Cathy L. Lanier - Champagne and Beyond

November/December 2007 ������������������
Volume I Issue 6/7
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Midge Kimberly
Alberta Ware
Nikia Davos
Moleska Smith
Marilyn Boyd
Cynthia Davis
Denise Starks
Stephanie E. Wilson-Coleman
Larry Engelhart
Dr Karen A.Freeman
Deborah Meeks
Sanyika Calloway Boyce
Valerie Hill
Dot Ward
Women on the Frontlines: Top Ranking Women in Law Enforcement and Fire Service Occupations
by Valerie Hill
As we near the close of an eventful year at Champagne And Beyond we pause to reflect on all the fabulous women that graced our pages with
stories of triumph and achievement. We celebrated powerful sisters whose contributions in business, communication, philanthropy and world leadership positively impacted local and national communities here and abroad. While reviewing these stories we discovered a common denominator in
all the women: a desire to help others. It’s true when you think about it; women are naturally heroic. We readily use our strengths and talents to help
others, especially to those in need.
We have an innate spirit to nurture and protect. For this we should be thankful to the creator for this gift of resilience and power. Sure, we may be
physically different than men, but we have an inner strength that enables us to overcome obstacles and perform exceptionally in all we do. We
should be thankful for the safety of our families, friends and our communities. But sometimes we do not think or even know about the people who
risk their lives everyday serving in the military, law enforcement or public safety.
So in this issue, we salute women whose courage and determination propelled them to achieve top positions in professions that were for many
years reserved for men. Although, there is a gap between men and women holding top positions in law enforcement and public safety, we are inspired by the stories of Cathy L. Lanier and Debra R. Pryor.
Cathy L. Lanier
Debra R. Pryor,
Cathy L. Lanier made history on January 2, 2007 when she was appointed the first woman to the position of Chief of Metropolitan Police for the
District of Columbia. Chief Lanier is the quintessential cop, working her
way up from the tough beat streets of our nation’s capital to top management positions in narcotics and homeland security.
Lanier didn’t take the traditional route to the top. At age 15, she was a
high school dropout, teenage mother and wife. She later got her GED
and began taking community college courses part time. She joined the
police department in 1990 and enrolled in John Hopkins University earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in management. Responding to
the department’s need for homeland security expertise, Lanier obtained
another master’s degree in national security from the Naval Postgraduate School. She established the nation’s first Homeland Security/Counter-Terrorism Branch also serving as its Commander.
Chief Lanier first cracked the glass ceiling when she was promoted to
first commander of the Department’s Office of Homeland Security and
Counter-Terrorism in 1995.
Her path wasn’t always smooth. In 1995, she was sexually harassed by
her supervisor and took her case to the city courts and won a $75,000
settlement.
Her career is adorned with several high level positions. She served as
Commander of the Fourth District, the largest patrol district in Washington and Commanding Officer of Major Narcotics and Vehicular Homicide
Units.
Chief Lanier has the support and respect of her police force. She rose
up through the ranks by working hard and paying her dues on the
streets.
She plans to incorporate new technology into department operations and
establish community-based programs where the police and public work
in tandem to create safer neighborhoods. She also hosts a monthly radio
program where listeners call in to ask questions about the public safety.
Debra Pryor served 19 years on the Berkeley Fire Department before
being named the city’s first female fire chief in 2005. She is the nation’s
second African American woman to hold the position out of only 21 women in the country.
Chief Pryor manages a staff of 137 fire professionals and seven fire
companies that serve more than 100,000 eastern San Francisco Bay
residents. The department, which has only 7 engines, 2 fire trucks and 3
ambulances, responded to nearly 9,000 emergency calls so far this year.
A spirited Berkeley native, Pryor was a high school track and field star
who quickly put her career plans into focus by earning a bachelor’s
degree in speech communications from Arizona State University. She
met a recruiter who convinced her to apply for a firefighter position and
became the first woman fire fighter hired by the Berkeley Fire Department in 1985.
Pryor steadily rose through the ranks from rookie to Fire Captain in
1993. It was her appointment to Deputy Fire Chief in 1998 that set her
sights on being Fire Chief. She was slated for the position but lost out
to a retired colleague in 2002. Pryor didn’t give up. She left Berkeley in
2002 to accept a Fire Marshall job in Palo Alto. When the Chief position
opened up in 2004, Pryor didn’t hesitate to get the job of her dreams.
Chief Pryor faces daily challenges, from responding to emergency fire
disasters to budget issues with the local council. Since she became
Chief, she inherited a budget deficit and poor union relations with fellow firefighters. Armed with a master’s degree in public administration
from CSU Hayward and a collaborative management style, Pryor turned
things around. The department expanded training to address hazardous
material incidents, fire suppression and other natural disaster risks (In
1991 Berkeley suffered a major firestorm, the worst in U.S. History which
claimed 25 lives, and 3,400 homes in less than 4 days.)
Chief Pryor is a leader that gives back. She manages an emergency
medical training program for Berkeley high school students interested
in public safety careers. When Pryor started fighting fires 22 years ago,
women did not have many career choices in non-traditional jobs like
fire service. Today she is a role model for other women who seek upper
management positions.
According to Women in Fire Service, a national organization of female
firefighters, 6,000 U.S. women work full time as firefighters; only 150 of
them hold top management positions. Chief Pryor is a small, but promising representation of career women breaking the barriers in fire service
occupation.
Chief of Police, District of Columbia
Fire Chief, Berkeley Fire Department
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Photo Gallery
“Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.”
Marion Wright Edelman
Cathy L. Lanier,
Chief of Police,
District of
Columbia
Debra R. Pryor
Fire Chief,
Berkeley Fire
Department
Cathy L. Lanier
From All Of Us At Champagne And Beyond We Wish The Women Worldwide
That Serve And Their Families A Happy Holiday And Beyond.
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Man of the Month
GIVING THANKS TO SIDNEY POITIER
actor for the American Negro Theatre. He was
not prepared for his initial audition and was
humiliated, but six months later, he returned
and won a part in a production. Nearly 10
productions later and a national tour of Anna
Luscasta, Poitier was ready to launch his first
film role at age 22 in No Way Out (1950).
Blacks have acted in cinema in
America since the first short comedy,
The Railroad Porter, was produced
in 1913 in Chicago by William Foster
and The Homesteader, the first all
black cast, feature-length, eight-reel
film written, produced and directed by
Oscar Micheaux in the early 1900s.
Since then, he has starred in, directed or
produced over 60 films such as Black Board
Jungle (1955), The Defiant Ones (1958), A
Raisin in the Sun (1961), A Patch of Blue
(1965), To Sir With Love (1967), In the Heat of
the Night (1967), Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), Buck and the Preacher (1972), Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let’s Do It Again
(1975), Free of Eden (1999) and many more.
Since these early films, black
actors have continued to gain more
acceptance and greater, more substantial roles.
No cinematic actor of our time has
achieved more success and is more
revered (by blacks and whites) than
Sidney Poitier, an actor who set himself apart from other black actors by
playing characters that were not typical of black actors of his time. From
the beginning of his career, his characters had depth, articulation, cognitive thinking and were not easily intimidated.
Poitier has had many first in his storied career. He was the first black actor to receive an international film award,
an honor bestowed upon him at the Venice Film Festival for his 1957 film
Something of Value. He was first to be nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award for the Defiant One in 1958. The first black male to star in a
romantic lead in Paris Blues in 1961 and the first black male to receive
an Academy Award for Best Actor in the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. Not
only did he achieve many first in his career, he also broke racial barriers.
Archetypal roles for blacks in the 1940s and 1950s were that of
maids, dancing butlers and shuffling hired hands. He refused to take
demeaning roles.
We give thanks to Sidney Poitier for pioneering a new acting approach for blacks and for portraying a strong black man who could be
as explosive as he could be reserved. He brought a dignity to the silver
screen that was rarely seen. Our current crop of thespians owes their
freedom of positive acting choices to Poitier, the trailblazer.
Born February 20, 1927 in Miami, Florida, he grew up in the Bahamas the youngest of seven children of tomato farmers. He called the
Bahamas home until he was 16-years old when he moved to New York
City with three dollars in his pocket. While in New York, he sought refuge from hunger and homelessness by joining the army. After his brief
stint in the army (6 months), he returned to New York and started washing dishes. While pursuing a second job, he responded to an ad for an
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Moleska Smith is a writer/editor with more than 28 years experience developing and implementing
strategic communication plans for Fortune 500 companies as well as creating, writing and editing compelling publications and writing targeted correspondence for CEO’s and executive management.
As a freelance writer, Ms. Smith has written for Travel and Entertainment Magazine, StreetWise newspaper, Urban
Life magazine, McDonald’s Corporation, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, DePaul University and most
recently, Chicago Life magazine, a supplement in the Sunday New York Times and Urban Influence Magazine, the
magazine of the National Urban League.
Ms. Smith has launched a newsletter, managed and edited a magazine, created capabilities brochures, drafted
speeches and talking points to convey key messages for executives.
4
Inspiration by:
good in your life. Charles Fillmore wrote that “Praise and thanksgiving
impart the quickening spiritual power that produces growth and increase
in all things.” We have all heard that when you praise your plants they
grow faster and look better, and anyone who has a pet can testify to
the power of praise. That same power will work in your life as well; you
simply have to activate it. Activate your power of praise and thanksgiving by using the words “thank you” with feeling and deep sincere meaning. If the thought and feeling are not connected, your words will lack
the necessary power to increase the area or things for which you are
expressing thanks.
Rev. Alberta Ware
“Did you say,
thank you?”
“Did you say, thank you?” is a
question adults ask children
when someone has given the
child a gift, making sure that
proper acknowledgement has
been made. My question to you
is, did you say, thank you, today
and how many times have you
said it? When you became
aware of your gift of a new day,
did you give thanks or did you
groan about having to get up?
Did you say thanks for the ability to arise from your bed and start your
day? Throughout your day did you say, thank you, for the little things,
the small courtesies extended by co-workers as well as strangers?
Before going to sleep last night, did you count your blessings and say,
thank you?
As you approach this Thanksgiving season be mindful of the people in
your life who have been a blessing and say, thank you. Take time to
do a self-assessment, have you been a blessing to someone? When
opportunities to bless present themselves, how do you respond? Be
thankful for the opportunity to be of service to others and watch your
blessings increase. People who make giving a habit, have discovered
that when giving from the heart, the giver receives as much or more
than the recipient. Be blessed in your giving and don’t forget to say,
thank you.
It is wonderful to celebrate Thanksgiving Day and express thanks, but
it is even better when you give thanks on a daily basis. The benefits to
you become immeasurable because praise and thanks increases the
Champagne
AND BEYOND
gives thanks for
The Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon
for the many lessons taught, for the exemplary patterns on how to live a better life. The
world is a better place because Dr. Colemon allowed God’s plan for good to unfold in and
throughout her life, and we are the grateful beneficiaries.
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Champagne’s Literary Den
6
Season…”Tis the Season”….To Give…..
By Stephanie E. Wilson-Coleman
….Let us love not in word or speech, but in truth and action
– 1 John 3:18
From time to time, I look back over my life. As I remember all the
challenges I have overcome and the divine lessons I have learned
and passed on, I realize more and more I am truly blessed and
Infinite Kindness has been “better than good” to me. Some of my
wildest dreams are unfolding before my eyes. Life never ceases to
amaze me and Spirit continues to bless me just because I am Its’
creation. Not a day goes by that I am not in awe of the absolute
goodness of Spirit. My entire being overflows with joy and my consciousness is saturated with peace. Yet, the more I contemplate
my blessings, I feel that I must do more to express my appreciation and my gratitude. Something that will give life to words of
praise; something that will let others know they, too, are the perfect expression of the Creator; and they, too can begin to see their
flights of fancy become reality.
Stepanie E. Wilson Coleman is the author of Is Anybody Listening? and
Embracing Life’s Lessons
www.champagneconnection.com
Everyone, including myself, remembers to say thank you. We all
will send up verbal praises at the drop of a hat. But we must do
more. There are two old sayings, “I can not hear what you say,
because I am too busy listening to what you do,” and “Love is as
love does,” that sum it up nicely. Verbal praise and thanksgiving
must be followed with solid, concrete action and all it takes is commitment. Look around; we all can start right now letting our actions
speak for us, making it unnecessary for us to ever utter a word.
Divine. When we are actively participating in life, our focus shifts
from our seeming difficulties. When we are helping others, we are
truly glorifying the spirit of our Infinite Creator. Our own human
concerns shrink into nothingness and we give birth to the new
perspective, a higher consciousness. We start to realize we are
co-creators of our life and as we give, we shall receive. Let your
actions be your song of praise and thanksgiving.
Remember, life is too short to drink cheap champagne.
We all can create vacuums in our lives that will benefit others.
Those clothes, shoes and toys that have gone unworn and unused
for months, can be given to needy families. All churches, social organizations and state departments have lists of people who would
be very grateful for these items. Do not wait until Thanksgiving and
Christmas to do this. Commit to doing this two to four times a year.
Organize a Christmas in July food drive. Better yet, when you go
shopping, buy a few extra nonperishable items and give them to
recovery homes, homeless shelters or a needy family in the neighborhood, etc. Find your passion and volunteer two hours of your
time a week to this cause. If you are unable to discover your passion, pick among these; tutorial programs, visiting nursing homes,
working with any of the charitable organizations in your area,
hospitals, drug abuse and domestic violence programs, teach a
child to read, maybe your own. The list goes on. Also, spend four
hours a week with your family exploring. Visit the city buildings,
parks, libraries and nature trails. Go on picnics and attend the various events sponsored by your city and local businesses that have
free admission. The mind you unlock may be your own.
Stephanie can be contacted at nspire@champagneconnection.
com
We are the minds, hands, and feet of the Spirit. We were given the
precious gift of life and what we do with our life is our gift to the
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Champagne on the move
Clarence Waldron’s 50th Birthday Celebration
Norman Bolden and Clarence Waldron
Pam Morris, Rev Barrow,
and Clarence Waldron.
Cheryll Jackson, vice president of Chicago Urban League and Clarence
Some of Clarence’s friends: Rev, Barrow, Mary Green, Pam Morris, Midge Kimberly, Judge
Hubbard, Abe Thompson,and a few others
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Champagne on the move
Athlete Against Drugs
Art Norman and Steve Strode
AbeThompson and Stedman Graham
Stedman and a few of the young people attending this year’s Christmas event.
9
From the Desk
of Midge Kimberly
When Thank You Is Not Enough
Giving thanks to women with dignity, courage, unlimited dedication and a love for others. Here’s to those who serve and put their lives
on the line to protect us.
Katherine Dargan,
Rochelle Jones,
State Fire Marshal
Battalion Chief – NYFD
“Kate’s expertise in the public safety field as a handson firefighter and in high level management positions
within the department greatly qualifies her to fill this position,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I look forward
to working with her in this leadership role. I also want
to thank Ruben Grijalva for all his tremendous work as
state fire marshal and am excited to continue working
with him in his new capacity as director of the Department of Forestry and Fire.”
New York City Fire Department’s highest-ranking female is Battalion Chief Rochelle Jones. Jones states
the fact that her father was a firefighter who often took
her on excursions to the firehouse was not the seed
that led to her applying for the opportunity to become
a firefighter. Instead, it was the challenge and the desire to leave an uninspiring job as a secretary. Because of intervention by the courts, the New York City Fire Department started
accepting applications from women in 1978, however, it was four years before
the first group of women was hired and Jones was in that group. A lot of the
guys she’d grown up with were preparing to take the written test required by
the fire department. They were taking special courses, studying hard for the
exam. Feeling like she had nothing to lose, Rochelle bet her incredulous macho pals that she could pass without that kind of preparation. “I wrote a good
mark,” she remembers now. “I did as well, or better, than most of the guys.”
Dargan has over 30 years of experience with CDF. Since 2005, she has served
as the assistant state fire marshal. From 2002 to 2005, Dargan served as the
Napa County Fire Marshal and was the division chief for Cooperative Fire Protection in 2001, where she was the CDF liaison to state agencies involved in
disaster response including the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Prior
to joining the Cooperative Fire Protection, Dargan served as battalion chief for
the air attack base and conservation camp under CDF in Nevada County from
1997 to 2000, where she founded the Nevada County Fire Safe Council. Dargan began her career with CDF as a firefighter in Santa Cruz County in 1977,
before being promoted to fire captain and fire apparatus engineer in San Luis
Obispo and Monterey Counties from 1980 to 1994. She serves as co-chair of the
Wildland-Urban Interface Committee and is an appointed member to the Napa
County Watershed Board. Additionally, Dargan is a member of the California Fire
Chiefs Association, National Fire Protection Association and the American Planning Association.
Angered by the court’s impositions and resistant to the idea of female firefighters, the Fire Academy changed the required physical exam; instead of being
administered on a pass-fail basis, it was to be graded, like the written test, and
only the candidates with the best scores would be admitted to the Academy.
In addition, excruciatingly difficult tasks that had no relation to firefighting, but
emphasized upper body strength that most women don’t have, were added to
the exam.
The courts took action again, though, recognizing the unfairness of the test,
and re-imposing–albeit temporarily–the old pass/fail standards and the old,
utilitarian tasks that more accurately reflected the physical requirements of
the job.
“I am honored Governor Schwarzenegger has chosen me as the first woman to
become California’s state fire marshal,” said Dargan. “I look forward to utilizing
my extensive and unique background with CDF in this new position.”
Dargan, 48, of Napa, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resources
management from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $117,997. Dargan is
a Democrat.
Rochelle is now turning her attention to bringing other women into the department. There are just over 30 women fighting fires in New York City today–approximately three tenths of one percent of the 11,000-person force, and almost
all of those women were hired in the early eighties, just after the full weight of
the court’s injunctions had been brought to bear. Since then, the Fire Academy
has re-imposed the graded physical exam, and the fierce competition for the
few spots available each year makes it almost impossible for women to prevail. A new cadet program, which recruits women who are already Emergency
Medical Technicians, might make a difference, but progress is slow.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) supports the mission of CDF by focusing on fire prevention. The mission of the State Fire Marshal is to protect life and
property through the development and application of fire prevention engineering, education and enforcement. SFM provides support through a wide variety
of fire safety responsibilities including: regulating buildings in which people live,
congregate, or are confined; by controlling substances and products which may,
in and of themselves, or by their misuse, cause injuries, death and destruction
by fire; by providing statewide direction for fire prevention within wildland areas;
by regulating hazardous liquid pipelines; by reviewing regulations and building
standards and by providing training and education in fire protection methods and
responsibilities.
10
Military Police in Iraq
SPC Sutter on a mounted M249 saw (squad automatic weapon) atop her Humvee. Note the Arabic lettering on her MP
sleeve insignia. She also has some medical training.
the Witmer sisters in Baghdad.
Two of them served in the same unit.
Army SPC Michelle M. Witmer,
assigned to the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company.
On the night of April 9, 2003, Michelle’s squad was called in to help protect an Iraqi police station that was being overrun by insurgents. Michelle, who usually
drove the vehicle, instead acted as gunner that night. Minutes before she headed out, she sent an e-mail to her twin sister Charity (a medic in Baghdad ), about
their sister Rachel, who was also an MP stationed with the 32nd MPC in Baghdad .
The e-mail said, “Hi, sweetie bear. I love you. We are about to head out. Things have gotten really bad. I’m really worried about Rachel. She is [patrolling] in a
bad part of town. I hope you will be ok. I just want you to know I love you for ever.”
Michelle and Rachel saw each other before they left that evening, in vehicle convoys headed for different parts of the city. Here are their own words about the
events of April 9, taken from e-mail messages and interviews.
Michelle wrote, “We had a briefing telling us to prepare ourselves as best as possible for what lies ahead. I guess every convoy that’s gone up north so far has
taken fire or been ambushed. The question of whether we will or not is not even really a question, more like a guess as to when.”
Rachel said, “I was in a gunner truck. I remember looking over and seeing my sister as a gunner. That’s odd. She’s usually the driver. I smiled at her. She
smiled back at me. To this day I will kick myself, I had an urge to run over to her and hug her and tell her to be safe.”
There was something different in Michelle’s face, Rachel says. “It was more stoic than usual and she just—I don’t know if people know what’s going to happen to
them, but she just—she had this calm, stoic look on her face.” Then Michelle waved goodbye, and it was the last time Rachel saw her.
Looking back, Michelle’s sister Charity also noticed something different about her twin sibling. “She just was so—at peace with herself, and with life. And [in] retrospect it’s just incredible to me. It was like she knew.”
“As I understand it, the patrol that Michelle was with was three Humvees, and they found themselves in the middle of a three-block-long ambush. All hell broke
loose and there was fire from every direction.”
Michelle returned fire with her 50-caliber rail-mounted machine gun. Although she wore extensive protective gear, a single enemy bullet found an Achilles heel,
striking below her arm and piercing her heart.
When Michelle was killed, she was supposed to serve only five more days of patrol duty before preparing to leave Iraq .
11
B
eing pampered is not just for women. Men deserve to have
an option when it comes to getting a haircut, shave, facial
and the like.
Many salons for women have added spa-like atmospheres
that provide relaxed and inviting environments. Now the same
is available for men; Champagne and Beyond is proud to announce the grand opening of such a space.
November 18th is the date for the Official Grand Opening of
Andalusia – Barber Spa for Men, located at 2411 South Michigan Avenue, in Chicago.
Andalusia-Barber Spa for Men is the new venture of Andalusia
Group, Inc., comprised of owners from the hair care and real
estate industries. Andalusia – Barber Spa for Men is designed
for the professional man who seeks to choose from haircuts to
hair braiding, manicures, pedicures, or facials.
The choices are not new but the location and ambiance is.
There is 4,000 square feet of space that includes the spa area,
a 42 inch flat screen television, a conference room available
for meetings, free wi-fi and laptop computers. The staff is comprised of experts who can serve a diverse clientele including
Asians, Hispanics, Europeans as well as African Americans.
It is a distinct change from the old-fashioned barber shop.
Stress-free and inviting, make your appointment today for a
wonderful new experience, guaranteed to make you feel pampered and special.
News about champion achievers of our time.
Women who achieve and beyond. Celebrating
women at the pinnacle of their careers who are
inspired to help other women.
12
13
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President/Founder: Mrs. Terry
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The primary focus of J.U.D.A.H.
NOW, Inc. is to provide an avenue of
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transitioning into college. The effort
includes but is not limited to: linking
students to partnership organizations
for support with ACT tests, college enrollment and financial aid.
J.U.D.A.H. NOW, Inc. is introducing a new project to all parents and
guardians. If you have a student that will be graduating in 2008,
they have a plan that they promise will put money into your 2008
graduation budget, thus easing the financial strain you may be envisioning.
Contact J.U.D.A.H. NOW, Inc. at 773.317.1437, for additional information on how you can assist or participate in one of their programs.
“Move with Linda”
Linda B. Maguire
Real Estate Broker Licensed in Illinois
3502 West 95th Street
Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Phone: 708.599.3905 [email protected]
Serving Chicago & Suburbs since 1980
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14
Champagne on the move
Guests from the Jobs For Youth annual luncheon at the Cultural Center
courtesy Deja Views photography
Becky Iliff, Vice President of People Cosi; Robert Barnett,
Executive Director, Jobs For Youth; Darlene Chaleff, Board
President, Jobs For Youth; Dr. Carol L. Adams, Secretary,
Illinois Dept. of Human Services; Evette Cardona, Sr. Programs Officer, Polk Bros.
Ralp Hughes, Regional Vice President,
Macy’s; Andrea Schwartz, Chicago
Publicity Manager, Macy’s
and guests
Rufus Williams & Harriet Hausman
15
Confidence
Is A Key Characteristic
Of Success
By Sanyika Calloway Boyce
Intentions without action are actually more
harmful than you think. Have you ever gotten frustrated with someone who was supposed to do something and
didn’t? And as if it wasn’t bad enough that they didn’t do it, when you
asked them what happened they said, something like, “Oh, I intended to
do it...I just didn’t get around to it yet...” Well, heck what was the point of
intending if there wasn’t going to be any action taken?
Only you can push the “pattern interrupt” button on behavior that no
longer serves or supports your success. Only you can choose to stop
minimizing the importance of things or blowing things out of proportion
in your mind and become a “Do It Now” person or at least commit to a
specific time when it will be taken care of. Think about something that
you have intended to do that you are now willing to take action on. Now
make a commitment to push the pattern interrupt button on yourself and
determine when – today, tomorrow, by the end of the week – you will
complete the task.
The mind is a wonderful machine and it has the power to do amazing
things, it also has the ability to trick you into replacing thoughts for actions. Case in point, have you ever thought about something that you
had to do so often that you became physically tired as if you’d already
engaged in the action? Or, that you actually thought you did it already?
There’s a magazine that I really enjoy reading, the company sent me
several reminders, over the course of three months and each time I got
one I made a “mental note” to take care of it. I even posted the reminders right where I could see them. I pulled out my checkbook a few times
because I was going to write a check and then I remembered that I could
renew online, but then I got distracted before I actually ever did. The
next reminder I got, I thought, “Oh, I already sent a check for that…didn’t
I?” I promised myself I would look to see if I had because after all I had
sat down to do it - right? You can imagine how annoyed I was with
myself when my subscription expired and I had to buy the magazine
from the store (at full price) plus wait six weeks to be added back to the
mailing cycle. This was a small thing, but it actually highlighted a pattern
in my life that I needed to interrupt.
Pick one thing for each timeframe and:
1. Proclaim what you will take action on, then say - out loud - “this will be
no problem,” “I can get this done, right now” or at least give it a time
period that it will be handled.
2. Write it down – this anchors your commitment
3. Share it with at least two people for no other reason than this gives
you a level of accountability.
What I know for sure is the fewer unresolved items in your life, the more
confident you’ll feel and confidence is a key characteristic of a truly successful person. Want to increase your confidence? Press the pattern interrupt button and you can be a person of action. I know this one change
will skyrocket your confidence and success in every area of your life. Go
on...press that button.
I believe that the two biggest reasons people don’t do what needs to be
done in the moment - or take the time to plan are:
1. They think it’s too SMALL to be bothered with right now and vow to
“get around to it...”
OR
Sanyika Calloway Boyce is an International Speaker, Top-selling Author
and Financial Fitness Coach who teaches individuals how to gain true
financial freedom by mastering their money mindset and changing their
attitude about money. Visit her online today at www.successbeyondmoney.com
2. They think it’s too BIG to tackle or too much trouble to handle in the
moment
The dilemma with this mindset is that:
A. Small things left undone become huge energy leaks and like sand
bags they weight you down
B. It won’t be any less trouble a week from now, actually it will probably
seem bigger or actually be worse.
C. The things you have the tendency to put off will be the very things
that will block your path to success.
16
Champagne’s From Here to Eternity
Lee and Toyia Dean
Freedberg & Wilken Wedding
17
Issues Confronting African American Women – NBC News
In November, NBC’s news anchor Brian Williams compiled a weeklong series investigating specific issues confronting African American women that sent NBC’s ratings soaring. The series included round table discussions as well as extensive interviews with African
American women as well as professionals within the health community. Areas addressed included: heart disease and the fact that African American women are most likely to get it and less likely to be adequately treated, less likely to receive intervention procedures or
prevention care. This segment concluded that it is important for African American women to manage their blood pressure and become
aggressive in their doctor visits by asking questions and being proactive about their health. The series also addressed the dilemma of
having more education and often higher salaries than their male counterparts. In the discussion it was pointed out that some men feel
threatened and uncomfortable when facing these differences and thus sabotaging potential relationships. Other areas covered were
breast cancer and the dramatic increase in African American women entrepreneurs.
We at Champagne and Beyond commend NBC and Brian Williams on producing a much needed series. If your interest is piqued log
onto www.NBC.com select News & Sports, then select Nightly News with Brian Williams, go to the official site and select the series.
18
Reflections: Endings and Beginnings
Alberta Ware
We have arrived at the time of year where we stop and wonder at how fast the days, weeks and months have passed. We discuss with our
friends the fact that as we increase in chronological age, the years appear to go by much faster than when we were young, anxiously waiting
to become adults.
Now as adults we contemplate the passing year, assess our accomplishments, take stock of the things we did not complete to our satisfaction, and consider the things we failed to address at all.
The question is what you plan to do about the unfinished and unaddressed areas of your life. Rather than make the proverbial “New Year’s
Resolutions” why not make a real plan of action. When it comes to “New Year’s Resolutions” we simple write a list of the things we say we
want to change and then the list gets misplaced and by February the list and its contents have been forgotten.
As you close out 2007, try something different. Determine at least three things you did not address or did not complete and then write a plan,
a step-by-step plan including a time-line and get to work. Keep in mind, you do not have to wait until New Year’s Day, you can start right now.
By starting now you’ve changed one pattern (that of making a list of resolutions) and by changing that pattern you begin a new one that sets
the pace for success. The whole idea is to take a proactive role in changing your life in a way that pleases you and in a manner that will work
for you.
Each day brings a beginning and an ending, what happens in between is entirely up to you. You have the option to choose the kind of day
you will experience, so start each day with a positive plan of action and determine that you will not allow the uncontrollable experiences that
occur to sabotage your daily plan. Determine what you can learn from these experiences and how you can use them to your advantage and
move on with your day. It’s your day and only you can determine what kind of day it will be. Plan on a happy and joyous New Year!
Midge Kimberly
Plan on taking charge of your life today, your Power is determine by how powerful you think you are. You are who you think you are. Remember the Master Painter gave all us a blue print at birth. Have you taken care of your master piece (You) or have you given that Power to
someone else. Let my favorite poem be a constant reminder that you have a choice.
“I Hope You Dance”
by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers
I hope you never loose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted,
God forbid love ever leaves you empty-handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one door opens,
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you’ll dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they’re worth taking,
Loving might be a mistake but it’s worth making.
Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to selling out, reconsider.
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance.
And When you get the choice to sit it our or dance…I hope you dance.
19
Champagne on the move
Chicago Urban League increases its presence in local schools; sets course to address the crisis of African
American males at annual gala
CHICAGO, IL-(November 2007)-The Chicago Urban League unveiled its Chicago Urban League in the Schools initiative and laid plans to tackle
the crisis of underserved African American males at its 46th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner at the Hilton Chicago Hotel and Towers on Saturday,
November 3. More than 1,800 of Chicago’s civic, business, religious, education, and political leaders attended the dinner that was chaired by James
A. Bell, Chief Financial Officer of The Boeing Company.
“The Chicago Urban League has transformed itself through project NEXT, our strategic focus on economic empowerment for African Americans,”
said board President Jim Reynolds, Chairman and CEO of Loop Capital Markets. I am pleased to share how we will touch a rising generation of
new leaders through our expanded education programs.”
Through the Chicago Urban League in the Schools initiative of project NEXT, the League is building on its successful financial literacy programs for
youth and developing parental engagement programs in 15 Chicago public schools and community charter schools.
The League also announced its upcoming African American Male Initiative, set to launch in February of 2008. The initiative will take an aggressive
and comprehensive approach to the addressing the achievement crisis of African American men and boys. The initiative will be led by several Chicago-based, African American business leaders, including several Chicago Urban League board members.
Cheryle R. Jackson, who recently marked her first year as the League’s first woman President and CEO expressed her excitement about the initiative and the fact that the League has, “powerful, African American men taking a leadership role in the creation and implementation of the initiative.”
The 46th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner was co-hosted by actors Harry Lennix and Kim Coles. Entertainment for the gala was provided by
Grammy-nominated R&B singer and songwriter Angie Stone
Additional gala highlights:
• The Chicago Urban League raised a record 1.8 million at the dinner
• The League’s first Corporate Leadership Award was presented to BP.
• The Boeing Company presented a surprise award to Cheryle Jackson in recognition of her leadership. The Boeing “Game Changers”
award comes with an unrestricted grant of $100,000.
Angie Stone performs at the Chicago Urban League
46th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner
Cheryle Jackson and Charles Jackson
20
Champagne on the move
Shawnelle Richie, Camille Edwards, Cheryle Jackson, Cheryl Pierson McNeil, Melody
Kim Coles and Harry Lennix (dinner emcees)
Jim Reynolds (CUL board chair) and Sandra Reynolds
Sen. Emil Jones, Jr., Carrie Hightman and Harry Hightman
All photos courtesy of Dot Ward
21
Champagne’s S
PECIAL
EVENTS
The Betty R. Clawson Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is designed to give scholarships to those students who desire a
chance of a life time in the field of cosmetology. Thanks to the concern of you and others with a generous spirit and a concern
for education and entrepreneurship, we are embarking on the Sixth Annual Betty R. Clawson Scholarship.
Training the right entrepreneurs in the cosmetology industry will benefit the world. Over the lifetime of the scholarship, more than $70,000 has been awarded towards the educational development of our winners.
This year we will be celebrating Ms. Betty Clawson’s 65th Birthday, so we are taking our program to a new height with
new inspiration. We are on a new mission under new direction!
Dudley School of
Cosmetology
8501 South Green
Chicago IL, 60620
Phone 773-488-5900
This year’s event will be a Gospel Concert and Fashion Extravaganza with fashions from designer Quinton de
Alexander to be held on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. at God’s House of All Nations Church, 8407-11 South Stony
Island, and Chicago, Illinois.
One of the highlights of this event is the Silent Auction. We invite companies and indivials to be a part of this event by
purchasing tickets at ($65 each, a table of 10 for $650), an ad in our program book and a donation of an auction item. All contributors will be recognized in our program book.
Donations for the silent auction are made no later than December 31, 2007. Ads for the souvenir book should be made
no later than January. Thank you in advance for helping to “Change the World of Cosmetology”!
Christ Universal Temple
Annual Christmas Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 23, 2007
10:30 A.M. Worship Service
Featuring: The Christ Universal Temple Ensemble
and Orchestra under the direction of
Fred Nelson, III
Special Guest: Ms. Jennifer Holliday
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY
More than two decades after she starred in the hit Broadway musical Dreamgirls, Jennifer Holliday, whose heart wrenching rendition of the show
stopping torch-song ballad, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is a woman with a voice that has evolved into what is arguably one of the greatest
female voices of rhythm and blues of the twentieth century. She is a vocal powerhouse whose passionate, throaty and soulful style touches hearts
and leaves her audiences with their spirits soaring high.
This past summer Holliday performed to sell-out crowds in Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre for the Theater of the Stars 25th Anniversary production
of Dreamgirls in association with the National Black Arts Festival. She garnered rave reviews and received standing ovations at every performance.
Holliday, a two-time Grammy Award winner, has recorded five chart-making CD’s for Arista, Geffen, and Interground Records. Holliday won a
Grammy Award for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance and she was awarded a second Grammy for Best Inspirational Vocal Performance for her
soul-stirring rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday,” a tribute to the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. “The Best Of Jennifer Holliday: The
Millennium Collection” on Universal Records is her most recent release.
22
A Magapaper Celebrating Women
November/December 2007
Issue No. 6
Publisher
Midge Kimberly/Editor and Chief
Senior Editor
Alberta Ware
Editor
Marilyn Boyd
Dr Karen A. Freeman
Destiny
Trinity
Dahlia w/ Crystals
$50.00
Calla Lilies w/ Crystals
$30.00
Staff Writers
Sanyika Calloway Boyce
Stephanie E. Wilson-Coleman
Nikia Davis
Valerie Hill
Midge Kimberly
Moleska Smith
Alberta Ware
Research Analyst
Cynthia Davis
The Beach
Special Contributor
Anita Tang
$30.00
Custom Designed
Green Stones w/ Sand
Executive Administrator
Denise Starks
Photographers
Larry Engelhart
Deborah Meeks
Dot Ward
A Center of Peace
for every occasion
Phone: 773.875.4859
Graphic Designer
Nikia Davis
[email protected]
Prices may vary for custom
designs
3
23
Get Your Diet in Gear for
the 2008 New Year!
101 Foods That Could Save Your Life is
a book that can help you jump start your New
Year’s Diet. 101 Foods That Can Save
Your Life is chock full of essential foods
needed to maintain a healthy body! It
includes recipes created by Meijer’s Healthy
Living Advisor and many other nutritional
experts!
ON SALE DECEMBER 26
AVAILABLE AT ALL MEIJE STORES
Get Your Seuss On!
Mark your calendars–
calendars the annual Cat in the Hat
Birthday party is scheduled for March 1st, 2008! Free
giveaways, food and fun activities are in store for your
little reader! All Dr. Seuss books will be discounted and
if you sign your name to a special Cat in the Hat
birthday card a book will be donated to First Book, a
non-profit organization that provides books to children
in need.
AVAILABLE AT ALL MEIJER STORES!