www.iamlaurendanielle.com
Hors D’oeurves
Chicken Drummettes
Homestyle Meatballs
Platters & Salads
Buffets or BBQ Picnics
Sea Trout or Catfish
Country Fried or BBQ
Zesty Herb Grilled Chicken
Hickory Smoked BBQ Spare Ribs
Events & Occasions, Outdoor BBQ’s and More or
If we never allow ourselves to experience the things that we imagine, we are not really living our lives according to what God purposed us for. To achieve the impossible requires fortitude and determination. You must also be willing to let go of somethings that you previously thought was a part of you. Letting go also means that we are growing in the direction that our destiny is pointed.
What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?
A dream is just a dream until action is applied. That is the moment of which a dream grows its wings and takes flight. I might say that I would like to lose 40 pounds of body weight this year, but if I never do anything that relates to getting me to that goal, then all I am doing is talking to myself. To lose 40 pounds of body weight would require for me to change the way I eat, I would have to exercise, and develop an attitude of someone who wants to be 40 pounds lighter. It would require for me to apply action to my goal or dream.
In 2020, I have decided not to make a lot of resolutions. To be honest many of the ones that I set last year, I didn’t reach. Instead, I believe that if I attempt to live a more positive lifestyle, there will be little or no room for negativity. In terms of being positive, the things that seem impossible I am going to approach with a possible mindset. Doors that may look closed, I am going to knock on them anyway with expectation. They have to open.
I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.
The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.
The most important action that we can make this year requires no action at all. To get to where we are dreaming to go, we must allow God to lead us. Life has proven that the navigational system created by man is full of flaws and will all too often lead us to a dead end. If we just sit still and be patient, and trust God to work for us, every dream that we ever had will become a reality.
All that matters is what God has planned for our lives. If we dream it and give it back to God, we are then living a truly a purposed life.
Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.
Terry L. Watson
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Information and Photos Provided By
Stephanie Williams
Eyebrow expert/serial entrepreneur, and founder, Stephanie Williams, created BrowZnAround Eyebrow Studio + Spa to be a different kind of esthetics experience. It was her dream to create the luxury atmosphere of a spa while keeping her services affordable and accessible. BrowZnAround is changing the game for brow sculpting and permanent cosmetics in the Triangle.
With more than 16 years of experience in the industry, Stephanie is a licensed esthetician by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Arts, and is also a Board Certified Esthetician in Bloodborne Pathogens (OSHA) and Micropigmentation. She has trained extensively in advanced permanent makeup techniques with internationally renowned instructor, Terry Lively, at the Esthetics Academy of South Texas, along with having worked in the salon of Hollywood brows guru, Anastasia Soare, founder of the popular makeup brand Anastasia Beverly Hills.
BrowZnAround offers a comprehensive menu of services with care and expertise provided by licensed estheticians with specialized training in shaping beautiful, natural eyebrows. With over 10 years of proven success, BrowZnAround has gained brand recognition among a clientele of diverse women and men who are looking for luxury, affordable beauty services.
With over thirteen years of industry experience, Stephanie has built her reputation as a skilled, detailed professional that exceeds expectations and creates a memorable service experience for her guests. Permanent makeup is a highly specialized practice requiring an astute eye for color, dexterity, and mastery of the art. Stephanie has performed well over 1,000 procedures making her an extremely skilled expert in her craft. Her work has been featured on the television show, My Carolina Today, ABC 11, Sheen Magazine and various publications, and at several events.
Beyond the studio, Stephanie is frequently involved in community organizations that nurture the creativity of other young professionals, along with organizations that support causes that are near and dear to her such as breast cancer awareness, alopecia, and epilepsy. Epilepsy is especially close to her heart as her oldest son lives with epilepsy. Stephanie is also the founder of her own non-profit organization, BrowZn Around 4 A Cure. This organization sponsors a yearly Pink Ribbon Fundraiser to raise funds to support a local organization that fights breast cancer and raises awareness.
By Dawn Cauthen Thornton
by Katrina Wize Artrophogy
Tanika Dean is as humble as they come and her ultimate goal is to help others as often as she can. She is a visionary who understands the everyday struggles of juggling multiple responsibilities. For years she has managed to operate two child care facilities, serve as co-auxiliary instructor of Golden Delight for NC A&T marching band, serve her local community in various ways, mentor emerging entrepreneurs, and pose a role model for young girls learning dance through her performing arts studio, Twirling Divas.
Twirling Divas allows its students to take a variety of movement classes, including tumbling, liturgical dance, hip hop, flag/ ribbon/baton twirling and a host of other skills and activities for one price. Over the years, her dance company has accumulated an enormous number of items left over from the countless shows she has produced since her studio doors opened almost a decade ago. Soon, they’ll be utilized in wonderful ways.
Dean has lived a life of giving; finding it more rewarding to give than to receive. She has worked to help many individuals overcome struggles in a quest to reach their full potential. She believes that meeting a need is more than just giving or doing; it’s about serving others with compassion, dignity, and doing so with reasonable rates so that the majority can participate. These principles are the basis for which each organization Dean owns operates. Affordable, high quality services with compassion at every level. This year, Trendy Dancewear, a new business venture of Dean’s will carry out her business philosophy.
“I make a lot of the students’ costumes and I purchase extra material, extra shoes, tights, leotards, and everything they need. So, I have a whole stockroom full of items,” Dean explains. In years past, she would either donate the items to another studio or sell them at an extremely low price so that parents weren’t forced to spend so much out of pocket.
With the abundance of items and her innovative mind, it makes perfect sense to put them all to good use. Beginning in January, Dean will open the doors to her motion-wear boutique, Trendy Dancewear, serving those who participate in dance, cheer, and gymnastics and would like to purchase costumes at a lower cost. She will also offer studios the opportunity to order brand new costumes, leotards, tights, dance shoes, and hair accessories at wholesale, with little mark-up, a much different practice than many other retail stores. Sometimes the cost of these items alone have left students unable to participate. Dean doesn’t want that to be the issues for any students in the performing arts.
In the past, Dean has assisted parents when they want to trade costumes with each other since they tend to get minimal use out of them. Now, Trendy Dancewear will host an official ‘Swap Meet’ where parents can trade items of different sizes and styles for what they currently need.
“It’s about giving back and helping the community,” says Dean. “My goal isn’t to make a huge profit off of this. And what money I do make will be invested right back into the students,” she says.
As a parent, herself, she knows how important it is to find quality and affordable goods and services. Her daughter, a third-year college student majoring in history and political science and minoring in leadership, grew up in the dance studio, and her son, who started at the Educational Playtime Too Inc. as in infant, is so familiar with it that he can operate it just about as smoothly as his mother can. Don’t be surprised if you find him taking orders when the store opens or sorting merchandise when it’s delivered.
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Trendy Dancewear will also offer onsite custom printing and design and custom embroidery services. Because Dean is such an advocate of entrepreneurship and a mentor to so many, this is another path she’s helping pave for a business owner to offer their clients a service that can be difficult to find. These two services will not only be offered to her customers but will be available to anyone who needs it. YOUnique Designs and Deans Custom Apparel will be available within Trendy Dancewear also.
To prepare for her grand opening, Dean and her team have been feverishly reconstructing the workroom and designing the boutique from floor to ceiling. She has proudly obtained all necessary licensing and is putting the finishing touches on her website and social media site for online ordering.
Her parents have volunteered to run the store during its Saturday-only hours. When asked about her passion for helping others find their happy, the former dancer doesn’t hesitate in explaining who her main influences were.
“As a kid, there was a man who resided on the eastside of Greensboro named Mr. Bright. He ran a program called AYD where he offered dance, step team, baton twirling, dirt bike racing, and all types of things. It kept the kids together and out of trouble. And then my passion for children, I learned over the years, came from my great-grandmother who had an in-home daycare on Benbow Road. She used to keep the children of professors who worked at A&T.” So, Dean has impressively filled the shoes of those who unknowingly mentored her through the years and continues to blaze a trail that others can follow.
The pages would be endless if this story mentioned all that Tanika Dean does for her friends, family, and even strangers who are referred to her. From the weddings to the baby showers that she lends her time, resources, and talent to, God notices. And when you’re blessed by the most high, you take pride in quietly blessing others.
Gooden Kishmon Services
By Terry L. Watson
by Kishka Gooden
Kishka Gooden of Richmond, Va. describes herself as a unique person. She is married and a mother of two children. She was born in Denver, Colorado and moved to North Carolina when she was three years old. She attended North Carolina Central University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. “Back then I had high hopes of becoming a Probation Officer but God had other plans for me,” she says.
Later, she would receive her Master of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. Her husband is retired from the US. Navy and currently works as a Probation Officer. She is also very family oriented and was raised in a close knit family. “Everyone that knows me know that family is very important to me and I consider my close friends as family,” she says.
Kishka loves giving back to the community and helping those in need. She pours this same love into her business, Kishmon Services, LLC. With her venture, she provides administrative support to other small businesses. She is also a Notary Public, Travel Agent, and completes photo inspections for Insurance Companies. She also has a blog called, The Diary of the Hustle Queen, where she interviews entrepreneurs on their transition from corporate America. She recently became the secretary for the Board of Directors for the 501(3) c nonprofit, United Vision.
Kishmon Services began in accordance with Kisha’s lifestyle. “I have always been organized, so family and friends would come to me to help with travel or just random things needed. In 2013, I was looking for part-time work while my oldest was away for the summer. One day, I was on the phone with a friend who has a cleaning business and mentioned I was looking for work. He told me he needed someone to help with an administrative task and I jumped on the offer. I was able to make money from home and set my own schedule. At first I was not familiar with starting my own business so I just worked under my own name as a contractor for him. Then in 2015, I opened my first LLC and started marketing myself for more clients. I also started another business that focused on travel and was doing very well handling working full-time, family, and my businesses. In 2017, I got married and welcomed my second child and I stepped away from it all to focus on my growing family,” she says.
On March, 8th, 2019 she decided to leave her job of over five years at the Insurance Company and work for herself. She started a new LLC and had a new vision and jumped with both feet in the water. “I initially started with all types of services but over time, I knew I couldn’t do it all, so I cut back and decided to stick with a few services,” she says. In 2019, she rented out her first rental property with the help of a management company. She called herself the “hustle queen” since she had so much going.
Being an entrepreneur has its perks. “I love the freedom it has allowed me. When I was at my job, I suffered from anxiety and migraines. I decided to put myself and my health first. With the support of my husband, I was able to make that change in my life. I love being available for my family if they need something and spending lots of time with my busy, two year old as well. I am home everyday when my 12 year old comes from school and I can make dinner at a decent time. I can take off if needed and don’t have to report to anyone but myself,” she says.
She is inspired by successful entrepreneurs that have come before her. “I love hearing stories of how they made it and it keeps me going. I am also inspired by my children. I want to teach them that there is more out there than working for someone else. I want to build a legacy for them that includes financial freedom and independence,” Kishka shares.
By Terry L. Watson
Danielle
Lauren Danielle of Atlanta, Ga describes herself as divine love. She is a healer, teacher, supporter, friend, and free spirit. Yet, a combination of all of these are what makes up her business, SOulDIVINE Wellness & Creations.
“I am passionate about the greater expansion of relationships, healing, and businesses in the black community,” she says. SOulDIVINE Wellness & Creations offers services and products dedicated to holistically supporting one’s journey to well-being. They are designed to elevate someone’s the mind-body-spirit. The therapy services they offer are Yoga, Reiki, Vibrational Sound Therapy, Vaginal Steaming, and Detox therapy. Their products available are copper wire jewelry, waistbeads, herbal pads, and smudgesticks.
Originally from Virginia, the path taken for Lauren hasn’t always been pleasant. She shares that 2019 was a rough year for her. Not one to settle, she knew she had to do something about it and so in October 2019, she took a huge leap of faith and randomly moved to Atlanta with just her clothes, therapy tools, and her dream. It was the best decision she could have made.
She says her business was birthed after her own personal journey to well-being. “I was on a path to a deep depression. I was so unhappy with my life. I was at rock bottom. I knew something had to change so I decided to do something about it and so I began my journey by going to yoga classes everyday. This practice allowed me to find myself and my life shifted for the better. I eventually realized I was operating in my purpose and needed to share this healing with others,” she says.
Lauren has always had a heart of service and jumps at each opportunity to help others. “I love that I’m fulfilling my soul purpose,” she says.
SOulDIVINE Wellness & Creations is sort a like a diamond in the rough, but Lauren is working diligently to making her brand more visible. This doesn’t come without challenges. “I feel as though, if you aren’t a person of high influence then you have to work ten times harder to make the value of what you do known,” she shares. “Finances are another challenge for me. When you don’t have the financial means to support you or your business, It can sometimes by discouraging. However, I believe my challenges are fuel for my greatness.
Lauren says she is inspired mostly be people who are living in their true purpose. “What truly moves me is knowing the pleasures of life is available to us all. I encourage everyone to enjoy life to the fullest,” she says.
She also credits her mother for being a constant source of support. “She has impacted my life in all aspects and has literally had my back since I began my journey, from the beginning, the middle, and now. I am excited about the opportunity to pour back into her as much as she poured into me.”
Moving forward, Lauren plans to continue to seek opportunities to heal herself while supporting others. She is co-creating an event with MMM Fit Club titled, Atlanta Beads of Love: Re-Connecting The Dots of Black Love. It will take place on February 14th. “I would love to establish a brick and mortar in Atlanta and then across the nation. I plan to travel the world sharing this gift of what I call holisti-care, encouraging people to live healthier lives,” she says.
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Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises
By Terry L. Watson
Sasha A. Ridley of Chesapeake, VA is a devoted mother, multifaceted business woman, purpose pusher, and creative thinker. She is also extremely empathetic.
By the sounds of it, Sasha lives a pretty simple life. She loves meeting and connecting with new people from all backgrounds and vantage points. Even more, she believes the best way to view life is from the perspective of another person.
Life hasn’t always been easy for Sasha but she has proven and battle tested. She has faced being homeless three times within the last four years, all while battling depression and anxiety. “I felt as if I didn’t belong. I have adjusted by learning how to shift my focus and to slow myself down and reconnect with my faith. Searching for the lesson in the situations rather than focus more on trying to move on to the next survival shift was the game changer which helped me to become the change agent in my own life,” she shares. “Realizing and owning the role I played in each and every situation allowed me to be able to connect and be of value to others”.
Within her circle of friends and family, Sasha is the one everyone seeks for questions and advice. Even though she may be the youngest in most cases, she is still the go to and describes herself as the “baby in charge”.
Currently she operates as a certified Relationship Life Coach with Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises and Heart To Heart Consulting. Coach Sasha works with those who are looking to overcome debilitating fears in regards to vulnerability, communication and adversities that may limit one’s ability to establish personal and professional relationships. She is also a transformation speaker and author, and has published her first book, The Relational Mindset How to Heal and Build Healthy Relationships, which is a take action memoir.
“Writing my memoir offered me freedom and healing. The book has also helped others take a closer look at their life and the toxic things they are allowing or have allowed in past relationships. Furthermore, being able to speak on these topics and my mirror confidence method allows me to take my one on one coaching model into a group atmosphere,” she shares.
Sasha has over eight years of management, customer relations, coaching, marketing, and development experience; skills that she utilizes to assist her with Heart to Heart Consulting. “I am committed to serving those individuals who are ready to put forth action to uncover their who, why, and how and shift their mindset of lack and self-sabotage in order to start their business,” she says. “It is my ultimate desire to equip today’s business owners with the tools and strategies to realize their financial worth, and help them with building an unmatched brand and to dominate their market. I want to help others find their purpose as a person outside of their brand.”
Sasha began working as an Executive Assistant with a non profit organization. After two years there, she went on to work as an Telecommunications Officer with the area police department, a move that spanned four years. Due to a family illness, she terminated her employment with the police department and jumped into full-time entrepreneurship so that she would have more flexibility. Both opportunities played a role in helping her to launch Heart to Heart Consulting, and helped her with establishing client relationships. “Working with many different companies over the years I began to see things that challenged my morals. I knew I had to fully invest in Heart to Heart and give the people something different. I also realized that starting a business was a big investment and required a lot of trust. Clients chose me because they trust that I will offer them solutions, and that is what Heart to Heart Consulting is all about. From my heart to yours,” Sasha explains.
Her desire to be a life coach had been a long time passion. She studied psychology at Virginia Union University and was always deeply intrigued by the cognitive development and thought process of a person and how it impacts behavior.
When the opportunity came to implement life coaching into her business, Sasha knew she had to be strategic and intentional about it. “It was important that I mastered the areas in which I was trying to advise someone else on. Vulnerability and being able to communicate with yourself is vital. You can’t expect to have an honest and authentic exchange with anyone if you are hiding from your own face in the mirror,” she says.
She finds the most joy as a Life Coach when her clients experience “the light bulb moment”. “A client called me once and was so excited about being able to use a method I used and taught them. When my clients are able to stand in their boldness and implement the practical tools and strategies they have learned in sessions with me, makes it all worth it,” she says.
Ironically, Sasha finds inspiration through many of the adversities she has faced. She is also inspired by her daughter. “When I was at some of the lowest and scariest moments of my life she was my beacon of light. We all want to leave a legacy behind as parents and our greatest legacy will be our children. My drive is to create a life that she wont have to recover from. As a single mom it is important to me that she knows that no matter who or what may come that I will always be in her corner,” she says.
She is also deeply inspired by watching others succeed despite the obstacles that are thrown at them. “Life can sometimes be tricky but mastering the odds is the ultimate magic trick,” she says.
www.wrightscareservices.com
204 Muir’s Chapel Rd Ste 305 Greensboro NC 27410
336-542-2884
523 Simpson Street Greensboro NC 27401 335-691-2450
Informatoin Provided By Wrights Care Services
Wrights Care Services, located at 523 Simpson Street in downtown Greensboro, celebrated its ten year anniversary and expansion to a second location with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on December 6, 2019.
Wrights Care Services is a full service, private group counseling practice that offers individual therapy to children, adults, and families. Individuals can also receive psychiatric medication management services led by our board certified psychiatrist and nurse practitioner. The practice is fully staffed with a competent and caring team of medical, clinical, and administrative staff to include psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists, and office support professionals.
Wrights Care Services was established in 2009 by Reketta Wright, a Licensed Professional Counselor, who states, “Our goal is to provide a safe and private atmosphere for emotional healing and transformation to occur. I feel that distress is all around us and having someone to share your most intimate feelings and concerns with face to face is crucial to one’s emotional well being. Our counseling values are driven by our care for people, ethics, and competency. With these core ingredients healing can occur.”
The expansion of Wrights Care Services occurred due to increasing clientele in the area. The practice serves children, adults, and geriatric populations. With the new location, individuals can have access to additional services. Wrights Care Services offers a variety of professional counseling services to include face to face and online, groups, and workshops to individuals and organizations needing support. The practice accepts most commercial insurances including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Medcost, Magellan, United Healthcare, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, and self pay. Office hours are from 8am-5pm with evening and weekend appointments available.
Photo by Still Shots Photography h
By Terry L. Watson
Jevertus Burnett wanted to bring the summit back and make it better than ever.
Burnett is the founder of The Black Wealth Summit, which will take place in two locations this year. Last year, more than 150 people came to the inaugural event, held in Spartanburg, S.C. In 2020, there will be two summits, the first from March 13-15 at Greenforest Baptist Church in Atlanta and the second at Spartanburg Community College April 3-4.
Burnett, who graduated from Savannah State, works as a financial advisor by day, but also helps others at night which birthed the concept of the Black Wealth Summit.
“During the day, I make sure I’m equipping clients with methods to move wealth efficiently and maintaining the integrity of their brand, elevating their profiles in the greater South Carolina committee,” Burnett said. “Off the clock, I want to make sure that people in the African-American and undeserved communities have some of those some resources.”
Burnett was raised in Norwood, G.A. and credited his upbringing for implementing his work ethic. “I was raised by a single mom with four kids and she only brought home about $600 a month,” Burnett said. “I was heavily acquainted with the word ‘no,’ so at a young age my brother and I started working — raking leaves, cutting grass, doing anything we can to help around the house.
“Every decision my older siblings did had my mom in mind. My brother had a basketball scholarship at Georgia Southern, but he left school and went to the military to send money home. My sister had a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta, but she worked full-time as well.” Growing up, Burnett said he wanted to get into the financial field. “I knew that money didn’t grow on trees, so I was inquisitive about it and wanted to learn everything I could,” Burnett said. “In the 10th grade, I was absolutely sure that was the field I wanted to go into — I didn’t know the different types of jobs, but I knew I wanted to be a part of one.”
Although Burnett learned plenty of lessons about money as a child and wanted to become a financial advisor, he didn’t set the best example starting out at Savannah State. “I messed up a lot of money,” Burnett said. “I was on a scholarship but lost it due to horrible decisions. I bought a house and lost it, ran up credit cards, was homeless for a couple of weeks and my credit was messed up. It got to a point where my sister said, ‘I’m concerned about you, but if you truly want my help you need to do something different.’ My Christmas gift from her my junior year of college was the ‘Crown Financial Ministries’ series and she told me I had to make better decisions with money if she was going to continue sending it to help me out.
“It was a combination of hitting rock bottom and having someone who cared about me get in my grill and tell me to do better. Therefore, I tell people they don’t have to be ashamed about where they are, but they have to be disciplined to get out of the situation.” As Burnett cleaned up his act, he also shared information at his school.
“My sister and her husband used to teach financial literacy and I started sharing information to my peers,” Burnett said. “My roommates were the first ones who sat down and went through everything with me. During my senior year, I spent my Christmas holiday and Spring Break helping her — she was a consumer credit counselor with United Way — I was later certified as a financial literacy coach, and I focused on the opportunities she gave me.
“After I graduated, I did more self-studies and I took a job at a school in Savannah, Ga, to coach basketball. Still, I was so passionate about business and the school didn’t have a program, so I wrote one out. The first year I taught health to the kids at the school, then the second year it was financial literacy. I thought that I would coach basketball in high school, then work to the college and NBA ranks before teaching finances, but God had a different plan for me to start so soon. I’ve been satisfied with everything that’s happened so far.”
Burnett said The Black Wealth Summit will have plenty to offer. “On Friday night, we’ll haven the networking event, highlighted by vendors and sponsors, which will also give people the opportunity to learn about black businesses in the areas,” Burnett said. “On Saturday, it will be full of workshops and seminars with sessions such as how to create a family bank, tax codes, real estate investing and branding sessions. Eugene Mitchell will be the keynote speaker at both events—he’s the author of ‘Closing the Racial Wealth Gap: Seven Untold Rules for Black Prosperity and Legacy’ and has helped lead a charge inside the black community.
“This summit is here to inspire entrepreneurs and team them up with people who have been there. If you have a vision and want it to come to life, it helps to have great examples to provide insight in an environment with an abundance of knowledge. We don’t want to be hoarders of that — instead, we want to be the epitome of lifting each other up as we strive for great achievements.”
The cost for The Black Wealth Summit is $49.95. For additional information, go to The Black Wealth Summit on Facebook.
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