MAY/JUNE 2021 ISSUE 08
THE ICON, THE LEGEND
STEVE PROCTOR, JR. Page 24
THE HEROES OF OUR COUNTRY Master Gunnery Sergeant Holland
Page 19
An Alpha Man, HBCU Educated Darrius Jerome Gourdine Page 8
VANDPMAGAZINE.COM
The Community Pastor of Grace
Revered Lincoln M. Burruss, Page 20 Jr Page 10
VISION & PURPOSE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
CONTENTS 10 The Community Pastor of Grace
19 The Heroes of Our Country
30 2NC Feature
44 Vocal Motion Six (VM6)
6 Inspirational Moments Greater Is Coming Joy Is A Superpower 8 Education Is Key An Alpha Man, HBCU Educated 14 Political Awareness Political Strategist Helping to Move the Community Forward 17 Community Outreach May/June Awareness 30 2NC Feature Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D. Samuel G. Puryear, Jr. 34 Health & Wellness Your Health Is the First Thing: Everything Else Is the Next Thing The Local Supermarket 36 Authors Speak Spring Into Writing! 38 All Things Fashion Special Seasons Coming Out of the Shell
24 Steve Proctor
46 Sports Report A Time to Reflect
The Icon, The Legend
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May/June 2021 Founders Karen McConnell-Jones & Dr. Sharon H. Porter Editor-In-Chief Dr. Sharon H. Porter
Contributing Writers: Inspirational Moments Education Is Key
Marjorie M. Middleton
Sharon H. Porter, Ed.D.
Business & Entrepreneurship Karen McConnell-Jones
Health & Wellness
Jason Greene Candice Camille
Political Awareness Karen McConnell-Jones
Community Outreach 2NC Feature
Authors Speak
All Things Fashion
Performing Arts
Karen McConnell-Jones Dr. Sharon H. Porter & Karen McConnell-Jones
Deputy Editors Karen McConnell-Jones Seth Washington Marjorie Middleton Layout & Design Dr. Sharon H. Porter Director of Graphics & Design Krystal Glenn Director of Sales Karen McConnell-Jones Sales Team Michelle B. Hauser Deven Richmond Photographer Dominique Massaquoi
Essie McKoy, Ed.D.
Antonio "Tony" Turner Martina Turner Laila Cunningham
Seth Washington
Sports Report
Karen McConnell-Jones Deven Richmond
Cover Story
Karen McConnell-Jones Sharon H. Porter. Ed.D.
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Contact www.vandpmagazine.com info@vandpmagazine.com sales@vandpmagazine.com
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V&P Service Page Special dedication to Donna Harris and Krystal Glenn
The V&P Team is here to be a positive voice for our community through the stories that are shared in our magazine. In addition, we would like to provide services for our community to continue to help build our community one VISION and one PURPOSE at a time! For services and pricing, please contact us at info@vandpmagazine.com. Karen McConnell-Jones Dr. Sharon H. Porter Krystal Glenn Karen Clay Stevie Gaymon Domminique Massaquoi Jason Greene Kyonna F. Brown Dr. Essie McKoy James Adéll Antonio Turner Martina Turner Seth Washington Candice Camille Donna Harris Michelle B. Hauser Laila Cunningham Deven Richmond
Inspirational Speaker and Business Development Consultant (Marketing & Branding Specialist) Educational Consultant, Panel Facilitator & Book Publisher Graphic Designer Website Designer Photographer Photographer Chef & Catering Service Inspirational Speaker & Social Media Specialist Inspirational Speaker & Educational Consultant Custom Men's Clothing Designer Hair Stylist & Hair Care Products Hair Stylists & Hair Care Products Writer, Vocal Artist & Master of Ceremony Personal Trainer Tax Accountant Virtual Assistant Model Sports Consultant
Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine "Inspiring Our Community" www.vandpmagazine.com
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Contributors
Marjorie Middleton Deputy Editor Inspirational Moments
Marjorie Middleton is a teacher, active in the community, striving to serve the underserved. Marjie’s journey began on an Apache Indian reservation.
Marjie led her team to a successful , police awarded de-escalation of a marginalized neighborhood’s open air drug market, also reaching many children and their parent’s spiritually. Marjie writes, and leads Zoom discussion/prayer groups addressing present time facing COVID--19, emphasizing the vitality of understanding Black Lives Matter.
Dr. Sharon H. Porter (Dr. Sharon), educator, best-selling author, publisher. Dr. Sharon is the Executive Director of the Next In Line to Lead Aspiring Principal Leadership Academy (APLA). and President of SHP Enterprise, the umbrella entity for Perfect Time SHP LLC, Coaching, Consulting, and Book Publishing Firm, The GRIND Entrepreneur Network, and SHP Media and Broadcasting. She is the host of The I Am Dr. Sharon Show.
Dr. Sharon is a Founding Partner and VicePresident, Media & Communications for WNM Ventures, LLC (The What Now Movement).
Chef Jason Greene Health & Wellness
Chef Jason R Greene is a certified chef who studied at the Art Institute of Washington. He is a very skilled, technically savvy, determined chef who specializes in Cajun Cuisine and innovating new types of menus as time progresses.
Chef Jason is constantly expanding his culinary knowledge and has strong aspirations in making Chef J Greene a household name. In January of 2013 Chef J Greene branched out and started TJay’s Catering Company, a company he quoted to provide high quality cuisine to nourish the mind, body and soul.
MAY/JUNE 2021
Karen McConnell Jones Business & Entrepreneurship The Sports Report Community Outreach Politcal Awareness
Dr. Sharon H. Porter Education Is Key
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Karen McConnell-Jones is an Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, being the first African-American full-service upscale Salon/Day Spa, located in the prestigious downtown Washington, D.C., two blocks from the White House.
Ms. McConnell-Jones is the CEO & President of Class Act Productions and Class Act Speakers Bureau, lending her expertise in the area of Business Development, Business & Purpose Coach, and Inspirational Speaker. Best known for her work she does in the community, earning over 30 proclamations for her work in the community. She is also Deputy Editor, Director of Sales, Co-Founder and Owner of V&P Magazine & Media.
Deven Richmond Sports Report
Deven Richmond is a student at Howard University, majoring in Business Management. Deven is a member of the Howard University Men's Basketball team.
Deven is a Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine contributing writer for the Sports Report Column and a member of the Sales Team.
Contributors Antonio Turner All Things Fashion
Tony Turner is co-owner of Tony Turner Hair Products & Salon located in Richmond VA. He is a licensed cosmetologist/ salon owner with over 30 years experience. He has worked for many hair care brands before creating his own line of hair care products. Tony is an award-winning hair stylist and was named Hair Styling Icon by Beauty & Barber Magazine.
Martina Turner All Things Fashion
Martina Turner is working on building the Tony Turner Unleashed Brand with her Husband/Business Partner, Antonio Turner, located in Richmond, Virgina.
Martina has 26 years of experience in the Cosmetology field. She's had the opportunity to do Platform work at the International Beauty Show in New York City, work with Wahl Clipper Company He has owned multiple hair salons. Beginning with at the Bronner's International Beauty Show in his first salon The Untouchables at the age of 19. Atlanta Georgia. He is looking forward to sharing his insight with V&P readers. Martina is working on photography, filming, designing, creating new looks for advertisement, commercials and Trade shows for Tony Turner Unleashed Hair Care Products.
Candice Camille Health & Wellness
Candice Camille is CEO of Candice Camille Enterprises, Founder of Sexy Fit & Well, and Plank Talk Nation. She is a planking world record contender, an award winning sort after International Speaker and Media Personality.
Along with being a High Performance Personal Trainer, Certified Emotional Mastery Coach and Amazon bestselling Author. She has also been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, WUSA 9, and ION TV. As a committed community leader, Candice is CoFounder of Girls Run, Inc. where she serves as a running and mentoring coach for young girls.
Seth Washington Performance Arts Deputy Editor
Seth Washington writes about Performing Arts for V&P Magazine. Also, he performs spoken word poems, at DC-area venues, including Busboys and Poets. These days, Zoom is the venue, wherein, this writer has hosted, moderated, spoken, as well as, simply watched and listened. IG: seth.voice
Dr. Essie McKoy Authors Speak
Dr. Essie McKoy, CEO of Dr. Essie Speaks, an award-winning educator, a four times Amazon bestselling author, a coach, an inspirational speaker, and a radio host.
She received her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) and an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed. S.) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Winston-Salem State University.
Michelle Hauser Sales Team
Dominique Massaquoi Photographer
Dominique Massaquoi was born and raised in Washington DC. She is an up-and-coming photographer. She has a marketing degree from The Pennsylvania State University and is the owner of a photography business, HawaDigital.
She enjoys capturing special moments with her lens. She feels like photography is an art and it allows her to tell a story that can be captured in a second. She specializes in street photography, especially graffiti murals.
Krystal Glenn Graphic Design
Krystal Glenn is the Lead Cinematographer at OG Media Productions. She graduated from Hampton University in 2002 with a degree in Business Administration and started a career in Accounting with a non-profit organization.
She went on to attend Full Sail University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Digital Cinematography. She is a cinematographer, writer, speaker, and producer. As a cinematographer, she has worked on a variety of genres of projects including commercials, PSA, music videos and minidocumentaries, video streaming, short films, commercials and more.
Michelle B. Hauser is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She has worked in the medical field for over 17 years.
She is currently a Compliance Educator with a HealthCare Organization in North Carolina. Michelle earned a Master‘s degree in Medical Health Administration from Strayer University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from Salem College.
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Inspirational Moments
is coming by Marjorie M. Middleton
We have all had a goal or a vision that did not come to fruition; not for lack of hard work or determination, but due to a circumstance or situation that became the thief and snatched your dream away. What you’d perceived as your destiny, suddenly gone! Several years ago, there was such an occurrence in my daughter, Camille’s, life. When those derailments come, who do you hold responsible? How do you handle your disappointment or, even, anger? People are made of flesh and blood and experience emotional pain. But, we are also Spirit, so we can learn to manage physical and mental responses by leaning on that inner power… God. But, there are many steps, much growth, prayers, and of course, God’s anointing power that sustains us and steers us to that place of peace and forgiveness! These steps are sufficient in taking us the first tiny steps towards renewed strength and a new plan. Otherwise, the stronghold of unforgiveness can block God’s mercy and grace from your heart. Unforgiveness has other names, as well: depression, fear, anxiety, disease, nervousness, the list goes on… Nothing we do can take the place of forgiveness, even when the enemy is not in human form. As I am writing, I am reminded of Camille’s testimony. During her senior year, while pursuing her undergraduate degree, she was faced with the most difficult trial of her adult and college life. She was a Dean’s List student all four years, student-athlete, president of the Gospel Choir, and a sought-after soloist in the town where the college was located. After so much success, now a trial. As her parent, I worried and tried to be supportive. She would teach me about perseverance and forgiveness. During such a trying time, she wrote this: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” I think of this quote that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had strategically placed in his letter from the Birmingham jail… “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” I think of this long-term mantra of mine from the proverbs of Confucius… “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” I think of these words of Gandhi in the midst of his hunger strike… In this test that I am facing right now, it feels like I should give up. Every day I ask God, “why me?” And, as I’m in tears, just knowing how hard I’ve worked to get here, I remember the scripture in 1Corinthinans 10:13 that says God will never put more on me than I can bear. My anthem for this time has been Jekalyn Carr's ‘Greater Is Coming’. No matter how difficult it seems in the midst of the storm, I know that it is! Just like the olive has to go through the shaking, the beating and the pressing for its’ oil to run, that is, and will be, my testimony for I KNOW MY GREATER IS COMING! (Camille Cipollone is a recent graduate of Morgan State University receiving her Master’s Degree in African American History ). Greater continues.
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Inspirational Moments
Joy Is A Superpower by Marjorie M. Middleton
When I wake up in the morning, I make it a point to have a smile on my face. What a lovely feeling. No bad dreams, no uninterrupted sleep. Joy is definitely a superpower. “May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Roman 15:13 (ESV). Joy releases the power to love. Joy creates the power to bless others. There is definitely a sure way to invoke that power. Memorize scriptures that bring forth the feeling, the strength of joy. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 (NIV). No matter the circumstances, we are blessed. We have the power, the assurance, the One who sees us through. We just must allow God to do his thing and not fret—be patient and let this jar of clay (our bodies) handle and administer the joy he supplies. Take a moment and look at the remarkable people you surround yourself with. Take yet another moment and enjoy the blue skies and the sun shining on your beautiful face. Take time to inhale and exhale slowly. That’s joy! “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10b One last scripture, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that ye may know the hope to which he has called you, the richest of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” Ephesians 1:18. Live in JOY! MAY/JUNE 2021 V&P MAGAZINE | 7
Education Is Key
An Alpha Man ...HBCU Educated By Sharon H. Porter. Ed.D.
Darrius Jerome Gourdine EDUCATION IS IS
Darrius Jerome Gourdine, the man of many talents. I had the pleasure of "meeting" Darrius in a Spring 1990 Facebook Group. A group for members of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) that were all initiated during the Spring Semester of 1990 in their respective BGLO. I soon discovered there was more to Gourdine than just helping with the moderation of this Facebook group. He is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, serial entrepreneur, HBCU advocate, and CEO of DJG Enterprises. He earned a Bachelor's degree at Howard University in 1992. His writing credits include As the Sand Burns (ATSB), the longest-running online soap opera. The storyline is based on black college life and the Black Greek Experience. BET.com featured ATSB from May 2000 to May 2003. ATSB relaunched in June 2013 on the popular web portal Greekhangsuite.com.
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Education Is Key Darrius has written and published eight personal books. In July 2006, Jewels: The Story of the Founding of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, a novel based on the founding of the fraternity was released. The second edition of Jewels includes The Alpha Hashtag History Project. At the top of each page of Jewels the Second Edition, there is a hashtag that you can search on social media to learn facts about individual chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Jewels: The Story of the Expansion of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was released in 2011. This was the sequel to the 2006 novel. Gourdine was a featured author in The HBCU Experience Anthology: Alumni Stories From the Mecca (2020). This series highlights the experiences of graduates from various Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Alumni stories from The Mecca shared the experiences of nine graduates of Howard University, known as The Mecca. There is no sign of Gourdine slowing down. He is currently working on a book and video documentary of the chartering history of a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Kansas City. In addition, he will be working on a Jewels app where historical tidbits will be available about Alpha Phi Alpha every week. If that's not enough, he is also working on Part 5 of his The Assignment novel series. Darrius currently resides in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina with his wife, Kathy Gourdine. They are the proud parents of Dylan Joshua Gourdine.
About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternitiy, Inc Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the first intercollegiate historically African American fraternity, founded December 4, 1906, at Cornell University. Chapters were chartered at Howard University and Virginia Union University in 1907. Alpha Phi Alpha was directly responsible for the conception, funding, and construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC. MAY/JUNE 2021 V&P MAGAZINE | 9
Business & Entrepreneurship
The Community Pastor of Grace By Karen McConnell-Jones As we all know, the church is said to be the pillar of our community and the pastors are our anchors. The combination of the two allows for our community to have a place of “Safe Haven” that we have come to rely on and Central Baptist Church of Camp Springs (CBCCS), Led by Revered Lincoln M. Burruss Jr. is one of those places. Revered Lincoln M. Burruss Jr. has been in ministry for thirty years as of this coming August. Rev. Burruss was called to preach at a very young age, but like most ministers, that wasn’t his plan. It was not until 1981 that he accepted his call to ministry and was ordained in 1998. His Pastor and mentor, the late Rev. John H. Parker, prepared Reverend Burruss well to succeed him as pastor of Central. The church elected him as Assistant Pastor in 2009 and after the death of Reverend Parker, the church elected Reverend Burruss to become Senior Pastor on April 13, 2012. He is pursuing a doctorate degree in biblical studies. When asked, who is Reverend Lincoln M. Burruss Jr. and what do you want our readers and community to know about you? He responded by saying, “I’m just a normal everyday person that God has placed a call on my life, and because of that, I have learned to meet and love people where they are. I’m married to my lovely wife, Angela Burruss, and have three young adult children, Jada and Jalynn (twins) and Javon. I have a big love in my heart for my church and for my community. And, I am honored to say, under my leadership we have implemented food distribution with prayer tents, the opening of our Outreach Center that has a mental health unit on the top floor, turning the church into a vaccination center for COVID, adopted schools to donate school supplies, backpacks, and a week’s worth of food for the families.”
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“I believe it is important to be active in the community because our church is in the community. I feel that it should be the glue that keeps the community together…it should be a place that helps, supports, and feeds the people, physically and spiritually. I have an old-school vision of a church where the pastor is known by all in the community and active. I have always asked the question if the church would close in the community, would it be missed?” Reverend Burruss goes on to share that pastoring is different now because of COVID. He is unable to see and visit his members when they are sick or have large homegoing services. He misses the closeness of being around his members but said he has to look to see the blessings as well. COVID has made him focus on those things that the Bible has mandated the church to do. The pandemic has also allowed Reverend Burruss to focus the vision of the church to be more intentional in what they do. They are feeding over 500 families a week and their services are virtual which reach over 3000 people a week. Because of this, they have new members not just in the DMV, but all over the country now. The church also started Mental Health Mondays that provides tools for coping and provides topics of discussion to allow their members to have a voice to stress their concerns. Every Wednesday, they have Wellness Wednesdays (For Your Soul) that provide healthy eating information, exercising, and a Word from God. Okay, Pastor, this is amazing! I see why you are called the “Community Pastor or Grace.” What does this mean to you? “Just as God has offered His grace to us, I offer grace to the community. In Exodus 33:17, we see that grace wins for us a new relationship of intimacy with God. So as the “Community Pastor of Grace,” I look to build a relationship with the community in which I pastor. This is why one of my favorite scriptures is 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV), Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In preparation for the story with Reverend Burruss, to my surprise, I learned that the “Community Pastor of Grace” used to play the drums. When I asked Reverend Burruss to explain, he shared that he is a drummer at heart. He started playing the drums in the fourth grade. He played in the junior high school orchestra, the Ballou Knights Marching, and the Concert band. Playing for choirs, first at Rehoboth Baptist Church in D.C. and his current church, the Central Baptist Church of Camp Springs is where he did most of his playing. Every now and then, Reverend Burruss still will play if a drummer is not available. As the little birdy shared with me, this is another reason why he is the “Community Pastor of Grace,” he is not only a great leader but he is the best team player and he will do whatever it takes for the team. Even if it means filling in and playing the drums from time to time, which he plays with so much love and enjoys every bit of it as well. Rev Burruss’ humility is the best. He always seeks to add value to others.
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As we celebrate Men’s Health Month this June, Reverend Burruss stated that his secret sauce to staying fit mentally and physically is when the weather is nice you can find him walking in the parking lot of the church or even in the streets of the community to keep in shape. He also lifts weights and tries (notice the word try) he said, to eat right. Every Monday he joins in with his members for Mental Health Monday to help him with the daily stresses of the day, but most of all, he always prays and reads and meditates on the Word of God. Final Words of Wisdom “I will leave you with this for the young and aspiring minister, my advice is to stay humble, be prepared to always share the Word, and let your talk match your walk. As for my community, our church is always here to be of service and my prayer is that everyone will give their life to the Lord. May God’s Grace and Mercy continue to be with us all. Amen!”
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POLITICAL AWARENESS
Political Strategist Helping to Move the Community Forward By Karen McConnell-Jones
A Political Strategist plays an important role in helping to move our community forward. They are the person behind the scene fighting for community rights and helping the best candidate to get in position to run an effective campaign race. There are three main factors in strategizing an effective campaign race, which are having efficacious campaign objectives, knowing your target audience, and key messaging. A great Political Strategist is looked upon as the Brand Ambassador of politics. They help to brand both sides, branding the political candidate while having the community's best interest at hand. Which brings me to one of the great Political Strategists, Mr. Rahsheim Wright, who knew very early in his young career that this would be his path? While attending Savannah State University he campaigned to elect his university’s dean as the second African-American Mayor of Savannah, Georgia. Wright went on to work in local, state, congressional, and presidential elections in various states around the country. After earning his B.A. in Mass Communications from Savannah State University, Wright began working on corporate public relations campaigns with Cumulus Broadcasting. He returned to the political and community outreach arena and has continued fighting for underserved communities until this day. MAY/JUNE 2021
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”“Yes, while attending Savannah State University and having activist professors who taught us the oral traditions of Black history and culture, we were also encouraged to get involved in our local community. While a student, I interned on Congressional campaigns, which exposed me to other local political leaders in Savannah. Also, as a leader on campus and President of several campus organizations, I was able to build student power by holding our university leadership and local elected officials accountable. We were able to organize student coalitions that put together Mayoral and Congressional debates that address local, state and federal issues which helped decide the leadership of our community. I thought it was important for student leaders to empower our campus community.”
Wright went on to express how it was a great honor to serve the first Black President of the United States. It was great exposure for Wright, along with an opportunity to work with senior level national policy experts. He was then appointed to the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor, and had the pleasure of working on disability employment policy, civil rights, ex offender reentry and retirement security.
Wright built legislative support for DOL regulation on Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 that prohibits employment discrimination against disabled veterans, and recently separated veterans, by federal contractors and subcontractors
“For far too long underserved communities have seen fewer resources when it comes to education, economic development, healthcare, housing, jobs and infrastructure development. It’s important that we stress advocacy and community organizing to our neighborhood associations, HOA, and community groups to hold elected officials accountable and show up in mass numbers at the county council hearings, state general assembly sessions and on Capitol Hill. We must constantly empower our citizens to take action. This experience gave me the opportunity to become a regional campaign director for Obama in Coastal Georgia and then continue with the campaign on the organizing team in Houston, Texas.”
Photo Courtesy of DaKara Spence
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Wright’s career path also led him to work for the U.S. Congresswoman Donna Edwards, which he shared was a great experience working for a progressive champion that aligns with his political views. Congresswoman Donna allowed him the opportunity to be creative and create programs that have informed, empowered, and activated the residents of the 4th Congressional District of Maryland. Wright was able to lead the effort of putting together nonprofit conferences that engaged over 300 plus nonprofit leaders in the DMV, work on the formation of the Prince George’s Reentry roundtable, where state local and federal agencies along with faith leaders and grassroots organizations, came together to work on policies to decrease the recidivism rate; college and careers fairs with workshops on preparing students for after high school graduation, job fairs with seminars on career readiness, and working with our legislative teams to draft policies that would help everyday working people. Also, Wright had the opportunity to meet visionary corporate and nonprofit leaders along with visiting all the public schools, colleges and universities, senior centers, small businesses, big corporations, nonprofits, and all the leaders who make positive change in the district.” “After working for the Obama Administration and for Congresswoman Donna Edwards, I had so many takeaways and things that I have learned that are now allowing me to enhance my career. In my current role working as the Area Political Director for the Service Employees International Union in Washington, D.C,. I have been able to keep the relationships I built while working in this industry to help build grassroots and national coalitions to help pass progressive policies. It’s important that I continue and have been building stronger relationships with elected officials who will become champions for a united cause. Helping working families along with training citizen advocates on how to navigate government, particularly in the District of Columbia City and the Prince George’s County Council and the Maryland General Assembly to get positive outcomes, along with the ability to advise nonprofits and governments on outreach strategies that engage communities of color. At the Service Employees International Union, I help manage multimillion-dollar electoral and issue-based campaigns to pass healthcare, minimum wage, retirement security, family paid sick leave, and the fight for the right to organize and join a union.” “I think we have a bright future, but must continue to take bold risks and run for public office. We have a lot of new faces that are younger, energetic, and creative that have the courage to serve, but we must continue to give them our support and encouragement to always work in the best interest of the people they serve.” Community service still plays an important role for Wright. He is currently a board member of the Hillcrest Children and Family Center, which is a behavioral healthcare and social services agency that provides behavioral health treatment and prevention as well as community and family support services. They promote wellness for the well-being of our service population, and the general community, which are majority African American and Latino populations in the D.C. area. Outside of Wright working the Obama 2008 Primary and General Election campaign, as well as for the Former Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Wright has worked for Cumulus Broadcasting, Democratic Party of Georgia, Gov. Martin O’Malley reelection /Democratic Party of Maryland, Rushern Baker, and many other federal, state, county, and municipal officials. We can truly say that this Young Professional, Mr. Rahsheim Wright who earned a scholarship to Savannah State University as a Classical/Opera Singer, graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication has sung his political strategy all the way to the top and is still striving. Keep up the amazing work and continue to follow your purpose.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
V&P COMMEMORATIONS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY/JUNE National Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. The ribbon color is green. National Military Appreciation Month is celebrated every May and is a declaration that encourages U.S. citizens to observe the month as a symbol of unity. The ribbon color is yellow. Happy Mother’s Day From Team V&P Men’s Health Month raises awareness about health care for men and focuses on encouraging boys, men, and their families to practice and implement healthy living decisions, such as exercising and eating healthy. Family Health & Fitness Day is celebrated every second Saturday in June each year. This special day promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy. Happy Father’s Day From Team V&P MAY/JUNE 2021
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May 2021 Days: 1st International Labor Day 1st School Principals' Day 3rd World Press Freedom Day 3rd Melanoma Monday 9th Mother’s Day 10th World Lupus Day 11th World Fair Trade Day 12th World Migratory Bird Day 15th International Day of Families 17th Endangered Species Day 17th World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 18th International Museum Day 21st World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 22nd International Day for Biological Diversity 23rd World Turtle Day 23rd National Melanoma Day 29th International Day for UN Peacekeepers 31st World No Tobacco Day 31st Memorial Day (United States) Month-Long Awareness: Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Better Hearing and Speech Month Clean Air Month Foster Care Month Mental Health Awareness Month National Barbeque Month (United States) National Arthritis Month (United States) National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (United States) National Military Appreciation Month National Physical Fitness and Sports Month (United States) National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (United States) Nurses’ Week May 6-May 12 (United States) Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3 -May 7. Women’s Health Week is from May 9 - May 15
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June 2021
Days: 1st Global Day of Parents 5th World Environment Day 8th World Oceans Day 12th Family Health & Fitness Day 12th World Day Against Child Labor 14th World Blood Donor Day 17th World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 20th Father’s Day 20th World Refugee Day 21st International Day of Yoga 22nd World Rainforest Day 23rd Gay Pride Day 23rd International Widows Day 26th International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 30th International Asteroid Day Month-Long Awareness: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month National Men’s Health Month Professional Wellness Month Adopt a Cat Month! African-American Music Appreciation Month
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
THE HEROES OF OUR COUNTRY By Karen McConnell-Jones
As we celebrate Military Appreciation Month this May, V&P lifestyle Magazine gives the spotlight to one of our “Heroes” who has served this great country of ours for nearly twentyeight years. Master Gunnery Sergeant Eric S. Holland, we salute you and we honor you for your dedication, commitment and courage to protect and serve your country. Yes, you are truly one of our “Heroes” and yes, the people of your community truly admire and applaud you for your outstanding achievements and for the noble qualities that you display. Master Gunnery Sergeant Eric S. Holland enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program (DEP) on 29 April 1983. He began recruit training with the Third Battalion, India Company at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina on 13 November 1983. He was awarded the series High Performance Fitness Test (PFT) and selected as Platoon Honor Man and received the rank of Private First Class. He went on to serve in the USMC for nearly twenty-eight years; at the time of his retirement he had achieved the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant/E-9.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Holland, in his time of service had achieved many decorations, to include: Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5th award), Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3rd award), Navy Unit Commendation (3rd award), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3rd award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Iraq Campaign Medal (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2nd award), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (8th award), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (6th award), Marine Security Guard Ribbon, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Presidential Service Badge and Naval Air crewman insignia.
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“I am proud to say that I served my country just as my father (John Robert Holland Jr. / USA Veteran WWII) did. As a man of Masonry, Eastern Star, and Shriner I have dedicated my life to the service and continued support of our communities Widows and Orphans. I served faithfully in the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Nevertheless, ever since I could remember, I always wanted to serve in the military. I recalled at the age of four, during the protests in DC after the death of MLK, watching the military marching up and down the streets, my family always talked about how I would march and salute military vehicles, not to mention both my eldest brother and brother-inlaw served in the military. We lived on C St. NW Washington, D.C., just one block from Union Station and near the U.S. Capitol. While in high school I took four years of Air Force JROTC.” Master Gunnery Sergeant Holland shared with me some of the challenges of being a Black male in the military. The most specific challenges that he had to face were navigating the institutional racism and bigotry in the Marine Corps (last of the services to segregate). He shared that it wasn’t uncommon to be one of a handful of Black males in your unit. You had to have your uniform pressed and shoes shined “all the time”, you had to perform above the minimum standard “every day” and that didn’t guarantee selection to leadership positions and promotion ahead of your peers. Your room (field days) had to be cleaner and neater than anyone else in the barracks. If not, you “failed” inspection and would be placed on weekend clean-up duty. At work, you need to know your job Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) inside and out. During fitness tests, you had to run faster and jump higher than anyone. He made it his mission to never let anyone outperform him during Physical Training. He always scored a perfect “300” on his Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and never let anyone beat him on the “3 mile runs''. If you were “too” black or “too'' loud they were either afraid of you or talked about how “unset” you looked in uniform. Bottom Line…if you wanted to be promoted, you had to “raise the bar” and perform at a higher standard. All in all, Master Gunnery Sergeant Holland cherishes the places that he has traveled and all of his experiences while serving in the military. As he shared his compelling stories, one being of him supporting Pope John Paul II's visit to the U.S. and taking pictures of kissing the Pope’s ring on his finger and doing a lift/drop on the Presidential Aircraft with the Pope. He also traveled to Jerusalem to visit each of the Holy sites: celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem; baptized in the Jordan River; Easter at the Garden Tomb; Walked the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) at Easter; Church of the Last Supper (East Jerusalem); Church of the Holy Sepulcher (site of the Crucifixion); Nazareth to visit Basilica of the Annunciation (Mary’s Well) where the Angel told Mary she would give birth to the son of God.
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“Wow! There are so many memorable experiences but the one that I am most proud of, growing up in the Nation’s Capital; you often see the Presidential Aircraft flying throughout the city. I often dreamed about being able to fly on the aircraft. I lived my dream of walking, flying in and shaking the hand of the President (Clinton) in the Oval Office.”
As a retired person of the military, Master Gunnery Sergeant Holland said he enjoys taking all his years of experience and now he gives back to his community by volunteering as much as possible at the local Food Bank, packing meals on the weekend, giving back by being involved in a virtual mentoring group which meets monthly to discuss the challenges of being a Black man in today’s society and they offer advice to our young men and future Kings (Discussions From the Dominoes Table), setting the example by challenging other men in his inner-circle to participate and give more of their time, always speaking to young men and asking them knowledgeable questions about local government and Black History, participating in Adopt-a-Highway, when available, and attending responsible civicminded protests. “History can be identified, lived, and captured in the passing of “One Day”. Today, everyone has at their fingertips, what amounts to the world, libraries filled with the knowledge of the ages…and yet we continue to show our inability to benefit from the enormity of the cultural, scientific contributions, and achievements that both Black American men and women have given this nation, often at the hands of slavery and racism. In this age of the internet and social messaging, we are forgetting to honor the numerous living civil rights pioneers. It is my hope that we identify and lift our history and culture as often as we “tweet” and “like” the moments of our daily lives. It is my hope that as “inner-cities” begin to lose their ethnic identities, we capture the stories of each block of each neighborhood. My personal mission is to visit, touch, and share Black History with friends and family. I have made it my mission to ensure my youngest daughter (Amira) grows up with a deep/profound understanding of the rich heritage, legacy, and contributions of Black history. She will be graduating from high school this year and we have completed a Civil Rights Road Trip every year for the past seven years. I love and hold my country and my family close to my heart.” One last thought shared by Master Gunnery Sergeant Holland, he would like for us to start each day of Black History Month, by sharing our history with the world. Visit and touch Black History with your family. Contribute a single post for each day of the month in February for each year. Identify someone in your neighborhood that should be recognized with a historical sign and make your local leaders respectfully honor their memory. “OUR SEASON NEVER ENDS!” Thank you Master Gunnery Sergeant Holland for being the only male that walked the Selma to Montgomery Histrionic walk with us. We all agree that you are a man of God; you are highly intelligent and well informed of your Black History, you kept us safe and protected, and most of all you allowed us to see the witty side of you; that helped us through the fifty-four-mile walk. May God continue to bless all of your purposes in life and the calling He has over your life. We love you. “The Walking with Harriet Group.”
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Gregory "Steve" Proctor, Jr.
The Icon, The Legend By Karen McConnell-Jones and Dr. Sharon H. Porter Photography by Dominique Massaquoi
When the business world and the people of your community have given you EARNED titles what does that say about the person and do they view themselves in that way? It has been stated that one who walks with humility is the last to see titles, yet they are the first to see the need to help others and to be giving of themselves. We have found that to be true of our “Man of Honor,” Gregory “Steve” Proctor, Jr. We asked Steve how he felt about the titles that have been used to describe him personally and professionally (“The Icon, The Legend”). Steve responded by saying, “I am extremely humbled and grateful and I take neither one for granted. My faith is very important to me. I am very much family-oriented. I especially enjoy time with my wife, children, and grandkids. Professionally I operate with integrity, transparency, and sincerity." Meet the Business Tycoon Up Close and Personal Gregory “Steve” Proctor, Jr. is the President and CEO of G.S. Proctor & Associates, Inc., one of the most highly respected government and private sector advocacy organizations in Maryland, with four offices throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Since founding the firm in 1995, Steve and his associates have provided legislative and administrative representation to a broad spectrum of clients, including institutions of higher learning, nonprofit organizations, local and multinational businesses, and local and international governmental bodies on the county, state, and federal levels. G.S. Proctor & Associates is consistently ranked among the Top 10 lobbying firms in the state of Maryland MAY/JUNE 2021
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We all know that the definition for a lobbyist is a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators. As we continued our interview and talked with the best of the best, we asked Steve to really explain to us and our readers what a lobbyist is and what are their true responsibilities? “As a lobbyist, we have the privilege and the honor of representing our clients by advocating on their behalf. For example, we work with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS)and we get to advocate with the county and state government to get more funding for our students. Another example, we work with Melwood (A nonprofit providing jobs and opportunities for people with disabilities in the greater Washington, DC area) to get funding for people with differing abilities. Basically, we are the voice that holds our government accountable for providing our clients funding for their needs.” “We have built our firm to be one of the top firms in the state of Maryland. We sincerely respect and appreciate each and every client we have. We take their goals and work to turn them into reality. I stand firm on still believing you must give more than you take. This has been our signature practice and has allowed us to stand out from the rest.” Business and entrepreneurship have been in Steve’s DNA throughout his entire career. He has always had an entrepreneurship spirit yet the importance in all of this for Steve is the freedom and the ability to partner with nonprofits and community leaders to give back to our community. Yes, G.S. Proctor & Associates is well-known for the financial success it has gained over the years, yet Steve’s heart of being a philanthropist and giving back to his community has been astonishing, just amazing to see. We asked Steve why giving back to the community was so important to him. With a smile on his face he responded by saying that giving back to his community is one of the main principles that he operates by everyday because the community has been such a blessing to him and his family and it still continues to be. The community embraced Steve and his family several decades ago and partnered with them to support their goals and dreams to become reality. Steve and his family are forever grateful. “We will always be connected to our community. That is a personal must for me,” said Steve. MAY/JUNE 2021
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...work hard, be honest, and have integrity. When asked, as a Black-owned lobbying firm and a familyrun business that has over twenty-five years of success, how important is this to you and what does your family legacy look like? “We must first understand that it is an honor to be considered one of the top lobbying firms in the state of Maryland and we don’t take that for granted. We come in every day to work hard to provide our clients with the utmost service and communication. We operate with integrity and we take that seriously. My wife, Dianne, and I talk about this all the time and work very hard on our succession plan so that G. S. Proctor & Associates will possess a great legacy and a proud legacy for generations to come.” “I will say this as well. For the young, aspiring entrepreneur, here is the advice that I have for you which is quite simple, the obvious is to work hard, be honest, and have integrity. It’s very important to have the ability to listen but also set very clear goals and a vision and do not try to be all things to all people. The trust that you build with your clients, with your team members, with the community, that bond is literally everything in a service industry like ours and for most businesses for that matter. So, it is absolutely critical that those relationships are built upon honesty, integrity, sincerity and laced with trust.” One would say that you know you have arrived and come into your greatness when the famous question is asked, who inspires you? So, we took this opportunity to pose the famous question to Steve. “There have been a number of business leaders, religious leaders, and political leaders who’ve encouraged me. Nevertheless, the people that inspire me the most are my parents and my wife. My parents planted those seeds into my sister Wanda and me at a very young age and we saw the sacrifices they made for us. My dad has a smooth temperament that inspires me and my mom, it is definitely her loving heart and spirit. As for my wife Dianne, I feel we have mutual confidence that we know we can achieve anything. Not in an arrogant way, but in a belief of faith that calls us to trust in the purpose that God set forth for us which gives us the confidence that we can do all things and that motivates me.”
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Steve's Healthy Tips for National Men’s Health Awareness Month Steve feels that it is extremely important that men take their health as seriously as they take their business. By that, Steve means getting regular checkups, exercise, and eating right. He makes it a point to also take time for himself. He rides his Peloton at least three times a week and lifts light weights three times a week. His favorite activity is taking a nice ride with his lovely wife Dianne after church on Sunday. Words of Expression In closing, Steve ended as humbly as he started by wanting to show his appreciation. It is truly obvious that Steve is not big on accepting awards and accolades but instead asks if he could use this moment, this platform to give his thanks. First, to his family especially his children (Trey, Troy, Aaron, and Brian) and grandkids (Anthony, Sierra, Zauriel, Simile, and Darius), his team members at G S Proctor & Associates, their clients, the stakeholders that they partner with to include religious leaders, business leaders, and community leaders. There are just so many that Steve wanted to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to. V&P Lifestyle Magazine can attest, these words expressed came with all sincerity and from the bottom of his heart. Mr. Gregory “Steve” Proctor, Jr., your community loves you!
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2 NC Feature Winston-Salem, NC
By Dr. Sharon H. Porter and Karen McConnell-Jones
Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D. Dr. Jabbar R. Bennett serves as Michigan State University’s (MSU) vice president and chief diversity officer where he reports directly to the president and is a member of the executive leadership team. In this role, he partners with other senior leaders, deans, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to advance the institution’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priorities. Dr. Bennett is also a professor of medicine at the College of Human Medicine at MSU.
Prior to joining MSU, Dr. Bennett served as the inaugural associate provost for diversity and inclusion, and chief diversity officer at Northwestern University. Previously, he worked as associate dean of the Graduate School, and associate dean for diversity in the Division of Biology and Medicine at Brown University. In addition, Dr. Bennett held administrative appointments at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. He has also served on the faculty at Harvard, Brown, and Northwestern. Dr. Bennett is an alumnus of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees at his alma mater. He received a BS in biology and a minor in Spanish from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and earned a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Meharry Medical College. Dr. Bennett completed postdoctoral research training in the Department of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and is an alumnus of the Harvard University Administrative Fellows Program and Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship Program.
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2 NC Feature Winston-Salem, NC
By Dr. Sharon H. Porter and Karen McConnell-Jones
Samuel G. Puryear, Jr. Sam Puryear, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., serves as the head golf coach at Howard University. He graduated from Tennessee State University with honors. During his time as a collegiate golfer and team captain, he played under the leadership of Coach Dr. Catana Starks, the first woman to coach a men’s Division I golf team. Puryear’s 12year coaching career includes Stanford University, Michigan State University, and Queens University of Charlotte.
Puryear became the first African-American head coach at a Power Five Conference University (MSU 2008). To date, his coaching career has produced one national championship, one Big Ten Championship, two Coach of the Year honors, two Conference Carolina titles, and two South Atlantic Conference championships. More than 10 of Puryear’s former players have played in PGA Tour events, which includes one player participating in the Masters. Puryear has been recognized by several media outlets as a prominent spokesperson discussing the future of minorities in golf. His work with student-athletes has also been featured on ESPN, Big 10 Network, and “Inside the PGA TOUR.” Additionally, he served as a consultant for the movie “From the Rough,” starring Academy Award nominees Taraji P. Henson, Tom Felton of “Harry Potter,” and Michael Clarke Duncan from "The Green Mile" He is the author of "Diamonds in the Rough". Puryear has amassed a bevy of accomplishments, but his biggest joys are his three amazing children and his granddaughter.
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Health & Wellness
Your Health Is The First Thing; Everything Else Is The Next Thing By Candice Camille Your well-being should be a priority in your life; as a matter of fact, YOU should be the priority. Why is it that so many of us place our health on the back burner, leaving it unattended until it boils over on us? Don’t wait for trauma or an emergency to put your health first. Health seems to be something that's largely taken for granted. We feel it won’t happen to us or we feel invincible until our health fails us. This is clearly stinking thinking and the wrong attitude. If you start now and take preventative action, you'll not only feel and look better, your body will thank you by adding more life to your years and more years to your life! The time is now to improve your health for the right reasons. Nowadays many of us are overweight, diabetic, hypertensive, or dealing with pain. As a result of these illnesses, more people than ever are trying to slim down and get healthy. The problem is a lot of us aren't trying to lose weight for the right reasons. If you need or want to lose weight, be sure to do it for yourself, not for anybody else. Losing weight goes far beyond the superficial. Don't lose weight just to look good, but do it for your overall health and wellness. When you try to improve yourself for anyone other than you, you will lose sight of your motivation if the relationship changes. The motivation to change needs to be internal, not external. The deeper your commitment and discipline to your health, the more difficult it is to cheat on being the best version of you. It's also important to realize that you must have a love affair with yourself, before you can really love anyone else. People are drawn to others who have self-confidence and self-respect. When you care about your well-being, not only will you take better care of yourself, but others will be more likely to do the same. Your health is the first thing; everything else is the next thing. Here are a few ways to put yourself first and take better care of your wellbeing: See your doctor. This will give you a good foundation for what improvements you need to make. Get your numbers for weight, BMI, blood pressure, etc. You can’t improve if you don’t know the starting point. Find an exercise routine you can do daily. It can be as easy as going for a walk. Just put on your shoes and get outdoors. It’s a great place to start. Make changes in your meal plan. Increase your fresh fruit and vegetable intake. Be sure to start off each day with a healthy breakfast, drink plenty of water, and don't skip meals. Find time to relax. It's imperative to take care of your mental health as well. Consider taking up yoga or meditation. If you take good care of yourself, you'll be able to enjoy your best life. Repeat after me: “My Health is the First Thing; everything else is the Next Thing”
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Health & Wellness
THE LOCAL SUPERMARKET By Jason Greene
The local supermarket is a cornerstone business in any community, but it is rarely utilized properly. Most people treat their local supermarket like a grocery store which it is not. A grocery store is a store that sells what is known as dry grocery items or canned goods which are basically non-perishable items. In the current state of the world, healthy eating is a top concern for everyone and what better way to put yourself on a path to eating better than understanding how to shop at your local supermarket. As a certified chef with a local catering business, I find that 80% of my time outside the kitchen is spent in my local supermarket and I have discovered some remarkable tidbits about this business that can help anybody deal with the pressures and possible adversities with shopping at these places. There are three key things to remember while shopping in a supermarket: the layout, quantity control and ingredient understanding. Every Supermarket in America has a similar layout, depending on the size they have more or less of most of the same items. The key thing to remember is that all items that are perishable are located on the outer parts of the store, and all the non-perishable items are in the center. This specific understanding can help you realize that if you spend the majority of your time and money in the center of the store then it's more than likely that you are not eating healthy. Fresh Meats (Deli), Seafood and Produce are located on the outer parts of a store. You can maximize your shopping experience while in these areas and a healthier diet will presume itself, I guarantee it. Quantity control is very vital to an overall successful and healthy supermarket experience. All stores have specials, which are marked down prices to get you to buy more than you need. An example is a non-perishable item. It would be sold as a buy one get one free, which is a good buy because certain items such as seasonings or condiments are not perishable and have a long shelf life. But, be careful, cupcakes and unhealthy treats have the same mark down prices. Specials in fresh item sections can be tricky, some things are good, but if too much is brought and not either cooked or immediately frozen or preserved you will be wasting your money. Always remember, whatever fresh items bought at a local supermarket, a plan of action is necessary to preserve its freshness until cooked/served. Understanding ingredient labels might be the most important thing to remember while shopping. If a lot of your time is spent in the center of a supermarket, this is extremely vital. I use what I like to call the six-rule method, meaning when I read the ingredients label and if it has more than six ingredients then I do not want it. In most cases any ingredient after the sixth ingredient listed is an ingredient that most people cannot pronounce. As a chef I will tell you if you cannot pronounce an ingredient and it is not foreign its most likely unhealthy. All non-perishable items sold in the supermarket by law must have an ingredient label on them. Shopping for food can be a hassle but it can also be fun. Remember, what you purchase to eat for you and your family has a direct association with your health and well-being. Take my advice and make smart and healthy food purchases. You will thank me in the long run!
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Authors Speak
Spring Into Writing! By Dr. Essie McKoy
It is springtime! A time to clean your mind of the thoughts that you have stored inside. A time to let the new plans of writing unfold. A time to put those grand brainstorming ideas in motion. A time to focus on your hidden talents and your hidden potential. A time to tell your story, write your book, and allow readers to flip through the pages of the knowledge that you have shared. A time to embrace the amazement of what this season will bring forth. All you must do is write! Spring into action and spring into writing! This is the time of the year that I love to sit and read a good book or should I say write a good book. That is right, I love to watch the flowers bloom, the trees blossom, the leaves change, the insects creep out of the woodwork, nature unfold, and just write. It gives me the ability to be creative and write some of my best work when I am close to nature and in the presence of the natural environment. If you have never tried writing where you can feel the warmth of the morning breeze, the chill of the night air, or the smell of the morning dew, I invite you to plan your next writing setting in an outside place you have never been before, and you will be surprised at what your mind will produce.
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Authors Speak I often reflect on some of my previous writing and think about when and where I wrote those books, papers, chapters, thesis, dissertation, and other scholarly work. Well, the list of places is long and the locations of writing some of those are still new to memory. If you know me, you know that I love to write, but I care little for technical research-based writing. For example, I loved doing the research for my dissertation, but I dreaded the technical part of writing it. All I wanted to do was write and not cite, not make sure it followed a particular style or any of that! I just wanted to write! Now, I have that opportunity and I write for the sheer love of writing. I find unique places to write, and this is a unique time to write -springtime! Remember to release your mind to write in unfamiliar spaces! Write while it is daylight! Or even in the morning, noon, or night! Write by the river! Even if it is a chill that makes you quiver! Write by a lake! Take a break if you see a snake! Write by the pool! Whether it is hot or cool! Write in the sun! That is a lot of fun! Write on the porch! Do not stay too long and get torched! Write on the deck! Oh, what the heck! Write by the ocean! Be careful if there is too much motion! Write at the park! Remember get done before dark! Write sitting on the lawn! Be done by the crack of dawn! Write on the steps. But always remember to prep! Write by the pond! You will gain an instant bond! Write by a lamp! Be careful if it is too damp! Write in the mountains! Take a break and drink from the fountain! Write in the shade! Do not think about getting paid! Write on a boat! Oh, how well you will float! Write on a ship! Break for a dip! Write on an island! Perhaps, in Ireland! Write on the patio! While listening to Cameo! Write by a tree! Chapters one, two, and three!
No matter where you write, enjoy the flow of words from your head! Let your spirit guide your thoughts. Let the quietness of the location be the source of inspiration. Let the abundance of nature be a place to free your inner soul. Free your mind and let life into your writing. Spring into writing in a different space and place and discover a new you and a new perspective!
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All Things Fashion
Special Seasons By Laila Cunningham
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I'm back with more fashion fun and tips for this season. It’s still springtime folks, but with a twist. We have a bunch of things to celebrate that will brighten up your mood during these tough times. To start off, we have a celebration that teens look forward to during their high school years--Prom season! It’s time to grab your customized glittery dress, your suit, and tie and get ready to party! Any colors will work for this fun event. It’s all up to personal preference. Grab your heels or dress shoes, clutch purse, and your favorite glitzy accessories, and have a fun time! There’s also another celebration that all teens look forward to nationwide...Graduation! Yes, seniors, graduation is around the corner and although you may be wearing your cap and gown, you still have to sport a nice outfit under it. For the girls, a nice dress or cute pants suit under your gown would be super cute and not too dressy, perfect for a graduation. For the boys, a pants suit would be perfect for your graduation as well. Then come our holidays… Mother’s and Father’s Day!!! Teens, it’s time to take a step back from worrying about ourselves and start caring for our parents. You could take them out to dinner and wear a nice, dressy outfit. Or you could stay home and cozy up in some comfy pj’s and spend some quality time together. For me, I am truly a daddy’s girl.
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It’s still spring guys so be mindful of what you are wearing. Until mid-June when it’s officially summer the weather tends to be all over the place. When the weather is all gloomy you could wear your favorite hoodie or raincoat and grab your cute Ugg rain boots to make a cute outfit to sport in the rain. When the weather is a bit windy, you could grab a cute jacket, some leggings, and your matching tennis shoes to make an outfit just warm enough to withstand the rushing winds; while staying in style of course. When the weather gets warm you could pair a cute shirt of your choosing with some jeans, and your favorite Ugg slippers to create a unique cute look. This season's colors are all about being bright and colorful to try to blend in or stand out from the blooming flowers. Your bright oranges, whites, yellows, reds, anything that will make you stand out. Remember COVID-19 is still roaming about. So grab your favorite mask and set out to have some fun celebrations this season!!!
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All Things Fashion
Coming Out Of The Shell By Tony Turner COVID-19 has had us shut in. We have been locked down for about a year. Some of us have been venturing out, trying to make life as normal as possible. If you have been like me you have been taking major precautions, not eating out, limiting travel, washing your hands, and keeping your distance. Some of our family and friends have been getting upset because we have secluded ourselves from physical contact. By the grace of The Most High, we have not been infected. But we know many family and friends who have been infected and many have passed away. I can't help thinking this article sounds like the beginning of some Sci-FI movie. But no, it's really real. Looking out in the world through social media I see a sea of disturbing situations. I see racism on the rampage, I see police brutality on the rise or maybe more televised. I see blonde hair, blingedout diamond-studded mouthpieces. We look like cartoon characters from the 1930s with semiautomatic weapons (reference Jay-Z's video " Still Niggar"). Ready to blow each other away at a moment's notice. We walk around like Ju- Jus in a Tarzan movie. The one thing I do notice is the rise of Black women. It's a beautiful thing to see. The world is recognizing her strengths, intelligence, and her beauty. Everything from her complexion, to her curves, to her natural hair, the world is tapping into her natural resources. It reminds me of how we are tapping into Mother Earth. Using up her resources without replenishing her, until she gets pissed off and she starts Global Warming. She then gives us terrible storms, earthquakes, pestilence, and pandemics. Then she starts calling herself The Bad Bit_ _. Now she’s jacking us for the dollars. "You want to live," she says." Give me everything in your wallet!" She got grown men sliding down poles giving lap dances to Satan, selling their souls for a little paper and some fame. There's a drop of blood in the heel of the shoe with a scripture on the side, so you will know where you are going when you slide your shoes on. Unapologetically! This is today's fashion! Thick hips, thick lips, and that are not just for the ladies. Even some males are looking for their attire. Through the mayhem and chaos, I know The Most High is working the master plan. Who knows the inner workings of The Master's mind? For me, my fashion report begins with me. The word of the day, ladies and gentlemen is Detox. Clean up the inside, work on the outside. Sometimes the outer perception is so contradictory to the inner being. We have great ones passing, leaving us the message to pray for forgiveness and to be thankful. Peace to DMX. Detoxification is a must. It then becomes fertilizer for the beautiful flower we are to become. Looking out of the window sometimes makes me want to stay in. Trying to breathe behind the mask can make one breathless. But our calling makes it impossible to stay cooped up in the house. The butterfly must fly. It must come out of the cocoon. If it is to be fruitful it must emerge. Strong and beautiful as are we! Shalom.
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All Things Fashion
Coming Out Of The Shell By Martina Turner It's summertime! Let the summer vibes begin. As we breezed through spring and into summer we're ready to come out of our shells. It's time to start planning our summer vacations, events and catching up with family and friends. Not to mention, an overall transformation from head to toe. Being inside for so long, it's time for a change. What's your new look for summer 2021? As we embrace warmer weather our hair starts to deal with humidity, frizz, perspiration at the scalp, dryness, and brittleness. You may consider trying a protective hairstyle that's low maintenance without a lot of hassle to get you through these hot summer days. As you look forward to trying a new hairstyle you also have to take into consideration healthy hair maintenance. There are so many options when it comes to summer styles. This includes braids, twist sets, a nice rod set, a weave install, or even a short haircut; a bob, pixie cut, or a short natural cut. Let's not forget about color! Blondes to reds or more luminous colors such as purple, blue, or orange. Hair maintenance with protective styles such as braids or weave installs should always be redone within six to eight weeks to prevent breakage and damage. Braid touch-up around the edges should be maintained between three to four weeks to prevent the weight of the braid from pulling on your new growth which will cause breakage and thinning. Weave installs need to be shampooed and conditioned in between installs. Keep your hair moisturized with light hair oil to prevent dryness for both hairstyles. As always, deep conditioning is a priority, it helps to keep the hair moisturized, nourished, and strengthened, which improves texture and penetrates the hair shaft. Try a good hair spray that helps fight against humidity and frizz. Also, after going to the pools, you should always shampoo your hair to remove all the chlorine and chemicals. A good clarifying shampoo is recommended, it helps to remove all buildup and residue from your hair. Research and purchase hair care products that are sulfate-free, paraben-free, and certified organic. Quality hair care products are so worth it. Don't forget to add a protein treatment and trim in between styles and installs. This helps to keep a healthy hair regimen. This Mother's and Father's day purchase a hair care gift set. That's always a nice self-care gift. Happy Mother's & Father's Day!!
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PERFORMING ARTS
Vocal Motion Six Celebrating The Acapella Harmony of VM6 in the Month of Black Music By Seth Washington for Performing Arts Imagine this sound, the vocal beauty of Take 6, the melodic swag of Boys To Men, the Motherland majesty of Ladysmith Black Mambazo all wrapped in a bow and voiced within a modern African vibration. This is the sonic reality of Vocal Motion Six, otherwise known as VM6, the performance ensemble based in the nation of Namibia. The group's musical forte is primarily acapella harmony inclusive of vocal beatbox with occasional instrumental accompaniment. VM6 brings lush soul-inspiring voicings to their listeners and this is evident in their uplifting 2019 remake of 'This Christmas' along with the peaceful ballad 'Ekundungu' the title track from the group’s 2013 project. Recently, founding member and group spokesman Peter Chizyuka was asked what things he hopes people will say about the group many years from now when the name Vocal Motion Six is mentioned? With assurance, he responded, "Vocal Beasts! One in a kind with amazing vocals!" As a musical entity, VM6 could indeed be described as a beautiful beastly force whose melodic prowess summons international applause and recognition even during a global pandemic. In 2020 the group was honored to win the Best Vocal Group award in the Chinese Bridge Global Music International Music Talent Video Competition. This is but the latest of 28 awards that VM6 has garnered. It, likewise, continues their tradition of excellence in music that was present in 1999, the year the ensemble was created. In that same year, they won Best Vocal Group and overall First Place as Artist of The Year in a televised competition held in their nation’s capital city, Windhoek. As a prize for winning the competition VM6 was able to create their first studio recording, ‘Satani Sigabanona’. To date, VM6 has completed eight studio projects, the most recent being ‘This Christmas’. The ensemble’s current roster includes (Peter) Miyoba Chizyuka, Mark M. Chizyuka, Jones M. Mario, Vasco M. Mario, and Paulo N. Correia. The group has performed its harmonious wonders for audiences at home and abroad singing in their native language of Rukwangali also known as Kwangali, a Bantu language of the Okavango region. VM6 is also quite comfortable voicing their rich melodies in multiple languages including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Finnish, and English. Being blessed and skilled within their gifts, the group has enjoyed numerous experiences performing for current Namibian President Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob, as well as his predecessors. Regarding the VIPs who've experienced a VM6 live performance, Chizyuka added, "Our biggest client, our government from the (Namibian) State House to all corporate entities to the likes of our President, also former U.S. President, Mr. George W. Bush, former Finnish President Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, American actress Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Reverend Raphael Warnock the newly-elected Senator from Georgia. Besides these, we have performed most for Finnish ambassadors to Namibia as well as for Chinese and United States dignitaries."
An additional aspect of the VM6 appeal is their work beyond the stage. Truly these efforts have been commendable regarding the housing initiative (Buy A Brick) and HIV/AIDS (Living Positive). Said Chizyuka, “With the Buy-A-Brick initiative, our focus was to contribute towards building homes for the needy and regarding those shacks or zinc houses.” He further explained, “On living positively, our goal was sensitizing people about HIV/AIDS and our primary message was abstinence and sensitizing people on the usage of condoms.” The VM6 musical theme for this campaign was the song "Onane" which is "words of wisdom passed on from parent to child...what you sow in life is exactly what you will harvest...make good choices in life and make our world a better place." Chizyuka then continued about the group's time working with Bill and Melinda Gates on the HIV/AIDS Living Positive initiative, "Locally, we had worked for about three years on the project and had reached thousands of people spreading the word of living positive and it all landed us our first international invitation of travel to the U.S. Besides having fun, we had some exposure and it’s how we got to meet Ms. Karen McConnell-Jones, who has also been supportive to VM6, and in fact, she’s the reason why we are having this interview." VM6 has established itself as an international force for good, and relationships have been a key resource of the group's expansive reach. Chizyuka provided some elements of their success formula in maintaining global relationships, "Repeated visits and long-lasting networks! We have made it a culture to keep our relationships and use them to grow the VM6 family bigger. Our key goal since Day 1 has been, to make sure that we treasure our relationships and by all means water them for the future." On stage, Vocal Motion Six continues to be a positive force for women artists in Namibia, as well. Though the group remains primarily male, they have at times incorporated female members into the ensemble. "In the past, we have held auditions for some voices and we have ended up hiring more female singers than male singers. Reasons are direct and simple, a lot of females had fewer opportunities to sing in a professional vocal band especially in Namibia." The first of four females to perform with VM6 was Adora Lilani Kisting. Now a household name in Namibia, Kisting lent her vocals to the group from 2012 to 2014. Chizyuka shares, "In our music industry, women were neglected in the past, and their music wasn’t heard. Another factor was that there were no solid female groups around. This then gave us room to focus our energy on creating a platform for all, regardless of religion or sex". This speaks to the vocal and inclusive focus of VM6, that of harmony. Inspired by leaders of acapella music, Take 6, there were six members in the original version of VM6. The group downsized to 5 members yet remains in perfect harmony with its listeners. Chizyuka clarifies, "We have maintained the trademark of (6) and now we have flipped it as our audience or fans are our sixth member. Making it complete." With appreciation to their countrymen who have contributed to the groups' success, "We can point to individuals who have played a role in our musical journey; the likes of ELEMOTHO and the late Jackson Kaujeua", asserts Chizyuka. The group takes pride in being a leader in its class amongst fellow Namibians and seeks to continue being a standard bearer in the realm of traditional acapella as well as folk music. "Not everybody in our genre or style does Folk music", says Chizyuka. As for any interest that Vocal Motion Six may have in future awards not previously attained he was quite clear, "Oh yes! A GRAMMY!" From VM6 harmony to God's ears. VM6 is currently channeling it’s voices toward a soon to be released Namibian Folk music CD as they continue to share their country’s musical energies with the world. MAY/JUNE V&P MAGAZINE | 45
SPORTS REPORT WITH LADY K AND YOUNG MR. D By Karen McConnell-Jones Introducing Deven Richmond A Time to Reflect The Sports Report with Lady K has truly been an exciting year. To be able to write about sports from a female perspective has been a thrill, to say the least. Reflecting on my very first year as a sports reporter has been a joy. Releasing my very first article in March 2020 and opening up with the hype that goes around March Madness was the best. Having the honor to pay tribute to one of the “Greats' in basketball, Kobe Bryant, was truly my personal favorite. And then came COVID! This was truly a “game-changer.” Sports as we know it would be forever changed. We, as athletes, had to go to a whole other level of mental toughness. As we always knew, sports is all about the “mental” and COVID definitely brought that back to the forefront.
Introducing the Sports Report with Young Mr. D The Sports Report with Lady K now has a new sidekick. We are pleased to bring you Young Mr. D. Deven Richmond, a college student at Howard University, in Washington, D.C., shares his real thoughts, his real truth, and the triumphs of playing sports during COVID. Sports and COVID through the Eyes of Young Mr. D On April 5, 2021, Baylor University was crowned with the NCAA Championship, a feat that all college basketball players dream of. All the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication paid off for the Bears. With the 2020-2021 NCAA basketball season behind them, and the other 349 Division 1 teams in the country, it is now time to reflect on what was a unique season. The theme of this season was COVID-19. It affected nearly every team in the country. Everything from unexpected quarantines, to empty arenas to canceled games, and in some cases, cancelled seasons.
This is what college athletes were up against this year. One may ask, how much different was it for these athletes, and
MASK
to what extent did it take a toll on their mental health? The answer is it was a difficult time for everyone. I am a college basketball player at Howard University in Washington D.C. I can speak from experience. Every day I woke up with little to no motivation to play. I would go outside to walk to practice and see an empty campus. I would play games and see no fans in the stands. I had to deal with the uncertainty
UP
of putting in so much work just to be told that a game was canceled. Mentally, I struggled. I questioned if I wanted to play. I questioned if basketball was worth it. I can guarantee that thousands of athletes around the country thought those same things.
AND
COVID is unfair and it is something that none of us can control. But there is hope. Vaccines are available and they are being administered at a great pace right now in the United States. If Americans can stay patient and work
STAY
together, we can beat it and athletes, like myself, will not have to experience a season like that again. Mask up and stay safe!
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