pride magazine january 2010 issue

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Judge Clifton Johnson remembered for

devotion to excellence

Young golfer possesses adult-level

skills on the links

30 years of marriage, 9 kids add up to

1 busy life

HBCUs probe ways to improve lives at research campus

agentChangeJCSU’s new president strengthens university, link with city

wants to get back to simpler times. Home can’t wait for crayon drawings to be hung on refrigerators again. Home is ready for the

big worry of the day to be what to do with Dad. We’re here to make a commitment to home

and to homeowners. A commitment to stand up for responsible lending. And to help create

successful homeowners who feel confident knowing they’ve chosen the home loan that is

right for them. Starting now, home has a new address. Bank of America Home Loans.

home

Our commitment is never far from you. Call 704.602.7348 (Charlotte North), 980.275.5328 (Charlotte South), or 704.556.3000 (South Park) to speak to a

mortgage professional in the Charlotte area, or go to bankofamerica.com/homeloans

Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. © 2009 Bank of America Corporation. AR94000

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Sugar Creek Medical Center721 W. Sugar Creek RdCharlotte, NC 282137 0 4 - 9 4 1 - 2 0 8 0

At The Park6023 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216 7 0 4 - 3 9 9 - 2 6 7 7

On The Plaza1805 Milton Rd. Charlotte, NC 28215 7 0 4 - 5 3 5 - 0 4 0 0

Family Medical Center905 N. Pearl Stre e tPageland, SC 297288 4 3 - 6 7 2 - 3 1 0 0

Anson Medical Center608 Salisbury Stre e tWa d e s b o ro, NC 281707 0 4 - 6 9 5 - 9 2 0 0

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On The Plaza Sugar Creek Medical Center At The Park

January-February 2010 | Pride Magazine 7

January-February 2010

Departments10 From the Publisher

12 Notable Names

13 Parenthood Corner7 signs of a ‘real man’

18 Book Review‘Start Where You Are’

39 Business SpotlightPerry Tuttle

40 By FaithMake room for men

42 Creative ArtsJohn Hairston Jr.

64 FYI

65 Calendar

Business 58 Money and Health

Reduce stress; improve financial outlook

59 Career AdviceConsider a manly makeover

60 Personal FinanceNew decade, new opportunities

61 Small BusinessKey ingredients for success

62 Commercial Real EstatePro can help renegotiate lease

63 Partners in HomeownershipBank, organization unite

Health48 Integrative Health

Balance is key

50 H1N1County works to combat ailment

51 Personal TrainingResolve to trim your midsection

52 Eye CareReduce chance of sports-related injuries

53 Medical MythsThe truth about vitamins, colds and flu

Features14 A man of many ‘firsts’

Judge remembered as man devoted to judicial excellence

20 In the swing of things Grade-school golfer possesses adult-level prowess on the links

24 Change agent Johnson C. Smith University’s new president strengthens university, link with city

32 Family ties 30 years of marriage and 9 children add up to 1 busy life for Charlotte clan

36 Leading by example Charlotte professionals serve as mentors to black male teenagers

46 Revolutionary research HBCUs investigate ways to improve lives at research campus in Kannapolis

56 Building blocks of success Construction company nurtures employees, caters to communities

24

3220

46

Log on to www.prideawards.net to view the karaoke prizes.

Corporate tables and tickets are still available. Call 704-375-9553

Log on to w

Corporate t

Sustainability for AllLowe’s Pride Awards 2010

This year’s gala will be a “Green” affair, highlighting fiscal,

social or environmental efforts in our community. The honorees are: Emerging Green Leader: Jonathan Pullin;

Community Service: Dr. David Jacobs; Millennial Footprint: Sydney Steward

Get your gowns and tuxedos ready!Don’t miss your “Green Carpet Photo Opportunity at the Reception!

Win a Whirlpool kitchen suite at the gala’s fi rst Karaoke Dance Social!

Saturday, January 16th

The Westin Charlotte

Black Tie Reception: 6:00 PM

Dinner and Awards: 7:00 PM

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Jonathan PullinDr. David JacobsSydney Steward

Pride Awards ad2 2010.indd 1 12/22/09 3:33 PM


PRIDEM A G A Z I N E

CEODee Dixon

PublisherTorrey Feimster(704) 375-9553

EditorConstance Holloway

Editorial AssistantAngela Lindsay Hilst

Creative DirectorFabi Preslar

Office ManagerRicci Pullum

Public RelationsNepherterra Estrada

Sales & Distribution(704) 375-9553

Design & ProductionSPARK Publications

www.SPARKpublications.com

Web DesignMelissa Gibson

InternAndrea Royal

Subscribe to Pride$13.25. Please subscribe online atwww.pridemagazine.net or mail to

P.O. Box 30113, Charlotte, NC 28230

Letters to the EditorPlease e-mail to

[email protected],fax to (704) 375-9550 or mail to Pride Magazine

312 W. Trade St., Suite 702, Charlotte, NC 28202www.pridemagazine.net

On the CoverRonald Carter, president

of Johnson C. Smith UniversityPhoto by Moye

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

Vol. 18 No. 1January-February 2010

All rights reserved for PRIDE Communications Inc.

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10 Pride Magazine | January-February 2010

If you don’t believe in miracles, you should have been outside the Charlotte Convention Center around 1 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2009. That’s when I crossed the finish line of the Thunder Road Marathon. Yes, marathon — 26.2 miles! What might have been more miraculous is that I set, at that time, a seemingly insurmountable goal and accomplished it a year later. In the December 2008 men’s issue of Pride magazine, I declared that I would fulfill a 2003 new year’s resolution of completing my first marathon.

My journey began in January 2009 with a group of runners but ended with just me. Training became harder to complete and inconsistency set in. Less than a month from the race, I quit and decided to not run. Although I was initially overly enthusiastic, I never caught the “running bug” most runners talk about until the day after the race, when I subconsciously found myself surfing the ’net for 2010 marathons I could participate in.

It was the day of the race that did it. From the butterflies in my stomach while registering to receiving advice from veteran runners to huddling with thousands of runners at the starting line, the entire morning was electrifying. I loved having that “game day” mind-set a lot of professional athletes have before squaring of with the opposition. I had several opponents that day: sore feet and calves, cramping muscles, dehydration, glycogen depletion and time.

I do plan to run another marathon in 2010, but that is not part of my 2010 new year’s “extreme sports” resolution. Check back with me in the March issue when I’ll make the official announcement.

Looking forward to 2010 Did I wish you a happy new year? 2009 was a pretty good year for Pride despite what’s

happening in the economy. 2010 looks more promising, however. Let’s pray that the worst is behind us. Once again, we are truly grateful for all of our advertisers, sponsors and readers. Without you, we would not exist and would be unable to publicize wonderful, positive and uplifting stories that inspire this entire community. Just turn to page 24 and read about the new sheriff in town, JCSU President Ronald Carter. He defines the word “visionary” and is having a tremendous impact not only at the university but on the city of Charlotte.

Once you finish with that story then turn to page 20 and read about Jaden Saunders, the next golf sensation. Then read about the many “firsts” of one of Charlotte’s pioneers, the late Judge Clifton Johnson, on page 14. Hey, while you are at it, just read the entire issue. You will enjoy it cover to cover!

Karaoke, huge prizes at the 2010 Lowe’s Pride Awards We are absolutely excited about Lowe’s Pride Awards 2010 and want to invite each one of

you to come out for an experience you will remember for some time to come. Let me warn you, though, if you’re planning to attend: Be prepared. First, you’ll want to be dressed to the nines to take full advantage of your photo opportunity on our “Green Carpet” at the reception. Then, you’ll be exposed to exquisite dining while you learn about our theme: “Sustainability for All,” and why it’s important for you to get on board the “Green” ship. You’ll also hear from this year’s prestigious winners, Sydney Steward, Dr. David Jacobs and Jonathan Pullin.

At last, your moment of fame will arrive. The gala’s Karaoke Dance/Social will be incredible, so sharpen your karaoke performing skills. Lowe’s Home Improvement (our title sponsor) will donate the first-place prize: a complete Whirlpool kitchen suite valued at more than $2,750!! The second-place winner will receive a fabulous piece of jewelry donated by Perry’s of SouthPark, a $1,000 value. Finally, our third-place karaoke winner will receive a $250 gift certificate. Get your gowns and tuxedos ready and we’ll see you at the Pride Awards.

Resolution resolved

FromThePublisher

by Torrey Feimster

www.twitter.com/torreyfeimsterwww.facebook.com/torreyfeimster

Top: Feimster, Dec. 12, 2008Bottom: Feimster, Dec. 12, 2009

New Money from Old Items

SouthPark, 4400 Sharon Roadwww.perrysjewelry.com | 704.364.1391

Buying Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-6:00

Fine, Antique & Estate Jewelry

SILVER DOLLARSPay Up to for the following rare dollars:United States Used New(UNC)1794 to 1803 Up to $5,000 $50,0001836 to1839 Up to $30,000 $50,0001840 to1873 Up to $500 $5,000Trade Dollars Up to $100 $2,5001878 to1904 Up to $10,000 $100,0001921 to1935 Up to $250 $5,000All Prices in Ad based on rarity and condition

GOLD COINSPay Up to for the follow in rare gold:United States Used New(UNC)$1.00 1849 to1889 Up to $1,000 $10,000$2.50 1796 to1834 Up to $5,000 $17,500$2.50 1840 to1937 Up to $1,000 $5,000$3.00 1854 to1880 Up to $3,000 $10,000$5.00 1795 to1833 Up to $10,000 $50,000$5.00 1834 to1838 Up to $1,000 $10,000$5.00 1839 to1908 Up to $1,500 $6,000$5.00 1908 to1929(indian) Up to $1,500 $6,000$10.00 1795 to1804 Up to $9,000 $20,000$10.00 1839 to1932 Up to $1,000 $7,500$20.00 1850 to1933 Up to $1,500 $10,000$50.00 1851 to1852 Up to $5,000 $15,000$50.00 1915 Pan-Pac Up to $7,500 $25,000Premiums paid for type sets, date sets or quantities!

ALL TYPES WANTEDPay up to for the following rare coins:

U.S.Colonials Up to $10,000U.S Silver Halves 1934 and Older Up to $2,500U.S. Silver Quarters 1932 and Older Up to $2,000U.S. Silver Dimes 1934 and Older Up to $2,000U.S. Half Dimes 1873 and Older Up to $3,500U.S. Nickels 1938 and Older Up to $500U.S. Three Cent Pieces1889 and Older Up to $500U.S. Two Cent 1873 and Older Up to $500U.S. Indian Head 1909 and Older Up to $500U.S. Large Cent 1857 and Older Up to $1,000U.S. Half Cent 1857 and Older Up to $1,000U.S. Pattern Coinage Up to $25,000

Huge Premiums Paid for U.S. Coins dated 1793-1807

IMPORTANT: * UP TO* PRICES: All prices are based on rarity and condition. If an item is in poor condition, its value will be low. If an item is very rare, and in superb condition, it might be worth more than “up to” prices listed in this advertisement. For example, an 1879 Indian Head penny could be worth $1,400 in very high-quality condition. The same is true form any other items of value. In most cases, the “up to” prices listed in this advertisement are for items of exceptional rarity and quality. Chances are, you will not have those items. But we are willing to take the time to look at your items, just in case - free of charge - and give you our opinion. Please do not clean your coins!

GOLD at 20 YEAR HIGHGOLDWedding bands average $50 to $250Bracelets average $75 to $1,000Charms average $50 to $2,000

DIAMONDSOne-half carat average $200 to $2,000One carat average $1,000 to $5,000Two carat average $2,500 to $10,000

SILVER ITEMSSterling flatware sets average $200 to $1,000Holloware items average $25 to $500Tea sets average $500 to $5,000 Please no silverplate items unless very unique or unusual

GHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

With the price of gold at an all-time high, now is the time to sell your old,

unwanted gold jewelry and coins.You’ll find plenty of buyers around. Some of them breeze into town and set up in hotel rooms. Don’t sell your jewelry to just anyone

– they may give you a lot less than your gold is worth.

Over the last few months, hundreds of people have sold their old gold jewelry, silver items, diamonds and platinum to Perry’s … and walked away with sizable checks.

There could be a check with your name on it too.

1929 AND OLDERPay up to for the following:

$1 Silver Certificates (1957 & older) Up to $3$2 & $5 (1966 & older) Up to $10$2 Bills (1976) Must be Brand New Up to $2.50 $1, $2, $5, & 10, $20, $50, & $100 Bills (1966 and older)in Brand New Condition Up to $300$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 Bills (1966 and older) Brand New original packs (100 notes per pack) Up to $30,000Confederate Bills Up to $500Foreign Bills Up to $500U.S. Paper Money Small Size Bills Up to $500U.S. Large Size Bills Up to $10,000Obsolete Paper Money Up to $250Fractional Currency Up to $500Currency with Bank Names Up to $500$500 and $1000 Bills Up to $3,000$5,000 and $10,000 Bills Up to $20,000

“There’s never been a better time to sell gold, and there’s no better place than Perry’s.”

— Lea Ogundiran, one of Perry’s seven professional Appraisers.

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BRETT CARTERAs president of Duke Energy

Carolinas, Brett Carter leads the region’s utility powerhouse and says the opportunities for the next generation in the “exciting” field of energy are endless. “We will need new innovation and creativity. … Our country needs diverse solutions, because the issues concerning energy range from electricity generation and efficiency to economic development to transportation.”

Previously, Carter was senior vice president of customer service and business development for Duke Energy and the vice president of call center operations for the firm’s U.S. Franchised Electric and Gas organization. He joined Duke Power in 2005 as vice president of residential and small business customers. Carter moved to the Charlotte area from Missouri, where he was vice president of the central services division for Aquila in Kansas City.

A Pittsburgh native, Carter earned a bachelor’s in accounting from Clarion University. Carter earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh and completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in 2008.

Gov. Beverly Perdue appointed Carter to the Economic Development Board last year, and in 2008, Gov. Mike Easley appointed him to serve on the N.C. State Ports Authority Board.

Carter and his wife, Rebecca, have three children.

HASAAN KIRKLANDHasaan Kirkland is an associate

professor of fine art at Johnson C. Smith University. He is an emerging artist and a scholar with several books published by major publishing houses. This is his second year as the recipient of JCSU’s O’Herron Distinguished Faculty Award.

As a member of the Charlotte Area Transit System art council, he has collaborated on revitalizing local landmarks with an element of contemporary creative visual art.

Kirkland earned undergraduate (1994) and graduate (1999) degrees in fine arts from Washington State University. He moved to Charlotte in 2000 to teach art at JCSU, and has taught part time at Central Piedmont Community College. He is the JCSU Smith House and University visual art curator, a charter member of the National Alliance of Artists from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and has exhibited his work throughout the Southeast and in Brazil.

Born in Germany while his father was serving in the Air Force, Kirkland lived in California, New York, Virginia, England, Japan and Turkey. He credits his parents for exposing him to famous works of art. “Visiting such places as the Parthenon and The Louvre created my desire to draw and paint,” he explains.

Kirkland is engaged to Tiffany Peters.

DAVID TAYLORThe president of the newly

opened Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts (formerly the Afro-American Cultural Center) has big plans for 2010. David Taylor hopes the center will welcome some 100,000 visitors and become a regional and national attraction. The center opened in October as the first museum in what will be a cultural and arts campus.

“From a visual and performing arts perspective, it will allow us to present extraordinary exhibitions of culture and history that are taking place on the East Coast,” says Taylor. “(The Gantt Center) is one of the jewels in downtown Charlotte …”

Taylor was chairman of the Afro-American Cultural Center from 2004 to 2006 and was a co-owner of Dillingham & Taylor Wealth Management LLC. Previously, he led a large project for MetLife for five years and was the regional CEO for Lincoln Financial Group for 18 years. A native of Fayetteville, Taylor attended N.C. State University.

Taylor is advisory board co-chair for the Urban League of Central Carolinas. He previously served as chairman of the board of directors for the Charlotte Post Foundation and directed the board of the Arts & Science Council.

Taylor has a daughter and two granddaughters who livein Charlotte.

MAXIE WASHINGTONMaxie Washington is the first

black president of the Charlotte Top-of-the-Week Rotary Club. He says that, although the group has only 26 members, “the camaraderie and level of commitment are outstanding.”

Washington is proud of the Rotary Club’s service work with Irwin Elementary, where he mentors and tutors a third-grade student and is an adviser to the PTA board. The club’s annual charity auction raises $10,000 to $30,000, and in 2008, the club sent an entire Irwin fifth-grade class to Washington, D.C.

A 30-year banking executive and a senior vice president with U.S. Trust/Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Washington has worked for the bank since 1981. He joined the bank in Dallas, where he was a corporate client manager in its oil and gas division, later assuming leadership roles in risk management and private banking throughout the Southeast.

A New Orleans native, Washington started his career there in 1973 at Hibernia National Bank. He earned an undergraduate degree in business from Southern University in 1980.

Washington and his wife, Sandra, live in Mint Hill and have been married 38 years. They have two daughters, one of whom lives in Charlotte and is the mother of two boys. P

— Compiled by Lee McCracken

NotableNames


ParenthoodCorner

by Marlon Smith

7 signs of a ‘real man’ Spirituality, wisdom among attributes that

males from many sectors agree upon

Since February 2004, my production team and I have traveled throughout the United States

interviewing hundreds of men on the topic of “What is a real man?” We’ve interviewed CEOs, professional athletes, rappers, educators, politicians, best-selling authors, community leaders and even some jail inmates.

Although these men come from different backgrounds, live in different cities and have different experiences, there are seven common responses among them about what contributes to being a “real” man.

Insight No. 1: Accountability

A real man takes full responsibility for his actions. He honors his word when he makes a commitment. When he makes a mistake, he is first to apologize and ask for forgiveness.

Insight No. 2: Sacrifice

A real man is willing to put the needs of others ahead of his own. He understands the power of helping others manifest their true potential.

Insight No. 3: Spiritual A real man honors God by

living according to God’s word. He reads the Bible for guidance, prays for discernment and strives to live by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Insight No. 4: Delayed gratification

A real man focuses on long-term success rather than short-term pleasure. He takes

time to reflect instead of making a quick decision that later may be regretted. (i.e., Rather than purchasing a flashy car or expensive clothes that will put him in debt, he makes financial investments for long-term security.)

Insight No. 5: Legacy-driven

A real man understands that life is short. He is focused on making a difference with his life so his family and community are positively impacted. His intention is to leave a legacy that inspires others.

Insight No. 6: Values education

A real man understands the importance of an education and does whatever he can to encourage others (especially today’s young people) to be committed to continuous development and growth. He is a positive role model/mentor who values reading because “readers are leaders and leaders are readers.”

Insight No. 7: WisdomA real man learns life lessons

from his daily experiences and shares insights with others for their benefit. He takes time from the “busy-ness” of life to reflect on his journey, decisions and the consequences of his choices. He appreciates and values his experiences because they contribute to his growth.

Your opportunity assignment ■ Review the seven insights and

rank yourself on a scale of “1”

(need much improvement) to “10” (doing great) in each particular area.

■ Thank you for being honest. This is just a snapshot of where you feel you are currently. Being honest with yourself is more important than your scores because you are now more conscious of specific improvement areas.

■ Share your seven scores with someone whom you trust and ask that person to be your accountability partner so she/he may follow up with you to celebrate your growth.

Three simple steps If you are a father, uncle,

husband, brother, grandfather, boyfriend, cousin or son, this

assignment is for you. You definitely have the potential to be a real man because it only requires you to be conscious of your choices in how you are living your life.

If you are a mother, aunt, wife, sister, grandmother, girlfriend, cousin or daughter, encourage the men and boys in your life to complete this assignment because it makes a difference. We need your support!

Visit www.purposeandfun.com and www.realmentalking.com for ways to empower more families and communities. P

Marlon Smith is educational consultant and keynote speaker with Success by Choice Inc.

Rather than purchasing a flashy car or expensive clothes that will put him in debt, a real man makes financial investments for long-term security.

by Angela Lindsay Hilstphotos courtesy of Yulonda Johnson-Irvin

‘firsts’manyA man of

Judge remembered as man devoted to judicial excellence


Judge Clifton Earl Johnson, who died last June, broke barriers in North Carolina.


Top: Clifton Johnson (3rd from right) with members of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi,

at North Carolina Central University.Bottom left: Judge Clifton Johnson in

his early years on the bench.Bottom right: Judge Clifton Johnson with his mother.

Humble.

Forthright.

Accommodating.

Professional.

Thorough.

Balanced. These are some of the words that people

who knew him use to describe the late Judge Clifton Earl Johnson.

Johnson was a Charlotte attorney who broke barriers in North Carolina before his untimely death at age 67 last June while attending a judicial conference in Asheville.

The retired senior associate judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals earned a series of “firsts” during his career. He was the first African-American hired as an assistant state prosecutor in North Carolina since the 19th century. He became the first black district court judge in Mecklenburg County in 1969 and the state’s first black chief district court judge in 1974. In 1978, Gov. Jim Hunt appointed him as a judge on the N.C. Superior Court and named him to the N.C. Court of Appeals in 1982. While on the appellate court, Johnson served as the

state’s first African-American chairman of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission. As a result of his trailblazing tenure, Johnson became the first black person to have served on three state court levels — district, superior and appellate court.

Pivotal breakthrough for African-Americans

“That was important because, again, that was a difficult time for African-Americans,

and to have those breakthroughs gave a lot of inspiration to other African-Americans, particularly who were in the legal field, and to have that presence there was important to African-Americans,” says Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge Linwood Foust, a friend of Johnson. “It sort of added to the checks and balances, to the extent that he could, during that time.”

Twelfth District U.S Congressman Mel Watt says he first encountered Johnson while still practicing law in Charlotte before the two became friends and remembers him


as an “outstanding” lawyer and judge who was “thoughtful in his approach to the law.

“Anytime we experience one of those breakthroughs, it made it easier for the next breakthrough to occur because the attitude prior to the breakthrough was that African-Americans were not qualified or not able or capable or trained well enough or impartial enough or unbiased enough to hold particular positions,” Watt continues. “To the extent that those breakthroughs were taking place, those myths, stereotypes, biases, prejudices got all wiped away . . . It helped to break down those barriers and stereotypes and made it easier for those people who were coming behind to assume some of those roles.”

Strong focus on his family Johnson earned his undergraduate

degree and law degree from North Carolina Central University in Durham before moving to Charlotte to practice law. By many accounts, he was a modest and principled man who placed a great deal of emphasis on his image and was primarily concerned with setting a good example for his children.

“As far as his ‘firsts’, our father was very humble. He didn’t live his life to do ‘firsts.’ He was just one man doing it first. He just believed in doing the right thing and always said no matter what you do in life, if you work hard, good things are going to come, and people will know who you are by your good deeds . . . ” says Johnson’s daughter, Yulonda Johnson-Irvin, a career and technical education teacher at Mallard Creek High School. “One of the most important things he always told us was, ‘Never to embarrass your family. Whatever you do is a reflection of your family.’”

Above: (Mel Watt) remembers him (Johnson) as an “outstanding lawyer and judge who was

thoughtful in his approach to the law.”Top right: (From left) Henry Duel, Judge Clifton Johnson’s

cousin; Charlie Johnson, his brother; Mary Wiggins and Constance Finch, sisters: Clifton Johnson;

Sylvia Blount, sister; and Kenneth Johnson, brother. Bottom right: (From left) Yulonda Johnson-Ervin and

Khiva Johnson, Judge Clifton Johnson’s daughters;Understanding Knowledge Allah Ali, his son; Clifton Johnson; Brenda Joyce Johnson, his wife; Jennifer

Johnson, daughter-in-law; Clifton Johnson II, son; Jeff Ervin, son-in-law; Hattie Wilson McClain, mother-in-law;

and Jeffrey Ervin II and Olivia Ervin, grandchildren.

“I know he’s missed in the community, and a lot of people are really proud of him, but he is really just missed as being our father and our dad.”

— Yulonda Johnson-Irvin

Johnson was also an active member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political Caucus and other organizations. However, his most important role was played at home.

“He really believed in the unity of family,” Johnson-Irvin says. “He worked very hard to make the family proud.”

He and his wife, Brenda Joyce Johnson, were married 43 years. Johnson retired from the bench in 1996 to care for her after she became ill and later died.

Johnson returned to the judiciary in 2008 as a recall judge of the Court of Appeals and a North Carolina emergency superior court judge. Foust contends that Johnson’s emblematic career did not just leave an important legacy for African-Americans but the entire community. Johnson-Irvin says her father’s death leaves a huge void.

“He is just really and truly missed,” she says. “I know he’s missed in the community, and a lot of people are really proud of him, but he is really just missed as being our father and our dad.” P

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Gardner says it all starts with a plan as in Lesson No. 1, “Without a Plan, a Dream

Is Just a Dream,” and ends with Lesson No. 44, “Claim Ownership of Your Dreams,” and be

ready to take responsibility if the dream does come true. Gardner’s book is worth

a read for just those reasons.

‘Start Where You Are’

BookReview

by Angela Haigler

Chris Gardner’s “Start Where You Are” is the go-to book for anyone who is looking for

inspiration and guidance in difficult, or other, times. Who better to dispense such advice than the man who went from homelessness to wealth as documented in his first book, “The Pursuit of Happyness.”

Gardner’s second book, composed along with ghostwriter Mim Eichler Rivas, is a collection of 44 lessons for success. Now these lessons aren’t nearly as dramatic as the story presented in “Happyness.” However, they just make good sense.

The introduction, or “Overture — C’mon in,” is where Gardner provides a bit of his background along with a formal definition of “happiness.” According to Gardner, the “y” in his spelling of happyness represents the “y” in “you” and the ability of each of us to form our own vision of what makes us happy.

The 44 lessons are grouped into six sections plus the introduction (overture) and

conclusion (finale). With the musical inferences, Gardner appears to view his advice as a symphony or some other grand production. Perhaps Gardner believes we should all view our own lives in such a positive light in order to weather life’s ups and downs.

At times the book feels a bit long, as if it could have been wrapped up in about half the pages. In addition, the advice culled by Gardner from other successful individuals seems to water down the impact of a message from Gardner alone.

“Start Where You Are” does provide a new voice among the many “keys to lifelong success” books already on the self-help shelves. His is the voice of experience from a man who truly struggled with and then overcame many of the scenarios outlined in his book. Gardner says it all starts with a plan as in Lesson No. 1, “Without a Plan, a Dream Is Just a Dream,” and ends with Lesson No. 44, “Claim Ownership of Your Dreams,” and be ready to take responsibility if the dream does come true. Gardner’s book is worth a read for just those reasons. P


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Grade-school golfer possesses adult-level prowess on the links

Six-year-old Jaden Saunders says he likes to eat chicken nuggets and watch the cartoon “SpongeBob SquarePants.” However, Jaden is anything but typical when it comes to playing

his favorite sport, golf. That is because the pint-sized prodigy, who is no taller than an adult-sized golf driver, shows skill and dedication way beyond his years.

“He has a lot of natural ability for golf,” says Chris Leatherman, a PGA Class A professional and owner of Leatherman Golf Learning Center, who met Jaden when he was 3 years old. “That’s unusual at that age. Most kids aren’t ready for that… He is more calm than most kids that age….”

Leatherman instructs Jaden about four times a year and works to keep his clubs up to date and fitted properly. However, Jaden started showing promise long before taking his first lesson.

At just 18 months, Jaden, who is now a first-grader at Park Road Montessori School, began to display his talent for golfing after his mother, Angela, bought him a Fisher Price Little Tykes Plastic Golf Set. He began hitting the balls around the house and, eventually, his swing was so strong that the balls began to ricochet off the walls and even houseguests.

“He would hit people, and it would hurt them!” explains Gene Saunders, Jaden’s father. “So we took him outside.”


Jaden Saunders’ talent for golf emerged when he was18 months old.


‘I like to get trophies’ Saunders bought his son a real golf set when Jaden was 3. By

the age of 4, Jaden was competing in tournaments. Last May, he played in the European Open in Scotland where he beat all of the other 6-year-olds at the tournament. He also won the 2008 U.S. Kids Golf Championship, was named Player of the Year, and was invited to play in the U.S. Kids World Championship in Pinehurst, a prestigious junior golf event.

Saunders believes that opportunities like these are real-life learning experiences for his son. For Jaden, the incentive to play is much simpler.

“I like to get trophies,” he says. So far, Jaden has earned nine medals and three trophies.

Saunders says he and Angela want to nurture Jaden’s gift but are careful to not push him too hard so he does not “burn out” and stays interested in the game.

While Jaden says he likes to play golf because “it’s fun,” he is fully aware of the competitive nature of the game and understands the importance of practice.

“The key thing that I write on the wall for him is, ‘You get out what you put in,’” Saunders says. “If you don’t want to practice, you get what you get. If you do practice, you get better. It’s pretty simple.”

Formidable foe against grown-upsAs far as competition, Saunders says Jaden often beats adult

golfers, admitting he has only beaten his son five times out of 24 rounds of golf.

“I beat him a lot,” Jaden confirms.The average score in golf is around 100. The lower the score,

the better. According to Saunders, Jaden has never shot higher than a 94, and his lowest round was a 75. He says Jaden likes to “talk a lot of trash” and places bets for rewards such as ice cream and video games if he wins.

Saunders confesses, “I know that if he brings his ‘A’ game and I bring my ‘A’ game, I’m buying ice cream!”

Leatherman says Jaden is “way ahead of the game” and predicts that he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of his favorite golfer, Tiger Woods, whom he watched play at the Quail Hollow Championship last year. For now, Jaden is a normal kid — who just happens to be able to drive a golf ball 156 yards. P

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by Susan Shackelfordphotos by Moye

Last October, Ronald Carter received a major thumbs-up on how he’s leading Johnson C. Smith University as president.

The Duke Endowment, a perennial funder of the school, gave Smith not only the largest gift it had ever given the university but the largest gift the school had ever received — $5.7 million. The money will help fund two new initiatives begun last summer, the Center for Applied Leadership and Community Development and the Metropolitan College.

Since joining Smith on July 1, 2008, Carter has had a full plate. He’s striving to forge a closer relationship between the school and the city and to strengthen the school itself. He is tightening admission standards, improving consistency among programs, faculty and students, and accelerating maintenance on buildings.

“Smith is in transition — it is not what it used to be and not where it wants to be,” Carter says.

Changeagent

Johnson C. Smith

University’s new president

strengthens university, link

with city

Continued on page 27


Johnson C. Smith University President Ronald Carter and the faculty at JCSU are preparing students to become the next generation of leaders.

Student, educator and doting father

Ronald Carter, the president of Johnson C. Smith University, graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude from Morehouse College in 1971.

With a degree in sociology and philosophy, he went to work at the Martin Luther King Center at Boston University. He earned his master’s degree in theology and his doctorate in the philosophy of religion while at the school. He also rose to become the university’s dean of students.

From there, he went to South Africa’s University of Witwatersrand, where he was senior administrator of the Health Services Development Unit and later dean of students.

In 1997, he joined Coker College as provost and dean of the faculty. He spent 11 years at the Hartsville, S.C., school before joining Smith on July 1, 2008.

Carter has a 17-year-old daughter, Tumelo Rosalind Carter, who was born in South Africa and is a student at Queen Mary College, located near London and part of the University of London. Carter has also been a foster parent to four children.

He collects South African art and likes to wear cowboy boots. He resides at The Smith House, the university’s presidential home, located at 2708 Chilton Place in Myers Park. —Angela Lindsay Hilst



The latest on-campus projects include the “Bull Pen,” top, a nonalcoholic sports bar, and KokoMo’s Coffeehouse, above.

A native of High Point, Carter brought an attractive higher-education resume to Smith, reflecting accomplishments at both small and large universities as well as in South Africa (see sidebar on page 28).

Recently, Pride caught up with Carter to learn more about his views and plans. The interview is edited for clarity and conciseness:

Pride: Your undergraduate degree

is from a historically black college,

Morehouse. Now you’re leading Smith,

a historically black college. How

are the roles of such institutions

similar today?

Carter: They are both similar in trajectory. Morehouse emphasized leadership. (Morehead President) Benjamin E. Mays challenged us to be leaders with social consciences, committed to making a critical difference in society. Johnson C. Smith University has the same passion for leadership. We want to graduate people who are social entrepreneurs, who know how to take calculated risks for the common good and what is best for society.

How do people see Smith now?

Carter: People are unclear about Smith. When people in the community come to campus, and I find out this is the first time they’ve been on campus, it’s immediately evident that they’ve been disconnected from Smith.

Continued from page 24

Continued on page 29

■ Ron Carter reorganized JCSU’s Division of Freshman-Sophomore Learning into the Biddle Memorial Institute. The institute, which began last August with a three-week freshman academic/social boot camp, allows freshmen to matriculate into their majors.

■ Carter created four Centers of Excellence that make up the Smith Institute for Applied Research: the Center for Excellence in Diversity and Business Workforce Development, Center of Excellence in Global Education, Center of Excellence in Homeland Security-Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and the Center of Excellence in Minority Health.

■ Carter implemented many new services including a renovated cafeteria and student activity areas. He has overseen the opening of the campus’ first coffee shop, Kokomo’s Coffeehouse.

■ The university successfully raised funds from alumni and used Title III government money to build and install 24 Smart Classrooms. Smart Classrooms feature state-of-the-art multimedia capabilities such as interactive white boards, DVDs/VCRs, flat screens and overhead projectors.

■ Carter implemented the university’s first Carolina CDF Freedom Schools summer enrichment program last year. The program’s goal, developed through the Children’s Defense Fund, is to encourage students to develop a love for reading through an award-winning curriculum.

■ Carter implemented a partnership with the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Foster Care Division to develop a relationship with Johnson C. Smith Foster Care Initiative Student Mentors and to increase options for independent living beyond the foster care system.

■ The Defense Department selected Carter as one of 60 individuals to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference this fall. He was chosen from more than 300 nominees.

■ Carter launched a Global Education Initiative in fall 2008 aimed at giving students an opportunity to travel abroad to experience other cultures and their languages. Eleven students went to Rome as a result of the initiative. — Angela Lindsay Hilst

Ron Carter’s accomplishments at JCSU


R

JCSU President Ron Carter enjoys the festivities at the school’s homecomingin November 2009.


In 1867, two Presbyterian ministers, the Rev. S.C. Alexander and the Rev. W. L. Miller, founded Johnson C. Smith. From 1867 to 1876, the private, historically black college was named Biddle Memorial Institute in honor of donor Mary D. Biddle. In 1876, the name was changed to Biddle University. The institution operated under this name until 1923.

From 1921 to 1922, Jane Berry Smith of Pittsburgh donated money to build a theological dormitory, a science hall, a teachers’ cottage and a memorial gate. In

addition, she provided a handsome endowment for the institution in memory of her late husband, Johnson C. Smith. In recognition of these benefactors, the board of trustees voted to change the name of the institution to Johnson C. Smith University. JCSU joined the United Negro College Fund in 1944 as a founding member.

Currently, Johnson C. Smith has a student population of 1,466. The school consists of the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Professional Studies; the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and an Honors College. JCSU confers degrees in business administration; biology; chemistry; communication arts; computer engineering; information systems engineering; computer sciences/information systems, criminology, economics, elementary education, English, French, general science; history; health education; mathematics; mathematics education; music (sacred music, music business and technology, and performance); and interdisciplinary studies including physical education, political science, psychology, social science, social work, Spanish, sports management, and visual and performing arts.

JCSU is the first black college to be a part of the IBM Thinkpad University program, which gives a Thinkpad laptop to every incoming student.

JCSU has had 13 presidents, including the current leader, Ronald C. Carter, who took over on July 1, 2008.

Notable JCSU graduates include N.C. Sen. Malcolm Graham, WPEG radio personality No Limit Larry, founder of Kokomo’s Coffeehouse Tiwanna Hagans, legendary Harlem Globetrotter Fred “Curly” Neal, NFL football player Pettis Norman and former U.S. House of Representative Eva Clayton.

— Angela Lindsay Hilst

The first time I came to interview, I came in from High Point and drove Beatties Ford Road from 85 to the campus. I thought, “This is nice.” But the second time, I came up 77 and turned on Trade Street toward Beatties Ford. I couldn’t believe how Trade just ended. That bridge (at 77) was the intersection of racism and poverty. I thought, “No, no, no, no, no.” There has to be a seamless connection. I want a hand-and-glove partnership between Smith and the city.

In what way?

Carter: I want Smith to be social capital for the city of Charlotte. Since I got here, I’ve been falling in love with the city of Charlotte. We want to help it become a world-class city, which it can’t be without social capital and institutions of higher education that partner with strategic initiatives. Smith, UNC Charlotte, CPCC, Queens, Winthrop and other institutions in the area are like an educational emporium.

Smith sits on a high knoll near the city. We want to be a compelling statement of the city’s growth in diversity. I’m not talking about a conversation about engagement, but what we — the city and the university — can do together.

I sense urgency in your voice.

Carter: My nickname is “Microwave.” I want to get things done fast. I believe in talking about ideas and making decisions, but soon I want to know, “Where is the shovel, where is the dirt?”

How are you going about

establishing this partnership?

Carter: Building connections. I’m honored to sit on key boards — the Charlotte Chamber, the Foundation for the Carolinas, the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Charlotte Center City Partners and the Charlotte Museum of History. I’m also on the 2020 Vision Plan Steering

Committee for uptown Charlotte and the Beatties Ford Road Task Force. I also chair the city’s streetcar advisory committee. I’m looking for ways I can help these organizations achieve their goals.

We are also forming strategic partnerships. One is with the (Mecklenburg) Department of Social Services. We are helping them develop the soft and hard skills of teens who are aging out of foster care. They are an almost forgotten population. They may live in four or five foster-care homes growing up, and by the time they age out, they may not even have the necessary documentation to get their driver’s license.

JCSU — past and present

Continued from page 27


They don’t have advocates, and are fodder for the gang structure. They need someone watching their back.

We also worked with Seigle Avenue Partners to host a Freedom School on our campus, to inspire elementary school students to love to read and to invest in their future as possible students here some day.

What about the area between campus

and Interstate 77?

Carter: That is our front door. We want this to be a corridor for the arts that people look forward to visiting — something comparable to Georgetown (in the District of Columbia) but with the sizzle of a Greenwich Village (in New York City).

We are renovating the old Griffin Tire facility on this stretch, and hope to have it done by April 2010. It will be a teaching facility for the visual and performing arts. It will have a graphic design lab, a black box theater and practice facilities.

Next to the Griffin site (Griffin will continue to own it) we hope to have housing for students and faculty, especially for those in the performing arts. We want to jump-start an opportunity for a developer to create this space, and we would like to see boutique shops come along as well.

What about the university as a

whole — what are the key areas you’re

focusing on?

Carter: There are seven. I think of them as propellers on an airplane. You have to have all of them to fly, but when the propeller is going you can’t see any one of them. You just feel and see the movement.

These seven things are what must happen for Smith to be a premier urban university — master faculty, operational excellence, financial strength, student diversity, campus experience, community engagement and academic excellence.

Tell us about the Center for

Applied Leadership and Community

Development.

Carter: It’s about applied leadership and social entrepreneurs, civic engagement and practical applications. The four broad areas the center is focusing on are health disparities, diversity and workforce development, homeland security and global education.

I’ve asked each of our colleges to develop a signature program to work with the center. Our senior leadership on campus is also mandated to be out there — to let people

know that Smith is here to help you.It’s also a center that can serve as a

platform for faith-based and community organizations to give them a microphone, lights and help to press their points. That’s providing social capital to help improve Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Another new initiative is the

Metropolitan College — what is it?

Carter: We’re starting a flexible, diverse degree program for nontraditional students and working adults. In the past we had a continuing-education program but adults had to participate during the day program. Classes for the Metro College will start in January (2010) and include evening classes. The first degree program will be in criminology, and the second one will be social work.

When did you decide to become a

college president?

Carter: I didn’t. I just love education. My desire is to live and learn at my growing edge. My purpose in life is not to be happy by playing it safe. I want to be creatively insecure, always willing to take calculated risks. If you ask why people want to climb mountains or ski steep slopes, they want to be on the edge — to grow. P


Family


by Lee Rhodesphotos by Greg Briley

30 years of marriage and 9 children add up to 1 busy life for Charlotte clan

You’d think a mechanical engineer who oversees the building and maintenance of nuclear plants and who travels close to seven months out of a given year

would have trouble making time for much outside of work.

You’d be wrong. Not only does Walter Russell make time for

his family, his family is, arguably, extraordinary. He and his wife, Sylvia, have been married for 30 years and have nine children ranging in age from 5 to 30.

“I have been very blessed to have someone who is very open and very giving, and who is there as much as he possibly can be outside of work,” says Sylvia of her husband.

A native of Pensacola, Fla., Walter earned a civil engineering degree from Florida A&M University and then joined the Navy. He served as an engineering duty officer for 11 years, bouncing around the East Coast during that time. He began working for Areva NP Inc., a leader in the design and construction of nuclear power plants and other energy sources, eight years ago. Headquartered out of France, Areva has an office in Charlotte, which precipitated the family’s move to the Queen City in 2003.

“We enjoy it,” says Walter of his new hometown. “It’s a little more refreshing than where we were before in rural southern Maryland.”ties

Walter Russell.

The Russell children, from left: Walter, Marcus, Isaiah, Danielle, Cory, Sylvia, Olivia

(sitting), Elijah and Samuel.


‘We did the best we could’ The couple’s journey, not only to Charlotte

but also to grow their family, is a unique one. Five of the children are adopted, and the couple have provided a foster home for many more children over the years.

The couple eventually adopted some of the foster children. “Those that were meant to stay, stay. We did the best we could for those that God sent,” Sylvia says.

Where did the couple acquire such a heart for helping needy children? “My wife is adopted originally, and I decided a long time ago that it’s important to make an impact on kids,” says Walter, who comes from a large family himself.

Their oldest son, Walter II, is in the Air Force and currently stationed in Texas. Walter II and his wife, Lacy, have given the Russells “two beautiful grandchildren,” as Sylvia puts it: it: Isabelle, who is 5, and Lena, who is almost 2. The Russells’ oldest daughter, Tiffany, lives in Alabama and works for NASA as an engineer on the design of the new shuttle. When asked if he influenced Tiffany’s career choice, Walter laughs and says, “No, but she’s definitely got the genes for it.”

The couple’s first adopted son, Isaiah, just graduated from high school and is headed into the Army. Daughter Olivia is a senior in high school; son Marcus (also adopted) is a sophomore in high school; daughter Danielle is, as Dad puts it, “13 going on 30”; and adopted sons Cornelius, Elijah and Samuel are 9, 7 and 5, respectively.

Forging bonds and having fun

Family time is a priority. Avid bowlers, the Russells started their own family league this past summer. They frequent movie theaters and the YMCA, and Walter often takes the children to Discovery Place.

“It’s not so much about going out a lot but family time in general,” says Sylvia. “Friday and Saturday night is about baking and eating pizza and connecting with the kids after the week.”

Some of the children have special needs, but that doesn’t stop the family from any of their activities. Walter and Sylvia have learned to work within the children’s limitations and to meet them where they are.

“People are quick to place labels on children rather than seeing their potential,” she adds. “As a parent, you learn very quickly that you have to come in as a strong advocate for your children so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.”

For Sylvia, that means involvement in the school system and Youth and Family Services for Mecklenburg County, as well as lots of prayer.

So how do they manage it all? “I’m on the road a lot and when I come home she’s got

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them in order,” says Walter of his wife. But Sylvia is quick to point out that all of the children know they have a two-parent household. “If Dad can’t be reached in person, he can be reached by phone,” she says. “He is never outside of the loop.”

Meanwhile, Walter continues his work and his travels as a nuclear engineer. He has trekked across the entire country for the last eight years, serving as the lead mechanical engineer at the sites he travels to and recently overseeing the building of plants dealing with depleted uranium.

Back home, Sylvia holds down the fort. “To us, we’re just a family. It’s not about how large we are or how we became a family,” she says. “None of the kids would come in and say, ‘I’m the adopted child’ or ‘I’m the biological child.’ They just know they’re our children.” P

The Russells enjoy family time together.

example

Charlotte professionals serve as mentors to black male teenagers

Leadingby



by Angela Lindsay Hilstphotos by Greg Briley

Reggie McKnight

Brian Freeland, right, mentors HaaShim Graham.

The sobering statistics about young black males have been widely

reported. Only three out of 100 black males entering kindergarten will graduate from college. Black males in their early 30s are twice as likely to have prison records (22 percent) than bachelor’s degrees (12 percent). A new program for black males is aiming to turn young men’s lives around.

It all started as a vision from God in 2008, says Susan Woods, founder of the Emerging Leaders Mentorship Program. ELMP is an educational and development program designed to transform young black males into confident, successful young men. Participants must live in an economically distressed area of Mecklenburg County or York County, S.C., and complete an application for enrollment. Woods, a former high school teacher in the Florence County, S.C. school system, says the key requirement for a participant is his age.

“I used to see a transition in black males when they were preparing to go to high school, and I think it was because of peer pressure,” she explains. “They thought they had to behave in a certain way to get accepted as freshmen. So this was a critical stage we thought to really, really build their confidence during the summer and then have them ready to face whatever issues they would face when they went to high school, so they’ll be strong and able to not participate in negative activities ... ”

Peer pressure of the best kind

The three-year program, which was implemented last summer, consists of two components beginning with the six-week summer installment called The Leadership Development Summer Program. The approach was to have black men teach a one-hour session on a topic in which they are experts so the participants could see positive black male role models every day for six weeks.

“One of the things I’m very, very interested in is active engagement,” says Brian Freeland, ELMP program manager and a history teacher at the New Technology High School at Garinger. “What they’re saying with black males is that they have the least engagement as far as academics are concerned, so the

program running over the summer is to ensure they have not only engagement but positive academic engagement linked to future outcomes . . .”

Facilitators presented more than 45 topics, ranging from black history to conflict resolution to computer literacy. A few of the more than 50 speakers included

county Commissioner Harold Cogdell, former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, representatives from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and CMS gang-prevention specialists. It is the most important element of the program, according to Brian Bulluck, ELMP’s assistant program manager and a special education teacher and department chair at Turning Point Academy.

“These kids actually got to see positive black males doing positive things one-on-one,” he says. “So that was powerful, and it has just given them the knowledge that they can do this also.”

After that phase, they are enrolled in phase two called The High School Academic Success Program in which the mentors and managers monitor the youth, meeting with them every fourth Saturday and conducting “Monday Checkpoints” on the first and third Mondays. They also remain in close contact with their teachers and parents, who are required to participate in all meetings. The objective is to keep track of the teens for the next three years until they graduate from high school.

Woods, who publicized the initiative by sending out a mass e-mail and through radio ads, says the response has been “overwhelming.” In fact, 71 professional black men have signed up to volunteer as mentors.

“It teaches them valuable practical life lessons, and it plants the seeds of stewardship, professionalism, responsibility, in short, being a man,” says Charlotte defense attorney Reggie McKnight, one of the program’s volunteer mentors.

Making the transition into the program was a “difficult jump” for many of the young men at first, according to Freeland, who was named CMS Teacher of the Year in 2009.

“It’s like any other new program. You’re

‘ Difficult jump,’ successful landing


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having to explain to young men why they’re there and why they’re learning so much,” he explains. “They had a difficult time transferring that summer is supposed to be fun into ‘I can use the summer to develop myself for the future.’”

However, Freeland says the mentees adjusted over time and grew to love the program, which rewarded those who completed it with a formal graduation.

“I’ve seen how they’ve grown from the beginning of the program until their graduation,” McKnight recalls. “They were extremely confident and sure of themselves by the time they graduated.”

There many individual success stories as well, like that of Darian Taylor.

A 15-year-old student at Garinger, Darian admits that he was once selling and using drugs, robbing people and getting suspended from school. Realizing her son

needed help, his mother enrolled him in ELMP.

“It was pretty good. I got to meet other people who were going through problems like I was going through, and I learned how to deal with them,” Darian says.

Darian owes much of his turnaround to his mentor Bulluck, whom he calls “B. Bull,” and who he says taught him that “excuses will get you nowhere in life.”

Since the program, Darian says he has received a “dose of reality” and is listening to his teachers now. Bulluck notes that Darian is passing all of his classes and has not come close to being suspended so far. Although Darian says “making (Bulluck) proud ain’t easy,” he agrees that doing so will be worth it in the end.

Freeland hopes ELMP will eventually expand and influence others to start similar programs. “If we can create a model that in and of itself will effectively change the trend from negative to positive, that’s the goal that I’m seeking,” he states.

Bulluck concurs. “If we can get this thing started with just the youth, it can change the world . . . because one person affects so many different people’s lives, and when you have a multitude of people that are becoming success stories, and then they go out and each one of them touches somebody — I mean, it’s like a good disease. It just spreads.” P

For more informationCall Brian Freeland at

(704) 502-1137 and Brian Bulluck at (704) 607-1117. The Web site is www.elmp2010.com.Tax-deductible donations canbe made online or mailed to: Emerging Leaders Mentorship Programc/o Susan Woods1642 Brandyhill DriveRock Hill, SC 29732

Brian Bulluck

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Sonya Curry: More than a ‘mom in the middle’

Dedicated physicians share love of medicine

Child-care providers adapt to nurturing kids in a new era

Professor, preservationist,

pioneer! Educator, activist Bertha Maxwell Roddey

believes in taking a stand — and her life refl ects it

PM0309-4.indd 1 2/27/09 10:31 AM

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People, Planet,

Profi t

Jonathan Pullin and Charlotte’s

quest to conserve, promote and sustain

Program introduces students to construction industry

Hub in Kannapolis advances health research

Foster care, agencies’ goal: Shelter kids from turbulence

Attention has waned, but sickle cell anemia hasn’t diminished

Pharmacist fills prescriptions, fulfills his dreams

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PM0909-FINAL.indd 1 8/28/09 1:09 PM

PRIDECharlotte’s African-American Magazine Business Issue

mission

Concrete2Green revitalizes communities, spreads love of soccer

Reading, writing and diversity at Trinity Episcopal School

For founder of real estate firm, priorities are about more than finances

Self-taught topiary artist’s yard is a cut above

Man on a

May-June 2009

Richard ‘Stick’ Williams, who’ll be the YMCA’s fi rst black chairperson in 2010, makes community involvement his business

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M E N ’ S I S S U E

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Entertainmentevolution

Charlotte’s social scene expands, but nightlife insiders want more options

Men discuss fatherhood, women and more at Pride roundtable session

Independent filmmakers find

an unlikely haven in Charlotte

Snack maker puts emphasis

on diversity effort

Entrepreneur, organizations help disabled

maintain independence

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Perry Tuttle was a first round draft pick in the 1982 NFL draft and played 10 years of pro ball (NFL & CFL). Perry will always be remembered for the game winning catch during the 1982 Orange Bowl that won Clemson a national

championship. He remains the only Clemson athlete to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Perry is a member of the South Carolina Hall of Fame, Clemson Hall of Fame, Davidson County Hall of Fame & the Winnipeg Hall of Fame. He is a noted author, speaker, coach and currently works with Fortune Companies, pro athletes and is the Chaplain of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Perry and his bride Loretta have been married for 21 years and are raising six exceptional children: Korde Arrington, Karsynn McKenna, Karigan Rose, Kanyon Maxwell, Kallaway Delainee, and Kambridge Ayce.

He has written a book that provides answers to the questions that white people are too afraid to ask. “My book is a fun and objective look at the perception of how our races view each other. Hopefully it will end up on the coffee tables of white people who have been arrested by their curiosity of black folks.” P

BusinessSpotlightphoto by Tye Feimster

Perry Tuttle signs copies of his book.


There is a culture of irrelevance in today’s black church, particularly as it relates to

ministering to black men. This phenomenon has weakened the existence and influence of men in today’s women-domineering church society. In fact, leading church statistician George Barna suggests, “The church has lost its place at the table of cultural relevancy.” As we look to a more proactive approach in providing practical solutions in attracting, reaching and disciplining black men, a culture must be created. This culture must provide a “safe haven” where men can talk, express themselves and continually learn about the plan that God has for their individual lives. When I think about the African-American man and his lack of commitment to today’s local church, the questions begin to arise:■ How did just one man, Jesus,

recruit and disciple 12 other men to establish an institution, the church, that has stood the test of time of more than 2,000 years, become an anathema to the modern-day sanctuary predominantly led and filled with women?

■ More interesting, how did the almost entire male segment of the church go from being a major, dominating force to a seemingly insignificant memory of the past?

■ From a more historical and biblical account, how does a group of black, African men such as Cush, Mizraim and Phut of the Old Testament go from being considered “a

people invincible” to a current-day status of ineffectiveness and invisibility?

■ Why are other orthodox religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism filled with men, while the average black church in America has a membership that consists of 80 percent women?At ground zero of the World

Trade Center in lower Manhattan, New York, amongst the ruins and rubble of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, Bill Hybels, author of “Courageous Leadership,” states, “The church is the hope of the world and its future lies within the hands of capable leaders.” If the church is to be the hope of the world — particularly in urban, black America — there will have to arise a mountain of men who can righteously take their places of authority and responsibility.

As senior pastor of the University City Church, I’m

thankful for the overwhelming population of young African American men in the church. It gives me a confidence to give you seven proven principles that can create a culture in the church that will reach African American men.

As church leaders, we must:■ Understand the importance

of overcoming the anger and disappointment many African American men have. Oftentimes, these men are angry at the fact that their natural fathers weren’t around while they were growing up. Others are angry at the “system” of injustice and racism.

■ Patiently win the hearts of men through building trust and confidence in dynamic vision and leadership. The Bible says King David won the hearts of the men around him. (II Sam. 19:14)

■ Be cautious of the “feminine

gospel” church leaders often present and create as an environment for worship services. Subconscious decisions such as over emotionalism, pastel colors, flowers, crying circles, singing, etc., can make men uncomfortable in church services.

■ Lessen the distance between the church leadership and laymen and become more approachable. I earnestly believe that in 2007 and onward, authentic and genuine relationships are the key to everything in the local church.

■ Seek opportunities to become more relevant in the lives of men. The Bible reminds us in Mark 3:14 that Jesus selected 12 of them (the apostles) to be his regular companions.

■ Create an environment in your church that’s a place of excitement and intrigue. As an avid fan of big-ticket games and other sporting events, I often look at and compare the excitement and expectation of the faces of our men of color to those who are in the church. Jesus walked on water, turned water into wine, healed the sick and often challenged the religious right of his day. He did such great things and more, yet there’s more excitement at sporting events than in church.

■ Don’t be hypocritical! Be real, be transparent and be truthful … even with past challenges and struggles. P

The Rev. Michael A. Stevens Sr.

is the senior pastor

of University City Church

in Charlotte.

Make room for men Church needs to create culture

that appeals to black males

ByFaith

by the Rev. Michael A. Stevens Sr.


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Eclectic imagery Unconventional artist’s creations

fuse messages and moods

CreativeArtsby LaTonya Masonphotos courtesy of John Hairston Jr.

Writing on the back of the church’s tithing envelope might be frowned upon as sinful, but doodling on the church’s bulletin helped

shape local artist John Hairston Jr.’s career. The Charlotte native has been creating art for as long as he can remember. One of his most vivid memories is of drawing a picture of his family on the lid of his wooden toy box with crayons.

Hairston’s artistic style has evolved from crayon portraits to what he has coined as “early-Saturday-morning-sugary-cereal-hip-pop-surrealism.” This means Hairston’s art is a fusion of his love for hip-hop, pop culture, and Saturday morning cartoons and comics. Some of his works are comic book-ish; others are more serious with social and political implications; and others easily capture the attention of adolescents with drawings of stylishly dressed teens reading, relaxing and playing video games. From work comes ‘peace of mind’

While his artistic style is as eclectic as his taste in movies and music — which range from Japanese cinema and zombie films to music by “the old Ice Cube”— Hairston’s inpetus for creating art is simple.

“It’s the one thing I can do to shut my mind off from all of the distractions in my life, and focus on one thing … I’ve always found a peace of mind in my work.”

Hairston views his work as therapy, and said that instead of writing journal entries in a notebook, he puts his thoughts on a canvas.

“Most of my work is autobiographical and tells a story of what is going on in my life at the time.”

Inspiration comes from within Others have played a role in shaping

Hairston’s artistry since childhood, including his mother, who loves comics (she read them to him when he was young); his father, who once taught shop at Independence High School and did woodwork around the house; and his


maternal grandfather and great-uncle, who were also painters. Encouraged by an artistic family, Hairston is used to having an audience.

“I am most productive whenever I am painting in front of a live audience, mostly because you have to work faster and there is hardly time to second-guess yourself.”

Hairston’s work is displayed in many galleries across the country. His works “I Want You” and “And to Think, the Whole Time I Thought Prince Markie Dee Was Light-Skinned” were featured in the Mint Museum of Art’s “Scene in America: A Contemporary Look at the Black Male Image” exhibit, alongside works by artists Romare Bearden, Robert Mapplethorpe, Hale Woodruff and Chuck Close. P

“I’ve always found a peace of mind in my work,”

says artist John Hairston Jr.

“She’s Always in My Hair.” “Puttin’ in My Work for Ms. Sherri.” “I Want You.”

“Livin’ Astro.”


The intent of Pride’s health section is to provide information only. The publisher and writers are in no way offering medical advice and the information herein should not be used for medical decision making. Any fitness or diet program should be started upon the advice of a physician. The reader bears sole responsibility for any action taken based on the contents of this magazine and the publisher/owner and writers disclaim any implied or expressed liability.

A letter to menBalance is the key to good health

H1N1 facts and figuresCounty responds to spread of ailment

Banish belly fatResolve to trim your midsection this year

Straight talkHere’s the truth about vitamins, cold and flu

PrideHealth

Revolutionary researchHBCUs investigate ways to improve lives at research campus in Kannapolis

Phot

o by

Gre

g B

riley

Leonard Williams from North Carolina A&T State University at work on the

N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.


For most Americans, foods such as peanuts or peanut butter are nothing more than harmless snacks. But for some people with certain

types of food allergies, particularly children, peanuts and other tree nuts can lead to harmful allergic reactions and possibly even death. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 8 percent of children under the age of 4 are allergic to peanuts. Unfortunately, some parents don’t discover their children suffer from this type of allergy until the children experience a severe, life-threatening reaction that might include an obstructed airway or difficulty breathing.

But soon, peanut allergies could be a thing of the past. Researchers from North Carolina A&T State University are working on a process that inactivates allergens in peanuts. They’ve created a food-grade solution that removes allergens from peanuts without robbing them of their taste, aroma or texture. Lab tests have shown a 100 percent elimination of the two worst allergens in peanuts. According to A&T officials, several companies have shown interest in their research and the allergy-free peanuts could be available in grocery stores soon.

A&T’s groundbreaking study is being conducted at the North Carolina Research Campus, a 350-acre, burgeoning research mecca in the heart of Kannapolis, just 30 minutes north of Charlotte. The campus opened last fall on the site of the old Pillowtex complex, which shut down years ago. It houses state-of-the-art laboratories where some of the brightest scientific minds from academia and industry work side-by-side on breakthroughs in biotechnology, nutrition, agriculture and health.

PrideHealth

RevolutionaryresearchHBCUs investigate ways to improve lives at research campus in Kannapolis

by Kevin Castonphotos by Greg Briley

Mohamed Ahmedna, left, a scientist from North Carolina A&T who headed a study to remove allergens

from peanuts, confers with Leonard Williams.

Where scientists and researchers collaborate

Several major companies ranging from pharmaceutical conglomerates to food manufacturers have labs on the campus. Scientists from these companies exchange ideas with researchers from eight North Carolina-based colleges and universities. Two historically black colleges and universities, A&T and North Carolina Central, have on-site labs where scientists and graduate-level students work to unearth new finds in their fields.

“We play on our strengths and whenever there are other areas of synergy we branch out and build on the collective strengths of other institutions that are here,” says Mohamed Ahmedna, a scientist from North Carolina A&T who headed the study to remove allergens from peanuts.

Scientists from A&T are spearheading efforts to improve food safety. They’re focusing most of their efforts on a process called post-harvest technology, a method which examines ways to improve the quality and safety of food after it has left the farm. NCRC officials have provided A&T researchers 5,000 square feet of space, which includes glistening new offices and cutting-edge laboratories, to conduct their studies.

Because of the university’s opportunity to participate in groundbreaking research at the new campus, Ahmedna says A&T is sprinting toward the forefront of research among HBCUs nationwide.

Juggling 5 projects at 1 time Just across the hall from A&T’s lab,

scientists from North Carolina Central are working on five bio-molecular research projects.

In one line of investigation, researchers are assessing the impact of food ingredients on developing organs and tissues by injecting

them into zebrafish eggs and observing what happens when the fish mature into adulthood.

N.C. Central researchers are also studying the impact of the metabolites of whole foods or dietary compounds on cell functioning, helping to identify essential components that can prevent cancer, slow the aging process and bolster the immune system against infections.

Fay Calhoun is the interim director of N.C. Central’s Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute that’s located on the school’s campus in Durham. Some of the institute’s researchers and students also work at labs at NCRC where they’ve been able to expand the scope of their research.

“It’s provided a unique opportunity to engage in collaborative studies across a number of scientific disciplines,” says Calhoun. “We’re able to relate that research to the impact of nutrition on diseases that disproportionately affect the African-American community, diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

‘Silicon Valley’ for health and wellness

A boon for Kannapolis’ economy, NCRC is the brainchild of David H. Murdock, owner of Dole Foods. Murdock is a passionate advocate of health and nutrition who is spending more than a billion dollars to build the campus and refurbish a swath of downtown Kannapolis surrounding it, according to Clyde Higgs, vice president for business development at NCRC.

Gone are most of downtown Kannapolis’ mom-and-pop stores, greasy spoon restaurants, and gas stations where attendants would once fill your tank and clean your windshield. Instead, scholars from the campus and stock clerks from the local Family Dollar sip lattes at chic coffee shops or take their lunch breaks at a handful of trendy restaurants located a stone’s throw from the campus. In the coming months, new stores, restaurants and hotels will pepper the landscape surrounding the campus.

“We’re trying to create the Silicon Valley for health, wellness and nutrition research,” says Higgs, referring to the technology mecca in San Francisco. Silicon Valley is home to hi-tech companies such as Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewlett-Packard.

“We’re not just an academic campus,” Higgs adds. “The idea was to put the academics and the industry partners together on the same campus to collaborate to get new discoveries out to the market quicker, where they can help people.” P

N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.

Leonard Williams and graduate-level students labor in the labs at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.


by Dr. Shirley A. Houston A letter to men

PrideHealth Integrative Health

Balance is the key to good health in all phases of life

I’ve found that sending post-consultation letters to patients is a very helpful part of providing health care. If I could send a letter to all men, it would say the following:

Dear Sir:Thank you for allowing me to assist with your

health care needs and your healing process. Please be reminded of the importance of being in balance and that problems may arise when there is imbalance of your physical, emotional, environmental, mental, spiritual or social life.

Consider the following information about challenges you might face and possible approaches ways to deal with them.

Hypertension ■ Avoid caffeine and decrease intake of

refined foods.■ Avoid saturated fats, particularly in meats and

dairy products.■ Eliminate possible food allergens.■ Increase dietary fiber.■ Skimp on salt.■ Pick foods with proper sodium-potassium ratio

(bananas, oranges, potatoes, apples, carrots).■ Eat more vitamin C-rich foods (broccoli, bell

peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, strawberries and citrus fruits).

■ Eat more foods with calcium (low-fat and nonfat dairy products, salmon, sardines, shrimp, green leafy vegetables and tofu).

■ Crunch on celery (it contains a compound that can help lower blood pressure).

■ Skimp on sugar.

■ Take supplements (a good multivitamin, 30 milligrams of zinc daily, 50 to 100 milligrams of coenzyme Q10 up to twice daily, omega-3 fatty acids, garlic and turmeric, and 250 milligrams of hawthorn three times daily).

Prostate enlargement As men age, changes can occur in the

prostate gland and by age 80, 80 percent of men will experience some sort of prostate problem. The good news is that the most common problem, benign prostatic hyperplasia, is not life-threatening. BPH is common in men over 50 and is seen in about 10 percent of men 40 years of age. Symptoms of BPH include difficulty starting or completing urination, inability to completely empty the bladder, frequent urination, unpredictable urination or pain with urination.

Your PSA (prostatic specific antigen) should be checked once a year when you reach age 40 to help determine whether prostate enlargement is due to BPH or prostate cancer. I recommend saw palmetto and other herbs that help the prostate to remain healthy. Cooked tomatoes should be eaten regularly, as a component of tomatoes called lycopene seems to protect against prostate cancer.

Sexual dysfunction Men in their 40s complain about weight

gain, decreased muscle mass, decreased sex drive, low energy and high stress. Men also face emotional and challenges as they age. Many physicians are asked about male menopause or

andropause and about whetherthe symptoms are related to an abnormal hormone (testosterone) level. There is no significant hormonal change that takes place in men. Starting at age 40 a man’s body produces 1 percent less testosterone each year. Testosterone is the main male hormone that maintains muscle mass and strength, bone mass, sperm production, sex drive and potency.

Many call this progressive decline male menopause or andropause. Managing this phase of life includes decreasing consumption of foods high in saturated fats and increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement, but make sure there is no added iron in your multivitamin (unless a doctor says otherwise) since men have no way of eliminating iron except through blood loss. Free radicals are said to be potentially harmful to the body, so antioxidant vitamin supplementation should be used to combat free radicals released by aging cells.

Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic

risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. The underlying causes are being overweight or obese, physical inactivity and genetic factors. Many consider metabolic syndrome a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Managing the syndrome might prevent acceleration to diabetes or coronary artery disease.

Diagnosis is established when three or more risk factors are present: abdominal obesity (waist circumference) in men greater than 40 inches; triglycerides greater than 150 milligrams per deciliter; HDL in men less than 40; blood pressure greater than 130 over 85; or fasting blood glucose greater than 100 milligrams per deciliter.

Be well,Dr. Houston P

Dr. Shirley A. Houston is medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness, 7221 Pineville Matthews Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28226, (704) 543-2325 (phone), (704) 543-5440 (fax).



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H 1N1 Influenza, formerly known as the “swine flu,” has been present in the United States since spring 2009. This new influenza virus has likely been the

greatest public health challenge of 2009 and it still has a huge presence in our community today.

For more than six months, the Mecklenburg County Health Department has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state health department and community partners to educate people about ways to protect against the flu and to provide information on vaccinations. Residents have been encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccination and the H1N1 vaccine, especially if they fit into certain target groups. Those groups are:■ Pregnant women ■ People who live with or care for children

younger than 6 months of age ■ Children between the ages of 6 months and

4 years old

■ Children 5 through 18 years old who have chronic medical conditionsAs the vaccine becomes more widespread in

the region, the CDC has identified the following additional groups:■ People ages 6 months to 24 years■ People ages 25 to 64 who have medical

conditions (diabetes, asthma, respiratory illness, heart disease, kidney disease, neurological disorders and others) that put them at higher risk for flu-related complicationsOne of the biggest challenges is getting the

vaccine to those target groups. Production of the H1N1 vaccine was delayed several times and the vaccine has arrived sporadically and in much smaller numbers than anticipated.

Using guidance from the CDC, the health department developed fact sheets, posters and other printed materials listing the following eight ways to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu. To protect yourself, your family and friends:■ Wash your hands often with soap and water,

especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

■ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

■ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

■ If you get sick with flu, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from making them sick. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

■ Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean.

■ Get the recommended seasonal flu vaccine when it is available. (This does not protect against the H1N1 Flu.)

■ Get the recommended H1N1 vaccine when it is available. (This does not protect against seasonal flu.)

■ Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise and relaxation.

During early fall, the first shipments of the H1N1 vaccine began to arrive in our community. Again, based on CDC guidance and decisions made in concert with our community partners, including the major hospitals, fire, police and medic, vaccinations were given to protect health care workers and first responders on the front lines of the pandemic. These are the people who would have direct contact with anyone who might be ill with the H1N1 virus.

Through late October and early November, larger shipments of vaccine arrived and the health department, doctors’ offices and pharmacies began offering appointment-based clinics to certain target groups.

In less than a two-week period, the health department vaccinated nearly 5,000 residents through by appointment. No one had to stand in long lines and wait to be served.

Beginning Nov. 16, nurses from the health department’s school-health program began vaccinating all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students whose parents consented to having the children vaccinated. In the first week, we vaccinated 6,000 to 7,000 elementary and pre-K students.

More plentiful supplies of H1N1 vaccine will arrive over the next months, which will allow us to open clinics to the public and continue to reach out to target groups who should get vaccines first.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department’s message from the beginning has been that prevention is your best defense against getting the flu, seasonal or H1N1. Getting the H1N1 vaccination from your personal doctor or local clinic is imperative, especially if you are in one or more of the target groups.

Since this article was written, there might have been updates to this information. To stay informed or to learn more about H1N1 Influenza, go to www.meckhealth.org/h1n1 or, in Mecklenburg County, call 311. P

Dr. Stephen R. Keener is medical director of the Mecklenburg County Health Department.

PrideHealth H1N1

What you need to know about H1N1

As flu has spread throughout the community, so has county’s efforts to combat the ailment

by Dr. Stephen R. Keener


Are you ready to take action on your healthy lifestyle resolutions for 2010? Do you have clearly defined health, wellness, fitness and body image

goals for the year? To transform your body, you also need a change of heart. Most people that I meet seem to lack a passion for the results that they say they want. You must have a burning desire in order to burn fat!

‘Must get rid of this gut’ During fitness consultations I’ll routinely

ask, “What part of your body would you like to see the most change in?” The overwhelming majority of clients say, “I must get rid of this gut,” referring to extra fat that has accumulated around their midsections. When excess body fat accumulates around this area, it can lead to other serious health problems. According to the National Institutes of Health, a waist measurement exceeding 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men is an unhealthy indicator of excess visceral fat, regardless of how much you weigh. In the medical journal the Lancet, doctors agreed that waist measurement is a more accurate predictor of heart attacks than body mass index. The main cause for excess abdominal belly fat is a hormonal imbalance. It’s been medically proven that “estrogen dominance” is responsible for the fat that accumulates around the abdomen.

The good news is that you can get rid of belly fat. For the year 2010, I’d like to prescribe four healthy lifestyle solutions for reducing fat around the abdomen.

Sleep plays a role in tummy control In America, getting a sufficient amount of

sleep is not viewed as essential or necessary for optimal health, but how we sleep has a profound impact on our health and well-being. In fact, research shows that inadequate sleep can cause us to gain extra pounds around the middle due to an increase in the stress hormone called cortisol. Every hormone has receptors, and guess where cortisol receptors are: around our abdomens.

Studies consistently show that when cortisol levels rise even slightly, weight gain ensues.

Cortisol isn’t the only hormone that contributes to weight gain. Sleep deprivation adversely affects two other hormones, ghrelin and leptin which control appetite. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone, and leptin is an appetite-suppressing hormone. When ghrelin levels increase and leptin levels decrease we consume more carbohydrates and fattening foods.

Studies indicate that when we go to bed is more important than how long we sleep. Going to sleep between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. creates hormonal balance for optimal weight loss!

Optimal food groups and essential acids

In addition to getting proper rest, consuming certain foods to balance hormones is another healthy lifestyle solution to lower belly fat. There are four belly-flattening food groups that contain substances proven to reduce estrogen dominance: cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits, insoluble fiber and lignans. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, spinach and asparagus contain a phytonutrient called indole-3-carbinol that’s been shown to decrease the body’s load of “bad” estrogens. Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes and grapefruits, contain a substance called d-Limonene, which promotes the detoxification of estrogen. Foods such as brown rice, barley, cucumbers and zucchini contain insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber reduces estrogen load by binding itself to excess estrogen in the digestive tract, which is then excreted from the body. My meal plans for weight loss contain a plethora of these foods, and many of my clients are eating the pounds away.

Another nutrition-based solution for burning belly fat is MUFAs. Otherwise known as monounsaturated fatty acids, MUFAs are nutrients that have been shown in various studies to actually target and reduce both visceral and subcutaneous belly fat. MUFAs burn stored belly fat and contribute to overall weight loss. Some

of these foods are olive oil, walnuts, avocados, sunflower seeds and dark chocolate.

Give yourself some breathing room Here’s my final healthy lifestyle solution on how

to reduce belly fat: Learn and master the “fitness secret.” I know you’re asking, what is the fitness secret? It’s right under your nose, so to speak. I’m talking about the art of optimal breathing. It’s the most important, least understood and most neglected practice in the effort to be fit.

Here’s what most of you don’t know: The air you breathe can be a fat-burning force once you know how to harness its power. Oxygen is one of the chief “atomic nutrients” necessary for the metabolic fire created by the mitochondria. The mitochondria in our cells is the source of our metabolism. Stored fat and dietary fat burn oxygen atoms in our body. Most adults are shallow breathers, and have no clue about how they should breathe in order to lose weight during exercise.

Optimal breath training involves the use of a set of “fat-burning breathing techniques” during aerobic exercises that fully engage our most powerful respiratory muscles, our diaphragm and abs. To learn more about optimal breath training and Core Jogging, go to www.bodyofyourdreamsstudio.com.

May you be inspired and motivated to use this healthy lifestyle wisdom in 2010, so you’ll no longer have to settle for walking around with your belly pulled in! And always remember: God’s body deserves a healthy lifestyle! P

Shabaka Amen is a personal fitness trainer.

Banish belly fatResolve to take a healthy approach to trimming your midsection

by Shabaka Amen

Personal Training PrideHealth

Shabaka Amen shows Sabrina Braithwaite the best foods for banishing belly fat.

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Because of the aggressive nature of football, soccer, basketball and especially hockey, it is our responsibility to consider eye safety

while participating in these and other sports. Sources cite anywhere from 40,000

to 100,000 eye injuries related to sports every year. The injuries can range from a finger being poked in the eye, resulting in a corneal abrasion, to something as career-ending as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard’s retinal detachment. A detached retina can lead to total blindness or the loss of an eye.

Roughly 90 percent of ocular injuries could have been prevented with proper protection.

The lesson here is that while we love our sports, we also need to be concerned with the “what ifs” to protect ourselves against harm.

The reason we play sports is to have fun. When we are distracted by pain, discomfort, black eyes, etc., then we cannot enjoy ourselves. The eye is a very precious, delicate organ and because the cornea or the front of the eye has more nerves per square area than any other part of the body except the scrotum, small injuries feel very painful.

Assess the risk and see your doctor

Sports eye injuries are classified as low risk, high risk or very high risk. The main differentiator is whether a ball, puck, stick, bat or racket are used and if there is any body contact. For example, track, gymnastics, cycling or swimming would be considered low risk. High-risk sports include baseball, basketball, hockey, football, lacrosse, tennis or other racket sports, fencing and water polo. Boxing, wrestling and contact martial arts are considered very high risk and involve body contact with no eye protection.

Always get a physical before participating in any sport, but if you have eye or vision challenges or are going play high-risk or very high risk sports, make sure you explore safety lenses and safety frames to protect one of your most precious resources, your eyes. Additionally, get a dilated eye examination to make sure your retina does

not have holes or tears in it prior to signing up for your respective sport. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Your recommended solution could be as elaborate as a polycarbonate faceguard attached to a helmet for football or baseball or as simple as goggles with safety lenses in them that you wear while playing basketball. In most cases, fashion eyewear is not

sufficient for protecting the eyes while playing any type of sports.

The bottom line is that you get just two eyes that have to last a lifetime. Keep them protected so you can enjoy playing sports for years to come. P

Dr. Paula Newsome is president of Advantage Vision Center.

PrideHealth Eye Care

Protect your peepersReduce chance of sports-related injuries by wearing safety lenses, frames

by Dr. Paula R. Newsome


Medical experts know that nutrition misinformation abounds. Unfortunately, many laypeople — who rely on Web sites, old wives’

tales and the like — don’t. Here are four dietary tales you can dismiss.

■ Taking a multivitamin supplement and drinking milk should help me meet my vitamin D requirements for the day.

There is an epidemic deficiency of vitamin D in our population for all ages, especially the elderly, and it has quite serious consequences. Vitamin D is actually a hormone that the body manufactures with help from the sun, but many factors affect production: season, latitude, time of day, air pollution, use of sunscreen, age and darkness of the skin (dark pigment in the skin decreases synthesis by 95 percent).

Under ideal conditions, the body produces 20,000 international units in 15 minutes (noon, summer, good skin exposure, no sunblock) yet the recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 200 to 600 IUs per day. Vitamin

Straight talkHere’s the truth about vitamins D and E, and the best way to fight colds and flu

by Carol Land

Medical Myths PrideHealth

D is known to prevent rickets and to help calcium be absorbed by the bones. Research now shows that adequate vitamin D levels can prevent many forms of cancer. Most multivitamin supplements and dairy products have low levels of vitamin D2, which is poorly absorbed. D3 is the active form and should be taken in higher levels to correct deficiencies. Many doctors are now recommending 1,000 to 10,000 IUs per day, but the only sure way to know how much you need is to have a blood test to check your levels.

■ The vitamin E in prenatal vitamins should be adequate to promote good neurological development of babies.

Vitamin E is essential for proper brain and nerve development during pregnancy for the fetus, but the form provided is critical. D-l-alpha tocopherol is frequently found in prenatal formulas because it is much less expensive than the natural d-alpha form. Unfortunately, this synthetic form is not well absorbed and does not pass through the placenta, so none of the synthetic E will reach the baby. The cheaper synthetic form should not be used by any individuals wishing to supplement their vitamin E intake; mixed natural tocopherols are a much better choice. Just remember: d-l: don’t like!

■ Magnesium is a mineral we need for about 300 biochemical reactions in our bodies and because it is so abundant in foods, we should be getting enough in our diets.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently published a study reporting that an estimated 68 percent of people in the U.S. don’t get the recommended daily allowance for magnesium and 19 percent get less than half. Magnesium is critical for proper heart function, blood pressure and blood sugar regulation, energy and protein synthesis, and muscle and nerve action. Low levels can increase the risk of cardiac deaths and strokes; cause migraine headaches; and contribute to many disorders

including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, insomnia, muscle cramps, asthma and osteoporosis.

Various factors increase magnesium excretion including the intake of alcohol, caffeine, calcium, dark sodas, sugar and lots of salt; stress; sweating; diuretics; birth control pills; and antibiotics. Current research indicates that food sources of magnesium are decreasing due to agricultural and food processing practices. Supplemental magnesium is difficult to absorb and should be taken as a powder mixed with hot water.

■ Besides washing hands and getting enough sleep, there’s not much you can do to prevent getting a cold or flu.

There is much that can be done to improve your immune system including taking quality probiotics, fish oils, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc and vitamin C. Taking medicinal mushrooms with beta glucan and specific herbal preparations (Padma Basic, Echinacea/goldenseal, astragalus or ginseng) can make your immune system stronger. Avoid high sugar intake because it can lower the action of your white blood cells for two hours after consumption. Getting regular exercise and drinking eight glasses of water a day also helps keep you healthy.

Eating yogurt is good enough to replenish probiotics after taking antibiotics. Most commercial yogurts do not contain enough probiotics, healthy bacteria that should be in the gut, to make them therapeutic. Probiotic supplements should be taken with food and can be taken even while on antibiotics, to prevent the destruction of your healthy bacteria along with the ones that the antibiotics are targeting, if they are taken at least four hours after the antibiotics. It’s a good idea to keep probiotics refrigerated to prolong the shelf life. P

Carol Land holds a master of science degree and is a registered dietician and licensed dietician/nutritionist with Carolina Compounding and Nutritional Pharmacy.

Most multivitamin supplements and dairy products have low levels of vitamin D2, which is poorly absorbed. D3 is the active form and should be taken at higher levels to correct deficiencies.


Complimentary ConsultationFlexible Down PaymentAffordable Monthly PaymentsNo Referral Necessary

Sean T. Murdock, DDS, MS

Rock Hill LocationManchester Village (I-77 at Dave Lyle Blvd.)

775 Addison Ave., Suite 111Rock Hill, SC 29730

(803) 325-8770

Charlotte LocationNorthlake Mall Area

(I-77 or 1-485 at W.T. Harris Blvd.)9320 Center Lake Dr., Suite 100

Charlotte, NC 28216(704) 509-4999

Two convenient locations in the Charlotte area:

Orthodontics for Every Smile!


PrideBusiness

The intent of Pride’s business section is to provide information on real estate, small business and personal finance only. The opinions and analyses included in this section are based on factual information obtained from public information and other sources deemed to be reliable and provided in good faith; however, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, completeness or correctness of such information. Please consult with real estate, business or personal finance professionals before making any decisions.

Beat dollar-sign bluesReduce stress by improving

your financial health

Keeping up appearancesConsider a manly makeover to

stay competitive

Time waits for no manNew decade, new opportunity

to boost finances

Cooking up a full-time business

Be sure you have key ingredients before leaving your job

New lease on lifeA pro can help you renegotiate

contract, save money

Building blocks of successConstruction company nurtures workers, caters to communities


PrideBusiness Feature

Bank of America Stadium. The new Mecklenburg County courthouse. The NASCAR Hall of Fame. The North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. These local architectural examples,

with their distinct and remarkable designs, have one thing in common: They were built by Turner Construction Co.

Turner, which is headquartered in New York and has an office in SouthPark, generated $10.7 billion in construction volume last year and performs work annually on more than 1,600 projects nationwide. Despite its massive global presence, Turner says it is a people-focused organization serving each community where it does business.

Lonnie Miles, CEO of Miles-McClellan Construction Co., worked at Turner for six years before starting his own construction company and eventually merging with McClellan Construction. He credits his experience at Turner with providing him continual hands-on training in the office and out in the field.

“It was really a great learning experience for me. I had a chance to watch the construction process from top to bottom …” Miles says.

“They allowed me to be exposed to all parts of the business,” he adds. “So anything I was interested in, I was able to take a look at. Everything from watching how they

Building blocks of success

Construction company nurtures employees, caters to communities

by Angela Lindsay Hilst

Vernon Anderson

One of Turner Construction’s projects is the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

Turner Construction is also building the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown.


market to how they put sales teams together to how proposals were put together. ...”

Educational opportunities abound

Providing its employees with a steady pool of useful information is part of Turner’s culture.

“Turner has, by far, the most comprehensive training program, not only for its employees but also for the community via its Contractor’s College,” says Vernon Anderson, a project executive with Turner’s Charlotte office. “While some courses are mandatory, based on the employee’s position, there are numerous courses that are optional, and they allow the individual to grow his or her skills well beyond their current assignment.”

Turner offers educational opportunities available on its intranet, including accredited professional courses. Miles taught some of these classes while at Turner in the Cleveland office and recalls the positive impact on minority-owned companies.

“(Turner) had a very strong presence in the minority community when it came to not only teaching construction but also making projects available so that minorities could work on (them),” he states. “ It’s one thing to offer a class; it’s another thing to make sure there’s work after the class.”

Gains in minority contracts, ‘green’ efforts

In 2007, Turner awarded 3,000 contracts totaling $1.3 billion to minority and women-owned business enterprises. It was the third year in a row that the company had surpassed the milestone of awarding in excess of $1 billion of contracts to WMBEs.

“I would applaud Turner for making that part of their culture,” says Miles. “I was there in 1975, and I know they were doing it back in 1975. I would encourage others to embrace that philosophy.”

With the push for companies to become more environmentally conscious, Turner has remained ahead of the curve. The company now counts 1,186 LEED (a green-building certification system) Accredited Professionals on staff, more than any other firm in the architectural, engineering and construction industry, according to Building Design and Construction magazine. With the company’s $3 billion of green construction volume in 2008, Turner was recognized as the leading green builder in the publication’s 2009 Giants 300 rankings.

Accomplishments aside, Turner promotes a healthy work-life balance for its employees, and the company aspires to create a “family atmosphere” by recruiting diverse talent.

According to Turner’s Vernon Anderson, the company has not only mandated diversity training for all new hires but also implemented a focus group in which Anderson participated to identify possible reasons their diverse employees would consider leaving the company.

“What was interesting about our committee was that the company had not experienced the problem that was being studied, yet there was a committee to address the potential of this occurrence and to suggest ways to ensure that the problem never occurred,” says Anderson. “Not only was this forward thinking an example of the company’s sincere commitment to retaining talented diverse personnel; it was, in my opinion, a significant factor in attracting diverse talent.”

Turner is also committed to assimilating into each community in which it is located. Today, the company embraces national volunteer programs such as Habitat for Humanity, United Way and the ACE Mentor Program, a national organization that mentors high school students in the architectural, construction management and engineering industries. P

Another of Turner Construction’s projects: Bank of America Stadium.


Have you been feeling stressed lately? Gritting your teeth as you sit behind the wheel during rush hour traffic? Thinking of all the projects

that need to be completed at work or home? Wondering if you’ll ever find time to relax?

While there are many contributors to stress, money and finances are arguably among the biggest sources of pressure in our lives. Not only can money woes cause headaches and nausea, but they can also increase your likelihood of developing gum disease, according to research published in the Journal of Periodontology.

Here are five steps to help reduce the financial stress in your life.

Get help from an expert There are financial professionals who can

help assess your financial situation and assist you with investments and savings products to meet your goals.

Boost your financial fitness Work those financial muscles. It takes

time and effort to reach your financial goals. If you’re on a diet, you’ve likely set a goal of how many pounds you want to lose. If you’re a collector, you’ve likely set a goal of

Beat the dollar-sign blues

Reduce stress by improving your financial health

by Chris Buford

PrideBusiness Money and Health

how many items you want to own. If you’re serious about saving money, it’s no different. Setting specific goals helps you focus on where you want to be.

A dollar a day keeps stress away To reap the financial benefits of

compounding, you need to start saving as soon as possible. Even with all your bills and expenses, it’s usually possible to find a little bit of money to invest. Track your expenses for one month and scrutinize your spending habits.

Reward yourself for a job well done

You work hard and when you retire it will be time to reap the benefits. No matter what your retirement dream is, it takes preparation to make it happen. The 2004 Allstate Retirement Reality Check survey found that most Americans have not saved enough for retirement. Only 8 percent of survey respondents had completed 10 basic retirement preparedness steps and only 38 percent had completed fewer than five. If your current savings efforts are falling short of your goals, consider consulting with a financial professional to review your current insurance and financial needs.

Wipe away credit-card blues Paying off high-interest loans could help

lower your financial stress, especially if you’re having trouble making the minimum payments, or making late payments. Eliminating credit-card debt can help ease your mind, and less consumer debt may help improve your credit score. Residents of many states are now eligible to receive, once per year, a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com for more information. P

Chris Buford, a Charlotte-area Allstate personal financial representative, can be reached at (704) 941-8107 or [email protected].


Obviously, aging is a natural part of life. However, you might wonder how a black male can age gracefully and still compete with his younger brothers

in the workforce? Appearance is not everything, but we all know impressions are lasting and perception is one’s reality.

I was conducting an interviewing skills workshop recently and an older man who had been in the workforce for 30 years was concerned about his marketability as he searched for work. While we have little control over our age, we can control our appearance. Our sisters might argue that aging men are viewed more positively in the workforce than women, but I believe men should be just as concerned about their appearance. Here are my suggestions that might work for you:

Maintain a healthy body weight: As we grow older, our metabolism slows; therefore, we should resist the second and third helpings of meals. Watch your portions, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, if your doctor agrees, take a daily multivitamin, watch the fried foods and get the exercise.

Gray hair might look distinguished: However, it does make you look older. There is nothing wrong with using a little hair color to mask the gray in your mustache and your hair. The process is simple for most men and might require a weekly application. Get to the barber once per week, if possible, to trim your hair, mustache and beard.

Take care of your skin: The most important thing for the skin is to keep it clean. Wash your face twice a day with a mild facial soap void of harsh chemicals that dry and irritate your skin. You might also find that a daily facial scrub removes dead skin and gives you a healthy appearance. A mask also will remove deeply embedded oil. You can still have a good skin regimen and remain masculine. See a dermatologist if you struggle with razor bumps.

Add to your professional wardrobe: You should add new items, professional attire and business casual, to your professional wardrobe each season. Purchase classic items and textures such as wool, tweed, cotton, silk and linen. These items do not have to be expensive.

Visit the dentist every six months: It is just as important to maintain that nice smile, pleasant breath and healthy gums. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Visit the dentist twice a year to keep your mouth in shape. P

Bill H. Means is director of internships and career programs at Queens University of Charlotte.

Keeping up appearances

Want to maintain a professional edge as you age? Consider a manly makeover to stay competitive

by Bill H. Means

Career Advice PrideBusiness


Is it 2010 already? It wasn’t long ago that we were standing firmly in the latter part of 1999 getting ready for the “end of the world as we knew it.” Remember … we were

all running around in a panic, buying canned goods, milk and duct tape in preparation for the infamous Y2K doomsday events.

It seems like just yesterday we were watching distraught people stranded on top of homes, languishing in an overcrowded sports arena and clinging to branches of hope as the rushing tides of Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans. That was 2005. And it was just last year that we witnessed something that many of us never thought we’d ever see, the first African-American president of the United States of America. We are now completing the first decade of the new millineum. Are you prepared for the next decade?

A change is coming One of the primary financial stories of

the past decade has been the economic

downturn and credit crisis. 2007 saw a financial shift that forever changed access to credit as we’ve known it. I do see light at the end of this financial tunnel as we slowly regain our collective confidence in the financial markets.

Step back for a minute and ask yourself: Would a change in our mentality regarding credit be such a bad thing for us and future generations? I would have to offer a resounding no. How did we get here anyway?

Somewhere in the early 1950s we shifted from a culture of accessing credit for essential items such as cars, homes and work-related items (i.e., farm equipment and work-related automobiles) to accessing credit for non-essential luxury items. Retailers began playing a larger role in dictating what we were “supposed” to have by beginning mass commercial advertisements for luxury items (i.e., jewelry, certain clothing, luxury vacations, etc). These items became status symbols of a certain “lifestyle” and many of us, just one or two generations from slavery, wanted that “lifestyle.” We started overextending our credit and subsequently began drowning in debt! Before we knew it, years of financial damage had passed and many of us are now saying, “What did I do to my finances?”

As this decade comes to a close, let’s vow to be conscious of our national financial state, active in our personal financial management and proactive about our financial future. How do you do that, you ask? It’s not difficult. Just use the Triple R Theory of Finance: Read, Research and Repair.

Read The primary way to stay abreast of

financial and credit-related news, shifts and trends is to read financial trade publications such as Black Enterprise, the Wall Street Journal, etc., and reputable financial blogs

and Web sites. You have to do the work if you want the information and reading is the primary way to get it.

Research Once you find financial and credit-related

information that interests you, research it thoroughly. That often entails additional reading; however, it can also include contacting financial advisers, real estate experts and others, and getting references. Never assume that something you read is 100 percent accurate without doing some research to verify the information.

Repair Many of us require financial and credit-

related repair. Repair requires action; therefore, you must take action to improve financial and credit issues. You have two options: Hire a professional (i.e., financial adviser) or use a self-help method of financial and credit improvement (www.everythingaboutcredit.com, for example). Either way, start working on those issues now.

No matter what happens, I have high hopes for our financial future. Over time, we will adjust to the new financial processes and limited access to credit. The good thing about the limited access to credit is that it will become the norm for the next generation, just as overextending our finances and credit was the norm for many of us. Besides, time is going to fly and over this we have no control. We do, however, control our credit and finances and can make a radical decision to improve that situation for our families. P

Brian P. Willis is CEO of Wealth Builders Enterprises Inc., (877) 279-9922, www.wealthbuildersnc.com, and the author of the “Help! I’m Drowning in Debt” program.

Time waits for no man

New decade brings opportunity to shore up your finances

by Brian Willis

PrideBusiness Personal Finance


Last September, Rashaa Brown decided to take the full-blown entrepreneurial plunge. Though the 33-year-old started her baking

business as a sideline for some extra cash, she took a leap of faith by leaving her job as a preschool teacher to start Pink Chocolate Cupcakes (www.pinkchocolatecupcakes.com) on a full-time basis.

“Initially, I started experimenting with vegan cupcake recipes because I was looking for healthier sweet treats for my children. But I quickly realized other families wanted dessert alternatives too,” explains Brown. “My business specializes in vegan cupcakes made without eggs, dairy or any other animal byproducts. We also have gluten-free cupcakes made without wheat flour.”

So far, Brown says business has been good but admits there have been challenges, too.

“Balancing family and work is something that I’m dealing with on a daily basis,” she says. “I’m also learning to properly start, build and operate my business. It’s one thing to have a product, it’s another to effectively and strategically market and sell that product.”

Weighing the pros and consSo why add these challenges and give

up the steady income, health insurance and other benefits that a full-time job provides? Like Brown, you might conclude that your business requires your full-time attention. Before you take the leap, answer these questions:

Will the money you get from running your part-time business replace the income you’re earning from full-time employment? If not, consider scaling back your spending or finding other ways to make ends meet. Just know that you’ll need another means of survival before you quit your day job.

Have you established a financial safety net for you and your family? Your bank account should contain enough money to cover at least six months of living expenses. Also, make sure you’ve paid off the balances on all credit cards and other debts.

Do you have multiple and diverse streams of income? If your part-time business depends on one source of income, it’s vulnerable to steep swings in consumer demand, economic downturns and other unpredictable factors. The best businesses have multiple streams of income, which may include product sales, participation in affiliate programs, consulting services and other fee-based offerings.

Do you have a business plan? A comprehensive business plan is essential if you’re serious about your business. It should include a description of the products and/or services your company will offer, estimated financial requirements, financial statements, staff biographies, market analysis and other important details that support your effort.

Can you handle working alone? The path of entrepreneurship can be lonely. To maintain your connections, consider joining professional groups that will allow you to network with like-minded individuals. Also, maintain contact with your past superiors or colleagues so you can keep your pulse on your particular industry and cultivate old relationships.

Now that you know the key ingredients for business success, you can determine if leaving your full-time job to pursue your entrepreneurial venture is the right move. P

Monique Brown McKenzie is the president of www.e-sourceunlimited.com, which specializes in helping professionals upgrade their e-communications to better serve clients and upgrade their marketing efforts.

Cooking up a full-time business

Ensure you have these key ingredients for success before leaving your 9-to-5

by Monique Brown McKenzie

Small Business PrideBusiness

Rashaa Brown left her job as a preschool teacher to launch her baking business, Pink Chocolate Cupcakes.


by Emmanuel Choice

Business owners should be aware that there are alternatives to reducing overhead expenses outside of laying off employees or shutting the

doors altogether. With the current economic uncertainty, savvy entrepreneurs can mine hidden value from their commercial leases as current market conditions are creating unique opportunities for small business owners to renegotiate their existing leases. The resulting savings could be just the edge needed to help many entrepreneurs effectively navigate turbulent economic waters.

Landlords across the nation are fielding calls from tenants looking to renegotiate existing terms and many of them are developing strategies that allow them to maintain value for their investors (understand that the value is in the flow of cash generated by tenants, not just the brick and mortar), so it is imperative that you be prepared to state your case. Here are some tips to help you through the process.

Identify a broker you trust An experienced commercial real estate

broker can help you develop a plan that adds value to your bottom line and sets you up for future growth. Make sure the broker has the proper training beyond state licensing because requirements are almost entirely geared toward residential real estate. Contact The CCIM Institute (North Carolina Certified Commercial Investment Member, www.nc-ccim.org) to find a licensed professional in your area.

Understand market changes Before you even think about renegotiating

your lease, it’s important to do some research about the commercial real estate market in your area. If rates have declined, it will strengthen your argument for a lease reduction. But if rates are increasing, you might want to reconsider how aggressively you pursue your request for a better deal.

The best time to renegotiate a lease is six months to a year before your current lease expires. If the renegotiation fails, you will at least have enough time to properly consider alternative locations. At all costs, try to avoid a scenario in which your failed negotiations force you to relocate at the last minute.

Present an updated balance sheet If sales have been suffering due to increased

credit restrictions or deteriorating market share, meet with the landlord to review the current challenges and enlist support to help you stabilize your balance sheet by reducing your cost per square foot. This strategy might result in extending your term, but it could be a real win/win situation.

Present decreased traffic-count data One of the things that probably attracted

you to your current space (particularly if you are in retail) was the strong traffic count numbers.

If the amount of traffic in your neighborhood has decreased, the value of the space has decreased and you might be able to persuade your landlord to accept a reduced lease at current market value. Your commercial broker can aid you in retrieving and presenting this data.

Pay attention to vacancies A rash of vacancies in the surrounding units

can signal a decline in the overall value of the property where you lease space. Landlords know that space in a largely vacant building isn’t worth as much as space in a building with nearly full occupancy. You can use that information to your advantage in a renegotiation, especially if you know the landlord’s back is against the wall.

Monitor the decline of your building Remember, landlords are looking to

reduce expenses just like you and might have begun to take some shortcuts with respects to maintaining common areas or deferring maintenance on building equipment. Although tenants are responsible for maintaining their own spaces, the responsibility for maintaining common areas usually falls on the landlord. If the quality of common areas and landscaping is declining, you clearly have grounds for renegotiation. But the bigger question should be whether you really want to remain in a space with deteriorating surroundings.

Small business remains the backbone of our nation’s economy and it is imperative that entrepreneurs use every resource at their disposal to not only remain viable but to thrive even amidst economic uncertainty. Innovation, resiliency, superior market knowledge and a support team comprising top professionals committed to your success are all essential tools in the small business owner’s tool belt. P

Emmanuel Choice is a transactions and investments broker at Lincoln Harris.

New lease on lifeThe right professional can help you renegotiate your contract and save money

A rash of vacancies in the surrounding units can signal a decline in the overall value of the property where you lease space.

PrideBusiness Commercial Real Estate


Buying a Home PrideBusiness

Owning a home builds wealth, stability and strengthens families.

Owning a home also requires preparation, education

and commitment.At Bank of America, we take financial

education very seriously and partner with many leading nonprofits to deliver it to consumers. We are committed to helping

create successful homeowners and know that many potential home buyers need assistance and support in navigating the home loan and purchase process. The economic downturn has also taught all of us the value of being financially healthy and empowered to take charge of our financial futures.

Bank of America’s commitment to financial literacy is shared by 100 Black Men of America Inc., an organization of more than 10,000 members across 114 chapters that works to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for African-Americans. Bank of America has partnered with 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte to launch a new family homeownership initiative in Charlotte.

The focus of the Family Homeownership Initiative is to educate families about the home loan process to help them become successful homeowners in a challenging economy. As part of the initiative, 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte has identified aspiring homeowners who now participate in homebuyer-education seminars facilitated by a local Bank of America-approved, home-

buyer education provider. These families also have a dedicated Bank of America loan officer and Realtor to help them navigate through the mortgage process.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to help educate the families in our communities, mentor our youth and provide them with sustainable tools to enhance their future,” said Donnie Koonce, vice president of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Residential Underwriting, and 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte’s president. “We are proud to partner with Bank of America, sharing a common goal of not only helping more people buy a home, but become successful homeowners and pass that goal along to the youth of our community.”

This initiative is also active in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. We are excited about working with families to help them better understand the rewards and responsibilities of homeownership, becoming confident that they are prepared for every step of the way. P

Glenda Gabriel is neighborhoodlending executive, Bank of America.

Partners in homeownership

Bank of America, 100 Black Men introduce financial-education initiative

by Glenda Gabriel

“We have a tremendous opportunity to help educate the families in our communities, mentor our youth and provide them with sustainable tools to enhance their future.”


Job Help Center opens in January

A Job Help Center opens on the first floor of the Main Library on Jan. 21 to serve job seekers and those in career transition. To prepare for the change, the Virtual Village computer lab at Main Library closed on Nov. 18. Between the closing of the Virtual Village and the opening of the Job Help Center, computers and staff have been redeployed throughout the Main Library to serve customers.

Many of the Virtual Village computers are being moved to a computer lab on the second floor. The process of using and reserving a computer will remain the same. During this transition, customers should expect increased wait times for computers at the Main Library, but this is temporary.

“Every day, customers are using the library to file for unemployment, search for jobs, create resumes, develop computer skills and perform other tasks related to the workforce,” says Frank Blair, director of research, innovation and strategy for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

The new Job Help Center at the Main Library will include additional computer labs, reference resources and meeting rooms. Funding for the center was provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Mecklenburg County ABC Board, Phillip L. Van Every Foundation Board and The Wachovia WellsFargo Foundation.

YMCA hires new director of Stratford Richardson Y

Anthony Walters is the executive director of the Stratford Richardson YMCA on West Boulevard. Walters is the former executive

director of the Lowe’s YMCA in Mooresville. He says he feels a personal connection to the Stratford Richardson branch, which serves mostly low-income families and individuals.

“Economically and demographically speaking, the West Boulevard neighborhood is where I grew up,” says Walters about his childhood spent in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Wilmington, Del. “I was that kid who snuck into the YMCA. It was my refuge. There are many who want to be a part of the Y but don’t want to ask for help. Now that I am able, I want to invest my energy in those who are dealing with difficult situations.”

In addition to his YMCA career, Walters was director of community and service learning initiatives at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History

at UNC-Chapel Hill. “The 2003 opening of the

Stone Center was wrapped in controversy over whether or not to have a black culture center or one that was multicultural,” Walters recalls. “But tolerance prevailed in the end. The center perpetuated understanding. My experience there gave me insight into what can be done programmatically with some community involvement.”

The Stratford Richardson YMCA provides programs for seniors, children and teens. Most of the branch’s participants could not take part without financial assistance from the YMCA.

“The Stratford Richardson YMCA hasn’t lived up to its full potential yet,” says Walters. “The Y has great opportunities for impact here. It will take community effort and I’m not afraid to pound the pavement.”

Charlotte appoints new leader of CATS

Carolyn Flowers is the new transit executive director and CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System.

Flowers is the former chief operations officer for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority,

where she oversaw Metro Bus operations, Freeway Service Patrol and SAFE call box programs, an annual operating budget of $900 million and more than 6,000 employees.

Her career at MTA includes holding the positions of executive officer of administration and deputy executive officer for finance. As executive officer she was responsible for real estate, general services, human resources, organizational development and strategic planning. As deputy executive officer for finance, she managed the Office of Management and Budget.

Prior to joining the transit agency, Flowers was budget director for the city of Beverly Hills and a financial manager at Wang Laboratories. City Manager Curt Walton says Flowers was chosen because of her experience and the number of key leadership roles she’s held.

“Her reputation for proactive education programs, innovative customer relations programs and building positive working relationships with employees and her board will continue to build our national and international reputation in the transit industry,” adds Walton. P

ForYourInformation

2010 PEEP Luncheon set for Feb. 11 The Pride Entrepreneur Education Program will

host the Annual PEEP Luncheon on Feb. 11 at the Blake Hotel from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The PEEP Luncheon puts African-American students from Communities in Schools, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology and West Charlotte High School face-to-face with skilled professionals and entrepreneurs.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the PEEP Scholarship and Career Mentoring Programs. To participate, contact Pauline Feimster at (704) 375-9553 or [email protected].


EventsCalendar

MeetingsThird Sundays Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political CaucusNonpartisan organization that seeks to promote political education and increase voter participation among African-Americans. Little Rock AME Zion Church, 401 N. McDowell St., 6 p.m. Details: Caucus Chair Gloria Rembert (704) 333-4241

Fourth SundaysWest Charlotte High School National Alumni Association

This nonprofit group provides financial and volunteer support to West Charlotte High School. All alumni and friends are welcome. New location TBA Details: Veronica Davis, president, (704) 399-2171.

MondaysCommunity LinkLearn how you can become a homeowner and build wealth through a Homeownership Education and Counseling Program. Free introduc-tory sessions are every Monday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. 601 E. Fifth St., Children and Family Services BuildingDetails: Harold Rice, (704) 943-9517

Second MondaysCHADD of MecklenburgChildren/Adults with ADD meets and hears speakers from September to November and January to May, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, 4100 Coca-Cola Plaza (formerly 1900 Rexford Road), Charlotte.

Third MondaysThe Carolina Screenwriter’s GroupNow meeting at 7 p.m., the new loca-tion is: Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 3307 Rea Road, Charlotte. Info: Tracy Poole: (704) 293-5113.

TuesdaysTuesday Morning Breakfast Forum8 a.m. West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2222 Kendall Drive

Fourth TuesdaysFriends of BeverlyNonprofit support group for professional women that practices intentional diversity. Pewter Rose Restaurant, 1820 South Blvd. 6 p.m. For other monthly meetings and details: www.friendsofbeverly.com.

Third TuesdaysKwabena Book ClubBeatties Ford Branch Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road. 7 p.m. Details: (704) 336-2882.

Second Tuesdays American Business Women’s Association (Charlotte Charter Chapter)This is a professional organization for working and retired women of diverse backgrounds. Crowne Plaza, 201 S. McDowell St. Reservations: (803) 548-1820. Dinner is $23.

First ThursdaysConcord Area Metrolina Real Estate Investors SubgroupEducation and networking in relation to real estate investing. 2431 Wonder Drive, KannapolisDetails: Charity Hagar, (704) 523-1570

Third ThursdaysN.C. Association of Black Substance Abuse WorkersChemical Dependency Center auditorium, 100 Billingsley Road. Noon. Details: (704) 376-7447.

American Business Women’s Association, University ChapterLocation varies 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact Pam for more information: (704) 549-4863.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce5:30-7:30 p.m. 330 S. Tryon St.

Fourth ThursdaysMecklenburg Black Republican CouncilMecklenburg County Republican Headquarters, 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Suite 213. 7 p.m. Details: Vincent James, (704) 846-9091, or www.meckgop.com.

New Friends of Carolina10:30 a.m. Location varies.

First SaturdaysMetrolina Minority Contractors Association Beatties Ford Road Library

Zeta Phi Beta, Tau Theta Zeta Chapter, Pineville Matthews President Ella Scarborough. 11 a.m. Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 381 Crestdale Road, Matthews

Las Amigas Inc.1 p.m. 3700 The Plaza.

Second SaturdaysSigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.Noon-2 p.m. Martin Luther King Middle School, 500 Bilmark Ave.Details: Alvina Johnson, (704) 607-3853

Second and Fourth SaturdaysTailoring Teens for SuccessGirls 11 to 16 years old meet with professional facilitators for interactive discussions: Meetings are held August-November every Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. University of Phoenix, 10925 David Taylor Drive Details: Jeanine Davis, [email protected]

Third SaturdaysGamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc.Beta Eta ChapterFounded in 1943, Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc. continues to seek ways to “Answer the call and accept the Challenge.” Meeting location varies. Proof of membership required. Details: Tonia Linder at (704) 492-1994.

Second SundaysPiano Studios Network of CharlotteProfessional organization and support system for music studios and individual musicians of all levels. Details: (704) 905-2671.

Fourth SundaysBlack Women’s Caucus of Charlotte MecklenburgPresident Ella Scarborough, 2:30 p.m.Oaklawn Center, 1920 Stroud Park CourtDetails: (704) 366-7118

Special eventsJan. 162010 Lowe’s Pride Awards Sustainability for AllWestin Charlotte6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner and awardsDetails: (704) 375-9553

Feb. 9-14Alvin Ailey American Dance TheaterN.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Knight TheaterDetails: (704) 372-1000, www.blumenthalcenter.org

Feb. 11 2010 PEEP Luncheon (The Pride Entrepreneur Education Program) Blake Hotel, South McDowell Street10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the PEEP Scholarship and Career Mentoring Programs. Details: (704) 375-9553, [email protected]

Feb. 14Aisha TylerMcGlohon Theatre Tyler was the first female and African-American host of E!’s “Talk Soup” show. She then moved into films and television and was the first African-American to have a continuing character on NBC’s “Friends.”Details: (704) 372-1000, www.blumenthalcenter.org

Feb. 23-272010 CIAA TournamentTime Warner Cable ArenaDetails: www.ciaatournament.org

Please log on to our new online community calendar, at www.pridemagazine.net, where you can view and list your event or meeting.

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704-716-1280

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704-283-2200

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