Urban Views Weekly May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016

Scholar of the Week - Miesha Webb

Black Women Entrepreneurs Fast Growing Group

Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Engaging nonprofit board members: Got a minute for the minutes?

We recently facilitated two board meetings for two very different types of organizations. One was an institution that is over 100 years old with a multi-million dollar budget. The other was an emerging grassroots, communitybased organization. At both meetings the focus was fundraising, and board members were actively engaged.

The Hippodrome 528 North 2nd Street

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Speakeasy in The Hippodrome

They had suggestions about how to make or improve the case for support; who to engage as leadership level volunteers; how to develop, explore or advance meaningful partnerships; and how to strengthen the board. Decisions were made regarding committees, timeframes, and next steps. Another similarity between the two: both agreed that board giving was a must, and that board members should take the lead in raising funds.

We felt energized leaving both meetings.

We were optimistic about actions that board members would take, and the potential for each board to move their respective organization forward. Yet, when we reviewed the minutes for each meeting, we were left uninspired.

What? Minutes should be inspiring? Well, we think so. When they are simply a record of what was said, you have to read through the contents in their entirety, and highlight the action items in order to create an easy-touse record of next steps that includes who agreed to do what by when. Our suggestion: record minutes in a way that works with the

history, culture and requirements of your organization or institution. Supplement these with a list of next steps and agreements that clearly communicates decisions made; and work to be accomplished, including who is responsible for each task and the timeframe.

Email these to all participants within 48 hours. If you have the capacity, you may want to personalize each message so it lists the member’s commitments and related timeframes directly in the body of the email for easy access.

We believe that board members have a critical role in fundraising that extends beyond the board meeting. When members quickly receive a message focused on next steps they can get into action and draw on the momentum created during the board meeting.

Here are three other ways that user-friendly minutes help advance fundraising.

• Minutes neutralize subjectivity. People may recall things differently, and memories can slip, especially if the board is meeting monthly or quarterly.

• Minutes give your organization legitimacy. They reinforce accountability and transparency by documenting agreements.

They make visible any tasks that remain undone and they mitigate against fundraising “stall.”

• Minutes help you stay focused, making

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Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs

When she was in 9th grade and first became a member of her school’s JROTC, Miesha Webb originally wanted to get out. She didn’t like how tough they were, but her parents made her stay in. Now as a senior, JROTC has taught her discipline, leadership and how to be more active. She is not only a member of the drill team, the color guard team and the rifle team, but this school year she was also named Battalion Commander where she is in command of over 100 cadets. “This is a great honor I do not take lightly,” Miesha stated in an essay. JROTC has given her a chance to blossom into a leader and has greatly influenced her future.

Miesha Webb of Petersburg High School

GPA: 3.6 College of Interest: Norfolk State University Major Community Service: Walk against Hunger, Relay for Life Strong Interests: Business, Military Services Favorite Activities: ROTC, cooking

community has afforded me the opportunity to participate in several community service activities that make Petersburg a better place,” Miesha said. She has participated in the Walk against Hunger, Relay for Life, food drives and car washes. She credits her personal development to volunteer work.

In her free time, one of Miesha’s passions is cooking. “Cooking allows me the opportunity to express myself and help my family at the same time,” she stated. Through culinary arts, she has developed more patience and a better understanding of different flavors. She described good chefs as people who follow and respect recipes, because “no JROTC has influenced her to pursue great meal has ever come from a rushed becoming a member of the military through recipe.” Her interest in the culinary arts the Army Reserve. She has been working made her want to go to the Culinary with a recruiter about the best route for her, Institute of Virginia. However, after she but she plans to first attend Norfolk State visited NSU, she changed her mind. Now, she ™ k e e W University. She wants to major in business may be interested in minoring in culinary e h of t and eventually obtain her Master’s degree arts, possibly having her business focus in business administration. A specialization on culinary arts or even going to culinary in business will serve her in the future if school after receiving her business degree. she decides to run or open up her own business. She has already While JROTC and her community have inspired her to succeed, gained leadership experience through ROTC, but also as a Miesha’s parents are some of her biggest inspirations as well. Their manager at Church’s Chicken. hard work has influenced her to want to become somebody in life.

While she is still in high school, Miesha is also able to participate “Nobody in my family actually went to college so I’d be the first in community service through the JROTC. She believes that person in my family to go,” Miesha said. She looks forward to not the community is the future and that everyone should work on only finishing college, but also developing her skills so she can one cultivating it. “During my time at Petersburg High School, my day give back to her community.

Scholar0

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Urban Views Weekly | May 18, 2016

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ViewPoints

By Dr. T

Mama always told me…

How many times has your Mother’s voice echoed in your head as you faced a challenging situation or even a momentous occasion in your life? There are those “things” Mama always said that are indelibly etched on our hearts and souls, and resonate in our minds. As we enter the graduation season there will be hundreds of thousands of Mothers, Fathers, families and friends gathered to listen to mostly mediocre speeches while waiting to hear that one name called in the class of 2016. Tears will roll, exuberant cheers, and shouts of joy and glee-filled celebrations will blanket the nation over the next four or five weeks as high schools, technical colleges, colleges and universities hold their commencement exercises nationwide. And we remember that Mama told us… “You can do it, if you really try!”

your Mother steps in the door. She will tell you the truth whether you want to hear it or not, and no matter how it “feels” she has your best interest at heart.

Remember she’s been thinking about your life a lot longer than you have! Mama always told me to “be careful to treat people like you want to be treated” and “don’t burn your bridges if you can help it because the same bridge you used to get to the other side you may need to come back one day.” You know what? Mama was right!

Being a Mother is an awesome responsibility and many do the job very well, while others may sometimes struggle with the role of motherhood for all kinds of reasons, many of which are beyond their control; but, whether or not we feel the job was well done or not, the fact is none of us would be here had we not come through a woman called Mother. As we recognize and honor the women who raised us, whether they be related by “blood” or not, let us also remember that Mothers hold incredible influence and have a tremendous impact on our lives. The Mother who raised me “knows” the impact she had on all 6 of the children she raised because we tell her as often as we can! These women who raised us, taught us to be the Mothers we are and the Mothers (and Fathers) we will someday become deserve our utmost love and appreciation.

Mothers have an ability to believe in us against all odds. They have a hope and a vision for each child that they bring into this world. A plan and a promise that they have held within their hearts and no one but God could know. They have dreamed, pushed, prodded, disciplined and prayed for us. They have hoped against all hope for the day when they would see their child fulfill their destiny and accomplish those impossible dreams that once seemed so far away. Even those of us whose Mothers are no longer in the land of the living can still hear our Mother’s voice saying, “Be careful of the company you keep” or “Not Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. everyone who talks about friendship is really a friend.”

We are all left with the task of making our Mothers Founder and Artistic Director proud of us whether she’s still present in our lives or The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor has gone on to her Ancestral home.

Virginia Commonwealth University You know that you have somebody on your side when

DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll Fifty percent of Americans rate their personal financial situation as either “excellent” or “good,” slightly higher than the 46% recorded last year and the highest level recorded since before the Great Recession, according to a recent poll.

What’s Your Take? Is your financial situation as a whole “getting better” or “getting worse”?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

Mama always told me, “Child, your mama didn’t raise no punks so you gotta figure your stuff out and take care of you... and dress up when you leave the house – look presentable…you’re not just representing yourself!”

Mama was right!

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The Deal

Should You Join the Gig Economy?

Today, our standard workday isn’t so standard anymore and we’re talking more about “gigs” – alternative work arrangements that often depend on the latest technology and a desire to set one’s own schedule and pay.

However, the question is whether everyone plans for the reality of the work or the impact self-employment in any form can have on his or her long-term finances.

Gig workers – a broad spectrum that includes temporary help agency workers, on-call employees, contract company workers, independent contractors and freelancers – were measured as a startling and growing economic force in a March study by Harvard and Princeton researchers. According to their measurements, this diverse group of earners that made up 10.1 percent of the workforce in February 2005 has grown to nearly 16 percent as of late 2015.

Anyone thinking about going into business in place of, or in addition to, their day job should consider a planning period with the help of a qualified financial or tax expert. Major issues to cover include: Qualified tax and financial advice - Switching to gig work – even if you find lucrative contract work in your field – can be an enormous shock to your finances. Cash flow can be irregular, disrupting budgets and long-term savings. It’s a good idea to get some qualified financial and tax advice so you understand the changes you might face and to keep major financial goals like retirement and college savings on track.

Setting up a business structure - While most gig economy participants settle on a sole proprietorship

or some form of limited liability company (LLC) business structure, the choice needs to be carefully considered based on your particular business activity, overall tax situation and other financial factors unique to you. This is probably one of the most important reasons to seek out qualified tax, legal or financial expertise – the level of personal or property risk inherent in your choice might call for a structure that offers additional protection against lawsuits or insurance claims.

Your benefits - Unless you fit a particular group exempt from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or are insured by a spouse or partner, you’ll have to invest in healthcare insurance for yourself or consider the cost of being uninsured.

This is a particularly important expense to plan in advance based on your health needs and the type of affordable coverage that’s available. Get referrals on qualified health insurance agents to get a full range of choices. And most of all, make a plan to keep saving and investing your money for long-term goals. Walking away from a weekly check can make that process tougher – talk about it and plan for it.

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By Nathaniel Sillin

Tracking spending and planning - If you don’t budget or track your expenses now, it’s time to start.

Being in business entitles you to certain deductions for home office expenses, equipment and other costs related to your work. So whether you use a specific software program or a computer spreadsheet or paper and pen to track your expenses, do so regularly to avoid missing items that could eventually save you money. If you’re working with a tax professional or financial planner, coordinate this recordkeeping with the work they’re doing for you.

Also keep a constant discussion going about saving for the future, including retirement.

Making sure you’re really right for this - With proper planning, the gig economy can be both enjoyable and challenging. You’ll not only learn whether you can support yourself, but also whether you’ll enjoy doing it long-term. Many of us dream of being our own boss, but reality can be very different, particularly when managing uneven earnings and cash flow common to many new companies. It’s not just about business; it’s about whether your lifestyle and personality traits make you right for operating a business in this economy – or any economy.

Bottom line - Plenty of people find themselves dealing either by choice or necessity with the brave new world of “gig” work. It’s important to approach it as a financial and lifestyle decision on par with starting a business.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

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Finding Your Inn On February 22, 2016, Forbes Magazine tweeted, “Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.” Backing up the statement was an article, published five days prior on Forbes.com, which outlined an angel investor’s plan to get more black women to become founders. But even before Katherine Finney publicly backed aspiring entrepreneurs, millions of black women were paving their own way and creating opportunity where it previously didn’t exist. In fact, black women own 1.5 million businesses between them—a whopping 322% increase since 1997—and generate $44 billion a year.

Eboni Merriman

These business owners hail from all walks of life, and occupy every industry from beauty to technology. They’re profiled in business magazines and speak at conferences, divulging their keys to success to an audience eager to follow in their footsteps. Their advice includes nuggets like, “Find your passion,” “Be true to yourself,” and “Don’t let anyone’s doubts stop you.” By the age of 15, Richmond’s own Eboni Merriman had found her passion, remained true to herself, and with the help of her mother started a jewelry line, InnoCent Beauty. At just 15, she was already a young, black, female entrepreneur.

Fast forwarding seven years, a move to New York City, and failed attempts at working for someone else, Eboni realized that entrepreneurship was simply a part of her 6

Urban Views Weekly | May 18, 2016

DNA. Her mother has owned the successful InnoCent Beauty Collections hair studio, now located in Stony Point Fashion Park, for nearly two decades. Since childhood, Eboni witnessed her mother sacrifice for the purpose of self-employment, and at the age of 22, Eboni herself welcomed similar sacrifice for the purpose of self-expression. In 2014, Lost Queens was born.

Lost Queens is a jewelry and accessories line that empowers women to reclaim their inner goddess. With traditional pieces like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to non-traditional items like arm cuffs, body chains, and septum rings, the tribal-inspired jewelry line makes a powerful statement about freedom of expression. “In life, how many opportunities do we allow ourselves to feel truly, unapologetically free?” the Lost Queens website asks its visitors. “Society skews our perceptions - often forcing us to mold ourselves into the shapes we think we should be, rarely giving us the freedom to be just who we are.”

The more Eboni studied, she found that the “who we are” when it comes to Black women is more complex than the detailed pieces that make up her jewelry collection.

As a young Black woman with an even younger Black sister, Eboni understands how it feels to give in to pressure to be anything but who you truly are. The struggles with

self-acceptance young women of color face are either minimized by society or dismissed altogether, with few safe spaces in which they can navigate the intricacies of who they are and live in their truth. Eboni’s truth, it turned out, was bouts with depression. She had a solid support system, but still longed for a safe space where she could reclaim her own inner goddess and return to a place of peace and stability. Lost Queens was that safe space.

What sets this jewelry brand apart from the competition is how it embodies everything a woman is. For starters, she’s a queen; her very existence is a gift to this earth. The tribal-inspired pieces remind her that she’s a descendant of royalty, a very important part of a powerful legacy.

And to drive the point home, each piece from every collection is named for a fellow queen who has inspired women around the world. You’ll find necklaces named for political activists Angela Davis and Assata Shakur. Blanche Calloway, the first woman to lead an all-male orchestra, has beautifully stacked bangles named after her. For bolder pieces, the Maya Angelou,

ner Lost Queen

By Janna M. Hall

willingness to put yourself out there. Keep on keeping on. #womensupportingwomen” With the message also came a donation that would help tremendously with future Lost Queen collections. Once she realized this wasn’t a fake email, Eboni cried tears of gratitude. It was then that she gained confirmation: she was indeed on the right track, and future success would rely on her following her heart without second-guessing it.

FLOTUS, and Nikki Giovanni pieces capture the eye, while the Dionne Warwick, Grace Jones, and Patti LaBelle necklaces offer simpler designs.

Bessie Coleman, the first Black female pilot is honored in an open pearl bracelet cuff, while Florence Joyner (FloJo), the track star who stayed true to herself by competing with flashy nails, is remembered with equally flashy triangle tassel earrings. Iconic women, both past and present, are represented and honored in the dozens of items available on LostQueens.com.

A turning point for Lost Queens came in the summer of 2015, only one year after the company’s founding. After debuting The Eartha Coin Fringe Choker, Eboni received a personal email from Kitt Shapiro, Eartha Kitt’s daughter.

In the email, Shapiro thanked Eboni for honoring her late mother in such a beautiful way.

“I don’t know you, but saw your Instagram post of the necklace you named after my mother, Eartha Kitt,” it said. “As a female business owner, I admire your

At just 24 years old, Eboni Merriman continues to run Lost Queens as a onewoman show. She works directly with the vendors and hand-crafters, handles all packaging, shipping, and is the voice behind all customer service inquiries. If you tweet Lost Queens, you’ll be tweeting directly to Eboni, and if you click “Contact Us” on the website, it’s Eboni you’ll be contacting. She does it all.

“It gives me anxiety at times,” Eboni admits.

“I’ll look at a long order list and know that I need to get on the ball and start packing and shipping. It leads to late nights and early mornings, but [Lost Queens] is my baby and I have to protect my brand. So if I have to lose sleep to make sure my customers are happy, that’s what I’ll do.”

Her drive and dedication certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Those sleepless nights have resulted in countless interviews on New York City news outlets, celebrity endorsements, and platforms on which she can spread the message of selflove and self-preservation.

It seems that the harder she works and the more exhausted she becomes, the more it pays off: on the evening of May 22,

she’ll be presenting her new line at the Innocent Beauty Collections Hair Exhibit in Stony Point Fashion Park, and this July, she’ll have her biggest platform yet: ESSENCE Festival 2016.

The annual music festival in New Orleans, Louisiana takes place July 1-3, and over the course of three days, Eboni will share her collection with festival attendees from around the nation. She’ll be surrounded by dozens of entrepreneurs at the event this year, allowing her to build an even stronger network of fellow Black female CEOs. Her hope is that through her journey from depression to creative freedom, she’ll be able to empower other women to take a risk and pursue their passion. Lost Queens represents so much more than a love of beautiful jewelry and accessories, which is the message this 24-year-old intends to bring down to the bayou.

“The world tells us we can be this or that,” Eboni explains. “But our true nature says that we don’t really have to choose.

“Lost Queens is the accessory shop for those of us who embody it all. Good girl or bad, sexy or subdued, regal or down-to-earth - we can be all or none of these things any time we choose, and Lost Queens gives you the jewelry to showcase your true essence. Our pieces are the armor we wear to go out and conquer the world, embracing the spirit of the Queens and Goddesses that live inside us all.”

Photos: Chef Rai Photography

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SAVOR

Family Features Courtesy Alaska Marketing Institute

Feed Your Fitness Whether you’re a competitive sprinter chasing a new record or an everyday gym hound looking to get the most from your workout, seafood is among the best foods to support an athletic lifestyle. It not only delivers great-tasting nutrition, but also provides one-of-a-kind health benefits.

The combination of lean protein, anti-inflammatory omega-3s and muscle-building nutrients found in seafood are why it’s a staple for athletes like Ryan and Sara Hall.

“We like to incorporate Alaska seafood in our daily diet because it’s a really highquality protein that helps to repair our muscles on a daily basis,” said Ryan Hall, a twotime Olympian and holder of the U.S. half-marathon record.

After a run, Sara Hall – a 3,000-meter steeplechase and marathon runner, U.S. national champion and World Team member – relies on seafood as a go-to for low-fat meals with protein and simple-to-digest carbs.

Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon with Sweet Potatoes Serves: 4

Urban Views Weekly | May 18, 2016

Cook time: 15 minutes

Cedar planks with enough surface area for salmon 4 salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each), fresh, thawed or frozen (olive oil spray) 1 tablespoon fresh (or 1 teaspoon dried) dill, thyme or rosemary (salt and

freshly cracked pepper, to taste) 4 large sweet potatoes, sliced lengthwise into wedges 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin Soak cedar planks for 1-2 hours (or overnight) submerged in water. Remove and pat dry.

Heat grill to medium heat (400 F). If frozen, rinse ice from salmon under cold water; pat dry with paper towel. Spray cedar planks and salmon with olive oil spray. Place salmon on planks; sprinkle with herb, salt and pepper. Place sweet

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8

Prep time: 10 minutes

potatoes in bowl; spray with cooking spray.

Sprinkle with cumin and salt and pepper, to taste. Toss to coat.

Place cedar planks and potato wedges on grill. Cover and cook about 3-4 minutes; turn wedges over and continue cooking until potatoes are soft and cooked. Keep warm. Cook salmon 12-15 minutes, until fish is opaque throughout.

Ask us how: (804) 441-6255

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How to Guide

How to Choose a Commercial Lender Hard work and dedication are critical to growing your business. But just as important is gaining access to capital.

Finding the right commercial lender is vital to your success as a business owner. Access to capital on the right terms can help you expand your business, finance equipment to keep your company running smoothly, or pay to renovate or expand your facility.

Beyond the basics of how your loan is structured and what interest rate you’re being offered, there are a lot of considerations when picking your lender. Here are a few things to think about.

banker will be able to understand that your business has healthy enough cash flow to repay your loans, and you’ll be able to trust your banker to provide the right financial products when you need them.

personal, individualized service. That’s why a mid-size, regional bank is a great option for commercial lending at most businesses.

THE SIZE

Another thing to consider is who will actually be doing your banking. Just like with other kinds of businesses, banks come in all sorts of sizes and specialize in different types of products, some of which they outsource off-site to other providers.

Many of the very biggest national banks have gained a reputation for poor customer service and bureaucratic, hard-to-navigate departments based in far-flung cities. That makes it tough for small and mid-size businesses to get the level of service they need.

RELATIONSHIP

Few relationships are as critical to your success as that with your commercial lender.

You want to look for a financial institution that does the banking itself. If they outsource their financial services, letting someone else do the work and make the decisions, you’re much more likely to run into problems.

You should have a direct line of contact with your bank. The more layers of bureaucracy and lower-level staffers you have to deal with, the more likely you are to experience problems or misunderstandings in the lending process.

Why does it matter?

For one thing, your lender needs to have a thorough knowledge of your business to be able to offer the best financial products to meet your needs. Most businesses have a long, detailed financial history, making it tough to explain your operations and financial requirements in one brief sitting.

Likewise, the very smallest banks may not have a deep enough pool of capital to do the lending directly to your business, so they might only do the application themselves and outsource the actual financing to a larger institution in another city, if they’re able to handle it at all.

If you can develop a relationship over time and stick with one experienced, capable, understanding banker, you’ll be much more likely to get access to the capital you need. The

It’s best to find a bank that’s big enough to have strong financial backing — and allow room for your company’s growth in the future — but small enough to still give you

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IN HOUSE

The important thing is to build a relationship with the real decision maker at your bank — an actual banker, not just an application taker — who can become an asset for your financial success.

The best bankers will not only offer you financial products, but also the advice about how best to utilize them. That means they’ll become a long-term partner in your business’s growth and development through the years.

Urban Views Weekly | May 18, 2016

9

Health News

sponsored by VCU Health J. Chevonte’ Alexander

Suffering in Silence Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Candace Johnson, Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing.

We had an in-depth conversation about the health of African Americans and the importance of physical activity, and this week we dug a bit deeper to discuss African American women and the societal barriers that keep us inactive.

Of all minority groups, African Americans have the most, and many times the largest, difference in health risks when compared to other minority groups. African Americans have more disease, disability and early death, as well. No population in the United States has a higher obesity rate than African American women, four out of five of whom are overweight or obese, according to a 2012 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We have a long way to go to tackle the disparities glaring at us. Socioeconomic factors also contribute to the dire health issues African American women face. Unfortunately, this information goes untalked about and African American women are suffering in silence.

According to the CDC, below are just some of the disparities that disproportionately affect African American women.

• 46 percent of African American women 20 years of age and older have hypertension • Every year 1,722 African American women die from breast cancer

your health, you have to manage your stress.

“Before that behavior changes, something psychologically has to change as well. It helps to have options for women,” says Dr. Johnson. “Your body has to take incremental, small steps to reverse the effects of poor eating and inactivity.”

There are various reasons not readily known to address why Black women are the least active in our community.

Truth be told, black women feel disenfranchised from physical activity.

• Chlamydia and gonorrhea infection rates for African American women are 19 times higher than those of white women • African American women represent 65 percent of new AIDS diagnoses among women • High blood pressure, the number one risk factor for stroke; and 1 in 3 African Americans suffer from high blood pressure When we start to hear these startling statistics, eyebrows raise forcing us to pose the questions, “What is going on with African American women?” and “Why are we the most inactive population with higher statistics?” It is important to start talking about these truths, so we can build the social support in our community to start the change.

Eating right and being active are the first, yet sometimes the hardest, steps to take to start living a healthy lifestyle to prevent the onset of diseases. Along with managing

• Hair - yes hair! African American women’s hair is a complicated psychological issue which hinders us from daily workouts.

• Social - taking care of the house and everyone else.

Many African American women are in a multiple care giving role which puts us in a position where we do not have a lot of time.

• Structural Issue - There is lots of research that shows the areas we live in affect how women feel with safety and wanting to get outside and work out.

• Cultural acceptance of larger body sizes - African American women are proud of their curves, men are accepting of larger bodies and large bodies promote strength.

• Stress and depression - There is an under-diagnosis of depression in African American women.

Even with all these contextual and societal issues, our community can change Continued to pg 11

If someone looks like this, it could be a stroke.

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Urban Views Weekly | May 18, 2016

Know all of stroke’s warning signs and be ready to act F.A.S.T.

F – Face drooping A – Arm weakness S – Speech difficulty T – Time to call 9-1-1 VCU-Stroke.com

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Health News from page 10

this paradigm and more importantly, start getting our mothers, grandmothers, aunts and other Black women on the pavement, at the gym and active in general.

So what can we do to change this?

• Join a group that you have to meet up with! Build your social network.

• Talk about health issues within our community so they are no longer ignored.

• Start a walking/running group during your work lunch hour.

Let’s no longer make our own community our biggest obstacle!

We need you to participate!

Follow us!

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VCU School of Nursing is conducting a home-based research study. Participants will complete questionnaires, blood pressure testing, learn and practice YouTube video-based, beginner-level chair yoga and mat yoga and light resistance training for 5 days a week for 5 weeks, wear a FitBit and provide a fingerstick blood sample at two different times. It will take 6 weeks to complete this study.

To see if you are eligible to participate in this study, please contact: Email: Yogic.Dance.Study@gmail.com Phone: 804-322-9231 Facebook: facebook.com/ TheYogicDanceStudy

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sure you have consistent progress in spite of things that come up between meetings. They create a sense of urgency. Those who attended can quickly see what they are responsible for and begin taking action so tasks can be completed on time.

Distributing timely minutes is a momentum builder. It says the meeting was important and you must keep moving forward. It also indicates how well the organization is being managed.

Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw For help growing your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

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Urban Views Weekly | May 18, 2016

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THREE WAYS TO ORDER: ONLINE at MartinsFoods.com IN-STORE at any fresh department PHONE by calling 888-793-3663 12

Urban Views Weekly | May 18, 2016

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