Hey Everybody! Thank you for taking time to check out this issue. I am so excited about this issue! It is filled with inspiring people who are using their God-given gifts and talents to make their dreams come true. Our cover story, “Amos Winbush, III: Making Success a Reality,” is an amazing look at Amos’ journey. Sound familiar? Yes, he is a Shreveport native, LSUS grad and he was all about music. He and wife, Tiffany, moved to NYC to pursue that dream. But a chance
blip with his iPhone prompted him to find a solution. So he started a billion dollar company, CyberSynchs. Read all about it on page 12.
dorsement deals on page 9.
Also, check out actress Meagan Been keeping up with the 2012 Good and her Olympic Games? Then, you have new husband, Pastor Devon heard about 16 year old Gabby Franklin on page 15, our tribute Douglas. I cannot get India Arie’s to Whitney Houston on page 17, song, “I am Not My Hair,” out of and find out who else thinks my head as I read the ridiculous “Orange is All the Rage” on page tweets about her hair. Really? 18. So, who is Gabby Douglas? Well, Keep the faith... she is definitely more than just her hair. Learn more about Alynetta Beck Gabby and her billion dollar enFounder/Publisher
URBAN FAITH MAGAZINE Unique Voices. Bold Faith.
Alynetta L. Beck Founder/Publisher Alynetta L. Beck Editor in Chief Lexy Beck Photography Our Contributors Curtis Wright, Jr. Housing & Real Estate Shannon Levingston Beauty & Style Melissa Tate, RN Health & Wellness Reshonda Bradford, Law & Order Garnesha Beck Careers & Employment
Urban Faith Magazine is a business, entrepreneurial, Christian lifestyle magazine publication with a focus on the Black community of Shreveport, Louisiana. From Business and Entrepreneurship to Health and Spirituality, Urban Faith Magazine keeps you up-todate with the latest information to empower, enlighten and encourage.
CONTENTS On the Cover Amos Winbush, III Check out his story on page 13
Volunteer & Mentor 6 Top 6 Olympic Diet Tips 8 Gabby Douglas: America’s Sweetheart 9 Rev. Dr. Earl J. Griffin, Sr. 10 Health Watch 11 Happy Birthday, Whitney! 17 Tidbits 18
Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a human being. There are so many ways to be of service to others. We can serve in our schools, home, church and community. Seek daily to know who to serve and how to help meet their needs. Often the most important service is expressed through simple, everyday acts of kindness. As you devote yourself to serving others, you will experience a heart of love and compassion and your life and the lives of those around you will be enriched. Mentors Are The Answer! Mentors help to build character & prepare children for future success!
Mentoring is a real solution for the tough problems facing many Caddo Parish children. Mentoring matters, especially when a child comes from poverty, a cultural divide or violence and drugs at home. They may simply need and want another positive adult role model in their life, help with guidance in their career path or just be friends. We seek ways to help students find their path to success. A mentor is one significant way to help a child feel valued. Mentoring creates a community of individuals who are making a difference every day! School-Based Mentoring Program - NEED MENTORS Reach for the Stars school-based mentoring program will be relocating to J.S. Clark Elementary School - 351 Hearne Avenue for the school year
2012-2013. The anticipated enrollment may double and mentors will be need. Children report to school on August 13, 2012. Mentoring match meetings will begin in September in order to give new mentees/parents an opportunity to complete orientation/training.
Mentors must be at least 18 years of age and able to pass our screening process, which includes a criminal background check, a personal interview, reference checks, and prematch orientation/training. Matches meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for 1 hour a week. The program provides ongoing support and oversight of the mentoring relationship to ensure that young people receive appropriate support and benefit from the mentor match. Outcomes for each participating youth are measured by such factors as academic achievement, school attendance, length of the mentoring relationship and avoidance of risky behaviors. Call for application at 4539919 or at the school at 425-8742. Reach for the Stars Mentoring Program is designed to ensure that mentors provide young people with safe and trusting relationships, healthy messages about life and social behavior; appropriate guidance from a positive adult role model; and opportunities for increased participation in education, civic service, and community activities. This program receives funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program Recruiting Mentees and Mentors Now!
Reach for The Stars Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program is the community based program that matches children who have a parent incarcerated in a state or federal correctional facility with a mentor. This program receives funding from Caddo Parish Commission and holiday funds from Frac Tech Services. Children age 6 and up to 18 years of age, enrolled in a Caddo Parish School and on free or reduced lunch are eligible. Pre-match orientation and training is provided to parents/ caregivers and mentees after the application is completed. Children are matched with mentors based on common interest, similar personalities and preferences. Mentors meet weekly with their assigned mentee. Since it is a community based program, much of the mentoring meetings are held at community sites such as: schools, parks, recreation centers, restaurants, libraries, church activities and services. The program provides additional field trips/outings that may be in the city or out of town to help expand and enhance the mentoring relationships. Children not only enjoy the companionship of their mentor and the activities they share, but also learn and grow from the experiences. To apply call 675-0406 or 4539919.
How to Eat Like an Olympian antioxidants and superfoods in your diet. Beth Duryea, head soigneur for the Specialized-lululemon women’s cycling team, says she encourages all of the riders, including Olympic contenders Evelyn Stevens and Amber Neben, to incorporate whole-grain carbs, lean proteins, and colorful fruits and veggies into their snacks and meals every day. The more color on your plate, the better, she says. Duryea also recommends taking a daily multivitamin, such as First Endurance Multi-V ($49.99, firstendurance.com), which is designed specifically for endurance athletes. Carlson-Phillips also suggests stocking up on Greek yogurt, which is high in probiotics, as another stayhealthy tool. Sprinkle some walnuts and fruit or flax seeds on top for a bonus antioxidant boost. Don’t Avoid Carbs BlackDoctor.org If you want to perform like an Olympic athlete, you need to eat like one, too. Nutritionists agree that the intensity of athletes’ training demands the right kind of fuel. While the rest of us may not be training for the Olympics any time soon, we can still be stronger, faster and fitter by eating adopting some of the top eating habits of the top Olympians. Eat Breakfast “One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is heading out for a run in the morning without eating anything first,” says Dan Benardot, PhD, RD, director of the Laboratory for Elite Athlete Performance at Georgia State University in Atlanta, who works with Olympic distance runners (10,000m and up) and oversees the nutrition program for U.S. Figure Skating. Your blood sugar is already low when you wake up, so you should have something carb-laden to eat, like half a bagel or some toast, as soon as you get out of bed. That way, 30 to 45 minutes will have passed before you actually head out the door. If you’re not used to eating in the morning, start small, says Benardot, such as having a small glass of apple juice, a piece of toast or a cup of yogurt. Drink Water Drinking water while you work out is great, but if you start your race on empty, you’re never going to finish as strong as you want. Athletes should be consuming .5 to 1 ounce of H2O per pound of body weight every day, says Amanda CarlsonPhillips, vice president of nutrition and research for Athletes’ Performance in Phoenix, Arizona, who regularly consults with Olympic contenders and pros. Eat Immunity-Boosting Foods One of the best things you can do to better your performance is to stay healthy, which means that you need a good amount of
If you wait until the day before a big workout to load up on carbs, you’re too late, says Carlson-Phillips. “You need to focus on your nutrition every day, and then the night before is a good time to simply top off your fuel stores,” she says. Plus, notes Benardot, when you consume too many carbs at once, your body can’t use it all, so it stores any excess as fat, which will do you no good. Always make sure that you’re eating a healthy mix of carbs and protein. To ensure you’re not eating too much the night before, simply replace one protein or veggie portion of your plate with another serving of carbs. Continue to drink fluids, like water and electrolyte drinks, throughout the day, but particularly until about 15 minutes before your workout. Eat The Right Recovery Foods Immediately after you finish a high-intensity and/or endurance activity (within 30 minutes), you should consume something made with a mix of protein and carbs, like a glass of chocolate milk, a whey protein shake or a turkey sandwich. “This will help reduce muscle soreness and aid in your muscle recovery,” says Benardot. Also, avoid processed carbs, which increase inflammation, and opt for anti-inflammatory foods, like cherries, walnuts, and kale, instead. Do Not “Diet” “The biggest nutrition mistake I see female athletes make is reducing and/or limiting their caloric intake in an attempt to be lean,” says Scott. “This causes reduced stores of carbohydrates in your body, which are essential for training and performing, and can then lead to muscle breakdown, as your body eventually starts to use protein as an alternative fuel source.”
Gabrielle Douglas was born on December 31, 1995 in Virginia Beach, VA. When Gabrielle was 3 years old, her older sister, Arielle - a former gymnast, taught her how to do a perfectly straight cartwheel. By the age of 4, Gabrielle had taught herself how to do a cartwheel with one hand. Gabrielle started formal gymnastics training at Gymstrada in October of 2002 at age 6. Just two years later she went on to become 2004's Virginia State Champion. At age 14, Gabrielle left Virginia Beach and her family behind to train with elite coach, Liang Chow, in West Des Moines, IA. Gabby lives with a host family, the Partons, where she now plays big sister to their four girls. The Partons also have a daughter that trains with Chow. Under Coach Chow's tutelage, Gabby competed in her first elite meet at the 2010 Covergirl Classic in Chicago, IL. 2012 started off as a very eventful year for Gabrielle! In That same year, she also competed in the Nastia Liukin March, she competed in the AT&T American Cup held in Supergirl Cup, where she placed fourth in all-around. Madison Square Garden. Although she posted the highest all-around score of the competition, they were not counted Gabby made her senior debut in 2011. She qualified to her because she competed as an alternate. first Senior National Championships in St. Paul, MN. At nationals, Gabby became the 2011 Bronze Medalist on Un- That same March, Gabby competed with the U.S. team at even Bars and earned a spot on the 2011-2012 Senior Na- the Pacific Rim Championships. She injured her ankle on tional Team. her first rotation, vault, but went on to win gold on the uneven bars in the event finals. In November, Gabby competed as a member of the 2011 World Championship Team that traveled to Tokyo and won Gabby went to Chicago to compete in the Secrets Classic in team gold. May 2012. There she tied for third place on floor exercise and won gold for her uneven bars routine. 2012 started off as a very eventful year for Gabrielle! In March, she competed in the AT&T American Cup held in In June, Gabby competed in the VISA Championships and Madison Square Garden. Although she posted the highest finished second in all-around, just two tenths of a point beall-around score of the competition, they were not counted hind the leader. She also won a bronze medal for her floor because she competed as an alternate. routine and a gold medal for her uneven bars routine. That same March, Gabby competed with the U.S. team at the Pacific Rim Championships. She injured her ankle on her first rotation, vault, but went on to win gold on the uneven bars in the event finals. Gabby went to Chicago to compete in the Secrets Classic in May 2012. There she tied for third place on floor exercise and won gold for her uneven bars routine. In November, Gabby competed as a member of the 2011 World Championship Team that traveled to Tokyo and won team gold.
Gabby went on to compete at the Olympic Trials in San Jose, CA. She came away with the only guaranteed spot on the Olympic Team by winning the competition.
Rev. Dr.. Earl J. Griffin is the newly appointed pastor at Lane Chapel CME Church in Shreveport. While Dr. Griffin is new to the area, he is certainly not new to ministry. Born in Greenville, North Carolina, he is a 1973 graduate of Ayyden-Grifton High School. He began a 20-year military career with the U.S. Army, serving in Europe, South America, Asia, and in several states throughout the country. He retired in 1993 to pursue a the ministerial vocation. Dr.. Griffin began preaching in 1979, in a small European town called Mons, Belgium. He has served as a pastor in the Christian Methodist Episcopal church since 1992 in the state of Georgia. He comes to Lane from his last assignment at Mt. Zion CME Church in Minden., LA. Dr. Griffin earned an Associates and a Bachelors degrees from the University of Maryland College Park, MD; a Master of Divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, South Carolina; a Doctorate degree in Religious Studies from Ashwood University; and a second Masters degree in Leadership Studies from Walden University. He is united in marriage to Marilyn McDowell Griffin, a retired educator of 31 years. Together, they enjoy seven children and seven grandchildren. Read more about Dr. Griffin on the Lane Chapel CME Church website at www.lanechapelcme.org
www.lanechapelcme.org
HEALTH WATCH
An ovarian cyst can be benign or malignant. But if you've gone through menopause, a cyst could indicate ovarian cancer is present. EverydayHealth.com Ovarian cysts are collections of fluid within the ovaries. They don't always indicate ovarian cancer; ovaries will frequently develop benign cysts called functional cysts during your menstrual cycle. Cysts may also be part of other conditions, like endometriosis, which aren't ovarian cancer. But sometimes, especially after a woman has gone through menopause, ovarian cysts may turn out to be a very early ovarian cancer symptom. Ovarian Cysts: Subtle Symptoms An ovarian cyst might have no symptoms or a few barely noticeable ones. That means these cysts are tough to detect and treat. "The difficulty with any ovarian neoplasm or growth is that they can be completely [without symptoms] or they can have subtle symptoms, such as feeling gassy, pressure, or urinating more," says Colleen Feltmate, MD, a gynecologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, both in Boston. Some people, she says, can have changes in bowel movements, or small changes in their gastrointestinal tract. "That can be really subtle, and it can happen with benign cysts or cancerous cysts." Most often, a cyst is spotted when a patient is being examined for something else, says Dr. Feltmate. Ovarian Cysts: Not-So-Subtle Symptoms On rare occasions, ovarian cysts can hurt and be easier to spot, says Feltmate. "A cyst can present with pain, or nausea and pain." An ovarian cyst can cause significant symptoms. These are:
Sore breasts Weight gain
Pain in the abdominal area, pelvis, the low back, and the thighs Difficulty urinating Painful intercourse and menstruation Bleeding abnormalities Ovarian Cysts: Are They Ovarian Cancer?
Feltmate says that most simple cysts do not turn into ovarian cancer. "Cycling cysts are very normal and aren't necessarily very concerning." But in older women who have gone through menopause — most often those between the ages of 50 and 70 years old — cysts are more likely to be ovarian cancer. Anyone in that age group, or anyone with symptoms of an ovarian cyst that won't go away, should be tested to determine if the cyst is cancerous. "In post-menopausal women these symptoms are not expected, and they should see their doctor," Feltmate says. "Anyone should be seen if symptoms persist for over a period of time." Testing for Ovarian Cancer A number of tests are performed to determine whether an ovarian cyst is actually ovarian cancer. An ultrasound is often done first. A laparoscopic surgical procedure, in which a tiny camera is inserted into the area through small abdominal incisions, can also be done to see and remove the ovarian cyst. Other tests can help determine if the cyst is malignant or benign. The CA-125 blood test and even a pregnancy test can give clues as to what type of ovarian cyst you have. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test and a pelvic exam could also be done to detect cysts. It's very important for anyone with persistent symptoms to mention them to their doctor. Treatment could be as simple as keeping an eye on it, or as serious as surgery to remove the cyst. Being aware of ovarian cysts and working with your doctor to monitor them can help protect you against ovarian cancer.
It took losing 150 contacts on his cell phone for Amos Winbush III to stumble upon the idea for his company. Now a reality show will allow him to help others. Touring the country, 14hr days in the recording studio and living like a rockstar does not necessarily make you think of a hot tech startup. But this is exactly what happened for Amos Winbush III who left the music industry to create CyberSynchs. CyberSynchs is a cost-effective way to safeguard data by making it easy to sync and transfer data across various platforms. With no industry knowledge or experience, Winbush has built his company into a leader recently signing over 298million worth of contracts. Before CyberSynchs, Amos was actually in the music business until 2008 where he was recording and touring, basically living the rockstar lifestyle. “However I really saw some other exciting opportunities and realized that I wanted to be that manager who finds the person who has to travel 300 days a year! So I haven’t left the music industry but I think I am in a more exciting position right now and doing more good than before.”
running. Plan, execute and understand the plan will change. He says’ “Don’t worry about the business plan as it will evolve over time. Just go for it and adapt as feedback comes in. “
The idea for CyberSynchs came when he was in the recording studio putting in a 14hr day and the battery for my new iphone died. “I took the phone home and charged it but it never turned on again. I even went to Apple and they told me that all the info was gone and they just hoped I had backed all of the data up.”
On August 19, ABC viewers will discover the secret millionaire, Amos Winbush, III. The 28-year-old Shreveport native will appear on the reality TV show “The Secret Millionaire.”
He couldn’t believe this had just happened. In recent years Winbush had met people like Russell Simmons in the music business and just like that his contact information was gone. CyberSynchs came from that frustration of losing all of those contacts, notes, calendars and anything else he had put into his phone. “I figured I could not be the only person out there that this had happened to.” “The sheer will of starting a new project is what got it off the ground.” Winbush spent about a month and a half researching the market and what goes into data synchronization. He had studied business in college but needed to learn a lot more about the industry. He especially needed help in learning about the architecture behind databases and software. “So I went to Craigslist looking for these engineers and ended up interviewing about 60 people for the jobs and hired 5 of them right at the start.” He told them I could not pay them but offered up equity instead and a deferred salary for a year. Surprisingly it was not difficult to get them on board. “I just laid it all out on the table and told them that we were moving forward with or without you and let them make a choice.” When asked about advice for young entrepreneurs starting out today, Winbush says to “Build a great team of people around you and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I was a music guy and knew nothing about tech.” He found the people who knew about it to get the processes in order and to get the company up and
Amos is married to the former Tiffany …… They are expecting their first child.
On each episode of Secret Millionaire follows one of America's most successful business people for a week as they leave the comforts of home behind. They'll keep their true identities hidden while living in some of the country's most impoverished neighborhoods. Residing in local housing on welfare-level wages, these "secret millionaires" will try to find the most deserving people within the community. We're talking about those selfless individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help anyone in need, and ultimately encourage others to do the same. Throughout this incredible experience, the millionaires will come face-to-face with some truly extraordinary people who put their own needs aside for the sake of others. At the end of the journey, they'll reveal their true identity and donate their own money to these local heroes. It's a life-changing moment you won't want to miss. Winbush’s episode was filmed in New Orleans. Watch on August 19 on ABC.
The showband, Windstorm, will perform at the 2012 Port City Classic Tailgate. Windstorm will be brought to you by the State Fair of Louisiana and the Bayou Classic Road Show. The stage will be set up in the tailgate area for the Bayou Classic Road Show located just to the West of the Agriculture Building. They will be performing from 2pm – 5:30pm and it is FREE to the general public. Formed in the early eighties The Windstorm Band is one of the best known and professional groups in the southern region. Comprised of multi-talented members they cover a wide range of genres from the soulful and melodic sounds of blues and R&B, to the pulse heightening, feel good music of pop, hip-hop, and of course old-school funk. In addition to headlining many venues in and out the region , including a trip to London, England, Windstorm has opened for such legendary names as The Isley Brothers, Cameo, Gerald Levert, Luther Vandross, Lakeside, Zapp & Roger, H-Town, Confunction, Tyrese, Eric Benet’, Bobby Brown, Usher and many others. At this time I would like to introduce The Windstorm Band to you. First the senior members. Lead Vocalist with twenty-five years experience, Eric Hunter. Lead vocalist also with twenty-five years experience Ronald “Slack” Jefferson. And last but not least lead vocalist Coby Morgan, The founding member Ron Johnson is at lead guitar with thirtyseven years experience, and on keyboards with twenty-three years experience Reginald “Maestro” Harper. Now for the remaining members, on keyboard Alex “Kidd” Johnson, on bass guitar Frank Monroe, and on drums Charles Poma. For booking, contact: Windstorm Band Mgr. Eric D. Hunter Cell: 318-518-8045 Fax: 318-938-6666
Extensions of Excellence Performing Arts, Inc. announced its 2012-13 season, “A SEASON OF MUSIC.” The first show in the season line-up is “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit,” to be held August 23rd thru 25th, 2012 at 7:30 each night at Shreveport Little Theatre, 812 Margaret Place, Shreveport, Louisiana. “Ev’ry Time I Feel The Spirit” is a musical drama about the life of Marian Anderson, who was the first black opera singer. She was an African-American con-
tralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Music critic Alan Blyth said “Her voice was a rich, vibrant contralto of intrinsic beauty.” Other shows this season include: “Tambourines of Glory,” “Michael A. King,” and their signature event, “Dance His High Praise 6.” Extensions of Excellence holds as its mission to provide the opportunity for each individual to develop artistically, intellectually, and socially, through imaginative, purposeful, and skilled expression in theatre as well as other meaningful experiences via acting, music, and dance in order to develop a strong appreciation for all arts. Tickets are $15.00. For ticket information please contact Shreveport Little Theatre at (318) 424-4439, or you may pay at the door.
Mahogany Ensemble Theatre will present the third biennial Southern Black Theatre Festival, the premier cultural arts experience celebrating the rich tradition of African American theatre in the South. This exciting two-weekend event, featuring live theatre productions, cultural films, youth talent showcase, drama awards, workshops, and celebrity appearances will be held September 27October 6, 2012 in Shreveport, Louisiana. This year’s festival is themed “Celebrate the Future of Creativity”. This year’s festival will showcase the broad spectrum of black theatre with performances of traditional classics, contemporary works, and original stage plays. Festival Submissions are being accepted for plays, staged readings, showcase performers, arts summit exhibitors, and workshop presenters. The submission deadline for mainstage performances is: July 31, 2012 by 5:00 pm. The Southern Black Theatre Festival also welcomes the participation of volunteers, community partners and sponsors. For more information, call 318-382-2841, visit southernblacktheatrefest.org or email info@southernblacktheatrefest.org. The purpose of the Southern Black Theatre Festival is to celebrate the rich tradition of African American theatre in the south, while forging a regional collective of culture bearers committed to sustaining this theatrical genre, throughout the state of Louisiana and beyond.
Whitney Houston’s final acting performance, in the film Sparkle, hit theaters on August 17, just 8 days after the songstress would have celebrated her 49th birthday. According to the film’s producer, Debra Martin Chase, Sparkle, has been in the works for more than 10 years. In 2000, Chase and Whitney were producing partners and both loved the original and decided that they wanted to remake the movie. But the reality of the film was a long journey. The role of Sparkle Williams, played by Jordin Sparks, was originally slated for the late singer Aaliyah. Due to her untimely death in 2001 the production was put on hold. Chase never gave up the fight for the film. More than 10 years later Chase and Whitney got together with the production duo Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, who wrote, directed and co-produced the film. In the meantime, Whitney gained acting experience which allowed for her to not only executive produce but to act. According to Chase, “And do, you know, things work out how they’re supposed to.” The years of hard work paid off. What a wonderful way to celebrating Whitney Houston legacy. Happy Birthday, Whitney! Alynetta Beck
Sanaa Lahan, Kelly Rowland, Neicy Nash, LaLa Anthony, Jada Pinkett Smith
After becoming the 4th American to win the Gymnastics All-Around gold medal, Virginia Beach native Gabby Douglas has been reaping all of the benefits, including her very own limited edition box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. The 16 year old joined Dominique Dawes as the only African-American woman to win gold in gymnastics earlier in the week, before making history with her individual gold medal performance. The good folks at Kellogg’s decided to steal some of Wheaties swag by linking up with Douglas, who has become America’s new darling along with the rest of her “Fab Five” teammates. Needless to say Douglas’ swag has been all the way turned up and she stands to make some considerable dough once she starts exploring all of her potential endorsement deals.