WhereItzAt Feb. 2016

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

DANA BACCHAS

of Spices Negril Restaurant & Lounge

Claudia Leon

of Island Taste Restaurant & Lounge

BLACK BUSINESS FOCUS

PRR RECORDING STUDIO PRIVACY | PROFESSIONALISM | EXCLUSIVITY 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY (See page 35)

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FEBRUARY

Vol #14 2nd edition

Articles

8 The Immortal Black Woman

Contents Feature Articles

THE QUEEN OF HOSPITALITY

26 How To Be In Love With Your Body

pg. 16

12 SONS: Seeing the Modern Black Male - African American Museum of 27 Jamaican Chef Wins on “Chopped” Nassau County 28 Faculty Spotlight: Professor JohnPaul Clarke 18 Money Series - Part 6 20 Women of Power 24 Ansel and the Meditations 25 Withdrawing Your Pension & Retirement Savings

CLAUDIA LEON ISLAND TASTE

pg. 17

THE SPICE IN SPICES NEGRIL

30 Black Inventors & Their Inventions 32 10 Black Caribbean Roots Actors

DANA BACCHAS

34 WIA Classifieds

SPICES NEGRIL

CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTO JOURNALIST

LEGAL COUNSELOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CLIVE WILLIAMS

ADIKA BUTLER

MARJORIE FLASH

GARNETT H. SULLIVAN, ESQ

UNIVERSAL PRODUCTIONS

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

ART DIRECTOR

NEW MEDIA INITIATIVES

CHRISTOPHER C. WILLIAMS

CHRISTIAN X. JONES

ROCKSTONE MEDIA GROUP

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

MANAGING EDITOR OF ONLINE CONTROLLER MAGAZINE MICHELLE WILLIAMS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ON THE COVER IMAGE ADIKA BUTLER - ANNETTE GORDON DANA BACCHAS, CLAUDIA LEON DR. CLIVE WILLIAMS - CHRISTOPHER C. WILLIAMS CLAUDETTE SPENCE - KAY-ANNIE REID MELISSA RAWLINS - PATRICK A. STERLING SHERRY MORGAN - YOLANDA CANDELARIO

ANNETTE GORDON

CHRISTOPHER C. WILLIAMS

INQUIRIIES

Clive Williams (917) 749-7613 Sherry Morgan (800) 774-2803

wiaeditors@gmail.com uniquebizandevents@gmail.com

www.gowhereitzat.com www.facebook.com/whereitzatmagazine twitter.com/gowhereitzat

WhereItzAt Magazine is published monthly by WhereItzAt Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved. WhereItzAt Magazine is a registered trademark of WhereItzAt Media Group Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent is prohibited. Views of editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of WhereItzAt Magazine, WhereItzAt Media Group Inc. or its advertisers. For questoins, comments and concerns address your letters to: WhereItzAt Magazine • 219-10 S. Conduit Avenue • Springfield Gardens, NY 11413 or email:editors@whereitzatmag.com WhereItzAt Media Group Inc. 461 Elmont Rd. Elmont,NY 11003 Phone: (917) 749-7613 4 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 5

PUBLISHER’S VIBE POLITICAL MAL-PRACTICE, MAYHEM AND MADNESS! VS.

PROGRESSIVE SANITY

AND THE

Bernie Sanders

Clive Williams, CEO/ Publisher _________________________

Y

ou bet, if more people knew how entertaining politicians and political campaigns are they would participate in the process. Sadly they don’t know, and so, one of ‘greatest shows on earth’ goes on unnoticed, except by the press and an ageing group of political junkies like me.

I want to help you understand how entertaining this political stuff really is, two competing parties vie for our votes, usually every two and four years and oftentimes in between for off season elections to fill vacancies etc. Many of these people who run for office claim they do so out of genuine concern for the common good and call themselves public servants, which they are, but its really a euphemism for ‘political masters.’ Yes they’re actually public servants because we the citizens elect them, pay them, and re-elect them, usually undeservedly, because sometimes, they’re the best of a bad lot.

Once these men and women become entrenched in office all promises of being servants for a term evaporate, they become comfortable feeding at the public trough; even the very rich who volunteer their service without requiring standard compensation, change the rules to maintain power.

Remember mayor Bloomberg? Most politicians bear very obvious character traits, some are initially attractive and engaging, until they are ensconced in power, only then, you see the narcissism, personal agenda, arrogance and banana republic mentality fully exposed. They are truly fun to watch as they navigate between their public, collegial and private lives in their newly minted God-like personas, no longer elected servants of the people, but instead self-absorbed ‘masters of the universe’.

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MILLENIAL REVOLUTION

Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump

Often, those who abuse their turn at the public trough are forcibly removed by the system they administer, causing great pain to those constituents who supported their rise to prominence; too often their shelf-life expires long before their term limits.

a new constituency of crazy, disaffected Americans.

They have recreated a circus that would be the envy of P. T Barnum in its spectacular deception and hoax -like character, but they have also proven Barnum’s assertion that, “there’s a sucker born every minute.”

This largely undiscovered spectator sport has suddenly added more excitement to its roster, with the inclusion of the presidential class of the Republican Party making their public debut in a series of debates that are totally out of touch with reality. The behavior and arguments presented by the presidential hopefuls are so breathtakingly bizarre, that they are only rivalled by the Shakespearean dramas of the Tragi- comedy genre.

This era of political malpractice, mayhem and madness by an increasingly desperate republican party is no reason for immigrants to fear for their future, in this the greatest country on earth; instead focus your attention and energy on the progressive revolution taking place as an antidote to the poison from the right. Just stop for a moment and listen to the messages of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton and you will hear substantive issues being discussed by sane, rational politicians. Are they perfect? Hell no, but they articulate and reflect the hopes and aspirations of ordinary Americans who are the real patriots. Real patriots are the people who work hard, pay taxes, take care of their families, participate in their communities and vote responsibly. If you are that person, the message of Bernie Sanders may resonate with you, whether or not you believe he can win, at least listen to his message, you may wake up to the reality that this unusual and out of the box candidate has the most durable, consistent, and authentic message in America today. Will he be the next president of these United States? On the other hand, Secretary Clinton could make history as the first woman to be president, but, does she have the overwhelming support of HER constituency (women and African-Americans)? Only time will tell, as this year could well signal the end of dynasties; the bush dynasty as well as the Clinton dynasty. In which case, we may all be FEELING THE BERN!

Against the backdrop of Syrian refugees fleeing for their lives, increased Islamic terrorist attacks in Europe, the protracted Israeli/ Palestinian crisis, domestic terrorism, the nuclear deal with Iran and the recent death of right-wing Supreme court Justice Scalia, the leadership of most civilized countries would coalesce around those issues in the best interest of their country. Not this power hungry, insane bunch of presidential pretenders, who would be laughed out of any third world country if they sought power. They represent collectively the lowest level of intellect ever on display in American politics, bringing national shame to the American brand of democracy and responsible speech, while individually revealing their personal incompetence, ineptness and lack of big ideas. The National Republican Party and its leader Reince Priebus should be charged with political malpractice, for airing the vitriolic and toxic cocktail of hate, fearmongering and nativism on display by its presidential pretenders. Sure, debates are by nature divisive and confrontational but in civilized society, there are boundaries; these pretenders know no boundaries, led by Donald Chump’s isolationist, divisive and reckless rhetoric, this bunch of clowns have created

‘Cause that’s WhereItZat!

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 7

The Immortal Black Woman

URBAN CULTURE

By Melissa Rawlins

A

Henrietta Lacks, was an African America woman born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1920 and died in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1951, at age 31.

s I sit back and look at Black History Month 2016, I can’t help but notice that it is shrouded in Black controversy.

The cause of death-cervical cancer.

There is currently an ongoing, 2 year ‘White Out’ at the Oscars, where critically acclaimed Black films and brilliant performances by talented Black actors, are snubbed. The never-ever-ever do-no wrong Beyoncé is suddenly striking fear in the entire nation with the Black Pride she displayed at the Super Bowl 50 (a long story of snub in itself!).

Her performance, some say, was a tribute to the Black Panthers, and labeled “a race baiting stunt”, sparking controversy and conjecture from ignorant blond politicos, almost immediately. And, almost most disgustingly, our beloved collard greens ad catfish Michael Jackson is going to be portrayed, on film, by a white British actor, who is eerily unbothered, saying it’s a “wonderful role” in what is “just a satire”. What’s more disgusting than that? Stacy Dash’s comments.

In looking at History, we must carefully search and dissect it for the wealth of our Black History is hidden within it folds. For example, if the Oscars, which is made up of predominately old white men (90% of academy voters are white and 70% of academy voters are male) who dictate, then YEARS FROM NOW, the standard for exceptional films, actors and story narratives, will never reflect ourselves, nor will we be recorded in the cannons of Film excellence. If they can, and do, dictate to the book of world records that films like “12 years a Slave” and “Creed” and “Straight Outta Compton” and “Beasts of No Nation” with actors like Michael B. Jordan and Idris Elba are not good enough or meritorious, then what about the History books that the children hold in their eager brown hands at school? Aren’t these school books authored by the same fraternity of the academy, and of America, correct? Although we know better, right now in these current times, it does not reflect a bit in the records.

Furthermore, if they can do that to movies and history books, which we hold as sacred, then what about religion and the proffered white Jesus? What’s the story behind that??

It is the same as for Queen Hatshepsut, the first Female Pharaoh who ruled from 1473 and 1458BC, as a man.

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Henrietta had complained to her cousins of a “knot” she felt inside her and sought treatment. While at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Maryland, the only one in proximity that treated black patients, and having radiation treatment for a tumor, she had biopsies done, removing both a healthy part of her cervix, as well as a cancerous part, without her or her families permission or knowledge. Despite painful treatments and blood transfusion, Henrietta Lacks died at Johns Hopkins hospital and her abstracted cells were given to Dr. George Otto Grey.

This researcher “discovered that [Henrietta’s] cells did something they’d never seen before: They could be kept alive and grow.” Henrietta Lacks cells, for some unknown reason, were immortal.

Her successful reign and burial in the Valley of the Kings provided her no secure spot in history, as her face and name and monuments were obliterated by her co-ruler/ nephew ThutmoseIII, years after her death, essentially erasing her from history, until the 19th century. It is the same for the great Hannibal Barca, the worlds greatest military leader period, from the North African ‘negroids’, who just about conquered the world, then placed his own broad African nose and face on one side of his own coin money, and an elephant from his famed battalion on the other. However, if you Google his name, a Greek statue appears, in all of its narrow European glory. And let’s not talk about Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra or Tom Cruise as “The Last Samurai”.

An accurate portrayal of Michael Jackson seems all the more important now, doesn’t it?

Let’s not forget our history or our heroes. Conjunctly, the opposite of forgetting is remembering. So let’s remember one of my favorite hidden history gems, Henrietta Lacks, giver of the Immortal cells.

Previous to this, cells cultured from other cells would only survive for a couple of days. George Otto Grey isolated a cell of hers, started a cell line and called it HeLa, after the initials in her name. Shortly after, the HeLa strain of cells was being used by Jonas Salk to develop a vaccine for polio. To test Salk’s new vaccine, the cells were quickly put into mass production in the first-ever cell production factory. Since then, her cells have been duplicated, researched, tested and used in a myriad of scientific landmarks, including cloning, gene mapping and in vitro fertilization. The cells of Henrietta have gone up in the first space mission to see what would happen to cells in zero gravity. This does not include the millions of tests done for things in basic household item and such as testing of human sensitivity to tape, glue, cosmetics and countless others. Scientists had grown over 20 tons of her cells, and there are almost 11,000 patents involving HeLa cells.

It was not until the 1970’s that her name was leaked into the world as more discoveries were made, and Continues on page 10

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URBAN CULTURE Continued from page 8 researchers wanted to track down her family, in the hopes of obtaining samples (of blood) from them, in order to map the family’s DNA and map Henrietta’s genes, as well.

Her daughter Deborah, who was an infant when her mother died, was always curious about her mother, because no one ever talked about her. She wondered what her mothers favorite color was, and if she loved to dance.

Her brothers, however, thought nothing of cells, until the subject of the money involving these cells became apparent. Soon enlightenment, to these wholly poor, uneducated, people who couldn’t afford health insurance, was followed by anger.

It seemed that HeLa cells were the first human biological materials ever brought and sold, which helped launch a multi-billion dollar industry. When the sons found out that people were selling vials of their mothers’ cells, they became even more determined, and launched a campaign to get what was due the family, financially, as one of them were homeless and living on the streets of Baltimore at that time.

Henrietta Lacks was buried without a tombstone in a

family cemetery in Lackstown, a part of Clover in Halifax County, Virginia. Her exact burial spot is unknown.

Lackstown is the name of the land that had been held by the black Lacks when slavery was legal. The home she grew up in, her Grandfathers home, was a two-story log cabin that had been the slave quarters of her white greatgrandfather’s and her great uncles’ plantation. Such was her life.

However, posthumously, in a more enlightened world, Henrietta Lacks is slowly but surely getting her recognition. *The HeLa cell line was brought to popular attention by two articles written in March 1976, one by the Detroit Free Press and one by Rolling Stone. *In the 1990s, the first ever article about her was published in The Baltimore Sun. *The Lacks family was honored by the Smithsonian Institute. *In 2001, the National Foundation for Cancer Research planned on honoring “the late Henrietta Lacks for the

contributions made to cancer research and modern science”, which was ultimately cancelled due to 9/11. *In 2010, Rebecca Skloot publishes The Immortial Life of Henerietta Lacks and later that same year, Oprah and HBO announced a film project based on Skloot’s book. *In 2011 Morgan State University awarded Henrietta Lacks with a posthumous honorary degree of public service. *In 2014 Henrietta Lacks was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.

It is important that we are not only the tellers of our history, but also the keepers of it, as well. History, unfortunately for some, belongs to he who wields the mightiest pen.

They also decide the Oscars. Most importantly, they are now deciding the visual cultural legacy of Michael Jackson.

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 11

COMMUNITY & ART African American Museum of Nassau County 110 North Franklin Street Hempstead, NY 11550 516-572-0731 NEW EXBIHITION General Viewing: Tuesday – Saturday February 2 – June 30, 2016 SONS SEEING THE MODERN BLACK MALE Description: SONS, SEEING THE MODERN BLACK MALE (SONS) is both timely and relevant. Recent events point to the urgent need for conversations about the contemporary Black American male. Any effort, however humble, to foster an understanding of this largely misunderstood and often maligned segment of the American population is of utmost importance.

SONS is much more than a photographic study of the modern Black male. It attempts to reveal how Black males see themselves while encouraging a thought-provoking examination of how the Black male is perceived. The carefully crafted photographs inSONS are not the work of a single photographer but the collaborations of a photographer and fifty subjects to produce images that communicate something about the humanity of each person in the exhibition. Each man photographed for this exhibition was asked to present himself as he believed himself to be - in other words, his own image. Every effort was made to involve the subjects in the production of the images to ensure that the images represented their true, unique identity.

In SONS, the socioeconomic status of the men featured are as varied as their backgrounds.

The subjects of this initial study were drawn mostly from the community of Nassau County, Long Island, New York. From this microcosm, fifty males from various ages, socioeconomic levels and professional groups submitted biographies and were photographed. The subjects should be familiar to most locals who view the exhibition because they are the men whose day-to-day existence mirrors that of most members of their community. They are laborers, police officers, health care workers, engineers, retired servicemen, clergy, businessmen and the formerly incarcerated. They are also husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, co-workers, teammates, friends and neighbors.

The exhibition consists of four sections: the introduction, the “Anonymous Faces” section, the “How I See Myself” section and the Summary/Conclusion section.

Two series of photographs were made of each subject. In “How I See Myself,” the first series of images, each subject was asked to present himself in dress and demeanor that most accurately represented him. Each subject was allowed to use props and to change clothing as many times as he wished. Most of these photographs were produced with subjects providing constant input.

In “Anonymous Faces,” the second series of images, subjects were covered with a black cloth from the neck down, which allowed only their faces to be viewed.

The heart of the exhibition, this simple exercise provides the means to compare assumptions and facts. Visitors are allowed to make assumptions about the subjects based on blackand-white photographs in which only their facial features can be seen. These assumptions can then be compared to facts about the subjects and images of the subjects as they see themselves.

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CALL CLIVE WILLIAMS AT 1-800-301-5817

SERIOUS INQUIRES ONLY

THE STERLING GROUP INC

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS/PERSONAL TAX PREPARATION

PATRICK A. STERLING BS, MS Email: psterlingp@yahoo.com

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 13

WhereItzAt Pix

Cafe Moments

e fa

Spices Negril

Restaurant & Lounge

Spices

C

David & Kit @ The Famous Cafe Moments Larry, Dante & Roger @ The Famous Cafe Moments

Negril Michelle @ The Famous Spices Negril

Donald Trump

Pauline & Pat Old Friends Celebrating

s t n e

m o

Sherman & Tammy strike a pose.

Sherry crowns Larry the Karaoke King

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(Left to Right) Annette, Pauline, Michelle & Pat “Bevy of Beauties”

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FEATURE - BLACK WOMEN IN BUSINESS

CLAUDIA LEON

!

THE QUEEN OF HOSPITALITY

BY CLIVE WILLIAMS

A

ny measure of success typically starts with a dream, a goal to be achieved an objective to be realized, but to fulfill that elusive dream, something tangible must happen the dreamer must take ACTION. You must put your DREAM in motion, you must ACT. Desmond Bent is a man of ACTION, when one business failed to take off; he did a rewind, moved in a different direction and created a Lounge called Island Taste, which to this day remains one of my most memorable experiences. Why? Because Desmond was determined to create a place and an atmosphere that his customers and friends would enjoy, he also realized that he needed the partnership of a strong, smart woman who knew and understood the hospitality business. He had met such a person, (she was already involved in a successful family run business), he now had to convince her to be a part of his dream. It turned out she had dreams of her own which were in sync with his.

The result is one of the most enjoyable places to be, for Food, Music and a great entertainment experience. The success of Island Taste is no fluke; it’s the result of hard work, incredible determination matched with the creative and hospitable skills of Ms. Claudia Leon, co-owner and Desmond’s partner.

priority. If you are dissatisfied for any reason they have an iron-clad policy to satisfy your concerns. The staff of Island Taste, are among the friendliest and helpful you’ll find anywhere, they treat customers like family and must be commended for their service.

This business has made such an impact in their community, that a long established diner in the area has had to renovate in order to match the high standards they have established, and they are determined to improve their space by making their block more attractive. Claudia is pushing to beautify her surroundings’ with trees, plants and whatever else is in compliance with city ordinances and she welcomes residents to participate with her and offer suggestions.

I have been around my community businesses as much, or more than most, so, I know who provides good, respectful and thoughtful service and without a doubt, hands down, Island Taste is outstanding, and I can only hope they continue to raise the bar, (no pun intended).

When you speak to a cross-section of Island Taste customers, they collectively tell you about Claudia’s hospitality, friendliness, and concern for their comfort. That’s why she is the Queen of hospitality in Queens. As a result of that reputation Island Taste is always solidly booked, but there’s an opportunity to discover A US Army Veteran, Claudia represents a their great food on Saturday’s 12 – 5 pm, at the growing number of black women entrepreneurs most mouth-watering brunch in Queens. I will who have abandoned corporate America either personally come over and say hi! But there’s a to own, or co-own their own businesses and caveat to all that good food and fun – YOU change the traditional role of women in the MUST BOOK AHEAD OF TIME! MAKE American economy. I have written extensively RESERVATIONS! CALL : 718 276 5000. on the role that Customer Service, Hospitality and Respect play in the running of a business, Look out for the opening of the original Island especially in black urban communities, and I Taste location, MORE GREAT FOOD IS am pleased to report that Island Taste makes COMING SOON. GET READY STEAK Customer satisfaction their Number One LOVERS! 16 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

Claudia Leon

FEATURE - BLACK WOMEN IN BUSINESS

DANA BACCHAS

The Spice in Spices Negril

EDITED BY ANNETTE GORDON

D

expanded and more personalized service to its many customers, which creates improved customer satisfaction.

ana Wallace Bacchas, a native of Jamaica, West Indies, came to the United States at age twenty-three. After thirty-two years in America, she has established herself as an entrepreneur.

No matter what experience you seek, an evening of ambiance or friendly, quick service, you will get the best quality Caribbean cuisine on the Island. From catering to great tasting food seven days a week, The Spices Negril Enterprise guarantees a mouth-watering experience with an authentic vibe. Check us out at Spices and you will discover a place to call home.

In Jamaica, her maiden name, Wallace, is synonymous with success. She is the daughter of Manley Wallace, Founder and CEO of a business empire in Negril comprising of hotels, restaurants, a shopping center, and a nightclub.

She is also the Granddaughter of two business owners, the Nembhards, of Sav- La-Mar. From the cradle, entrepreneurism surrounded Dana.

On May 30th, 2015, Dana celebrated her 32nd wedding anniversary to Jeff Bacchas. He invested thirty years in the insurance industry advancing from being an Agent to Managing Partner. Today, he is the owner of Spices Negril Restaurant and Lounge. Together, they have raised a family, living in Brooklyn, Albany, and Long Island. While traversing the different cities, their bond became stronger and aspirations greater.

Make reservations now for your birthdays, anniversaries, reunions or just to hang out with friends, call 516 - 279 - 6988 DANA WALLACE BACCHAS Lounge, an embodiment of thirty-two years of hard work. After establishing the Restaurant & lounge, in 2015, husband and wife expanded to Spices Negril Take Out Restaurant, of which Dana is the Chief Operating Officer.

She is the dedicated mother of two wonderful children. She has a beautiful granddaughter and Dana hails from an industrious background, married an ambitious man with whom she is expecting another grandchild in July. has raised a loving family. Together, they own Like her husband, Dana moved up the ranks at two flourishing businesses; Spices Negril her job of twenty years. She worked at Deutsche Restaurant and Lounge, a classy business with Bank in Manhattan; hired as a customer a Caribbean flair and flavor that caters to New representative she retired as the department York professionals and Spices Negril Take Out supervisor.

Restaurant both offering a piece of Jamaica in less than ten minutes.

In 2012, Jeff and Dana left the corporate world to pursue their dream of being business owners. Dana’s presence at Spices has brought an They opened Spices Negril Restaurant and

Spices Negril Take-Out Restaurant PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 17

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT Money Series!

Do you want to be in the Credit Score Game?

The Game – Credit Score Part 6

L

ife has a way of putting curve balls in front of us, when we least expect it, however, for 2016 let’s take a small start toward financial freedom.

The New Year is a time for rebirth, a cleansing, and a clean slate to take place. Join me in a pledge to work towards getting 2016 finances in order. Whatever your circumstances, be mindful that, it too shall pass – as long as you stick to the fundamentals I am sharing with you.

By Yolanda Candelario

Educational Videos A remedy for the DNAA State would be to consider taking a pledge on finding videos and articles on personal budgeting. Reinforcing budgeting materials will gear you up for the next step in the budget process. Below are a few suggested video recommendations to get you started.

Yolanda Candelario

Last month the Money Series outlined how our financial decisions and choices affect our wealth and those who reap the benefits.

For 2016 let’s make a choice to create financial decisions that will move us closer to the exceptional credit score. Throughout the Money Series are you envisioning, dreaming, or wanting a change in the Credit Score Game? If you answered “YES”, are you willing to join me in a pledge? Begin with promising yourself to be the Chief Financial Officer for your finances.

What is a Chief Financial Officer?

A Chief financial officer (CFO) defined by Wikipedia is responsible for managing financial risk; however, instead of managing corporate risk consider managing household risk. Essentially, you are the boss of the household finances, whose CFO responsibilities include budgeting, treasurer, and reporting. This referee is with you, as you take on the role of a CFO, in any game adjustments are necessary I will guide you in making those adjustments. This promotion in the long-term will provide great rewards to your future, ensuring financial freedom.

Why a budget?

A CFO is always looking at the current and future financial state. The budget is probably the most valuable tool needed to achieve your financial and personal goals. When it comes to budgetary methods, some experience unpleasant emotions, which can lead to the DNAA State of Mind=Do Nothing At All. 18 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

Track Cash flows Locate a template that works best keeping track of the cash inflows (income) and outflows (expenses). Developing habits on how and where you spend your money will identify what is truly important. This data will show how much money is being spent in each category by priority of importance (i.e., Housing, Utilities, Food, Transportation, HealthCare, Education, Clothing, Personal Care, Entertainment, Pets, Loans, Savings, Other). Reviewing gives you options in making adjustments to unwanted expenses, if necessary.

Tracking is a great indicator on how the household is operating with a surplus or deficit. Surpluses reveal household have a positive number indicating under spending, whereas deficits have a negative number indicating over spending.

Calculate Surplus/(Deficit) Budget Template - Monthly + Net Income (after-tax basis) - Expenses (payments) = Surplus-Positive/(Deficit-Negative) How Long to Track Cash flows?

Tracking your cash flow takes about three months before you have a realistic idea of where

your money is being consumed each month and to determine the average budget.

Budget Software Excel templates, Mint.com, or some of the websites listed above have templates that you can use to track cash flows.

Winning the Game Did you think that I would get away from the question - Did you Know that - your budget and the way you handle it, have a direct or indirect correlation to your credit score? Operating as the CFO of your household finances means that you are controlling, in particular, the outflows and those decisions will have rewards to your financial planning. CFO makes tough decisions usually unpopular or unappreciated, but that is why they are called CFO’s. A former Notre Dame executive cited “Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.” Take the pledge to bring order to your 2016 finances.

I am your Prosperity Coach, Yolanda Candelario Tel. 516-841-3401

Puzzles at cetera Politics of Jamaica ...

Word Search

Find 9 Jamaica’s Prime Ministers 1962-present

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sangster shearer manley seaga patterson

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Mini Quiz 1. What is the meaning of “Matrimony”?

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2. Complete the following Jamaican Proverb: “Every fish inna sea ________” A. Cyaan Nyam B. Got Macca Jook C. Nuh Shark D. Can Swim

Answers: 1. B 2. C

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A. A Section In The Sunday Newspaper B. A Type Of Fruit Salad C. A Road Junction D. A Fish That’s A Favorite Dish When Escoviched

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 19

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY LEADERS Ms. Lesleyann V. Samuel – Senior Consultant in Telecommunications, Educator, Community Leader & President of UJAA

Mrs. Darlyene Mayers – Educator, Civil Rights Leader, Political and Community Activist.

CBC CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH BY HONORING OUTSTANDING CARIBBEAN WOMEN On March 2nd, 2016 CBC will honor outstanding Caribbean women at its Women’s History month celebration, Women of Power Event, to be held 6-8PM at Pa-Nash Euro Soul Restaurant in Rosedale NY. New York, NY- February 16, 2016 – March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture and society. CBC celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring 11 outstanding Caribbean women who have made significant contributions Lesleyann’s passion is educating and she to our community. incorporates it into every aspect of her life. For These accomplished trailblazers are Sophia over past 35 years, Lesleyann has held various Sutton, Assistant Branch Manager Astoria positions in the telecommunications industry. In Bank East Meadow Branch, Melba Miller each position, she always took the opportunity Deputy Director & Executive Director of to share her knowledge. Today, she is a Senior Queens Borough, Dweynie Esther Paul, Kings Consultant with a telecom company where she County Civil Court Judge, 2nd Municipal develops and implements market development District, Lakshemee Singh, Talk Show Host, strategies. Since 2001, she has been on the Organizer of Richmond Hill Diwali Parade, Faculty of the University of Maryland University Faudia Baijnauth, Co-Founder & Chairperson College in Adelphi, Maryland where she teaches of Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Aminta Kilawn Business and Marketing courses.

Esq., Legislative Council of NYC, Ms. Lesleyann V. Samuel Senior Consultant in Telecommunications, Educator, Community Leader & President of UJAA, Mrs. Darlyene Mayers Educator, Civil Rights Leader, Political and Community Activist, Ms. Annette M. Gordon Community Service Advocate, Senior VP Whereitzat Magazine & Beauty Consultant, Ms. Gina Faustin Travel & Entertainment Expert, World Class Swimmer and Olympic Fencer and Dr. R Simone Lord Marcelle Pastor, Author and Inspirational Speaker.

Lesleyann currently serves as the President of UJAA, the Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc., and a Board Member of Immaculate Conception High School Alumnae Association – New York Chapter. She is the lead Mentoring “Sister” Circle for Women of Verizon – a group that she started 9 years ago.

A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Management, M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering – Technology Management from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the proud mom to son, Some of the women to be honored are Nicholas who lives and works in southern highlighted below: California.

20 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

Darlyene is a graduate of Deer Park High school.

She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Bethany College and Master of Professional Studies from Stony Brook University. Presently employed by a State University of NY as the Administrator of a unit of the LIEOC. She is a Life Subscribing member of the Freeport Roosevelt NAACP and has been its Secretary for almost 18 years.

She is also delegate for New York State United Teacher’s Union (NYSUT) and a delegate for United University Professions (UUP). Darlyene often meets with legislators, as an unpaid “lobbyist”, both in Albany and locally to request support of the organizations she represents.

Darlyene presently serves on the Statewide board of the UUP a board member and Cochair of its Affirmative Action committee and the Educational Opportunity Centers’ Concerns committee. She has served on several boards, including Freeport Library Board as its President, and the Nassau Library System, as its first Black Woman President.

The mother of two adult married sons, Lester III and Mark, and a grandmother to two adorable infants. She is married to Douglas Mayers, a political/civil rights activist “extraordinaire”.

She oversees the administrative duties of her NAACP branch. Darlyene serves as Clerk of the Vestry to the Church of the Transfiguration, she sings alto in her choir. She is also a licensed

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY LEADERS Eucharistic Minister, a Vestry member and Annette has received Citations for her service former Sunday School Superintendent. from the New York City Council, TORA and other community organizations. Annette is an Ms. Annette M. Gordon – Community avid reader and she currently enjoys a career in Service Advocate, Senior VP Whereitzat the Allied Health Care Industry.

Magazine & Beauty Consultant Ms. Gina Faustin – Travel & Entertainment Expert, World Class Swimmer and Olympic Fencer

Annette enjoyed a career for over 20 years in the Beauty Consulting and Modeling Industry as a coach and style consultant, assisting women in the art of skin care, beauty and fashion. She worked for Le Wouri Cosmetic in every facet of the beauty industry. She conducted workshops and seminars worldwide.

She is the creator of Kompa Guide Mas Camp which parades & competes annually in NY’s West Indian Day Parade; the Creole Family Concert with Nassau County Executive; the Creole Expo which highlights the best of the Creole Islands by showcasing their beauty, business opportunities, tourism, cuisine, art, music and the Creole language.

Gina leads friends and viewers to some of the most famous countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Israel, Russia, England, Tunisia, Egypt, Poland, Germany, several Caribbean Countries, China, Japan, Korea, and more.

Her travel group also sponsors “The Gina’s Weekend Travelers scholarship” to a minority student interested in traveling.

Gina is the President of Creole TV-NYC, President of Kompa Guide; Member of CliaCruise Line International, Member of TANQTravel Agents of Brooklyn & Queens; Certified Producers of QPTV; member of the Strategic Planning Committee & Finance CT at Sacred Gina is the Executive Producer of Kompa Heart Church; V.P. Parent Guild at St. Francis Guide, a 25-year-old entertainment and travel Prep High School; member of The Haitian company which produces weekly television Round Table and Marketing Chair at Sacred shows, promotes annual Caribbean festivals, Heart Catholic Academy. and specializes in international group tours.

Dr. R Simone Lord Marcelle – Pastor, She graduated from CCNY with an Architecture Author and Inspirational Speaker degree, has a minor in advertising, and a Master and Elite Certification in the Cruise Industry.

She is a world class swimmer and an Olympic fencer.

In 1993, she joined Clive Williams Communications, a Media and Entertainment Group, operating a talk radio show on the former 105.9 WNWK. That launched her career in community service and becoming involved in the communication industry. In 1994, she was a Co-founder of the Caribbean and American Mother of The Year Pageant which was designed to reinforce self-esteem and assertiveness in women who had spent much of their lives raising families. Annette served as Creative Director and Coordinator for eight Her weekly television shows include “Gina’s years.

Weekend, Streets Gaming, Mizik Creole, In 2003, she was a co-founder of Whereitzat Tele Music, Tele Education, PR Times” Media Group which launched Whereitzat which cover provide community information Magazine where she serves as Senior VP and on health, politics, immigration issues, social Managing Editor and the magazine’s Style and trends, education, entertainment and world Beauty Consultant. Her involvement in the travel. Her shows feature many controversial print media industry was a new dimension in subjects such as domestic violence, elder abuse, her career as she had to juggle responsibilities encourages viewers to exercise their freedom of that were creative as well as administrative. She speech, religion, assembly and political views. is a founding member of the newly-formed She has interviewed many dignitaries including Caribbean American Leadership Foundation ambassadors, presidents, notable authors, Inc. a 501c3 not-for-profit, to empower the senators, mayors, governors, physicians, Caribbean American community. university presidents and famous musicians.

Simone is a pastor, inspirational speaker and author of four books, the latest being, Get Out of Your Cage, Keys to Freedom in All Areas of Life. On YouTube under Rev Simone Lord, her workshops are on the following topics, Manifest Love & Money; Building Powerful Please See Over...

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 21

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY LEADERS

Leaders; How To Prosper; Making Millions by Faith; The Power of Imagination & Faith; Walk With Power; Reinvent Yourself, Transform Your Life; Heal, Restore, Expand; MY Rich Abba (Dad); Habits of Winners; Together We Can Take Back Our Community; Building Better Communities; Extraordinary; Get Published Now! and How to Start a Business With No Money, make her a captivating and sought after motivational speaker for all age groups.

Simone is the pastor of Peoples First Baptist Church; Founder and Executive Director of Royal People Group, a not for profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families in urban communities. She is also the Founder and President of the Southeast Queens Chamber of Commerce, an organization dedicated to building stronger businesses and stronger communities. Her journalistic and media career has allowed her to meet and greet President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and interview many powerful leaders, Pulitzer Prize winners, artists, literary geniuses and thinkers.

Honorable Dweynie E. Paul, Kings County Civil Court Judge

Honorable Dweynie Esther Paul is a Kings County Civil Court Judge, currently presiding in Queens County Family Court. With a passion for justice and the community, Judge 22 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

the earthquake on a missionary trip, she returned to help found and became the Vice President of a Non-profit organization called Eye of a Dream, she works to raise scholarship funds for children to attend private school in Haiti. She has organized countless immigration workshops and events like “We Remember Haiti, hosted by 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers Union and is an Honorary Board Member of The Haitian Roundtable. As the former Director of Community Service for the Metropolitan Black Bar Association and the former Member of Community Board 3, she has developed programs and workshops that served to create greater access to justice, resources and information for our communities. In 2015, Judge Paul made history by being the First Haitian-American elected Paul began to pursue a career in law and public to the Civil Court in the State of New York. service. She attended SUNY Stony Brook University where she obtained a Dual Bachelor’s ABOUT CBC: CBC is a membership Degree in Political Science and Social Science, organization that was established to provide a with a Minor in Child and Family Studies. forum for small business owners and professionals She also studied abroad in London, England in the Caribbean Diaspora to flourish. CBC has at Middlesex University and interned with the evolved to be a platform where all ethnic groups Labour Political Party (equivalent to the U.S. are welcomed and reportedly 40% of those who Democratic Party). She also interned with attend the monthly events are not of Caribbean the Honorable Daniel Lewis of the Criminal descent. Our mission is to provide a forum for Supreme Court in Queens County. She holds small business owners to aspire, connect and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and a Juris achieve.

Doctorate Degree from George Washington For more information on CBC see University Law School. www.caribbeanbizconnection.com For over 10 years, Judge Paul has practiced or call Sandra McCarty, 516-300-2427 law throughout New York City and New York State. She never wavered from her commitment to the community. Remaining true to her Haitian decent, she champions the causes of the Haitian Community in New York and in Haiti. After traveling to Haiti 3 months after

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 23

ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

Creating and Preserving Culture: An Icon

by Claudette Spence

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ooted in love of humanity, Africancenteredness, recognition of the injustices among us, and a desire to contribute to improving relations among people and community are some of the guiding principles of Ansel and the Meditations’ message music. A love of music is another. In keeping with their tradition, borne over 40 years, Ansel and the Meditations bring to us a music that uplifts, soothes, challenges, celebrates and builds community. Their music, marinated over time with experience is flavored by traditional classical roots reggae.

The Meditations, led by Ansel Cridland, have created and maintained a niche in reggae culture where the lyrics are socially conscious and the musical beat and harmony from the trio feed the soul.

Ansel was born in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, and moved to Kingston at a very early age. After being exposed to the racetrack, he wanted to be a jockey. But his stepfather insisted against it. Despite that, Ansel continued to hang around the stable in the inner region of St. Catherine where he was influenced by the older men who were apprentices or jockeys.

Ansel recalls, “We had only the moon for light.

They’d light bottle torch, and those men would sit around a circle, knock pan and sing. I loved the sound they made. Amazing harmony. But they didn’t want me around. I was too young.”

Undaunted, Ansel found a way to feed his admiration for the sound these men created. “I would climb up in a breadfruit tree and wait for them to come and start singing,” he mused.

While Ansel remains the constant between the Meditations of the 70s and the present, the original group included Danny Clarke and Winston Watson. They honed their gifts singing backup for each other making the rounds in Kingston promoting their musical talent.

Another constant of the group is its exquisite harmony. This has been guided through the 24 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

leadership of Ansel who learned music by ear. “I listened to and learned from people like Curtis Mayfield, Willie Lindo, Harold Butler, Duke Reid, the Heptones, Gaylads, and Paragons,” Ansel tells us. He plays lead and rhythm guitar an instrument he learned to play by ear.

Ansel and the Meditations, early in their career, auditioned for Bob Marley. Except at the audition Bob was playing football while Rita Marley conducted the audition. As the group

was leaving, Bob came in and inquired of Rita on the group’s performance. “They need more work on their harmony,” Ansel recalls was Rita’s response. That was a teachable moment. Ansel has perfected a harmonious sound for the group that is distinctly Meditations’. Interestingly, he chose singing as a career because he was influenced by Bob Marley’s Hurt Inside. He explains, “I was impressed with that song because I could identify with it - from my childhood.”

The improved quality of their harmony ushered Ansel and the Meditations to sing backup for Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Dobby Dobson.

One of the Meditations’ most recognizable songs is their first hit single Woman is like a Shadow. Others include, Running from Jamaica, Woman Piaba, Carpenter to Rebuild/Having Fun, and Fly Natty Dread. Another, politicallyconscious Tricked was banned from the airwaves in Jamaica and Bermuda. With a strong advocate in Desmond Elliot at JBC radio, the

ban was overturned. Ansel recalls, “Tricked aired Saturday night and Sunday people started talking about it. We got an island (Jamaica) tour as a result of this.”

In the years of creating and preserving roots culture reggae, the Meditations have released 12 albums, toured the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Ivory Coast, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Italy, France, Belgium, England, and several states in USA. In February 2016 they are touring in Missouri, California and Colorado with Laury Webb and Daddy Lion Chandel singing backup.

In addition to arranging and composing, Ansel provides guidance to emerging talent. He says, “I have overstanding to put the background harmony together for a singer that will uplift the song more – to make it pop. I’m more of a helper.” He mentions Barrington Levy. He produced his first song (Fe Me Black Girl) with Dobby Dobson. He also mentions Junior Jazz and Glen Washington as people with whom he has provided “help” early in their career.

The Meditations’ most recent album Jah Always Find a Way, (2015) is written by Ansel Cridland and produced by Meditations Music. Some of Jamaica’s most experienced and gifted musical talent on this album are Derrick Barnett, Andy Bassford, Ansel Collins, Sly Dunbar, Michael Gayle, Simone Gordon, Willie Lindo, Ranchie McLean, Lloyd Parks, Earl “Chimma” Smith, and Franklin “Bubbler” Waul .

Jah Always Find a Way brings to listeners the soulful tenor of Ansel and the enjoyable harmony of the group in a diverse collection of songs that uplifts contemporary issues, inspires hope and embraces love - great for dancing and chilling.

Contact: 917.415.4336 anselmeditations@yahoo.com www.meditationsmusic.com

URBAN BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT Withdrawing your Pension and Retirement Savings Your Retirement savings are exactly that – Retirement savings. These funds are what old timers refer to as “paying yourself money”. You are saving for the long term, when you are no longer in the work force. These funds will be critical to the lifestyle you will experience in retirement.

So be careful not to withdraw your 403(b) 401(k) or other retirement financial instrument for resolving everyday issues, unless you really must!! But if you withdraw these funds, here is how it works. When you initially open a traditional IRA, (as opposed to a Roth IRA), 401(k), or 403(b), with your employer sponsored investment advisor(s), those funds are saved tax free. This means your salary deduction which goes directly to your Investment Advisor, is not taxed through payroll.

This tax free arrangement is an incentive from the US Government for you to save for retirement. If however, you find yourself in the unenviable position, of needing your funds for some emergency purposes, (other than a home purchase), you will lose significant amounts of your hard earned and saved retirement funds.

Let’s say you withdraw $10,000 of your tax free retirement investment plan. Most investment companies will immediately withhold 20%. That’s $2,000. So you receive $8,000. At tax filing time you’ll pay a hefty early withdrawal penalty of 10% in this case $1,000.

Get Government Documents

Patrick A. Sterling

Additionally, the total withdrawal amount will be taxed at your ordinary tax rate. If your tax rate is 15%, that will be another $1,500. So from your hard earned and saved $10,000, you would have received a net of $5,500.

Further, your $10,000 compounded at 7% weekly over 20 years, would be approximately $40,500!

Maybe a better method for you is to borrow from your own account. When you borrow from your retirement savings account, there is no tax implication.

You simply complete a loan application via your investment advisor, and receive up to 50% of the amount in your account. If you repay the loan within the predetermined schedule, you actually repay yourself and the interest rates on these loans are much smaller than that which you would pay on the open market.

If you do not repay the loan as scheduled, the loan becomes a withdrawal. At that point the scenario above would ensue.

Another issue facing some of you, is what to do when you’ve left an organization where you began an individual retirement account?

Many of you worry that the organization that you’ve left may not manage your retirement funds prudently. And further, you may believe it may be cumbersome to retrieve your funds when you

That’s the major finding guide for locating publications produced by the federal government, both current and historic. There are also direct links to the documents—unless the publication exists only in print. People who need or prefer a print document can learn where to find the nearest federal depository library (NAPS)—Students, researchers, community from the CGP. leaders and anyone who needs to find information published by the U.S. government The CGP even has a feature called MetaLib that can get help from a great online resource. You lets you research and retrieve reports, articles can access library catalog records on a wide and citations by searching across multiple U.S. range of topics including defense, citizenship, federal government databases at once.

U.S. laws, health, science and more from the Government Publishing Office’s Catalog of What’s more, there’s a collection of U.S. government eBooks from a variety of federal U.S. Government Publications (CGP). agencies, all free to access.

BS, MS / Business/Tax Advisor I can be reached via inbox on Facebook: The Sterling Group Inc. or by phone: 917 250 1746

need to access same.

Here’s the good news. The organization you were with does not have custody of your funds. Retirement funds are invested in equity, bonds, and other financial instruments with investment brokers. They are the ones that retain and manage your funds. Your former company however, does have influence over those investments.

If you have an individual retirement vehicle, like a 401(k), or 403(b), many have specific individual contracts. These contracts are with you and the broker, and not with your former employer. You therefore would have total control over these funds and can move your money in and out of different stocks and bonds at will.

So if you have left an employer, there is no need to withdraw your retirement funds. Of course you can always rollover to an individual IRA that you control exclusive at your local bank, or broker.

So think twice and hard before raiding your retirement fund.

Further Information

You can make use of all these services and learn more online at http://catalog.gpo.gov.

All sorts of government information can be at your fingertips.

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 25

HEALTH & FITNESS

How to Be In Love With Your Body D

o you recall the first time you fell in love? The warm feelings it evoked all over your body? The feel of the rushing blood coursing through your veins, increased heart palpitations, sweaty palms, and the anxiety with which you anticipated the mere thought or presence of your love interest? Well, that is the kind of love we must strive for and feel about our bodies. Let’s face it; none of us have the perfect body or at least not the one we are satisfied with.

Skinny people want to be skinny; but they also want to be voluptuous. Voluptuous people want to be skinny; but they also want to be curvy. Tall people wish they were shorter, and short people wish they were taller, and the list goes on.

Furthermore, mainstream media including reality TV is designed to move trends along and trick people into believing that some particular facet of life is infinitely important and we should embrace whatever it is. The media is so good at this kind of manipulation that after a while, we actually begin to believe that the notion was genuinely ours from the beginning. Unfortunately, this means that many of us began to lose sight of who we really are. Instead, we get sucked into the tornado of celebrity trends, information overload, and hashtags. This can then leave us with a feeling of self-deficiency. From there, we begin craving social recognition, which can lead to unnecessary spending to become the version of ourselves that we believe better blends in and conforms to the social standard of the moment. But that’s not who we truly are. Instead, we are a “work in progress”.

So this month, how about trying to spend time to develop a deep, intense and sexy love affair with yourself? If you aren’t sure how to do that, here are a few things you can try.

1. Date Night – the place is your home. Schedule the time and ensure you will be alone or uninterrupted.

Pick the music you want to hear – preferably something soothing.

2. Re-introduction – get completely undressed. That means lose the wig, contacts, makeup, weave, nails, swag, dual personality or whatever other temporary “improvements” you have made or attached to 26 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

By Kay-Annie Reid

yourself for use when you step out your door and are “on stage”. Once undressed, walk up to your mirror (full length preferably) and see yourself in the raw for the first time. Really take time to admire every inch of your frame, the grooves in your skin, curve of your hips, your complexion, the features of your face and the contours of your body. Then reintroduce yourself to yourself, by telling yourself out loud all the things you like about you, or the things you haven’t noticed about yourself in a long time.

3. Acceptance – accepting yourself exactly as you are – flaws, wrinkles, curves, no booty, or too much booty and all. This is the first step in rebuilding this relationship. Think of it this way, you have met yourself for the first time and while everything about you is not perfect, you like yourself enough to give you a chance, just as you would when you meet a love interest. Self-acceptance should work the same way; it’s about dating yourself long enough to show what a great person you can be in order to justify the time and effort going forward and going deeper into it. Spoiler alert: You will be worth it!

4. Courtship – is extremely important. It’s the time you take to re-learn the things that you like, the things that make you happy, the things that make you smile, or just simply the things that you enjoy doing without anyone’s judgment. So get dressed up as you, not your alter ego, go out and do something you haven’t done for you in a long time.

5. Getting Serious – now that you have taken the time to re-introduce yourself, you may now think about healthy lifestyle changes you would like to incorporate into your life. Write these things down and make a deal with yourself that you are going to uphold your end of the bargain to get these things done. In any relationship that’s about to get serious, plans are written down or discussed, and each person becomes responsible for upholding their end of the agreement as a sign of good faith that they are serious about doing what it takes to move the relationship forward. Therefore, if your lifestyle changes include getting healthy, then make sure your goals are Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.

Certified Fitness Professional E: bustamovefitnesspt@gmail.com www.bustamovefitness.com 6. Falling In Love – at this point you should be realizing how great it is to be you, and that while we can all make improvements to ourselves, they should only be because you want to do them. Plus, a part of falling in love is to ensure that you take care of yourself and your body to keep the fire alive. This means eating healthy balanced meals, ensuring that you remain hydrated, being proactive about getting annual checkups, being physically active a minimum of 30 minutes per day, and alleviating or minimizing stressful situations. Because let’s be honest, the work should not come to a screeching halt now that we got the person we are in the relationship with, instead it’s just the beginning.

For those of us who have been in or who are in loving relationships, there is an understanding of the steps that are required to maintain a high level of interest in each other. This includes sometimes making compromises and coming to mutual understandings that may be required to ensure that the fire and excitement continues throughout the life of the relationship. These are the same principles required to maintain a love interest with ourselves. Let’s not be caught up in what society has dictated we should look like and be like, but instead learn to first love ourselves with all our imperfections. Then amplify that by doing the things we would expect and require of someone if we were in a relationship with them.

So until next time, re-introduce, re-accept, re-work, replenish and fall in love with yourself for the health of it.

FOOD & CULTURE

Jamaican Chef Wins On Food Network’s “Chopped” A Jamaican-born chef has walked away with the win and the title of “Chopped Champion” in a battle on the Food Network’s highly acclaimed series.

Chef Andre Fowles beat out his competitors to win Tuesday night with Caribbean cuisine in the spotlight.

He beat out Keisha Bocage, executive chef and owner of Bocage Catering in Houston, Texas, Rocco Nankervis, executive chef of The Oceanaire Seafood Room in Houston and Brandon Soverall, chef de cuisine at Triniti Restaurant also in Houston to take the win.

The 20-minute Appetizer round the mystery baskets contained: Shrimp, Papaya, Canned Spiced Ham and Mofongo. Fowles made Jamaican Spiced Shrimp with Papaya Chutney using thyme, frisẻe and vegetable stock.

The 30-minute Entree round mystery basket contained: Goat Chops, Chickpeas, Callaloo and Whole Coconuts. Chef Fowles made Traditional Jamaican Curry Goat using beef stock, chicken stock and jasmine rice.

The 30-minute Dessert round mystery basket included: Sugarcane, Mangos, Sweet Potatoes and Rum. Chef Fowles made Sweet Potato Mousse with Candied Mangos using egg whites, maple syrup and Pistachio nuts.

Fowles, the resident sous-chef at Miss Lily’s in New York City, formerly worked at Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Jamaica and Kingston’s celebrated Mac’s Chop House before migrating to the U.S. in 2014.

He said he will use his US$10,000 prize to visit his mother in whom he has not seen in fifteen years in the UK.

Courtesy of NewsAmericasNow.com

Chef Andre Fowles

Chef Andre Fowles PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 27

CARIBBEAN LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Faculty Spotlight:

Professor John-Paul Clarke Elected as AIAA Fellow

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(ANERS) and a member of both the U.S. Army Science Board and the NASA Advisory Council Aeronautics Committee. Recently, he co-chaired the National Academies Committee that developed the U.S. National Agenda for Autonomy Research related to civil aviation, and served on the National Academies Committee that reviewed the enterprise architecture, software development approach, and safety and human factor design of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Over the years, he has chaired or served on advisory and technical committees chartered by the AIAA, EU, FAA, “AIAA Honorary Fellows and Fellows represent ICAO, NASA, the National Academies, and the the best of the aerospace community,” said AIAA U.S. DOT. President Jim Albaugh. “These individuals have advanced the state of the art of aerospace science Professor Clarke is the director of the Air and technology, making unique contributions Transportation Laboratory at Georgia Tech. to the profession. AIAA congratulates the He was the first director of PARTNER, the members of the 2016 Class of Fellows and Center of Excellence for Aviation Noise and Honorary Fellows on their selection.”

Aircraft Emissions Mitigation, and was an active researcher in NEXTOR, the Center of About Professor John-Paul Clarke Excellence for Aviation Operations Research.

Professor Clarke is a leading expert in aircraft He is now a co-director of NEXTOR II, the trajectory prediction and optimization, follow-on operations research organization to especially as it pertains to the development of NEXTOR. flight procedures that reduce the environmental He is member of the AIAA, AGIFORS, impact of aviation. His research in this regard has INFORMS, and Sigma Xi. been instrumental in changing both the theory and the practice of flight procedure design, and Courtesy of www.isye.gatech.edu has spurred efforts nationally and internationally to reduce the environmental impact of aviation via changes in operational procedures. He is also an expert in the development and use of stochastic models and optimization algorithms to improve the efficiency and robustness of airline, airport, and air traffic operations. ohn-Paul Clarke, a professor in Georgia Tech’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering with a courtesy appointment in the Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISyE), has been elected as a Fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). AIAA confers the distinction of Fellow upon individuals in recognition of their notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics and astronautics.

Professor Clarke is co-chair of the Joint Planning Committee for the AIAA-AAAF Aviation Noise and Emissions Reduction Symposium 28 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

IF YOU FIND THIS INFORMATION AS LIFE-CHANGING AND POWERFUL AS I DID – TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS: STEP 1 - LISTEN TO THIS RECORDED #: 1-701-801-3088 STEP 2 - VISIT WWW.NOUPFRONTMONEY.COM THEN PLEASE CALL ME ASAP AT 1-800-823-2093 PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 29

HISTORY & EDUCATION

Black Inventors and Their Inventions

By Melissa Rawlins

Black Inventions Museum, a non-profit located Have you ever walked into a certain type in California. It listed, alphabetically, (pun of persons home, and walked into Black intended) and was entitled, “Black Inventors Consciousness? Into the epitome of The Black and Their Inventions.” Some are familiar but Power fist salute? quite a few were unknown to me.

Well, I recently had the privilege to be invited In the spirit of Henrietta Lacks, let’s bring to to Jamaican born Artist, Dudley Vaccianna light the unrecognized and uncelebrated. As we International Soiree at his Brooklyn apartment. celebrate Black History Month 2016!!

It is a celebration of his birthday, which is always held in conjunction of Martin Luther Kings Birthday, and the guest list is phenomenal!!

Aeroplane Propelling a James S. Adams

The most enjoyable aspect of his party is the fact that is held in his home, which is carefully adorned with African American playbills from years long gone, autographed pictures of faces we know and love decorated the walls, alongside numerous paintings in antique frames. Black and white movies of Fela and Paul Robeson are projected silently on half of the lone blank wall as world music pulses through the doors, out the windows, down the Brooklyn street, and into my car, which let me know exactly to park.

Motor a

While listening to the last of the warblers and admiring the walls, which dictate the life and times and travels of this man, I notice a bright yellow paper poster on the wall that made me stop in my tracks with the first lines….

Electric Lamp a

Latimer & Nichols

Printing Press a

W.A.Lavalette

Urinalysis Machine a Dewey Sanders Folding Bed a Shoe a

L.C. Bailey

W. A. Deitz

Rotary Engine a Door Knob a

Andrew J. Beard

O. Dorsey

Stainless Steel Pads a Toilet(commode) a

Disposable Syringe a Kitchen Table a

Home Security System a Typewriter a

For Radiation Detector a Refrigeration Controls a Lotions and Soaps a

Pressure Cooker a

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Fred M. Jones

J.B.Winters

Maurice W.Lee

Telephone System a

Granville T. Woods Tom J. Marshall

Paul E.Williams Alexander Miles

Super Soaker a Gas Mask a

Geo. Carruthers

Geo. W. Carver

Fire Escape Ladder a

Elevator a

Marie Brown

Burridge & Marshman

Helicopter a

The Bright yellow paper was the work of The

Phil Brooks

H. A. Jackson

Chess—Africans

After reading WhereItzAt Editor-in-Chief Adika Butlers editorial in the Oct/Nov issue, entitled, “Say Word” alluding to the word Alphabet, (first house) as in the written word is the first house, along with the other valuable bits of knowledge I had gleaned over the years, I snapped away, taking a remembrance of these obvious truths, for later digestion.

H. Bradbury

J. Gregory

Fire Extinguisher a

Medicine—Africans….

T. Elkins

Torpedo Discharger a

Paper—Africans

Alphabet—Africans

Alfred Benjamin

Lonnie Johnson

Garrett Morgan

Blood Plasma a

Dr. Charles Drew

Heating Furnace a

Alice H. Parker

Pace Maker Controls a Fountain Pen a

Otis Boykin

W. B. Purvis

Guided Missle a

Otis Boykin

Cellular Phone a

Henry Sampson

Multi-Stage Rocket a

Adolph Shamms

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Caribbean Roots Actors 10Black On US Television Today B

lack Caribbean-roots actors continue to

make their mark on current popular U.S. television shows. As Black History Month enters week three, here are 10 Caribbean-roots actors on highly rated U.S. TV programs as compiled by News Americas Now:

1: Kerry Washington: Kerry Marisa Washington is highly known for her role as Olivia Pope on “Scandal” since 2012 on ABC television and is getting ready to play Anita Hill in the HBO show ‘Confirmation.’ But this Bronx-born actress’ roots go straight to Jamaica. Washington’s own mother is a professor and educational consultant who was born in Jamaica. Washington is now married and the mother of one and insists her baking specialty is none other than Jamaican fruitcake.

2: Eamonn Walker: He plays fire chief Firehouse 51 Battalion Chief Wallace Boden on NBC’s ‘Chicago Fire’ but few know that actor Eamonn Walker has Caribbean roots. Walker was born in London to a 32 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

Grenadian father and a Trinidadian mother, in 1962.

He also actually lived in Trinidad for six months when he was nine years old before returning to London to attend the Hungerford School in Islington and later the University of North London. Of his Caribbean roots he says: “My whole being and everything that I do has my British and Grenadian sides running through me. Until I went to grade school, I spoke with my Caribbean accent as my mother did but quickly received my first taste of discrimination when kids made fun of me and made my life pretty miserable, because we all know how cruel kids can be (laughs). So I learned to speak like everyone else with a North London accent. Again, my need to be connected with my people has always been in me and I recently returned from Grenada where I met my father’s side of the family for the first time and it was beautiful. In every fiber of my being, knowing my people has always been important to me and I’m glad I was able to meet my extended family.”

3: CCH Pounder: This British-Guiana (now Guyana-born) actress can be seen on the popular ‘NCIS New Orleans’ on CBS. Carol Christine Hilaria (CCH) Pounder currently portrays medical examiner Dr. Loretta Wade but has years of acting under her belt, having made her debut in 1979.

Pounder was educated in England and moved to the U.S. in 1970, where she attended Ithaca College. She is married to Senegalese anthropologist Boubacar

Kone and has three children and six grand children.

4: Marianne Ragipcien Jean-Baptiste: She is an English-born actress who plays FBI agent Bethany Mayfair in the popular series on NBC, ‘The Blindspot.’ Marianne Ragipcien Jean-Baptiste was born in London to a mother from Antigua and father from St. Lucia. She grew up in Peckham and was classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and performed at the Royal National Theatre. Jean-Baptiste gained international success from the Mike Leigh-directed social drama Secrets & Lies (1996), receiving both Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nominations for her performance, becoming the first black British actress to be nominated for an Academy Award, and the second black Briton to be nominated, succeeding Jaye Davidson. She has been married to Evan Williams since 1997. She is also a writer and composer and wrote the score for Mike Leigh’s “Career Girls.” Jean-Baptiste has also written and performed with British jazz musicians, including Jason Rebello, for whom she wrote and recorded four tracks on his album “Keeping Time.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT renowned actor who played Ian Chesterton in the original run of the BBC show, ‘Dr. Who.’

5: Lorraine Toussaint: After a successful run on ‘Orange Is The New Black,’ she now plays Donna Rosewood on Fox’s “Rosewood.’ Lorraine Toussaint was born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved with her family to Brooklyn in the 1960s. She began her career as Shakespearean actress before tackling screen acting in television and film. Since then Toussaint has received critical acclaim and the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for ‘Orange Is The New Black.’ She has also played the role of Amelia Boynton Robinson in the 2014 historical drama film ‘Selma’ directed by DuVernay. She has said her aim is to get into directing especially on projects that are Caribbean-based.

6: Alfred Enoch: Alfred “Alfie” Enoch plays the role of Wes Gibbins in the ABC legal drama series, ‘How to Get Away with Murder.’ He was born in London to but traces his roots to Barbados through his maternal grandparents. He made his big acting debut in 2001 as Dean Thomas in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.’ He has appeared in seven of the eight Harry Potter films and also voiced the character in the video game based on the first part of the film. For his portrayal of Gibbins, Enoch has received two NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series consecutive nominations. His father, William Russell, is a

7: Meagan Good: This California-born actress began her career at age 4 and now this 34-year-old actress is playing the recurring role of Dr. Grace Adams on CBS’ ‘Code Black.’ Her character was just introduced in the February 10th episode. Meagan Good’s roots stretch to Barbados and Puerto Rico through her father’s side of the family. Her paternal grandmother was born in Puerto Rico and her paternal grandfather in Barbados. She also plays Lara Vega in Fox’s ‘Minority Report’ and also recurred on ‘Raising Dad,’ ‘Deception,’ ‘Californication,’ ‘Mr. Robinson,’ and ‘All That Matters,’ among others.

On the film side, she was recently seen in ‘A Girl Like Grace,’ which she also co-produced. Other film credits include ‘Think Like A Man Too,’ ‘Anchorman: The Legend Continues,’ and ‘Eve’s Bayou.’

8: Monica Raymund: This bi-sexual actress currently plays Gabriela Dawson on the NBC drama ‘Chicago Fire’ but even though she was born in Florida, Monica Raymund’s roots extend to the Caribbean. Her mother was born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and is a community volunteer and co-founder of the Soulful Arts Dance Academy in St. Petersburg. Raymund had her big break of ‘Law & Order’ She is an ardent supporter of

LGBT rights. She divorced in 2013 and in February 2014, she came out publicly as bisexual for the first time via Twitter.

9: Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro: He was born in the Bronx to parents from Trinidad & Tobago. Now the former ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ star and season nineteen winner of ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is hosting ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos.’ Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro was named as Tom Bergeron’s successor as host of the show. Ribeiro began his career at the age of eight. He first gained recognition in 1983, when he played a leading role in the Broadway musical ‘The Tap Dance Kid.’ His mother was the daughter of Trinidadian Calypsonian the Roaring Lion. He is currently married to writer Angela Unkrich and the couple have two sons while Ribero has one from a previous marriage.

10: Peter Thomas: He plays himself on Bravo’s Reality TV show, the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ and is the husband of series co-star Cynthia Bailey.

Peter Thomas was born in Jamaica, raised in Brooklyn and lived in Miami. He is very much the entrepreneur, launching a bar which he co-owns with Bailey and recently announcing the launching of “Peter’s Brew,” a line of Jamaican gourmet coffee.

Courtesy of NewsAmericasNow.com PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 33

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