Think Positive! Magazine by Telie Woods

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHEERS TO CAREERS

ENTERTAINMENT

YOU READY FOR HUSTLE YOUR WAY 16 ARE ENTREPRENEURSHIP? 45 TO A NEW CAREER Get tips on how to start your own business. These nuggets of knowledge will help you realize your entrepreneurial dreams.

Turn that side hustle into a career. Find out what you should consider before launching your part-time business into a 9-to-5 job.

YOUR 46 APPRAISING PROFESSIONAL

WORTH It’s not just a matter of knowing how much you’re worth. Companies have to understand it and you may be the only one who can tell them. Find out how to be your best advocate and get that salary you deserve.

BOOK REVIEW

MUSIC

LOVE INSIDE 48 ATheDEEPER wait is over for fans

ALI 52 TATYANA Tatyana Ali returned to TV

of Sister Souljah’s “The Coldest Winter Ever.” The author and activist continues the saga of the Santiaga family in her sequel to the bestselling novel. “A Deeper Love Inside” tells the story of Winter’s little sister, Porche, who has her own challenges to overcome.

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in BET’s “Second Generation Wayans,” and she may be returning to the airwaves soon, too. The actress talks about her new music, finding her authentic sound and where you might have heard her song “Almost Love.”

FIRE: AN 54 BLACK ANTHOLOGY OF

AFRO-AMERICAN WRITING” Has “Black Fire” lost its flame? More than 40 years after the anthology was first released, we reexamine “Black Fire: An Anthology of Afro-American Writing” and explain why it’s still relevant today.

NEW MESSAGE IN MUSIC? 53 AWhat is happening to music

today? It’s a question many have asked, and recent controversial lyrics from rapper Lil Wayne have reinvigorated the conversation. Record executive Xavier Rodriguez offers an explanation. Has a focus on getting attention eclipsed artistry?

TABLE OF CONTENTS WE TO BLAME? 18 ARE WHY ARE PEOPLE ATTACKING OUR KIDS?

A White man strikes a crying 19-month-old; a satirical publication uses a derogatory term to describe a 9-year-old girl. In each case, a non-Black adult felt he or she had the right and authority to cause harm to an African-American child.

WON’T LET ME WAIT 21 LOVE Are you a home wrecker? Maybe you just know of the rumored

home wreckers you read about on celebrity gossip blogs: Alicia Keys, Fantasia Barrino and Gabrielle Union are just a few stars who’ve been accused of starting romantic relationships with married men.

SPEAK: GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE 38 BROTHERS NATURAL HAIR MOVEMENT

Andrew Beamon and his panel discuss the natural-hair trend. What’s prompting sisters to ditch the perms? Do brothers care about hair, and are kinks and curl a turn-off or turn-on? The men invite a female guest to help get to the root of things.

IMPORTANT IS CHEMISTRY TO YOUR LOVE POTION? 44 HOW It’s often seen as a bit shallow to build a relationship based on

attraction, but there’s no denying that chemistry between two people can go a long way toward making love last. OWN life coach, Dr. Monica Greene, weighs the importance of magnetic attraction.

ROMANCE WITHOUT FINANCE? 50 NO More and more people, men and women alike, are considering

one’s credit history and financial know-how when selecting romantic partners. How big a part should economics play in matters of the heart? Would you pass on love if the money is funny?

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COVER FEATURE

24 INTERVIEW WITH STEVE PERRY A lot of people talk about the problems facing today’s Black youth, and Dr. Steve Perry is backing up those words with action. The father and educator talks to Think Positive about his mission to save the next generation and how he’s doing it one by one on his series, “Save My Son.”

FEATURES ONE MILLION MOMS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

IS THE PAROLE SYSTEM A CURE OR A SYMPTOM?

REGINA KING: BLACK HOLLYWOOD’S UNCROWNED QUEEN?

VERY SMART BROTHAS

BLACK AMERICA AND CLINICAL RESEARCH: A STEP TOWARD EMPOWERMENT

Sharon Watts recently founded One Million Moms for Gun Control, a grass roots effort to increase restrictions and regulations on the sale and purchase of firearms.

There is an ongoing discussion in the United States about the parole system. Does the institution’s focus on aiding and reforming the convicted, put citizens at risk?

Don’t call it a comeback. She’s been here for years, and while other child stars failed to achieve her level of success, Regina King said there’s no one secret to her longevity in the business.

Panama Jackson and Damon “The Champ” Young are the two bloggers behind Very Smart Brothas. One half of the duo, Jackson, spoke to “Think Positive” about the beginning, the highs, the lows, and family.

Being excluded from or underrepresented in clinical trials can only serve to widen or perpetuate certain health disparities and possibly create others.

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CONTRIBUTORS 1 ERIC B. HORN

Eric B. Horn is a thorough leader in the areas of career development, empowerment, and leadership. His passion is to inspire others who have the desire to better their own lives. For more information on Eric go to www.ericbhorn.com and follow him on twitter @Eric B. Horn.

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2 ANDREW BEAMON

Andrew Beamon is an executive at Gallup and is an active member of the Thursday Network of the Greater Washington Urban Leauge. Beamon currently serves on the Board of Directors of Streetwise Partners, a non-profits organization that works with low-income individuals to help them overcome employment barriers, obtain better jobs and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

3 LUCY COUTINHO

Lucy Coutinho, is a unique writer and interviewer who has the ability to describe scenarios the way a painter can highlight often overlooked details. Lucy, armed with degrees in Communications and Public Relations from Simmons College, is taking aim of the Washington DC media circuit. She currently is the Continuity Director at BET Networks.

4 ALONNA BERRY

Alonna Berry is a graduate of Syracuse University with a B.A. in Writing & Rhetoric. For the past two years she has dedicated her life to the classroom teaching 9th grade English. Throughout college, Alonna worked inside of the a local maximum security prison tutoring inmates working towards attaining their GEDs while in prison. She is currently a 2011 Corp. member in Teach for America Jacksonville; recently receiving the 2013 Sue Lehman Award for Excellence in Teaching for Teach for America - Jacksonville.

5 DANYELLE LITTLE

Danyelle Little is a professional blogger, author, freelancer, and social media consultant located in St. Louis, Missouri. After losing her corporate job in 2009, Danyelle forged ahead to create TheCubicleChick.com, a full lifestyle web magazine that focuses on work, life, and play. Her site has been mentioned in “Glamour” magazine, CNN.com, “Huffington Post”, and the “Wall Street Journal,” just to name a few. Danyelle is working on her second book, which will be released later this year.

6 JASMINE BROWLEY

Jasmine Browley holds a bachelors degree in psychology, so naturally she has an opinion about everything. The Chicago native and Columbia College graduate student is the head editor of TheRnBBlog. com, a hip and urban site devoted to the R&B enthusiasts in us all. Ms. Browley also contributes to N’Digo maga-paper, Gloss Magazine, Ilene Carol Magazine. For inquiries please contact TheRnBBlog@gmail.com at the TheRnBBlog@gmail.com

7 SHIVAWN MITCHELL

Immediately upon graduating from Norfolk State, Shivawn Mitchell began practicing individual and family counseling where she was able to touch and connect with families and adolescents who were struggling to find their way. Recognizing that it would be selfish of her to hold in all the lessons she learned, Shivawn finally wrote her first book “Rewrite Your Story.” In addition, Shivawn established her own publishing company Signature Publishing with the hopes of eventually affording others to tell their unique story.

A HE ARTB EAT PO RTR A I T Chisomo Boxer

Actual heartbeats from the children Chisomo saved in Malawi created this portrait of him. Help frontline health workers like Chisomo bring hope to millions of children at EveryBeatMatters.org

Sp ring/summer 2013

WELCOME To our Spring/Summer issue of Think Positive!

Published by Miracle Media Inc. Co-Founders Randall Jackson Maurice White Telie Woods Editorial Editor-in-Chief Tracy L. Scott Departments Letters of Gratitude Melissa Harris Brothers Speak Andrew Beamon Careers Lisa A. Matthews Entertainment Gianna Banner, Kameisha Jerae

Spring is in the air. It’s the season of rebirth and transformation, and it’s my hope that there’s something inside this issue of “Think Positive” that will help you reach new heights and rise to your next level. With that in mind, we chose Dr. Steve Perry to grace the cover of this issue. The educator is changing perspectives and lives on the TV One series “Save My Son.” Who better to represent this time of transformation and renewal? If you’ve seen the show, it’s likely you agree that it’s unforgettable. If you haven’t, we’re thrilled to introduce you and give you an opportunity to join the mission. This time of year is also when we celebrate mothers and fathers. No matter who you are, no matter if the influence was positive or negative, we’re all affected by our parents’ choices. They help shape who we are in some way or another, and One Million Moms for Gun Control is using that influence to help make the world a safer place. Find out what prompted this organization to take a stand. That’s only a taste of what’s inside this issue, my first as Editor-in-Chief. I hope there’s something uplifting for you on each page. I’m also excited to hear your feedback. Please connect with us via Facebook.com/ThinkPositiveMag and Twitter.com/tweetTPM. Enjoy.

The Buzz Justin Roberson The Intersection Tracy L. Scott Designers Cover Design Deonne Moore Interior & Layout Nickolena Sidler Advertising For advertising information or to request a rate card, call 1-866-9317576 or send an email to info@ thinkpositivemag.com. Think Positive! magazine is published four times each year. Subscriptions are $15 annually. TPM is published by Miracle Media, Inc. Online ThinkPositiveMag.com @tweetTPM Facebook.com/ThinkPositiveMag This magazine is inspired by The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

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THINK POSITIVE! 12

LETTERS OF GRATITUDE DEAR, DUKE ELLINGTON June is Black Music Month, and we’re remembering a pioneer in Black music who irrevocably changed the game. Duke Ellington is in the spotlight and receives our appreciation and adoration in this quarter’s Letter of Gratitude.

Expect to be Challenged

THE BUZZ ROSA PARKS REMEMBERED With the second inauguration of President Barack Obama as a precursor, it was a historic Black History Month that was acknowledged by politicians, celebrities and more. Get a look at what stars from Michelle Obama to Gabrielle Douglas had to share about Black History Month 2013.

BE THE CHANGE KAMP KIZZY EMPOWERS Keshia Knight Pulliam is best known for her role as Rudy on the ‘80s sitcom, “The Cosby Show,” but she’s all grown up now and putting her fame to good use. The actress opens up about her Kamp Kizzy for young women and how it challenges them to think big, dream big and accomplish big.

COMMON PAYS IT FORWARD May is the month we celebrate mothers, and rapper Common thanks his for teaching him the importance of giving back. While some celebrities shirk the responsibility of fame and choose not to give back, Common considers it a privilege.

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LETTERS OF GRATITUDE

DEAR, DUKE ELLINGTON BY MELISSA HARRIS

hope undiscovered music artists are in their basements, bedrooms or garages at this very moment, polishing their crafts with your vision in mind. You knew that music was the gateway to what you called “total jazz” for all. That’s why for five decades you served audiences this gumbo soup of music. You appeal to listeners who wear shirts with or without collars, both blue and white. It was this modern sound, this modern way of thinking in a world consumed by antiquated beliefs that has become the design for true musical artistry today. Born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899 in Washington D.C., you developed a love for music like both of your parents, James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. By the age of 8, you were playing the piano while dabbling in other areas of interest such as painting, football, and baseball. It was a childhood job that helped to refine your natural aristocrat style when you reworded the slogan for selling snacks to “Cold drinks, gents! Get ’em ice cold!” That suavity extended beyond your words; it became your lifestyle, your dress, food and sophisticated demeanor at all times. For this, you were given the nickname Duke before even entering high school. As your talent grew, you made a serious decision to protect it in a nontraditional way. You dropped out of high school three months short of graduation and turned down a NAACP scholarship to attend Pratt Institute. However, dropping out of

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high school didn’t mean you failed to see the necessity for education. You studied under highly qualified teachers, Doc Perry and Henry Grant, to fine-tune your piano skills because you somehow knew that you’d be responsible for enhancing the quality of American music. By 1917 you formed your first band, The Duke Serenaders, but it was your work ethic that was so impressive. Between your day job as a poster businessman, and night job of playing in a band, you constructed a plan to assemble several bands across one city. On July 2, 1918 at the age of 19, you married your high school sweetheart, Edna Thompson, and shortly after, welcomed your son Mercer

Kennedy Ellington into a world of music as your parents did for you. Your next step was the Cotton Club in New York. It was the perfect setting to compose fresh ideas which led to significant recording contracts, 160 recordings between 1928 and 1931 to be exact. Playing in your first Broadway musical “Show Girl,” and first film of many “Check and Double Check” gained you the title as “the busiest man in the business.” Your extended repertoire of hits, including “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Satin Doll,” “Mood Indigo,” and “In a Sentimental Mood” with John Coltrane are just a few examples that exemplify sophisticated jazz. Of course, the list goes on and on. It is amazing that your strong self-confidence coupled with abundant praise by fans didn’t break your values. You wrote in “Sacred Concerts Complete”: …I am most fortunate because I know that God has blessed my timing…When a man feels that he enjoys his life only because of the grace of God, he rejoices and sometimes dances. When your life ended in 1974, your legacy did not. Your effortless grace and musical contributions still live on in music classes filled with fresh talent inspired by your work. You are the teacher now, and I hope that undiscovered artists have taken notes. They were chosen, as you were, by a divine power to channel torment into beautiful music. You have outlined their paths. With sincere gratitude, Thank You!

PARKS

THE BUZZ

ROSA

Honored During Black History Month Reactions

BY JUSTIN J. ROBERSON AND TRACY L. SCOTT

Black History Month, first established by Carter G. Woodson as a week in February to celebrate African Americans’ contributions to the country that once considered them less than human, has become a symbol of pride and progress for the Black community. Since its innovative conception, Black History Month has blossomed into a time of recognition, historical investigation and reflection. The month held additional significance in 2013. Not only did it follow the second inauguration of the nation’s first Black president, it also marked what would have been the 100th birthday of civil rights icon, Rosa Parks. The United States Postal Service recognized the milestone by issuing a stamp bearing Miss Parks’ likeness. According to the USPS, the stamp is one of three “in the civil rights set celebrating freedom, courage, and equality being issued in 2013.” A statue of Parks was also unveiled in the U.S. Capitol on February 27. The official acknowledgement of the woman, referred to as the mother of the Civil Rights Movement, added a deep significance to the most recent BHM commemoration, and that was felt by celebrities, activists and citizens. See some of their social media comments below:

I will honor [Black History Month] by dedicating myself to myself and working towards becoming the best that I can be. Many of my ancestors couldn’t have even dreamed of the kinds of opportunities I have been given. I think the best way to honor them is by living my life to the fullest and being the very best that I can be.” #nolimits! –Njukia W. Njukia, TPM Facebook user Happy 100th birthday to Rosa Parks. Because of you, a movement was inspired and the path of freedom became a journey we are completing.” Donna Brazile, Political Analyst Happy 100th Birthday, Rosa Parks! Your stamp is here forever! Can’t wait to buy mine!” Vickie Winans, Music Artist Her defiance spurred a movement that advanced our journey toward justice and equality for all.” Barack Obama, U.S. President

Well it’s officially Black History Month... I’m Black so I guess I better get to making some history!!! #dreamscomingtrue” Niecy Nash, Actress On this the first day of black history month....let’s make some history not just recite history!” Jamal Bryant, TV Personality/Pastor I’m so honored to have a display at The Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History. What a great way to kick off Black History Month!” Gabrielle Douglas, Olympic Gold Medalist Rosa Parks would have been 100 years young today. She passed Oct 24, 2005. She is always in our hearts.” Pam Grier, Actress Rosa Parks will be the first African-American woman with a statue in [the] U.S. Capitol.” Speaker John Boehner, Politician Let’s honor the legacy of those who came before us by taking action for our next generation.” Michelle Obama, First Lady www.thinkpositivemag.com

BE THE CHANGE

Keshia Knight Pulliam Gives Back at Kamp Kizzy BY TRACY L. SCOTT

Noticing the struggles and challenges that many young girls face in today’s society, actress Keshia Knight Pulliam created an organization to help future leaders think big, dream big and accomplish big. “The House of Payne” and “The Cosby Show” star created Kamp Kizzy in 2010 for girls ages 11 to 16. Its purpose is the help the impressionable teens recognize and embrace their power as women and foster self-esteem and self-worth, she told “Think Positive.” The camp offers workshops that focus on various areas from dietary health and wellness to reproductive responsibility. “It’s a holistic approach,” said Keshia who founded the organization to counterbalance some of the negative influences the teens face in society. “When I was younger, girls wanted to be doctors, lawyers or teachers. Now, kids want to be famous. There’s more to life” said Keshia who wants to make sure her camp’s participants are exposed to as many opportunities as possible. “If it’s out there, you can achieve it,” she tells them. While many stars give philanthropically, Keshia doesn’t just offer financial support. She’s hands on, and recently participated in Allstate’s Give Back Day Heroes initiative. In its fifth year, the Allstate program honors volunteers and encourages others to follow suit. This year, Keshia rolled up her sleeves and participated in a home improvement project for a “more mature mem-

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ber of society.” “I had my paint outfit on,” said Keshia who was happy to work on the baseboards and fireplace in the home. The actress, who said she owns her own tool belt and isn’t afraid to use it, joked that her friends have referred to her as the Black Martha Stewart. Just as Keshia leads by example for the teens of Kamp Kizzy, she encourages others to etch out time in their schedules for volunteering and giving back. “Everybody’s busy. At the end of the day it’s what you

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, GIRLS WANTED TO BE DOCTORS, LAWYERS OR TEACHERS. NOW, KIDS WANT TO BE FAMOUS. THERE’S MORE TO LIFE.” make a priority,” she said. “Looking back on life, most people can name a coach, teacher or somebody who took a moment and made a huge impact on their lives. You can have that same impact on someone else.” Even for those who only have an hour a week, or one day a month to dedicate to community service, it’s significant, according to Keshia. “Every small little bit helps,” she said.

BE THE CHANGE

Keshia Knight Pulliam Gives Back at Kamp Kizzy

BY TRACY L. SCOTT

While some celebrities prefer not to be considered role models, rapper Common embraces the title and thanks his mother for teaching him to help others. “It’s a blessing and an opportunity to be able to be an example” said Common, disagreeing with those who have the fame, but argue they’ve no obligation to give back. “You do have a responsibility—just from the opportunity and the chance you’ve been given—to be able to pass that on.” His celebrity status and overwhelmingly positive messages are why many consider Common a role model, but he pointed out that fame isn’t a prerequisite for serving others. Anyone can positively influence another and have a lasting impact on someone

else’s life. “When you think about where anybody’s come from, there’s always been somebody that you look up to,” said Common who didn’t have to look far for a positive role model. “My mother was a mentor to me.” Now that the actor/rapper is in a position to help others, he considers it an honor. “I’m going to help somebody because I have the opportunity,” he said.

I’M GOING TO HELP SOMEBODY BECAUSE I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.”

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CHEERS TO CAREERS

You

Are Ready For Entrepreneurship? A DR. LISA A. MATTHEWS

s a child, I always had a side hustle. Always. I started my first business when I was 5 years old. I sold family members tickets to watch me sing, dance and perform magic shows. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do any of those things very well. Yet, I consistently sold tickets and made money. At a young age, I knew there was always something else that I could do to make a profit. If my story sounds similar to your childhood, then Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m confident you have the spirit of an entrepreneur. This is the year to tap into your entrepreneurial essence, but prior to creating your

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business plan, there are important questions you should be able to answer regarding why and how you’re going to start a business. Most of us are taught to go to school, get a “good” education and after graduation, immediately begin working for someone else to help build their empire. This ultimately produces the Wrong Way to Work Syndrome, which is limited income, slow growth, illusion of security, no control, and no authenticity. The first step in starting a business is assessing whether or not you’re truly ready to become an entrepreneur. Get your notebook and pen ready to begin building your dreams as I guide you through the process of determining if you’re prepared to start your own business.

DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

Answer the following questions authentically. • Why am I here? • What is the purpose for my life? • What fulfills me above all other things? • What do people always ask me to do? • Why do I want to start a business? • How many hours am I willing to invest each year? • Am I a self-starter or do I need to be motivated? • What is my yearly financial goal? Answering these questions will allow you to reflect on your Definite Major Purpose (DMP). This will lead you as you consider what type of business you want to establish. DESIGNYour YOUR BUSINESS. Business. 22. Design What products and/or services are you going to offer your customers? What will you sell? This is the centerpiece for your business. The questions below will help assess your talents, strengths and passions. Ask yourself:

• What talents, knowledge or skills

do I have? • What would I do even if I didn’t get paid for it? • What do people count on me for? • What things cause me to lose track of time when I’m doing them? • What topic do I yearn to learn more about? • What things give me the most satisfaction when I do them? • Do I want employees? • Do I want an office? • What products will I sell? • What is the first thing I would like to use my business profits for? Be specific about what you’re working for. Simply telling yourself that you will ‘make more money’ is not sufficient.

KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS

This is beyond essential. You must know who you’re going to sell your products to and remember that your best customers will not be your family and friends. Write a description of your ideal customers. How old are they? Where do you live? What do they enjoy doing? Who do they follow on Twitter and Facebook? What events do they attend? Where do they shop? This is a critical piece as you begin to develop your marketing plan. Not only do you need to know your customer, you must also know what products they want to buy. Don’t create a product without surveying what your niche market desires. a A MENTOR 4 4. GETGet Every successful business owner had and still has a mentor. You’re no exception. However, when selecting a mentor, don’t fall victim of wanting to be included instead of focusing on authentic relationships and strong mentor/mentee bonds. Avoid selecting a mentor based off of what you see other people doing

and get caught up in the feel good moments of various social events and conferences. You should foster a genuine relationship with someone who you choose to be your mentor. No one can make this decision but you.

STAY AWAY FROM DREAM KILLERS

As a new or tenured entrepreneur, you must be very wary and cautious of Dream Killers (DKs). They come to dismantle your progress and destroy your happiness. If people are not genuinely happy for you or they don’t support your goals or encourage you, get rid of them. You do not need Dream Killers speaking over your life. Don’t listen to them. Put your fingers in your ears. Evaluate your entourage and expel DKs if they exist in your circle.

HUSTLE WHEN IT HURTS

There will be times that you’ll cry due to lack of sleep. There will be growing pains. You’ll second guess yourself and the path that you’ve chosen as a part-time or full-time entrepreneur. You may have a negative account balance one day. People may question your intelligence. Just keep going and keep pushing. Hustle even when you think it’s over. It’s not over! I believe in you and your dreams. The decision to become a business owner is one of the most difficult choices you’ll ever make; yet it is the most rewarding. Until next time, keep the faith and never give up.

THIS IS THE YEAR TO TAP INTO YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL ESSENCE.” www.thinkpositivemag.com

ARE WE TO BLAME? WHY ARE PEOPLE ATTACKING OUR KIDS? BY TRACY L. SCOTT

Hispanic man shoots an unarmed Black teenager; a White man strikes a crying 19-month-old; a satirical publication uses a derogatory term, that’s not fit to print, to describe a 9-year-old girl. These instances—all figurative crimes, at least one literal—are not related; however, there’s a common thread. In each case, a non-Black adult felt he or she had

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the right and authority to cause either physical or verbal harm to an African-American child. It’s been more than one year since Trayvon Martin was gunned down in a Florida neighborhood while going about the mundane activity of buying junk food at a local store. Many things about the events of that night outraged Americans; however, what galvanized a backlash from the Black community was authorities’ initial decision to not even investigate the shooting. Had Martin’s family and local media not persisted in calling attention to the senseless death of a young, Black man, it’s very likely Trayvon’s killer would never have been held accountable for his actions. Maybe the Martin case, and so many similar ones in which the killing of a Black child warranted little attention and investigation, inadvertently sent society the message that disrespecting, abusing and violating minority children is acceptable. That’s the disappointing news. The encouraging news is that Black community leaders, news outlets, parents and a larger population of society have started to speak out when these shocking instances occur, relaying, in no uncertain terms, that we do care how our children are treated. In the case of 60-year-old Joe Rickey Hundley, who took it upon himself to slap a crying 19-monthold who was reacting to the rapidly changing cabin pressure on a plane, the news of the absurd assault spread quickly and led to the senior citizen’s termination from his job. Hundley, whose intoxication at the time is still in question, also referred to the boy as the N-word. Delta Airlines, the carrier on which the alleged assault took place, and AGC Aerospace & Defense, where Hundley was employed, issued separate statements expressing horror at what transpired. “We understand that authorities are investigating the recent behavior of one of our business unit executives

while on personal travel. The allegations are disturbing and are contradictory to our values,” said Al Haase, president and CEO of AGC Aerospace & Defense, in a statement. If found guilty, Hundley could spend up to one year in prison, according to CNN. It wasn’t just the parents of the toddler who challenged Hundley about his behavior. Several passengers reportedly intervened once they became aware of Hundley’s abuse. Many of them refused to keep silent and are working with authorities to make sure that Hundley is held accountable. More recently, a young actress’ night of celebration was tarnished when she was publicly referred to as the C-word. Oscar nominee, Quvenzhané Wallis, 9, walked the red carpet rubbing elbows with celebrities and correspondents when “The Onion,” a satirical publication, posted an offensive message to its more than 4 million Twitter users. “Everyone else seems afraid to say it, but that Quvenzhané Wallis is kind of a c---, right?” read the post that was later deleted following a swift and aggressive backlash. One of the most vocal Quvenzhané defenders was fellow actor Wendell Pierce of “The Wire” and “Treme.” “We won’t let you be disrespectful to our children. Identify the writer. There are consequences to your free speech,” he wrote. “I will never lose the ability to be offended and let anyone verbally abuse a child.” The normally resolute publication subsequently apologized for the off-color statement and vowed to institute measures that would prevent similar offenses going forward. While the public may never really know the thought processes that led to the actions of “The Onion” or Hundley, the Black community has failed if it’s given others the impression that violence and disrespect toward our children is acceptable and will be tolerated. Black leaders and citizens’ hands are already full dealing with the

internal strife that’s caused broken homes, escalating gun violence and high incarceration rates. The members of the next generation who are avoiding these trappings and are on their way to promising futures, should be encouraged and protected, not gunned down, not called names, not publicly humiliated. However, maybe our apathy toward violent deaths, the rampant use of the N-word, continued misogyny in Black music and cruelty targeted toward members of our own society has those outside our community believing the mistreatment is okay. Why wouldn’t “The Onion” tweet such a vulgar comment when Black women attacked teen gymnast Gabrielle Douglas’ hair when the rest of the world deemed her flawless? Why wouldn’t Hundley think a slap and a derogatory term were fine when reality TV shows offering the same and worse continue to be among the most watched in our households? Why wouldn’t George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin’s killer, assume shooting an unarmed teen would go unpunished when hundreds of young minorities are dying each year, often without consequence? While it’s commendable that members of society are becoming more vocal and outraged when our children are attacked by those outside the community, that same level of disgust and intolerance isn’t always present when it’s Blacks offending Blacks. For years, Black Americans have tried to explain to the world that while we may treat one another one way, it’s unacceptable for White Americans or those of other ethnicities to mimic that treatment. That logic only seems to confuse. If we want to send a message to the Zimmermans and Hundleys of the world clarifying that our children do matter and should be treated with respect, leading by example may work best. Actions speak louder than words.

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nada, zip, zilch (What most kids know about preparing for college.)

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WHEN LOVE WON’T LET YOU WAIT BY MARCIA MCINTYRE

When I was younger, I remember listening to the song “Love Makes Things Happen” by Pebbles and Babyface. I would swoon in my room dreaming of how love could hit me anywhere at any time and I was ready for it. Then I saw the music video. Wait a minute…did he just leave his wife and kids for the lady on the train? Did she then leave him for the man in the café? Yep. Sure did. Yet, the song romantically continued, “Youuu never knooww.” That was my first introduction to a home wrecker and I thought I didn’t need love if it was going to leave me like that! Home wrecker. Who comes to mind when you hear this word? Is she the person who lives in your neighborhood? Do you clinch your husband tighter when you see her because of the stories you’ve heard? Are you a home wrecker? Maybe you just know of the rumored home wreckers you read about on celebrity gossip blogs: Alicia Keys,

Fantasia Barrino and Gabrielle Union are just a few stars who’ve been accused of starting romantic relationships with married men. Though Alicia and Gabrielle claim that those marriages were over even if it wasn’t yet official, would it have been too difficult to wait until the ink on the divorce papers dried? What if the script is flipped and it is she, the woman, who starts dating while separated and going through a divorce and pregnant like Kim Kardashian? Some of these women have done everything under the sun to defend themselves when criticized about the timing of their relationships and the complete demise of marriages that followed. Alicia denied breaking up the union between music producer Swizz Beatz and his now ex-wife Mashonda in “JET” magazine. She and Swizz are now married with a son. “Think Like a Man” actress Gabrielle, faced a lawsuit from Dwyane Wade’s ex, but Gabrielle reportedly proved in court that she was not flaunting her affection in front of his

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PERSPECTIVES

children as D.Wade’s ex accused. In contrast, Fantasia hasn’t offered much of a defense for her ongoing relationship with a married man, with whom she’s had a child. As for Kim, there’s no shame in her game. She’s expecting a child with rapper Kanye West; although, she’s still technically married. Usually, when you hear of sticky situations like this, women gasp and men grunt noises of disapproval because of their strong personal views of marriage and moral beliefs. Yet lately, more people seem to be tossing aside those views for the sake of love. Is society now more accepting of these relationships? There is a saying: “don’t open a new door until the old one is shut.” I think there is validity to that statement. If you meet the love of your life and he or she is still attached, that person is bringing emotional baggage to the table, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you need a reason why you should wait and not go forward in this relationship, there are plenty. If this person has children, property, assets, and things of that sort, your involvement can assist the wounded spouse’s case in court. Also, there are still seven states where you can be sued for Alienation of Affection (being a home wrecker) in divorce proceedings (Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah just in case you wanted to know). You could be held accountable as the reason reconciliation between husband and wife did not occur. Oh, and then there’s the emotional instability of the children and trauma of the abandoned spouse, for which you may be held responsible. If love won’t let you wait, then by all means, move forward with caution and preparation. But, if you can wait, try to do so. You’re not only protecting the spiritual and legal rights of their marriage, you are protecting your heart and yourself.

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WE ARE GOING TO PUT OUR FAMILIES ABOVE THE GUN LAWS.

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oNE Million

Moms

Making aDifference

BY LUCY COUTINHO

It‘s every parent’s nightmare: to learn that something tragic has happened to one’s child. As nurturers and protectors, a parent’s duty is to create a safe environment for his or her children. How protected are children from senseless murders due to gun violence? Grieving parents mourning the loss of their sons or daughters can attest that this is an unimaginable pain. Parents across the nation demand that families’ safety comes first, and one mother’s outrage has turned a call to action into a nationwide movement. Sharon Watts recently founded One Million Moms for Gun Control, a grass roots effort to increase restrictions and regulations on the sale and purchase of firearms. This effort started the day after the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT on December 20, 2012, when 20 students, along with six staff members, were killed. This was marked as one of the deadliest school shootings in United States history, second only to the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre. Watts, an Indianapolis, IN mother of five, had had enough. “We are going to put our families above the gun laws. This is going to be an ongoing effort,” said Watts. The grass roots movement rallied for a march for the first time in Washington, D.C. on January 26,

2013, following an overwhelming response to Watts’ One Moms for Gun Control Facebook page. Other participating cities included Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, New Jersey, Rhode Island, San Francisco, Oregon, and Vermont. Each march called more attention to the need for immediate action on what many consider common-sense gun legislation. The goal is to take action now, giving everyone a voice to ban assault weapons and ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds, require background checks for all gun purchasers, report the sale of large quantities of ammunition to the ATF, and limit the scope of concealed weapons laws at the state level. “We are in this for the long haul, regardless of what happens at the congressional level,” said a determined Watts. Not long before Sandy Hook, another compelling case stained the fabric of America’s history with the loss of Trayvon Martin. At just 17-years-old, his life cut short at the hands of George Zimmerman. Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of Arizona Ice Tea on the night of February 26, 2012, when Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch participant, chased the teen and subsequently shot him. The shooter, who is Hispanic, is now in trial. “It’s

just very difficult to live with day in and day out,” a grieving Sabrina Fulton, Martin’s mother, told “Today” in April. “I’m sure his parents can pick up the phone and call him, but we can’t pick up the phone and call Trayvon anymore,” she said in reference to the Zimmerman family. It’s unfortunate that the acts of gun violence did not end there, with a tragic incident leaving Chicago teenager Hadiya Pendleton dead on January 29, 2013, just eight days after she performed with her high school band at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration event in Washington, D.C. The United States is in dire need for change. These shootings, just to mention a few, have prompted renewed debate about gun control. In the State of the Union address, President Obama called for Congress to pass a comprehensive gun-violence prevention package to help protect American families. The president remembers the victims of gun violence; as a nation no one should forget the irreversible pain. America has heard each cry, hopeful for the change that is to come. In just two months, One Million Moms for Gun Control has established nearly 80 chapters across the United States with tens of thousands of members thus far. “We will only get stronger,” assures Watts. For more information about the movement, please visit: www.onemillionmomsforguncontrol.org.

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Dr. Steve Perry is a father and educator who’s been working to instill pride and purpose into minority youth for years. Already an author and expert known by many, his reach extended with the conception of TV One’s “Save My Son.” Perry serves as the no-nonsense, tough-love dispensing host of the show in which he infiltrates a family in the hopes of healing emotional—and sometimes physical— wounds to prevent one young brother from becoming a statistic. He doesn’t do it alone. It takes the family, friends and interest from influential celebrities who interrupt their busy schedules to show the at-risk teens that they really do matter. Although it’s a TV series, it’s more than that. “Save My Son” is a movement and Perry spoke to TPM about where the show has been, where it’s going and how you can get involved. 24

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COVER FEATURE

STEVE PERRY CHANGING LIVES BY

SAVING SONS

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Kids don’t kill other kids because they hate the other kids; they kill them because they hate themselves. INTERVIEWED BY TRACY L. SCOTT AND TELIE WOODS

TPM: For those who haven’t seen the show, explain the premise of “Save My Son.” DR. PERRY: “Save My Son” is more than a television show. What “Save My Son” is doing is it’s showing us so many positive Black men who when called upon to do something, will do it. A lot of times they’ve just never been asked or they didn’t know how to answer and “Save My Son” has created that opportunity for them to be seen. Treach from

Naughty by Nature… who knew that he was a mentor? Charles Barkley, a man who’s famously said that he’s not a role model. Steve Harvey, of course, we know. Derek Anderson… on and on and on. You watch these brothers and you hear their stories, and you hear their struggles. [Actor] Michael Jai White talks about how he’s been shot twice, and you think, “Really? You? Who would have thought?” To me, it’s the experience of “Save My Son” that’s got people talking. It’s not just that it’s a show.

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TPM: What’s the objective of “Save My Son” and what are the mentees supposed to get out of it? DR. PERRY: “Save My Son” is about focusing on saving our kids by engaging them and giving the best that they have to offer, showing them they are loved and supported.

see them as more than a rapper.

all of them are.

TPM: You mentioned you were surprised by Michael Jai White’s story. Were there any other stories that surprised you?

TPM: What advice do you have for parents of young men who aren’t interested in being saved?

I had a woman send me an email who said that Wednesday night is date night for her and her husband. I have other families saying that they sit down as a family every Wednesday night to watch “Save My Son,” as a family…even families that don’t necessarily have these issues.

DR. PERRY: Pooch Hall. Pooch Hall was locked up for five months for—I don’t know if it was an assault or whatever—but he was in jail as a teen. Derrick Anderson, a basketball player, I didn’t know he was homeless from 14 on with no parents, sleeping in his middle school gymnasium. I didn’t know that Steve Harvey used to sleep in his car. We see them now, but… and the stories go on. There are so many of these cats who are part of the show. One celebrity tells his story about how he used to steal. His stealing got so bad that his father, who was in the military, lost a rank because of it. The point in all this is that where you see somebody isn’t always where they were and where you see somebody isn’t always where they have to be. When we look at these kids we have to think the same way.

TPM: Why did you decide to recruit celebrities for the show?

TPM: How do you decide which families to help?

DR. PERRY: It’s TV. So, we gotta have a reason why people are going to watch beyond just the appeal of the show. What we have to do, is we have to have some catch. That’s how we start. What I found out was that these cats are vital. They’re well-known individuals to whom much has been given. So, much is expected. In this case, it’s a very low bar. They have to come and when they do, we see amazing things.

DR. PERRY: They write in or call us, and we select them from there. There are literally thousands of families. We look for diversity of the stories. We want to look at different issues. If you watch the shows in any progression, you’ll notice that they get harder. The cases are harder and harder every single time.

TPM: You have athletes and rap artists on the show. Are you concerned that may reinforce stereotypes that to be successful Black boys have to succeed in one of those areas?

DR. PERRY: There’s enough to look for in what we have. You can spit in any direction and hit an issue. That’s one of the biggest eye-openers for a lot of people who are watching “Save My son.” A lot of these kids are just regular run-of-the-mill kids. They’re not thugged out, gang member kids. Some of them are, but not

TPM: What kind of feedback have you received from viewers? DR. PERRY: The feedback has been phenomenal. We’ve gotten feedback from parents and people who watch all the way down to celebrities and educators who say they feel like they’ve either learned something from the show or it’s validated what they’ve already been doing.

DR. PERRY: I think what I’m doing is both challenging them to be more than a rapper and challenging us to

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TPM: Does that put pressure on you to find the most sensational story to put out there?

DR. PERRY: There are very few of those, to be honest with you. Most kids do want to be saved. They want someone to love them and to show them that what they do is valuable. They want someone to tell them that they’re smart, funny and make them feel that they belong to somebody. TPM: Have you come across youth who aren’t receptive? DR. PERRY: I’ve met few kids who don’t want to listen to anybody. Some kids get tired of some people, but the overwhelming majority wants to listen to somebody. They really do. TPM: Have you met a case or young boy that made you think he’s too far gone? DR. PERRY: Honestly, almost all of them start that way in my head. I feel like “McGuyver.” They leave me in there with a paper clip and some tape and say, “Now get out of this burning building.” TPM: Do you follow-up with the families? DR. PERRY: To some degree. It’s not a treatment program. The objective is to set them up to take care of themselves, to leave behind support for them or to set in place a plan for them. TPM: Is there an underlying condition or theme that you’re seeing with the families? DR. PERRY: Absent or weak fathers. Mothers who baby the hell out of their kids and refuse to say no to the son to anything he asks for. Everybody in the house knows that this kid is spoiled, yet it’s okay with them. That’s really what it

is. There’s no structure for these boys. They don’t have bedtimes when they’re little. They don’t have chores when they’re little. They don’t have any responsibility. They can do whatever the hell they want to do, and they do. TPM: The cliché is that all issues can be traced back to a person’s mom. Is it that simple? Is it the mom’s fault? DR. PERRY: A lot of it in terms of the developmental is the parent, but in many cases it’s a combination of things. A lot of these kids go to horrible schools, so the schools don’t meet the academic needs. The kids start to fall apart because they feel like they don’t belong to anybody. TPM: How can educators get parents more involved in their own child’s education? DR. PERRY: That is the holy grail of questions. Here is something to consider. The ACT is the most taken college entrance examination in the nation as of last year (according to ACT). Seventy-five percent of all students who took it tested as not college ready. Those aren’t all minority students. It’s one thing to make the argument that the reason why schools and children are failing is that parents are not involved when those schools are in the hood and they are Black and Latino. Somebody has to explain to me what happens in those suburban schools where PTA nights are so well attended that if you don’t get there on time you cannot park, schools where soccer and volleyball games are filled with parents no matter the size of the school. We have this conversation about parental involvement but we act as if parental involvement provides some sort of [magic solution] for the failures of the school system, and it doesn’t. Conversely, we also presume sans parental involvement we can’t have success. Two years ago, I met our Valedictorian’s parents on

graduation. I’d never seen them and if they came back today, I wouldn’t know who they were. Very low parental involvement, yet our school was named by US News as one of America’s top performing high schools. So it’s not what happens between parents and the schools. It’s about what happens between the children and the schools that make the children successful. Most people when they talk about parental involvement don’t have a definition for it. So what is parental involvement? Is it doing homework with kids? Does it mean going to games, going to parent/teacher night, washing them up, or feeding them?

Most people don’t share the same definition of parental involvement. TPM: What is your definition of parental involvement? DR. PERRY: I don’t know I don’t talk much about it. I don’t count on it. My success or failure isn’t based on whether or not the parents come to the events. We have a cross country team with a nationally ranked runner finishing top 15 in the nation. We have an indoor track team that also finished in the top two and most of these meets are not attended by any parents. The parents may be off saving lives, I don’t know. My job is to make sure the children are

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where they need to be, doing what they need to do and have the best teachers on Earth in front of them. TPM: Youth murders reached a crisis level in Chicago last year. What’s your perspective on that? DR. PERRY: It sounds like a place where there are lots of children who don’t feel like they belong to anybody. Kids don’t kill other kids because they hate the other kids; they kill them because they hate themselves.

There has become a culture of lawlessness that is supported by institutions that further the notion of failure as a standard. People get to a point where they just start to accept that failure is the way it is. There is a macabre pride that comes from that. This is not distinct to Chicago; it’s not even distinct to big cities. It’s a mindset that’s seen throughout this country and different parts of the world. TPM: What motivated you to start Capital Prep Magnet School? DR. PERRY: I was tired of seeing Black and Latino kids in suburban schools being led to believe they were somehow less intelligent or less capable. I believe that, if nothing else, I could open up a school that was at least as bad as these sorry schools my kids were being forced to attend. Our children don’t have an achievement gap. They have an access gap. There is a profound difference between the two. An achievement gap means you are smarter than me. An access gap means you have better access to a better school and more information than I did. I believed that if I could put together some of the best educators I’ve seen then what I could do is offset the access. TPM: What was your biggest challenge?

One of the biggest problems Chicago faces is that it has a failed public school system. Though there are some success stories, the biggest issue is not poverty because there are poor schools and people who are being successful. They have a school system that is designed to support the needs of the adults and as a result the only people who are benefiting from the school system are its employees. In addition to that, I don’t believe that Chicago has parents who are less effective than other parents.

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DR. PERRY: Adults and their egos. I was a fool. I came in here thinking if I was a Black man and sit down with a Puerto Rican and another Black man we can get something done. I felt like if I came to them open-hearted wanting to help kids, there would be this outpouring of support. That wasn’t the case. I misread the race card. I realized the only color that matters when I’m working with kids is the color of commitment. TPM: What’s the next phase of the “Save My Son” movement?

DR. PERRY: Next phase is people having conversations about what they can do. That’s the next step and then the conversations shifting to what will be done. That’s unfolding organically. Some people have said that they want to have a Save My Son chapter in their community which would essentially be a clearinghouse for information, a place where people could go when they want to know how to save their son. TPM: How does the eMentoring program work and how can people get involved with that? DR. PERRY: eMentoring is very exciting. It started as a little idea in which we connect those who are interested in communicating with children and building relationships with those who need it. I think what is most powerful about it is that we are in the information age and much of what children need is as we begin the conversation is that somebody cares about them in an appropriate way. It’s my first time doing something like this so we’ll see what happens. I’m working very hard to prepare for it. Contact us at eMentorus@ gmail.com. We have a lot of confidence in it. My wife has been working very hard to get this information in. We are getting a lot of requests. It’s something that started out as a tweet turned into quite a big project. So next time I’ll be careful about that. TPM: How optimistic are you about the future of our children? DR. PERRY: I’m very optimistic about the children’s future. We are losing right now, but we’re going to win!

Steve talks about teaching young boys to respect women, season 2 and his book at www.thinkpositivemag.com.

Toni Braxton encourages you to learn the signs of autism at autismspeaks.org Early diagnosis can make a lifetime of difference. © 2012 Autism Speaks Inc. “Autism Speaks” and “It’s time to listen” & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved. Courtesy of The Recording Academy.

FEATURE 30

Think Positive! Magazine

BY ALONNA BERRY

etween the penitentiary and the freedoms so many Americans take for granted, there is an earthly Purgatory: the world of a parolee. For many former inmates, parole allows reintegration into society by serving as a bridge to a new safe, secure and fruitful life. For those who find themselves facing the challenge of rebuilding their lives after incarceration, it is one of—if not the only—system that truly gives them a second chance at life. While some may think it inhumane to even question the usefulness of a system created to help those who’ve spent years behind bars, there is an ongoing discussion in the United States about the parole system. Does the institution’s focus on aiding and reforming the convicted, put citizens at risk? Although, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation considers parole an integral part of the rehabilitation process, it’s also a highly disputed concept in the Criminal Justice System. The debate centers on the question of whether parole actually allows inmates to serve only a portion of their sentences and return to the larger society prematurely. The term “early release” is frequently used to describe parole, but the term is without merit. “There is not anyone getting out early; there are people getting out before their maximum,” explained Director of Administrative Services at Pennsylvania Prison Society, Ceciley Jones, who clarified that there is no parole for those who serve their entire sentences. “Maximum means you can walk

out with no services, no parole, no anything,” she said. While many critics of the parole system argue that so-called early release sends criminals back into their neighborhoods before they’ve paid their debts to society, for others that is not the biggest concern. Parents worry about the safety of their neighborhoods and unwelcome influences on their children. Citizens worry about their safety walking to their cars, and coming home from work. Those fears remain whether an inmate is released after five years or 10. For that; there is no perfect solution. However, true rehabilitation, something Jones feels is possible, would ease many fears and likely end the ongoing debate. “For parole to work best there needs to be a perfect storm of things, (1) a good trained parole officer, (2) [an inmate] who is thinking differently and wants to live differently and to behave differently when they come out than when they went in and lastly (3) there has to be the resources,” said Jones. While the news is littered with stories of repeat offenders and those whose lives are spent in and out of the criminal justice system, Jones said few criminals actually return to jail for committing the same crime for which they were originally incarcerated. That may be an indication that some rehabilitation is taking place on some level. Despite citizens’ support or angst for parole, it exists and affects a large part of the U.S. population. From 1975-2011, the United States

Criminal Justice System has “reentered” approximately 20 million convicted felons through the parole system, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. For many, that causes fear and panic as they think, “Our criminal justice system has released 20 million criminals into our neighborhoods and sidewalks!” For others, that statistic is a

FOR PAROLE TO WORK BEST THERE NEEDS TO BE A PERFECT STORM OF THINGS.” message of freedom. It suggests that more than 20 million human beings have been rehabilitated. For friends and relatives the statistic has allowed 20 million families to reunite and given 20 million fathers or mothers back to their children. No system, no person, no individual is perfect – but all are capable of change. Yes, there are issues with the Criminal Justice System, parole being one. However, parole is one of the final steps for those within the system; it is the report card of our prison systems. What parole critics and supporters may want to consider is that the problems often originate much earlier. Instead of asking whether released criminals are a danger to citizens, the larger question is: How do we help keep our neighbors, friends and relatives out of jail?

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Black Hollywood’s Uncrowned

Queen? BY TRACY L. SCOTT

Regina King has been a working actress since her teens. She started on TV’s “227,” but then hit the big screen in films like “Poetic Justice,” “Jerry McGuire” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” She returned to TV five seasons ago, as Detective Lydia Adams in the hit TNT drama “Southland.” She also lends her voice to Riley and Huey Freeman, characters in the Cartoon Network’s animated series, “The Boondocks.” Don’t call it a comeback. She’s been here for years, and while other child stars failed to achieve her level of success, King said there’s no one secret to her longevity in the business. “I guess luck,” she told “Think Positive,” explaining how she’s stayed employed and grounded in such an unpredictable industry. “They say luck is where preparation meets opportunity. So be prepared, so when the opportunity comes, you can seize the moment.” The California native was just 14 when she grabbed hold of the opportunity to star alongside “The

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Jeffersons” alumna Marla Gibbs in “227.” King portrayed Brenda Jenkins for five seasons. Her next big role was in the 1991 classic “Boyz N the Hood,” making a somewhat seamless transition from child star to serious adult actor. King said having a “really present” mother helped her navigate Hollywood life and avoid pitfalls that trap

BE PREPARED, SO WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY COMES, YOU CAN SEIZE THE MOMENT.” so many others. She also keeps a close circle of friends around her. “You gotta keep something for yourself. My family and my friends and my personal life is very important to me, and I don’t want to taint it in anyway. I have the same friends that I’ve had for years, so they really know who I am,” she

said. “You gotta be cautious about the company you keep.” In a society where celebrities consistently share their whereabouts, thoughts and wardrobe choices via social media, Regina has kept her life relatively private. The divorced mother of a 17-year-old son is rarely spotted outside of red carpet events, and she seldom speaks about her relationship with fellow child-star Malcolm Jamal-Warner. He’s one of those friends who’s known King for years, and their friendship eventually blossomed into romance. King, 41, is not just careful about her personal image and how much she shares with the public. She is also conscious of the roles she takes and what she portrays as a Black woman. “It matters to me. There are some [characters] that I’m not interested in playing,” she said. We just don’t get opportunities, as women, to play characters that are complex and layered and that’s what makes Lydia interesting. It’s not

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just about looking pretty and fighting crime. It deals with being a woman that’s good at her job, that is lonely, that finds herself in situations where men can’t handle her being a cop. That’s interesting to me.” For four seasons King’s “Southland” character has kicked butt on the streets of L.A., going toe to toe with male assailants, wielding a gun like nobody’s business and earning the respect of her mostly male counterparts on the job. King has won two NAACP Image Awards for the role. However, season 5 of the show finds King’s Lydia dealing with a male in a situation that’s tougher to handle. When the new season premiered in February, the tough detective was learning to adapt to single motherhood as the parent of a 3-month-old son. To those who might criticize the depiction of a Black single mom as stereotypical, King explained that her character is reflecting a circumstance that many women of various ethnicities experience. “Lydia was not written as a Black woman. She represents a large number of women out there who are in their late 30s, early 40s and they’ve focused on their careers and they’ve found themselves not in a relationship, but they want to have

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children. They’re looking into adopting children, having sperm donors and finding ways to get pregnant. In all actuality, her being a single woman with a baby is not necessary a Black woman thing, but a thing of a woman who made a bad choice, and we get to see her deal with that. It’s not glamorized as an okay thing to do. It’s portrayed as exactly what it is: a woman who made a choice and how she deals with it,” she said.

IT MATTERS TO ME. THERE ARE SOME [CHARACTERS] THAT I’M NOT INTERESTED IN PLAYING.” Having been on TV when Black audiences were thirsting to see their somewhat still segregated lives depicted, King said things have changed. Instead of shows that portray a distinction between the Black experience and what other ethnic groups live every day, Black actors are now rallying for roles that are reflective of our inclusion in society. That might explain why there’s been such a decrease in the number

of shows with majority-Black casts. However, that’s not to suggest Black actors aren’t working. Kerry Washington, Meagan Good, and Taraji P. Henson are just a few of King’s counterparts who are starring in TV dramas that hardly acknowledge racial differences at all. “The great thing about those characters is that they just happen to be Black women,” King said. “Black is not part of the story and what they do, and I think that’s great. It’s a little more like real life.… I think it’s a great thing that art is imitating life a bit more,” she said. No matter what TV or film trends are next, it’s likely King will adapt and continue to thrive in the business that’s allowed her to connect with fans with her memorable and classic characters. From “Friday” to “Ray,” King has proven herself an actress who can pretty much do it all and while she doesn’t credit one solitary thing for her impressive career, there is one “secret” she shared for those who may want success in their own lives. “I’m a spiritual person that believes in what you speak is what you attract,” she said. “I believe in God. I believe in the universe, paying it forward and what you put out is what you get back.”

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“ 36

BY GIANNA BANNER

I’ve probably written some things that are as ridiculous as possible. I probably owe some people some apologies.

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ONE VERY SMART BROTHA BOLSTERED BY A BLOG

logs have become more popular through the years. Sometimes people just feel the need to type out their opinions for personal records and posterity’s sake. However, it is a new ball game when hundreds of readers want to react to those daily posts. The Very Smart Brothas (VSB) blog launched five years ago in March 2008 and became a vast success. Panama Jackson and Damon “The Champ” Young are the two bloggers behind VSB. One half of the duo, Jackson, spoke to “Think Positive” about the beginning, the highs, the lows, and family. “One of our plans from the very beginning was ‘look, we’re going to go in and respond to every comment,’” said Jackson offering one reason why the blog is a hit. “We got one comment that said ‘Hello;’ we would actually write back ‘Hi.’ It was an actual dialogue with the people that were writing. We’re in the comment section every day, responding, and talking to people.” VSB is a website where the bloggers make each post relatable. It’s a place, where they write out what many are thinking but shy away from saying aloud. Jackson first began blogging on a whim in 2004 because two friends thought it would be a good way to showcase his great sense of humor, and there’s a reason he’s still writing out his thoughts today. “The interaction with people,” Jackson said on what he enjoys most about blogging. “I’ve met more people than I can even count at this point. It opened so many doors for me. All of the connections I’ve made just because of blogging…that doesn’t happen for everybody.” The 33-year-old has always been known as the outgoing, yet intelligent type of guy. He shared with “Think Positive” that he was Most Likely to Succeed, but also the Class Clown. He also involved himself with sports, student council, and theatre growing up. Nonetheless, those characteristics aren’t as meaningful when it comes to the awards he’s received

since the blog launch. A couple of years ago, VSB received an award for Best Writing. “As a blogger and somebody who writes, you want to be acknowledged for the actual writing that you do. You can be funny and all this other stuff, but you don’t have to be funny to be a good writer,” he said. “It speaks a lot; a signal that we are actually doing something right…what we’re writing is quality!” VSB has material for everyone to enjoy. There are several different categories such as breaking up, race, sex, politics, and top 10 lists. Jackson’s favorite topic happens to be music, although the most popular posts relate to relationships. “Damon talked about writing a book together and realized that all our most popular entries were about relationships. So we thought we should probably write a relationship book, so we put a bunch of our entries together,” Jackson said. After “Your Degrees Won’t Keep You Warm at Night: The Very Smart Brothas Guide to Dating, Mating, and Fighting Crime” was published in 2011, the blog spiraled in a more positive direction. “We started getting profiled at national publications and so we got a lot more exposure,” said the D.C. native. Jackson and “The Champ” alternate weeks when it comes to posting duties, and Jackson said they don’t feel responsible for men and women’s actions when they post certain things. “We are just writing our perspectives, ideas. Men are going to be men; women are going to be women. If anything, we’re just trying to put a funny spin on situations,” Jackson explained. “I’ve probably written some things that are as ridiculous as possible. I probably owe some people some apologies.” VSB doesn’t always experience highs and praise; sometimes blog posts take a wrong path. Jackson told “Think Positive” about one particular incident when a reader was not happy with a post that explained

top 10 things you should do if you’re a busted or unattractive woman. He admitted that it was bit much, but the reader argued with him and took it to a personal level. He explained not only did he take shots at his 4-year-old daughter, but the reader also hacked into accounts. Jackson said, “That’s the worst that has happened to me through this.” Jackson realizes that some of the opinions that he and Young post may be controversial, but it keeps readers hooked and interested. As his daughter, who he refers to as a little ham, grows up, he did offer her some advice. “You’re going to experience heartbreak; some guy is going to break your heart. You might break some guys’ hearts, too. Just do your best to be a good person,” he said. “That’s a lesson I’m still working on myself. I definitely made some mistakes and owe some apologies but everybody grows and learns.” Although the Morehouse graduate didn’t know what he wanted to do coming out of college, the ‘accidental success’ as he called it, drives Jackson to make VSB even bigger this year. “Time to make some changes,” Jackson said. He wants to revamp the website to more of an “Ebony” or “Essence” type feel but keep the voice the two have established. Now that they’ve conquered the written word, the men of VSB are moving onto new territory. They recently shot and edited a television pilot. On their website they are asking for donations because they need $20,000 for the pilot itself. Jackson has made it clear on the blog that BET shows are lacking as of late. “I almost think that for BET, they need to try and come out with something that is completely brand new and not try to reinvent the wheel. They need to find some way to be creative with new ideas. But at the same time I’m not sure there’s even a new kind of show to do,” Jackson told “Think Positive.” Maybe VSB is what BET needs?

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BROTHERS SPEAK 38

Think Positive! Magazine

ROOT Getting to the

of the Natural Hair Movement

nce upon a time, women who wore weaves, wigs or extensions carried around a certain amount of shame with that, and didn’t necessarily want the world to know that the hair on their heads did not grow from their scalps. Think back to that scene in “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” in which a romantic night goes wrong when “Cherry” begins to confess that her appearance includes a few enhancements. Her eyes aren’t really

green. She’s wearing a wig, and even one of her legs is a prosthesis. Needless to say, her date opts to pass on their planned evening of fun. While the message of that 1988 film was clear, it’s now 2013, and both genders seem much more accepting of women wearing weaves. Do any of her fans have any idea what Beyoncé’s real hair looks like? Does anybody care? Though there’s less judgment toward women who choose to wear weaves, the same is true of those

who choose to wear their hair in natural styles. Once assumed to be the earthy, Bohemian types, a la Erykah Badu, it’s now easy to find dreadlocks, twists or crew cuts on women in corporate America and everywhere else. Why are hundreds, if not thousands, of Black women opting to wear their hair natural now that weaves and wigs are seemingly more acceptable than ever? Anisha Rice is our guest as the Brothers Speak panel discusses the current natural hair movement.

ANDREW: How do we define natural?

IT’S NOT YOURS; IT’S FAKE AND YOU ARE PRESENTING YOURSELF AS SOMETHING THAT’S NOT ORGANICALLY YOU.”

ANISHA: I think for a long time Black women accepted that our hair is just short. White people can grow long hair and we can’t. Now with the help of YouTube and other Websites, we now know it’s not that our hair is naturally shorter, we just haven’t been taking care of our hair. Our hair can grow long. We just have a different type of hair that requires a different type of work. We are learning about our hair and how to take care of it. It’s not easy, but a lot of Black women are having success and seeing the results. That is what’s causing the movement. We want our own hair to grow; now that we know it can.

ANISHA: Natural hair is any hair that isn’t chemically treated. ANDREW: Is “natural hair” a Black term? ANISHA: No. It’s all about not putting chemicals in your hair. White women get perms to make their hair curly sometimes. So it’s just leaving the chemicals alone and finding natural ways to get the hair you want. FELA: Sounds like the green movement spread to the head. ANDREW: Healthy living! ANDREW: Is there a natural movement going on now?

FELA: Yes and I love it. SHALEEK: Why are the sisters going back to their roots? What’s causing this movement?

ANDREW: What is the perception

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because a lot of women who are wearing the weaves are already beautiful anyway. So they are going to get attention regardless. ANISHA: Everybody has a preference and for the right person I think you’d make an exception. I think guys go for girls because of the attraction and they don’t mind the weave when it comes to the total package. ANDREW: It’s not a deal breaker for me, because from time to time I like to do some hair pulling! FELA: You took the words right out of my mouth. that you get from wearing your hair natural? ANISHA: It’s been mostly positive. Sometimes I’ll get indirect negative comments like, “Oh, so you’ll wear it natural for a while. Then when you relax it, it will be long?” As if being natural is temporary, kind of a means to an end. ANDREW: Do you guys think brothers prefer natural over weaves? SHALEEK: I definitely prefer natural hair over weave. My main thing is for a woman to maintain her hair. Sometimes I associate people that wear weaves as wanting to be something or look a certain way that aren’t themselves. It’s not yours; it’s fake and you are presenting yourself as something that’s not organically you. ANISHA: Do you feel the say way about extensions? SHALEEK: It’s a little different but, I don’t like that either. ANDREW: Why do you think Black women wear weaves in the first place? Some people have the opinion that it’s an issue of lower self-esteem, possibly being ashamed of their Blackness. Thoughts? ANISHA: I think it’s both. Yes, there are some deep-rooted issues. Some people want to have more of a European look, dealing with their own self confidence. Also, there is an

element of fashion in the look they desire. When I wore a weave, I used it as protection for my natural hair in the dryer months. SHALEEK: My perception is that some sisters somehow have the notion that this is a look that is more socially acceptable. This is what beauty and nice hair looks like coupled with the illusion that it makes them look better. Unfortunately, society says this is what beauty is. FELA: It was this myth at my college, Hampton University, that if you couldn’t grow your hair long then you needed to wear it short. To some of the students, wearing weave was a class-less alternative. They were not rocking weaves and some looked down upon the girls who couldn’t grow their hair. It was crazy. ANDREW: It still seems like there is a negative stigma around it, but women who wear weaves seem to get a lot more attention when they go out. Is this the case? SHALEEK: We are all full of competition. I use to be dead set against weaves. I always felt one of the most beautiful women was Lauryn Hill, like that is true beauty right there. Yet I ended up being involved with a woman who wears weaves from time to time. I think we may prefer one thing, but nobody is perfect. It’s a little misleading though,

FELA: I think back in the day, you use to be able to judge the mentality of a woman based upon her hairstyle. Ten-plus years ago, if a woman had locks, she probably liked Erykah Badu and had some incense burning and more of a natural woman. Now days, everyone rocks locks because it’s popular, not that they are enlightened with African-American history. Times have changed. ANDREW: I believe it was an assumption we made. We did fall under those stereotypes and myths. I personally like hair either way. I want her to still look nice when she takes out the weave. If she wears weave every day and never takes it out, then I wonder and I worry. I’m 100 percent ok with [a woman] trying many different styles. The only time I worry is when they have to have it all the time. SHALEEK: Right. If wearing a weave totally changes the appearance of how you present yourself that is no bueno! If you are not completely misrepresenting yourself when you step out the house, it’s not that big of the deal. ANDREW: Are weaves more socially acceptable than in the past? SHALEEK: I guess so, but we need to have a conversation about Spanks because that is getting out of hand. (Laughter) ANISHA: Well, I won’t be in on that conversation. Owwww!

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tdes

BLACK AMERICA and CLINICAL

A STEP TOWARD EMPOWERMENT

BY NATALIE KING

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Americans remain extremely more vulnerable to a number of ailments, including Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and cancer, than their White counterparts. With that sobering reality, it’s interesting that there is a simultaneous shortage of Blacks participating in clinical research trials pertaining to these diseases, which leaves us, yet again, underrepresented. As a research scientist, I had to think deeply about the reasons why more minorities aren’t willing to participate in these potentially life-saving studies. Is it a lack of access? Or perhaps it’s a lack of understanding of the relevance of scientific research to Black America. Or maybe it’s because of the historic treatment of Blacks in tragic clinical trials, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study or the unauthorized experimentation performed on Henrietta Lacks, instances in which African Americans were violated and abused. Whatever the reason, it is important to note, in the context of clinical research, it is absolutely vital for every demographic of society to be included in research studies in order to be able to truthfully generalize the data and provide drugs and other therapies to everyone. A clinical trial is a set of experiments in medicine, usually in the development of drugs or other health interventions, which generate information on safety and effectiveness. Clinical trials are responsible for quite a large part of progress in medicine. Being excluded from or

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underrepresented in this research can only serve to widen or perpetuate these health disparities and possibly create others. There are several reasons Blacks should consider participating in clinical trials if the opportunities arise and even if they don’t, seek them out:

• African Americans often experi-

ence illnesses differently—in terms of level of disability, severity, and other factors—than Whites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Being excluded from or underrepresented in this research can only serve to widen or perpetuate these health disparities and possibly create others.” • African Americans often re-

wellness can fundamentally help the field of medicine in how drugs, health information, and other health interventions should be shared, explained, implemented. Looking at this list, it becomes very evident that there is a drastic need for us as people of color to take part in clinical studies, but it also points to the need for other solutions as well. A few studies point to the idea that many people are more comfortable with participating in clinical research studies if they are being facilitated by people who look and have similar backgrounds to them and in many ways, boils down to trust. Essentially this means that increasing the numbers of trained African Americans in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) could be a fantastic place to start as a solution. Let’s take a look at some of the very talented African American scientists who’ve made their marks on medicine over the years:

• Dr. Percy Julian, who is known

for developing treatments (cortisone) for arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

spond differently to medications, possibly pointing to differences in ethnicity on pharmacokinetics (the body’s effect on the drug) and pharmacodynamics (the drugs effect on the body)

• Dr. Keith Lanier Black, globally

• African Americans often live

lished the use of angiocardiography (allows for visualization of the heart) and other diagnostic tools in the field of cardiology.

different lifestyles from other ethnic groups, so understanding our unique approaches to health and

recognized neurosurgeon who successfully operated on brain tumors most neurosurgeons passed off as inoperable.

• Dr. John B Johnson, Jr., estab-

RESEARCH: • Dr. Myra Adele Logan, first woman to perform open heart surgery, she also researched antibiotic drugs and has many published works in numerous scientific journals such as the Journal of American Medical Surgery.

• Dr. Arnold Hamilton Maloney,

whose research focused on pharmacology and drug discovery. His most noted work was the breakthrough of an antidote for barbiturate overdose.

• Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, who was in

1987 appointed as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His work focused on susceptible populations and he was an absolute promoter of increased clinical research concerning different ethnic and racial populations. Overall, there is great need for a louder African American voice on both sides: in clinical research participation and those administering, educating, and researching these diseases that affect us most. Throughout the years, we’ve made tremendous strides as far as equality is concerned; we even have a distinguished African American as President of the free world, but what are some of the ways we will personally empower ourselves this year? Progressing medicine, educating yourself on how to take care of your body, encouraging yourself and the next generation to be at the forefront of STEM fields is both noble and necessary. Will you choose to be empowered this year?

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HOW IMPORTANT IS

CHEMISTRY

TO YOUR LOVE POTION? BY TRACY L. SCOTT

t’s often seen as a bit shallow to build a relationship based on attraction, but there’s no denying that chemistry between two people can go a long way toward making love last. Although it’s possible for two people to maintain a lasting romance and maybe even enter into matrimony without powerful chemistry, some would compare that experience to attending a vegan July 4 barbecue. You’re going through the motions, but it’s just not quite as filling. “If you don’t have chemistry with someone, it’s not going to work,” said psychologist and life coach, Dr. Monica Greene. “You have to have that good chemistry.” While natural attraction shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when it comes to choosing a mate, there’s a different label for those you care about and enjoy spending time with, sans the fireworks: “buddy.” “That feeling of butterflies…if you don’t have that, then maybe you

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THAT FEELING OF BUTTERFLIES… IF YOU DON’T HAVE THAT, THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD JUST BE FRIENDS.” should just be friends. You always have that option,” said Greene who disagrees with those who suggest that’s a shallow point of view. “I would call it looking out for

self,” she explained. However, society has been known to place a lot of pressure on singles, especially older ones, to quickly find a partner and make it work with whoever’s willing to tolerate the quarks and idiosyncrasies that make them unique. Everyone has a different timetable that seems right, and Greene warned against yielding to outside pressure or choosing a mate just to avoid being single. “Don’t make a decision out of loneliness,” she said. However, if there is a platonic friend who possesses every quality you want in a mate, except the face or physique you dream about at night, Greene suggested there might be some hope. “If you really like someone and you feel good when you’re around that person and all that good stuff, I think that you could manifest a relationship, but it takes time. Don’t be in a rush,” she said. “Let it simmer.”

Dream Job T

Can Turn Your Side Hustle Into Your

he entrepreneurial spirit is alive and in full effect for many of us. Working a regular nine-to-five job pays the bills, but starting your own business is something that can lead to amazing opportunities. Not too many people can comfortably quit their full-time jobs—complete with health benefits and paid vacation—to open a startup. So, launching your next career while in the midst of your current one is often the next best option. In starting a side hustle, you can test the waters of having your own business while growing your portfolio and client list. If you are successful and able to leverage your expertise and experience, you can be on your way to making your parttime hustle a full-time career. Side hustles are perfect for entrepreneurs who want to get their feet wet before setting out on their own. The knowledge and experience gained can help create a niche within the field, and can bring in more prospects and opportunities, but it also takes a lot of hard work, research, and guidance. As someone whose own multimedia business began as a side hustle, I understand the steps that are needed to take your start-up to the next level. Here are some ways you can turn your side hustle into your dream job:

BUSINESS PLAN FIRST

Creating a solid business plan is the first step to launching a side hustle with full-time potential. A solid business plan can help you get capital for your endeavor, and show that you are serious about your business. Determine what it is you want to offer and then begin to put that on paper. Know where your clients or customers will

BY DANYELLE LITTLE

come from, how you will meet deadlines and projects, how much time you will be able to commit to your business, who will assist you in running the business, etc… You should know all of these things and more before you can successfully launch your side hustle. You can easily find business plan templates online or contact a professional who can help draw one up for you.

ORGANIZATION

You will need to decide what type of business you will be operating. Will it be a sole proprietorship, a S-Corp, or an LLC? You will also need to register your business with the IRS and retain an EIN (Employment Identification Number) for tax purposes. Having these things in order now will make it easier once your business begins to grow.

START SIMPLE

Don’t offer too much before you are ready. Be clear of the services you are providing, and start off small. You can add more items as you move forward. This will help you manage your time, especially if you are working a full-time while working on your own project.

need an attractive website created. Barter with a trusted website designer, and in exchange, offer to photograph one of his or her clients for free. The web company will, of course, charge its clients a photography fee; therefore, making a profit, and you will get a professional website at no charge.

UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media can be a huge asset to your side hustle. You probably don’t have a large budget for advertising costs, but by starting Facebook and Twitter pages for your business, you can instantly begin to create an online presence that can result in higher visibility and can lead to more sales and revenue. And once your clients begin referring you to other prospects, your business is guaranteed to grow.

FIND A MENTOR

Finding a mentor to help you with your up-and-coming business is wise. A mentor can offer tutelage in the areas you need while giving you sound professional advice and direction. Side hustles can grow into lucrative businesses that can catapult you into becoming a successful entrepreneur. Utilizing these tips can help grow your start-up into a business that you can be proud of.

BARTER

You can find other small businesses and start-ups to barter with for services you need but can’t afford to pay for. For instance, let’s say you are a photographer and

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APPRAISING YOUR PROFESSIONAL WORTH BY ERIC B. HORN

was listening to a career management podcast recently and the host asked his audience one of the most difficult questions you can ask in this day and age. He asked, “With your current experience and skill set, how much do you think you are worth professionally?” This question stumped me because I would jump at the chance to say I’m worth a lot in that regard. However, I wouldn’t be able to give my superiors a specific salary or the cold hard facts to justify that number. I decided I needed to close the gap between what I believed I deserved and being able to articulate why it’s due me. I’m going to share with you the step by step process that helped me appraise my professional worth. 1. Take an internal inventory of yourself - The very first hurdle that you must get over is the feeling of not being worth anymore than what you are currently receiving. This seems like a no-brainier, but you’d likely be surprised to learn many people have been making the same

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MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MAKING THE SAME SALARY FOR YEARS AND DON’T BELIEVE THEY CAN SHARPEN THEIR CURRENT SKILLS. salary for years and don’t believe they can sharpen their current skills and become more valuable in the marketplace. Being complacent is a disease that needs to be quickly diagnosed and cured to unravel your true professional worth. Even if you discover that your skills are a little dusty, you can always get the professional Pledge out and dust them off. 2. Take an external inventory of yourself - Even if you have the most valuable skills in the world, you would still be at a disadvantage if you do not have an understanding of how those talents are valued in the

market. This is when Websites like salary.com or payscale.com should become your new best friend. Both Websites will assist you in determining how much you are worth based on your skills, job title, and location. 3. Toot your own horn – Let me preface this by clarifying that I do not want you to walk around your office telling people how much you are worth. That may lead you to a notso-pleasant meeting with the Human Resources department. Plus, that’s just not endearing. However, when you have determined how much you’re worth, you should share that with the appropriate people. Instead of telling your co-workers, that information should be reserved for those you will encounter at seminars and networking events. You would be remiss not to highlight your talent when talking to someone in this type of setting. You never know; you just might be talking to someone who can help you reach your professional worth.

BY JASMINE BROWLEY

In the Hype Williams directed film “Belly,” the gritty drug-fueled, urban drama featured a scene in which the lead character (played by rapper Nas) had a conversation with a 12-year-old boy who could’ve easily led many to believe he was at least 15 years his senior. “Shorty was 12 going on 20,” the rapper went on to narrate in the movie. I could not help but allow that scene to ruminate in my mind while reading Sister Souljah’s new literary effort, “A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story.” The book parallels so many aspects of every crime laden, urban drama, yet it manages to be so categorically different as well. The main character in the novel, Porsche Santiaga, narrates in first-person from the age of 8 to 16. During that time span, her voice holds an

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air of maturity that is so aged, it is far-fetched. For this very reason, Sister Souljah challenges the reader to question whether or not we are aware that children all over the world are subjected to situations that cause them to mentally mature beyond their years. My thoughts kept returning to that aforementioned scene in the film “Belly.” In essence, it just further validated the notion that when one’s environment requires, the mind can rapidly outgrow the body. “A Deeper Love Inside” is intended to be the answer to Souljah’s last literary classic, “The Coldest Winter Ever;” in which the main character of that novel, Winter Santiago, was the exemplary “product of her harsh environment” and all of her manipulative behaviors were chronicled. Her little sister, Porsche, hasn’t followed in Winter’s footsteps. Although some refer to “Deeper Love” as a sequel, which would require us to navigate through Winter’s vengeful mind, instead, we pick up where the story left off 14 years ago, in the eyes of an abandoned 8-year old-Porsche. The product of a beautiful urban queen and a handsome drug lord in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn, the four daughters of the urban power couple were accustom to being in the lap of luxury. The eventual capture and arrest of the girls’ father, subsequently leads to Winter’s imprisonment in the state penitentiary and Porsche in the cruel hands of the foster care system and succeeding stint in a juvenile detention center. Porsche has no idea where her younger twin sisters have landed. During this gripping portion of the novel, I applaud Sister Souljah for staying true to her first-person

style of writing. The use of this literary device allows readers to sympathize with Porsche, who is strong in several aspects, but still a fragile little girl, ironically enough. In the story, Porsche endures horrible circumstances, engages in many adventures, interacts with some of our favorite characters from Souljah’s previous works (Midnight!) and meets some very interesting individuals. The author also courageously shines a light on the ever-taboo topic of mental health in the Black community, especially among children. One person of particular interest in the novel is her Porche’s best friend Suri. For the sake of avoiding “spoilers,” I will just say that Suri serves as a measure of Porsche’s mental state. The unbelievably agile, wise and resilient young girl becomes a heroine through her show of vulnerability and invincibility. Although the story’s premise differs from that of its predecessors, “The Coldest Winter Ever” and the “Midnight” series, they all show signs of Souljah’s purposefully immature and jargon-riddled prose used to reflect the persona of the narrator. However, Souljah still manages to take us through the mean streets of Brooklyn without diluting it with too many details, or cheapening the experience with descriptions drenched in slang. Overall, I would definitely recommend “Deeper Love” to all those who have a vested interest in the characters as I do, and who had as many unanswered questions as I had for the last decade.

10.5 in. 10.0 in.

BOOK REVIEW

SISTER SOULJAH CONTINUES THE SANTIAGA SAGA WITH ‘A DEEPER LOVE INSIDE’

SISTER SOULJAH CHALLENGES THE READER TO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE AWARE THAT CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE SUBJECTED TO SITUATIONS THAT CAUSE THEM TO MENTALLY MATURE BEYOND THEIR YEARS.”

A childhood only lasts 6,570 days.

Take time to

be a dad today.

Call 877-4DAD411 or visit www.fatherhood.gov

NO NCE A M RO

WITH FINA OUT NCE

BY SHIVAWN MITCHELL

hen getting to know someone romantically, there are typical first-date questions that most people can’t wait to ask. We have all rehearsed them with our friends to determine which questions are acceptable to ask someone you are getting to know. You know the standards: “Where do you work? What are your goals in life? What do you do for fun?” The list could go on. These questions tend to lay the foundation for whether or not a second date is even necessary. You want to make sure that you are compatible beyond physical attraction. Especially since it seems like the divorce rate is continuing to sky rocket while that for successful, long-lasting marriages is plummeting like a falling star. Each individual—based upon previous relationships, family upbringing and personal preference—has deal breakers: those issues that you can not and will not tolerate in a relationship. Deal breakers can range from cheating, lying and verbal abuse to sexual preferences and religious affiliation. While few people are looking to date someone with absolutely no money, even those with good jobs and personal assets may become victim of an increasingly popular deal breaker: bad credit. It’s becoming a more important factor for love seekers, especially women, according to a poll conducted by creditcards.

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com. Women are more likely to end a relationship if they find out that their significant other is in serious debt trouble. Men, historically the bread winners in traditional relationships, are a bit more tolerant of women whose finances aren’t ideal. With the economy in the recessive state that it’s in, it’s no wonder that finances are a concern for those considering attaching themselves to another’s debt. However, many people have cited that they would ask a person about his or her credit score on a first date. I believe this is the wrong move. You should absolutely not ask people their credit scores on date one, two or three. Yes, I do recognize that money matters, and money is among the top reasons people divorce. However, I propose that a potential partner’s consistency and current spending habits are more important than what a past score might suggest. A credit score is only a reflection of what has gone on, not necessarily an indication of a permanent situation. So yes, your

finances do matter when it comes to relationships, but look at where you and your prospective partner are currently. Can you really wait for someone as they restore their credit? Will you have a time limit for the individual to reestablish his or her credit? Or do you know that poor money management is an issue for you, making you leery of becoming attached to someone who shares that challenge? Before you cancel the romance because of the finances, look at the bigger picture. Does this person possess the same standards and morals that you do? Are you overlooking someone with whom you are compatible because of some poor choices that person made years ago? It’s important not to become

MANY PEOPLE HAVE CITED THAT THEY WOULD ASK A PERSON ABOUT HIS OR HER CREDIT SCORE ON A FIRST DATE.” too consumed with money. I believe relationships take effort and teamwork. If you and your would-be partner are on the same page, work and love can overcome anything. Is bad credit a deal breaker to you?

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TATYANA ALI

‘ALMOST’ BACK WITH NEW MUSIC BY TRACY L. SCOTT

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She’s best known as an actress, but Tatyana Ali is also a singer who once went on tour with ‘90s boy band NSync, and she’s back in the studio working on new music. “A song that I wrote a while ago is going to be in one of the episodes of ‘Second Generation Wayans,” said Tatyana who co-stars in the new BET sitcom. With a long list of TV credits, including starring in her own TV One series, it might be easy to assume that Tatyana’s vocal chords are a tad rusty, but despite her busy acting career, she said she’s always found time for music. “I never left the studio,” she said. “I’ve done background and written on different things.” She was 16 when she released her first album, “Kiss the Sky,” but now she’s found her grown and sexy sound. “This song in particular, there’s something about it. It kinda feels like I’ve found a grownup sound. I found my sound and what really feels authentic to me,” she said. The track is called “Almost Love,” and Tatyana described it as “a funky mixture” of pop and R&B. “It’s definitely R&B. It definitely has a pop vibe to it ‘cause that’s just me. I like pop music, but it’s also moody. It’s emotional, but you can ride to it,” said Tatyana who wants to bring femininity back to R&B. Though she admits that the music industry has changed a lot since she released “Kiss the Sky” in 1998, she’s not too concerned with the business of things. For Tatyana, it’s more about the artistry. “I love singing. It’s kinda like acting, “she explained. “It doesn’t matter where I’m doing it in the sense of if I’m getting paid to do it or not. It’s just something you do.”

I found my sound and what really feels authentic to me.

THE NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY: WHEN ATTENTION ECLIPSES ARTISTRY BY TRACY L. SCOTT

Rap artists being criticized for their lyrics is nothing new; however, Young Money front man Lil Wayne, recently crossed a line, in many people’s opinion, when he recorded a line that referenced the tragic death of Emmett Till. Till’s name is as familiar to many today as it was in 1955 when his mutilated body was pulled from a Mississippi River days after he allegedly flirted with a White woman in the segregated state. The phrase that infuriated the Till family, Stevie Wonder and many others, likened the Till beating to sexual intercourse. “…”beat the p---y up like Emmett Till,” said Wayne whose excessive use of the P-word is likely cringe-worthy enough for most. While it may surprise many that anyone would ever make light of an incident whose horror still shocks and pains a nation that is in some ways still healing, music executive Xavier Rodriguez warns that more sensationalism is likely in our future, not less. “All hell’s broken loose and the world’s about to be a crazy place,” he said, explaining that the majority of music artists are focused on making headlines, not creating great music. “They’re going to give you that negative application and try to keep on building on that to get attention. You have some of the most influential celebrities today where they are off doing some of the most heinous acts.” Rodriguez didn’t name names, but there are several musicians who readily come to mind when thinking of those who are better known for their antics than they are their talent. “The reality is that these are things looked upon in a glorified manner,” said Rodriguez. R&B legend Stevie Wonder, 60, who used his artistry to help advance the cause of civil rights and penned the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Happy Birthday” anthem, questioned how Wayne and members of his entourage could allow the offensive comparison to be recorded. “You just cannot do that. ... I think you got to have someone around you that — even if they are the same age or older — is wiser to say, ‘Yo, that’s not happening. Don’t do that,’” Wonder reportedly said. According to reports, Lil Wayne and Future, who invited the rapper to contribute to the song titled “Karate Chop,” agreed that the phrase should be stricken from the song going forward. However, for many, the fact that the lyrics were written, recorded and distributed seemingly without regard to their significance, is an indication that some young African Americans are completely removed from the struggles of their parents and grandparents. “Sometimes people have to put themselves in the place of people who they are talking about,” said Wonder. “Imagine if that happened to your mother, brother, daughter, or your son. How would you feel?” While many were shocked by Wayne’s Till reference, such sensationalism falls in line with the trend Rodriguez has seen in the music industry: a focus away from talent that has caused even those with it to turn to reality TV shows, so-called “beefs” with counterparts and irresponsible use of social media to stay relevant. “Nobody’s even trying to sell music anymore,” said Rodriguez. “It’s more about how much attention you can create.”

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In 1968, an anthology that chronicled the development of the Black Arts Movement was compiled. Edited by Amiri Baraka and Larry Neal, “Black Fire: An Anthology of Afro-American Writing” was re-released in 2007, and still proves to be relevant in 2013. It provides much needed affirmation for Black women, exhibits some of the best writers of the time, and touches on civil right violations that we still endure to this very day.

ART CELEBRATING BLACK WOMEN.

Even with Blacks making great strides in America, it is still difficult to find media that not only include women, but also praise them. In 2013, women are still considered a minority, and this counts doubly for women of color. In this anthology, though, we find some comfort in the pieces titled “Elegy for a Lady,” “This Poem for the Black Woman,” and “For Our Women” because they not only acknowledge Black women as “timeless” and “the fairest of the fair,” but they also create alternative perspectives of Black women that challenge the standard social view.

A CORNUCOPIA OF BLACK TALENT.

A collection of works from the best Black writers – from essayists and poets to creators of fiction and drama writers – will mostly likely be a win. In this anthology, readers get more than 60 writers of the 20th century. The list includes: Carol Freeman, LeRoi Jones, Sonia Sanchez, Yusef Iman, Stokely Carmichael, John

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Henrik Clarke, and Julia Fields. This large array of writing is as diverse stylistically as the contributors are. While it is not incredibly difficult to find books by Black authors, a collection of this magnitude comes few and far between.

ASPIRATIONS OF FREEDOM.

All of these pieces were politically motivated in a time of revolutionary thought and artistic liberation. Just as the Occupy Wall Street and Trayvon Martin movements made headlines more recently, all of the social issues that are discussed in “Black Fire” have been relevant and will continue to be until society puts the people first. With topics such as police brutality, “Poem to a Nigger Cop;” racism, “Reclaiming the Lost African Heritage;” and death of prominent Black leaders, “An Autobiography of Malcolm X;” “Black Fire” will remain relevant in 2013 and beyond. This book healthily analyzes and expresses social ills in positive ways. Political leaders and community activists chose a non-violent route to create and voice positive changes that they’d like to see globally. The passion needed for the creation of this anthology was teeming with fire, and the blaze still burns just as brightly. If you love the arts, creating change, or Black literature, then this is definitely a must-read for you!

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THESE PIECES WERE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED IN A TIME OF REVOLUTIONARY THOUGHT AND ARTISTIC LIBERATION.

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BY K. J. HODGE

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