2

This magazine is called

TWELVE to note its

monthly presence, only

TWELVE times a year.

Also, and more impor-

tantly, TWELVE is a symbol

of time. So it represents

timely information and the

central point by which life

events are measured. And

of course, timepieces are

part of the finer things,

perfect for our core read-

ers in pursuit of sophisti-

cated living.

Welcome to TWELVE.

3

Welcome to EIGHT

Welcome to our Summer’s Not Over issue.

Inside, we salute those ‘RIDERS” motorcy-

clists of Kansas City and get some insights to

that culture. School’s back in session, so se-

cure some tips for your students.

Of course, this is TWELVE, so in this issue,

you're sure to learn something new. Business

to entertainment, it’s all here!

Remember, beyond the digital or print ex-

perience, TWELVE is interactive, so get in-

volved and engage at our live events too!

You have an opportunity to contribute to the

content by writing, submitting story sugges-

tions, and of course, attending the launch

events and more. Contact us at

twelve@kcsoul.com to get involved and send

us feedback, too!

Sincerely,

Ken L

COVER

5-HOUR, rider

DON’T MISS

Calendar 52

INSIDE

BIZ: Jason Walters 6

Music 12

KC’s Own: Forte 14

RIDERS 18

Fitness 34

Kids & Reading 38

EXEC: Eugene Agee 48

AUGUST 2014 Volume II, Issue VIII

Though a lifestyle publication isn’t unique, TWELVE evolves the genre. It’s the only magazine

that you both read and live. We set out to create more than a literary piece. We’ve merged

both the online world and the live event into the “magazine experience”. Once a month, we

release a new issue of the magazine. The release is paired with a live launch event, where the

feature elements and characters of our magazine are brought to life for you to touch, taste,

feel and experience. The live experience becomes part of gathering ground of additional sto-

ries, photos, and more for the final written magazine.

What’s Different? Read It & Experience it Live

kcsoul.com @TWELVEKC

TWELVE Magazine is part

of the KCSoul.com net-work. Owned by H.G.E. Marketing, LLC. (H.G.E.).

Views & opinions ex-pressed here are not

necessarily those of H.G.E.

or contributors.

4

5

SPECIAL THANKS

To all of Our Writers,

Designers, Planners,

Contributors,

Advertisers &

Supporters

of Xii.

Ken L.

Shemeka Cockerm

Keyana Collins

Kween Colston

Eryn Davis-Hayter

DJ Franklin

Jasmine Jackson

Raye Jackson

Katrina Leonard

Clarence Lomax

Iman Lott

Sherry Lumpkins

LeAndrea Mack

Randi McCreary

Carlanda McKinney

Gary Mitchell

Casie Murff

Tiffaney Oakes

Corey Phillips

Earl Smith

LaToya Traylor

Tony Van Trece

Jessikha Williams

Christopher White

twelvekc.com

twelve@kcsoul.com @twelvekc

Pictured:

Monique Waters

Lindsey Hester

6

BUSINESS

Photo: Ken Lumpkins

7

If Jason Walters’ life was a movie, it wouldn’t be the tale

of an overnight success story. His would be the “mailroom

to the corporate office” type of story. At the end of this ad-

venture, you’d be inspired that you could do it, too. Jason moved to Kansas City four years ago. He is a Director of US Operations at

AMC Entertainment, Inc. AMC is the second largest theater house in the nation,

serving about 200 million guests annually in 300 theaters. AMC has several remark-

able achievements, including pioneering the first multiplex theater in the world,

housing multiple screens in one building. It started right here in Kansas City and the

headquarters remain nestled in the heart of the Midwest.

Walters provides direct supervision to AMC’s General Managers of 38 theater loca-

tions in Atlanta, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, St. Louis, Omaha, Fayetteville, and is

(Continued on page 8)

A BLOCKBUSTER CAREER

8

Customer Service

Onsite, it’s about hospitality. Simple greetings and a smile

go a long way to bringing customers back to the theater.

Nowadays, having a team that can review and address cus-

tomer comments on social media is key, too.

Sales

Make your products convenient. A top movie will have

more show starts and screens to ensure customers within

that target market have access at their convenience.

Research & Forecasting

Evaluating gross sales give you insight and analytics that will

help you manage theater operations, including staffing. Use

data to reinforce your decisions.

What’s Next

Business includes planning for the future. In the theater

business, enhancing the customer experience is always top-

of-mind. If it’s 3D and IMAX today, what are the future

opportunities? Applying that thinking to your business is

key.

As we close, there’s some simple advice that Walters pro-

vides for those looking for success in their career or busi-

ness. His lesson is to learn from your managers while

teaching those you supervise.” Using that in his career, he’s

been an inspiration to his staff for over 20 years and been

able to grow in his career.

Apply these tips to your business and make it EPIC!

responsible for maintaining profitability of each location and

ensuring that each theatre provides best in class customer

service.

Walters attended the College of Notre Dame of Maryland

and studied Secondary Education and Business Management.

He began his career in the motion picture exhibition indus-

try over 20 years ago in Baltimore, Maryland as a cashier.

He was promoted to manager after high school and became

a General Manager in 1995. Jason joined AMC in 2002 when

they acquired General Cinema Theatres and relocated to

New York to accept a position as Senior Manager at AMC’s

flagship location in Times Square. After running several loca-

tions in New York and New Jersey, Walters was promoted

to his current position in 2010 and moved to Kansas City.

Walters’ core responsibilities range from providing strategic

direction, to helping manage the finances and talent manage-

ment. With this level of expertise, we asked him to share

some business insights from the movie business that entre-

preneurs could utilize.

BUSINESS GROWTH It Starts With a Great Product

Our business is based strictly on the quality of the film

product. If they produce great films, we’ll have a great year.

Once guests experience a film, they’ll share that experience

through social media.

Creative Marketing

Get them in the door. Studios create the visual appeal,

trailers, and unique marketing partnerships, such as those

with fast food restaurants, to extend their brand.

Winning Partnerships

Manage to your expertise. Studios create the product and

marketing. Theaters manage the delivery and customer ex-

perience.

A Competitive Difference

Deliver an experience unlike your competitors. AMC looks

to deliver top line experience with elements such as red

recliners, bars, and order-from-your-seat service.

In today’s world, competition is not just another theater

house, it’s any option customers have to access digital me-

dia. You can almost duplicate the movie experience at

home, but you can’t duplicate the service we deliver. At the

end of the day, movies provide an escape. Sometimes you

just need to get away from your house and your day-to-day.

We provide that two-hour escape.

(Continued from page 7)

Jason Walters believes the path to suc-

cess is to teach and learn

as you go.

9

10

SCENE

A NIGHT OF LOVE

August 8, 2014

Chrisette Michele &

Raheem Devaughn

August 8th was a special night for the Up-

town Theater for A Night of Love. Soulful

singers Chrisette Michele and special guest Raheem

Devaughn blessed the Uptown concert venue with

an evening of timeless music. Sean Tyler and the Da

Truth Band open up with a round of old school

classic renditions such as "Bobby Caldwell - What

You Won't Do for Love" and the Gap Band

"Yearning for your Love" . Raheem Devaughn jumps off with his underground

hit "Bulletproof", as the crowd shouts and waves

hands in harmony. After Raheem’s incredible set,

Chrisette Michele graced the stage with unmatched

poise and elegance. The talented singer belts out

fan favorite's such as "A Couple of Forevers",

(Continued on page 11)

By Keyana Collins

11

Brought to you by

KC Greek Picnic

Co-hosted by 12MAG

"Charades" and even takes us to church with her

wonderful remake of "Total Praise".

I loved every minute of this show from these super

talented artists. Please check out their past and

recent projects and support real, live music!

(Continued from page 10)

12

Where are you from? I’m from Wyandotte County, Kansas City, KS. I grew up in Highland Park Townhouses on 55th Street and

graduated from Wyandotte High School in ’01.

Describe Your Music? My music is poetically conscious, with a gritty vibe… I’m producer, engineer and artist under my record label

Mentalist Muzik, LLC.

What makes you unique? I would attribute my uniqueness to the avenues that inspire me, such as art, poetry, literature, the study of

ethics and my faith. As you brush hands with greatness you learn a lot about being just that. Those who have

made it are the ones who truly have embraced entirely what has always set them apart.

What’s your impression of the KC music scene? I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in Kansas City, a city that has produced some of the most talented

and creative people. Its influence comes from a wide variety of music, arts, poetry and performance. I believe

Kansas City is positioned well since everything has to travel through our city to make its way to the 4 cor-

ners… We’re the melting pot…

Outside of music, any special skills or talents? I am very passionate about good food, particularly fine cuisine. From the creation to the presentation, my

music follows through in the same way…

What’s your ultimate goal with music? Ultimately to create meaningful music… I viewed a commercial a while back and what was said in it reso-

nated with me and I quote “The powerful play goes on and you can contribute a verse? What would your

verse be?” My hope is to make a contribution to the industry that inspires, challenges, and withstands the test

of time.

Collaborations? Who have you worked with on your current music? On a trip to Africa in 2010, I had the privilege of recording with the late great Chiwoniso Maraire, who was

considered the Mary J. Blige of Zimbabwe. Most recently I collab’d with international hip-hop artist Meta-

physics on my album song entitled ‘The Ability’. Of notable national and local collabos, artist R.I.P and Buddy

Wood of BlockStyle ReCs coming out of Texas, as well as Kansas City's own acclaimed saxophonist Jahvelle

Rhone, and last but not least my homie Q. Jones, both of whom are on the title track to my album ‘Historical

Future’.

How can people hear or purchase more of your music? Follow me on soundcloud.com/christophmuzik on Twitter @B12mentalist and at reverbnation.com/

theelement7 .

What’s next for you? Mentalist Muzik, LLC. under the partnership and stewardship of Chief Operating Officer Myron “E Dubb”

Evans is working on more promotional opportunities with Jus D and Paperlabel Entertainment, Blockstyle

Records and collaborating with R&B artist La Velle . Look out for performances in the local music and poetry

circuit showcasing an unplugged, up close and intimate vibe with Christoph.

For booking contact mentalistmuzik@gmail.com

MUSIC

GLOBAL AMBITION Chris Warren aka ‘Christoph’

13

Listen to “Global

Ambition” Now

on the new 12Play

Mix CD, MUSIKC

PLAY

CHRISTOPH is ready to take on the world.

Christine May

Click Photography

clickphotographykc.com

14

VOLUME

George Forte

Director of Operations

All In Music Group

VOLUME: XII Maga-

zine highlights music

industry pros from

Kansas City with na-

tional industry credits.

15

Twelvekc.com

e’s the Director of Operations for All in Music group and on the Cash Money Records radio

promotions staff.

There are indeed some glamorous and rewarding

moments behind those titles for George Forte but a

lot of ground work, intense planning and late nights

nourish the fruit of his labor. For five years he’s

worked with Cash Money Records helping to adver-

tise, promote, and market but his newest role, as-

signed to him by All In Music Entertainment group

CEO and Sr. Vice-President of Promotions for Cash

Money Records, Mel Smith, is one that entails a host

of additional responsibilities.

As the Director of Operations for Smith’s day-to-day

operations and the road manager for the company’s

newest artist, D Lux, Forte has assumed a more focal

position and he is excited about what he’s attained.

He revealed, “My goal is to be one of the top execu-

tives in the game but I know that takes hard work,

time and dedication. All of which I posses.”

Forte admits that breaking into the music industry in

any aspect is difficult and says it has been a lifelong

passion of his. At 15 years old, during the era of boy

groups like ABC (Another Bad creation), Hi-Five and

Kris Kross, he was an assistant manager and part of a

music group in Kansas City that made strides with

excellent radio play on KPRS and opening up for

Tech N9ne.

As a young adult Forte strayed from the industry a bit

but never from his love of music. He went to college,

got a degree in marketing and managing, and came full

circle back to the industry when he introduced Tech

N9ne to Travis O’Guin. The meeting eventually re-

sulted in the birth of the independent label Strange

Music where Forte worked on the Angelic album

project.

How can others from Kansas City break into the

industry like George Forte? He admits, “The combi-

nation is different for everyone! It is about who you

know but my education was my empowerment. It

taught me legalities, how to construct a strategy, and

build a plan. There are top CEOs who didn’t go to

school but I’d never tell anyone not to go to school.”

Currently, Forte is the manager for All In Music artist

DLux who’s newest song Bomb Bomb featuring Ace

Hood is in heavy rotation through Sirius FM radio,

Music Choice and in major cities, including Kansas

City! Forte is very connected with Kansas City and

H

can be seen here often. He says, “Each and every year I

travel the country, travel the world, but Kansas City is

always home. My family is here, my daughter, so my

peace of mind will always be here.”

“It is about who you know but my education was my empowerment. It taught me legalities, how to construct a strategy, and build a plan.”

DLUX is one of the artist managed by Forte.

16

BUSINESS

TOUR

Words: LeAndrea Mack

Photo: Keyana Collins

very now and then there is an entertainer

with a REAL story, with a back story of epic struggle and authentic adversity. Bursting into the music industry with his

smash hit “Bomb Bomb” featuring Ace Hood of

Cash Money Records, singer DLUX is establish-ing himself amongst his musi-

cal peers but his start in life, almost over before it

even began, is one of heartbreaking struggle and emo-

tional hardship. Parents blessed

with a toddler

singing at age three, would mar-vel at the angelic

sound but DLUX did his singing amongst

the many foster homes he was shipped in and out of until he was 18. Taken away from his mother at birth, he would grow up with-

out the normalcy of a stable family and the rela-

tionships of his biological parents. With every rea-son to be discouraged, he was more determined

than ever and now, at the age of 25, he is a re-cording artist that is closer to his dream than most would ever have imagined.

When we caught up with DLUX before his Kansas City show, he was pumped and full of energy. As

he measured his marks during sound check, his voice filled the room with soulful melodies and high octave precision. There was no doubt that he is a gifted singer and that he’s been honing his craft

for quite some time. There were no visible nerves, no vocal strain, and his mind seemed to be focused

on charming the ladies and delivering a sound-

track that would set the mood for the fellas to woo the lady of their choice.

When asked about performing, DLUX said “I love performing and hope that the people continue to love

me and enjoy my music.”

On this Milwaukee na-tive’s new mixtape, No Filters, hosted by DJ

Khalid, DLUX proffers,

“You will be enter-

tained. My sounds

are a mix of all my

musical influences

and you will be able

to hear that in my

unique sound.” His single, “Bomb

Bomb”, is currently in rotation and circulating major city radio airwaves

and nationally via Sirius Radio. It even made the spin of DJ Envy in the wildly popular New York morning show on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club which includes

influential radio personalities Angela Yee and Charlemagne the God.

With rigorous workout regimens to maintain his

chiseled physique striving toward his goal to be what he calls, “The singing LL {Cool J}” DLUX sang one more ballad in sound check before heading

out with his entourage to get ready for his show.

DLUX’s single, “Bomb Bomb” featuring Ace Hood is available on iTunes and his official website is

DLuxmusic.com.

DLUX

e

17

DLUX , recently per-

formed in KC. One of the

nation’s hot new national

artists.

MORE DLUX

Twelvekc.com

O

N

18

FEATURE

Name: “5 HOUR” MC: Triple C Bike: 2006 Kawasaki ZZR 600 RIDING: Since 2009

Photos: Jessikha Williams

19

here are some things, like a Maybach, Cartier, Hermés, that charac-

terize having wealth. High-end brand names reflect best in style. But

riding a bike…man, that’s the epitome of cool. Ready to ride? A few

bikers gave us a crash course.

With at least thirty-two motorcycle clubs in KC area, it’s a large community.

Krazy K, Heavy Rotation Motorcylce Club (MC) member says, “What I like

about the biker community, is that it takes all kinds. You’ll be out here with law-

(Continued on page 20)

magazine

Photos: Raye Jackson

T

RIDERS

20

Branden Cartwright Satellite Technician, DirecTV

Created a YouTube Channel this year “The only thing that beats an excuse is a try”

Favorite Exercise/Machine: Reverse Fly

Least Favorite Exercise/Machine: Leg curls

magazine

yers, doctors, dentists, and guys that scrub

toilets for a living. It takes all types to be a

part of this world. It doesn’t discriminate. If

you want to be a part of biker community and

you get along with the rest of bikers, you can

be a part of this community. It’s no big deal.”

Most start riding because of friends and family.

That type of association is what often leads to

forming clubs like Heavy Rotation. The MC

club president, ONE 50, states, “It started in

Omaha about eleven years ago. The KC

Chapter started in 2004. They ride for fun,

but also support the community through char-

(Continued from page 19) ity rides and benefits.

O-Dog, Vice President of the KC Chapter

states, “This is a brotherhood, my second fam-

ily.” With the motto, “We Own the Streets”,

W.O.T.S, you’ll find members always traveling

locally, across the city, or further. Riding has

no limits beyond what a full gas tank will allow.

Of course, individuals have their own maxi-

mum distance rules. One 50, KC chapter

president, states, “My longest ride was 19

hours to North Carolina. I would never do

that again.” A more palatable and, therefore

frequent, trip is the one to the Black National

(Continued on page 25)

Name: “O-DOG” Bike: Honda CBR 954

RIDING: 10YRS

Name: “KANE” Bike: 2008 Suzuki Haybusa

RIDING: 15YRS

Name: “SODA POP” Bike: Harley Davidson

RIDING: 9YRS

magazine

21

Name: “KRAZY K” Bike: Harley Davidson

RIDING: 7YRS

Name: “ONE 50” Bike: 1300 Suzuki Hayabusa

RIDING: 15YRS

Name: “REMI” Bike: 2004Suzuki Hayabusa

RIDING: 4YRS

HEAVY ROTATION

“We Own The

Streets”

magazine

22

INSPIRED

Ask a fourth grader what they want to be

when they grow up. They’ll innocently reply with at least three professions, like: “A basketball player, a fireman, a truck driver, and a doctor.”

All will be different disciplines, without much in

common. We’ll smile and laugh, and think to our-selves, “Isn’t it great for them to be ambitious about their future, but so young and naive to think

they can do it all”.

I’m sure Kimberly Bush was the same way as a kid with plenty of goals and plans. Who knew that one day she actually would do it all?

She’s one of the few individuals I know that could host a one-woman career fair spanning multiple, virtually unrelated disciplines. Add the risks she

takes to her multi-pronged career paths and, her

Kimberly Bush Already has more

Than enough to Do, but she wants

more.

23

Twelvekc.com

story is indeed akin to an adventure video game.

You know, that character who’s a world traveler, fighter, survivor, overcoming any obstacle in her path and up for any challenge. She keeps going

and collecting points along the way. If this sounds

like it must be an exaggeration, continue reading. Bush is Kansas City born, but she was raised in

(Continued on page 27)

“I’m not really a fearful person. It’s my job. I signed up for it.” She contin-ues “The other thing, for me, is if some-body doesn’t do it, if someone doesn’t have the heart or the forti-tude, then we don’t have an opportunity to live like we do.”

FULL PLATE

24

25

Round-up. It’s like a Black Sturgis, (one of the

largest annual motorcycle round-ups in the

world). They also attend the St. Louis Black

New Years, an annual event for the biker

community held during the Midwest biker’s

off season.

Heavy Rotation MC doesn’t recruit but they

are open for membership to those who have

an interest. O-Dog, says, “You have to have

good character, no drama and you gotta have

a bike, at least for Heavy Rotation.”

O-Dog further explains, “It’s a not a secret

society, but it’s a society with secrets. You’re

not going to know everything that goes on

unless you’re in it. It’s different. It’s almost

underground…a whole other world. By look-

ing at a person, you can’t tell if they’re a biker

or not, but once they get in there and put

those colors on they become a different per-

son.”

Club colors are the club name and logo, typi-

cally worn on a vest or jacket, that indicates

your affiliation. “Colors are the most serious

thing about riding bikes”, says One 50.

Kane says, “You don’t let it hit the ground.

You don’t disrespect it and throw it any-

where. You see that happening you get in

(Continued from page 20)

(Continued on page 32)

RIDERS

Twelvekc.com

26

Kimberly Bush Co-owner of Wing Busters, but that’s just the beginning. Multiple degrees, talents, and jobs.

Twelvekc.com

27

Arkansas until her senior year in high school. She

returned to the KC area and graduated from Hick-man Mills High School with a Division 1 basketball

scholarship to Southwest Missouri State University (now called Missouri State University). She rounded out the starting lineup for three years, until a torn ACL kept her from continuing in the

fourth year. Even without being a student athlete, school al-

ready presents plenty of challenges—lack of time, difficult studies, coping with being away from home and a familiar support system. Kim faced another

challenge. She had a daughter her sophomore year in college. If you’re keeping up, that’s a full-time student, basketball player, and now mother. During her college days, she even made history as

a charter member of the Rho Beta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “My coach actu-ally would work around my pledge schedule”, Bush

recalls. With a brilliant display of tenacity, Kimberly re-

mained the epitome of a scholar-athlete. She car-

ried a heavy load, 17-21 hours per semester. She graduated in five years with a Comprehensive De-gree in Marketing. She had far exceeded the

credits that any single degree required. As she reflects, “I could have five degrees now if I would have stayed one more semester.” At the time, she

was content with one. Basketball was a passion and opened new door,

but she also had aspirations of becoming an entre-preneur. “Originally, I wanted to build smart homes,” speaking of the remote controlled,

techno-designed homes. Yet, at the time, she did-n’t have the money for the contractor license. So instead, she earned a Masters Degree from Mid-America Nazarene University, geared toward En-

trepreneurship. Gone International

Bush also matriculated at DeVry University, earn-ing her third degree, a Bachelor’s in Telecommuni-cations Management. She worked in the engineer-

ing field and landed a job with Gonzales Communi-cations, led by Alfred Gonzales. That afforded her

an opportunity to travel to Guinea in West Africa. She worked in the capitol city, Conakry, helping

them set up their wireless network. She describes it as a beautiful experience to see that part of Af-

(Continued from page 23) rica, but she was also saddened by the state of the

people. “They didn’t have an opportunity to bet-

ter themselves”.

Working for an entrepreneur like Gonzalez in-spired her to start her own business. She left that company and began work helping individuals and nonprofit organizations develop viable marketing

and business plans. While business ownership was a goal, somewhere

festering was another interest: the United States Army. Yes. Since high school, Kimberly wanted to be a part of it. She was drawn by the physical

challenge, more than anything. She carried the interest to college, but having a baby would delay this, since at the time, unwed mothers couldn’t enter the service. But the interest never waned.

Years later, married and at the age of thirty-two, she entered the service, having her Master’s de-gree was a bonus, allowing her to enter as a spe-

cialist. No Fear

“See the world and learn a skill” is the universal

pitch of the military. That may be true, but just as real is the more fundamental fact that enlistment prepares you for war. True to her eventful path,

after barely a year into her military service, Kim-berly was called into active duty in the War in Iraq. She was promoted to Sergeant in a matter of

months. Highly educated with high scores on her military exam, afforded her the opportunity to work behind a desk overseas, but she wanted to

be in the field, so she drove a supply truck for the Army, effectively becoming a large mobile target. Sergeant Bush has survived bombings and IADs.

What’s Kimberly’s perspective of facing death in that fashion? “I’m not really a fearful person. It’s my job. I signed up for it.” She continues “The

other thing, for me, is if somebody doesn’t do it, if someone doesn’t have the heart or the fortitude, then we don’t have an opportunity to live like we

do.” She notes how other countries face constant church bombings, attacks and are always under siege. “They wonder how they are going to make

it through the day. Americans are spoiled”, speak-ing of the comforts we have often taken for

granted. If the military didn’t do their job, you’d be living in more fear.

(Continued on page 54)

28

SCENE MIKE EPPS at the STARLIGHT August 2, 2014

29

30

REMI 2004 Hayabusa

RIDERS

31

32

twelvekc.com

Photos By Mojica Photography

mojicaphotography.com

Rikayla Barnett Home Healthcare Administrative Assistant Dance Instructor and gymnast Favorite Exercise/Machine: Dancing

Least Favorite Exercise/Machine: Running

Twelvekc.com

they butt. You gotta respect that color like a flag…

the American Flag.”

Colors are pretty universal across all MCs. How-

ever, the type of MC will vary.

(Continued from page 25)

“5 HOUR” is a member of a Christian MC called

Triple C. About twelve members strong, you’ll find

service at the top of their list. Delivering holiday

gift baskets throughout the metro. Providing school

uniforms and awarding scholarships are all part of

what they do.

Like all bikers, riding is at the core of their MC. 5

HOUR got the biker bug right here in Kansas City

in 2007 during the National Black Biker Round-Up,

RIDERS

ONE 50, Heavy Rotation KC Chapter

President, burns rubber.

33

founded

and headquartered in Kansas City though it moves

around the country, returning to KC every ten

years. Coupled with the enthusiasm of the Biker

Boyz movie, still lingering since the movie’s release

in 2003, she knew that one day she would ride. She

indeed became a rider in 2009. Now, she enjoys

riding because “You feel Free. Just the feel of the

wind is like nothing else.”

Cool factor aside, riding bikes does present its share

of challenges and danger. Wet roads and impaired

drivers are two constants at play. 5 HOUR states,

“I’m always in defensive mode. I always ride with

my arms and legs covered up.”

To all of the bikers, take in the breeze. Enjoy the

open road. Be safe.

34

FITNESS

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We’re dedicated to helping you

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for your stomach to work those

oblique muscles.

Hold a medicine ball. Turn and

throw the ball as hard as possible

on the ground. Return the ball to

an overhead position.

Be sure to exhale when pounding

the ball and inhaling when return-

ing forward.

See this exercise in action

with proper positions and

variations at twelvekc.com

35

Photo: Clarence Lomax

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Tamara Diamond Fashion connoisseur, Regional Retail

Consultant & Manager, Old Navy Inc.

By Tony Van Trece

39

SCHOOL

BACK TO SCHOOL: READING IS

STILL FUNDAMENTAL TO SUCCESS By: LeAndrea Mack

Reading is one of the most fundamental skills for children to master. It is the driving

tool in helping them succeed in school and quite frankly, in life!

So how can you get your child interested in reading?

Here are six suggestions given by school teachers across the Kansas City area:

Know your child’s passions A 10 year old boy is not going to be excited about reading Charlotte’s Web but

he might be interested in reading about the history of his favorite sports team

or player. Try books that focus on topics of their interests. When you give

them the option to choose, paired with your guidance, their motivation to

read will increase significantly.

Get Social Children who are able to read and then discuss what they have read are far more

open to wanting to know what’s in the book. Especially if the discussion is

with other peers. Invite other children or siblings to read along and then dis-

cuss the topic.

Don’t stop reading to them Reading aloud to children throughout elementary school improves their listening

skills, lengthens their attention spans and builds their comprehension.

Techno Kids Some children are hooked to technology. They understand it more and may find

reading the same text more interesting through smartphones, computers and

tablets. This is also a way for you to get them reading on the go. Have them

read to you while they are in the car, while you are cooking or waiting in a

doctor’s office.

Lead by Example Are you reading? Parents often are their child’s first role model. Seeing you fre-

quently engaged in reading, carrying around books, and discussing them holds

a great deal of influence.

Disguise it Anything with words are an opportunity for reading. Menus at restaurants, direc-

tions on a video game or searching websites together strengthens reading

skills over time.

By employing these strategies, children become more willing and interested in reading.

They will began to see reading as more than just school work but as part of real life.

6 TIPS TO GET

YOUR CHILD

TO READ

Twelvekc.com

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DON’T MISS

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magazine

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SCENE

magazine

New Edition | Live at the Midland

8/22/14

43

By LeAndrea Mack

44

New Edition | Live at the Midland

8/22/14

45

SCENE

46

Annual Back 2 School Blast Sat, August 2nd, 2014 Interscholastic League Fieldhouse

47

magazine

48

Eugene Agee

Vice President of Procure-

ment & Real Estate

Listed in the Top

100 Executives in

America

2014 by Uptown Pro-

fessional Magazine

twelvekc.com

EXEC

49

ugene Agee is the Vice President of Procurement & Real Estate, respon-sible for Procurement, Strategic

Sourcing, Real Estate, and Environmental, Health and Safety. The organization has ap-proximately 160 associates. In this capacity, he manages $17B in spend and 20 million square feet of commercial, retail and technical space. In addition, he manages Sprint’s supplier diver-

sity initiatives. Eugene has been employed with Sprint for 24 years. Throughout his tenure at Sprint, he has served in several key roles including; Chief Au-dit Executive of Corporate Audit Services, Cor-porate Security, Assistant Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and NIS Finance, Revenue Director for Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wyoming local telephone companies, and Manager of Regulatory Planning for Missouri and Minnesota

local telephone companies. Eugene earned his Master’s in Business Admini-

stration from the University of Missouri at Kan-sas City, Missouri and has a Bachelors of Sci-ence in Accounting from Southern Illinois Uni-versity at Carbondale, Illinois. Eugene is a Certi-fied Public Accountant and winner of the 2009 National Eagle Leadership Institute (NELI) award for leadership, and a member of the Executive

Leadership Council (ELC). Eugene serves as a board member on the Moun-tain Plains Supplier Development Council (vice chair), 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City and Kansas City Procurement Roundtable. He serves as an advisory board member of Kansas University – School of Supply Chain Manage-ment and the International Association of Out-

sourcing Professionals (IAOP). Eugene is married, and has 4 children. He re-

sides in Leawood, Kansas.

magazine

50

Live on the scene. #12MAG ,Work of

Art Calendar shoot. Stay tuned to twelvekc.com for additional calendar

details and outtakes.

51

Photo: Raye Jackson

52

Sat 09/13 Elan Boutique Presents Fash-ion Empowerment Conference BUY Venue: Lincoln College Prep Academy Time: 2-5pm

Fri 09/26 Women of Poetry : The Art Of

SpokenWord 4 Event type: Poetry Venue: nelson-atkins museum of art:

4525 Oak Street Kansas City MO Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Producer: The music & more foundation Contact: terance williams Email: kdpub-lishingdotcom@gmail.com Phone:

8166127640 Web: musicand-

morestore.propellshops.com/ Sat 10/11 Alliance for Lupus Research,

Walk with Us Event type: Community Action Venue: Community America Ball Park:

1800 Village W Parkway Kansas City KS Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Producer: Alliance for Lupus Research Contact: Grandview Zetas Z-Fit Captain

Email: ZPhiB.YZZ@gmail.com Phone: Web: http://walk.lupusresearch.org/

goto/GrandviewZetas

Fri 10/24 "A Pink Ice Affair" BUY Event type: Fundraiser Venue: The Promise Event Space: 1814

Oak Street Kansas City MO Time: 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM Producer: Alpha Kappa Alpha - Upsilon

Rho Omega Chapter Contact: Alicia Email: alimcd2011@gmail.com Phone:

913.484.7138 Sat 11/08 18th Annual Burning Sands

Step Show Event type: Fundraiser Venue: Scottish Rite Temple: 1330 E.

Linwood Kansas City MO Time: 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM Producer: D.E.E.D. Foundation and the

ladies of the KCMO Alumnae Chap Contact: Javonne Patterson Email: step-

show@dstkcmo.org Phone: Web: www.dstkcmo.org/stepshow Sun 11/09 23rd Annual Little Miss AKA

Pageant Event type: Community Action Venue: TBA: Kansas City MO Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Producer: AKA - Xi Tau Omega Chapter Contact: Jasmine Fields Email:

xto.lmaka@gmail.com Phone: Sat 11/22 2nd Anniversary Awards &

Supporter Recognition Dinner Event type: Fundraiser Venue: Downtown Marriott Hotel, Count Basie Ballroom: 200 W. 12th Street Kan-

sas City MO Time: 7:00 PM - 12:00 PM Producer: Sylvya Stevenson Contact: Gail Holmes Email: ncbwkc@gmail.com Phone:

816.974.3237 Web: www.ncbwkansascity.com Wed 11/26 Free Community Thanksgiv-

ing Dinner Event type: Networking Venue: Brush Creek Community Center:

3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd KCMO Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Producer: State Rep. Brandon Ellington Contact: THURMAN DAVIS Email: votpgyrl@yahoo.com Phone: 816 255-

0479

kcsoul.com KCs Urban Source. Add Your Events!

Add your events and more to kcsoul.com. Just create a login or use your Facebook log-in.

CALENDAR As SEEN ON KCSoul.com. Add Your Events & See Complete Listings There Today.

53

Throughout the year, kids always look forward to summer vacation. On the flip side, parents tend to look for-ward to the kids getting back to school. Children can be some-what stressful to parents during the summer months, but school can be stressful to the children. The important thing is that parents and kids alike set a positive atti-tude for the upcoming se-mesters. Let’s go over how parents and students can do this.

Academic Encouragement Academic encouragement is vital to the future of their academic career. Parents must focus on the student’s strengths and weaknesses to create a routine for completing schoolwork. Parents of-ten think that the teacher will provide everything the student needs in his or her education. This is all but true. Setting the Tone Set a game plan for the upcoming semesters including subjects and activities that they dislike. This provides the discipline and, optimally, more bearable tactics for completing tasks. Subjects that are easy to the student should continually be practiced in order to keep up the endurance of learning. Additionally, rewards are a must. Un-fortunately not all schools or parents reward their students with recognition, prizes or even a “great job kiddo”. Without these rewards, students feel less accomplished. This can result in a loss of interest in education as well as other activities.

For the teenager, the aforementioned is espe-cially important. Teens are naturally more resis-tant to the structure that a school year plan pro-

vides, but they need it just as much, if not more. Help your student build the

habit of setting goals and estab-lishing a plan to reach them, despite their doubts. Older stu-dents tend to hold on to their al-ready established views on prob-

lematic subjects or people. However, it is essential that

these preconceived notions are broken. Parents and ad-visors must mentor the stu-dent closely to prepare the student academically and

socially. Mentors can boost the student’s

confi-

dence and assure them that they are capable of success by following the mentor’s lead. Organization There are many moving parts during the course of a school year. Class, extracurricular activities, chores and maybe even a part-time job are typical items on the agenda. Develop a list of priorities, determine a schedule that accounts for the task and travel time. Be sure to record assignment deadlines too and set a goal to complete them with ample time for review. Upperclassman should especially note dates for college preparation exams and scholarship deadlines. With today’s technology, some of these items are easier to manage with alarms and reminders available on computers and smart phones. We wish both students and parents a successful school year using some of these tips as your guide.

SCHOOL’S BACK

IN SESSION TAKE CARE OF THE BASICS

By Trina Leonard

54

“It’s like if your child is a very fearful child, there’s something you didn’t protect them from. I have three children and two step chil-

dren. I don’t want them to live like children in other places. It’s my job to reduce the likeli-hood they have to live like that.”

Get Your Wings After almost twelve years in the Army Re-serves, she plans to continue to serve and

eventually retire from the military, but that

doesn’t limit her other pursuits. Back in busi-ness mode, she was presented with an oppor-

tunity to manage food concessions for the KCMO School District. She had absolutely no food service experience, but she was recog-nized for her ability to get things done. She

served every athletic event in the district, bas-ketball to football. She even secured contracts for additional projects with RBI Baseball at

Satchel Paige field and the Boys and Girls Club. The food service experience gave her enough

experience and motivation to take the next leap into restaurant ownership. When the owner of a Wing Busters franchise presented the Bushes with an opportunity to take over,

they went for it. “We started with 15 flavors, but we have 41

flavors now, actually 52. I got tired of chang-ing the marketing material”, she quips. “I like making it look so good that I don’t want to sell

it sometimes. We try and make every box a work of art. When they open that pan of

food, I want them to say ‘wow!’”

Being in business is trying and competitive, but, for Bush, it’s one of the most fulfilling experi-ences a person could have. “I appreciate

every individual that comes through the doors. I think, they chose us over Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut,”

she says. “It makes you feel good. Someone thought you were good enough.”

Referee Because military service and restaurant owner-ship are apparently not enough, Kimberly

(Continued from page 27) makes room for her other passion, basketball,

and serves as a referee. “I would go to my daughters to basketball game and the referee wouldn’t show up at times, so I started refe-

reeing so they could have the games. She became a fulltime referee after her daugh-ter went to college, getting certified in both

the Missouri and Kansas associations. Bush describes it as a way to be part of the game without being in the game.

Family First

What’s the woman that has no time and ten jobs to do? Have a baby. She’s the proud new mother of Charlie, just four months old. “Being a parent is so much different in your

forties than the twenties. I’m enjoying it. It makes me smile.”

Kimberly’s incredible accomplishments would not be possible without a strong family. Faced with games, military travel, catering requests,

“I’ve never really had to say ‘no’, because I’ve had the family. I’ve had the support to allow me to say ‘yes’.”

To that end, we salute the family as much as Kimberly. Her story is still being written, but today, it is already a testimony of perseverance

and resilience. We often hear inspirational words, like “You can do it.” “There’s no limit to what you can do or achieve.” Kimberly has

taken those words to heart and has chosen to be an example of someone innovative, globally

aware, and without limits. If you don’t see her

doing it today, keep watching.

TWELVEKC.COM

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Twelvekc.com