you are now legally a bio-hazard, and when you bleed and have sex, you are a bio-terrorist.” The document is a little more politically correct than that. So in your altered state of mind, you place your signature on this legally-binding document.

HIV activists are protesting the imbalance of liability when it comes to laws that protect those who are HIV negative. HIV positive individuals are held responsible for any action that causes the transmission, including: assault, sneezing, and even being a rape victim. Now the highlight of this visit is when he needs you to give him the names and numbers of everyone you had sex with from today to your last HIV test. He feels it is better for him to inform them, that way you can remain anonymous. Before he leaves he hands you his card and schedules an appointment for you to meet with a doctor from the department of public health since you are uninsured, about a month from today’s date.

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One on One Shug-A-Bug Kids’ Spa Fashion Business

For Young Ladies

By Jared Chatman

Around the country it’s typical to find lots of women spending time pampering themselves and finding comfort and relaxation in going to a spa for the day.

Aren’t facials, pedicures and manicures what make up a complete spa package? But what about the kids? Don’t they deserve some kind of pampering?

Tracey Stafford envisioned a place in Charlotte where kids could come in and discover a memorable time in their young lives. Her vision became a reality when she opened her own spa, Shug-A-Bug. Shug-A-Bug, located on John Price Road in Southwest Charlotte, is a place for young girls to come and experience a spa that’s just for them.

It is the only children’s spa in the area that specializes in ice-cream manicures and pedicures and chocolate facials.

Shug-A-Bug’s mission is to encourage young girls to be beautiful, smart and adopt a healthy lifestyle. This is supported by services like the book of the month, which is chosen by the young girls who come in the spa.

They girls are given gifts like fingernail files, pens and temporary tattoos to encourage them to stay focused.

Also, girls who receive good grades on their report cards or have any outstanding achievements could possibly receive a free manicure or facial.

Besides serving as a spa, it is a great place to hold birthday parties. They provide everything except the cake.

From great food to exciting games, pictures and even a little dancing, Shug-A-Bug is an excellent place for little girls to enjoy their birthday with their closest friends. “The girls really enjoy the “Cha-Cha Slide,” Stafford said. “Sometimes they teach us something new.”

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Since opening her own business, Stafford has had some very memorable experiences. She recalls one little girl’s birthday party in particular that was special to her. The little girl invited her friends to her birthday party at Shug-A-Bug. Everyone ended up having a great time. After the party was over, the little girl thanked everyone for coming. Then, she gave out some best friends forever charm bracelets. Finally, the little girl handed a bracelet to Stafford. The little girl said it was the best party she ever had.

Another special thing about Shug-A-Bug is the employees.

They are actively involved in meeting the children. While in the spa, the young girls are constantly engaged in conversation.

Stafford says, “It’s a very social atmosphere.” Diversity amongst the staff is another important aspect of the spa. This allows people of various backgrounds to feel welcomed, and allows them to easily interact with new people. Stafford is a single mom and an inspiration to women. Not only has she followed her dreams, but she is also dedicated to being a good mother for her two children.

Before opening the spa, Stafford worked at a bank for a number of years. After experiencing a lay-off, Stafford began to follow her dream of opening her own business. Since she’s so dedicated to her motherly duties, she wanted a job that was stable enough for her and one that didn’t interfere with her being a mom.

One thing she tells herself and others is, “Live your dreams.”

teaching her the importance of hard work and how to be independent. Another important lesson she learned from her grandmother is to always feel beautiful. This is the same advice she passes along to her own children and to other young girls at the spa.

She finds strength in knowing that her grandmother would be proud of everything she has accomplished.

Just do it. A lot of times we get in the way of our own plans.

Inspired by the idea of a friend taking her child to a kid’s spa in Atlanta, Stafford began looking into offering similar services here in Charlotte. Initially, while working on her plans to open a kid’s spa, she wanted something that was enjoyable, yet affordable for everyone. “The idea came to me on April 3,” Stafford said. By June 3, she was already putting the final touches on her idea of opening the spa. The advice she gives other women working towards accomplishing their own goals is, “Just do it. A lot of times we get in the way of our own plans.” Stafford hopes to open at least one more location in Charlotte. In the future she would consider the possibility of franchising Shug-A-Bug. When Stafford came up with a name for her business, she based it on her daughter Kayden. “Shug-A-Bug is a nickname I call my daughter. I got the name Shug from the character “Shug Avery” in the movie The Color Purple.”

As Kayden got older she added the bug to make her laugh.

Stafford is originally from Philadelphia, Pa. She attended Pemberton Township High School in New Jersey and graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in 1995, where she studied Computer Science and Sociology. As she continues to grow in life, Stafford is constantly reminded of the lessons she learned from her grandmother, Delores E. Richardson. Stafford credits her grandmother for

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“Charlotte Spa Birthday Parties for Kids” Tracey Stafford - Owner 10823-B John Prince Road Charlotte, NC 28273 www.shugabugkidsspa.com 704 • 900 • 5214

Complete Wedding Coordinator

“WHERE YOUR LOGO LEAVES NO DOUBT”

Wedding Directing Bridal Veils Silk Flower Bouquets Candelabras & Much More...

704 • 399 • 1776 weddinglady@earthlink.net 3221 Burbank Drive Charlotte, NC 28216

7209-J East Harris Blvd Suite 313 Charlotte, NC 28227 Phone: 704-910-6366 Cell: 704-965-5951 www.dozierwear - hdozier@dozierwear.com

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Casual Wear - Southpark Mall SCM4 Single Pages.indd 13

Models: Cystal, April Brown, Kima Bowers, MJ Foxx Photography: Randy Shaw Makeup: Pride Makeup Location courtesy of the LUX

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kendra Kendra Nicole Smith was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina by the age of 1 where she was raised and currently resides. Kendra is the only child of her parents Randy and Barbara Smith. She has always been very dedicated to education and is an aspiring model. While in her earlier years she modeled for Limited Too, Belk and later on for Hick’s Total Transformations (product called Edges) and Bronner Brothers hair convention in Atlanta, GA. Kendra went to Hickory Grove Elementary School, Northridge Middle School, and Independence High School; all out of Charlotte, NC. After high school, Kendra graduated Cum Laude from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Communications. Shortly after completing her college degree, she then decided to continue on to Graduate School at University of Phoenix, where now she holds her Master’s degree in Business Administration at the young age of 24. Her parents gave her the foundation to become the person that she is today.

Kendra’s hobbies include reading, exercising and fashion.

Her philosophy in life is “Knowledge is Power because no one can ever take that away from you.”

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Clothes by Eye Candy Makeup by Damn Salon Stylist Shelly Castro and Dwayne

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fashion

By Shella Sylla

Fashionably Broke!

You’ve seen them, the impeccably dressed “wannabe” style mavens with the Ed Hardy jeans, Christian Audigier t-shirt, and suede Ferragamo shoes to complete the look. How about the fashionista with the latest Coach Bag, Ralph Lauren suit, and Christian Louboutin red bottom shoes? Who are these everyday style icons?

Is it your co-worker? You know the one that can go a whole month without repeating an outfit. Or is it the church member who only wears St. John suits, or your best friend who buys a new outfit every time there’s a concert or party to attend, or last but not least, could it be you? With the constant influence from music videos, movies, reality shows, and fashion magazines, it is hard to escape the pressure of keeping up with the latest style trends. After all, when you look good you feel good. But how much are those fleeting moments of joy costing you?

Many of us are spending more than we can afford, just to look good, and impress others, while quietly having buyer’s remorse because we’re digging ourselves deep into debt in order to do so. A wise man once said, “A miser grows rich by seeming poor, while an extravagant man grows poor by seeming rich.” That’s why it’s no surprise that most of the best-dressed people have no real tangible assets to show for it. As in no real estate, no cash in the bank, no stocks, no bonds, and no investments in businesses. In other words, they’re broke!! This brings to mind the episode of the popular hit series, “Sex in the City,” where Carrie is forced to move out of her apartment, and decides to purchase a home. She is immediately faced with the grim reality that she doesn’t have any money saved for her down payment. After asking one of her friends to borrow the money, she comes to the realization that the hundreds of designer shoes that she has in her closet averaging $400 a pair, amounts to the $40,000 deposit that she desperately needs. While her example seems extreme, it is actually quite common, and unfortunately, many of us are wearing our wealth on our backs.

In fact, research has shown that on average, people will underestimate the amount of money that they spend annually on their wardrobes by as much as 50%.

A miser grows rich by seeming poor, while an extravagant man grows poor by seeming rich.

The good news is, this doesn’t have to be the case. You can be both fashionably and financially conscious just by implementing a few adjustments in your spending habits.

First and foremost, start by investing in the brands that you buy. If you must have Coach, why not own a piece of Coach by buying stock in the company? Coach stock is up 49.1% over the past year, Ralph Lauren has increased 43%, and the retail giant Nordstrom is up $23.55 from a low of $28.44 just last year to a current high of $51.99.

Something else to consider is making it a practice to only purchase items when they’re on sale, instead of paying full retail price for them. Another option is to shop discount retail stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, and Ross. They carry the top name brands and fashions at discounts ranging anywhere from 30% to 70% off of the full price. Yes, the items that they carry are usually last season’s trends; however, unless you work in the fashion industry there’s no need for you to have the most up to date threads anyway. In the words of Yves Saint Laurent, “Fashion fades, style is eternal.”

The best examples of this are style icons, Michelle Obama, the first lady who shops at J.Crew, and Kate Middleton, the duchess of Cambridge who’s been known to wear the same outfit repeatedly. While both women have an abundance of means, they’ve shown us that you do not have to break the bank to look absolutely fabulous!! So, the next time you reach for your wallet and pull out your credit card to make a clothing purchase, think about the financial consequence, and whether or not the immediate gratification of the compliments you hope to receive is worth the potential monetary strain. Debt is never in fashion….being financially smart always is!!

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J. Montrece is a women’s ready to wear Ladies Fashion and Accessory Boutique. Specializing in size 12 to 26. J. Montrece is owned and operated by Daphine Nichols. Daphine has fulfilled a lifelong dream of creating a classy and elegant trendy boutique for curveous women of all ages. With Daphine’s discerning taste and style she has managed to bring elegance, simplicity and sophistication to women’s clothing in Charlotte NC. and surrounding areas. The Boutique is located in the SouthPointe Village Shopping Center in the south side of Charlotte.

Daphine Nichols - Owner 10823 John Prince Rd. Charlotte NC 28273 704 • 900 • 5214 www.jmontreceboutique.com

How To: Dressing “Down” For the Sophisticated Man Dressing down can be fun and challenging at the same time. Often times men want to be comfortable and blend in, all the while not compromising their image. Let’s look at a sample casual outfit that accomplishes professionalism without coming off as uptight.

By Jason Brown

First, cufflinks are always a way to go. Removing the jacket and tie changes the vibe, yet cuff-links keep the eyes conscious of your business side. Wear a pair that will highly contrast with your shirt. If the shirt has lines, make the links a pair of solid colors. If the shirt is monotone, choose links of a material that will catch the light and demand attention, such as silver.

Get a pair of collar stays and make sure the shirt is ironed crisp. Apply starch so that your collar is straight and neat. Make sure the length of the sleeve is not baggy, because exposing a nice watch and accented bracelet brings diversity. The cufflinks will help keep the shirt behind the accessories on your wrist. No place on your sleeve to put cufflinks? No problem.

You can always have a tailor sew in cufflink inserts.

Your shirt should be clean and not too busy. A safe bet is always a clean dress shirt in a solid color that complements your skin tone. If you can find one of a linen or natural fabric, even better. These are great for projecting casual.Jeans are in, and always will be, so wear them! Keep them loose but not baggy, and with a boot cut at the bottom. Get a pair with a slightly worn look, but with no holes or scratches. And lastly, have a pair of leather or suede shoes. Preferably slip-ons rather than lace; shoe strings are too corporate. Have them well polished and ready to go. If you are needing a good shoe shine visit the Wachovia building on the corner of 3rd and Tryon and you will find the best men for the job by the information desk, and for only five bucks. Tell ’em Jason sent you.

Don’t forget to smile, be approachable, and apply a body oil for fragrance because they hold up better if you should sweat. Most of all, have fun. You are sophisticated!

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By Nicole C. Carter

Future Model

Gown by Dillards Makeup by Damn Salon Clothes by Eye Candy Stylist: Shelly Castro and Dwayne of Eye Candy

We often think of a model as someone with a pretty face, long legs and the perfect body. We don’t often think about what makes up a model - her character and personality. Though beautiful on the outside, some display less than model behavior both in private and in the public eye. There are, however, some young women with both beautiful bodies and spirits. Meet LaNika Lucas - a fresh face and refreshing spirit in the modeling game. LaNika, a native of Germantown, Maryland has lived in Charlotte for three years now.

She moved to the area with her grandmother who retired while LaNika was pursuing her undergraduate degree at Virginia Union University in Richmond.

“Wherever she was going, I was going,” LaNika said.

And with that she moved to Charlotte. LaNika was able to finish her undergraduate degree with a major in Sociology and a minor in Legal Studies and

Criminal Justice. After deciding that she wanted to seriously pursue modeling, LaNika enrolled in John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center here in Charlotte. No stranger to education, she enjoyed learning about all facets of modeling and acting. She appreciated being taught how to walk the runway, take photos and even how to apply make-up. “[It] was a lot of fun just being taught some stuff that you may not be sure about,” LaNika said. The 23-year-old is making a name for herself in the Charlotte fashion scene.

Though she’s only been modeling for a year, she takes her job as a model seriously and appreciates every opportunity she is given. The young model has displayed versatility by doing both fashion shows and photo shoots.

So far her talent has afforded her the opportunity to model for local professionals like Andre Michael. Most recently she was in a fashion show fundraiser for multiple sclerosis. When asked what made her want to get into modeling, she explained that her interest dates back to when she was in high school. “I love taking pictures and I’ 0m tall, obviously, and

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I figured I could use my height as an advantage.” One of her favorite models and someone she would love to work for some day is Kimora Lee Simmons. “She’s so involved in her passion of modeling and designing and fashion, LaNika said about her role model (pun intended). While she’s gotten many of the modeling skills down, one thing this model is still getting used to is the make-up. “I actually didn’t even start wearing make-up until last year, she admits. “I’m like, models wear make-up. If I want to model I have to learn how to apply it.

I need to learn how to wear it. I need to learn how to love it…

Now I do it almost every day. Not every day, but almost.”

When she’s not modeling or working her full-time job at Wells Fargo, LaNika is working on her Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. She is currently taking online classes through Fayetteville State University. Her plan is to work with juvenile delinquency and crime prevention. A member of New Beginnings Community Church, LaNika displays her passion for helping young female inmates as she serves in the Women’s Prison Ministry. Part of her service includes going downtown to the sheriff’s office to mentor 16-18 year-old girls. “I think my biggest passion and my biggest drive in wanting to do that is just the fact that back home where I was raised, (Continued on Page 19)

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fresh face

LaNika Lucas

continued from page 18

I’ve witnessed it with family and I feel like in some point in time it has to end. Of course crime isn’t going to end, but it’s like, I don’t want our young kids to fall into that system,” LaNika admits. “That could be my brother. That could be my cousin. I just want to be positive for them, be there for them and try to prevent it as much as I can.” And she certainly knows about being an example. The oldest of her siblings, and the only girl, LaNika realizes that she is an inspiration to her brothers.

Her academic achievements and accomplishment of many of her goals let them know that anything is possible. Using her height for something other than modeling, LaNika also enjoys playing basketball. She is a member of the sports ministry at her church, which involves helping out with basketball clinics and open gyms. Recently, she was asked to be an assistant coach for a girls’ AAU basketball team.

When asked if she would ever move to New York to pursue modeling, LaNika responded, “That’s one of the top locations for modeling, fashion and everything, and I know that it will be big opportunity…Sometimes you got to start small to get up top. I’m just enjoying this moment and I just hope I have more opportunities in the future for more fashion shows and just more modeling in general.” Her advice to young women who are interested in pursuing a career in modeling is simple, “Take it seriously and have time for it, and really just enjoy it. Look into modeling school because they do help out. Just have fun.” LaNika Lucas is one of those young women that other young ladies can look up to and aspire to be like. This model is not just another pretty face. Her heart of compassion for young people displays an inner beauty; one that radiates even when the lights and cameras are not pointing in her direction.

Now that’s model behavior!

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One on One Who is Rochelle Harris?

Present Model

artist meets

model

By Sheena Maria Simpson

An artist, model and educator, Rochelle Harris embodies the essence of versatility. A native of the culture-rich island of Bermuda, Rochelle defines herself as more than a model. “I am an artist first…kind of like artist meets model,” she states as she expresses how she fell in love with art at the innocent age of three. “When I was three, I didn’t draw stick figures like other three-year-olds. I was drawing people with features.” Gleaning artistic talent from both her mother and father, Rochelle grew up in a supportive environment, developing her artistic skill well beyond visual art. “My mother recognized that I was gifted, and she encouraged and supported me,” Rochelle acknowledges.

As a dancer since age four for thirteen years, Rochelle enjoyed tap, jazz, ballet, and modern dance. “Modern was and still is my favorite,” she shares. “The movements are free.” It is that freedom that Rochelle depicts in her art.

The artist categorizes her work as “contemporary and abstract, yet realistic.” Possessing a deep admiration for her Native American ancestry, Rochelle incorporates symbols—particularly feathers—into her artwork. “When I think of feathers, I think of birds…they are free spirits… protected but free.”

Gown by Dillards Make up for Cover: Joy Randall Clothes by Eye Candy Stylist: Shelly Castro and Dwayne of Eye Candy

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I have a very versatile style – a chameleon. I dare to be different.

It is her own free spirit that has allowed her to experience multiple transitions in life, including the transition to becoming a model. “I consider modeling more of a hobby than a career,” she states as she reflects on her first audition with an entertainment agency in Bermuda roughly eight years ago.

When asked to define her fashion sense and style, Rochelle proclaims, “I have a very versatile style—a chameleon.

I dare to be different.” Sometimes going against the grain of mainstream fashion, she dares to transform her attire into what she calls “conversation pieces.” And even though her affair with modeling started eight years ago, Rochelle‘s “dare to be different” mentality dates back to her early years of childhood. “I‘ve never been one to follow the crowd.”

(Continued on Page 23)

...be yourself. If you have to stand alone, do it and be right as opposed to following the crowd and being wrong.

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Rochelle Harris continued from page 22

Rochelle’s desire to stand out is evident in her vivacious color choices and ethnic prints. Interesting enough, her clothing style is very similar to her art. Overall, her style is trendy and very diverse.

In a culture where the media and peer pressure force young women to succumb to the picture-perfect images and flashy styles just to fit in, Rochelle recalls how it felt to not “fit in” as a young girl. “My message to young women is be yourself. If you have to stand alone, do it and be right as opposed to following the crowd and being wrong.” Such words of wisdom don’t emerge from Rochelle the artist or Rochelle the model; rather, Rochelle Harris, the educator.

In addition to being an artist and model, Rochelle also wears the noble hat of an elementary art teacher. She describes what it’s like to observe how social and economic challenges affect her minority students in grades K-5.

“It’s a challenge teaching students with such great needs.”

Majority of her students are African American and Hispanic, many of which battle poverty and other social ills daily.

An educator who believes in the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” Rochelle contends, “It’s almost as if we no longer have a sense of community. People don’t look back on how our ancestors came together to succeed.”

It is apparent that the free-spirited artist/model is also passionate about the plight of our youth and the quality of the education that is offered to them.

So what does the future hold for such an extraordinary and versatile woman? Rochelle envisions herself owning her own business and using art to bring joy into the lives of others, especially children. Her list of aspirations encompasses being a role model for young minorities as well as helping single mothers improve their quality of life. Considering everything that she currently manages and all that she aspires to do, she confesses, “There are times when I fear my own strength.”

It is by acknowledging this fear, that Rochelle understands the importance of “spreading [her] seeds of art to the world” and remaining true to herself. All things considered, she conclusively defines herself as multi-faceted. So, whether behind a canvas, in front of a camera, or in front of a classroom, Rochelle Harris is sharing herself, her art, and her free spirit with the world— one brush stroke, pose, and thought-provoking statement at a time.

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art by

roh roharris17@yahoo.com

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One on One Lakertisha Slade-McIver Vintage Model

Model. Mogul. Mom. Sounds like the intro to Kimora Lee Simmons’ reality show on the Style Network. But we’re not talking about that model, turned business woman. We’re talking about Lakertisha Slade-McIver, a Charlotte native whose passion for fashion has taken her around the world and back. Tisha, as she is commonly called, was born and raised in the Queen City. She attended North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing. While in college, she studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica for six months. There she was exposed to cultural diversity. From that experience grew a love for studying other cultures.

After graduating from college, Tisha went on to pursue her Masters Degree in Human Resource Management. Ever since she was a child she’s always enjoyed helping people. Little did she know that her love for counseling and helping people, mixed with her passion for fashion would prove to be profitable for her.

Tisha started modeling at the age of 13. Her career began with fashion shows and talent shows.

While she considered herself to be somewhat of a tomboy who played basketball, others who noticed her beauty, talent, and her height encouraged her to give modeling a try. And so she did. She has done work for John Casablancas Modeling and Acting Career Centers, as well as Vince Paul, a local talent agent and founder of Talent Link, an agency that connects local artists with the right people in the entertainment industry. Tisha’s experience as a model spans from print to runway. She has been fortunate enough to share the stage with other talented young men and women, including Rochelle Harris, one of our other featured models.

When she’s not on the runway or in front of a camera, Tisha is hard at work behind the scenes. Unlike many models whose success is based solely on their looks, Tisha’s eye for beauty has helped her develop a successful career as a Mary Kay consultant. In addition to landing a role in the 2010 movie, Blood Done Sign My Name, she did make-up for the set, as well as for other movies and fashion shows. Her love for make-up began in college. The young woman who once considered herself a tomboy decided to put away her basketball sneakers and picked up a pair of heels and a Mary Kay cosmetic bag to help pay her way through undergraduate and graduate school. “When I got to college, everything switched,” she said. “I got really feminine and I got really, really in touch with my feminine side.”

Gown by Dillards Make up for Cover: Joy Randall Clothes by Eye Candy Stylist: Shelly Castro and Dwayne of Eye Candy

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Don’t ever compromise your integrity and don’t ever feel like your back is up against a wall.

Tisha was introduced to Mary Kay by Ann Shears, a million dollar sales director for the company. “She came to pick me up in her pink Cadillac as a college student and the rest was history,” she shared.

Today, Tisha is a Sales Director with the company. The name of her unit is McIver Motivated Millionaires. Visit her Facebook page or listen to her voicemail’s outgoing message and you will find out just how motivated she is! You will also see how much she loves what she does for a living. It is a job that allows her to do what she loves to do - empower women. Every day she is given the opportunity to help women feel beautiful from the inside out. “My business allows me to go inside of a woman’s home, and she might have gone through a domestic violence situation right before I get there to pamper her, and she’s wanting concealer for her black eye.” Tisha recognizes that her position with Mary Kay is not just her job. It is her calling. Her goal is to become a National Sales Director within the next two years, so she will have more of an opportunity to speak to and empower women; especially women who have been in abusive situations. One of her business mentors is National Sales Director, Gloria MayfieldBanks, who often shares the story of how she started Mary Kay with a black eye, two small children and going through a divorce.

Her testimony tells of a broken woman who on the outside appeared to have it all together, but was dying on the inside. She found strength and support from the people in her life, including the women of Mary Kay. Today she uses that story to encourage women all across the country.

One young woman Tisha has no problems empowering is her 13-yearold daughter who wants to follow her mother‘s footsteps and become a model. Tisha’s advice her daughter and other young women who would like to pursue a modeling career is, “Stay grounded.” She believes it is important to keep a level head, and to always put God first in everything. She also advises young women, “Not to turn down any job unless they’re distasteful… Don’t ever compromise your integrity and don’t ever feel like your back is up against a wall.”

In addition to her 13-year-old, Tisha and her husband, Jevon have six other children. When asked how she balances her modeling career with being a full-time Mary Kay Sales Director and a mother of seven, she says, “It’s not about balancing. It’s about centering. The center is Jesus.”

Tisha is very passionate about serving God, which is one of the reasons Mary Kay is the perfect company for her. Their philosophy is all about putting God first, family second and career third. Next to her relationship with God is her relationship with her husband. She realizes that through it all, he has been her biggest cheerleader. Together they enjoy traveling the world and bringing their children along for the ride.

Tisha hopes to continue empowering and educating people as she reaches higher ground in her Mary Kay career. More importantly she hopes to live a life that is pleasing to God and one that her children can be proud of. It’s all about leaving legacy. “People can leave three things behind. Debt – and that’s going to be there for their family to take care of. An inheritance – that’s going to cause arguing and bickering in the family. Or you can leave a legacy. My goal is to leave a legacy for my children,” she shares. With the way she‘s going, she‘ll have no problem doing just that.

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One on One Todd Albaum/Scarlett Plus Fashion Business

Todd Albaum was born in New Jersey and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. He had always been around fashion but never thought he would be in fashion. As a child, Todd was part of a student exchange program that gave him the opportunity to study abroad in France. He lived with a French family and took in all that the culture had to offer.

He attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City for a short while and graduated from a university in New Jersey with a degree in Business and French.

Todd’s interest in fashion started early in life.

As a young man he looked like a member of Duran Duran. “I wore the capizeos with the skinny ties. Whatever was in, I wore it,” he recalls. While he never noticed fashion in stores or boutiques, he always wanted to look well put-together. Todd never thought he would have a business in fashion. It wasn’t until he sold a business back in 2004 that he started toying with the idea. A trip to Italy to celebrate with his wife opened his eyes to all of the wonderful Italian fashion. He knew that his family was moving to Charlotte, but he thought, “wouldn’t it be wonderful to open a boutique and sell women’s fashion?”

In 2006, upon settling down in Charlotte, Todd discovered that there were already 102 boutiques in the area. Initially he wondered how his business was going to be different from any other high-end boutique. While attending a Chamber of Commerce event, he met a woman and told her about his plans of opening a boutique in the city. One of her questions to Todd — one that he was not expecting was,

“Will you carry plus sizes?” He told her no because he had never thought about the idea. But he then went on to ask her why. That’s when Todd received the solution to his boutique’s identity crisis. She said, “If you open a boutique with plus sizes I would buy everything you have and tell all my friends.” That comment stuck with Todd. “I have always been that guy that goes against the grain, does something a little different or out of the box — if I knew it has a purpose.

I thought wow, a plus-size boutique!” With this thought Todd consulted a friend in New York. He asked, “What do you think of a plus-size boutique for me?”

He told her all about moving to Charlotte and recognizing that there were 102 boutiques but none for plus-size women. His friend started laughing.

When he asked why she was laughing, her response was, “I have been telling people for years and no one listened. Now a man is interested in doing it.

That is awesome! It has potential.”

Todd never looked back. Scarlett Plus was established, and he was positive that he had a good thing. The name Scarlett Plus came from the inspiration of Scarlett O’Hara of the movie Gone with the Wind. “She was a very skinny woman; however she was a strong, feisty and determined woman. So to me the word Scarlett represents women’s empowerment and strength in women,” Todd said. Business went from zero to sixty overnight. “I just stayed on the track. I learned the industry, learned how to buy, found myself a great location across from South Park Mall where there is a lot of traffic.

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I became friends with the women who run the shops in the mall, and I am a man running a women’s business.” At first he wasn’t so sure if it would be a good fit. He wondered how he was going to interact with his female clientele. Come to find out, it worked perfectly.

When the store first opened, his assistant and right-hand woman, Linda, would call into his office in the back and say, “Women are here and want to know what you think.” It didn’t take very many times before Todd became comfortable giving these women advice.

Linda has been a great asset to the Scarlett Plus team. The team is a unique one that offers customers both a male and female perspective.

He had found his niche. That was September 2006. Women found that Scarlett Plus was exactly what they were looking for. As for Todd, he was like a kid in a candy store. He wanted to perfect his craft. He learned what worked and what didn’t. Todd buys all of the clothing for his boutique. He shops for different designs, imagining his customers, who cross all ethnicities. He makes selections for his clients based on their hair color and body type, among other things.

There is a three-way mirror in the store so the ladies can truly see themselves. There is also a seamstress available to ensure a perfect fit. From day one women have been standing in front of that threeway mirror, and Todd has been advising them on what looks good.

“I teach affirmation. This is a great look; great color, great fit and you can do this,” he encourages.

One way that Todd continues to excel in his own business is by taking an interest in his competition: mainstream department stores. He finds that the plus departments are very matronly and leaves him — and customers — with a cold experience. “They put it at the end of the rack, downstairs in the basement.” Todd looks for style, not clothes that look like tents. For him it’s all about making a fashion statement; using the body like a blank canvas, and then accessorizing it. At the end of the day, a woman needs to look and feel beautiful. This is one of his greatest strengths. Todd knows that these women believe that their choices are limited. But he knows better, so he uses his knowledge and skill to his advantage. He finds small vendors. The clothes are made in The United States or in Canada. Finding things that are unusual, well-made and certainly things that have style is what he does. When asked about opening another boutique he said, “I thought about opening another boutique or franchising. There is a lot involved with a guy running it, but I don’t think it would work well elsewhere.

It works well for me because of my personality. I recognize that I want to expand but not with the clothing; I want to expand with the advice I give women. So I created “Fashion 101 Plus.”

the different body types: the apple, pear, reverse triangle, and rectangular shapes. There are also lessons on how to accessorize.

Todd holds group workshops in the store to help women identify their “fashion challenges” and ways to overcome them. The workshops are recorded and later divided into segments, which are then placed on Fashion101Plus.com. “I take what I do and replicate that advice on the Internet, and I am able to do that globally allowing women to find me.” Some of the videos he has made are entitled, “Fashion Tips with Todd.” The website is designed to give information to show women how to put pieces together that will bring out their sense of style. Members of the website can visit it as often as they like to review their particular body type and what will make them look great. A woman can go to Scarlett Plus Boutique, and if she sees a piece she is interested in, Todd will photograph that piece and email it to her. That way she has a chance to review it and imagine it on her body before making the decision to purchase it.

This truly is one boutique that is unique. “I do it my way, and that cannot be replicated. My personality is reflected in the boutique and how I interact with my customers,” Todd said. Scarlett Plus has customers from all over North and South Carolina, and with the addition of the website, his customer-base has expanded internationally. Behind every successful man there is a strong, supportive woman. Todd’s wife Robin is the marketing genius behind his brand. She helps with some of the buying suggestions and is the creator of Fashion 101 Plus.

For more information, visit www.fashion101plus.com. You can also attend one of his workshops that are held on the last Sunday of the month from 3 to 4:15 p.m. He provides food and wine during the session and then allows attendees to shop until 5 p.m. and receive a 20% discount.

Todd wants every plus-sized woman to think outside the box.

“Don’t hide behind black. Don’t be afraid to show off your figure,” he says. When visiting his boutique, clients will get a great experience and outstanding customer service, which is what Todd is all about.

Fashion 101 Plus, along with the corresponding website, Fashion101Plus.com, teaches women how proportion and proper fit work together to change the way they feel about themselves and about fashion. This is done through monthly online video tutorials. The videos teach women how to be well put together. A subscription to the website is $7.95 a month, and lessons are broken up to address 28

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cover story

Anthony Simons While leaves changing color and cooling temperatures are clockwork indicators of the approaching fall season, so is the buzz and excitement around the 4th Annual Charlotte NC Fashion Week activities.

No one is more excited than co-founder and organizer extraordinaire, Anthony Simons. The planning takes approximately a year with the assistance of a dedicated staff, and includes working with designers, models, interns and the media to ensure a successful event. The week comprises a host of events that allow people to showcase what they do best - fashion!

Sophisticated Charlotte Magazine had the exclusive opportunity to catch up with Anthony to find out a little more about him, Fashion Week and exactly what the buzz is all about.

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I thank the Lord every time...that he has given me the strength and patience to work with so many different people and so many personalities.

Anthony relocated to Charlotte in 2002 from New York City with his financial services company. He had been employed with the company since the early 80’s, and due to life changes that resulted from the September 11th attacks, he decided to move with them to Charlotte. However, like so many of us, he became focused on pursuing his passion full-time as a result of his job being outsourced. He tried investing in property, but that soured with the economy. He then started looking at the Charlotte market for developing events. Specifically, what he could do to develop Charlotte’s emerging fashion industry. This meant spending time researching, attending local fashion meet up groups, meeting local retailers and designers and holding focus groups to determine whether he could launch a Fashion Week. Anthony is no stranger to managing large events as this was his talent in New York as well, although none had been as intricate to span over several days. He was confident that a Charlotte NC Fashion Week could be successful and grow if done properly.

While the interest in a Charlotte NC Fashion Week proved to be great, the likelihood that it would be on the level of the New York version was minimal. Nor did Anthony go into this thinking it would be as large. He wanted Charlotte to have its own fashion week identity in order to represent the Carolinas and showcase local talent. A lot of people cannot afford to be in the fashion shows that appear in New York or other primary markets, so this event gives them an opportunity to stand out.

Charlotte NC Fashion Week was really designed to put a focus on the emerging designers that had the talent, but perhaps not the forum to market themselves. While Charlotte does have some great talent, the amount of fresh talent that could produce collections each year has been limited. As such, there are many designers, models and retailers that come from all over. Anthony knows there is much more talent in Charlotte, and as Fashion Week becomes more visible, he expects to have more local interest and representation.

Charlotte NC Fashion Week 2011 will be held at the Epicentre Pavilion on September 21st – September 24th. The newly remodeled space is a frequented location for urban, upscale events, fine dining and nightlife. And while the Epicentre is in the heart of a vibrant uptown and easily accessible for people seeking entertainment, it hasn’t been without its share of controversy and negative press. The Epicentre has endured foreclosure filings, as well as allegations of discrimination and racism.

Anthony is not oblivious to these concerns, but hopes that it doesn’t put a damper on the event. So far, it doesn’t seem to have affected ticket sales or the level of interest in the event.

Finding a venue in Charlotte is a difficult effort, and is a major reason why the event has been hosted at a different location every year. Determining factors for choosing a venue include staying (Continued on Page 31)

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Anthony Simons

continued from page 30

close to uptown, because it is a central location that allows people to do other things around the city, finding a place with a larger foot-print to support the crowds, and low cost (while hotels are nice, they tend to get very expensive). Epicentre management has been positive and very supportive from a marketing standpoint.

They have been spreading the word to patrons that come through, which is a big help. In previous years Anthony and his team were re-sponsible for paying for marketing and promotion on their own.

Sure Charlotte NC Fashion Week has had its share of challenges, but it has also had an abundance of accomplishments. A major victory occurred when Anthony and team secured a corporate sponsorship with InStyler, the popular hair styling tool.

In prior years, Anthony funded the majority of the event out of his own pocket with some small contributions and product donations.

Many sponsors were apprehensive because they weren’t familiar with the event and the impact it would have on Charlotte. Another accomplishment is that Samantha Busch, the face of InStyler and wife of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, will be the presenting host for the entire event. Last but not least, the ability to contribute to the Charlotte market via Fashion Week is in itself a great accomplishment. The presence of additional businesses and visitors that come specifically for the event helps stimulate the local economy.

So who inspires someone like Anthony Simons? It’s actually someone very close and familiar - his business partner, Wayne Shields. Anthony admires Wayne’s work ethic and ability to continue his level of commitment while maintaining a full-time job.

They have worked closely together for a number of years. He hits the ground running when he arrives in Charlotte, and he knows exactly what to do to get things done. “That is always my comfort

when things are really hectic, and I’m getting down to the wire in planning this,” Anthony said.

In the future, Anthony hopes for Charlotte NC Fashion Week to become a citywide event; similar to what we have now, but on a larger scale. This includes more retailers, more vendors and more entertainment in a truly week-long, corporate-sponsored event.

And as for those persistent whispers about his conflict with Charlotte Seen? Anthony affirms the problems aren’t personal. They are specifically about trademark and branding infringements. Per his message on his website www.CharlotteNCFashionWeek.com, “Creating a brand that people know and feel comfortable with and respect is extremely important to us. Unfortunately, we have encountered businesses and individuals that do not share this sentiment and who favor greed and practice deception as their normal business agenda.” Ultimately, Anthony just wants to protect his brand and support those who respect the true intention of Fashion Week.

Each year Anthony re-evaluates whether he wants to commit to this event again. Once he prays about it, he usually gets the answer.

The encouragement from people who have been involved and calls from designers wanting to sign up for the following year, all keep him motivated to in-vest his time and energy another year. And he really enjoys looking forward to seeing how far it can go. “I thank the Lord every time…that he has given me the strength and the patience to work with so many different people and so many personalities. This is more than an event. I look back at the designers, the models and it’s not just for the money. It helps people and others to realize their dreams. This only makes the event more successful.”

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FALL FASHIONS BY

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FALL FASHIONS

BY

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FALL FASHIONS

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FALL FASHIONS BY

Baron Thrower - Founder The Thrower Group, LLC

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community leader chief Monroe

By Jared Chatman

The Top Community Cop

Unless you’re going to get out there in the community and really understand what the concerns of the people are, you really can’t administer justice.

There’s a new chief in town and he goes by the name of Chief Rodney D. Monroe. Since named the Chief of the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department on June 16, 2008, Chief Monroe has dedicated much of his time and efforts in making the community of Charlotte a better and safer place for all of its residents to enjoy. Chief Monroe has over thirty years of experience in law enforcement. He is commonly known for being an innovator and practitioner of community policing. He studied at Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Monroe is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and National Executive Institute. Lastly, he serves as a member of the Association of Chiefs of Police, Major Cities Chiefs and is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

It’s clear to see Chief Monroe’s long list of credentials speak for themselves. Before coming to Charlotte, Monroe served as chief of the Macon, Georgia Police Department and chief of the Richmond, Virginia Police Department. While serving in Richmond from February 2005 to June 2008, Monroe’s policing efforts led to the lowest number of homicides in twenty-five years.

Under the leadership of Monroe, the department regained its reputation as a leader in urban policing. Monroe believes, “If you can you can bring a community together, you can reduce violence and can reduce crime.” By re-indoctrinating themselves back into the community, police were able to regain their trust. Having the support of the community is important because it allowed the officers to effectively fight and prevent crime.

Lastly, Monroe served in the Washington DC Police Department for twenty-two years. Monroe is also a native to the Washington DC area. He became an officer in March of 1979.

From that point on he continued to work hard and eventually began to rise through the ranks. As the Assistant Chief of Police, he managed the department’s 2600 member Patrol Services Bureau. Next, he led the department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Office of Youth Violence Reduction.

As demanding as his job is, one place Monroe finds strength in is his family. His wife, Marvette, and two kids provide the needed love and motivation for him to continue to do great things. His mother and father still reside in the Washington DC area. Even though they are far away, he makes it a point to speak with them and stay in contact on a daily basis.

As far as policing goes, Monroe sees Charlotte as his final place to retire. As Monroe puts it, “Charlotte is my last rodeo.” He has grown to love Charlotte’s atmosphere, hospitality, the people and simply enjoys being here.

Since coming to Charlotte, Monroe has quickly shown to be an authoritative figure in the city. Already Chief Monroe has rapidly begun to make many changes in the way Charlotte’s police officers operate. He has incorporated new technology, enhanced their policing strategies and refocused the way Charlotte’s officers fight and prevent criminal activities throughout the city. For example, one of Chief Monroe’s policing strategies relies heavily upon residents of the community. By actively engaging the people of Charlotte as partners in their efforts of preventing crime, this will reduce the amount of criminal activities and begin to raise people’s awareness.

Chief Monroe is making sure his presence felt in Charlotte by putting more officers on the street. He has also worked to build stronger partnerships with the local and federal

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law enforcement. As much experience as Monroe has, one common need he noticed out of all of the cities he’s been in wanted the same thing. To simply have a safe and secure environment for yourself and your family. Monroe feels it a policeman’s responsibility to ensure that a neighborhood is safe. It’s heroic to see that he takes pride in ensuring that every department under his leadership lives up to that standard. Monroe says, “In order for that to happen, you just have to roll up your sleeves and go out into the community.” The challenge of gaining the communities trust didn’t scare or intimidate Monroe because he had a plan.

Over the years, Monroe has seen time and time again the positive effect of a community working together with police to protect their neighborhood. The people of the community play a huge role in helping police fight crime because residents trust and feel protected by them. By having the police show that they the care about the community just as much as the residents, the people have been known to be more responsive and supportive in providing information and identifying problem areas or people in the neighborhood.

“It’s up to us, as a community, to not allow others to come in and commit crimes that destroy our neighborhood. People have to know there’s a price to pay when they commit these crimes. Criminals can’t be allowed to defy justice and not suffer any consequences for their actions. Monroe says, ‘Unless you’re going to get out there in the community and really understand what the concerns of the people are, you really can‘t administer justice.”

Monroe has applied these same tactics here in Charlotte. He said, “Every community should have an opportunity to say what their concerns are.” Communication is a key aspect of Monroe’s plan to protect and serve the people of Charlotte. For example, residents sharing information allows officers to easily address a problem within the community. One thing Monroe’s done to better prevent crime is break down the Charlotte area into 39 smaller response areas, with 24/7 patrol. That way the police presence is felt and people begin to take notice of the change that is starting to take place in their neighborhood. By doing this, Monroe believes people will feel safer knowing they have someone to call on. Monroe is directly

It’s up to us, as a community, to not allow others to come in and commit crimes that destroy our neighborhood.

People have to know there’s a price to pay when they commit these crimes.

connected to the neighborhood, through his efforts as chief of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He brings a sense of urgency in response to policing the streets of Charlotte. In bringing this sense of urgency to Charlotte, it shows people that you care. Monroe said, “We don’t do things on our own time, we do things I like to say at the right time.” One example he used was a burglary problem in the neighborhood. “Let’s not wait until you get three, four, five, six burglaries, let’s do something after the first one. Let’s try to prevent the second one,” Monroe explained. His philosophy is that by actively serving the people, the community can begin to find confidence in not only the police, but themselves as well.

Even with all of his dedication towards fighting and preventing crime, Monroe still acknowledges that there are some problems that haven’t been addressed yet. It’s encouraging for him to see the continued efforts of the community being involved and working together with the police. Monroe said, “This by no way means we live in a perfect world, but that we can claim victory.” Another concern Monroe has for the future of Charlotte is the amount of focus put on young people. He believes that young people are key. One thing he emphasizes is the importance of an education. “It’s important, more than ever, that young people stay in school and continue their education,’ Monroe said, ‘If we continue to bring in younger criminals and younger delinquents, we’re never going to stem the tide.” Monroe is looking for ways to support the youth. By creating more positive

opportunities, rather it is sports, tutoring and mentoring, health, education or job readiness training, opportunities like this will continue to decrease the likelihood of them engaging in criminal activities.

Monroe used as an example, “If I have a great sports program and can make the best athletes, but you’re struggling in school, you’re failing in school, you’re not healthy, then I’ve failed you in a sense.” But if someone can come in and cater to their other needs besides providing athletics, then you can begin to develop a successful person.

As the 2011 Democratic National Convention approaches, the City of Charlotte continues to prepare itself for this incredible once in a lifetime occasion. Surprisingly enough, Monroe seems to be very calm and prepared that his department will be able to accommodate the needs of the Democratic National Convention. While addressing the question of handling people who may come to protest or cause a disruption to the convention Monroe said, “We just have to be ready to address those situations, address those people, but at the same time allow the process to evolve where we’re able to nominate an individual to serve as the Democratic representative for the presidency.” Also, Monroe plans to bring in approximately two thousand officers from neighboring towns and states to help accommodate the needs for such a special occasion. As for the future, Monroe hopes to see the city become more unified. “We have to be willing to come together, to hold ourselves accountable and those of the community accountable and make sure we’re doing the right thing.”

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sports

Sports with

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Whether you are participating in a game or watching it from home, sports is something people everywhere take joy in.

The spirit of competition, teamwork and athletes making unbelievable plays are what make the game exciting and always a thrill to see. Although the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Bobcats have had some disappointing moments over the past season, fans continue to show their moral support as both teams continue to make changes for their upcoming seasons. There are also a lot of interesting storylines developing in the sports world that’s going to make for an entertaining year.

As the epic stories in the sports world occur, thankfully “Big Pat” Dougherty is here to keep us updated on everything that’s taken place. Big Pat is there every step of the way, keeping us wellinformed about what’s happening on any court, field or race track.

Better known as the voice of the Charlotte Bobcats, Big Pat’s voice can be heard on 610 The Fan. Listeners can also tune in to WGIV 103.3FM or online at wgiv.net, Monday-Thursday at 7:00 pm, to hear Big Pat’s Sports Talk Radio Show. Finally, on Fridays he can be seen on Fox News The Edge. Simply put, Big Pat says, “Sports. I love it!” While in the Gulf War, he would run the site television sportscast for the battle group during Desert Storm. He started experimenting with the idea of being an announcer in high school and again at the collegiate level at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1999. Four years later he became the voice of the former WNBA Charlotte Sting. That same year he became the voice of the Charlotte Bobcats. Big Pat quotes his father saying, “I hope you get to do something talking about sports or running your mouth, because if you got to use your hands to make a living you might starve to death.” Big Pat has always had an interest in public announcing and wondered how far he could take it. Growing up he believed, “The fascinating part of any event was hearing the guy in the background, the public address announcer, guide you through the event.”

Ready to burst at the seams when it comes to talking about sports, Big Pat gives his opinion on the Panthers. “To begin with, the Panthers are moving in a positive direction bringing in Ron Rivera to coach this year’s team. Giving credit to Panther’s General Manager, Marty Hurney, the new coach and draft pick Cam Newton are bringing a lot of excitement, not only to the field, but to the city of Charlotte. Players like Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, and Steve Smith are sure to make an impact. Then, the Panther’s picked up Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen, making them even more competitive amongst the NFL teams this year.” Along with other standout athletes on the team, Big Pat believes they should perform well this season.

Another team Big Pat likes is the Philadelphia Eagles. He predicts 2011 could possibly be their year to win the Super Bowl. He likes the speed, instinct and talent on the team. “Look out for players like DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy to make an impact for the Eagles this season. Other teams looking to do well this year are the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. Two teams Big Pat is sketchy about are the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons. When commenting on the Giants Big Pat said, “Eli Manning isn’t good enough to be a great quarterback, just good enough to manage the situation.”

Due to injuries and lack talent compared to previous years, the Giants look to have an average season.

Shifting over to basketball, the Bobcats are in a rebuilding stage.

To begin with, they traded Gerald Wallace to Portland to free up some cap space. Big Pat said, “Even with Gerald Wallace, the Bobcats were still always going to be the seventh or eighth best team in the East, with a high payroll.” Changes have also been made in the

Bobcats front office. Rod Higgins is now the President of Basketball Operations and Richard Cho is currently serving as general manager for the Charlotte Bobcat. Although the Bobcats finished last season at 34-48, look for next year to be a much more productive year.

Prospect Kemba Walker from the University of Connecticut looks to be a great addition to the Bobcats for the upcoming season.

He should be able to provide the much needed support at the point guard position for the team. Bismack Biyambo of the Congo shows a lot of potential and should contribute greatly to the team next season. He is the only player to ever record a triple-double in a Nike Hoops Summit basketball game. Finally, D.J. Augustin, Tyrus Thomas and Gerald Henderson are developing young talents on who are only getting better as time goes on.

In the 20ll NBA Finals the Dallas Mavericks shocked a lot of doubters by beating the Miami Heat. One reason Miami lost was due to a lack of chemistry. As great as Dwayne Wade and Lebron James are, it wasn’t enough to overcome Dallas. The Mavericks, even though they’re older, are a team that specializes in playing team basketball. Individually the Heat may have appeared to be better, but the Mavericks chemistry alongside Dirk Nowitzki’s MVP performance is what gave Dallas the advantage in the end.

Next, NCAA Football is up and running, making the ACC Conference an interesting one to watch. The UNC Tar Heels should be pretty good this year and should be very competitive as usual. Big Pat said, “Even with all the controversy and Butch Davis gone, they’re going to be very good.” He’s pleased with the direction they are going. With the changes at quarterback, the Tar Heels will have one of the best defenses this year. On the other hand, Duke will be okay this year. Look for them to have a somewhat average season. Don’t forget Virginia Tech is still the one of the best teams in the ACC, followed by Florida State.

North Carolina State is getting better, but still has some improvements to make defensively. Outside the ACC Conference, the best overall team in NCAA football looks to be the University of Alabama, coached by Nick Saban. Big Pat suggests that by the end of the season Alabama will be on top of the sports world.

In NASCAR, the Sprint Cup Series has some interesting races and headlines taking place. Stars like Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are making a return to the racetrack. This year, Kyle Busch continues to make headlines as a controversial character. Then, the rivalry between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch continues to escalate, as does the rivalry between Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch, resulting in the two spinning each other out in Richmond. One thing Big Pat would like to see in NASCAR is more African-American representation. It would bring more interest and money to the sport. Big Pat said, “We need to find our Tiger Woods of the NASCAR circuit.” Finally, he estimates that Kurt Busch could possibly win it all.

Speaking of Tiger Woods, in golf he is continuing to make a strong comeback since publically going through a divorce. He was selected this year to be on the 12-member roster for the Presidents Cup team

by Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. Presidents Cup team. Woods’ recent struggles are due to the changes he’s made in his overall game.

He’s hired a new swing coach and changed his swing, which has thrown his game off a little bit. Big Pat said, “If you change your swing even an eighth millimeter in golf, then you have to readjust hitting shots all over again. With more practice, repetition and a healthier season, Woods should start to perform at the superstar level we’re all used to seeing. Other golfers like Adam Scott and Roy McIlroy are putting pressure behind him for the number one spot. They’re not afraid of Tiger anymore. He doesn’t intimidate them.” said Big Pat. 44

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Identity Theft is not just about credit cards. It could become a legal issue that affects the productivity and health of your entire business!

• Identity Theft is the fastest growing white collar crime.

The FTC reports 10 million victims each year.

• Identity Theft victims can take up to 600 hours, mainly during business hours, to restore their identities.

• Identity Theft victims experience emotional trauma similar to the victims of violent crimes (which can affect workplace productivity).

• Employers face possible state/federal fines and lawsuits related to a data breach.

Let GWConsulting show you the best answer to the problem of Identity Theft at little or no cost to you or your employees.

Protect and Grow Your Business with Identity Theft and Legal Access for Business Owners and Their Employees.

6135 Park South Drive Suite 510 Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704 - 491 - 2963 • Fax: 888 - 525 - 4426 greggwatkins@gwconsultingllc.com

Call TODAY for your complimentary, one-site Identity Theft Training Seminar!

Coach HR LLC has 25 years of experience turning strategy into action, managing into leaders, and transforming bureaucratic cultures into high performing empowering ones. We provide solutions that include strategic consulting services, customized leadership and development plans. We connect high-performing leaders into successful organizations to create the futures they both desire.

Denise Cooper incorporates real world experiences to demonstrate the realities of running a business, advancing a career, and being a decent human being in the process. Her no-nonsense, practical, often humorous stories have been received with rave reviews.

To book Denise for your next Customer Event, Professional Conference, Leadership Summit, Advisory Board Meeting, Networking Event or as your next Keynote Speaker, please contact Coach HR.

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Coach HR LLC Phone: 704•540•7995 Email: denise@coachhr.com 15105-D John D. Delaney Road Suite 227 Charlotte, NC 28277

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business

Denise Cooper Coaching Businesses in Today’s Market Everyday companies are making important business decisions that affect their very future. At times business owners, executives and CEO’s of various companies become frustrated and seek a renewed sense of motivation to help run their business. With all of the statistical data, resources and technology available today, businesses are always looking for new, improved and innovative ways to run a more efficient company.

Thankfully, there are special people out there like Denise Cooper of Coach HR who specialize in providing clients with professional coaching that empowers them to become more effective leaders and set them on the right path toward achieving their goals.

Cooper is well known for her ability to improve the performance of managers, executives and entrepreneurs within an organization. She has a proven five step process that allows a person to reach their maximum potential. Just by using your strengths to propel you to success, understanding how your thinking is reflective of your behavior, by changing the way you think and by developing the qualities of a leader, you‘ll begin to notice a difference in the way things operate in your life.

Denise Cooper was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in a two parent household, her parents made sure she got an education. As she was brainstorming on what schools where available, one day a gentleman advised her to go to a school where there weren’t many African-American students since her family didn’t have the money to send her to school. At the age of seventeen she had the opportunity to go to Augusta College, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on a full scholarship. After receiving the exciting news Cooper said, “I packed my bags and in August I was on a bus headed to South Dakota.” Going there was initially a culture shock for her. Growing up, Cooper‘s earliest memories involved being surrounded by black people. She said, “At seventeen I had no concept that there are some parts of America where there aren’t any black people.” Arriving in a town where there were only approximately twenty five black people total, it was a new experience for her.

Cooper credits her success in life to a couple different things.

To begin with, she’s thankful for the amazing people throughout her life that have given her advice. Jokingly, Cooper says, “I‘ve been smart enough or dumb enough to take their advice, one of the two.”

She credits her willingness to being adventurous as another reason for her being able to reach her full potential. Since leaving South Dakota, she has worked in various parts of North America, including Minnesota, Nebraska and Arkansas.

Even though she always continued to work hard, she discovered that things don’t always happen like we plan them. For example, Cooper thought that since she had a teaching degree, she would be able to teach anywhere. When she arrived in Little Rock, she was making less as a teacher than she was at her previous job as a clerk at a meat factory. So she had the task of searching for another job.

Cooper decided the best thing to do is go back to being a secretary.

She was a secretary for the Urban League and a minority program called Building Constructions Trade, which introduced women and minorities to apprenticeship programs.

At the time the program, like many others, experienced government oversight, and so it wasn’t running effectively. Reminded of her mother’s advice, Cooper bravely stood up in front of a congressional committee and honestly told how poorly the program was operating. Halfway through her testimony the court went to recess, and then the Building Constructions Trade Council offered her a job with three times more than what she was making at the time.

Cooper said, “That was the beginning of a glorious career.” It was there she began to work, for about twenty-five years, with people who shared a common interest in helping others. She has worked with great leaders who were concerned with doing the right thing for people and businesses that were struggling with trying to get the best performance from their employees.

Soon all her hard work started to pay off in ways she hadn’t even imagined. Her next opportunity came while sitting next to someone on a plane while flying back home from a meeting. It just happened to be an executive for Monsanto, a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

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At first she didn’t believe it was true. Cooper thought to herself, “How many people get jobs sitting next to someone? That’s not true, it’s a fairytale; especially to a black woman.” As time passed, she reconsidered her decision after talking to a friend and giving the executive at Monsanto a call. As promised she was offered a job in Muscatine, Iowa. It was at Monsanto that she learned to help people design their careers. Working for Monsanto is one of the many defining moments in Cooper’s career. There she learned the importance of being able to handle emergencies in a timely manner. As a human resources executive at Monsanto, her job was to create an elite team on the off-shift. At this job Cooper learned to work together to bring your talents to the table, but not necessarily using the same thinking process that other companies may have.

Denise Cooper is able to be such a successful person because she’s a master of her craft. According to her, success breeds habits. Cooper says, “When you’re really masterful over your craft, then it becomes a mental game.” She also believes success can develop a kind of blindness because it somewhat distorts your reality. “When people in the past told you, you couldn’t do something and you did it, then you don’t know where the edges of failure are,’ she said. ‘And so you’ll continue to do what has been successful in the past until you have a major meltdown.”

As businesses struggle with similar problems, Cooper shows them how to think in a different way in order to be successful for the future. It is her specialty and why she was so successful at her previous jobs. “You cannot solve problems using the current thinking, you have to change the way you think to solve major problems,” she says.

After taking the advice of a friend, Cooper moved to Charlotte when she found was given an opportunity to work in the mortgage industry. Soon she left it wasn’t the right job for her. That’s when she noticed how times have changed. She began to ponder on how businesses she worked at were successful because they were able to develop their employees at understanding their job in moments of crisis. Cooper believes the biggest meltdown in 2008 was that people believed in institutions and sincerely thought they were run by honest people. Trust was lost when greed took over and the interest of the consumer was not being considered.

That is why Cooper started her own company, Coach HR. She understands that the majority of people will take jobs that aren’t quite the right fit. Just because someone qualifies for a position and may have the necessary skills, doesn’t mean it is the right job for their career path. Cooper told us that, “Nearly fifty percent of everyone who’s hired will be looking for another job in eighteen months.” She specializes in working with people whose career has stalled. What Cooper does is help people develop and execute a strategy using the tools they have.

She blames a lot of the problems businesses have on poor leadership who can’t think through strategy and don’t know how to manage a culture or how to get people to work together to better serve their customers. When she works with business and HR executives, she brainstorms and talks about different ideas to help improve their organization. She helps companies solve the problem of having a workplace that actively engages the work-force, making them capable of meeting the company’s expectations.

You cannot solve problems using the current thinking, you have to change the way you think to solve major problems.

An estimated 10 years ago, Cooper spoke about how a lot of companies sent out a secret memo stating that they were no longer investing in their employees, but only investing in the top percentile; people in succession planning and those who they felt were critical to the success of their business. That left everyone else with nothing. Employees continued to receive training for their job, but were not taught how to advance in their careers. For many employees, their career was tied to their livelihood. Before 2008, this wasn’t so much of an issue, because jobs were plentiful.

Since then, unemployment has risen, and a lot of talented people are out of jobs because they don’t know how to market themselves in a new economy.

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food & wine

On Pairing Food and Wine...

There are some time-honored, but simple rules for pairing food and wine. For example we’ve all heard that white wines go with fish, and red wines go meat.

The most important thing to remember is that the “rules” are only a guide. Pairing food and wine to create that unparalleled dining experience is all about what you like. The dining experience is always driven by our background, culture and personal preference.

One culture might find a wine sweet, but if you’re used to drinking the sweet German Rieslings, you might consider that same wine dry. If you were raised on spicy foods, you are going to view a food and wine pairing very different from someone raised on pasta and potatoes.

Ultimately, the goal of food and wine pairing (when done correctly) is that together they are better than they would be separately. With this goal in mind, let’s look at a few of the time-honored rules governing food and wine pairings.

Balance Make an effort to avoid a pairing where the wine overpowers the food and vice versa. Try to pick a wine that highlights the natural flavors of the food.

Flavorful, spicy food should be paired with a spicy, flavorful wine. Likewise, pair a light wine with a mild, light dish. For example, a light sole or snappermight go well with a Sauvignon Blanc, while a rich creamy sauce might pair well with a buttery Chardonnay. On the other hand, a fatty, flavorful beef dish might require a big Cabernet or a spicy Zin-fandel to create that magic on the palate.

By Sadraddin Abdullah, Dessert Specialists

Acidity The acidity in white wines serve the same function as tannins in red wine.

A Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect choice for salty foods or fatty fish. The acidity in the Sauvignon Blanc will leave the palate clean and ready for the next course. As a general rule, acids go with acids. So if you are eating a dish that that is acidic such as something with tomato sauce or lemon, you are probably safe with an acidic wine.

Pair Wines with Similar Cuisines When in doubt, it is always safe to match wines with a similar cuisine.

Italian wines will most often match Italian foods. If you like Italian, Spanish, French foods, try matching those cuisines with wines from those countries.

Using some very general rules, guided by your personal preferences, the adventure of pairing wine and food can be quite rewarding.

Remember, when in doubt, it is all about what tastes good to you.

Tannins Tannins are the quality in wine that makes your mouth pucker when you drink it. Some of us enjoy this quality in red wine, while others find it unpleasant.

When eating food with a lot of fat, the fat will coat your palate, making it difficult to taste the flavors of the next bite, or even the next course. The same tannins that make our mouth pucker when we drink the wine alone will cut through the fat and actually cleanse the palate. This palate-cleansing ability of tannins removes the layer of fat from our palate, allowing us to taste the flavors of the next bite or course. Interestingly enough the reverse is also true. As fat coats the palate, it softens the tannins allowing the fruit and spices in the wine to come forward.

Try the Ten Amazing SCM Food and Wine Pairings PX Sherry and Blue Cheese Chardonnay and lobster Sauvignon Blanc and sole with a lemon sauce Riesling with poached trout Champagne and Fried Shrimp Stuffed Crepes Sauternes and Swedish Meatballs Amarone and Braised Short Ribs Cabernet Sauvignon with a Cheddar BLT Burger Zinfandel and Barbecued Pork Pinot Noir with a Foccacia Ruben Use SCM”s Food and Wine Pairing Chart as a guide to more food and wine pairing ideas.

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Kalu Asian Restaurant

A Different Dining Experience Kalu Asian Restaurant has added sophistication to uptown Charlotte. When you walk through the doors you are transported to a wonderful dining experience. The white lounge area and elegant red dining room work together to create a spectacular design with modern Asian themes; not to mention the beautiful art work on the walls and ceiling. Let’s talk about how this great restaurant came to be.

Jason Vicks of Thomasville, GA met his lovely wife Keisha while visiting Atlanta. Keisha, a native of Clover, SC had been living in Charlotte. Their courtship did not last long. In 2003 the two married and made Charlotte their home. They have now been married for eight years and have two beautiful children, Jayla and Myles. As a married couple, and as partners, Jason and Keisha had a vision. Part of that vision included the successful launch and operation of several businesses.

With a business partner they opened up the Jazz Café in South Charlotte. It did well, however when people came in they forgot that they served food and alcohol. After about three years, Jason decided to do some research and found that people wanted a neighborhood pub; a place they could stop in after work for a beer and good food. So the Jazz Café was transformed into a pub. The Vicks did not want to be the same as other American pubs serving burgers and fries. Instead they went with the concept of an Irish Pub. It served traditional Irish food, and again it did well. As true entrepreneurs, the Vicks also owned a Remax franchise in South Charlotte. This was around the time when the economy for real estate was starting to change.

So things changed. A decision was made to close both the restaurant and the Remax office. They moved their real estate office to uptown Charlotte. No longer with Remax, they decided to start their own real estate company - Charlotte First Real Estate Company. “The economy had changed the market and they found that more people were looking to rent rather than buy,” Jason explained. While their real estate business was up and moving, the restaurant industry was not out of their blood.

Kalu Asian Restaurant was born. The eatery’s theme was to have an infusion of all Asian cuisines, Japanese, Korean, Thai and many more. Chefs from different Asian cultures bring their best dishes to make a wonderful blend of different cuisines.

“Everyone has the ability to create dishes for the menu,” Jason says.

The menu has 20 different variations of sushi with a myriad of sauces. From sushi to curry rice to every heated-pot dish, the menu never gets stale. “We continue to add different dishes to our menu. Not only does the menu change, so does the décor.”

Jason and his staff change the décor at least three times a month,

always to give it a different feel. The main Chef Gio brings his special skills to Kalu. He does these wonderful food carvings every month for guests of Kalu. They are like something you would see on the food channels. They are absolutely beautiful.

Jason is very hands-on at Kalu. He often makes suggestions for the table with his extensive knowledge of the menu. He will start you off with some of their great dishes, like the Iron rice pots, Japanese style chicken wings (my favorite), or the Shitake Steak (also to die for). It is brought out to you on a rock that has been heated to 400 degrees. There are several steaks on the rock, which continues to cook the meat even after it is brought to the table. So the first piece is rare for those who like it that way. The longer it stays on, the meat goes from rare to well done right there at the table. They have a lot of dishes that will WOW you.

Like most new ventures, Kalu experienced some growing pains during the first year. Their desire to make their restaurant the best, gave them the strength they needed to face all of the challenges head on and now it is the restaurant that lives up to everything they had hoped it to be.

Kalu was nominated by Esquire Magazine as one of the top 20 new restaurants in the country. Jason and Keisha just celebrated their 1st year in business at Kalu, and see the future as moving in the right direction. When asked about any advice they would give to the younger generation about starting a new business, Jason said, “Do it. If you are a success at it, continue doing it. If you are a failure, keep on trying to doing it. No one is perfect. No one will succeed at everything they do.

Just don’t stop. You don’t want to be sixty-years-old talking to your grandchildren saying, ‘I had an opportunity to do something and wonder what would have happened if I had done it.” Keisha’s advice is, “Continue to reinvent yourself; I feel everyone should get a real estate license. You will always have a job. You have something to fall back on and see you through the rough times.” As young parents and entrepreneurs, they see their children hopefully following in their footsteps. When their five-year-old daughter Jayla was asked by her teacher what she wants to be when she grows up she replied, “An entrepreneur.”

Their business is a legacy of hope to leave to their children, or at least the knowledge of business.

Jason and Keisha see the future of Kalu as a bright one that brings a different dining experience to the people of Charlotte. So when you plan a special night out for dining, put Kalu at the top of your list.

I know I do…

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Elite Dining Divas of Charlotte Restaurant Review for BRIO Tuscan Grille Four Star Rating

To eat well is to live well‌You will definitely eat well at BRIO. Elite Dining Divas took a midweek stroll to Brio Tuscan Grille on Piedmont Row in South Charlotte for happy hour. It turned out to be a wonderful evening. The service, atmosphere, and food were top notch. We were immediately greeted by the hostess, and since we were there for happy hour, we were seated promptly in the bar area which is spacious, comfortable, and a great spot to see and hear the live entertainment. If you are looking for fine dining on a budget this is a great restaurant.

Monday-Friday from 4p.m. -7p.m. and from 9p.m.-11p.m., you can enjoy their $2.95 appetizers and $5.00 martinis (in the bar area only) while listening to great, live music from local bands.

The shrimptini-chilled shrimp served in a martini glass with roasted tomato cocktail sauce and fresh lemon, and the spicy shrimp & eggplant-

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pan seared shrimp with Romano crusted eggplant and a black pepper cream sauce, were a couple of the favorites amongst our group. BRIO offers lunch, dinner, and kid’s menus daily, along with a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. BRIO is great spot to meet friends after work. The Elite Dining Divas recommend Brio, and we look forward to going back again.

Sanitation Grade: 100% (As of the date of this review) 1-unacceptable 2-needs improvement 3-fair 4-good 5-Excellent

Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11am - 10pm Fri-Sat. 11am - 11pm / Good for Groups: Yes Accepts Credit Cards: Yes Parking: Garage / Valet Attire: Casual Price Range: $$ / Good for Kids: Yes Takes Reservations: Yes Delivery: No / Take-out: Yes Waiter Service: Yes / Outdoor Seating: Yes Good For: Lunch, Dinner / Alcohol: Full Bar Noise Level: Loud / Has TV: Yes Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

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off the shelf Jo Evans Lynn - Author The Promise of Friendship

Jo Evans Lynn, a native of Greensboro, N.C., taught nearly every grade level and every form of English/ language arts during her 37 years in education. She graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1967 and from Shaw University in 1970. She also received a Masters Degree in Reading Education from North Carolina A&T University. She began her teaching career teaching middle school in Charlotte Courthouse, Virginia in 1972, but spent most of the early years of her teaching career in the Alamance County Schools teaching Title I Reading at Clover Garden Elementary School (9 years) and Reading Competency/College Prep English at Eastern Alamance High School (5 years). In 1987, she transferred and continued teaching Title I Reading, English, Journalism, Drama, and Speech & Debate at various high schools in the Greensboro City and Guilford County Schools in Greensboro, North Carolina (Grimsley Senior High School-10 years, James B. Dudley Senior High School – 8 years, & GTCC Early/Middle College at Jamestown – 2 years).

Her diverse experiences as a language arts teacher reinforced her belief that even fiction should be based on real life experiences. In all of her books, the reader shares her experiences during the 1950s & 1960s as an African-American child growing up on the “Colored” side of town in the segregated South and as a teen searching for a place in the world around her in which the rules of life and social order are changing almost daily. Although her subjects are sometimes both serious and controversial, her sense of humor and spiritual faith always shine through as she “speaks” to her readers about the realities of growing up poor and as the second eldest of seven children. She is the divorced mother of three adult children – Janel L. Johnson, Clyde Lynn, III, and Gloria A. Lynn.

About the book/back cover copy “You’ll be dead before you’re five.” Those were the first words Joyce Ann could remember her grandmother saying to her and the fact that she was almost nine did not make living any easer….

Joyce Ann, Josephine, Kenny, and Janie – all the children had seen too much, been through too much, dealt with too many “grown-up things” to be considered children in more than age.

Josephine spent her days fighting to protect herself and her siblings from bigger kids who saw the undersized children of a woman barely more than four fee tall as fair game…

Janie’s days were spent cooking and caring for nine younger siblings and sleepless nights were spent wondering “when” rather than “if” one of her mother’s numerous male visitors would decide to do the unimaginable…

Kenny’s secrets were kept from even his closest friends. How could a child explain life with a mother who managed every detail of every day of his life from what he would wear to lessons that were not always about music…

It was only the “promise of friendship” that brought these four young people together in a story about the power of love and acceptance among friends.

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Set in a Southern city during the 1950s and 1960s, “The Promise Of Friendship” offers a unique perspective of growing up in the South. Although set in the past, the situations read like current events.

Many of today’s children lead similar lives: girls like Josephine who never quite fit in and Janie, the daughter of an addicted parent, who become women at age 7. Readers of “The Promise Of Friendship” will meet a new type of heroine. And then, there is Kenny, an African-American boy growing up during the fifties when a boy with “some sugar in him” was considered sinful. Kenny deals with being different and with being bullied in ways that will make him a hero to thousands of children.

Although there are serious situations in the book (the death of a child their age, serving as a surrogate parent to younger siblings, teen pregnancy, etc.), the characters come across as children with the innate humor of children. The reader will laugh, cry, and form friendships with characters that are forced by circumstances to grow up too soon, but still manage to grow up on their own terms.

Preview Text: Prologue Josephine was going to hit him. Hard. She had to be the heaviest handed five year old in ten different directions. As he considered the possibility or absolute certainty of being bopped up-side his head, Kenny reached for the battered doll farthest away from Josephine. This doll looked like all the dolls that belonged to Josephine – uncared for and unkempt.

Josephine only brought them to nursery school so her mama wouldn’t worry her about playing with them. The dolls needed care and Kenny, even at age five was a caregiver and champion of the helpless. “Don’t make me come over there and hurt up on you Kenny,” Josephine hissed without looking up from her coloring book. The radar sense of possessiveness for the few things that she could truly call her own instantly kicked in when something of hers was touched. “Won’t anything make you come over here but your old-mean-self.” Kenny challenged as he eased the doll from under his shirt and put it back on the floor next to her. “You don’t ever play with it anyway.”

“You say that to say what? Don’t make no difference what I do with it. It’s mine and when I say put it down, put it down.”

She tossed the challenge back, giving him one of her patented mean looks. Since part of being a caregiver is taking care of “self,” it didn’t take Kenny long to decide to find something else to do. He gave Josephine one of his nowhere-near-asmean looks to convince her, and perhaps to convince himself that he was not really backing down. He could probably beat Josephine, but she’d get his clothes all dirty and Kenny didn’t figure it was worth it.

“I was just getting ready to use the red,” Josephine said as Kenny picked up a crayon. He put it down and selected another. “And the green too.” “Well which one can I use without having to look at you with your lips all pushed out?” Use the yellow or the orange. I never use yellow or orange.”

“Don’t I know it? Ain’t I the one who got fussed at for taking yellow and orange bears home yesterday? Mama kept me up past my bedtime teaching me my colors – again. You don’t care. Do you?” Kenny questioned, when she nonchalantly continued to color as though he had been swallowed up in the gray-white ceiling of Bennett College’s Daycare Center.

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gospel truth

Colin Pinkney Executive Director/The Urban Restoration Inc. Colin Pinkney has lived, worked and served in the Charlotte community for the past 15 years as a business manager, business owner, business consultant, community organizer, and advocate for urban causes. He is the Executive Director of The Urban Restoration Inc., a faith-based non-profit group serving over 20,000 inner city families in Charlotte each year. Colin first made his mark on Urban in 1996 as a committed volunteer for Outreach Kids Club, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping the parking lots, and painting buses by hand. He immediately demonstrated his leader-ship by organizing the first leadership conference, Divine Strategies for Strengthening The Inner City, which led to the formation and mission of The Urban Restoration, in 1998.

Mr. Pinkney is a locally and nationally sought after speaker for workshops, conferences, com-mencements on issues related to healthy families, parenting and men’s issues in the black community. In addition to his local community leadership, he serves as a certified trainer with The National Center for Fathering based in Kansas City MO. For the past six years he has served as Chairman for the Father Daughter summit and Chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Fatherhood Town Hall Meeting in 2008. He serves on the boards of The Charlotte Empowerment Zone, Charlotte Metro for Family and Marriage, and Redeemer Pre-school. He also serves as the Chaplain for the Charlotte Bob-cats.

Most recently, he served as the project manager for Men Who Care Global city wide initiative. MWCG was credited by Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for successfully reducing violent occurrence’s involving black youth during the July 4th uptown celebration. Mr. Pinkney has been married for 15 years to Terry Pinkney and they have 6 children, Eryn, Alyxandra, Isaac, Jadah, John & Jireh.

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Marriage Matters

By Colin Pinkney

Hi, my name is Colin and I believe in marriage. Now I know that marriage may not be for everyone. I know there may be some who do not agree with my convictions about the value and usefulness of biblical marriage, and so I want to direct my thoughts and words to those who share my hopeful idealism. Moreover, marriage seems to matter quite a bit to God, and we would do well to follow His principles for marriage. First, consider what God says about the purpose of biblical marriage:“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:6-9 KJV Marriage was part of God’s creation account. Think about that for just a moment. God intended, from the beginning of time, that men and women would be wired to pursue one another in marriage commitment. It is still part of his divine plan for mankind!

Hollywood, Satan, the media and public opinion all want us to believe that biblical marriage does not matter. They argue that defining the boundaries of marriage in exclusive terms is bigoted and narrow. Furthermore, our modern world of global relationships and social media communities can all stake their claim in eroding the fabric of marriage. Unfortunately, black families are the most negatively impacted by this problem. Given the high rates of marriage failure, it is understandable that Satan has gained a platform to undermine the sanctity of holy matrimony, particularly in the black community. However, we can find hope in the words of Christ concerning another institution He ordained.

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means “rock”), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matt: 16:18 NLT God’s word concerning holy matrimony is unwavering. We would do well not to revise or redefine any institution which God has ordained. Marriage is not just about the physical intimacy shared between a husband and wife. It offers so much more to the health and blessing of our communities, churches and our nation. Much research points to the fact that the most financially, emotionally and socially secure individuals are married couples. Trouble is, most of us never witnessed a healthy model of marriage as we grew up. That makes it difficult for some to believe in the benefits of marriage. While there are some who believe marriage has lost its place in our world, here is something worth considering. Systemic poverty in the black the community is primarily a single-parent issue. However, during times of economic crisis, generations of married couples have overcome the legacy of poverty by staying married. The increase of the prison population and the increasing failure of our educational systems regularly point to the increase

of single-parent households. Make no mistake, marriage is not the cure for the many disorders in our world, it is the prevention! I still like marriage for all of the value it brings in the life of a husband, wife and their children. First, I find that biblical marriage is the foundation for healthy self-identity. “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church” is more than a great quote for a wedding ceremony. It becomes the measure of a man and woman’s spiritual maturity. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

1 John 4:20 NLT

Second, marriage is an incredible vessel for experiencing godly purpose and pleasure in life. The imagery throughout the Song of Solomon demonstrates that God recognizes the instinctive desires of men and woman to experience romantic love and pleasure.

Spiritual life is not about adherence to a religious list of do’s and don’ts. It is the passionate pursuit of shared love and life that God makes available to “whosoever will.” A godly marriage is still the safest place to live out the complexity of love and relationship in a sin-sick world. Finally, marriage is the vehicle for unbridled hope in a hopeless world. Even a struggling marriage teaches us to be authentic; to fail and succeed, to live and learn without fear of rejection. It is the breeding ground for activating the fruit of the spirit; learning to forgive and be forgiven. It is how Christ loves an imperfect church, which He promises to perfect through His unconditional love for her.

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32 NIV Make no mistake. Marriage is hard. There will be challenges. It will require change, and at the end of it all, we will find God’s standard to be true: Marriage does matter in a Christian culture.

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