׉?4ׁB!בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://Ijh2arkw75AdWLf6B1THVbwNu-cRv8hl3gADd8Xe0Ug4`׉ 7cassandra://mZGsTmsSAit20V4rAPwmKRTCgBEIM8iekLg88Wzb2lwTy`s׉ 7cassandra://cj1BJxld6UXwXSwgalZwMXt2lxOpZbPwVbJHpqV3S4Y!`׉ 7cassandra://eeUBjXGhc7PYfXf59FjGU85EynU7JyTHvEZafpoXwZM!͠]aB y=!)ט(u׈CNSvu׈EaB y=!)׉EFeatured Story: Black Women 4 Healthy Living by Arturo Rodriquez Inside Hesitant to get the vaccine? You’re not alone. But we can find the answers. Together. Rev. Dr. Jonathan Whitfield, Senior Pastor 1 ׉ 7cassandra://cj1BJxld6UXwXSwgalZwMXt2lxOpZbPwVbJHpqV3S4Y!`aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://oQM4uOcNxarmQcdRBYEMR5fv_1IbduN3Tr9gbXr4XGoA`iq׉ 7cassandra://CIyjsh6AhRq283L_GJLhaTuSaitH5zyrK6219XjHZ0Iة`׉ 7cassandra://_n-6qp55GRQqhvaDdwjCbB0EU1s-wOpFqR8s_d50ODwJ`׉ 7cassandra://NMshUFsOiRS-j9b89-oRNrtWCHklUeCMO21fQsYbyEI4͠ aB y=!*נaB y=!*09ׁH mailto:contactdsmurban@gmail.comׁ ׁ ЈנaB y=!*9ׁHmailto:dsmurbannews@gmail.comׁ ׁ ЈנaB y=!*̼9ׁHmailto:joindsmurban@gmail.comׁ ׁ Ј׉ECWRITERS & STAFF Editor-In-Chief Dwana Bradley Copy Editor Virgina Smith Contributors Creative Director Nikki Goldman - LosRos Graphix Donnetta Austin Debra Carr Terence Haynes Angela Jackson Celeste Lawson Gary Lawson Bert Moody Lori Young Caleb Thomas Courageous Fire MAGAZINE OUTLETS Broadlawns 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50314 CareMore 1530 East Euclid, Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Central Library 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 DMACC Urban Campus 1100 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314 DSM Brew Coffee Co. 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Suite 140, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Drake Diner 1111 25th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311 Eastside Library 2559 Hubbell Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50317 Evelyn Davis Center 801 Suite #3, University Ave, Des Moines IA 50314 Fields Pharmacy 501 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50314 Iowa-Nebraska NAACP 1620 Pleseant Suite #210, Des Moines, IA 50314 Forest Library 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314 Franklin Library 5000 Franklin Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50310 Hy-Vee 3330 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50310 John R. Grubb YMCA 11th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 Johnston Library 6700 Merle Hay Rd. Johnston, Iowa 50131 Northside Library 3516 5th Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Mr. Bibbs 2705 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313 Senior Polk County 2008 Forest Ave, Des Moines IA 50314 Smokey Row Coffee Co. 1910 Cottage Grove, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 Southside Library 1111 Porter Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50315 The Great Frame Up 5515 Mills Civic Parkway Suite #150, West Des Moines, IA 50266 The Des Moines Civil and Human Rights 602 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines IA 50309 COVID-19 The Urban Dreams 601 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50314 Traditions Grooming Parlor 1111 E. Army Post Road Ste. 154 Urbandale Public Library 3520 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322 Urbandale Chamber of Commerce 2830 100th Street, Suite 110, Urbandale, IA 50322 West Des Moines Library 4000 Mills Clive Pkwy, West Des Moines, Iowa 50365 The Zone of Comfort 3829 71st Street, Suite B, Urbandale, IA 50322 Also Available at churches, our directory can be found on our website at dsmurban.org ׉ 7cassandra://_n-6qp55GRQqhvaDdwjCbB0EU1s-wOpFqR8s_d50ODwJ`aB y=!)׉EuSUMMARY 6 16 Join our email club at: joindsmurban@gmail.com Submit your news to: dsmurbannews@gmail.com Become a Outlet for Urban: contactdsmurban@gmail.com 28 3 10 Margaret Burroughs Black Women 4 Healthy Living 6 18 Sundaya’s Story 16 PRAISE 14 Managing your Diabetes 28 23 32 34 36 VAXDSM A Father’s Legacy Alzheimer’s Association Happy Thanksgiving Sages Over 70 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://RgBH_VBnUMokMmnMIRqoJK07F9h2DTtt-QGjG3CGxHU`iq׉ 7cassandra://E0QHaZoAsvv4Zp3BObpPKLlbarlanArdigT7KNERtOQ`׉ 7cassandra://t-fjiQlP0HPwR3n1xfQY1RogN6H3CBAJUnDHYte7vzgE`׉ 7cassandra://Df2FvqJZ02A64S9umm3FKnUIK2qpg-zd971i4I-8P2Q :͠ aBy=!* נaBy=!* S9ׁHhttp://www.theurbanexp.comׁ ׁ Ј׉EkGET THE URBAN EXPERIENCE The Urban Experience Magazine was founded by my father Roderick Bradley. In the 80’s and early 90’s my father ran The Iowa Bystander/ The Communicator Newspaper which was the oldest African American publication in Iowa. After selling the newspaper he went onto be a Pastor and has been pastoring for over twenty years. In December 2014 my father wanted to start a magazine. Having no journalistic experience, I didn’t know if this is something I should touch knowing how my father felt about his newspaper years ago, I accepted the challenge. Our first publication was printed in February 2014 and distributed in churches. As time went on my father decreased with his assistance with the magazine and now, I run the magazine and our media company Iowa Urban Media which prints and publishes the magazine, and we have The Urban Impact Show which airs via social media on Sundays. We have grown from having our publication in churches to various locations across the city and social media. At first the why for doing the magazine was my father, but now I love to tell the stories of others. “Mainstream media portrays African Americans negatively. We make the news when there has been a murder or robbery. I knew there were stories to tell, stories that told of our struggles, stories that tell of our greatness, and stories that inspire.” The Urban Experience Magazine currently reaches people in the state of Iowa and across the United States digitally and in print. When you view the magazine, you will read articles related to health, arts and culture, education, spirituality, public affairs, and community. Our articles are positive and empower and educate our readers. To learn more, check out our website at www.theurbanexp.com to see the latest issue of the publication. Blessings, Dwana Bradley Dwana Bradley Iowa Urban Media The Urban Experience Magazine ׉ 7cassandra://t-fjiQlP0HPwR3n1xfQY1RogN6H3CBAJUnDHYte7vzgE`aB y=!)׉E 1EDITORIAL T he attitude of this world has been interesting to say the least. I’ve found myself sick of political ads where neither party can keep their promises in my opinion. I’m sure their intentions are good, but things don’t normally turn out the way they say it will, to worship becoming a place where you are looking over your shoulders at the next person not knowing if they will be the one to shoot up the place, to leadership in the United States feeling the laws of this land can be changed simply because you carry the title of President of the United States…….I don’t know about you, but some days shifting my attitude to that of gratitude can be challenging. I take in so much of the junk going on in this world that a shift in my mindset on some days seems challenging. Some may feel it’s impossible to have a mindset of positiveness when things feel negative, it’s easier to join those who are in a negative state of mind. When my mind begins to head in a negative direction I do a few things that normally shifts my thinking. I love gospel music. I’m not trying to convert you because I listen to all music, but there is something about gospel that takes me to another place. It frees my mind and reminds me of who I am and where I’ve come from. I also read prayers, say prayers, and listen to those who are speaking positive and I also speak positiveness into myself. These few things help me switch from the negative to positive. I figure there is enough negative going on in the world and why would I want to contribute to it. I choose to have an attitude of gratitude. An attitude of being grateful to be alive, have a roof over my head, and having my daily needs met. I know there is someone who is dealing with life in a way I couldn’t imagine so I’m grateful that it’s not me, but I also realize that my life could turn upside down at any moment and when or if that happens, I’m doing all I can to have this attitude of gratitude through anything in my life. I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s how I want to live my life, and if that’s for you I encourage you to have an attitude of gratitude. I love this time of year. Thanksgiving is a time to embrace your family if your able to, forgive those who have done you wrong, and break bread with someone you might not. You also can help someone who may not be able to provide for themselves or their family. This is a time of year that no matter what is going on in the world around us I hope you choose to smile, I hope you choose positivity, I hope you choose to help someone, I hope you choose to make a difference, I hope you choose love, I hope you choose to have an attitude of gratitude and spew out the negative and inhale the positive. Enjoy thanksgiving, eat responsibly, and enjoy the fellowship of others. Dwana Bradley Editor in Chief 5 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://C7wl8sOARGFu8UMF1ODiHGpe1nfpANS3GEWSchB3xRs<`iq׉ 7cassandra://FL-xUQLpzMC5-MDPcfqZYamIl9Pq_TgdrM-4gQunbeEY`׉ 7cassandra://zV50T_ahqfCjVygRSJlHFZROZTUcNOeUwpj7Df0X0RIP`׉ 7cassandra://7zMinwxt_CUxBD7mG6CUCJ1ozLWjTrAEhz-rH6YDhFoL͠ aBy=!* ׉EXBLACK WOMEN 4 HEALTHY LIVING 1-on-1 Q&A with Brandi Miller WRITTEN BY: ARTURO RODRIGUEZ ׉ 7cassandra://zV50T_ahqfCjVygRSJlHFZROZTUcNOeUwpj7Df0X0RIP`aB y=!)׉E>F or those of you who have never gotten a chance to meet with Brandi Miller, here are some things to know about her. For starters, she is a mother and a grandmother who is also working at Drake University at the office of financial aid. In recent times, she has become a leader within the community as she is the co-founder and president of Black Women 4 Healthy Living, a nonprofit dedicated to helping black women achieve a healthy physical, mental and spiritual lifestyle. Black Women 4 Healthy Living (BW4HL) had its 1-year anniversary back in September of this year, and have been growing strong since its introduction last year. I was able to meet with Brandi Miller to talk about BW4HL, its creation, it’s goals among other things. Q: What is Black Women 4 Healthy Living? What is the goal of this organization? A: “We are a Christ centered wellness movement in the greater Des Moines area. We have a focus of God, community and justice. Our ultimate goal is to see Black women well in their mind, healthy in their body, and strong in their spirit. So, we do that through various initiatives such as educating, outreach, as well as providing opportunities for physical activities such as walks.” Q: What was the driving force to create BW4HL? A: “Well, first of all, I am a Black woman. There is a lot of disparities with Black women as far as health and wellness. Black women are dying at a higher rate than any other group of women in the United States. We’re dying from preventable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. We also have higher instances of depression. A lot of these preventable things are stress or trauma induced. In almost every category, we are at the top, or at the bottom. There are a lot of issues within our community that are affecting our health and wellness such as our environments and communities where we live, racism… there’s a lot of different things. We’re dealing with interesting dynamics. Our men, our sons and even our daughters are in jail. Who’s raising their kids? Who’s making the income? I wanted to come in to support black women in a way that is not being done. We tend to be the caretakers in our families, communities, churches or places of worship. We feel like we have to work harder than anybody else. We do a great job of taking care of other people but we don’t do a great job of taking car of ourselves, and that is killing us.. And so, I want to change that. I want us to have a better quality of life. I don’t want us to struggle. I don’t want us to die. We’re too important to our families, to the community, and to this world. We’re Black Women 4 Healthy Living. We’re coming back for Black women. Even if they don’t know they need us, I know they need us because I need us. Getting on this journey for started back in 2017 when I rode my first RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). RAGBRAI is a bike ride across the state of Iowa. It was something I challenged myself on. It was actually a faith challenge to trust god for something that felt impossible. At the time, I was not a cyclist. I knew how to ride a bicycle, but not a bike with gears. I never wore a helmet. A friend of mine mentioned that she was training for RAGBRAI and she happened to be a black woman. So, I had decided to try and do this. So, I learned how to ride my bike, started wearing a helmet, and I learned how to ride a lot of miles. In that, I fell in love with biking, which is an area where Black women are underrepresented. It’s a highly white-male dominated sport. While on RAGBRAI, a white man asked me why Picture of Brandi Miller 7 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://SCgSJW2rESJzJQARInkF5dcLYk-ovB6Ow5syz1w3TVM`iq׉ 7cassandra://ieOUvSYCE_jZzLdSFLyguBxHLkUuZH18xiBYfM-3Fcg`׉ 7cassandra://DfcSj54AOBe_6p4NqcZLo_eOr48AklwSZKVcN_tuqq0Se`׉ 7cassandra://dv_2_OhZEEYh8xiawbCgTLJNCFpA8bfK2pDMf_R3yuMv͠ͅ aBy=!*נaBy=!*>.9ׁH!http://desmoinesartcenter.org/dayׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*΁9ׁH!http://shopthegreatframeupart.comׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!* c9ׁH(http://westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.comׁ ׁ Ј׉Emore Black women don’t cycle. I can’t speak for all Black women, but for me it was access. It wasn’t something in my mind to do, but it was something that I enjoyed. So, I had this idea to wear a jersey, and bikers usually tend to wear jerseys with little things on them, and I wanted to get me a jersey that says ‘Black Girls Ride Bikes Too.’ I looked it up and found a group called Black Girls Do Bike, and they had chapters in cities that have more Black people. I told my friend that after my first season of biking, I wanted to start a chapter here. My friend, Dayna, and I started a Black Girls Do Bike chapter in Des Moines. I stepped away from that after a year and then I cam across another organization called Girl Trek. It’s a national movement for Black women to get them moving. This got me thinking that this more than just about walking. I really wanted to address issues, so I wanted to get to the roots of what really is going on.” Q: What events and resources do you offer? A: “We have a Facebook page. We have a couple of Facebook groups. We have a members only group and that is for those ladies who choose to support us through membership. It’s more of an accountability group where we post more personal things such as workouts and words of encouragement. We have an outreach group called I am my Sista’s Keeper and that’s for women within the community who have chosen to not become members but still want access to resources and information. Over the summer, we lead walks all throughout the community. It’s a safe space for Black women to walk. We walk for about 30 minutes, sometimes longer. We provide programs such as a Pretty in Pink walk back in October. This was a breast cancer walk, and had some speakers such as doctor from Mercy One and a breast cancer survivor. The day before, we had speakers talking about Policies, Healthcare, and the Black Family.” Q: What does the future look like for BW4HL? A: “We are in the process of starting a Black women’s health coalition. We are connecting with other people from the community, including college students and practitioners to be able to build this bridge between practitioners and Black women, so that we can have For more information on Black Women 4 Healthy Living, go to www.info.bw4hl.org. Follow Black Women 4 Healthy Living on: Instagram: @bw4hl2020 Twitter: @BW4HL2020 Facebook: Black Women 4 Healthy Living Black women to seeing doctors and taking care of themselves. We are also hoping to utilize students from DMACC and Grand View so they can start getting practicing with Black women and becoming culturally competent. That is something we are working on for 2022.” Q: How do you make time to run a non-profit while managing a home and work life? A: “Right now, I am working on balance. It is a lot and I had to adjust. I try to do things in the morning. I do most of my stuff during the weekends which means that my weekend is unlike other people’s weekends.” Q: Do you have any messages for Black women? Future leaders in the community? A: “I would say to younger Black women today is to take care of yourself. Take care of yourself in all things. It’s good to take care of other people, but you got to put your oxygen mask on before you can take care of anyone else. Make sure you have rhythm in your life. Make a routine about how you carry yourself. If you’re looking to become a leader, start following. Get involved in organizations that are doing the kind of work that you are interested in doing. I am involved with the Women of the NAACP group. Find opportunities to volunteer with community events. Attend those events. If you want to start a non-profit, attend the non-profit boot camp through the financial empowerment center.” Q: Any upcoming events we should know about? A: “In January, we will be having our Black women health coalition. In November, we will have our general board meeting that is a retreat. It will focus on team building and electing new position holders if necessary. We will be taking a break in December.” ׉ 7cassandra://DfcSj54AOBe_6p4NqcZLo_eOr48AklwSZKVcN_tuqq0Se`aB y=!)׉EbArt | Memories | Conservation Materials | Commercial & In-Home Consultation 25% Off Custom Framing! *Offer valid until 11/15/2021 West Glen Town Center | 5515 Mills Civic Parkway #150 West Des Moines, IA 50266 | 515-226-2310 | westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.com For millions of prints - shop our online store: shopthegreatframeupart.com Recuerdos DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS DES MOINES ART CENTER HONORING IOWANS WE HAVE LOST TO COVID-19 VIRTUAL CELEBRATION throughout October desmoinesartcenter.org/day-of-the-dead VISIT THE OFRENDA created by artist Dawn Martinez Oropeza October 19 – November 4 SPONSORED BY | | 9 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://wYg0OrrM0_vx-4OGUQFchwBjYmyyvmNmHTOt67mA5cYZ`iq׉ 7cassandra://tenryogCBep_dpMIaJMbL7oJ5lYcnLVx9hWceLFr1jA-`׉ 7cassandra://55Uq40I3JEGweW1qJ_-zeL2jvj7medtd8R6XAbcceZc;e`׉ 7cassandra://ClCr0KaE6TNcSbHmA9_-ShkMVToyWY_Kf_yPA7Usltgu)͠ aBy=!*׉ETHE GREAT FRAME UP SUPPORTS AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS NOVEMBER FEATURE: MARGARET BURROUGHS BY ANGELA M. JACKSON DES MOINES, IOWA – As a local custom frame retailer and art gallery, The Great Frame Up in West Des Moines enjoys supporting the visual arts. This month we introduce readers to American visual artist, print maker, sculpture, poet and writer Margaret Burroughs co-founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History of Chicago. Lega ׉ 7cassandra://55Uq40I3JEGweW1qJ_-zeL2jvj7medtd8R6XAbcceZc;e`aB y=!)׉Egacy Margaret Burroughs (November 1, 1915 – November 21, 2010), was an American visual artist, writer, poet, educator, and arts organizer. She is best known for her print making. She co-founded the Ebony Museum of Chicago, now the DuSable Museum of African American History. An active member of the AfricanAmerican community, she also helped to establish the South Side Community Art Center, whose opening on May 1, 1941 was dedicated by the First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt. There at the age of 23 Burroughs served as the youngest member of its board of directors. A long-time educator, she spent most of her career at DuSable High School. Burroughs was a prolific writer, with her efforts directed toward the exploration of the Black experience and to children, especially to their appreciation of their cultural identity and to their introduction and Early life and education Burroughs was born Victoria Margaret Taylor in St. Rose, Louisiana, where her father worked as a farmer and laborer at a railroad warehouse and her mother as a domestic. The family moved to Chicago in 1920 when she was five years old. At an early age her mother encouraged her to pursue her interest in art. There she attended Englewood High School along with Gwendolyn Brooks, who in 1985-1986 served as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (now U. S. Poet Laureate). As classmates, the two joined the NAACP Youth Council. She earned teacher’s certificates from Chicago Teachers College in 1937. She helped found the South 11 “Every individual wants to leave a legacy, to be remembered for something positive they have done for their community. Long after I’m dead and gone the [DuSable] museum will still be here. A lot of black museums have opened up, but we’re the only one that grew out of the indigenous black community. We weren’t started by anybody downtown; we were started by ordinary folks.” -Margaret Burroughs growing awareness of art. She is also credited with the founding of Chicago’s Lake Meadows Art Fair in the early 1950s. aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://-Zpn3tw21QmxUJUP_EUmNlqWFcVlMZKV73RzEbWOpL43`iq׉ 7cassandra://VK5tLyZNXoba2h9N4kL-WbaWFFW_Rv9UTFYDQFvMXIsV`׉ 7cassandra://lcz8dzA9sdgvLfXwjUoDqi13wZOim1Tiqxj8EeqIM1EY`׉ 7cassandra://YIZfDI0YRkZ9E9ITbSUyanuTPojCts8DKhOKuOVz7a8ڝ͠ aBy=!*נaBy=!*lO9ׁH http://www.pinterest.com/tgfuwdmׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*,,9ׁH$http://www.facebook.com/tgfuwdmiowa.ׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!* ̾9ׁHhttp://thegreatframeup.comׁ ׁ Ј׉ESide Community Arts Center in 1939 to serve as a social center, gallery, and studio to showcase African American artists. In 1946, Burroughs earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she also earned her Master of Arts degree in art education, in 1948. Burroughs married the artist Bernard Goss (1913–1966), in 1939, and they divorced in 1947. In 1949, she married Charles Gordon Burroughs and they remained married for 45 years until his death in 1994. Professional life Burroughs taught at DuSable High School on Chicago’s South side from 1946 to 1969, and from 1969 to 1979 was a professor of humanities at Kennedy-King College, a community college in Chicago. She also taught African American Art and Culture at Elmhurst College in 1968. She was named Chicago Park District Commissioner by Harold Washington in 1985, a position she held until 2010. She died on November 21, 2010. The DuSable Museum Margaret and her husband Charles co-founded what is now the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago in 1961. The institution was originally known as the Ebony Museum of Negro History and Art and made its debut in the living room of their house at 3806 S. Michigan Avenue in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, and Burroughs served as its first Executive Director. She was proud of the institution’s grass-roots beginnings. The museum moved to its current location at 740 E. 56th Place in Washington Park in 1973, and today is the oldest museum of black culture in the United States. Both the current museum building, and the Burroughs’ South Michigan Avenue home are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the house is a designated Chicago landmark. Spanning the racial divide through art TMargaret Burroughs has created many of her own works of art as well. In one of Burroughs’ linocuts, Birthday Party, both black and white children are seen celebrating. The black and white children are not isolated from each other; instead they are intermixed and mingling around the table together waiting for birthday cake. An article published by The Art Institute of Chicago described Burroughs’ ׉ 7cassandra://lcz8dzA9sdgvLfXwjUoDqi13wZOim1Tiqxj8EeqIM1EY`aB y=!)׉E Birthday Party and said, “Through her career, as both a visual artist and a writer, she has often chosen themes concerning family, community, and history. ‘Art is communication,’ she has said. ‘I wish my art to speak not only for my people - but for all humanity.’ This aim is achieved in Birthday Party, in which both black and white children dance, while mothers cut cake in a quintessential image of neighbors and family enjoying a special day together”. The painting puts in visual form Burroughs’ philosophy that “the color of skin is a minor difference among men which has been stretched beyond its importance”. In many of Burroughs’ pieces, she depicts people with half black and half white faces. In The Faces of My People Burroughs carved five people staring at the viewer. One of the women is all black, three of the people are half black and half white and one is mostly white. While Burroughs is attempting to blend together the black and white communities, she also shows the barriers that stop the communities from uniting. None of the people in The Faces of My People are looking at each other, and this implies a sense of disconnect among them. On another level, The Faces of My People deals with diversity. Burroughs once again depicts faces that are half black and half white in My People. Even though the title is similar to the previously referenced piece, the woodcut has some differences. In this scene, there are four different faces – each of which is half white and half black. The head on the far left is tilted to the side and close to the head next to it. It seems as both heads are coming out of the same body – taking the idea of split personalities to the extreme. The women are all very close together, suggesting that they relate to each other. In The Faces of My People there were others pictured with different skin tones, but in My People all of the people have the same half black and half white split. Therefore, My People focuses on a common conflict that all the women in the picture face. Notable Awards: President’s Humanitarian Award (President Gerald Ford), 1975; Women’s Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award, 1988; Paul Robeson Award, 1989; Art Institute of Chicago’s Legends and Legacy Award, 2010. (credits – wikipedia) The Great Frame Up currently features originals, prints, sculptures and framed artwork of numerous African American and Iowa artists in the gallery. To see some of the prior artists featured visit www.westdesmoines. thegreatframeup.com and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tgfuwdmiowa. Please follow us on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/tgfuwdm and Twitter @tgfuwdm. About The Great Frame Up The Great Frame Up is a custom picture framer, offering more than 1,000 custom frames, mat styles, ready to hang framed art and local artwork. The West Des Moines location of The Great Frame Up opened in 2005 and is located at 5515 Mills Civic Parkway in the West Glen Town Center and is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10- 6pm; Thursday 108pm & Saturday 10- 5pm. 13 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://RJLVS0cDo7LZz26-nx6XAE-oGMUxEGtiGjS-dSSnqlUz`iq׉ 7cassandra://u58GjpET25C72UZ3_O5SGZpPRXh3VzQG0zkcdTmB8JA`׉ 7cassandra://5_SlBbo9C4j2E4-bKYQ2rsbVOIOFFR0KSyNOxx9xM6wB`׉ 7cassandra://HA0lpE25DN7qntfduULo9hm1ZAchfg9CBuFuKmsbz8Q2͠ aBy=!*נaBy=!* xd9ׁHhttp://www.broadlawns.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EBroadlawns Medical Center Managing your Diabetes During the Holidays By: Dana Rich, MSN-FNP Broadlawns Endocrinology Clinic O ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this article features information about breast cancer from an interview, conducted on September 13, 2021, with Dr. Mary Charlton, who is an November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Right now there are 34.2 million US adults living with diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t even know that they have it. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or it can’t effectively use the insulin it makes. Over time, that can cause health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness. Healthy eating is one of the best tools you have for managing blood glucose levels. However, healthy eating can be even more challenging during the holiday season. Family gatherings and social events around this time of the year are often centered on food and drinks. The temptation to enjoy traditional holiday foods, full of fat and sugar, is sometimes hard to resist. One important way to maintain your willpower and manage your diabetes during the holiday season is to plan ahead. Here are 3 tips to help you stay on track during the holidays: ׉ 7cassandra://5_SlBbo9C4j2E4-bKYQ2rsbVOIOFFR0KSyNOxx9xM6wB`aB y=!)׉E1) Drink a glass of water before your meals. Drinking water can fill you up, and a full stomach means that you’ll likely eat less and feel less hungry. Sometimes you may also think that you are hungry when you are actually thirsty. Drinking a glass of water before reaching for something to eat can help to curb unnecessary snacking or overeating. 2) Choose a smaller plate. Buying smaller plates or using a salad plate instead of a dinner plate is an easy strategy for portion control. Simply put, it is hard to overindulge when there’s less room on the plate. Another tip, use the salad plate for your protein and carbs, but then use a regular dinner plate for a big salad or all of the veggies you want. 3) Fill your plate in this order: veggies and proteins first, then fruits, and lastly desserts. When filling your plate, start by focusing on the fiber and protein to help limit blood sugar spikes and make you feel full for a longer period of time. Non-starchy vegetables are lower in carbohydrates and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Aim for filling half your plate with non-starchy vegetables to make sure you get plenty of servings. If you need support in managing your diabetes, the Broadlawns Endocrinology Clinic is here to help. Diabetes education is provided by our Certified Diabetes Educator. Our multidisciplinary team works with providers throughout the hospital to provide complete and coordinated care. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit www.broadlawns.org or call (515) 282-3041. All forms of insurance are accepted. 15 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://9d0BkwUk8UKdBEu0leCXdH6wJSLmorDbJig9XdwOSQk`iq׉ 7cassandra://MHTHhspfr9Z46CDAU9mK8PSW9KmoukrzfF4J7xyAUaAͥ`׉ 7cassandra://ufFOvwati0uqAh28jWdjVDv5qnxMjtsQZOlLJucQTxI0@`׉ 7cassandra://4rmt2S4MDN3WZA_FZcALrr1kBPwDv_chc7eHond9gJYx͠ aBy=!*!נaBy=!*$IR9ׁHhttp://4.Siׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*#9ׁH#mailto:be.encouragedbyone@gmail.comׁ ׁ Ј׉ESPIRITUALITY PRAISE Written By: Donnetta Austin For I know the plans I have for you; declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future Jeremiah 29:11 NIV ׉ 7cassandra://ufFOvwati0uqAh28jWdjVDv5qnxMjtsQZOlLJucQTxI0@`aB y=!)׉E n the month of November we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. As this day approaches let us remain in a place of awe. Let us look back or remember and recall what all God has brought us through. You may have fallen down that rocky road, but through Gods strength he built you up and kept you steady. The past did not keep you bondage or held down. You have overcome! If Nothing else it should have given you the endurance to equip you for what is next. The devil is good at trying to attack our minds and the hearts of those who want to follow Jesus, trying to steal our joy and keep us in an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. Your night season may seem longer than expected, but a breakthrough will arise in the morning when you shed light upon what God is capable and able to do. Sometimes during the process things get shaken up only to give us fulfillment and purpose. So let the joy of the Lord fill your heart with songs of praise! Give Thanks for all He had done and still doing in and throughout our lives. May we worship Him because He is worthy, Powerful, and Mighty. May we continue to be a reflection and spread God’s love this holiday season. Continue to trust in God even when you cannot trace him. Be blessed! By Author Donnetta Austin Amazon “Never Retire God” Email be.encouragedbyone@gmail.com I 4.Sing to the Lord all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. 5. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping May last through the night, buta joy comes with the morning. Psalms 30:4-5 NLT 17 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://c4W-PgXf85zFHOGCVDq5NUD5ci602pr_g2QJ051KLzg``iq׉ 7cassandra://YiwMqMmtGcI0ZxX7UzoTUy8oW6wGGAV_S-JcY2lxYOoR`׉ 7cassandra://ygzQtARvu5ajYPmpCofYEta-UhgqwJVCy94BZrRq_o0E`׉ 7cassandra://bK0Qw5GU1O7uGFD9hqHCrGP8d5fn6OQG_KRbcVmVyO8 ͠ aBy=!*%׉ECOURAGEOUS TRUTHS: Sundaya’s Story You appear strong and powerful. You have an impressive personality and can influence and even intimidate through sheer force. You have natural authority. Your competence and enthusiasm attract people with resources. You radiate confidence. People defer to you because they sense your sureness and effectiveness. You also exude a kind of controlled benevolence.”1 ׉ 7cassandra://ygzQtARvu5ajYPmpCofYEta-UhgqwJVCy94BZrRq_o0E`aB y=!)׉E Sundaya2 could hear her mother’s lovely voice saying this to her while she closed her eyes and let the mothering reassurance wash over her. Usually when Sundaya imagined her mother telling her this on one of those countless occasions, it made her believe it again no matter what was happening. Not this time. Kenneth had been such a reliable friend - in the beginning. They met when Sundaya was much younger…God, 22 seemed like such a long time ago now that she was 27. Kenn, as she called him, wasn’t really into much of anything, but he was into her. He did all the right things: opened car doors, called her ‘Queen’, called her mother ‘Ma’am’, called her father ‘Sir’, listened without interrupting, seemed genuinely interested in her interests…you know, all the right things. Sundaya easily enjoyed his company, and he seemed to have no problem enjoying hers. Gradually, Sundaya noticed Kenn starting to become easily irritable at times with her, to the point that he would sometimes yell at her or even call her out of her name. It was strange to her but since by now it was her 27th birthday, certainly by now she knew who he really was. If she would just stand by him right now the way he had stood by her through her master’s degree credit hours and licensing exam, surely she could stand by him through losing his high school friend. She also noticed he seemed to be secretive at times but chalked it up to his possibly not knowing how to say he needed some time alone to deal with his emotions. Although she didn’t appreciate the changes she was seeing and Kenn wasn’t open to talking to her about these changes and their impact on her, she figured she’d wait until things calmed down to revisit the whole behavioral change. Only things got worse. Kenn started making things difficult on her job - showing up unannounced and uninvited - often. Insisting that she text him when she got there, if she left the office during the day, when she was leaving to go home, and when she got home if … he wasn’t there. Yes, by then, they were living together. A short time after Kenn’s friend’s passing, Kenn stopped working because he said he was too out of sorts to go to work. Soon after, Kenn was let go from his job. Again, Sundaya thought this was her time to help her beloved - they were a true item now as boyfriend and girlfriend - and make sure he got through this tough time by knowing someone whom he loved believed in him and was willing to stand by him. But after an entire year passed of Kenn not leaving their house, no longer looking for work, no longer helping around the apartment, no longer even bothering to keep himself up, seeming to find countless ways to spend the money she was desperately trying to save, and getting increasingly cruel in his demeanor with her, Sundaya began to wonder if she would ever see the return of the “real Kenn”. One day while pondering all of this, Sundaya saw one of her colleagues who was also in her social media network was going to a virtual lunch ‘n learn with this woman named Courageous. Sundaya looked through the invite and saw these words, “the thing you can’t put your finger on in your relationship might be abuse.” WOW. Could that be true? Sundaya was weary in every way at this point and couldn’t remember the last time she felt “strong and powerful”. Where was her “natural authority”? She certainly didn’t feel she radiated anything close to confidence. So she too signed up for the lunch ‘n learn. “After all,” she figured, “why not”? 19 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://3gP36QBHVTXGPHQR4lzFG7T4uxNqVcr74Ie96vhaIwA`iq׉ 7cassandra://jp3Q92AxR1KKdCNDsylOeR_SaRe11iQmdBFEbG5C_Xg`׉ 7cassandra://UmRMvBzNlkpfL1H6aQG0lOjJgLibDadIuZNtdKyKT4ALo`׉ 7cassandra://li55ZsqUCGuQm5Ql0LrQlJncR3nVoSVsFCv4sIha3Zwu(͠ aBy=!*<נaBy=!*(<̓(9׉H$https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JFDDJG/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*)̩9׉H$https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JF2DDJGGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!**]9׉H0https://www.cfirellc.com/post/dvam-digital-abuseGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*+сq9׉HOhttps://mountaincrisisservices.org/domestic-violence/healthy-relationship-wheelGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*,̝9׉Hhttps://www.thehotline.orgGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*-y9׉HBhttps://www.thehotline.org/create-a-domestic-violence-safety-plan/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*.>̡9׉H"https://www.cfirellc.com/specialtyGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*/%H9׉H"https://www.cfirellc.com/specialtyGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*0AW9׉H"https://www/cfirellc.com/specialtyGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*1j^Q9׉H https://www.cfirellc.com/supportGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*249׉H https://www.cfirellc.com/supportGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*3Zs9׉Hhttps://www.cfirellc.com/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*4`̡̉9׉H"https://www/nameslook.com/sundaya/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*5H̹9׉HBhttps://www.theduluthmodel.org/product/power-control-wheel-poster/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*6dH9׉HAhttps://www.theduluthmodel.org/product/power-control-wheel-posterGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*7go"9׉HLhttps://publizr.com/iowaurbanmedia/urban-experience-june-2021?html=true#/18/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*8(>9׉HLhttps://publizr.com/iowaurbanmedia/urban-experience-june-2021?html=true#/18/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*9̗9׉HUhttps://publizr.com/iowaurbanmedia/july-urban-experience-magazine-2021?html=true#/18/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*::̑9׉Hhttps://www.thehotline.orgGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*;:m9׉Hhttps://ncadv.org/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*Eh7!9ׁHhttp://theurbanexp.comׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*D8!9ׁHhttp://facebook.com/urbanexpmagׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*C<i9ׁHhttp://NCADV.orgׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*B<̐9ׁHhttp://TheHotline.orgׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*A4K9ׁHhttp://TheDuluthModel.orgׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*@e̍̐9ׁHhttp://nameslook.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E As she listened to the speaker, Courageous Fire, she watched in amazement when the speaker pulled up a photo called the Power and Control Wheel.3 As her eyes moved around the spokes of the wheel, she realized she had begun to tear up. How in the world could this wheel developed by people she had never met be able to record so many details of her and Kenn’s relationship? How could this wheel have the answers to her prayers when she begged to know “what’s going on??” As she now listened, enraptured by the loving, matter-of-fact, yet hopeful way Courageous spoke of domestic violence (DV), she latched onto one thing in particular. Courageous said she was reading from a workbook called Empowerment through the Arts™: “I started remembering. Remember the strength of my independent thinking. Remembering the brilliance of my intellect. Remembering the power of my talents, gifts, and natural strengths.”4 “Wait a minute!” Sundaya thought to herself. And suddenly, she heard her mother’s voice clearly beginning to speak her name’s powerful meanings back to her once again. As she continued to listen, she heard the woman say next, “I started thinking futuristically. Considering the cost of my life continuing in the same pattern years into the future.” Sundaya realized 5 years of her life had already passed by with more sprinklings of emotional5 verbal6, financial7 , and digital8 in her life than she’d like to remember. As she thought of the cost of her future with Kenn’s abusive behavior still in it, she shuddered. Then, right on cue, she heard Courageous say, “we just opened our first Community Safe Space. A confidential place where a Black woman who now realizes she is being victimized can do her safety planning. All you have to do is call me to get connected to it. , abuse9 happening Sundaya looked at the number in the presentation and memorized it. She knew she’d be in touch with Courageous and would be taking her first steps that day in taking back her future. Now Sundaya is 32, and in a different state in many ways. Kenn just wouldn’t back off even after they no longer lived together, so part of her plan is that she moved to a completely different state. She is also in a different state of mind - not just back to her original strength but has even more strength now. She believes every single thing her name says she has and is. She has a fresh start. She has herself. And that for her - is more than enough. Last month, we talked about abuse reparations - making it pay you back. This month, I definitely want to help you remember who you are, think about what you want in your future, and use that to fuel safely doing what you can to move toward your desires. You more than deserve it, Sis. And we’re here to help. 1. Check our brand new blog: Blog Link 2. In a relationship? Make sure it’s healthy: Healthy Relationship Wheel Illustration. Or go to TheHotline.org, or Phone: 800-799-7233 3. In an abusive relationship? a. Call us to get connected to a Community Safe Space to begin safety planning, 515-428-0077 b. At the Community Safe Space, talk to The Hotline.org to commence safety planning 4. Survivor and stable in your new life? Sign up for Empowerment through the Arts™; avoid future DV cycles: Survivor Support 5. Community member want to learn what you can do? Go to: Awareness Talks & Community Safe Spaces 6. Want to financially support the work? Donate Here Blessings. #Permission By Courageous Fire DV Advocate & Founder of Courageous Fire, LLC ׉ 7cassandra://UmRMvBzNlkpfL1H6aQG0lOjJgLibDadIuZNtdKyKT4ALo`aB y=!)׉EIEndnotes 1. One of the meanings of the name Sundaya, as given at nameslook.com 2. Sundaya is a fictitious, composite character, as well as the other characters in this story. Sundaya is used to demonstrate the factual material contained within this article. The characters’ attributes/demographics are taken from case studies, articles, and DV abuse definitions. 3. TheDuluthModel.org’s Power and Control Wheel. 4. Excerpt from Healing Facts - Lesson 4 from Empowerment through the Arts™ workbook 5. Emotional Abuse Definition: non-physical behaviors that are meant to control, isolate, or frighten the victim. Also, see our June Urban Experience Magazine article entitled “Freedom’s Story” to learn more about emotional abuse. 6. Verbal Abuse Definition: emotional abuse that involves the use of oral language, gestured language, and written language directed toward the victim 7. Financial Abuse Definition: control over finances OR sabotage of finances OR sabotage of ability to gain/retain finances 8. Digital Abuse Definition: the use of technologies such as texting or social media to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a victim. Some DV expert sites show this digital stalking, stalking, or digital abuse. Also, see our July Urban Experience Magazine article entitled “Ebony’s Story” to learn more about digital stalking can look like 9. Abuse Definitions: Taken from CFire LLC DV Awareness Training Handout as compiled from various sources, including but not limited to: TheHotline.org, NCADV.org. FIND US ON... Facebook or our website!!! facebook.com/urbanexpmag or theurbanexp.com aB y=!)́aB y=!)ˁ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://8DxOOMYScfmbsRpocPxseeLM-fAX5LfOWt5btciYQCw`iq׉ 7cassandra://f-lCpGhButnRVUILkPdLj6VQPDt5MMKsRO_Z_IOUdKo]`׉ 7cassandra://216SG-pMZOlaiSMzr3Ste4lPbmDVIspib1nkVawDCeMW`׉ 7cassandra://vQpQxeRnKrjFJbeP07p4GhK6t16IRybdO7N7yOh1UEMh ͠ aBy=!*FנaBy=!*H"M̭9ׁHhttp://drake.edu/brightׁ ׁ Ј׉EInspired by a great leader, Bright College is taking a new approach to education. Want to do school differently? So do we. Our two-year associate degrees are designed to accelerate your career. drake.edu/bright ׉ 7cassandra://216SG-pMZOlaiSMzr3Ste4lPbmDVIspib1nkVawDCeMW`aB y=!)׉EfLeadership Lessons: A Father’s Legacy Written By: Cleophus (Cleo) Franklin Jr. “My father did not tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it.” - Clarence B. Kelland The lessons I learned from my hard-working Korean War veteran father still resonate within me, help to guide me daily, and live on through my leadership books (Coffee with Cleo & Lessons from our Mothers and Fathers), as I honor his legacy and am proud to share it with those who may be inspired by it. During my youth and especially as a teenager, I carried an unabashed and unapologetic attitude toward my parents that was filled with an “I know it all” perspective. It was also underscored with an unwavering “My parents don’t know jacks—!” mentality, as this is exactly how I would describe my feelings toward my parents growing up! I understand this is very common and part of almost every teenager’s suite of “rebellion tools” in their rite of passage, as teenagers at this stage in life are truly short on sense but long on attitude. All parents have to deal with this youthful insurgence and ignorance, and we thank God for their persistence, for their perseverance, and sometimes for simply ignoring those teenage rants. Like most parents, my mother and father too were built in this mode. They were wise and often shared their unsolicited wisdom with me, which I did not fully appreciate as a youngster. I describe this as the ever-present “youth and elder gap” that exists, which is why I appreciate how parents play the long game and persist in finding interesting (and often unappreciated) ways to share their insightful lessons with their children, despite their children’s resistance. The beauty of this paradox is that if you are blessed to live long enough, you begin to see the wisdom and wise lessons that your folks passed along to you. These lessons resonate and make sense over time, which is why I am glad my parents did not let my youthful insolence stop them from disseminating their sage counsel and advice, as they knew I would need it along the road of life. I have found that the advice 23 “ Straight Talk ” aB y=!)΁aB y=!)́(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://3lcJImMc3FizukfPyqont9GvQpKpqmjmpQfi377dNvU`iq׉ 7cassandra://80BmL6jCxGuLLhT3mPIP99iGk0cZ0ynh6uxSZGbKb7kӎ`׉ 7cassandra://uY8K-U48o6GWkZR1A5ZNNrCvaYZ6S5xu94LjSBTPJqk<`׉ 7cassandra://q1tnFpVlX495b4hb8hfE95VBOFhmW80wfVlsQDY9MrI͠ aBy=!*I׉E?passed down from my parents has provided the greatest impact on my personal and professional life. This chapter is about the lessons passed down from a man I love, who I am named after, and whom I respect greatly. He is gone now, but his lessons have stayed with me like glue. Growing up, I did not have a close relationship with my father. He was a hardworking man with a no-nonsense approach and one who did not show physical signs of affection, had little patience, and could be curt with his responses to both young and old. To be straightforward, I did not like my dad at all growing up as I resisted him constantly, didn’t want to be around him, and disliked his presence. He was also a strict disciplinarian, a military veteran who had served our country proudly in the Korean War. My father was born in 1929 on a small farm in rural Arkansas (Casscoe). He was a child of the Depression and World War II, born into the age of “Jim Crow” and definitely a man of his era. My dad was raised hard—lock, stock, and barrel—during a time of blackand-white lines with little areas of gray and dealing with forces that were strong-willed, unyielding, and unbending. Despite his demeanor, many sought out his advice and boy was Dad smart. His relatives, coworkers, and people in the neighborhood, as all respected what “Frank” or “Franklin,” as they called him, had to say and what he was thinking about. People sought out my father because he was a man of very few words and not one to get caught up emotionally or be overtly expressive. He was someone who did not beat around the bush and always went straight to the point. My dad was also brutally honest and spoke without a filter. I can still remember how his words of honesty would often hit you like a freight train or the left hook of an elite boxer if you were not ready for the delivery. When he spoke, people took notice and immediately knew it was time to listen because he would say it only once. He rarely repeated himself because repeating himself and reiterating a point after he took the effort to tell you once was never on his menu. If you ordered up some sage advice from Frank and missed it, well, too bad because that would now be your problem as you should have been listening. My father would often say, “I’ll say it once, tell it straight, be done, and no more talk when I’m finished talking.” This was his motto. However, truth be told, I didn’t appreciate his forthrightness or candor when I was a young man. Still, the older I became, the more fond I grew of my father’s “straight to the point” talk. This philosophy, which was second nature to my dad, as he gave me a model to work toward by doing all I could to adopt and adhere to this philosophy in my own life, which continues to be a work in progress, as my dad set a high bar for me. Despite my father’s frankness, truthfulness, and tell-it-like-it-is manner, he was not a perfect man. My dad, like everyone, had his faults and personal challenges. But what I can attest to in describing what he was with certainty, my dad was a man who, when he interacted with you, was always present in the moment and gave you his full attention. Now, this is a man who worked two jobs, raised nine children, and had his issues, but always more than anything, even with these commitments, my father found time to be present in our lives. His commitment to being present was unquestionably evident in how he partnered with my mother for sixty-one years to raise nine children successfully. When he engaged you in a discussion, I admired his ability to home in, focus on his message, and deliver it precisely. I admired his ability to say something in ten words where most people would use forty. Simply put, the man did not believe in wasting time or, more importantly, not wasting words. Often when my dad needed to tell me something of importance, ׉ 7cassandra://uY8K-U48o6GWkZR1A5ZNNrCvaYZ6S5xu94LjSBTPJqk<`aB y=!)׈EaB y=!)ЁaB y=!)ρ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://jXvv3LSYJfSYpNpiewc9GNcCeciyUtRGTSASuQS3csk`iq׉ 7cassandra://Rhi_b6bz7qDPF_LkiRgTFDWX2ZuOdIoHivlvjK8PTTg) `׉ 7cassandra://NmeYY5gglXJ2MxmXEpXziAw1QiXTNvcQQI0AjTqj6N4L`׉ 7cassandra://Uqm4aBLktVUYn6Nej56PxqcTzd9ilCSfQVtHP8iKufQd͠ aBy=!*K׉Ehe would begin these discussions with a phrase: “Son, I need you to listen to me as it’s time to teach you something,” followed by “so get ready for a talk as I need you to listen and I am only going to tell you once.” I can assure you that after these brisk and short discussions, there was never a need to gain or seek additional clarification afterward as he always played it straight down the middle—no matter the season, situation, subject matter, or people involved. This frank approach was acquired and passed down to him by my greatgrandfather through a legacy that exists today. My great-grandfather’s name was Jim Moore, and his family as well as those who knew him called him Papa. Papa took a liking to my dad and taught him well. In fact, my father spoke softly and proudly of Papa in those rare times he would share with me stories of him and how he would use situational teaching to make a point and make it stick. My dad learned from Papa how to judge a man by what he does versus what he says, which he defined as a man’s “say-do ratio.” Papa took my father with him to various places where business was done, as my father watch in order to understand the dynamics of people engaging with each other and how they conducted themselves throughout every transaction. Papa would afterward quiz my dad and ask him pointed questions like, “OK, son, tell me who you think was the boss or leader and who thought they were in charge versus who is really in charge?” or “Who was listening intently?” or “Who was the most serious businessperson?” and “Who was the more effective communicator?” Across all these interactions, Papa had my dad observe with full attention. Lastly, Papa would ask my dad to identify the men who were all talk with hollow words and those who were men of action. My father never quoted Ben Franklin, but his philosophy, I am certain, was developed by this experience with Papa and is best summed up by one of Ben’s quotes, which is “Well done is better than well said.” So, I am honored to share with you four short and simple lessons to contemplate, ponder, and reference from a man who called it and played it straight every day of his life. 1. Don’t worry about being perfect. Focus on being present in life. Each day, no matter how difficult your day may be or the challenges or hardships you will face, make sure you not only spend time with those you love but do so with your full engagement. Now, don’t get me wrong. My father did not spend an inordinate amount of time with me, but when he did, he was fully focused and gave me his full and vested attention. His time spent was without distraction because he was there with the purpose of giving what he could, which was his time. Because he knew, one day to come, he would be gone, and he wanted to use his time with me wisely to ensure I was ready when it was time for him to depart from this world. My dad understood that time is life’s most precious commodity. As with each day, time is something we lose, and we never gain more of it no matter how long we live, so make darn sure you use your time wisely. Takeaway: “The time we spend on the pursuit of perfection does not compare to the time we spend being present with those we love.” —C. Franklin Jr. 2. “Sugarcoating the truth with those you love may sound sweet, but those words may rot your teeth.” = C. Franklin Sr. This is a hard one as it is easier said than done—what you say (no matter how true it is) can cause hurt and pain, and no one wants to do that to someone we love. As they say, the truth hurts! I think we all can agree that the truth sometimes can sting, bring us to our knees, and stop us in our tracks, but my goodness, when we hear it—we know it and recognize it immediately. I admired my father’s unlimited reservoir of truth-telling, as he would often (and unsolicited) call you out with accuracy on demand! When I was growing up, I used to think he had no sympathy or ׉ 7cassandra://NmeYY5gglXJ2MxmXEpXziAw1QiXTNvcQQI0AjTqj6N4L`aB y=!)׉E “If you think others are preventing you from succeeding, you’re fooling yourself because there is another name to substitute when you mention others, and that name is yours.” - C. Franklin Jr. empathy, and if he did, it was well hidden. Heck, the man was hardscrabble and tough! However, the older I got, the more I’ve come to realize he was very empathic because he cared enough to never lie when someone asked his opinion or point of view. And that is an admirable trait we seemed to have lost a bit in our society. So, in summary, “Talk may get you more attention in the room, but your actions and what you do stay around long after everyone leaves the room.” —C. Franklin Jr. Takeaway: Do more, say less, but be consistent in all things you do, as your actions define who you are. 3. “If you could kick the person in the behind that is most responsible for your problems and inability to succeed in life… Son, not only would your own foot be sore, but your behind would be too!” - C. Franklin Sr. I am not sure any further expansion is needed on this lesson, so I’ll take a cue from my father and not expand or talk any further. His quote speaks clearly, cuts like a knife through the BS and clutter, and hits the nail right on the head. Amen! Takeaway: “If you think others are preventing you from succeeding, you’re fooling yourself because there is another name to substitute when you mention others, and that name is yours.” —C. Franklin Jr. No matter where we are in life, the positions we may hold or the ones we are seeking, we search for and depend on impactful lessons, insights, and teachings to inspire us toward our aspirations. In short, we need these callings from people we admire to guide us and keep us grounded and balanced. As a business leader, each day I look for a spark of inspiration to help fuel my day’s pursuits, and often when it comes, it is from an unlikely place. This inspiration not only helps to guide us within our personal lives, but it is also the fuel to move our visions forward. As a leader, I truly appreciate the clarity of these three simple truths passed down to me by my father. Never has a man who spoke so little been able to pass along such powerful and shared words of timeless wisdom and lessons that still ring loudly today for a lifetime of wisdom and generations of Franklins to come. Rest in peace, Dad, and thank you for passing along the “Straight Talk Leadership Model” you took the time to share with me, even when I did not want to listen or be around you. Dad, I am glad you saw through my youthful veneer and had one goal when you spent time with me: to pass along three generations of “how to live” knowledge shared with you by Papa Moore and to ensure these insights would hopefully enrich my life. For that, I honor your legacy and Papa’s today by sharing these teachings with others who are willing to listen. And with that, as my father would say, “Son, I said what I said … and I am not going to repeat myself, so now...no more talk!” #playitstraight and always give #straight talk 27 aB y=!)ҁaB y=!)с(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://OsU5A1RRCPBJLDLYGCRm-zkLs8QZ3h-JKPOlFYSma1Q`iq׉ 7cassandra://cY1F15rKii_IW4F3Sgz9J6Z70OwS1FgWUFNHBzMCwBU`׉ 7cassandra://heRpSD5LdiFykTAnk3UIpMZVQ-yqJGVMeiN9TwAQwfUL{`׉ 7cassandra://9yb_NVcncRrkJy6CnSHLLrnEGSQqvSaHrFr0ks6qciIUY͠ aBy=!*M׉EHealth Hesitant to get the vaccine? You’re not alone. But we can find the answers. Together. VAXDSM is a collaborative effort designed to lift awareness and acceptance of the value of vaccination against COVDI-19 among Black, Latino, African, Asian-American, and other underserved populations within the Des Moines metropolitan area, to decrease illness and deaths in these communities. The goal is to increase vaccinations rates to 70 percent or more in Polk County by focusing on equitable access to information and vaccines for underserved populations and people of color. Current vaccination rates for these communities are less then the general population figures in the metro area. ׉ 7cassandra://heRpSD5LdiFykTAnk3UIpMZVQ-yqJGVMeiN9TwAQwfUL{`aB y=!)׉E This effort is being led by many community leaders who are passionate about making sure you have accurate information to make an informed decision on getting Vaccinated. Here are the facts below: 55% of Iowans are Vaccinated 50% of Asian Iowans are Fully Vaxxed 23% of Black Iowans are Fully Vaxxed 40% of LatinX Iowans are Fully Vaxxed Types of COVID-19 Vaccine The United States, there are three COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna and J&J. People need 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine or the Moderna vaccine. People need only one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna The first dose starts building protection against COVID-19 by helping the immune system recognize the virus. The second dose makes the immune system’s response stronger. • Pfizer’s vaccine was 95% effective after both vaccines. For the Pfizer vaccine, people need to get the second dose 3 weeks after the first dose. • Moderna’s vaccine was 94.5% effective after both vaccines. For the Moderna vaccine, people need to get the second dose 4 weeks after the first one. • If people don’t get the second dose, the vaccine won’t be as effective. • They both use the technology to ensure people are fully vaccinated. The only difference between both vaccines is the way they are stored and the companies who make them. Johnson & Johnson You need one dose of the J&J vaccine. This is a typical vaccine. The J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine was 66.3% effective in clinical trials (efficacy) at preventing laboratoryconfirmed COVID-19 infection in people who received the vaccine and had no evidence of being previously infected. People had the most protection 2 weeks after getting vaccinated. In the clinical trials, the vaccine had high efficacy at preventing hospitalization and death in people who did get sick. No one who got COVID-19 at least 4 weeks after receiving the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine had to be hospitalized. There is so much information about Vaccinations and some of the information is incorrect. Below are a few answers to questions that have come up concerning the Vaccine. Is the mRNA vaccine considered a vaccine? Yes. mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, work differently than other types of vaccines, but they still trigger an immune response inside your body. This type of vaccine is new, but research and development on it has been under way for decades. The mRNA vaccines do not contain any live virus. Instead, they work by teaching our cells to make a harmless piece of a “spike protein,” which is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. After making the protein piece, cells display it on their surface. Our immune system then recognizes that it does not belong there and responds to get rid of it. When an immune response begins, antibodies are produced, creating the same response that happens in a natural infection. In contrast to mRNA vaccines, many other vaccines use a piece of, or weakened version of, the germ that the vaccine protects against. This is how the measles and flu vaccines work. When a weakened or small 29 aB y=!)ԁaB y=!)Ӂ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://HWsJk5TSQ3XkwV1ysuQvW36YfFH6rXkLKp9mvowj3dA`iq׉ 7cassandra://fIk9B_Hz06hcMXz428DG3AEWseTaYUyu4zMTutJHejw5P`׉ 7cassandra://nQ81whgnoDBs7L2btUQ1vSV16INE8S46T_ORD0YPpQYT`׉ 7cassandra://XPb-2p45xykl3l7CHevjoboL_7rHYhTkHfhQfvoFqWoB͠ aBy=!*OנaBy=!*Vҁ9ׁH%http://vimeo.com/623609706/12604bc783ׁ ׁ ЈנaBy=!*U9ׁHhttps://www.unitedwaydm.org/ׁ ׁ Ј׉E 6part of the virus is introduced to your body, you make antibodies to help protect against future infection. Can a COVID-19 vaccine make me sick with COVID-19? No. None of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test? No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection. If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus. If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because: • Research has not yet shown how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again after you recover from COVID-19. • Vaccination helps protect you even if you’ve already had COVID-19. Evidence is emerging that people get better protection by being fully vaccinated compared with having had COVID-19. One study showed that unvaccinated people who already had COVID-19 are more than 2 times as likely than fully vaccinated people to get COVID-19 again. Will a COVID-19 vaccination protect me from getting sick with COVID-19? Yes. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from getting sick with COVID-19. Being protected from getting sick is important because even though many people with COVID-19 have only a mild illness, others may get a severe illness, have long-term health effects, or even die. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you don’t have an increased risk of developing severe complications. Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA? No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. Do COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips? No. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain microchips. Vaccines are developed to fight against disease and are not administered to track your movement. Vaccines work by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies, exactly like it would if you were exposed to the disease. After getting vaccinated, you develop immunity to that disease, without having to get the disease first. ׉ 7cassandra://nQ81whgnoDBs7L2btUQ1vSV16INE8S46T_ORD0YPpQYT`aB y=!)׉Ereactions, like redness or pain where the shot was given, or symptoms throughout the body, like a headache or fever. Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were associated with some of these side effects in up to 10% of people who got the vaccine. Sometimes the side effects were slightly worse after the second shot. Some side effects included: • Local reactions at the injection site (redness, swelling) Can receiving a COVID-19 vaccine cause you to be magnetic? No. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic, including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals. If I am pregnant or planning to become pregnant, can I get a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. You might want to have a conversation with your healthcare provider about COVID-19 vaccination. While such a conversation might be helpful, it is not required before vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccine, like other vaccines, works by training our bodies to develop antibodies to fight against the virus that causes COVID-19, to prevent future illness. There is currently no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence suggesting that fertility problems are a side effect of ANY vaccine. People who are trying to become pregnant now or who plan to try in the future may receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them. Are there any side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine? Side effects from vaccines are not uncommon, and the COVID-19 vaccine is no exception. The good news is that the effects are usually mild and go away quickly. It’s a normal response, and it means that the vaccine — and your immune system — are working well. When your immune systems responds to a vaccine, it can cause local • Tiredness (fatigue) • Headache • Muscle pain • Chills • Joint pain • Fever • Vomiting and diarrhea Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe? Over 369 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States from December 14, 2020, through August 30, 2021. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. Having a safe and effective vaccine is the top priority. The manufacturers must present the study data that shows the vaccine is safe and that it works before it is approved for general populations. This data is closely reviewed by several scientific groups at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other groups look at available information about a vaccine and make informed decisions about the risks and benefits of using it. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines will undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Check out Please visit https://www.unitedwaydm.org/ vaxdsm for more information and click the link below to hear to hear from people in our community. https:// vimeo.com/623609706/12604bc783 31 aB y=!)ցaB y=!)Ձ(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://hLHUX_Fkn9pEtb3PAveTaroeVK5s1istzobJ3DMjaEI1`iq׉ 7cassandra://cCtU8PNCm2k_-Vnf_MUaNY1qdMWsytFbK-6pbUKeDn8(T`׉ 7cassandra://IiqZXFXCg5epNrdf6pfd4PRQ2ZDRqcNyv05t-0MomegQY`׉ 7cassandra://Ywf1BPFrE8IO5JcUAKf0BU3gqw-tCBHvEqzXwt9ljj0Q͠ aBy=!*WנaBy=!*QH9׉H9׉H=https://www.thehotline.org/resources/what-is-spiritual-abuse/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*p9׉Hhttps://www.cfirellc.com/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*qlg9׉Hhttps://www.cfirellc.com/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*r̷9׉Hhttps://www.cfirellc.com/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*slD9׉Hhttps://www.cfirellc.com/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*t9׉H%https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JF2DDJG/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*ulŁ9׉H$https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JF2DDJGGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*vc9׉H"https://www.cfirellc.com/specialtyGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*wl**9׉H"https://www.cfirellc.com/specialtyGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*xjzH9׉Hhttps://www.cfirellc.com/Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*yO9׉H%https://m.facebook.com/CourageousFireGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*zS 9׉H4https://instagram.com/cfire_llc?utm_medium=copy_linkGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*{fK9׉H0https://www.linkedin.com/company/courageous-fireGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*|D9׉H4https://youtube.com/channel/UC8YblZFo0x1KvvWAEZKtisAGׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*}<9׉H!https://twiter.com/cfire_llc?s=21Gׁ ׁ rנaBy=!*[ 9ׁHhttp://HENDERSONSHP.COMׁ ׁ Ј׉EICleophus “Cleo” Franklin Jr.’s Bio Cleophus “Cleo” Franklin Jr.’s leadership expertise is globally recognized. His passion for designing robust business growth, brand strategies, and implementing innovative, disruptive business models have benefited many global businesses and industries. Franklin’s values and beliefs are centered on approaching difficult challenges with curiosity and a beginner’s mindset. He is a purpose-driven leader who embraces servant leadership and investing in the personal and professional development of the next generation of leaders. His leadership career spans over thirty years with John Deere, Case-New Holland, and Mahindra as a global executive. Franklin is a published author. His global leadership book Coffee with Cleo (coffeewithcleo.com) was launched in June 2020. His book highlights ten leadership lessons from his global business executive career. Through artful and engaging storytelling, it showcases how one can navigate challenges successfully in our ever-changing, fastpaced, and complex business world by using an innovative entrepreneurship mindset and proven framework to improve your livelihood, but more importantly, your life. Courageous Bio Negus Sankofa Imhotep’s Bio Courageous exited a 13-year intimate partner relationship because she discovered it was steeped in multiple abuses, including psychological, sexual, and spiritual. This experience made her not only want to learn how and why it happened to her, but how she and other Black sisters could avoid it in the future. Her gift of converting personal life experiences into educational currency is well proven; however, this time she believes it has led her to develop what may be the most important work in her 9 years of curriculum design and delivery - Empowerment through the Arts™. Black trauma-informed therapists recommend it and Black female focus group participants are finding the program’s gains to be sustainable. Courageous has begun the work in the community that interacts with the Black female survivor as well, bringing tools that allow them to see the Black female victimsurvivor’s needs and address them appropriately in her Awareness Education, Survivor Empowerment, and Community Support Training. She is thrilled to bring the work of Courageous Fire, LLC to the pages of the Urban Experience Magazine to keep growing the numbers of Black sisters that get the help they need. Stay Connected to Courageous: Website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter C O NTRIB UT O RS Negus Sankofa Imhotep is the Academic & Workforce Coordinator at Urban Dreams and the Deferred Expulsion Case Manager for Des Moines Public Schools. In these roles, he has connected several of Central Iowa’s top employers with highly skilled untapped talent, assisted hundreds of marginalized central Iowans in securing gainful employment, and successfully advocated on behalf of more than 50 students who faced expulsion from the Des Moines Public School district. Negus is also a sought-after orator and community ally, having served as an Executive Board Member for the Iowa Human Rights Board, a past Chair and Commissioner of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans. In 2015, Negus launched Rudison Consultancy Group, LLC to offer cultural community network advising and cultural competency training to agencies and organizations across the region. His commitment to educating emerging leaders is what led him to teaching positions at Hawkeye Community College and Joshua Christian Academy in 2013. Negus holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Political Science from Excelsior College, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Norwich University, and is currently writing his dissertation for a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Northcentral University. ׉ 7cassandra://tex1nrsEfy4nBYUAokyfCgdDSi56NM24CFL-byFYj4Q``aB y=!)׉EIt's important to take the time to acknowledge the uniqueness of the deceased: the individuality of their personality, and the uniqueness of their life's path. Not just for them, but for you; it affirms the relationship, and leads to healing after loss. Honoring their life is truly an act of love – for the both of you. “WE’RE FAMILY” PHONE: (515) 309-6550 3500 SIXTH AVENUE DES MOINES, IA 50313 HENDERSONSHP.COM 47 aB y=!)aB y=!)(בCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://bhtTiyaIgiChqHcK5ZmhHmBB2FMrPuBb919tgcM1G8Ul`׉ 7cassandra://JC3H00Zx-vKFGUwM8yEn11lMj-xbZPZ1Gk27eHGTsTMqf`s׉ 7cassandra://Bt2kJlUv14fNCzHlQXk-Rv8ddn0_xTSj-qX187ul5vY*`׉ 7cassandra://bAgzL15h4clErjjdwwgQeQ8jbQbBYJiGCzOLgvYi9CU(͠]aBy=!*נaBy=!*2ҁ9ׁHhttp://www.broadlawns.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EYOUR EAR, NOSE, & THROAT SPECIALISTS Adult & Pediatric Services for: • Hearing Screenings • Ear Tubes • Sinus Problems • Hearing Loss • Balance Problems • Ear Infections • Tonsil or Adenoid Infections • Ringing in Ear (Tinnitus) • Hearing Aid Evaluations • Recurrent Sore Throat • Allergies EAR, NOSE, & THROAT Matt Brown, MD • Bill Fanter, PA-C Aaron Hahn, AuD Courtney Thayer, AuD (515) 282-7750 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA www.broadlawns.org ׉ 7cassandra://Bt2kJlUv14fNCzHlQXk-Rv8ddn0_xTSj-qX187ul5vY*`aB y=!)׈EaB y=!)aB y=!)(,November 2021 UE Magazine NewCheck out the November edition of the Urban Experience Magazine with VAXDSM sharing important information about vaccinations. Share this publication with someone you know. aBfrJ¬B