SOFU, GA June 2022 by City Lifestyle

Spotlight on Dads!

LI F E + C U LTU R E

CARL H ILL IS CO CA- CO L A B OT TLIN G U N ITED' S N EW CO RPO RATE DIRECTO R O F DEI M EN' S GU IDE TO E XQU ISITE SU M M ER ST YLE

J U N E 2 022

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

It's the Hot Dads!

June 2022 PUBLISHER

Michelle Taylor Willis michelle.taylorwillis@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Hey y'all! It was so much fun to create this issue for you! My favorite part was trying to get the dads in the feature to tell me why they are "hot." I could imagine them squirming at their computers. But it is important to show the dads in our community some love! They work hard and are so involved. I really enjoyed talking to native Atlantan Carl Hill about his family and work life balance, a conversation we don't usually hear from dads. His strategic approach to loving his family was an inspiration. He was recently promoted to Corporate Director- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Coca-Cola Bottling United Inc. and he's got lots to share about the importance of education and mentorship. I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as our team enjoyed putting it together! Happy Father's Day, SoFu!

Erikka Searles Mitchell | emitchell@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Stevie Peterson, Patrick T. Cooper AD DESIGNER

Hunter Richie LAYOUT DESIGNER

Emily Lisenbee CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Katlyne Hill Photography, Marcus Ingram/Getty Images, Matthieu Waddell and Ed Carter

ERIKK A SEARLES MITCHELL, EDITOR @ S O U T H F U LT O N L I F E S T Y L E Photo by Matthieu Waddell Editor's Note: We sincerely apologize for misspelling the name of the Alliance Theater's Tinashe Kajese-Bolden in the May Issue.

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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Proverbs 3:5-6 SOFU Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the South Fulton area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in SOFU Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

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inside the issue The Gentlemen’s Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 It’s Time for Dads to Shine!

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Local Limelight

Our Town

Locals Only

Must See

Trend Setter

LI FE + C U LT U R E

Giving Back

LI FE + C U LT U R E

Money Matters

A Few Hot Dads of SoFu!

18 Just a Kid From Southwest Atlanta Carl Hill Becomes Coca-Cola United's First Corporate Director – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

30 Exquisite Summer Style A Guy's Guide

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Ed Carter of Visual Renaissance Photography Dr. Leroy Venn is a Hot Dad with signature #SoFu swag!

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business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Kelly Wins Atlanta Regional Finals in True Colors Monologue Competition Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company announced that LaNiyah Kelly won the Atlanta Regional Finals and $600 in its new Next Narrative Monologue Competition (NNMC), a national program for high school students featuring the works of a host of contemporary Black playwrights. Zaria Williams finished in second place winning $400. Third place and $200 went to Jayden Griffin from Atlanta Classical Academy. Kelly and Williams both received all expenses paid trips to New York.

South Atlanta Youth Recognized in First-ever Prudential Emerging Visionaries Program Chris Matthews, 14, was named a 2022 Prudential Emerging Visionary for bringing powerful vision for his work. As the youngest of 25 young people selected in the inaugural class, Chris received $5,000 in funding, round trip accommodations to a summit in New York City, and coaching from Prudential executives. He was selected for his creation of the “Blanket Box Project,” a social enterprise that aims to provide free blankets to children dealing with challenging situations.

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Braxton Camille Smith Wins Oratorical Competition Seventh-grade Fulton County student Braxton Camille Smith competed in the area oratorical contest of Optimist International. Braxton, 13, advanced after winning the oratorical contest of the Emory Decatur Optimist Club and will represent zone five at the area contest of the GATEway District of Optimist International. The theme for the 2021-2022 oratorical contest is “Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times.” A student at Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence, Braxton lives in Union City.

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IT’S TIME FOR Dads TO SHINE! PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATLYNE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY AND PROVIDED

A Few Hot Dads of SoFu!

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE

DR . LEROY VENN DA D. H U SB A N D. O RT H O D O N T I ST. BU S I N E S S OWN E R.

Dr. Venn is a native Atlantan and father of his 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. He has been married for 11 years. His connection to South Fulton is through his business, Smile Studio Orthodontics, which he opened 14 years ago. Dr. Venn loves being a dad! “I really enjoy being a dad because of the purpose it fulfills as a man. Children keep you young and optimistic about life. I enjoy discovering new activities with my kids and showing them some of the fun I have grown to love in my lifetime. Through my work I come across a lot of youth and try to be intentional about being a positive representation of manhood because our youth are watching ALL of us and adding positive (and negative) attributes to who they will become from our example.”

DE SMON D CA RT E R DA D. H U S BA N D. AU D I TO R . E N T R E PR E N E U R .

Photo by Katlyne Hill Photography

Desmond is an Auditor/Fraud Examiner in the financial sector as well as an entrepreneur in the medical, dental, and veterinary industries. He is a graduate of the illustrious Morehouse College and holds a Master of Business Administration degree, as well as several professional certifications. He is the father of two incredible sons and husband to an amazing wife, Dr. Kisha Carter of BLUSH Dental Studio in East Point. Desmond is often called “Mr. Do It All” because of his expansive skill set, initiative, and desire to help others. He does everything in his power to motivate, encourage, and inspire his sons as well as other young Black kings to always do their absolute best and never give up! SFL: So what makes you a “Hot Dad?” “One of my favorite mottos that I live by daily, is ‘You only get one life—live it to the fullest!’ I instill this in my family by pushing them to follow their dreams in business, education, and especially life experiences. My strong emphasis on life experiences has led to us traveling the world, scuba diving certifications, skydiving, and much more! One of my favorite quotes by former President Barack Obama is ‘Any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.’” @RealDesAtl

CONTINUED > JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

KU RT MC D ONA L D DA D. H U SB A N D. D O C TO R O F PH YS I CA L T H E R A PY. MA RATH O N R U N N E R . C O M M U N I T Y L E A D E R .

Dr. Kurt McDonald has been married for 15 years to Dr. Tracy McDonald as both are Doctors of Physical Therapy. Kurt is a native of Jamaica and Tracy hails from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They are proud parents of two sons, Kingston and Kurt Jr., that attend Woodward Academy. They opened Genesis Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation off Camp Creek Parkway 15 years ago and have been providing outpatient physical therapy services to South Fulton. The family attends Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur. Kurt is an active member of Eta Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., where he serves as Keeper of Finance and Chairperson of the Social Action Committee. When not serving as Uber Dad for his competitive sons in soccer, cross country, band or chess tournaments, Kurt enjoys an active lifestyle. He competes in Spartan Obstacle Races, half marathons, triathlons of multiple distances and enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities such as camping and fishing. When this dad is not found cheering on the sideline you will find him cycling at the Silver Comet Trail or being “Papi Caliente” salsa dancing on someone’s dance floor.

MOH A MME D BA L L A DAD. HUSBAND. CFO FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTA. GUIDING FORCE.

Mohammed Balla currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for the City of Atlanta. He and his wife bought their Cascade Falls home in 2008 and plan to retire there. “We love this community and were purposeful in choosing a community where Black success was the norm and not the exception to start a family.” He is the husband of Dr. Teresa Jordan-Balla, owner of East Atlanta Pediatric Dentistry. He is the proud father of Eden, age 7, and Ava, age 6, both students at Omni International School. Being a hot dad is “knowing that you are chosen to be a guiding force in a developing life. You are entrusted in building a foundational element that will position your kids to live a full, happy, abundant life, as well as arm them with the tools and knowledge to make the right decisions for themselves.”

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ARTICLE BY ERIKKA SEARLES MITCHELL

JUST A KID FROM SOUTHWEST ATLANTA CARL HILL BECOMES COCA-COLA UNITED'S FIRST CORPORATE DIRECTOR – DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

O UR TOWN | L IFE + CU LTURE

You just don’t get more Atlanta than Carl Hill. He’s got the receipts. Even Omeretta the Great would be impressed. He’s so humble for someone who has just been promoted to the Corporate Director – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Coca-Cola United. He begins citing a deep love for education and an HBCU legacy that runs deep in his family. Hill is a third generation Atlantan. His grandmother went to Washington High. His dad is a “Grady Baby” and grew up near the AUC and in Collier Heights. Hill is an APS grad, a proud graduate of Mays High. His mom is a Spelmanite from Charleston who met his dad when she was the counselor at Harper. His dad attended Fort Valley and was the football coach. Hill’s older brother attended Douglass High School and Morehouse. His maternal grandmother was an elementary teacher. Both grandparents on that side attended South Carolina State with Dr. Benjamin E. Mays himself. Hill thought that he wanted to pursue a career as a teacher or better yet an administrator so he could make a little bit more money.

Continuing the tradition, he decided to attend an HBCU. He grew up on the AUC campuses and wanted something different. Hill enrolled at Xavier University on a business scholarship. He worked for Honeybaked Ham and Walgreens and was in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. When he lost almost all of his material possessions minus what he could pack in a duffel bag, he realized that things could be taken away at any time. He decided to do something he loved. He came back to Atlanta to finish his last few credits at Clark Atlanta and through a partnership with CAU, he got his Xavier degree. Hill calls it resourceful. I call it a hustler spirit that compelled him to find employment that was off the beaten path. Previously, he went to a Career Fair and stumbled upon a job in the TALL program at Georgia Labor. He had worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA that’s now named after Ambassador Andrew Young. He was 17 working for the U.S. Census. He met the T-Mobile folks at that Career Fair and worked in Sales and moved to L.A. In 2010, Hill married his college sweetheart that he met at Xavier University in New Orleans, Dr. Cherie Hill who is now an OB/GYN at Emory Midtown. Hill grew up in the Atlanta chapter of Jack and Jill of America and he’s honored to continue that tradition. The Hill’s legacy now includes Carter, age 9, Callie, 6 and Ciara, age 1.

CARL HILL

TAKE THE SHOT The path to this role wasn’t exactly a straight one. There were several mentors (and more than a few basketball metaphors) that helped him along the way. Hill didn’t expect it to be easy. He took a chance on doing something he wanted to do. Hill references the great Michael Jordan. He’d rather fail than not take the shot. “You weigh the pros and cons and you take the shot. What can you learn from passing? You can learn more if you take the shot and don’t make it.” DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE A RISK Hill was a super commuter for a year and a half until his first son came along in 2013. He came back to Atlanta to pursue his MBA in Organizational Management at GA State and to be closer to family while the kids were little. He attended the 2014 National Black MBA Association Conference and it ended up changing his life. Magic Johnson spoke about taking risks: movie theaters and restaurants. He was fortunate enough to meet Dawn Kirk – Vice President of Sales and Operations at Coca-Cola Company over the Southeast and was recruited to Coca-Cola Company from T-Mobile USA. CONTINUED > JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

“THERE’S NOTHING MORE ATLANTA THAN COKE.” Early 2015, he started with the Coca-Cola Company and was on the side of the business that was distribution, more hands on, getting the product to stores. The company was intentionally trying to bring in some fresh ideas. He faced discrimination due to being so very young. In telecom, the companies barely lasted a decade. Coca-Cola had some employees who came up through the ranks and had worked there for 40 years. He was Area Sales Manager and handled most of the conflicts and specialized in pushing the people forward. THE INFLUENCE OF GREAT MENTORS Coca-Cola Bottling Company United Inc. took over sales in 2013 when Coca-Cola Company was transitioning out of that part of the business. Coca-Cola Bottling United Inc. controls the supplying to grocery stores and vending machines. They get the product, the secret recipe syrup owned by the Coca-Cola Company, out to the people. Hill met some really great people along the way. Craig Williams, a grad of Benedict College, was one of the people in the company that encouraged him. Victor Ragland, Director of Sales at Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, was his direct supervisor and became a great friend and mentor. Now Ragland is the Division Director for the ‘Atlanta Division’ for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company United. The population of Atlanta is extremely diverse and robust. Coca-Cola United has an approach that is very local, reflecting its community. Something about that resonated with Hill. Walter Boddie who was the Multicultural Communications Director in Alabama, talked to Hill without any ageism and found many similarities. Mike Suco, Chief Operating Officer and CEO elect with Cuban heritage and Alabama roots, promoted Hill to Director over GA leading all Community Affairs and Multicultural Marketing. “He believed in me and trusted me enough to promote me to this Director role, established for the first time in GA’s Coke history.” Hill took the opportunity to make connections with the community, including organizations like 100 Black Men throughout the state. A BRAND NEW ROLE It was at this time that Hill had the ear of the whole company and he became one of the chairs of the D&I Department. Hill wants to see the 5-year plan come to fruition. He was recently named the Corporate Director – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The goal is to get the work force to reflect the people that they serve. Hill talked a little about work-life balance and approaching family from a Project Management perspective. He holds a PMP certificate and he applies that knowledge with him as a husband and a dad. “It’s most important to do everything together in love.”

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It’s the small things that add more life! The City of South Fulton offers its residents something that we’re all learning, once again, to appreciate—quality of life. The big things—malls, franchises, big box chain stores—are not necessarily the things that make communities more livable. Little things often do that. With limitations on globetrotting, the essence of travel and experiencing new things is not only found in far off places. Exploring South Fulton and supporting local businesses can be fun and plays a key role in sustaining the community and showcasing it as a viable destination. Small business, local merchants, family-owned restaurants. Neighbors whose names you actually know. These things all help to make communities more livable.

GRECIAN GYRO

Pano, Nick and George

THE KOULOURIS FAMILY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS Grecian Gyro, founded by Nick Koulouris, is celebrating 40 years as a staple in the Atlanta community this year. With $50 in his pocket, a dream in his heart, and his secret sauce recipe locked tightly in his head, Nick opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia, four decades ago to deliver the best gyros and Grecian fare to the Atlanta community and beyond. Born and raised in Kalamata, Greece, Nick was the youngest of nine children and had a passion for cooking from a young

LOCA LS ON LY | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

age. In 1970, he joined the Greek military and served as a cook. After his time in the military, Nick immigrated to the United States in 1973, where he settled in Atlanta to be near his extended family. Chasing the American dream, Nick worked where he could, taking various jobs to save money to open his own restaurant one day. In 1982, he identified and filled a void for authentic Greek cuisine in the South Atlanta market by opening his first Grecian Gyro location as a one-man shop in Hapeville.

Over the years, the restaurant became a second home to the entire Koulouris family, including Nick’s cousins, wife, and three children. From working the register to helping customers, Grecian Gyro truly became a family run business. In 2007, Nick’s two sons, George and Pano, officially joined the family venture when they quit their day jobs to pursue their dream of making Grecian Gyro a generational business and continuing the family legacy by opening a second location. The Koulouris brothers have since grown the business to seven metro-Atlanta locations in Dunwoody, Forest Park, Johns Creek, Midtown, Snellville, and Tucker, joining the original Hapeville restaurant. In 2019, within Grecian Gyro’s Tucker and Midtown locations, the brothers opened Izzy’s European Ice Kréme, offering a Euro flair to the traditional soft serve featuring creamy Ice Kréme and Greek FroYo.

George and Nick

Grecian Gyro is best known for revolutionizing the Atlanta-style gyro trend. Decades ago, Nick created his signature gyro sauce and spice blend, which has set the restaurant apart. The tangy cream sauce blended with Mediterranean herbs and spices has become a customer staple. Grecian Gyro is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Delta employees and layover patrons alike, milestone celebrations, and celebrity sightings. Patrons return day after day for the time-tested family recipes, classic flavors, and modern Mediterranean delights with cornerstone offerings such as handcrafted wraps with Nick’s homemade Grecian sauce and salad dressing, crispy potatoes perfectly seasoned with their signature spice blends, vegetarian entrees, and baklava. Staying true to their roots, the Koulouris family’s philosophy has been built on the foundation that a good business starts with valuing culture, community, and employees. Each Grecian Gyro restaurant prioritizes giving back to its community through ongoing local efforts, including sponsoring various school and church initiatives, offering free holiday meals for those in need, and collecting supplies for humanitarian efforts. The Waterworks Greenspace in West Midtown has also been a passion project of the Grecian Gyro family for more than 10 years and George is a founding member of the Friends of Atlanta Waterworks Park. This neighborhood organization was formed to lobby the city to reopen the greenspace at the Waterworks facility on the Upper Westside. In honor of their 40th anniversary, the Koulouris family will be celebrating with new menu items, community activities, and events throughout the entire year. For more information, visit GrecianGyro. com or follow the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. “When I first started Grecian Gyro, I was just looking for an opportunity to support my family,” says Nick Koulouris, founder of Grecian Gyro. “I never imagined that 40 years later, we’d still be here and growing. I’m very proud of what my sons, George and Pano, have built from where I started out.” “We are proud to be celebrating such a milestone in Hapeville and across the city this year alongside our father,” says George and Pano Koulouris, co-owners of Grecian Gyro. “We grew up in the restaurant and can’t thank the Atlanta community enough for how they welcomed Grecian Gyro back then and how they support us today.” JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

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HOMESERVICES GEORGIA PROPERTIES OPENS NEW CASCADE AREA OFFICE

Brandon Pagano with Prosperity Home Mortgage; Todd Tucker, Robert Allen, Wendy Allen, DeAnn Golden, Kathy Connelly, Lori Lane, and Amy Gant with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties held the grand opening of its new Cascade office located at 1195 Fairburn Road, Suite F-140 in Atlanta on Thursday, April 21. Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Broker DeAnn Golden and Senior Vice President and Managing Broker Wendy Allen led the event and ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We are very excited to expand our footprint in the southern region,” said Dan Forsman, President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. “With the addition of this new Cascade location along with our office in

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historic College Park, our exceptional team of sales associates can provide a new level of quality customer service to the area. Our company’s culture is ambitious, collaborative, and focused on providing results to the community.” “With its central location and diverse and welcoming community, Cascade boasts small-town charm and comfort with the convenience of metropolitan living,” says Allen. “We’re excited to provide home buyers and sellers in this rapidly growing community with the expertise, service, and global marketing power that only HomeServices can offer.”

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The Atlanta Black Chambers is a non-profit organization consisting of individuals engaging in Business, Community and Government activities. Our mission is to serve as an advocate for the creation and growth of competitive, profitable and sustainable Black owned entities. We are committed to providing quality education and training programs that emphasize economic development, ownership and wealth building practices.

We create opportunities for our members in the areas of Business, Community and Government. Our membership base represents over 400 unique market sectors from an array of privately owned entities to non-profits.

HTTP://ATLANTABLACKCHAMBERS.ORG

JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

ARTICLE BY PATRICK T. COOPER

A Man's Guide to Exquisite Summer Style

The Watch | Being the stylish man that you are, you must adorn the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding Flying Tourbillion Openworked 50th Anniversary watch. It is simply a work of art. AudemarsPiguet.com

4. The Trunks | Get ready to take a walk on the wild side in Trunks by Patrick T. Cooper. These bold and brilliant works of wearable art will garner the public eye and aid you in making a fashionable splash poolside or at the beach. The swimwear venture is a manifestation of loving travel and capturing street art, murals, and graffiti illustrations while globetrotting. Trunks.PatrickCooper.com.

T R E N D SE T T E R | L IFE + C ULTURE

The Shirt | Frank Sinatra would approve of this one. Let's sail away together to some cool exotic location. You may not have the yacht, but this cool frock by Phineas Cole at Paul Stuart will elevate your vibration. PaulStuart.com

5. The Cuff | Designer and artist Keisha Noel elegantly sprinkles raw diamonds and other precious stones in her collections to give you an unpredictable fashion edge. The Graffiti Ice Collection Leather Cuff is a stellar style addition to any arm. KZNoel.com

3. The Car | Are you ready to experience amazing? Lexus is constantly evolving and elevating the design experience with state-of-the-art automotive craftsmanship. Drop the top under sunny skies and cruise in the Lexus LC 500 Convertible Structural Blue Inspiration Series. Lexus.com

6. The Pajamas | Loungewear is extremely important for those who work and play even harder. Get cozy with Cosabella for People intimates collection uniquely created for body form rather than gender labels. Cosabella.com

JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

Transition to Greatness Keith Strickland and Making the Transition ARTICLE BY STEVIE PETERSEN

Keith Strickland stands on the same street he stood on years ago, this time as a business owner, a community resource, and a youth motivator. MANHOOD: MAKING WHAT WAS HURT, WHOLE. REPAIRING WHAT WAS BROKEN AND MINIMIZING THE DAMAGE DONE. Strickland’s definition of manhood is how he now lives his life. Before long, he was a teenager with lots of money, but riddled by constant lockups. An early release from Judge Dempsey and a chance encounter with former DA Paul Howard presented Strickland with an opportunity to become the man he always wanted to be. Although he was a drug dealer, Strickland gave money to local business owners and provided rent money to the single mother on the block; he just did not have access to the right tools. DOING BUSINESS WITH THE SAME GOVERNMENT THAT LOCKED HIM UP Judge Dempsey saw in Strickland that there was something bigger than the young man with a growing criminal record. He saw in Strickland the same thing Strickland saw in himself, the same thing he wrote in his journals—only Dempsey had the tools and the connections. Today, when youth make mistakes and find themselves in trouble, Strickland is called. He often identifies misguided hope or establishes hope where it was never created. He helps motivate these youth and guides them to navigate a new path. The most impactful thing Strickland does is actively listen to the youth to understand what that person wants for themselves and who they want to be so he can assist them in achieving their goal(s) without judgment versus forcing a decision on them. THE FUTURE OF BLACK MALES DOESN’T HAVE TO BE ENDANGERED To some, the future of the Black male seems bleak. Constant news cycles of violence, incarceration, and embracing what they should avoid has riddled the plight of the Black male with uncertainty, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

G IV IN G BAC K | L IFE + CULTURE

Through Strickland’s Making the Transition University, students (male and female) can enroll in courses that are tailored to their specific needs. Each candidate completes an assessment and creates a personalized course list. Courses include setting goals, planning a future life, where should you be, and anger management, to name a few. A certificate is awarded upon course completion. WHAT’S NEXT? Strickland is building a compound where he will provide a home for foster children. He wants to share his memoir (a book of journal entries) with each potential child to give them the opportunity to also choose him. IS THERE A DOCTOR ON BOARD? Strickland donned his doctorate cap and gown on May 7. WE ARE ALL THE ANSWER TO ONE PROBLEM Each person has a hidden talent, a service that they can share. To volunteer with Strickland or obtain an internship as an HBCU student studying Criminal Justice, Social Justice, or Psychology, contact info@makingthestride.org.

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IT IS BACK TO SCHOOL TIME BUT THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT! WHY? Because this year thousands of responsible adults are asking school systems to create programs to stop the f ighting in schools.

Join us! Be a part of positive change. Help protect the children. danapmclaurin@yahoo.com 770 892-4848

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JUNE 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / S O F U

The Impact of Rising Interest Rates on

Investing

ARTICLE BY ERIC WIMBUSH, CFA

M ON E Y M AT T E R S | FINANCE + LE GAL S E RVI CE S

It has been an interesting start to 2022. Market volatility and rising interest rates have wreaked havoc on the stock market and will continue to do so for most of 2022. Recent announcements by the Fed indicate a plan to be more aggressive in combating inflation. So, what does this mean for investors? We can expect a general market pullback, as the Fed interest rate policy will slow down a hot and growing economy. We have already seen a pullback in the equity market with the S&P index down approximately 13% YTD. The sector that has been affected most by the Fed’s announcements has been the technology sector, which can be seen in the NASDAQ index (down almost 20% YTD). The main reason is that technology companies are typically highly leveraged, and rising interest rates impact the cost of carry on that debt. While market pundits still debate how many interest rate hikes we will see and how large they will be, there is a consensus that interest rates will be significantly higher by the end of the year. From an investment perspective, this means that investors should be cautious in their strategies and do more research on the sectors that typically do well in a rising interest rate environment. Two of the primary sectors that benefit from a rising interest rate environment are energy (the only sector that is positive YTD at 37%) and financials. There are others to consider as well. The housing sector will be impacted negatively as the cost of purchasing a house becomes more expensive due to higher rates. Caution is the name of the game for investing in 2022 and the near term. Learn more at Seraphim Wealth Advisors Inc.

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