empower magazine spring 2013 vol. 3 issue 1

Fort Bend Filmmaker

Infuses“Hope”

Houston music school making stars

shine

SPECIAL ISSUE ON HOUSTON’S EMERGING TALENT

Spring IssueVol 3, Issue 1

EMPOWERM A G A Z I N E

From NBA to ActiveFaith

2 | www.empowermagazine.biz

PublisherBethel’s Place Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Leon Jenkins, BPBCC Chair and President/CEO

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Cover Photo Credit and inside cover story photos: McGill Photography and Video

Editor-In-Chief Leon Jenkins

Managing Editor Diane Tezeno

Contributing Columnists Leon Jenkins Lonnie Mathews Bennettia Fifer

Contributing Writers Diane Tezeno Anthony Floyd T.N. Jenkins Andrea Henderson

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Spring is in the air and Empower Magazine continues to keep our growing readership base updated with the latest business, entertainment and community happenings.

This year we will be making a push online to serve the needs of our fast-growing base of e-subscribers while still maintaining a presence in the community where you can pick up a copy of the magazine from display racks throughout the city.

Empower Magazine will continue to feature exciting stories on enterprising individuals who are living their passions and bringing their business dreams to life in four informa-tion-packed Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter issues.

The Spring issue features a special spotlight on emerging talent in the Houston and sur-rounding areas including our cover story showcasing a local film maker who is using his films as a platform to infuse hope and encouragement in the messages he shares with audiences.

You will also find a story in this issue on a former NBA player who launched a Christian sports apparel company that showcases the faith that more and more athletes are display-ing on and off the field.

This issue also showcases the talents of a young man who operates a local music school in the Houston-area and is shaping the next generation of young people through his unique music education and artist development training regimen.

So kick back and enjoy as we share some of the untold stories of individuals who are the emerging talents of today and the rising stars of tomorrow in their respective fields.

If you know of someone who has taken a step of faith to live out their dreams, contact us and we may share their story of inspiration with our readership.

And remember -

EM is a magazine created for your personal consumption and for sharing with others.

EM offers a wealth of articles and information designed to inspire and uplift the entre-preneurial spirit and provides interesting business insights and information. It is a “must read” for today’s business entrepreneur and small business owner.

Enroll to receive an electronic version of Empower Magazine and BE EMPOWERED.

Visit www.empowermagazine.biz and type in your email to receive the next issue of Empower Magazine via email.

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Leon C. JenkinsEditor-In-Chief

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Message from the Publisher


Cover Story8 Houston Filmmaker Infuses HopeSpotlight on the vision of film maker Charles Irving to bring positive messages to the big screen.By Diane Tezeno

Feature Stories14 Making StarsFresno man transforms students into industry-ready stars at Key Innovation Music and Performing Arts School in Fresno.By Diane Tezeno

17 Missouri City Resident Receives Funding for Web Series PitchAspiring filmmaker makes successful pitch to fund web seriesBy Diane Tezeno

19 From NBA to ActiveFaithFormer NBA player showcases his faith with the launch of a Christian sports apparel brandBy Andrea Henderson 21 Everyone Deserve a Second Chance New healthcare institute opens doors in Houston offering medical assistant and patient care technician classesBy T.N. Jenkins

23 Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse to Move to OWN Network 25 Author to Author InterviewAuthor Anita Bunkley releases her newest book “ A Thousand Steps” and gives a close up look at its makingBy Micole Williams

27 Shaheed Rucker: A Change MakerIt’s not about the Change, it’s about the “Change”Spotlight on Philadelphia man’s mission to use the arts to inspire social change to impact the communityByAnthony Floyd

Financial Section13 Financial Principles for 2013Five ways to use your tax refundFinancial guru Lonnie Mathews shares his tips for effectively using your tax refund.By Lonnie Mathews, founder of Alliance Financial Ministries, Inc.

CONTENTSCONTENTSSpring 2013EMPOWER MAGAZINE

20 Real Estate ColumnTexas real estate market finishes strong in 2012: consumer expectations rising for 2013by Bennettia Fifer

25 Book SpotlightsA Thousand StepsBy Anita Bunkley

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StoryHOUSTON FILMMAKER

Infuses HopeBy Diane Tezeno

When Charles Irving looks through his camera lens, he sees hope.

A successful restaurateur turned independent film maker, the Houston born native has proven you can

achieve more than one dream in a lifetime. Walking away from the security of a steady paycheck and benefits,

he invested his savings in casting his first vision – opening the doors to his first restaurant – and watched his business grow to multiple locations in cities across Texas.

Irving attributes his success to passion, hard work and determination and not listening to the voices that told him he couldn’t.

“I had banks tell me that the risk of opening a restaurant business was too great and we are not going to loan you the money, you can’t do it.

“In the film industry I have had people say, ‘it is a long shot, you are never going to make it, don’t do it,’” shares Irving.

With five independently-produced films under his belt and one in distribution with a California-based distributor, the emerging film maker aspires to use his passion for filmmaking to convey a message of hope and faith.

“I guess it is kind of a ministry with these films,” says Irving, who also is a local minister at the Fort Bend Church in Sugar Land.

The Missouri City filmmaker is committed to making a diverse collection of films across numerous genres, however, his next two films, “Hope” and “Never Quit,” embody the kind of inspirational messages he is most passionate about sharing with audiences.

“I think people want to see a film and get something out of it as opposed to seeing a lot of violence. There are all kinds of films, all kinds of violence and for some reason people tend to love those kinds of films. I just believe that now is the time to reach out to people with a positive message so when they leave, they leave encouraged,” says Irving.

He wrote the script for “Hope” last year and began scouting out locations and the right cast to bring the movie to life. Currently in post production, the film was shot in Galveston, Missouri City and Angleton with a talented ensemble of actors from Houston and surrounding areas.

LaTeace Towns-Cuellar, an up-and-coming actress from the Houston area, played the lead character in Irving’s first film, “Be My Teacher” and recently nabbed the role of ‘Cleo’ in Quentin Tarantino’s film, “DJango Unchained.”

Actor Le Marc Johnson, a Houston native who has been building a body of work in numerous independent films and appeared in the 2009 NBC TV series Friday Night Lights, portrays the lead character in “Hope.”

The film takes the audience on a journey of a young man who hits rock bottom following the loss of his job and the disintegration of his marriage.

“A lot of times when someone loses a job they get depressed and some are even turning on their own spouses, stories like that are making the headlines all the time. So we feel that the message contained in this film can encourage someone who is on the edge,” says Irving.

He calls “Hope” his favorite film and is excited about its upcoming release.

“I think that a lot of times God uses all kinds of ways and all kinds of people to get the message out to encourage other people

and I think that is what it is all about,” says Irving.For many film makers, producing the next big blockbuster is the

driving force that fuels their creative juices, but Irving’s goal is simpler. He seeks to infuse hope through his films and give audience members something to walk away with that will help them navigate through the real life challenges and situations they encounter in life.

“Suicide is at an all-time high right now, people can’t take much nowadays. The impact of the recession is a part of it as well. I believe that we can help so many people by encouraging them to continue to move forward and to hold onto their faith instead of giving up so easily,” says Irving.

Irving’s wife, Barbara, supports his efforts and assists him by reading scripts and selecting actors for his various projects.

“This is a passion that he has and I fully support him. I believe “Hope” has a lot of potential and I foresee him developing more Christian and evangelical type projects,” says Barbara Irving.

Although the Missouri City film maker is honing his craft thousands of miles from Hollywood, the film capital of the world, he believes Texas is fertile ground for movie and film projects.

“I would like to see a lot more going on down here in Texas. I really would like for Houston to become the focus for more film projects because there is so much talent down here and I think there is a great need for more things here,” says Irving.

Johnson, the lead character in “Hope” shares Irving’s sentiments on the state’s potential for future film projects.

“Texas has the talent and diverse locales, including hills, urban settings, beaches and huge metropolitan areas from Houston to San Antonio to Dallas


that can serve as backdrops for film projects. I think it is a potential goldmine if we can get some legislation involved that would provide more film incentives,” says Johnson.

Irving recently traveled to California to collaborate on a short film with his daughter, Lakisha Lemons, owner of LL Productions, who sparked his interest in the film industry.

“I began helping her out and later found out that it was something I enjoyed as well,” says Irving.

With his passion for the film industry ignited, Irving is forging ahead on a line-up of back-to-back creative projects.

The new year has taken off to a great start for Irving with a flurry of projects on the horizon, including the slated release of “Concrete & Cartwheels” and “Border Break” this summer and the release of “Hope” and “A Broken Hart” set to premiere at the close of the year.

The busy film maker has come a long way in a short time since releasing his first film “Be My Teacher,” in 2011. He will begin shooting on a sixth film this summer, called “Never Quit,” and is seeking Houston native LeToya Luckett for the lead role.

“She is a very talented, up-and-coming actress from Houston and I think that she is the ideal person for the part,” says Irving.

Looking back on his life, Irving is thankful that he made the decision to follow his passion and encourages others to do the same.

“I encourage people to stick to their dream, because if God gave you a dream and a gift, He gave it to you and everybody else won’t always understand that. So if you really believe it, pursue it and go at it hard, that is what I believe and what has worked for me,” says Irving.

Irving is currently working to find a location to build a studio for in-house productions that will also contain a movie theatre and stage for local plays.

For more information on Irving Films, visit www.irvingfilms.com.

Charles Irving and wife Barbara Irving review scripts.Irving and daughter Lakesha Lemons with Fox 26 executives, Christian Gallegos and Ned Hibbert for premiere of “Border Break.”

Charles Irving at the premiere of “Border Break.”

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“I just believe that now is the time to reach out to people with a positive message so when they leave,

they leave encouraged.” - Irving

Photo credit: Irving Films, except as noted.


Be My Teacher Alecia Willis is a young school teacher who gets too close to one of her students Evan, a mature high school senior falls in love with his English teacher. Evan is very persistent in his attempts to woo her. Starring LaTeace Towns-Cuellar (Django Unchained), Derek Lee NixonExecutive Produced by: Charles H. IrvingIMDB LISTING:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1398923/

Border Break Janet Taylor and a group of college students take a road trip to Mexico for Spring Break. While en route they stumbled upon a roadblock that forces them to take a detour, which leads down a dangerous path of kidnapping and murder.Starring Kari Gillepsie, Cory Hart, Le Marc JohnsonExecutive Produced by: Charles H. IrvingIMDB LISTING:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1859458/

Hope Hope, a Charles Irving Film, is the story of a young man who hits rock bottom and has nowhere to turn. With the loss of all hope, desire and motivation, he is slowly built back up through faith and trust in God.Starring Le Marc Johnson, Timeca SerettiExecutive Produced / Story by / Co-directed: Charles H. IrvingIMDB LISTING:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2564456/

A Broken Hart Official Website: http://www.abrokenhart.com/index.htmlDirected and Written by: Jesse & JaQuay YoungAssociate Produced by: Charles H. Irving

Never Quit “A Quitter Never WIns and Winners Never Quit”A basketball player destined for stardom becomes injured, facing difficult challenges in life, but is always encouraged to Never QuitFilming this Spring 2013Story / Executive Produced / Co-director - Charles H. Irving

Concrete and Cartwheels Produced by: Charles H. IrvingWritten & Produced by: Josie Kline


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Financial Principles

5 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund

2013 for

Each year you convince yourself that this year is going to be different. The forms have been filed and all there is to do is wait on the magical beast otherwise

known as the tax refund. This magical creator comes each year from overpaying taxes, and you have visions of all the things you are going to do when your money comes in. Or, maybe you are like other people that say: “I am going to do the right thing with my tax return.”

In either case, the thought of receiving a large sum of cash, expected or otherwise, presents challenges. Old habits are hard to get rid of. When it comes to personal finances, you’re where you are today based on the decisions and habits that you have made and created till this

point. I want to share five things you can do with your tax refund that will not cause you to feel guilty a few months from now.

Establish a Savings Cushion – If you are like most Americans who live from paycheck to paycheck, this would be an excellent time to take a portion of your tax refund to start a small emergency fund. Most financial professionals

normally recommend 3 months for your household expenses. But, putting aside $1,000 will go a long way when life’s little emergencies pop up. The hardest part of saving money is getting started. Dropping a big lump sum could go a long way to help you start saving.

Reduce Debt – Let’s face it, if you are like millions of other Americans then you have debt. According to the latest statistics, the average consumer has over 10 credit cards and owes more than $8,500 on those cards. Receiving a lump sum of money, like your tax-return, is an excellent time to take a look at all of your debts and decide which ones can be eliminated. Pay off accounts with small balances first. Doing this will give you a sense of accomplishment.

Give to Charity or a Church – Depending on your religious beliefs, you probably understand the concept of tithing and/or giving. Even if you are not an overly religious person, there are other benefits to giving money away. Studies show that we get a slight boost in happiness when we shell out money for gifts or make charitable donations. Giving away as little as $50 to a worthwhile cause could give you a level of satisfaction by knowing

that you possibly helped make someone else’s life a little better. Depending on how much you give away during the year, you will impact next year’s return.

Plan Ahead – Getting a large tax-return will give you the chance to take a moment to plan for future expenses. Several things pop up throughout the year that eats up your cash flow such as vacations, holiday and birthday gifts, car maintenance, and other non-recurring costs. Once you receive your refund, go ahead and set a dollar amount aside to cover these future expenses. By doing this, you will be able to stretch your monthly cash without creating an interruption of income later.

Treat Yourself – If you are taking care of the important things, then you won’t have to feel guilty about doing something nice for yourself. So, go ahead and use a little bit of your tax-refund (maybe 15 – 20%) to do something nice for yourself or family. Maybe you and your spouse could have a nice weekend getaway or you could purchase that electronic device you’ve had your eye on. It’s okay to treat yourself to something nice. Just don’t overdo it!

When it comes to getting a lump sum of money like a tax-refund or an inheritance, you are presented with an opportunity to make a giant step forward with your finances.

The five things mentioned in this article make sense, but it is also important to realize that there are a lot of other things you can do with this year’s tax refund. By doing the five things mentioned in this article, I promise that you will get a feeling of accomplishment. Remember, getting an extremely large tax refund is not necessarily a good thing. If you are consistently getting a large tax return (more than $3,000), you may want to seriously consider having a conversation with a tax professional to see if you should raise your exemptions on your W-4.

Lonnie R. Mathews wrote this article for the ‘Who’s Minding Your Money’ blog. Lonnie is an author and speaker in the area of personal finance. To learn more about Lonnie or to contact him visit www.lonniemathews.com


Scott Jones remembers watching Disney movies as a child just to hear the songs.

He recalls getting his cousins together and directing them to play the

various characters in the movie.“I think I always knew I wanted to be in

music. I originally wanted to be a singer, but it turned into me being a teacher and then a producer,” says Jones.

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts, Jones’ inspiration to perfect his musical talents was influenced by the loss of his brother who played the saxophone and the clarinet.

“My brother passed away when I was 9. I really wanted to imitate him a lot so I think that is why I really started doing music and had a knack for it,” says Jones.

Later that year, Jones began playing the piano and studying music at the Springfield Conservatory of Music.

As a teenager, his parents poured their support into developing his music gifts.

“My father built a full-fledged studio for me with recording booth, lighting and mixing console,” says Jones, who used the studio to launch his first music production company.

At age 16, he was offered a summer job at the Conservatory teaching music to other students.

“I have been teaching music ever since,” says Jones.

As owner of Key Innovations School of Music and Performing Arts, one of Fresno, Texas’ best kept secrets, one can arguably say Jones does more than just teach music.

The 28 year old nurtures his students gifts and talents and crafts them into industry-ready stars.

His background includes an internship in the promotions department at Universal Music/Island - DEF Jam in New York where he later worked on showcases with Ne-yo and Rihanna in their early careers.

An accomplished music producer, Jones’ also co-owns InvadeAvision, a music production company, with business partner, Tyce, run out of Houston

and Los Angeles. Some of his company’s credits include

Dawn Richard of Diddy’s Dirty-Money and platinum-selling group Danity Kane, Ashley Roberts of the multi-platinum selling group Pussycat Dolls and Universal recording artist “So You Think You Can Dance” sensation Blake McGrath, and more.

“I feel that my perspective on helping the student get industry-ready standards is a little bit different because I have been a producer and also have been a teacher for the past 12 years,” says Jones.

Key Innovations provides students with things you don’t find in traditional music schools, says Jones.

“It is so much more than a simple music

lesson, it is a full-on artist development process,” says Jones.

Students who arrive at his school, located on the outskirts of Houston in Fresno, learn every aspect of the industry from recording in a music studio to honing their stage presence to performing a range of musical instruments, and more.

Making Stars

“We create music videos, cover songs, record in the studio, go on location, work on stage presence, put videos on YouTube and also create original songs.

“We have one student that created five original songs and we uploaded them on YouTube and one of her songs got more than 250,000 views,” says Jones.

Key Innovation also creates Electronic Press Kits, (“EPK”) as a promotional tool for aspiring artists and performers.

His unique approach to preparing students for careers in music and entertainment was instrumental in helping Normani Kordei, 2012 X-Factor finalist, develop the confidence and stage presence she needed to compete on the FOX-TV talent competition.

“The success we have had this year with the school and with getting Normani to X-Factor and her being a part of the group that made it into the top three had to be one of my proudest moments,” says Jones.

Jones, along with music teacher and business partner Toni Davis, worked with Kordei, going from twice a week practices to four or five times a week to prepare for the competition and boost her confidence-level.

“I would not allow her to come to lessons in regular clothes. She had to put on her heels and make sure her make-up and hair were done.

“I wanted her to feel like a star every time she came to the school so she could come out of her shyness and get ready for the big stage,” says Jones.

Jones met business partner Davis while both were teaching at Success Music Studios in Sugar Land.

A former Sugar Land Superstar finalist, Davis began helping Jones with studio business and recording demo songs and eventually was asked to teach at the school.

“She has an amazing range in vocal singing and brings something different in being able to help some of the girls. We are basically twins, she is just a girl,” says Jones.

In addition to Jones and Davis mutual admiration for one another’s talents, both are committed to sharing their passion for music and the performing arts with their students.

“Scott is one of the hardest working people I have ever met in my life. We are both perfectionists, but whenever I get tired, he goes above and beyond. He believes the kids are always capable of doing more. That is what he brings to the table, he is the driving force.

By Diane TezenoFresno music teacher shapes students into industry-ready artists

“The success we have had this year with the school and with getting Normani to X-Factor and her being a part of the group that made it into the top three had to be one of my proudest moments.” ~ Scott Jones


“I am more of the nurturer, he is more of the disciplinarian. When most kids get out there, no one is going to take it easy on them, so he helps them go out there and motivates them to do their best,” says Davis.

The pair also worked with Miss Sugar Land’s Outstanding Teen, Niki Noblett.

“She is a beautiful and talented girl and I think she is going to go so far,” says Scott.

As Jones reflects on the success his school has achieved in such a short span, he thinks back to the decision that brought him to the Houston area.

“My cousin and I started a music production company back home in Springfield and put on a lot of talents shows but needed to get somewhere bigger. It was either, Atlanta, Los Angeles or the Houston area,” says Jones.

Houston won out and brought Jones’ passion for music to the area to inspire and groom a new generation of aspiring artists.

“It has been definitely surprising how much we have been able to accomplish. I am very proud of all of my students and what they are doing.

“I always say it is not about me. My success as a producer is behind the scenes helping people,” says Jones.

In the next five years, he plans to continue to do that and has thoughts of opening music schools on the east and west coast, as well as Atlanta, but for now, his focus is on Houston.

“I have seen a lot of talent in New York, Atlanta and LA, but boy there is a lot of talent here in Houston. There is so much untapped talent that I would love to take a hold of and hone. And at our school, with Toni and I, we can make that happen,” says Jones.

Photo credits: Key Innovations Music and Performing Arts School, except as noted.

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“When most kids get out there, no one is going to take it easy on them, so he helps them go out there and motivates them to do their best.” ~ Toni DavisKey Innovations Music School, located in the Fresno/Pearland area of Houston, offers piano, voice, sax and clarinet classes to students of all ages. The company also offers music video and studio production services, cover songs, original songs, stage training, dance instruction and artist development packages. The School also is offering specialized classes at a second location at the SoReal Performing Arts Center of Houston, 14520 Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77079. For more information, visit www.keyinmusic.com or the school’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/KeyInnovationsMusicSchool. For more information call 832-860-7845 or 413-433-1575. For information on Jones’ music production company, InvadeAvision, visit www.invadeavision.tumblr.com.

Normani Kordei


"Clubmates", a proposed web series about six social lepers who join forces to do whatever it takes to save a poetry club - the only group that will have them - recently caught the attention of a national magazine.

Indie Source Magazine will award $1,000 to Missouri City resident Tracie Jenkins this spring in the publication's recent quest to fund a short film.

Greg Parker and his brother, Christopher, owners of the magazine, are regularly on the look out for indie film makers and new talent in order to help them achieve their dreams.

"When we review a project, we use a scoring methodology that takes into account creativity, concept, experience, writing and presentation. All are weighted equally. This allows those with a good concept and passion, but no experience, to compete with those that have significant years of experience," says Parker.

Jenkins, an aspiring Houston-area indie filmmaker, began working on the idea for the web series last year after joining the Houston Film Industry Meet up group, a local network of independent filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, and others interested in the film industry, who meet monthly to network with others in the industry.

"Late last year, I joined the Houston Filmmakers Meet up group hoping to meet other film makers and work on projects together. Before that time, I kind of kept my hopes and goals to myself, but I knew that in order to succeed in the business of film, I would have to get out and meet people," says Jenkins.

When Jenkins heard that Parker would visit the group and was looking to fund a short film, Jenkins immediately began preparing her pitch.

"I was by no means confident that I had what he was looking for. I was pitching a series and the notice had mentioned an interest in a short film, but I gave it a shot anyway and just prayed to do my best," says Jenkins.

When the Missouri City resident received news that she had been selected to receive funding, she was speechless.

"I gave my pitch to Mr. Parker on a Tuesday and he called me the next evening. I think he expected me to have a more vocal reaction, but

as the conversation progressed, I became really excited. It was a delayed reaction and a bit awkward, but ultimately I was so grateful for the opportunity," says Jenkins.

Indie Source Magazine also will be donating equipment to assist Jenkins in producing and editing her web series.

"We believe Ms. Jenkins has the raw talent and passion to be a great film maker. With time, we hope and believe she will be notable in Hollywood and also hope she remembers us when she gets there," says Parker.

In the meantime, Jenkins is not taking the opportunity she has been given lightly.

"I'm a complete unknown and Indie Source Magazine is putting a lot of trust in me to produce a quality product. I just thank God for the chance to prove myself and a chance to accomplish my ultimate vision for Clubmates," says Jenkins.

We can expect to hear more from the aspiring filmmaker who also has launched an online TV channel with her sister aimed at creating a place to showcase the storytellers, faces and voices of under-represented ethnicities.

Missouri City Resident Receives Funding for Web Series Pitch

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Diane Tezeno


Christian Sports Apparel

In Jesus Name I Play

myactivefaith.com

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Seven years ago, the University of Houston star guard was on the path to accomplishing his dreams – playing in

the National Basketball Association. With his face featured on billboards across Houston representing his fellow Cougars, there were non-stop phone calls from agents and representatives from the NBA, and of course he had a number of “friends.” But in June 2007, everything came to a halt.

Lanny Smith suffered a foot injury while playing an off-season pick-up game and doctors told him he would never play basketball again.

“This was the first time basketball had ever been taken away from me,” the Missouri City resident said.

After redshirting his senior year of college, Smith felt like everything had been taken from him but his faith.

“I was depressed and I didn’t know what to do since I had attached my identity to Lanny, the basketball player,” says Smith.

After a couple of talks with God, Smith’s prayers were answered when he received an invitation to play in the NBA Summer League with the Houston Rockets and later landed a spot on the NBA’s Developmental League roster playing for the Idaho Stampede. His hard work and dedication later earned him the opportunity to play for the Sacramento Kings in the fall of 2009. At last, he was able to suit up in a NBA jersey and this time he wasn’t a fan. He was in the pros.

But Smith’s luck ran out again when he sustained another injury, this time impacting his knee. Doctors again gave him a bleak prognosis and said he would not be able to return to the NBA.

Smith figured if he was able to recover from his foot injury, then he could definitely bounce back from his knee injury. As with his previous injury, he relied on his faith to bring him through, however, this injury was different, mentally and physically for Smith.

“I asked God to show me what else He wanted me to do with my life in regards to basketball, and within seconds I started jotting notes about the idea of a Christian sports apparel brand,” Smith said.

During his time in the hospital, the brand ‘Active Faith’ was conceived. Smith later shared the idea with Atlanta Hawks forward, Anthony Tolliver, who lent his financial support and

advice and became a co-founder of the business.At the time, Tolliver and Smith were old

teammates and shared the same faith. “We would have talks all the time, we

prayed together and even attended church together. At first I hesitated about the idea, but when I expressed it with Anthony he didn’t hesitate, he was down from the beginning,” Smith said.

The brand started out with a couple of T-shirts with the Active Faith logo on the front and black wristbands imprinted with the words ‘In Jesus Name I Play.’ The phrase originated when Smith unconsciously used the word “play” instead of “pray” at the end of one of his pre-game rituals of praying before going out on the court. Smith decided to use the phrase as a motto in the process of developing his apparel brand.

In late 2011, Smith took a leap of faith and began to push the brand to several local Christian stores, including Lakewood Church. With no formal business training, Smith walked into Lakewood’s bookstore with T-shirts and wristbands in hand only to have the store manager tell him that the Christian T-shirt business was oversaturated and that he was not interested in selling Active Faith’s T-shirts and wristbands.

Undaunted, Smith seized the moment and let the manager know of his Christian sports apparel company that was in the works. In disbelief about the brand, the manager told Smith to come back with samples of his product and they would talk.

In January 2012, Smith showed up with quality performance fabrics and samples for the manager to view and the rest is history.

Currently, there are 50 sales reps moving Active Faith to 650 stores across the country, with California, Texas, and Tennessee as the top selling markets in the States. Internationally, the company’s top markets are China, Taiwan and Canada.

But none of this would be possible without the support of players in the NBA and other Christian athletes.

“Players agents call and ask how their clients can be a part of the company. However, there are no paid endorsers to wear any of the apparel or accessories, they just love what the brand stands for and it means something special to them,” Smith said.

In January 2012, Active Faith grossed over $300,000 in sales. Smith credited Houston Rockets guard, Jeremy Lin, better known as “Linsanity,” for the initial surge in his brand’s

popularity. “Linsanity started it all,” Smith said.The pair met in 2010 while playing for

different NBA D-League teams. Lin went on to play with the New York Knicks and was putting up impressive numbers on the boards as well as making headlines.

Two weeks after Lin was dubbed Linsanity by Knicks fans, the Houston Rockets played the New York Knicks at home. Smith saw the game as a chance to reconnect with his friend and an opportunity to give Lin several Active Faith wristbands not knowing that Lin would be featured on the February 27, 2012, issue of Sports Illustrated with his right fist clinched and his orange and white Active Faith bands in clear view. The unexpected exposure sparked an immediate demand for his products from across the country and resulted in his online products to sell out on his company’s website.

“In the months of February and March 2012 we sold thousands of wristbands all over the country because of Lin’s Sports Illustrated cover. We were not prepared for it, we worked over night to get the orders out and the website crashed three times, all because of Linsanity,” said Smith.

Bridging the gap between faith and sports has recently become the topic of discussion in headlines as more athletes have begun using their platforms to express their faith. The most recognizable athlete to recently profess his Christian beliefs, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, talks about his faith in press conferences, sideline interviews, and even uses his under garments to give reference to God.

“There is close to 80 percent of the population who identifies with the Christian faith. Since athletes are put on a certain pedestal, our goal is to allow the athletes to spread the Gospel through their specific sport,” Smith said

This year, Active Faith is looking to expand the growingly popular athletic wear brand to more NFL players, Major League baseball players, and soccer players.

From faith events to the upcoming Active Faith Foundation, Active Faith is definitely making a positive name for itself.

“Active Faith is successful already but not because of sales and the amount of money made, it’s because the company has saved so many lives through the message,” Smith said.

You can follow Smith’s faith journey via Twitter @active_faith, Facebook.com/activefaith, and Instagram @activefaithsports. Or visit www.myactivefaith.com for the latest in Active Faith gear.

Former NBA player launches Christian sports apparel brand

By Andrea Henderson


As a capstone to a year of accelerating momentum in Texas real estate, the fourth quarter of 2012 featured the strongest increases in sales volume and price for single-family homes in Texas seen last year, according to the Texas Association of REALTORS®.

The results published in the 2012-Q4 edition of the Texas Quarterly Housing Report shows increasing demand for Texas homes coupled with decreasing inventory, leading to rising prices and improving confidence among homeowners.

As featured in the report, 19.82% more homes sold the last quarter of 2012 than the same quarter of the prior year. In addition, January 2013 home sales were up 9.1% from a year ago. Builders are optimistic, as building permits went up 8.1% in January and are now up 35% from a year ago.

Fannie Mae’s monthly economic outlook reported that home price growth and the increase in home building suggest that housing is “on a sustained growth path.”

“This positive performance is evidence of a true rebound in Texas real estate that reaches broadly around the state” said Jim Gaines, Ph.D., economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. “We’re moving briskly down the road to recovery thanks to positive economic

activity in Texas and improvements in the attitudes homeowners have about the market. Looking ahead, I expect to see that confidence inspire more buyers and sellers to jump off the fence and into the market this year.”

The Texas Quarterly Housing Report is issued four times per year by the Texas Association of REALTORS® with multiple listing service data compiled and analyzed by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

After reviewing information about positive home sales growth, hopefully you’ve decided to own a piece of this great state of Texas. I’d like to give you some insight about a couple of programs that are available to homebuyers.

There is a loan called the Texas 5 Star Loan Program for buyers who have a maximum income of $80,000 yearly, depending on the location. With this program, the homebuyer must be able to qualify under FHA guidelines and they will receive $5,000 for closing costs and downpayment with no payback and no time limit to stay on the mortgage.

Another program, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) has increased the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) tax rate from 35% to 40%. This will increase a homebuyer’s ability to receive the full benefit of an annual $2,000 tax credit available to

them by obtaining an MCC.

Here’s an example:Loan Amount: $125,000Interest Rate X 4.00%Interest 1st Year 5.00%MCC Rate X 40%

MCC Tax Credit = $2,000

In this example, the homebuyer would be entitled to a tax credit of $2,000. It is important to note that the homebuyer will still be able to take mortgage interest deduction of $3000 ($5000-$2000) when they file their taxes for that year.Additional Benefits for the Homebuyer:

MCCs reduce the homebuyers income tax liability, increasing the amount of income available to purchase a home.

MCC Tax Credit can be claimed for as long as the homebuyer occupies the home, saving thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

An MCC can be used with almost any type of mortgage, including TSAHC’s Downpayment Assistance Program.

Always get a Texas realtor to help with the home buying and selling process.

Texas real estate market finishes strong in 2012: consumer expectations

rising for 2013By Bennettia Fifer

Bennettia Fifer, ABR, TAHS is a certified realtor with Realty Associates, 1223 Antoine Dr. Houston TX 77055. She can be reached at 281-620-6995. Visit her website at www.realtyassociatestex.com or email [email protected].

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In the past, a four-year college education guaranteed a ticket into a reliable career. However, in a slowed economy, a traditional college degree cannot even guarantee an adequate job. Yet over the past10

years, the price tag on post-secondary education in the United States steadily escalated. A decline in economic opportunity coupled with rising tuition costs leads to, what many call, the “education bubble.” Now, the cost of education is inflated so much that some pundits expect the bubble to bust. Based on this environment of uncertainty, influential people like Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and early Facebook investor, wonder if a college degree is worth the debt that students incur to pay for it.

Familiar with the burden of tuition on students, Marilyn D. Hall, CEO and president of Chancellor Healthcare Institute, created a solution to the financial problems many students face. In her career as an instructor, Hall saw that students had the desire and the passion to learn, but many of them struggled with an inability to pay for their educations. “I would always share with [my husband] some of the concerns that I had as a college president, being a former director of education and instructor,” says Hall. “I told him that I wanted to open up my own school.”

After some research and contemplation, Hall and her husband incorporated Chancellor Healthcare Institute in 2011 and the school became licensed by the Texas Workforce Commission in November of 2012. Hall created the proprietary school she envisioned, where students could attend and graduate but not have to worry about financial expenses after completing the program. As such, Chancellor steers clear of loans by offering tuition, at an exponentially lower price than their competitors, and by offering payment plans for those who need it.

“The number one thing,” says Hall, “Is that, once they complete the program, they're able to graduate from school knowing they do not have to worry about who their first paycheck is going to.”

One factor differentiating Chancellor is class size. Intentionally small, each class is capped at 20 students. With smaller classes, Hall intends to make sure her students get the attention and education they deserve. Another important factor is job placement assistance. When building clinical sites, Hall and her team focus on working with employers who want to hire their students. Chancellor encourages people looking for a career change to enroll in class, graduate the program, and transition into a career in allied health. “We don't want them to just graduate,” says Hall. “We want to make sure that our students are employed. That's very important to us.”

According to the New York Times, “Top 10 List: Where the Jobs Are,” the American Enterprise Institute anticipates job growth in home health between 46 and 50 percent by 2018. With healthcare consistently recognized as one of the fastest growing industries, Hall sees the allied healthcare arena as fertile ground for her students. “If you look around,” says Hall, “There is always a demand for people willing to work in the healthcare industry.”

Chancellor Healthcare Institute aims to fill in the employment gap. But Hall warns that building a quality school “doesn't happen as fast as

you think it does.” After securing a license, Hall and her team made sure the school had all the supplies and equipment necessary for their students. Even before securing the campus location, Hall collaborated with others who understood her mission to put students first. Hall and her husband recruited partners who we were interested in their vision and experienced in management. “Even though I'd started making the curriculum,” says Hall, “I knew that I needed someone with a stronger background in education to tweak it. My consultant ended up [becoming] a business partner.”

That consultant also became VP of Admissions, with over 30 years of experience in the medical and administrative fields. In addition, Hall procured a VP of Operations with over 30 years of experience in leadership, management, and education. Together, they worked on the mission

statement, vision, and objectives of Chancellor. These ideas are summed up in the school's motto: “Launching careers one student at a time.”

With faculty contributing near 100 years of combined experience between the owners alone, Hall is confident and ready to prepare the next generation of allied healthcare professionals. “We have strong employees in customer service, in the admissions department, [and] an awesome receptionist,” says Hall, each one with experience to help “take Chancellor to the next level.”

In the future, Hall and her team look to create and develop more programs in allied health and more opportunities for students. Also, returning students may use previous, completed courses as prerequisites when entering another program.

“They can just pick up where they left off,” says Hall, emphasizing the convenience and flexibility of

the curriculum structure. Overall, Hall is proud to work with faculty whose qualifications

exceed the minimum state requirements. Even with over 20 years experience in the proprietary school business, Hall realized that she can not do it by herself.

“We grow up saying, 'It takes a village...' when it comes to raising our children,” says Hall. “I discovered, 'it takes a village' when you're developing anything.” But despite the hard work to develop Chancellor, Hall is pleased with her success and with the name of the institute. “Chancellor gives students a second chance,” says Hall of the name. “One of the things I always felt that I wanted to do.”

Currently, Chancellor Healthcare Institute enrollment is open. Hall describes the ideal student as someone looking for a career change; someone passionate about helping others; and someone who wants to be successful. “It doesn't matter their ethnicity,” says Hall. “We're here to help any person who wants to make a change in their life. So an ideal student will be the student that walks through our door.”

To start your career in healthcare, call 713-981-7119. Ask to speak with one of the admissions representatives who are willing and ready to work with you.

Everyone Deserves a Second ChanceBy T.N. Jenkins


LOS ANGELES – Tyler Perry's popular sitcom For Better or Worse is coming to OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network with a third season of all new episodes debuting in the fall of 2013. In addition, the network has garnered the encore rights for the first two seasons of the sitcom's 45 episodes that originally aired on TBS.

The series, which was basic cable's #1 sitcom of 2011 and the #1 show on all of television with African-American adults, follows three couples who are at various stages of their relationships as they weather the ups-and-downs of married life and dating. The original cast is set to return in their starring roles including Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Crystle Stewart, Kent Faulcon, Kiki Haynes and Jason Olive. Production will begin in Atlanta in April.

"For Better or Worse is a great addition to our growing lineup of scripted programming from Tyler," said Erik Logan, president, OWN. "We're excited to build out OWN's slate of original shows."

For Better or Worse will mark OWN's third scripted series from Perry who has an exclusive deal with the network to produce new television series and projects. The first two original series—the sitcom “Love Thy Neighbor” and the ensemble drama “The Haves and the Have Nots” — are set to premiere in May. The original series marks the network's first venture into scripted programming.

About For Better or WorseWritten, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry, For Better of Worse centers on Angela Williams (Tasha Smith, Why Did I Get Married Too?, Couples Retreat), the owner of a successful beauty salon, and her husband of 13 years, Marcus (Michael Jai White, Why Did I Get Married Too?, Spawn). Marcus is a former professional football player who has recently partnered with Richard Ellington (Kent Faulcon, American Beauty) and Joseph Jetson (Jason Olive, Raising Helen) on a new sports news program called C-Sports Now. Marcus's business relationship with Richard and Joseph is complicated, however, by the fact that Richard is dating Keisha (Kiki Haynes, Nora's Hair Salon), Marcus's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his teenage daughter. In addition, Joseph's girlfriend, successful real estate agent Leslie (Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008), is Angela's best friend, which sometimes makes it difficult for the couples to keep their business and private lives from mingling. The series is produced by Tyler Perry Studios.

-Press Release Excerpt, Feb. 20, 2013 -

Makes Move to OWN Network

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A Thousand StepsBy Anita Bunkley

Her uncanny ability to tap into genres that many African-American

authors don't experiment with, allows Anita Bunkley to continue to courageously chart her own territory. Known for her rich, Texas-themed historical fiction and sweeping romantic sagas, she releases her latest work, A Thousand Steps. (Rinard Publishing). Here she tells another riveting tale, one about a runaway slave who takes refuge among the Creek Indians, falls in love, and gets caught up in the forced removal of the tribe when the government marches Indians into reservations in Indian Territory in the West.

Bunkley's career started 20-plus years ago when she left her hometown of Ohio. She moved to Texas to launch her career as an author with the 1989 self-published novel, “Emily the Yellow Rose,” which was recently re-released as an e-book. In Rose,she creates the legend of the mulatto woman who was, according to folklore, the real Yellow Rose of Texas. Her second novel, “Black Gold,” a dramatic story based on the well-documented Texas Oil Boom of the1920s was bought by Penguin USA. Other titles by Bunkley include the historical novels, “Starlight Passage” and “Wild Embers,” as well as contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and six romances written for Kimani Press.

Many of her novels and anthologies, have appeared in Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, Black Expressions Book Club, and have appeared on Blackboard: African American Bestseller List, and in publications like Publishers Weekly, and Glamour Magazine. After receiving a number of literary awards and honors, Bunkley has some publishing insight for EMPOWER magazine's upcoming authors and readers.

What lessons have you learned from your publishing experience? Write as many drafts as it takes to get it right. It is best not to rush

the process, but to keep writing and keep pushing the project forward. Only take writing advice from someone who has written, edited, agented or published a good body of work.

I know that you are publishing this novel independently and as an

e-book and a POD. Describe the process or experience of working with this project.

I've worked on the book off and on or over10 years, having visited many of the locations featured in the story. I remained intrigued by the story premise so I finally decided that I'd write it in 2012. My goal was to write an historical that touched on the relationships between various cultures and races during this time of great transition in America.

What do you want people to gain from it? I want readers to be entertained by a story that also sheds light on a

period of time when the West was opening up. The presence of a variety of races and cultures is part of the story of the American West and I hope readers will enjoy learning more about this period in history.

What is your attitude about the state of self-publishing? Publishing independently is so much easier to accomplish now than

it had been in the past and it provides an effective outlet for authors to reach readers. The goal of the process is to produce a well-written and well-edited book that readers will embrace. It's very important to rely on professional support in all phases of the production process in order to create a quality product. The publishing process is rapidly evolving toward more online book production and readers are reading more on e-readers than ever before. I see this as a shift that changes how we view self-publishing, making it a more acceptable and convenient way of launching and maintaining a writing career.

How do you feel about e-books and audio books vs. print books? I love both and believe that avid readers do too. We will always want

to hold print books in our hands but love the convenience and ease of the new ways of accessing material.

I know that you are a teacher but what or who inspired you to become an author? What was your favorite book and who was your favorite author?

My love of reading inspired me to write. I wanted to write the kinds of stories I wanted to read because I could not find many historical fiction novels with romantic themes featuring African-American characters. One of my favorite books is “Green City in the Sun” by Barbara Woods. It is a sprawling novel set in Kenya, Africa that weaves the stories of a black family and a white family together to tell their sides of the racial situation during the early part of the twentieth century.

You can keep up with Anita Bunkley’s latest projects at www.anitabunkley.com and can reach her by e-mail at [email protected].

Micole Williams is an author, filmmaker and teacher from Houston, Texas who is currently working on a sequel to her novel, “Tangled Web of true Love Tales.” Check out www.twotlt.weebly.com, YouTube@twotltseries, and follow her on Twitter at @willmpower.

From the snow-covered mountains of North Carolina to the untamed wilds of Indian Territory, ‘A Thousand Steps’ takes readers on a perilous quest for freedom, truth and love.

In 1855, risking everything for a chance at happiness, two women—separated by class, race, and geographic distance – undertake a journey to the rugged plains of Indian Territory. There, their lives intersect in a stunning explosion of danger, death and revenge.

When Tama flees Royaltin Ridge, the North Carolina plantation where she was born into slavery, she boldly joins forces with Hakan, a fugitive Creek Indian who is also on the run. Hakan offers Tama refuge at Great Oaks, his village hidden deep within the Georgia forest. There, she falls in love with the stoic, yet handsome man, and settles among the Indians, believing her life as a free woman will endure. However, Tama’s peace and security are short-lived. Her ruthless master, Thorne Royaltin, who is obsessed with reclaiming his property, will stop at nothing to achieve that end. Hakan’s sister, Suja, resents the arrival of the beautiful mulatto girl who has stolen her brother’s heart, and vows to make Tama disappear. When the government forcibly removes the Indians from their village and marches them into Indian Territory, Tama is thrown into a downward spiral that threatens to destroy all hope for freedom, as well as a future with Hakan.

Elinore Wardlaw is an avid abolitionist and a military wife separated from her husband, Paul, for 4 years. Determined to reunite her family, Elinore and her young son travel from their home in Ohio to Fort Gibson, the sprawling Army installation near the Arkansas border—the entry point to Indian Territory. Elinore’s arrival at the fort brings her husband great pleasure, but it also creates a rift in their marriage that they struggle to overcome. Paul’s deeply rooted southern heritage haunts his marriage, testing his commitment to the woman he loves.

The unlikely collision of Tama and Elinore’s lives serves as the catalyst to expose a shocking secret that defines their futures and catapults them into a bitter struggle to survive.

______________________________________________________________________________

Author-to-Author Interview with Anita Bunkley


Estell PorterLife (Happens) Coach

Motivational Speaker/[email protected]

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Shaheed Rucker is not your typical 26 year-old businessmen. He doesn’t work in a fancy corporate office or wear a three-piece suit everyday. No, he is much more comfortable in jeans and a tee shirt, specifically an Anderung tee shirt, a clothing brand that is just one of his many business ventures. In fact, labeling Shaheed a mere businessman is doing him a disservice. There are a myriad of other words that better describe who he is and what he does. Trailblazer, entrepreneur, jetsetter, these are just words synonymous with the name Shaheed Rucker.

The Philadelphia native graduated from Bethune-Cookman University with a degree in psychology, not management, but over the course of 7 years he has managed to take what he has learned and lay the foundation of a social revolution. Partnering with his childhood friends Shaheed founded Changemakers, a multifaceted organization. Changemakers’ ambition is to have a positive impact on the well being of modern society. “ I wanted to create opportunities in my community for those that didn’t have many. You know the doors aren’t always unlocked. I was once that kid that didn’t have many opportunities available to me so I decided to make my own,” says Rucker.

The “changemakers” plan, organize and promote events that strategically integrate issues like social responsibility and physical and mental health awareness with the arts, fashion, sports and social affairs. Take for example their Arts, Beats and Eats event, a monthly mixer aimed at bringing

professional men and women together in a more relaxed atmosphere. Those in attendance enjoy a night of gallery art, spoken word, wine tasting and live music.

Rare is it that you find a group of young black men willing to challenge the standards of society by advocating creativity, individuality and humanity. Their goal is to be a catalyst for social reform while being entertaining yet maintaining a strong sense of morality and integrity.

Shaheed also looks to bring change to the world of fashion. Anderung, which means change in german, is an extension of the Changemakers brand. He has made countless trips around the world promoting and marketing his clothing line. Rapper Meek Mill and singer Teyana Taylor are just a few of the celebrities that have taken notice of Anderung’s rising popularity. However, Shaheed sees Anderung as a means to an end. The money from sales goes to help fund the next Changemakers event, be it a father son basketball tournament or the annual scholarship given to a special student in the community.

Shaheed Rucker seeks no fame or fortune for his work, because to him neither is a true measure of success. Putting an indelible mark on a child’s future and helping others realize their dreams, those are things he believes are worth valuing. In other words, his success is assessed by the number of lives he touches, hence the slogan, It’s not about the change, it’s about the change. ” I want to stress the importance of social change as opposed to monetary “change.”

It’s not about the Change, it’s about the “Change”Shaheed Rucker: A Change Maker

ByAnthony Floyd


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