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The Magazine for Today’s Progressive Urban Man

ISSUE 00: JAN 2000/NOV 2012

FROMASISTAWHOAPPRECIATESSound of a Woman

it’s aMAN’S WORLD!?!

5THINGS

TO KNOW

THE NBABIGGER, STRONGER

& BETTER?Get in the Game

And it is time for us to stand up and take our rightful place at the table!

The " rst 5 things that a Woman notices about you!

Join the Revolution!!!

Get your voice in TRM:[email protected]

New Features, New Layout...Same Mission!

The reboot happens Jan. 2013

4 www.TRMMag.com

Jan 2000/Nov 2012

9 Expressions My Letter to God!

11 Success Source Success Runs in our Race

12 Health Watch Cancer the silent killer

14 My Mind, My Life The Quiet Revolution

16 Read My Mind What REALLY Turns Men On & O# ?

26 Model Pro! le Eric “EG” Gilcrest

42 Picture Perfect April McAdoo

39 What She Wants? The " rst 5 things women notice about you!

40 Toys 4 Big Boys Things he will love and you won’t mind him having!

45 How I See It! On A$ rmative Action...!/ Has Diversity Changed America

Dep

artm

ents

Mind, Body, Soul

A Queen’s Eyeview

The Look of Style

26

16

28

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Jan 2000/Nov 2012

Publisher/ Exec. Editor

Roy M. Eavins II

Managing Editor

Bryan Fulford

Creative Director

Cedric Jones

AQEV Editor

Dawn Burkes

TLOS Editor

Ryan Prentiss

Advertising Director

JBN, Inc.

Digital Marketing

Tibera Morris

Sales Manager

Darius Lee

Roy Mitchell Eavins IIpublisher/exec. editor

Editorial & Corporate TeamTRMMAG

Jan

Roy Mitchell Eavins IIpublisher/exec. editor

With the next millennium approaching, it is very evident that there is a large void in the magazine in-dustry for African American Men. Today’s Renaissance Man, is here to fi ll that void! Renaissance is defi ned as a period of rebirth or revival. As, “The Magazine for Today’s Progressive African American Man!” Today’s Renaissance Man is dedicated to providing the most important information on the top-ics that Today’s Renaissance Man, (whether he is white, black or any other race) wants and needs to know about.

As we look to the Harlem Renaissance, we see that there are a number of similarities between this period and Today’s Renaissance. At a time when separate but equal was the law but not the practice, African Americans created the soul of this country. With men such as Langston Hughes, Paul Robe-son, W.E.B. DuBois & Duke Ellington, we see a rich and strong foundation of which Today’s Renais-sance Man can stand on. With more and more African American Men receiving more post graduate degrees, starring in big budget fi lms, making decisions for Fortune 500 companies, starting their own businesses, and being elected to political offi ces, we are proving more and more that we are a vital part of Today’s Renaissance! We should always remember that, “where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18. With this in mind we give that vision: Today’s Renaissance Man!

Throughout the years, African American Men have been stereotyped in numerous ways, many of which are not positive. As the publisher of Today’s Renaissance Man, I believe that “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” So, we must not let this “world” or society claim a vast number of our brothers. Remember, “I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER!” So at this time, we must take a decisive and defi nitive stand for our families, our country, our brothers, and ourselves!

Today’s Renaissance Man is more than just a magazine it is a LIFE-STYLE! It is a life-style that the man next to you is living; a life-style you’ve always wanted to live, but no one showed you how. Well, that’s what we’re here to do! In short, Today’s Renaissance Man will be the lighthouse leading you into the next century!!!

Media Development

Grace Jordan Enterprises

Graphic Designer

Eric White

Web Designer

Four5 Studios/JBN

Exec. Editor

Sarai T. Ford

26

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Jan 2000/Nov 2012

Writers

Ajala A"

Kim Anderson

Sean Cort

Milton Creagh

George Frasier

Bryan Fulford

Photographers

Malik Russel

Marcus Conyers

Scott Price

Sherman She$ eld

Graphic Designer

Eric Carlton

Danny Malone

Eric White

Who is Today’s Renaissance Man? Is he African-American, Caucasian, Jew-ish, Hispanic, or maybe Asian? Yes and No. He can be that as well as any-thing else he chooses to be. He has no boundaries around who he can be. His blood bleeds red. His image is the image of his creator. He is a man who is searching for his Eve. He is a provider, a caretaker, a motivator and an in-spiration and role model to his seeds. He has no boundaries around who he can be. That is who Today’s Renaissance Man is.

When I began to write this letter, I wanted to begin the fi rst paragraph in rela-tion to the struggle and plight of African-American men. But I realized being a Renaissance Man is not an exclusive club for men of color (we’ve got enough of those), rather it’s a fraternal order created by the most high for all men of all colors. The core principles are the same, but noticing, respecting and ap-preciating the differences is what makes us who we are.

Before this magazine can enlighten the masses, we have to turn on the light in the minds of those with whom we have the most in common, and for me that would be African-American men. That’s why I’ve accepted the responsi-bility of presenting the stories, viewpoints, struggles, and beliefs of African-American men to the American public that has assisted, not caused, some of us to view ourselves in so many negative lights. Sure there are positives to the way we handle our lives as men, but how often do you get to hear about them? Our pledge to you is to bring you those uplifting, inspiring, entertain-ing stories and interviews that you have to beg other magazines to provide. It’s time to let America know there’s more to, and in, our minds than sex and it’s about time somebody told them.

Each section within this magazine is designed to eat at a particular piece of your mind, so by the time you’ve fi nished reading “How I See It,” you’ll feel full. Now, if we haven’t accomplished that, then I expect to hear your input on how we can correct that for the next issue. I’m sure you’ve heard the say-ing, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Well, the same holds true here. As we begin to grow into something that will forever be seen as the lighthouse that led African-American men into the 21st century, we will need your guidance in making sure that light is bright and pointed towards our futures. Don’t pas-sively sit by and take this for granted because I’m not and neither is the staff that has, is and will work to make this The Magazine for Today’s Progressive African-American Man!

I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER!!!

Bryan Fulfordeditor&creative director

Writers , Photographers & GraphicsTRMMAGWriters

Ryan Kelly

Jack Morris

Leonard Pitts Jr.

Donald Ramos

Gregory Stanley

Keith Thomas

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Jan 2000/Nov 2012

fea

ture

s

8 Soul Searching Understanding the Enemy

13 Body Talk Building a better You!

18 Sounds of a Woman From a Sista Who Appreciates

19 TRW Spotlight Helen McLaughlin & Julia Johnson

29 Geared Up Suited for Success

36 Our Family Who Speaks for the Children?

38 Get in the Game The NBA: Bigger, Stronger & Better!

42 Dollar$ & $ence Knowledge is POWER, Only when it is used!

40 TRM Spotlight Harold Uzzell

41 TRM Spotlight Sean Cort

A Man’s World

Picture Perfect

Geared Up

42

14

30

06

Jan 2000/Nov 2012mbs

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Aliquam varius adip-iscing tem-

por. Vivamus id

ipsum sitFUSCE VESTI

IN QUIS

Mind, Body & Soul

Jan 2000/Nov 2012 mbs

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Mind, Body & SoulMy Letter to God!

Sometimes I feel like I’m walking all alone in hell.No one can feel the pain I feel and I am condemned to fail.

Stereotype of a black male losin’ my faithmy reputation built on a nation and its fueling my hate.

Lord I know you really love me so why you watching me squirm?Test my belief and see my realness so a brotha don’t burn.

My enemies getting ready so I’m prepared to rideI hope these angels got my back ‘cuz I ain’t ready to die.

As a child I saw joy,Moms, pops and toys

and a bigga’ sista that keep her brotha from going overboard.Daddy you know you was wrong ‘cuz you could’ve stayed home

and we’d avoided all this pain, but life goes on.I saw my grandma lying there breathing no breaths

and its been a couple of years passed but I ain’t used to it yet.I got 2 cousins and an uncle locked down in jail

my auntie’s heart is fi lled with hate comin’ from God knows where.An’ so much drama on my mama side she developed an ulcer

she fi nding love in other arms and its makin me colder.Getting use to the presence of anotha’ man

swallow my pride and kill the hate ‘cuz its just him I can’t stand.And God you blessing me a lot cuz I’m still alive

and the possibilities are endless with yo love on my side.I show affection in my own way graced with gifts

on my knees thanking my Lord cuz life’s a trip.I don’t’ sing or shout in church but I swell wit pride

the Holy Ghost up in my ear so I let em inside.And you can say what cha wanna say when times are bad

and ya life is headed up the creek you hurry home to the Fatherand if you ain’t the same person that you are everyday

you can’t come up in the church and proclaim to be saved‘cuz God knows the real and fake

the love and hateand I hope this message touched a nerve before it becomes too late.

Gregory Thadora Stanley, Jr.

Expressions

Stereotype

of a black

male losin’

my faith

my reputa-

tion built on

a nation and

its fueling

my hate.


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HellsGate Inc.: Understanding the Enemy!

Satan once declared, in the presence of the all mighty God, that he was up and down in the earth, seek-ing whom he may devour. In simple laymen’s terms, he was looking for a target. Apparently, he was not able to devour everyone, but that did not stop him from looking. The though of the matter is that Satan and his cohorts are always looking for a person or circumstance that they can manipulate and destroy. Satan’s job is made easier in part, because many Christians do not believe he exists.

As in any type of warfare, the element of surprise is paramount. When Christians deny the existence of the one who is warring against their very soul, they are at a considerable disadvantage. Let us face the fact, it is Satan’s desire to destroy your life on earth, making it as barren as possible and then drag your very soul into the depths of hell. Satan’s every thought is consumed with the destruction of the Lords creation. Day and night, he puts strategies into motion, with the intention to hide or hinder the purpose of God in the life of every human soul. Most of the time, his strategies go unnoticed.

Believers chalk it up to bad luck and coincidence. By now you might be saying, this guy is some kind of nut. He sees a demon behind every tree. The truth of the matter is there probably is a demon behind every tree. We can no longer afford to play ostrich by hiding your head in the sand and pretending that there is no danger. Just like that big bird, whenever you do this, your backside is exposed and you are ready to be booted (are you feeling me?). The bible warns us not to give place to the devil; however he is the silent partner in many of our endeavors. He partners with us whenever we do not acknowledge the Lord in all our ways. There is a war going on between good and evil and there are no demilitarized zones. Everyone and everything I a potential target and you are on one side or the other.

Consider if you will a large town where there are only two businesses, Hellgates Inc. and Believers Authority. Everyone in the town works for one or the other. It is early Monday morning, just before dawn and Hellgates’ offi ces are open for business. (Believers Authority is open but most of their work-ers are in bed sleeping). Mr. Tan, the CEO of Hellsgates Inc. is in a board meeting with all his execu-tives. He is under a great deal of stress because he has heard rumors concerning a hostile takeover by Believers Authority. Mr. Tan knows a great deal about Believers Authority because he was once an executive for them. In fact he started his business with fund he embezzled from Believers Authority. He also convinced many other employees to come with him when he left. Most calculate the defection at about one third. Despite his efforts to grow the company, he is losing ground. This fact makes Mr.

Soul Searching


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We can no longer afford to play ostrich by hiding your head in the sand and pretending

that there is no danger.

Tan very uncomfortable, because he knows he is running out f time. As the meeting comes to order, Mr. Tan addresses his executives “I cannot fi gure out why we are losing so much market share. Most of the competitor employees are not even aware that we exist. This should give us a considerable ad-vantage. In fact, many of them are actually doing work for us. Despite some setbacks, we are winning some battles. As incredible as it may sound, we have been selling the same product from the begin-ning. All we do is change the package to make it attractive to each generation of potential customers. Let’s face it, our product will eventually kill our customers, but we will always have others to replace them. In order for us to be successful, we must attract our customers at a young age. By doing this, we can increase our chances of keeping them for life or death, whichever comes fi rst. Mr. Tan laughs because he knows he would rather have death. In fact, one of the primary side effects of their product is death.

Unfortunately, potential customers are not aware of that fact. Most of them believe they are getting the product from Mr. Christ, the CEO of the Believers Authority, when in reality they are customers of Hellsgate Inc.

The previous paragraphs were excerpts from my upcoming book. In it I hope to warn people about the enemy of their soul. Whether or not you believe there is such a creature does not change the fact that he exist and he is totally consumed with destroying all of Gods creation, including mankind.

We are not fi ghting a losing battle. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal; they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” II Cor. 10:4-5. We can be victorious in our battle, but we must have a strategy. We will discuss these strategies in later issues. For now “let us not be igno-rant of his devises.” II Cor.2:11.

GRACE AND PEACE BE WITH YOUDonald Ramos


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When We Were Kings By: Ajala Afi

Once, when we were kingsMasters of the universeIn-sinc with the SupremeSoul-awakening to love,Naturally in purityBeginning its journeyBirthed from the womb of divinityA special seed, righteouslyGiven an inheritance of royaltyMeant to last an eternityUsing our powers for good,With honesty and integrityRespecting the spiritual powers that beFor all intents and purposesTo represent Gods gloryPromising never to blasphemeGoverning our energiesUndertaking a true commitment in our heartTo make proud the deitiesBy keeping clean, doing righteous thingsTo earn our crowns, halo’s and wingsFilling the stratosphere with our praisesAs we joyously sing, in celebration of lifeAnd everything that it meansEscaping mediocrity, through disciplinaryHabits and diligent studySeizing the opportunityWherever there’s an openingAscending gradually, a little loftierCloser to achieving our ultimate dreamOf perfectly personifying godly beingsOnce when we were kings

Expressions

\building a BETTER You...When most men look at fi tness they tend to only look at

one aspect such as cardiovascular (stamina), muscle

girth (size), or nutrition. This is why most men are not

truly “in shape. Any trainer will tell you that in order to

be physically fi t you must work on all of the aspects of

fi tness: muscle strength, muscle endurance, cardiovas-

cular fi tness, fl exibility, and good nutrition. In the forth

coming issues we will outline different exercise pro-

grams and diets that can be used to enhance your physi-

cal well being. We will begin by sharing some basic tips

on reaching your optimum level of fi tness. Remember, be-

fore you begin any program you should consult a doctor.

Body composition is the relative amounts of muscle, bone, and fat in a body. These things are directly connected to the eating habits or diets we have. When we think of diets we tend to think of people trying to lose weight. Most people don’t realize that a balanced diet is the main key to

physical fi tness. We must understand food and how much we consume (eat) determines our me-tabolism, one of the major factors in our ability to lose or gain weight or build muscle.

Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through a full range of motion without discomfort or pain. Different people have opin-ions on what is the best way to improve your fl exibility, i.e.; Gym-nastics, Martial Arts, and Ballet. The most common way is by using particular stretching exercises on a consistent basis.

Muscle Strength is the measure of how much force a muscle can exert over a period of time. When developing muscle strength a person is usually trying to get “buff”. Anaerobic exercises

or weight lifting is the usual way of determining muscle strength. It is normal practice to maintain a muscle strength training program in which you workout at least 3 days a week.

Muscle Endurance is the measure of how long a muscle can exert effort at a given level. Calisthenics and aerobic exercises are very effi cient in developing muscle endurance. You can start by doing things such as pushups and sit ups, by starting at a number you feel comfortable doing and trying to increase ev-ery few days. You can also try jogging or walking.

Cardiovascular Fitness is a state of health characteristics, symptoms, and behav-iors enabling an individual to have the highest quality of life. Another way of de-

scribing it is Stamina. When developing Stamina most people either run, walk, bike ride or do a combination of these exercises. Calisthenics exercises as well as aero-

bics are also a good way of developing Cardiovascular Fitness.


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Body Talk

These are some basic tips on how you can start onyour total being fi tness journey!

Your cardio is an important part of your fi tness journey. The key role that it plays is the elevating of your heart rate. That helps by speed-ing up your metabolism

along with other factors. If you haven’t done any for a while start off with a brisk walk until you can run at a good pace. You should do this at least 3 days a week!

12

The good thing about Muscle Strength is that if you do a combina-

tion of the other four aspects this will happen naturally. Some people have higher goals for their strength and that is an individual choice that you must make. Remember these

are some basic steps to take on our fi tness journey. The key to success in your path to fi tness is to set a realistic plan in place and follow it. TRUE fi t-ness is not found in “Quick Fix” pro-

grams but a sustained program! Now GO GET EM’!

Your body composition is di-rectly related to your diet. Start

off by adding leafy greens to your diet on a regular basis. This is not just adding extra lettuce to

your burger! Also drink as much water as you can. Water will keep your system fl ushed of many of the things that you don’t need to

keep in your body.

This is the key to keeping inju-ries to a minimum. Your mus-

cles are able to stretch in some amazing ways, but they have to be trained to do so. Before you do any exercising you should stretch out the muscle groups you will be working on. It will also help to re-oxygenate and recovery time of the muscles. IF possible you should do this everyday or at least when you

work out!

As mentioned in Flexibility Oxygen is one of the key components that your muscles use while exercising. This

will determine how long and how far you can push yourself in a given set. Calisthenics is a great way to build muscle endurance before you jump into a serious weight lifting program.

Do the exercises until you feel a slight burn in the muscle. You should

be able to increase your reps by 5 every 3 days!

Flexibility

Body Composition

Cardiovascular Fitness

Muscle StrengthMuscle Endurance

54

3


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Body Talk


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Researchers aren't exactly

sure of the rea-sons why black

men are at an in-creased risk of

developing and dy-ing from prostate

cancer.

I. PROSTATE CANCERWhat Is The Real Deal?

As the most common form of cancer in men, about 209,000 men will be diagnosed with Pros-tate cancer this year. Around 41,800 men will lose their lives to this form of cancer. When it is detected early, prostate cancer can be treated effectively.

Who’s At Risk?African-American men have the most cases of prostate cancer in the world. OUR DEATH RATE IS TWICE THAT OF WHITE MEN!! At the time of publication, doctors do not know why we are at a greater risk. The majority of cases occur in men over 50 and more than 80% of the cases oc-cur in men over 65.

What Is The Best Defense?:Early DetectionWhile there are no outward symptoms, prostate cancer can be detected in its early stages. There are two test that you can have done to check for prostate cancer: #1: A PSA blood test (prostate-specifi c antigen), and #2: A digital rectal exam.

It is recommended that at age 50 you should be-

gin these tests. African-American men and men

in general with a family history should talk with

their physicians about testing at a younger age.

II. LUNG CANCER

What Is The Real Deal?

Lung cancer is the second most common can-

cer in men, and claims more lives than any oth-

er form of cancer. Each year more than 98,000

men will be diagnosed with lung cancer. Of that

number, an estimated 94,400 will die from this

disease. The biggest problem with this form of

cancer is that it can be totally prevented.

Who’s At Risk?People who smoke are at the greatest risk of

contracting lung cancer. More than 85% of lung

cancer cases are caused by smoking. Exposure

to radon and asbestos are other risk factors in

contracting lung cancer.

What Is The Best Defense?

PreventionLung cancer is one of the few cancers that can

be prevented, due to the fact that it is almost to-

tally caused by smoking. So if you smoke, get

help and stop, and if you don’t smoke, don’t

start.

Health WatchJan 2000/Nov 2012 mbs

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IV. SKIN CANCER What Is The Real Deal?While this is a form of cancer that is easily treated and cured, about 1 million cases a year are diagnosed. Melanoma is one type of skin cancer that can be deadly if not treated early.

Who’s At Risk?People with lighter complexions are at a greater risk of contracting this type of skin cancer than those with darker complex-ions. While this may be true, anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun or has a family history is at risk. It is very important to protect children from over exposure of the sun because people who have had se-vere sunburns before the age 18 are at a higher risk.

What Is The Best Defense?Early Detection & PreventionMost types of skin cancer can be avoided by not spending prolonged times in the sun, mainly between the times of 10 am and 4 pm. If you must be in the sun dur-ing this time, you should wear brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and sun-block on those areas that cannot be covered by clothing.

III. COLORECTAL CANCERWhat Is The Real Deal?Almost 67,000 men will be diagnosed with this form of cancer which affects the lower digestive tract. Approximately 27,000 of these men will die from it. Because of advances in detection and treatment this form of cancer is very treatable if

caught in early stages.

Who’s At Risk?While it is a form of cancer that has a high occur-rence in men, anyone is at risk. People who have a family history of polyps in the colon or rectum, infl ammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer

are at a slightly greater risk than people in the

general population. People who have low fi ber

and high fat diets are at a greater risk.

What Is The Best Defense?

Early DetectionMost colorectal cancer starts as polyps which will

later become cancerous. Polyps can be detected

and removed before they become cancer. Be-

cause of this, colorectal cancer is a disease that

can be prevented. This form of cancer is also af-

fected by having a diet that is low in fat and high

in fi ber.

Among black men, 19%, nearly 1 in 5

will be diagnosed with

prostate cancer, and

fi ve percent of those

will die from this

disease.

Jan 2000/Nov 2012aqev

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Jan 2000/Nov 2012qaqev

what turns men... OFF!?!/

Ok so do we really need to go into de-tails on this one? Complaining, Nagging or “Over Reminding is very frustrating to a man. No one wants to listen to some-one always talking about how bad there days were and never anything positive to say. So balance it out and tell him up front that you need to talk about a hard day. Also when you ask him to do something tell him you need it done by a certain time. Some men function better with time lines so task are good!

Ok News Flash: NO ONE I MEAN NO ONE...wants to feel that they are not good enough for you the way they are. If a man is interest-ed in you he will choose to make the changes to the things that seem to bother you. Remember if you have to change a man to “Fit” what you want then more than likely....wait for it......HE ISN’T THE ONE FOR YOU!?!

Surprisingly this was at the top of the list? But men said it was just nasty! So the fi x for this is EASY......SHAVE!!!

Now this may sound like a no brainer but men stated that there aren’t many things worse than walking into the bathroom and seeing...THAT in the garbage can! That is a quick way to change a mood!

One of the fi rst things a man notices about a woman are her feet and hands. Even if a woman is an “Around the way girl, Dive or Prissy Miss” we look to see if she takes care of her digits! This shows us that she cares about her appear-ance and has pride in herself. This way we know that we can take pride in you as well!

Women who don’t know how to properly dispose of female hygiene products!

Trying to change him!

Women who don’t shave their arm pits!

Ugly feet and/or hands!

Women that complain ALL the time!

Read My Mind

We asked men all over: “What really

turns you on & turns you off?” You

may be surprised by what we said!?!

Jan 2000/Nov 2012 aqev

19www.TRMMag.com

/what turns men... ON?!?

Because most men are hunt-ers one of the things that we appreciate in a woman is the ability to make a choice.....quickly! This is one of those things that most men say they don’t see in very many women which is why it made the list. Not only is it a turn on but it is a valued trait that men really look for!

Ladies this is very plain! MEN LIKED TO BE TOUCHED! Massages are the best way to relax and turn on your man. If he doesn’t like to be touched get a blood sample because he isn’t human!

As much as men like the “Freak” part of a woman we don’t want you showing it to everyone else. Most men have a hunter’s mentality, which will be discussed in several of these “Turn Ons”, and they enjoy a bit of intrigue. Women who can dress respectably and still main-tain a high level of sex appeal will grab more long term attention than a woman dress like she is coming from the strip club.

Yeah this is REALLY simple. He loves to see you in it because he will be taking it off of you re-ally soon! Ladies try cooking or cleaning in one and see how he reacts to you?

Please understand that this is not pushy! Even though most men are “hunters”, a woman who sees someone she likes and isn’t afraid to make the fi rst move

is VERY attractive!

You + His Shirt! Massages

Balance: Lady vs. Freak

Assertive Women

Decisive Women

How does it feel to run a multi-billion dollar organization? You could ask Ted Turner or Donald Trump. Or you could ask Julia L. Johnson. At 33, Johnson became the youngest person to chair the Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates Flori-da’s $20 billion dollar utility industry.


20 www.TRMMag.com

interview with Julia Johnson/

I am always dis-

appointed that I

don’t see more

young black

men in the in-

dustries we reg-

ulate, but I am

still encouraged

by the opportu-

nities available.

TRW Spotlight

Born in Clermont, Florida, just west of Orlando, Chairman Johnson moved to Tallahassee seven years ago upon earning a Juris Doctorate from the PSC beginning in January 1977. A host of family, friends and lawmakers witnessed history in the making , as the oath of offi ce was administered on January 7th by Chief Judge Joseph Hatchett. According to the National Association of Regulatory Util-ity Commissioners (NARUC),

Johnson is the youngest person to ever serve on a public utility commission in the United States. She also has the distinction of being the fi rst and only African-American female on the commission. The PSC regulates almost 3,000 telecommunications, electric/gas and water waste companies and exer-cises authority over all of them.

“Traditionally we’ve regulated companies that are monopolies,” said Johnson. Currently we are work-ing to transition from a monopolistic environment to a more competitive one.” This change will be ac-complished by opening the telecommunication markets and getting more providers in the industry. Ac-cording to Chairman Johnson, the most important step in accomplishing this is informing and educating the customer.

“We would like to see the commission become less of a company regulator and more of a consumer educator,” she says. “We’ve already made efforts to improve consumer outreach programs and com-munication. The feedback from the community has been mostly positive.”

To further bridge the communication gap, Chairman Johnson writes a monthly column that appears in African-American newspapers to inform the community of the changes in the industry “so that they can prepare and protect themselves.”

In addition to being the Chairman of the PSC, Johnson also serves as the Chairwoman of the Universal Service Joint Board, a federal board responsible for providing $2.25 billion dollars to schools and librar-ies to help fund access to the information highway. Johnson is also active in the Barristers Society for African-American lawyers in Tallahassee, the Tallahassee Women’s Lawyer Association.

Being in a position to meet people and help them is one of the greatest personal gains from serving as Chairman, according to Johnson. “I like the opportunity to meet people from all over the state of Florida and the nation and having the ability to help them better understand and manage their monthly bills and make sure they have a high quality of service.”

As for the future for African-Americans in the Public Service Commission, Chairman Johnson is opti-mistic. “The future is full of opportunity“, she says. Johnson notes that of fi ve commissioners, two are African-American. Bill Kennard is the Chairman of Federal Communications Commission and Michael Powell sits on the Federal Communications Commission. This is the fi rst time the board simultaneously.

“I am always disappointed that I don’t see more young black men in the industries we regulate, but I am still encouraged by the opportunities available,” Johnson says. “I am hopeful that Bill Kennard and Michael Powell will create more opportunities for others. I look forward to seeing more.”


21www.TRMMag.com

Julia Johnson/

You’re a statistic – a number that fl ashes across the screen during the six o’clock news.

You’re a liability – certainly not an asset. Most of you are drug abusers and thieves with baggy

pants, loud music and a blatant disregard for authority. You’re an endangered species – an

at-risk, underprivileged charity case. Your plight is strewn across the daytime talk – shows.

You’re helpless and hopeless with no conceivable future. At least that’s what they want you

to believe.

“Who’s ‘they’?”, you may ask. “They” can be anyone. There is the newspapers, television

shows, law enforcement, politicians and yes, even your own people. It seems that everyone

has jumped on the bandwagon. Everyday someone like Ricki Lake or Jerry Springer plays the

ratings game with your life and reputation. Everyday some big-time politician gains popularity

points by recommending mandatory minimums in sentencing for certain crimes, particularly

drug offenses, regardless of severity, nature or criminal history of the convicted. Even Afri-

can – American women seem to relish in pointing out your downfalls, i.e. various bestselling

authors.

I know you have heard it all before. I trust that you are tired of it and would like to hear some-

thing a little more positive from someone who knows you and feel what you go through day in

and day out. If the hype of the “Black Male Bashing” crusade has yet to give you the blues, I

empathize with you brother and hop that one day you will begin to see yourself for what you

could be and not what outsiders say you are. For the others, I offer to you encouraging words

from a sista who has yet to be swayed.

I commend you for your strength. When I look back in history, certain fi gures always seem to

come into focus. I think about the civil rights movement and the triumphs, despite the turmoils,

of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. I think about our ancestors traveling across seas,

taken from their homeland to enter a place where they were not respected but torn down. It

seems uncanny the things you have been able to endure, the pain you’ve seen and felt and

still there is a song in your heart and a belief in a Higher Power and the ability to overcome.

I applaud you for not being complacent. There is no disputing the fact that many things have

changed for us throughout the years. We have more rights today than our parents had not

too many years ago. There is, however, much left to do. So many have become complacent;

resting on the laurels and deeds of those who came before us. Thank you for going out every

day with a desire to make a change, no matter how small.

I benefi t from your wisdom and draw from it daily. One of the greatest infl uences in my life is

my father. He was always around when I needed an encouraging word, even if we were miles

apart. There have been so many times when I’ve faced a situation and something my dad

said years ago pops into my mind. Miraculously, somehow the mountain no longer seems in-

surmountable. His seeds of wisdom were carefully planted in me as a child and they continue

to grow as I draw strength from them as an adult.


22 www.TRMMag.com

From A Sista Who Appreciates!

out/

Sound of A Woman

I grow from your support. Thank you so much for holding the door open for me

and nodding a warm hello. Thank you for defending my name without hesitancy if some-

one should defi le it. Thank you for valuing my opinion and understanding that I deserve to be heard. So many things that you do things that often slip by without offi cial acknowl-edgment or thanks enable me to grow and be a better person. Your confi dence in me awakens an awareness of myself and abilities that otherwise may not have surfaced.

I could go on and on and I shall, just not on paper. Every day, every action will show my admiration. I hope that these words are taken as they were intended – from my heart to yours.


23www.TRMMag.com

Helen McLaughlin


24 www.TRMMag.com

You must take charge of your life and never lose sight of your dreams.

TRW Spotlight

Helen McLaughlin

Every now and then you come across a woman who says what she means and means what she says. This TRW Spotlight is a woman who

does just that. Helen McLaughlin is a woman who takes pride in her work and enjoys helping others, trust me I know. She is the owner of Euro De-sign a Unisex salon in Eatonville, FL. She took time to sit down and talk

with TRM and this is what she said:

TRM: Helen tell us a little about yourself.

HM: I was born in Buffalo N.Y. on May 5th. I attended Orlando Vocational Technical Center/SCC, and I am divorced.

TRM: What do you consider your greatest personal and professional achievements?

HM: Professionally, Maintaining a professional salon with a serene atmo-sphere. Personally owning, operating and maintaining my own business successfully.

TRM: What are some of your professional goals that you have for the fu-ture?

HM: To expand Euro Design so that I can offer clients a broader variety of services.

TRM: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing African-Americans today & what can we do to overcome this obstacle?

HM: 1-Surviving! It’s a challenge to balance family, careers and the other important aspects of our lives. 2-We have to become more effi cient in orga-

nizing our time. We must also plan and set goals for the future.

TRM: What would you like to be remembered for and what advice would

you give a new entrepreneur?

HM: Being someone who was willing and did help other people. And as far

as advice. Believe in and challenge yourself. You must take charge of your

life and never lose sight of your dreams. If they are conceivable then they

are achievable!


25www.TRMMag.com


26 www.TRMMag.com

EGModel Profl ie


27www.TRMMag.com

Hello Ladies, Our Cov-er Model Eric “EG” Gilcrest is a senior business major from Atlanta, GA. He is also a memeber of the Florida A&M baseball team. He is a model that enjoys sports and long walks with the right woman!

Jan 2000/Nov 2012tlos

28 www.TRMMag.com

Aliquam fauci

a ipsum viva

id vesti

nulla vivamus

mauris

integer leo

toys 4 BIG boys

Mauris quam dolor, cursus at porta et,

luctus eget purus. Nunc tempor luc-

tus interdum. Integer sed dolor ut leo

porta mollis. Proin eu augue augue.

Duis id velit in arcu accumsan congue.

Vivamus tristique est vitae felis vehicu-

la mollis. Vivamus quam dolor, tempor

ac gravida sit amet, porta fermentum

magna. Aliquam euismod commodo

nisl, vel luctus lorem fermentum quis.

Duis quis purus adipiscing mi sceler-

isque dictum quis vel eros. Nullam eu

tempor purus. Nunc a leo magna, sit

amet consequat risus. Etiam faucibus

tortor a ipsum vehicula sed hendrerit

eros suscipit.

Toys4BigBoys


29www.TRMMag.com

Donec at massa id risus varius eleifend vitae at

quam. Vivamus tristique est vitae felis vehicula

mollis. Vivamus quam dolor, tempor ac gravida

sit amet, porta fermentum magna. Aliquam euis-

mod commodo nisl, vel luctus lorem fermentum

quis. Duis quis purus adipiscing mi scelerisque

dictum quis vel eros. Nullam eu tempor purus.

Nunc a leo magna, sit amet consequat risus. Eti-

am faucibus tortor a ipsum vehicula sed hendre-

rit eros suscipit.

Nulla sollicitudin facilisis erat, dictum placerat

enim pretium ut. Vestibulum neque elit, vulpu-

tate in suscipit eu, tincidunt et nunc. Sed gravida

mi ultricies erat dictum rutrum. Donec eget eros

metus, id ultrices turpis. Phasellus nisi neque,

porttitor ut sodales non, fermentum ac lacus.

Aliquam varius adipiscing tempor. Vivamus id

ipsum sit amet massa consectetur porta. Class

aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per co-

nubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.Vivamus

tristique est vitae felis vehicula mollis. Vivamus

quam dolor, tempor ac gravida sit amet, porta

fermentum magna. Aliquam euismod commodo

nisl, vel luctus lorem fermentum quis. Duis quis

purus adipiscing mi scelerisque dictum quis vel

eros. Nullam eu tempor purus. Quisque auctor,

lacus sed fermentum volutpat, neque nisl.

Aliquam euismod commodo nisl, vel luctus lorem fermen-

tum quis. Duis quis purus adipiscing mi scelerisque dictum

quis vel eros. Nullam eu tempor purus. Nunc a leo magna, sit

amet consequat risus. Etiam faucibus tortor a ipsum vehicu-

la sed hendrerit eros suscipit.Nunc tempor luctus interdum.

Integer sed dolor ut leo porta mollis. Proin eu augue augue.

Duis id velit in arcu accumsan congue. Vivamus tristique est

vitae felis vehicula mollis. Vivamus quam dolor, tempor ac

gravida sit amet, porta fermentum magna. Aliquam euis-

mod commodo nisl, vel luctus lorem fermentum quis. Duis

quis purus adipiscing mi scelerisque dictum quis vel eros.

Nullam eu tempor purus. Nunc a leo magna, sit amet conse-

quat risus. Donec sit amet turpis dui, sit amet molestie justo.

Quisque auctor, lacus sed fermentum volutpat, neque nisl

rhoncus nisi, ac vulputate libero diam vitae justo.

Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus

et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; Cras et eros conval-

lis risus ullamcorper aliquam at in odio. Quisque vitae

rutrum mi. Aliquam ac erat at neque accumsan tris-

tique. Praesent id tempor nisl. Curabitur sed nulla at

magna venenatis cursus vitae nec tortor. Maecenas elit

nunc, porttitor non tincidunt nec, scelerisque vel dolor.


30 www.TRMMag.com

Suited for Success!Casual, Leisure & Business

Geared Up


31www.TRMMag.com

Geared Up

Distingushed and Debonair, AL is wearing a nazy pin-stripped double brested suit in 100% Thalian worsted wool, by Nino Certi. Along with an Oxford blue 100% cotton dress shirt by Robert Villini, french blue, navy and natural geometric tie 100% silk by Fennzia. You can fi nd this suit at S&K Men’s Wear


32 www.TRMMag.com

Geared Up

James is wearing Black pleated slacks and a black turtle neck topped off with a single brested blue linen blazer. All found at S&K


33www.TRMMag.com

Aliquam varius adiingtempor. Vivamus id ipsum sit amet massa consectetporta.

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34 www.TRMMag.com

Geared Up

Quinn is wearing a Silver Grey double brested suit in 100% Thalian worsted wool by Ruffi ni. He is also wearing a 100% white cotton shirt and a 100% silk French Blue geometric tie by Fenazia. All found at S&K


35www.TRMMag.com

Somethings are just as easy as Black & White. Roy is wear-ing White pleated slacks, Black turtle neck. Along with a double brested black and white wool blend checkered blazer. All found at S&K Men’s Wear


36 www.TRMMag.com

Geared Up


37www.TRMMag.com


Power lunch or board meetin, Drew is ready for business in this single brested suit in 100% Thalian wor-sted wool, by Oleg Cassini. Along with a 100% French Blue shirt by Roberto Villni and a 100% silk navy and grey gemotric tie by Fenzia. All found at S&K Men’s Wear.


38 www.TRMMag.com

Geared Up

Some men have natural style, Eric’s is brought out in Brown pleated slacks, a natural mock turtle neck and a brown tweed blazer. All found at S&K Men’s Wear.


39www.TRMMag.com



40 www.TRMMag.com

Geared Up



41www.TRMMag.com

J CREW/


42 www.TRMMag.com

Some times you just have to stop and admire the

Beauty that is a Woman!

April McAdoo

April is a senior business major from Gaines-ville, FL . She enjoys water sports and oth-er outdoor ac-tivities. She is also a member of the FAMU track team!

Picture Perfect


43www.TRMMag.com

Who speaks for the children?

Recently, while on a plane ride from Dallas, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, I happened to sit directly

behind two businessmen who were having an interesting, through one-sided, conversation about

divorce and its effect on children. One of the businessmen apparently was considering a divorce and

was very concerned about the impact it would have on his children. The second businessman was

more than willing to assure him that his children would undoubtedly be better off in a divorce situa-

tion if mom and dad no longer loved each other. Last year I earned 250,000 frequent fl yer miles, yet

that was the longest plane ride I think I have ever taken. All through the fl ight and their conversation,

I kept asking myself one question: “Who speaks for the children?”

Recent government statistics paint a discouraging picture of the American family. A 1984 study,

combining estimates of the proportion of children both to unwed women (many of whom are actually

children themselves) with estimates of children who will experience the separation or divorce of their

parents before they reach the age of 18, projects that 42 percent of white children and 86 percent of

black children are likely to spend some time in a single parent household. In most cases, it will be a

mother-only family. I often realize how blessed my two sisters and I are to have been raised

in a stable home with both of our parents. That blessing is made fresh

in my mind almost daily as I travel around America working with teen-

agers. Over the last seven years I have visited almost one thousand

junior and senior high schools per year, speaking to close to half a

million kids per year on the subject of drugs and violence and making

good decisions. Invariably, as I travel, I meet many young people who

are in serious trouble. On a normal day for me, after I have fi nished

addressing the entire student body, I can’t leave the school for at least

an hour, because so many kids approach me afterwards to talk about

their problems and seek some kind of help. Maybe the reason the dis-

cussion I overheard on the phone bothered me so much is because in

so many of the conversations I have with kids, whether they are Black,

White, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, rich, poor, northern, south-

ern, western, eastern, or recent immigrant, broken families are often a

common theme. I wish my fellow passengers could travel with me for a

few weeks and see that not all kids adjust well. More signifi cantly, they

need to see that in many cases kids may adjust to mom and dad being

apart and only one parent actually being in the home, but they may not

develop properly.

Usually, after working with kids during the day, I meet the parents at

night. It has never ceased to amaze me and scare me to hear so many

parents tell me that they don’t have a parent/child relationship with

their kids. Instead, they often describe their relationships as “more like

best friends.” My message to parents has remained the same over the

years: Adults should teach their children socialization skills, so they can

meet, make and keep a best friend. Things are too dangerous out there

for you to be your child’s best friend. They need mama and daddy to

be mama and daddy. Best friend(ism), is sometimes about popularity,

parenting means making the hard calls.

Jan 2000/Nov 2012amw

44 www.TRMMag.com

Our Family

In the book of Proverbs, Solomon imparts some of his timeless, legendary wisdom. Much of it deals

with relationships between parents and children. In chapter one, he implores children to “Listen to

your father and mother, what you learn from them will stand you in good stead; it will gain you many

honors.” Later in the twenty-second chapter, he tells parents to “teach a child to choose the right

path and when he is older, he will remain upon it.” Inherent in the commentary and teachings of

Solomon I have mentioned is an assumption that the parents referred to are on the right path. Per-

haps, one of the saddest testaments to our current society is the fact that many parents are not on

the right path, or living the right kind of life-style, may not realize they are still “leading” their children.

Recently, I asked three young people who are all products of highly dysfunctional families to share

with me three things they had learned from their fathers. All of the kids were not from single-parent

homes, but all three were from in-trouble homes.

Recently, I asked three young people who are all products

of highly dysfunctional families to share with me three things

they had learned from their fathers. All of the kids were not

from single-parent homes, but all three were from in-trouble

homes.

One of the young people was a 23 year old, female, black,

magna cum laude, college graduate, who has studied abroad

and was her college’s queen her senior year. Her mom and

dad never married and her father opted not to involve himself

in her life. Her initial response to the question was an immedi-

ate and emotional: “Nothing, nothing, nothing. He was never

there.” She later shared with me that she had not met her dad

until she was close to eighteen years old. In further discussion

we determined that although her gather was not around to

physically teach her anything, he actually taught her a lot. He

taught her a tremendous fear of being abandoned. He taught

her to resist developing trust based relationships; particular-

ly with men. It may look good, but when it is based on dis-

trust and fear, it is not positive. Her mother, a good Christian

woman who got pregnant as a teen often worked two jobs to

make ends meet and provide for their child, constantly tells

her daughter that she can’t depend on a man, so get yourself

together. In the daughter’s mind, the mother is a hero. She

describes her mother as having been a young, shy, naïve girl

when she got pregnant. It’s as though nothing that happened

23 years ago was her mother’s fault. To her, her mother was

a victim. That implies that her father was the victimizer. To-

day, when she talks about the problems with her boyfriend,

she uses terms that imply that he is purposely punishing her.

Hence, she is a victim as well.

Jan 2000/Nov 2012 amw

45www.TRMMag.com

often witnesses to mom’s crying spells as she thinks

about a disintegrating relationship or one that never

jelled in the fi rst place. My heart often goes out to the children I meet around the country who tell me that their parents have put them in this role. Often, telling them things about the other parent that chil-dren should not know. Can you imagine the stress and confusion a loving parent can create within their children when the child is forced to take sides be-tween the parents? I have heard kids talk of mothers cradling them in their arms in bed and crying while telling the kids how much the father has hurt them. In most cases the child will start crying too; though in some cases they really don’t understand what is hap-pening. They are crying because the parent is crying. Children do not have the mental maturity to be mom or dad’s confi dant. In the book of Ecclesiastics the third chapter talks extensively about time and the fact that there is a time for everything. When a human be-ing is in the process of going through childhood, it is not the time to give them adult burdens.

Mother tells the daughter how much she loves her, but also tells her repeatedly how getting preg-nant while in school stopped her from reaching her goals in life. The child gets confi rmation of that fact daily as she watches her mother struggle. The mother probably tells the daughter this because she is so afraid that what happened to her might happen to her daughter. The child has heard these messages and sermons so long now that her focus in life has become self. Her relationships are not about selfl essness. Because she is so afraid of being abandoned and having to struggle like her

mom has, she constantly wants to know what her boyfriend is going to do for her or has done for her

lately. A statement she used repeatedly in our discussion was: “I can do bad by myself.” Recently, her

boyfriend says, she thought she was pregnant. What bothered him was that she did not want to really

discuss the situation. Instead, she informed him that if she were pregnant, she was going to have the

child aborted. No discussion. No professional consultation. No discussion with her pastor. No prayer.

WHY? “Because a baby would stop me from doing what I want to do.” Apparently, that idea grew from

hearing mom talk about how getting pregnant stopped her from reaching her goals. In listening to her,

I wondered whether the young lady ever read her mother’s comments as, “because of you, I never

reached my goals.” My next thought was whether that realization ever impacted the young lady’s self

esteem or sense of self worth.

In some cases like the one described above, the mother may be so busy trying to develop relation-

ships outside the home or workplace that the child becomes a stand-in for a friend. Children are then


46 www.TRMMag.com


47www.TRMMag.com

Your Shoes - Women say that if a man takes care of his shoes, he will take care

of them. Go Figure?

#5

-Yo

ur

Sh

oe

s *

#4-Your Hair * #3-Your Hands * #2-Your Teeth * #1-Your A

pp

ea

ran

ce

Your Hair - No matter what the style, if you look too scru" y you are in trouble

buddy!

Your Hands - If you expect to run those # ngers through that $50+ hair do your

hands can’t look like...”Who Done It?”

Your Teeth - Are you serious? Do we really need to explain this one?

Your Appearance - No matter how you are dressed you can’t look like you

jumped in the closet and put on whatever stuck to your body? Style is a must!

The fi rst 5 Things Women notice

about a Man!!!

What She Wants?!?

You could use several words to describe our Renaissance Man

for this month. Determined, driven, dedicated, as well as other

adjectives but slacker wouldn’t be one of them. Harold Uzzell

President and founder of Uzzell Advertising is on the fast track

to success. This 35 year old native of Goldsboro, North Caro-

lina, who now resides in Tallahassee Florida, has the largest

African-American Ad agency in north Florida and one of the

most progressive in the state. Harold is a graduate of Florida

State University with a degree in Visual Communications &

Advertising, which he used to build his company. After gradua-

tion Harold took a job with a state agency while working on his

company on his lunch breaks and after hours. “Harold is a goal

oriented person” says his wife Erika who is the mother of his

two daughters Miya and Giana, and the vice president of Uzzell

Advertising. When asked what was the biggest disappointment

he has faced Harold replied “…the lack of support in the African-

American community. It disappoints me that when we reach

a certain level of success someone wants to pull you down.”

While he has had some rough experiences he would caution

anyone not to prejudge people “…African-Americans bring a

unique perspective to advertising that is being noticed by the

mainstream industry…” Harold says that this is another reason

for the success of his company, which has worked with over 60

clients in 10 states. Harold also feels that, “You have to have

someone you can depend on and who believes in you Erika

is the best thing that ever happened to me!” Husband, Father,

Businessman, Trendsetter, Harold is the perfect example of

TODAY’S RENAISSANCE MAN!!

TRM Spotlight

Harold Uzzell


48 www.TRMMag.com

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Keeping his company going this long.

NEWEST GOAL:

Build his company into a multimillion dollar organization.

ASSOCIATIONS:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Public Relations Associations, Former Board

Member of the Tallahassee Ad Federation.

MOST NOTABLE CLIENTS:

Florida Tourism Council, Bechtel Corporation, Golding Foods

ADVICE:

“Decide what you want to do and keep working at it. Only you stand in the way

of your goals!”


49www.TRMMag.com

Dollar$ & $enceDollar$ & $enceJan 2000/Nov 2012amw

50 www.TRMMag.com

Knowledge is power only when it is used!

Today’s Renaissance Man wants fi nancial security, yet most think that it’s not attainable on their income. But there’s good news. Almost anyone can become fi nancially successful. If they are willing to spend a few minutes; learning some simple but powerful principles. Financial security is not out of reach. It is available to everyone, and it is available NOW!! It doesn’t matter if you’re a middle–aged baby boomer or 20 something just starting out. If doesn’t matter if you consider yourself middle class, above or below. All you need is some sound information, a little discipline, and a desire to win.

No one wants to end up in fi nancial bondage. It just sneaks up when you’re not looking. It’s not a matter of choice, it’s a matter if carelessness, of small day to day choices that can have lifelong results. One of the biggest fi nancial mistakes most people make is depen-dence. People have become accustomed to relying on someone else to make their fi nancial decisions. They rely on banks, savings, and loans, mortgage lenders, and other fi nancial in-stitutions to help them solve their fi nancial problems. In many cases, they simply take what these institutions offer. Advice can be helpful, but that kind of dependence can cost thou-sands of dollars over a life time. Often, institutions are simply selling you a product, their product. It is up to you to decide whether or not that product suits the needs of you and your family. Turning your future over to someone else isn’t the answer. Financial Independence begins with just that, independence from too much infl uence.

Dollars and $ense is an article that is dedicated to giving Today’s Renaissance Man the tools that are needed to become fi nancially successful. The ultimate key to fi nancial suc-cess is KNOWLEDGE – about how money works, how to get the best value for the dollars you spend and how to make responsible, well informed decisions. We will also educate you about how to meet and win the most common fi nancial challenges facing Today’s Renais-sance Man. That is what Dollars and $ense is all about. So if you are ready, let us begin on the road to fi nancial success and fi nancial freedom! In next month’s issue of Today’s Renaissance Man, we will discuss the 5 roadblocks that prevent fi nancial success and the 5 critical areas that must be addressed if you want to achieve fi nancial success.

Jake Morris Jr., motivational speaker and Personal Financial Analyst, can be reached for advice, questions and/or comments at ([email protected])

How I See It!How I see it!

On Affi rmative Action?!?

That affi rmative action is an imperfect and unwieldy machine can come as no surprise to anyone who understands that it was made by the federal government. You were expecting maybe seamless perfection? Not in this lifetime.

So if the machine creaks, if it allows smooth operators to turn a fast buck on our good inten-tions, if it endorses a perpetual victim mentality in the women and blacks it is designed to help, well, this is part and parcel of the of the thing. If anyone knows a better mechanism for remedying the effects of discrimination, present and entrenched, please don’t keep it a secret.

Until that new machine is unveiled, affi rmative action remains the best game in town. Tell-ingly, those who would scrap it say that doing so will restore a level playing fi eld. But how can you restore what never was?

Even now, even in 2012 there remains an invisible bar at the door of employment and ad-vancement for women and blacks. Affi rmative action’s foes seem loathe, to understand this. They seem to feel blacks and women should simply trust the white men in power to do right by them.

But trust based on what? On a national history pockmarked by gender and racial oppres-sion? The fact is, there is no basis for such trust, so blacks and women, not unreasonably, feel the need for a mechanism to guarantee equal access to the job market.

Affi rmative action is, at best, deeply fl awed. But it will have to do until something better comes along. Like, perhaps, equality, and that’s HOW I SEE IT!


51www.TRMMag.com

How I See It!How I see it!

Has Diversity Changed America?Has diversity changed the face of America? This was a question I was recently asked by

the editor of a national newspaper. Although I know the way he was attempting to lead my

response, I decided not to give him the “absolute” response of either yes or no. My answer

really depends upon what the understanding of a vast array of sexual preferences, ages,

women and disabled employees in the work force. Ask a clergy-man, it may mean a variety

of races in the congregation or the coming ecumenical movement. To another on a street

corner, you may fi nd that they don’t have a clue.

As the founder and national director for the National Minority Opportunity Conference & Fairs, I spend a great deal of time trying to get companies to embrace the original reason the Diver-sity initiatives were even brought into existence: to benefi t people of color (those who have been historically and irrefutably under-utilized and disenfranchised from the American busi-ness and social process). So, when I’m asked if or how Diversity has changed the face of America, I am compelled to respond in terms that I hope will inspire individuals to realize all that America can become, if there is a synergy created by all our companies and our national leadership for real diversity.

I guess you can say that Diversity from a general standpoint has changed the face of Amer-ica. In my thirty plus years of living here, I cannot ever remember a time that I have seen so many different ethnicities that call the USA home. Various subcultures, life style choices and a vast array of religious places of worship seem to face us at every turn. Better yet, there are more metropolitan areas “World Class or First Tier Cities”. Our news gathering organizations are inundating us with all sorts of information on the deals of companies who have pulled up stakes somewhere else in the world to move here.

However, for a certain segment in American society, people of color, there are certain dis-parities that only affect them. Little or no economic opportunities, severe academic under-achievement, crime, and narcotics, seem to have caused an entire generation of people and their descendents to be written off by corporate America. Based on this irrefutable fact, the term “diversifying” must be clearly redefi ned to ensure that we do not misunderstand what the process was created for. Diversity initiatives were created to facilitate the incorporation of people of color into the American process. These are individuals who literally had laws and ordinances written against them. They couldn’t vote or do any banking. They had to ride on the back of the bus, stay on their side of town, and live in unfi t or unsafe housing. Who are these people? They are Native and African Americans. Hispanic and Asian Americans have also suffered discrimination.


52 www.TRMMag.com

I believe of these inequities, most companies perpetuate discrimination by not hiring mi-

norities to fi ll professional or upper-level management positions. Many do not use minority suppliers for purchasing their goods, products or services. Could this be the reason why our inner cities are so economically challenged and becoming a burgeoning wasteland?

I believe that there still exists an underlying tradition that is so consciously and subcon-sciously carried down from generation to generation. There is still a fear of total cultural saturation. It exists in the minds of many corporate decision making Caucasians who really want to diversify, but are afraid to break the M.O. for business as usual. These are individu-als who subscribe to the notion that real diversity is in all our best interest, and should be embraced for the good of the whole.

In order to effectuate positive change toward real diversity, many of us (all races) are go-ing to have to admit that our fathers and grandfathers are, and have been wrong. If you hold the hand of a little Indian or Black baby, you’ll fi nd that we’ve all been created by God. These same little babies can grow up to play and work together in total harmony if we do not force our social agendas on them.

If our greatest resources in America are our people, and we have certain people in society who are under-represented in the work force, we will not receive all the good that God has intended for us. We will never, as a country, better our best. Perhaps the cure for cancer will be discovered by one of those kids on the street corner in your inner city. Did I mention all the good business revenue that is being missed from the minority communities? Do you think diversity in America is worth it? Take another look at it. You may discover it.


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NEW ENERGY DRINK / www.website.com

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He Gets It. She Loves It! Any Questions?

“FORWARD”begins January 2013

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