MAGAZINE!
VMH
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE 150 YEARS!
Vikki M. Hankins!
Nicole Ari Parker Trumpet Awards, Ideas & Entrepreneurship
Tyler Perry “Follow The Voice Inside; That is The Way To Go”
MEDIA Alec Ross
Innovation Summit 2017, Technology & Strategy
Xernona Clayton A Visionary of Excellence
BRIAN WHITE Son of a Powerful Family Dynasty
Hidden Figures, NASA & Rocket Scientist
Jacqueline Mims
A MISSION TO TELL ‘HER STORY’ & END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE March/April 2017
"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes."
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Andrew Carnegie
“Style is a way to say who you are without speaking.”
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—Rachel Zoe
8. True Potential of Your Children & Turning Them Into ‘Kid-Preneurs’ Discovering the true talents and abilities within our children will prepare them for this unpredictable world by teaching them how to adapt to any situation. Instilling entrepreneurial ideas in children will help them become successful adults. Teaching them to be persistent requires that they will be definite in their decisions, and that requires courage. by Peggy Caruso
9 BEST
IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTERS
Eat Citrus Fruit Eat Yogurt Use Garlic Eat Chicken Soup Eat Oats & Barley Manage Stress Exercise Regularly Control Blood Pressure Get Plenty of Sleep REFERENCES: HARVARD HEALTH PUBLICATIONS PREVENTION.COM WEBMD
12. Powerful Women Share 10.
Four Marketing Tips CustomDesigned for E-commerce Businesses When you have an e-commerce business, successful marketing requires that you create a brand customers come to recognize, identify with and trust, just as they would a physical business they can visit and experience. by Kristen Gramigna
Their Stor y on How They Become Victorious Stacy Bryant, known as Coach Stacy, is a retired veteran of the United States Army and the author of Building Self-Confidence. She is a Certified Life Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Podcast Show Host, Author and Founder of The Stiletto Bosses Network™ and The Hope Foundation for Domestic Violence. Coach Stacy plans to speak out by sharing “Her Story”. Awareness plus action equals social change. The “Her Story” series is a platform for healing, restoration and release. To let victims, know you are not alone in your victimization.
18.
TV One’s MEDIA the Movie, An Inside Look at the Powerful ‘Media’ Family of Brian White Wealth, drama, corruption, power, shady deals, and a mother’s determination to keep her family on top tell the story of the Jones family in TV ONE’s film MEDIA. MEDIA is a riveting story of a wealthy family battling the competitive challenges of keeping their status and position in the communications industry. by Vikki Hankins
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A ‘CREED’ Replica Driven by Passion, Faith, Determination & A Love for Boxing William Williams III always wanted to become a boxer. When William was two years old his mother, Deanna Williams, saw William shadow boxing and was excited to tell her husband when he got home from work.
24.
Jacqueline Mims’ STEM Career, NASA & The Impact of Hidden Figures - The Movie Upon graduation from Towson, I landed a career opportunity at NASA where I programmed telemetry processing systems onboard in-orbit satellites. My efforts enabled successful transmission of data from outer space to the ground and the production of vivid images of solar galaxies. Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins
32.
25th Annual Trumpet Awards Highlights Founded by Xernona Clayton, the 25th Annual Trumpet awards red carpet was a star-studded event. A friend and protege of Dr. Martin L. King. Her dream of showcasing African American’s in a positive light continues to shine twenty-five years after inspiration from Dr. King. Photography by Vikki Hankins & Garry Jones
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MOREHOUSE COLLEGE Celebrates 150 Years! !
Pg. 14 Photographed by: Garry L. Jones
Publisher! VMH Vikki M. Hankins Editor-in-Chief Vikki M. Hankins Journalist/Contributors Vikki M. Hankins Alisha Davis Garry L. Jones Kristen Gramigna (visiting)
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Peggy Caruso (visiting)
Photography Vikki M. Hankins Garry Jones Alisha Davis
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Cover Photo Credits: Brian J. White {Cover Feature): Courtesy of TV ONE Nicole Parker Ari (Insert): Vikki M. Hankins Alec Ross (Insert): Courtesy Alec Ross Xernona Clayton (Insert): Garry L. Jones Tyler Perry (R. Insert): Vikki M. Hankins
! www.vmhmagazine.com
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ARE YOU A STORY MAKER? What is your story? Will it impact those around you? I tend to believe everyone’s ‘story’ has the ability to teach. I think my true sentiment to the subject is, are ‘you’ writing your story? We can float along through the maze of life sticking to the status quo or we can take leaps of faith and challenge ordinary systems.
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In my opinion ‘ordinary’ won’t bring the improvement(s) we’d like to see in the world. However, story making, change and improvements can be bittersweet. I, for one am all to familiar with the journey. I chose not to stick to the status quo; I blindly took risk that challenged me along the way!
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Starting out as a writer/author, I sought to publish my work only to face mainstream madness in the world of book publishing, media and marketing. The doors to the majors were closed tight to an unknown writer such as myself. Who was I to think mainstream publishers wanted anything to do with my ‘scribbles’.
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Certain I had something to contribute to the world, I took to research and learned the trade of book publishing, media and marketing. I was ambitious, optimistic and super excited about my new found mission; also naive! If I recounted my dismay, frustrations and the politics associated with entrepreneurship, you’d end up reading a ‘book’.
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Be that as it may, if I had a choice I would do it all over again, but implement my present knowledge and wisdom. As a publisher/entrepreneur, I am in a position to empower others, help people see their dreams, and tap into their talent. I’m on an amazing journey! As I take a moment to reflect on the places my business has taken me, it surreal.
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Granted, my work has yet to compete with mainstream machines, but as I continue to expand in my field, I’m not so certain I will run a good race. My personal success is not the point; I pose the question - what is your story? How are you impacting those around you? More importantly, how can we all become better influencers and story makers?
Vikki Hankins
www.vmhmagazine.com
DISCOVER THE TRUE POTENTIAL OF YOUR CHILDREN AND TURN THEM INTO ‘KID-PRENEURS’
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By Peggy Caruso
technology has limited our children in verbal communication. One area to enhance communication is to teach masterminding. This is very effective and utilized by many adults; therefore it can be effectively implemented with children.
!It is placing a group of 5 or 6 like-minded children
Discovering the true talents and abilities within our children will prepare them for this unpredictable world by teaching them how to adapt to any situation. Instilling entrepreneurial ideas in children will help them become successful adults and it will create independence within them.
together to meet once bi-weekly for one hour. Meeting places can vary between houses. They begin by each taking one-minute to say their ‘win for the week’ and then they move on to challenges. Each child presents a challenge they are facing and the remainder of the group assists by providing feedback. Someone needs to be a time-keeper so the meeting does not exceed one hour and each child has their turn.
and weaknesses. Many children are afraid to fail because they feel they are letting the parents down. Failure is good – encourage it. It is just feedback letting you know how to modify your plan. It is stepping-stones to success. It can only be failure if you don’t get back up and try again. All of the successful people in history have had many failures before reaching success.
assists the children with problem solving and holding one another accountable. It reinforces communication and interpersonal relations. Masterminding enhances friendships and helps them balance the highs and lows. It assists with creativity and establishes motivation and persistence. It also teaches them how to set and reach goals which is imperative in promoting entrepreneurism within children.
!They need to learn how to manage their own strengths
!As children grow they need to learn how to deal with change. Changes in circumstances, cultures, and religions help our children to adapt in society. We can’t give our children a blueprint in life, but we can teach them coping skills. Your children’s skills and abilities will be their most valuable asset throughout their lives.
!Skills are behaviors in which we increase our knowledge,
and abilities are natural talents. Understanding what skills and abilities they have and what they need to reach their dreams is an important component in your child’s career development.
!This
!Teaching them to be persistent requires that they will be
definite in their decisions, and that requires courage. It is a state of mind; therefore, it can be cultivated and with persistence comes success. When we talk of success, most people think of adults. But if you begin applying the success principles when your children are young and impressionable you teach them how to realize failure is good.
!Persistent action comes from persistent vision. When you
!From childhood your child will develop skills that will be
define your goal and your vision remains exact you will be more consistent and persistent in your actions. That consistent action will produce consistent results.
transferred as an adult. Emotional skills such as self esteem, sociability, integrity and empathy, integrated with the educational skills of reading, writing, mathematics, speaking, creativity and decision making will prepare them for adaptability within the corporate world. Many studies have supported the fact that the faster children develop skills, the better they do with testing.
the person who fails and the one who succeeds is the perception they have. It is seizing an opportunity and acting upon it, unlike the person who allows fear to dominate his abilities.
!Once you discover what their true talents and passions
are it is easy to get them started on building a business. There are many businesses suitable for children. Educating children and teens about employment or entrepreneurship has astounding affects. It teaches them time management, assists them in learning how to follow directions, and provides team and leadership skills. Studies show discouraged teens often grow up to become discouraged adults. This affects their confidence level in the workforce.
!In teaching children entrepreneurial skills they need to
!Remember to teach your children the difference between
!In teaching your child how to become a ‘kid-preneur’ they learn: • Talents, abilities and passions; • Setting and reaching goals; • Gratitude and developing solid friendships; • Persistence and motivation; • Creativity and visualization; • Communication, problem solving and interpersonal relations; • Intuition; • Entrepreneurial skills;
!They learn their true potential!!
learn effective ways to communicate. In today’s society 9
4 Â MARKETING TIPS CUSTOMDESIGNED FOR E-COMMERCE BUSINESSES
By Kristen Gramigna, BluePay
!When
Originally Published at PRToolKit
you have an e-commerce business, successful marketing requires that you create a brand customers come to recognize, identify with and trust, just as they would a physical business they can visit and experience.
!Here are four marketing tips custom-designed for ecommerce businesses. !Personalize your marketing messages. You may never
meet an e-commerce customer face to face — but you should know what the customer wants, when and why, just as intimately as if you spoke to him or her on a sales floor. More than half of respondents to one online shopper study expect the online marketing messages they receive to be relevant to their current shopping needs, style and taste preferences, and preferred price points.
!While personalized email campaigns and retargeting takes
time and energy to execute, you’ll likely realize a higher return on your marketing investment: The same study indicated that 1 in 10 respondents spent significantly more with online retailers that served a highly relevant ad; 3 out of 10 spent slightly more.
!Speak with — not to — customers. Content marketing can include blog posts, social media posts, images, video, podcasts and newsletters that you publish on your site, on third-party sites frequently read by an audience you want to reach, and on your social media profiles. Create original content that shapes your brand voice and invites audience participation. If you’re an e-commerce retail site, for example, you could shape community-based content that invites customers to post photos of their unique style. If you’re a lifestyle site, perhaps you ask customers to share their top tips for sticking to a healthy diet, reducing stress or similar life hacks.
!Prioritize
the messages that shape a sense of community: The more participatory your content, the more you make your e-commerce business feel like a familiar brand — despite that it exists virtually.
!Make the online shopping experience seamless. Did you know that nearly 20 percent of customers choose not to buy from an e-commerce site because of payment security concerns? How about the fact that nearly half of e-commerce shoppers will abandon their online shopping cart because of unexpected shipping costs?
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Marketing an e-commerce business is about overcoming the many obstacles customers experience from the time they click on your site, to the time they enter their payment information and click “purchase.” Consumers are accustomed to hearing news of security breaches at
major retail, government and financial services organizations. Naturally, there’s a heightened sensitivity about the importance of keeping online information secure — particularly when it comes to trusting a small business retailer with sensitive financial data.
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Your marketing messages should tell your story and build credibility. Address the fact that you are a sophisticated ecommerce business that has the infrastructure to keep customer data secure, including the support of payment processing tools that are PCI compliant to adhere to payment security best practices. . On your website, include contact information where customers can reach a live human being if needed, and a physical location. You may not operate a retail storefront, but knowing you have a “real” place of business at which you run your e-commerce shop helps customers trust that you are a legitimate outfit that won’t disappear should they have a product issue or question.
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Work to stay top of mind. Don’t assume that a customer who purchases from you will return — even if he or she is 100 percent satisfied. Your marketing strategy should deepen relationships: Monitor the types of offers and promotions customers redeem, and which ones they tune out. Offer them reasons to buy again — which may include a loyalty program, bounce back offers or referral incentives. When you don’t have a store, your marketing needs to work that much harder to help customers remember your brand, and consider you as an option the next time they’re ready to buy.
‘HER STORY’ MOVEMENT
STACY BRYANT !
TACKLES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Photo Courtesy of Stacy Bryant
VMHMAGAZINE.COM!
Stacy Bryant, known as Coach Stacy, is a retired veteran of the United States Army and the author of Building SelfConfidence. She is a Certified Life Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Podcast Show Host, Author and Founder of The Stiletto Bosses Network™ and The Hope Foundation for Domestic Violence.
Her Story II is about survival. It is a collection of stories written by women who survived the life-threatening experience of domestic violence and lived to talk about it. Some of the stories are graphic and raw. Others are reassuring and affirming. The book serves as a medium to empower other women and help them stay informed.
Stacy has devoted her life to empowering and developing people all over the world, in the area of finances, relationships, entrepreneurship, health, faith and life. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her MBA. She has walked the road of an over comer and is dedicated to helping the masses rise above their circumstances. Her mission in life is to encourage, empower, help others to discover who they are from the inside and out, and then to create the type of life they have always dreamed of.
Stacy is a domestic violence survivor. One of the ways that she was able to work through and heal her pain was to write about it. Stacy began encouraging others to write about their pain as well, through her Write to Heal program. After working with many women, Stacy had the idea to bring the women together to compose an anthology to help with spreading the awareness.
Her Story II, was created by Stacy, to give others the opportunity to share their stories and give voice to the women who were formerly silenced. Raising awareness on a such a silenced topic is not easy but it is necessary. Necessary to inspire and strengthen. Necessary to help others find the courage to confront the realities of abuse in all forms.
The “Her Story” series is a platform for healing, restoration and release. To let victims, know you are not alone in your victimization. Domestic violence is not a singular incident, it’s an insidious problem deeply rooted in our culture. The only way to remedy the problem is to take a stand and speak out.
Coach Stacy plans to speak out by sharing “Her Story”. Awareness plus action equals social change. The collaborators on the ‘Her Story’ Movement includes: Jocelyn Kelly, Airial Renal, Leslie Cristea, Catherine Lacy, Merci McKinley, Ciera Richard, Stacey Ragin, Lisa Irby, Tiffanni Logan, Vivica Reeves
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Domestic Violence is a global epidemic, and awareness should not only be recognized in October. Domestic violence death statistics via the Federal Bureau of Investigations, for the year 2012, was 11,766. Domestic violence not only affects the victim but also the victim’s family members, friends, co-workers and community. If no one ever knows or speaks about domestic violence, then victims are abated and muzzled into silence, and domestic violence will continue without confrontation. Her Story II is about survival. It is a collection of stories written by women who survived the life-threatening experience of domestic violence and lived to talk about it. Some of the stories are graphic and raw. Others are reassuring and affirming. The book serves as a medium to empower other women and help them stay informed. 13
150 YEARS
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE ANNIVERSARY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY VIKKI M. HANKINS & GARRY L. JONES
Morehouse President John S. Wilson Presents Frankie Beverly with Presidential Award of Distinction
Photography by Vikki Hankins
An outstanding weekend of celebration, honor and reflection. The 150th weeklong celebration of Morehouse College was noting short of excellence. With a concert performed by Frankie Beverly and Maze, Candle Awards presentations for Tyler Perry, Usher Raymond, Jon Platt, Theodore Colbert III, Jonathan L. Walton and an outpouring of monetary support for a historical educational monument.
Jonathan L. Walton ‘96
!Morehouse Usher Raymond Candle Award Honoree
College, was f o u n d e d b y Wi l l i a m Jefferson White in the basement of a Baptist church in Augusta, Ga. It’s purpose to prepare black men for ministry and teaching. Today, Augusta Theological Institute is Morehouse College, which is located on a 66-acre campus in Atlanta and enjoys an international reputation for producing leaders who have influenced national and world history. 15
Theodore Colbert III Candle Award Honoree
Where it was once against the law for Blacks to read, Morehouse has produced educators and global leaders such Dr. Martin L. King, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee and a host of other influencers in various fields.
!With such a historical
success and applaudable longevity, Morehouse C o l l e g e sesquicentennial celebration reiterated the importance of educating African American males, while paying homage to it’s significant mark on the world. Garry Jones Pictured with Usher
!D u r i n g
the Reflections portion of the 150th year celebration, the panelists, which in included Candle Award Honorees, gave authentic, passionate transparent advice and experiences. Their heartfelt insight aided in driving the point home on respecting the vision of founder William Jefferson White for African American males.
!Candle in the Dark Gala Honorees Included:
!* T h e o d o r e Colbert III ’96, Chief Information Officer & Senoir Vice President of Information & Analytics at Boeing
!
Reflections of Excellence Panel Bennie Leadership Award for Excellence in Business
!* J o n a t h a n
L. Wa l t o n ’ 9 6 , Theologian, Social E t h i c i s t , Accomplished Author and Ivy League Professor Bennie Service Award for Excellence in Religion
!* J o n
Platt, Chairman/CEO of Warner/Chappell Music Candle Award in Music, Business & Entertainment
Jonathan L. Walton Candle Award Honoree
!*Usher Raymond,
Grammy Awardwinning Musical Genius Candle Award in Philanthropy, Arts & Entertainment
!* T y l e r
P e r r y, Actor, Director, P r o d u c e r , Playwright, Author & Philanthropist Candle Award in Philanthropy, Arts and Entertainment
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Jon Platt, Candle Award Honoree
“I learned a long time ago to follow God’s voice; that leads me, that is my compass. ‘Go this way, don’t worry about what anybody else says. Follow where I am telling you to go and you will find success.’”
- Tyler Perry
Morehouse College President John Wilson & Tyler Perry During Candle Light in the Dark Gala
!!
Photography by Vikki Hankins
The Son - Brian White
Brian White’s
Wealthy
‘MEDIA’ Family Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins
"For me that was paramount; this performance, my involvement in this, my reason for being in this project is to pay homage to my mother, my grandmother, Penny; Ms. Hughes and the way they've went about things. They've all been very successful amidst quote unquote great wealth but they've done so with great integrity and a very principle manner. Meaning there are certain lines that you don't cross.
Photo Courtesy of TV ONE
VMHMAGAZINE.COM!
Cathy Hughes, Founder Radio One
Michael opted to not be a part of the family’s media conglomerate, but instead led a career in law and politics. However, after things begin to fall apart from within the company, he joins the family dynasty only to face corruption, betrayal and character challenges.
!Here’s what the creative team had to say about ongoing availability of the film and what Brian J. White had to say about his role as Michael Jones and having the glory of success.
!VMH: For the creative team, if you all decide not to go
with a series do you think you'll make the movie available for consumers or viewers to actually purchase it online through Netflix or download it or any online medium for viewing?
!Creative Team: ”We at the network (TV One), one of
our main priorities going forward is to make sure that our contact is available not only on the network platform but the TV everywhere platform; which may mean an app that we have in the work or it maybe tvone.tv so it may certainly be made a aisle beyond the network.”
!VMH: (Brian White) Your character, we here at VMH Photo Courtesy of TV ONE
Wealth, drama, corruption, power, shady deals, and a mother’s determination to keep her family on top tell the story of the Jones family in TV ONE’s film MEDIA. MEDIA is a riveting story of a wealthy family battling the competitive challenges of keeping their status and position in the communications industry.
!It goes without saying that communications and media
are instrumental to information, influencing opinions and providing entertainment. We’ve seen proof of the fierce force of communications and media in presidential elections, celebrity lifestyles and a host of other socioeconomics.
!But, what of those behind the scene? Those who own and control the company? Such is the case of the of the TV One film, MEDIA. The Executive Producer of the film is Cathy Hughes a media mogul herself. The movie tells the story of a family that owns a powerful media company laced with gansta style enactments, unity and ultimately faith.
Magazine we appreciate it; actually the film altogether the family, the unity, and corruption is the word that comes to mind. You have a character as Michael Jones that has to deal with corruption in two areas. One in media and then another I guess you could say in the courtroom. Through that Michael Jones was able to navigate and still come out unscathed even at the expense of blackmail and infidelity. Playing that character how easy or difficult for you to maintain ethics, morals and yet come out doing the right thing?
!Brian
White: "For me that was paramount; this performance, my involvement in this, my reason for being in this project is to pay homage to my mother, my grandmother, Penny; Ms. Hughes and the way they've went about things. They've all been very successful amidst quote unquote great wealth but they've done so with great integrity and a very principle manner. Meaning there are certain lines that you don't cross.
!I had the opportunity to speak with members of MEDIA the movie, creative team, and cast. I specifically had a question for Michael Jones portrayed by Brian J. White. Michael Jones is one of the sons of a Jackie portrayed by Penny Johnson Jerald, the founder of Jones Universal Media Properties, known as JUMP. the world’s premier urban media conglomerate.
Photo Courtesy of TV ONE
VM
Clay Jones portrayed by Pooch Hall
Photo Courtesy of TV ONE
“You learn to bend the rules and not break them at all cost. That's really the difference between the quote unquote good company's and the bad company's. The company's you want to tell story's about and the ones you don't necessarily want to celebrate as much.”
!"I think that Michael specifically in the family is the
character that is worried about maintaining his integrity, maintaining his spirituality, maintaining his principled reason for living. Even though things go wrong in his marriage he is not going to break his vows; he's not going to throw his wife under the bus. He's going to protect the ones he loves, the ones that he's committed to and accepts that there must be something in his own actions that have contributed to those outcomes so who is he to judge. He means what he says, he says what he means.” “My role models all lived their lives that way and I aspire to live my life that way. I'm just blown way that Kevin and the rest of the writers, and Craig were able to forge Michaels journey to exemplify how hard it is to walk and tow that line in reality and in your words that we discover that we somewhat pulled it off.”
!“That's what it was all about, showing that this is the journey and you can have it all, under our huge sacrifices to have it all. But, you don't have to give up your principles and your morals to have great success. I think
that that's a very important message to put out into the world especially under this current administration that exemplifies the opposite.”
!MEDIA is executive produced by Radio One Founder
and Chairperson Cathy Hughes and her production partner Susan Banks (Fright Night Files, Fear Files, Second Sight), Kevin Arkadie (New York Undercover, Soul Food, The Shield), who also served as writer, S h e i l a Ducksworth MEDIA Full Cast ( Wi t h This Ring, Why We Laugh: Funny Women) and was produced for TV One by Ducksworth Productions. Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, CSA, served as casting director. MEDIA is directed by Craig Ross, Jr. Photo Courtesy of TV ONE (Rise Again, NCIS, Bones,
William Williams III ! ! ! ! A Story of ! Passion, ! Perseverance ! & Boxing Success!
! Written by Alisha Davis
22
William Williams III always wanted to become a boxer. When William
was two years old his mother, Deanna Williams, saw William shadow boxing and was excited to tell her husband when he got home from work. “We decided to get him boxing gloves” Mrs. Williams stated. “At that time Sugar Ray had a speed bag, boxing punching bag that we purchased for William.” From that point on, William Williams Jr, his father, would come home and train his boys Ian and William Pictured with E. Holyfield when he was free on the weekends. They would practice in the living room for hours. It even gotten to point when the neighborhood friends and family would come over, they would say "William was fast like as cartoon,” Mrs. Williams stated. At four, William really noticed he was developing passion for the sport. His father William Jr. continued training him, “I started pushing him towards throwing his hands the proper way.” Things were working out for the Williams’ family until his father lost his job. At the age of six years old William and his family were force to move out of their house and moved to Baltimore. “We moved to Baltimore and William started to train to compete but he didn’t really have his first fight in Baltimore.” They stayed there for about a year and they moved to Atlanta for better opportunities. At the time his parents had several children including William. When they arrived in Atlanta they found a good training gym named Paul Murphy Boxing Club. There was a really good trainer named “Bernard Styles”. Fighting at nine yrs. old, Williams emotions were all over the place. “As a fighter it’s nerves…I don’t want to say fear but it’s like nerves that you’re trying to bottle up into one big emotion to capture the energy. ‘You get under those lights, in front of those people. It’s a whole other world out there.” William really enjoyed the emotional feeling he got when he got out there for his first fight but his father was another story, “As a father actually watching his first fight it was pretty rough. It was pretty nerve wrecking it was pretty rough.” His father even mentioned to William that “if he won this fight he wouldn’t have to fight another day in his life.” But Williams went off and won the fight and he has been on a winning streak ever sense. At that time is was really hard for Williams’s parents to keep afloat. His father was going from job to job. Both parents had to hustle to get the things they needed to survive for their family. They were going from hotel to hotel to where their younger children thought they were on vacation but the oldest children knew what was going.
Even though things were hard they were able to still keep their family together and the passion still within William’s heart. It even gotten to a point where the family was so strong and dedicated that William Jr, the father, would take his two boys, William and Ian, to the gym and Deanna (Mrs. Williams) would take the other four children to the library across the street from the gym. They would do this for hours and hours every day for two years straight to ensure William III kept his craft perfected. At the age of 14 William decided that he wanted to play football. He played for almost four years but in his senior year he decided that he wanted to go back to his passion and first love - boxing. “In my mind I wanted to go back into boxing that’s really were my heart was at,” shared William III. He wanted to stop football in the middle of playoffs but his father wanted him to finish the season and also start training. At the time William had broken many bones (his arm, finger, elbow, etc) so much so the doctor thought he would have had to walk with a cane for the rest of his life but he defeated all the odds. He began training again at 18 years old. Within the next year he trained for about seven months and within those months William (III) had 12 fight and won all of the fights. The following year in 2009 William (III) had his first national fight. “Everybody there thinks they’re the best, everyone has been training for this so it going to be real competition,” said William III. But he had faith in God, because of the conversation he had with his mother for his first national fight. His mother pulled him to the side and mention to him to read Psalm 1:21. “read this every day and every night before you go to bed,” his mother Deanna (Mrs. Williams) mentioned to him. At that time William III started to get into his Bible. “I read Psalm every day and I came out victories. Next thing you, I looked up and I was fighting for the number 1 and the number 2 spot in the country.” Having God on Williams’ III side gave him the calmness that he needed to focus on excelling in the tournament. He always had a relationship with God but when Williams III got more into his bible he started to see the difference in his life and the things that he was passionate in. Williams III believes he stands out because he infuses God in his boxing and it helps him keep his head in the ring and on the right path towards his future a n d c a r e e r. To f i n d information about William Williams III, visit him on F a c e b o o k a t Wi l l i a m Williams and Instagram Pictured with Floyd Mayweather @ill_will5190.
LOVE FOR ENGINEERING & SCIENCE
!B e y o n d
being intelligent, Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and D o ro t h y Va u g h a n w e re attractive and stylish professionals in a Caucasian male dominated world. !
!Creating the next generation of
young women in Science and Engineering is crucial to the US economy. Forty percent of today’s jobs require Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competencies and the fastest growing jobs over the next decade will require STEM skills.!
!!
Jacqueline Mims
Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Mims
VMHMAGAZINE.COM!
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Type to enter text
Jacqueline Mims NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center’s First African American Civil Servant Certified Spacecraft Command Controller ! Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins
Ms. Mims thank you for speaking with us here at VMH Magazine.
!! VMH: For the purpose of this interview tell me exactly what is a rocket scientist? !JM: A Rocket Scientist is simply one who masters the science of getting rockets into outer space. Persons in these popular career fields are known as Rocket Scientists - Aerospace Engineering, Spacecraft Command Controller and Aerospace Technologists.
!Engineering is defined as the application of mathematics,
empirical evidence and scientific, economic, social, and practical knowledge in order to invent, innovate, design, build, maintain, research, and improve structures, machines, tools, systems, components, and processes.
!
VMH: How did you come to have a career in science and engineering and how difficult or simple was it for you?
!
! JM: My love affair with Engineering and Science started in my childhood and was nurtured by my Parents. My Mom was a Southern Bell who also believed that as a young woman, I should be able to fix any appliance in the home. If the vacuum, lamp, curling iron or the oven stopped working, I was taught how to dismantle and repair those items. My Dad also taught me the art of carpentry. I vividly remember working on a project with Dad to disassemble an existing deck and then building a new one. My Parents cultivated and solidified within me the truth that there was nothing impossible for a female.
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Another key event that sparked my interest in a career in Science and Engineering was the explosion of the Space
Shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986. While in high school I witnessed the fatal launch in which the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger orbiter broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, leading to the deaths of the seven crew members, which included five NASA astronauts and two Payload Specialists. Onboard the Challenger was my sister’s middle school teacher, Christa McAuliffe. This tragedy hit close to home for me, so I made it my mission to join NASA to learn more about space exploration. In my senior year, I joined my high school’s Co-op program and I was selected to work at NASA- Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland in a highly coveted role as an Administrative Assistant. While there as an Administrative Assistant, I networked with the Engineers in Missions Operations and gained a greater understanding of their role and contribution to space missions. It was during this time I decided that I would pursue a technical degree and return to NASA after graduation. I attended Towson University in Towson, Maryland on a full scholarship and I graduated with honors with a B.S. degree in Computer Science and a minor in Business Administration.
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Completing a technical degree as an African American female at a predominately Caucasian institution was no easy task. I vividly recall taking a Circuit and Computer Engineering course and the male Professor attempted to ignore my very existence in his class. It was so obvious that other students commented on his behavior. I was the only female and African American in this and many other classes. I knew then that I had to make myself visible and strive to be the best. Many days I cried because of the blatant disrespect, overt racism and lack of support from many Professors. It was my faith in the Creator, the love and support of my family and my belief that my ancestors were praying for me that kept me going. The road for me was not easy in college. However, I was determined to fight the stereotypes and be successful. (cont. on next pg.)
Upon graduation from Towson, I landed a career opportunity at NASA where I programmed telemetry processing systems onboard in-orbit satellites. My efforts enabled successful transmission of data from outer space to the ground and the production of vivid images of solar galaxies. After programming telemetry processing systems for four years, I decided to answer NASA’s call and entered a program to become a Certified Satellite Command Controller. This was no easy accomplishment. I was committed to being successful while ensuring that my family did not suffer because of the extensive amount of time I was away from home. I recall working 12 hour shifts. Often times, I would bring my children (who were two and four years of age at the time) into Mission Control Center during contacts with the ground stations. I was also faced with many challenges and doubts because of the extensive course of study and highly technical final exam I had to pass for certification. I passed with flying colors and became NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center’s first African American Civil Servant Certified Spacecraft Command Controller.
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This major accomplishment was no easy task. The struggle inspired me to keep the faith in the mist of incredible opposition. As a result, I make it my personal mission to teach young women to believe in themselves and to strive for greatness.
!VMH: he book and movie hidden figures hears the story of three African-American women working for NASA in the 1940s that helps bring astronaut John Glenn better safely, how do you relate to their story?
!JM:
Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan, a team of African-American women who created computations that enabled John Glenn to become the first American astronaut to orbit the earth. It was the 1962 launch of the Mercury Friendship 7 capsule that transformed the Space Race, and led to major breakthroughs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics worldwide. These phenomenal women were and will continue to forever be my “She-heroes”. I can truly relate to their stories. I know what it is like being a confident, educated and first in your field African American female at NASA. In an industry dominated by Caucasian men, our very existence in our career fields was often questioned. In the face of adversity, their stories kept me motivated to succeed. I stood on the shoulders of these three phenomenal women.
!VMH: How has their story impacted your life from 80 years ago? !JM: The knowledge that these educated, brave, talented, confident and beautiful African American women were game changers in America’s race to Space gave me the confidence to succeed against the odds. Their tenacity, wisdom and resilience paved the way for me and others like me to have a successful career at NASA. For this I am eternally grateful.
VMH: Do you feel women of color or any other woman receive the type of recognition as their counterparts in this field?
!JM: Fortunately women of color are beginning to receive recognition for their work in the STEM fields. Unfortunately our work has been a well-kept secret. I strongly feel that women of color deserve the same recognition as their counterparts in the Engineering and Science fields. The mere fact that the world is just learning that Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan were the highly skilled and tremendously confident professionals whose brain powers was behind Astronaut John Glenn’s historic launch in to space clearly reveal the fact that African American women’s contributions are not celebrated as the contributions of their Caucasian counterparts.
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Beyond being intelligent, Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan were attractive and stylish professionals in a Caucasian male dominated world. Quite often, attractive and stylish African American women were over sexualized and not taken seriously. Not to mention frequently discriminated against and held back because, “you don’t look the part”. The intimidation factor is often the ever present elephant in the room.
!VMH: What is your advice to young girls that want to work in engineering and science? !JM: Creating the next generation of young women in Science and Engineering is crucial to the US economy. Forty percent of today’s jobs require Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competencies and the fastest growing jobs over the next decade will require STEM skills.
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Men currently occupy 75 percent of STEM jobs and women occupy the remaining 25 percent. These statistics are why I am passionate about encouraging and increasing our young girl’s access to opportunities and careers in engineering and science. My advice to young girls is as follows:
!• Understand that Science and Engineering is about trial and
error. Solutions are rarely found on the first try. Oftentimes, girls have more pressure to be perfect than boys. Therefore, they give up if they don’t get it right during the first try. DON’T GIVE UP! • Know that STEM careers contribute to the well-being of society. Women often have an innate nature to help and to nurture. • Find a female mentor that will inspire you, build your confidence and guide you thru your academic and professional career. • Don’t be afraid to seek a tutor to enhance your learning while taking Computer Science, Physics, Calculus and Engineering courses. Tutors can make your learning experience fun. VMH: Work/life balance, how do you manage both and make time for yourself?
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JM: Work life balance is easier for me now that I am more seasoned in my career and my son and daughter are independent. Earlier in my career, I worked very long hours
to climb the corporate ladder while attempting to maintain work-life balance. At times I found myself burned-out and unhealthy. Seemingly while almost on the verge of a breakdown, I decided to take control of my life and to get me back to a healthy routine. Today, my spiritual, mental and physical well-being are my priority. I work hard to prioritize them over everything. On a regular basis, I practice healthy eating and I take cardio and strength training classes such as spinning and body pump.
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They say the apples do not fall too far from the tree. My son and daughter have embraced their Mom’s work ethic and drive. My son, Jonathan Chandler Mims, recently graduated from the Citadel Military College and is a 2nd Lieutenant Combat Pilot Officer in the United States Air Force. My daughter, Jonae’ Elyse Mims recently returned from studying abroad at the American University of Rome in Italy. She will be graduating with honors with her degree in Mass Communications and Journalism.
! ! JM: As a result of me starting my career at NASA-
VMH: You receive recognition and awards for your achievements what are your future plans? Goddard Space Flight Center as an Administrative Assistant and then becoming the Center’s First African American Civil Servant Certified Satellite Command Controller, I received the following recognitions and awards: • • • •
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Trumpet Award Young Star Rocket Scientist US Black Engineer – Most Promising Engineer in Government Woman of Color – Excellence in Government Leadership National Technical Association’s – Top Women in Science and Engineering
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My goal this year is to accept more speaking engagements to promote STEM educational and career opportunities to young women. I am writing a biography of my journey, that I may encourage others, especially African American young women, to maximize each opportunity to become their best selves.
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Recently, I was invited by the Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo to speak at a Women’s Leader ship conference in Kinshasa. This is a great opportunity to encourage our Sisters of African descent to pursue opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and create opportunities to live their best lives.
!This
journey is full of opportunities disguised as challenges. We must always remember whose and who we are – African American Kings and Queens. It was the blood, sweat, prayers and tears of our Ancestors that built this country. The truth is we are more powerful and greater than what we will ever know. I encourage women everywhere to remember to shoot for the moon and should you miss, you will be amongst the stars.
! Thank you for sharing with us at VMH Magazine.!
digital
photography vikkihankins.net
Oscar Bond, Global Stylist
Alec !Ross Innovation Summit 2017
Technology Strategy & The Future
!!
Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins
Photo Courtesy of Alec Ross
VMHMAGAZINE.COM!
feel traditional practices will cease to exist or do you foresee balance where people maintain measures of human interaction? Alec Ross is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Industries of the Future, published by Simon & Schuster. The Industries of the Future explores the technological and economic trends and developments that will shape the next ten years, from cyber-security and big data to the commercialization of genomics to the code-ification of money, markets and trust. Since its publication in February of 2016, it has gone into a 7th printing and the rights have been sold for translation into 18 languages.
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Alec serves as an advisor to investors, corporations and government leaders to help them understand the implication of factors emerging at the intersection of geopolitics, markets and increasingly disruptive network technologies. He recently served for four year as Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a role created for him by Secretary Clinton to maximize the potential of technology and innovation in service of America’s diplomatic goals.
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In this role, Alec acted as the diplomatic lead on a range of issues including cyber-security, Internet Freedom, disaster response and the use of network technologies in conflict zones. Previously, Alec served as the Convener for the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Policy Committee on Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team.
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In 2000, he and three colleagues co-founded a technologyfocused social enterprise and grew it from modest origins in a basement into a global organization serving millions of lowincome people, with programs on four continents.
!I had the opportunity to interview Alec Ross on subjects
of innovation, technology and change. Here’s what he had to say:
!VMH: Should the middle page working-class concern themselves with job displacement due to innovation and technology developments?
!AR: It depends on the nature of their work. If the work
they do is cognitive but also fairly repetitive and drawing from a commonly available body of accessible knowledge (like a paralegal), then yes. VMH: In terms of learning innovative practices in business, parenting or something as simple as shopping what is your strongest advice for removing the fear of unfamiliarity?
!AR: The God's honest truth is that I don't have any advice for this. To fear unfamiliarity is to fear the future. Things that are completely familiar or routine are what I fear.
VMH: Digitization has disrupted standard practices in many facets from communication to healthcare; do you
!AR: I don't think that all traditional practices will cease
to exist. In a world suffused by computer code, good old fashioned human interaction is valued now more than ever. VMH: Announcements such as Macy's and other brickand-mortar retail stores cutting jobs are happening quicker than most would like, why is this?
!AR: I think this really has to do with market forces. The retail industry has become brutally competitive and investors are almost ruthless pushing for cost-cutting and automation.
VMH: What will it take for societies, families and individuals to thrive in let's say 10 years? And how does one prepare or implement the advice within their lifestyles?
!AR: Not all of the changes foreseen in my book The Industries of the Future will hit with full force in the next 10 years but we'll see their beginnings. I'd say that for societies, the key is openness. Keeping your markets open and ensuring that people from all walks of humanity can compete and succeed on the most level playing field possible regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or religion. For individuals the key is a commitment to lifelong learning; and for students entering the workforce in the next 10 years the key is inter-disciplinary learning, combining the study of something technical or scientific with a strong base in the humanities that teach things like communications skills and behavioural psychology.
VMH: Children are teaching parents how to use modern devices; this places the parent and it times the child at a great disadvantage. How does a parent protect and guide the household with limited insight on technology and innovative practices?
!AR: My wife and I struggle with this. I don't have the perfect answer. I will say that kids cannot have autonomy with technology. Parents should pay attention to the technology their kids use like they pay attention to which people they are spending time with.
VMH: Global cyber attacks and the ease of ‘peeking’ into another's privacy, is prevalent, how would you advise society on remaining positive in the area of security?
!AR: I would say that all of this transparency is shifting norms, and that norm shifting is probably going to be for the good of all of us over time.
VMHMAGAZINE.COM!
HEALTH TALK
WRITE A BUSINESS PROTECTING BYOUR OOK! KIDNEYS
for your business spark AS TOLD BY GARRY L. JONES
It was June 2007 I was on my way to Charlotte, N.C. for my nephew’s graduation. During my travel I felt fine, but once I arrived, I began to feel nauseated. Being that nausea was common for me, I attributed it to acid reflux or eating too much fried food. Normally, I mix baking soda with warm water and drink it or take me an Alka Seltzer to rid the nausea (it does the trick every time).
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On my way back from my nephew’s graduation to Atlanta, my stomach began to hurt very bad. I stopped to a service station and purchased more baking soda, but this time it wasn’t working. I took Aleve (naproxen) for the pain, but it got worse. Once I arrived home and started to prepare for bed, pain brought me to my knees. I immediately got in my car and drove to the emergency room. On the way to the hospital, I received a call from my cousin, asking did I just leave the house and I said yes, I’m on my way to the emergency room.
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She asked what was wrong, I told her I didn’t know, but I can barely stand up because of the pain in my stomach. She said angrily, “Why didn’t you let someone know I could have called the EMS.” I hung up the phone and continued driving 85 North until I arrived to the emergency room. The emergency room personnel rendered aid to me very quickly. They thought I was having a heart attack, but I wasn’t, my stomach pain was killing me and then my head started pounding. I yelled for the doctors to give me something for this pain! They hooked me up to an I.V. and started giving me fluids and administering pain medication through the I.V.
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Later I was taken to the examining room for an M.R.I. on the brain. When the M.R.I. came back the doctors discovered three spots on my brain, but they said the spots looked old and there is a possibility I had a sinus infection in the past. The doctors also informed me that my kidney levels were low and he asked me to follow up with my family physician. After leaving the emergency room, I immediately went to my family physician the next morning and explained to her what had happened. She took more tests and confirmed what the emergency room doctors had said that my kidney wasn’t functioning that well, but my liver levels were back to normal. She asked me to come back for a check-up in two weeks.
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The next week I went back to North Carolina for a wedding that was called off when I arrived. Considering the groom didn’t let us know until we got in town we informed him we were having a cookout and he was buying all the food an alcohol. We brought at least $150 in meats. We had a feast eating hamburger, ribs, chicken, and bacon. I began to feel bad again. I left North Carolina and came back to Atlanta to
see my family physician. She took blood work and said “Garry, your kidney levels are low” I’m sending you to a nephrologist (the study and treatment of the kidneys, i.e. kidney specialist).
! The next week I went to see the nephrologist. !
“Mr. Jones you are in 3rd stage renal failure. I want you to go home and get every medication that you are taking and bring them back to me.”
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I did as the doctor requested. The next day when the doctor examined me he said, “How much Aleve (naproxen) do you take and how long have you taken them. What other pain medication do you take?” I told him I take Motrin, and naproxen to get me through my workouts. He said “How long have you been taking these agents?”
! “About 15 years.” !
“Mr. Jones you can’t take anymore antiinflammatory medication ever, these agents have destroyed your kidneys. I noticed a lot of protein in your kidneys. How much protein do you eat a day,” he asked.
! “I don’t know I don’t keep count.” !
“Well you have to cut back on protein and stop taking antiinflammatory medication.”
! Out of concern, I asked, “Well, what can I take for the pain?” ! “Mr. Jones you can take anything with Tylenol in them.” ! “Doctor Cooper, how many stages does renal failure have,” I asked.
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He said, “There are 5 and once you get to number 5, you are either going to have a kidney transplant or dialysis. Mr. Jones your GFR is 55 (http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/ gfr.cfm). If you do what I tell you, you can live a normal life. Mr. Jones you have excellent blood pressure, keep it that way because high blood pressure can finish destroying your kidneys. You have to start eating food with little or no salt. If you develop diabetes you will be in big trouble.”
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Most of the time my body hurts and I know the antiinflammatory medication will take the down the swelling, but I also know it has damaged the kidneys and I don’t want to be on anyone’s dialyses machine, so therefore I deal with the pain, unless there is something available with Tylenol in it. 31
25th ! Annual ! Trumpet Awards !
The 25th Annual Trumpet awards red carpet was a star-studded event, all for the works of historical figure Xernona Clayton. A friend and protege of Dr. Martin L. King. Her dream of showcasing African American’s in a positive light continues to shine twenty-five years after inspiration from Dr. King. Included in this celebratory occasion were: Actor Deon Cole and Rosewood, The Real Husbands of Hollywood and seven-time NAACP Image Award nominated actress Nicole Ari Parker. Martin Luther King III was presented with the Impact Trumpet Award. An all-star Gospel Tribute featured Shirley Caesar, Erica Campbell, Jekalyn Carr, Le’Andria Johnson, Travis Greene and Derek Minor. Honoree iconic musical group New Edition saluted in a medley performed by R&B bands Jagged Edge and Silk. Vanessa Bell Calloway, Ed Gordon, Lou Gossett, Jr., David Mann, Willie Moore, Jr., Gary Owen and Bill Withers were presenters. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed opened the ceremony.
Highlights Photography by Vikki Hankins & Garry Jones
Trumpet Awards Founder, Xernona Clayton
Photography by Garry Jones
Honorees at this year’s Wendy Williams who was presented with the Trumpet Award for Entertainment, former NBA great Dikembe Mutombo recognized with the Humanitarian Trumpet Award, New Edition received the Lifetime Achievement Trumpet, GRAMMY®-winning soul singer Peabo Bryson accepted the Legend Trumpet and fashion blogger Gabi Gregg given the Trailblazer Trumpet Award.
Nicole Ari Parker
Ed Lover Interviewed vy Vikki Hankins Photography by Garry Jones Photography by Vikki Hankins
“Anything you want to build you have to have that seed of service in there and the blessings will come. People are afraid to start with their ideas. or their book ideas or their script ideas, their event ideas. Because they think I don;t really know how to do this, I don;t know how to incorporate myself, I don’t know how to get a publisher, but it doesn’t matter.
!If there’s some part of you that feels you’re helping and Mr. & Mrs. Judge Mathis Photography by Vikki Hankins
uplifting others, the blessings will come, the people you need will come.” - Nicole Ari Parker
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Erica Campbell
Ambassador Andrew Young Photography by Garry Jones
Photography by Vikki Hankins
Lou Gossett, Jr. Photography by Vikki Hankins
Can Givers Survive as Entrepreneurs?
! !‘Good
By Vikki Hankins
guys finished last’. Does this apply to entrepreneurs as well? Does success only come to those that aggressively pursue clients? Wharton Professor, Adam Grant addresses these questions in his book entitled, Give and Take, Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.
!By nature I believe myself to be a giver. However I’ve found that in business, those that get ahead faster oftentimes are takers. Givers are people with compassion that tend to place others before themselves. Takers place themselves first and care less about how another feels. In business, takers place their agenda before the clients, whereas givers tend to care more about the client and their results.
!In a piece I recently read, New York Time Best Selling
Author, Adam Grant paints clear pictures of the giver and the taker, yet introduces a third term to describe ‘even exchange’; the matcher. The matcher believes in tit-fortat, and relationship governed by even exchanges of favors.
PATIENT -VSDOCTOR MISDIAGNOSIS
!Here are a few points that I took away from the abstract
for the book: • …success depends heavily on how we approach our interacts with other people. • Takers like to get more than they give, whereas givers like to give more than they get. • Givers and takers differ in their attitude and actions towards other people. • Matchers strive to preserve an equal balance of giving and getting. As entrepreneurs, surely both categories need ‘results’ in order to become a success, but how one goes about it is what makes the difference. In my opinion there has to be a happy medium for both the giver and and the taker.
!Due to countless episodes of Little House on The Prairie (their town store), I believe the exchange of merchandise for currency can still operate as it once did, with grace and dignity.
!Within this abstract that I read, Grant shared the story of a giver who at first seem to end up with the short in of the stick, questioning his abilities as a business owner, but the tables turn - in his favor.
!So it is possible to use true ‘keep the client first’ practices
and run a successful business! Give and Take, Why Helping Others Drives Success help us figure out how.
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Adam Grant is Wharton’s top-rated teacher. He has been recognized as one of HR’s most influential international thinkers, BusinessWeek’s favorite professors, the world’s 40 best business professors under 40, and Malcolm Gladwell’s favorite social science writers.
amazon.com
"Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them."
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