Thursday, September 6, 2018

Inventor, Innovative Fire Extinguisher That Works Without Toxic Chemicals

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Beverly Hills, CA  -- Unlike traditional fire extinguishers, the new and improved Knockout 360 Fire Extinguisher can stop small fires without messy cleanups. It contains no toxic chemicals or odors, making it particularly helpful for those with sensitivities. It uses a special technology to remove heat, so the area is immediately cool to the touch.

Historical Novel Tells Story of a Black Woman Living in the South After the Civil

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 Nationwide -- Inspired by the life of the author's great-great grandfather, The Twisted Crown takes readers from the bustling streets of Boston at the height of the Abolitionist movement to the war-ravaged landscape of Reconstruction-era South Carolina.



Lisa Nichols to Speak at Black Business Symposium in Charlotte

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 Charlotte, NC  -- Triad-based international hair care and cosmetic company, Dudley Beauty Corp, LLC, announced today that Lisa Nichols, a featured teacher in the Secret will be the keynote speaker at its EMS, Educational & Motivational Symposium, on Saturday, September 22 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, 8629 JM Keynes Drive.
 
 

Children's Book Finalist For Up For Global Award

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San Antonio, TX  -- My Father Said I Could, written by Anita McLaurin of San Antonio, Texas was nominated in April for a 2018 Author Academy Award, an honor bestowed for literary merit and publishing excellence in the writing and publishing industry. McLaurin is now among the top 10 finalists.

See The Power Behind The Superb Vitamin Supplement Company Rising In Southeast Queens

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A Superb Vitamin Supplement Company
Emerges In Southeast Queens




Interview with Dolores Hewlett, Owner of Regale Health, and Kamau Austin. 


Dolores Hewlett, is one of the brilliant and determined residents of Southeast Queens making big moves in business.  The innovative entrepreneur with a background in chemical and environmental engineering is taking an ambitious foray into the vitamin supplement business.

I touched bases with the visionary health concerned business woman to ask her about her promising company Regale Health.  Checkout this very inspiring and insightful interview.

Kamau: Can you tell us about your early life growing up and also about your hometown?  Where did you go to school?  Also please share some important pivot-able points in your life?

Dolores:  I had a very physically active and care-free childhood growing up on the western side of the island of Jamaica where I attended school up to the high school level. I know what it is to eat what we grow, and my family grew a wide variety of staples such as yams, rice, vegetables, peas and beans, roots such as turmeric and ginger and tropical fruits that were easily and readily accessible.

I loved helping my grandmother on the farm and of course reaping was much easier and more enjoyable than planting. No doubt this is where my desire for a natural, healthy lifestyle was shaped and has stuck with me right into adulthood.

I loved taking every opportunity to participate in physical activities which included netball, long jump, high jump, running, skipping, softball, and bicycle riding among others. I just always loved being physically active and enjoying the rugged outdoors. This continued into my college years where I played netball and hockey.

I love traveling and exploring the culture of others. I believe this is a great way of learning how more alike we are as human beings, rather than focusing on the obvious differences.

So for me, heading to Trinidad, for undergraduate studies and later The People’s Republic of China, for graduate studies were pivotal moments in my life (I studied chemical engineering and environmental engineering). Learning the customs, eating the foods, visiting the homes of natives and celebrating the holidays were all instrumental in furthering and strengthening my appreciation for the diversities and similarities that exist in our world.

Kamau: What inspired you to create a health supplement company?  How did you not only become health conscious but go the next step and want to create health products?

Dolores:  One of the first supplements I remember being given very early as a child was cod liver oil tablets (very horrible taste at the time). I didn’t know why nor the benefits to be had from it, but took it religiously every morning as it was given to me after breakfast.

After learning the benefits of cod liver oil later in life, I have no doubt that together with the eating natural and healthy, being physically active, absorbing the Omega-3 fatty acids from the cod liver oil tablets, I had a great foundation for a healthy life. My supplementation continued through my college years with primarily multivitamin and iron. Being a busy college student and not getting as much vitamins and minerals as I ought to from my diet all the time, supplementation was necessary for me to function well and study effectively. 

Having these first hand experiences of the benefits and importance of effective supplementation were really the driving force behind me creating the Regale Health brand knowing that others can benefit in the same way I did and continue to do. 


Kamau: Since it is rare for Black entrepreneurs to start vitamin supplement companies I would imagine it isn't an easy task to accomplish.  What were some of your challenges along the way and how did you overcome them?

Dolores:  We’ve come a far way and thankfully now have many opportunities available to us.  Thanks to those who have made sacrifices and laid the foundation for these opportunities, so that more of us can become entrepreneurs in whatever area we desire.

Like everything else that we strive for and go after in life, there will be challenges and we overcome them as best as we can knowing they are a part of the process -- and they are also helping to build character and will result in growth.  One of my very first challenges was finding a supplier that would provide what I wanted in terms of quality, transparency and cost, since we wanted our customers to have the best quality possible yet not overly expensive.

We conducted some in-depth research, had numerous correspondences, and after careful and detailed analysis decided on a manufacturer that we felt aligned with the mission and vision of our brand. We also had to do our own product research, and networking with others that had experience and knowledge helped a great deal. 


Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Black Entrepreneur Launching New Streaming Platform

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 New York, NY  -- With the ease of access to film and television shows online and streaming services on the rise this year, there are few markets in the field that have yet to be covered - but outlets exclusively for Black creators to call home still fall low on the Google search list. X On Demand seeks to change that.
 
 

Author's NY Times Bestseller Now Available in Paperback

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Nationwide  -- Nic Stone's New York Times bestselling DEAR MARTIN, the unforgettable story of high school senior Justyce McAllister and the emotional journey that will leave him questioning everything he knows, is now available in paperback (Ember / on sale September 4, 2018). This raw, hard-hitting, and honest look at American race relations was widely embraced by readers of all ages, and continues to captivate new fans coming to the book for the first time.


See Why It's Claimed The Tax Man Will Give Aretha Franklin Just A Little R-E-S-P-E-C-T

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With All Due R-E-S-P-E-C-T To
Aretha Franklin The Tax Man Cometh


Nationwide -- Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, is a legend that will never be forgotten. But with all due R-E-S-P-E-C-T, the IRS is probably singing with joy because she reportedly left no will when she died. Apparently, it seems she did nothing to shelter her assets from the Taxman.

"The IRS will eat 40 percent of Aretha's estate with the death tax," says celebrity tax advisor Jayson Thornton of Thornton Tax Firm.

But the Estate taxes could have been limited. Thornton says Franklin could have set up an estate plan with trusts to benefit any relatives and charities she chose, while leaving very little if anything to be taxed. "When Black celebrities die, their money normally goes to 4 places; family, friends, charity, and the Taxman," said Thornton.

Not settling up a trust that would have given Franklin's beneficiaries set amounts; they now have to fight over the Taxman's leftovers.

For 2018, the estate tax exemption is $5.6 million per individual. That means an individual can leave $5.6 million to heirs and pay no federal estate taxes. A married couple will be able to shield $11.2 million from federal estate taxes. Aretha Franklin died with a reported estate net worth of $80 million, which could end up paying almost $27 million in Federal Estate Taxes.


Monday, September 3, 2018

Checkout Tuesday Afternoon Movies @ Central – “Peril and Promise”

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From PBS – Examine growing Latino influence on American culture and the debate over undocumented immigrants.


“In Colors”: Celebrating the Colors of Music and Autumn with Charles Duke

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Charles Duke Smooth Music Soothes Southeast Queens With Love


Charles Duke is an award-winning singer, songwriter, composer and classically trained pianist residing in Harlem, NY. His music fuses soul, jazz, R&B, and pop styles with vivid lyrical imagery.


Inspired by the quiet storm ambience of Sade and the neo-soul movement of recent years, Charles’ music is one of melody and message. He is also a veteran and favorite of Culture Connection/Queens Library having performed here over half-dozen times in the past several years.


Puppet Friends From Taiwan

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Get a taste of Taiwanese culture as you meet and make friendly puppets! Learn how to design, manipulate, and make your own puppet to bring home.

NYPD Queens Community 5K Run & Walk

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The NYPD Queens Community is pleased to present the third annual 5K Run & Walk for peace in the community. Free registration at 8:00 am. The race begins at 9:00 am. All ages are welcome. 
  

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Black Teen's Popular Book Series Being Read in Classrooms

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Alpharetta, GA  -- Middle School Chronicles book series author, 16-year old Essynce Moore, is the first teen to have her books in schools as a mandatory reading and a part of some schools' curricula all around the world.

Essynce's books are becoming more and more popular with even teachers and students reaching out to Essynce in hopes to get her books in their classrooms and to have her visit their school to speak in-person to the students.

Laura Thomson, an 8th grade reading teacher from South Allegheny Middle School in Pennsylvania, called the Essynce Couture telephone line with her class, hoping that they would have a chance to speak directly with Essynce. Her mom~ager answered and advised that unfortunately Essynce was in school. However, when Ms. Thomson explained that she did a GoFund me campaign to raise enough money to be able to purchase the books for her class, her mom~ager Starr Barrett wanted to do something nice for the class.


12 Minority Experts Selected For Branding Accelerator Program

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Detroit, MI  -- Speakers Magazine Publisher and Public Relations Master Coach, Pam Perry, announced today the 12 emerging media celebrities who will work with her to transform the landscape of their communities as part of the first cohort of The Branding Accelerator Program.
 
 

Black Entrepreneur Selling 100% Human Hair Online

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Washington, DC  -- Jada Cummings, founder and CEO of Self-Glamour, is excited to announce her company's new website at SelfGlamourLLC.com - offering 100% double-stitched human hair, mink lashes, and edge control. The web site will soon also sell apparel.
 
 
 

Enjoy Life's Sweet Desserts with Marie's Heavenly Cakes

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Marie Bryant's "Gateau du Ciel" Makes Heavenly Cakes


Kamau Austin interviews Marie Bryant, owner of Gateau du Ciel.

I've been mesmerized at the amazing artful dessert creations of Marie Bryant, and her company Gateau du Ciel for a while nowMs. Bryant has a heavenly touch for making creative desserts and cakes especially for special occasions.  I recently interviewed the artisan cake designer about her sweet success.


Kamau: Marie can you tell us a little about your background and life growing up in Southeast Queens or your home town?  Can you also tell us about your early life?

Marie: I am originally from a village in Rockland County, called Spring Valley.  My family is of Haitian decent.  I have been living in the Southeast Queens for the past 8 years after getting married.

I grew up with my parents and my brother and sisters and have always loved the kitchen.  I enjoyed everything about food, cooking, watching and learning it from others.  I was fascinated by baking because I had a sweet tooth and I loved the science of recipes and what can be made with putting the right ingredients together.

I always wanted an Easy-bake oven but my parents couldn’t afford that for me. So every chance I could bake “for real”, I did.  Throughout my school years, I took every cooking class my school offered and I still have many of those recipes.

Kamau: What is the name of your company and services you offer in your business?

Marie: The name of my business is Gateau du Ciel (French for heavenly cakes).  Pronounced “Ga-toe-du-Si-yell”.  My business offers custom cakes, which means uniquely designed for your event.

Even if inspired by an already existing cake look, the tasting will be a satisfying experience.  My goal is to “elevate your sweet desire”.  And what that means is to open my clients mind to go past the usual and be creative in style and in flavor.  I not only create these cakes but I also make chocolate candy, desserts and treats to complete sweets tables.

Kamau: What inspired you to go into your present creative and special occasion cake  business?

Marie: There was also an artistic side of me that I could not ignore and I would nurture growing up.  When my siblings were watching cartoons, I was watching Julia Child and being mesmerized by Bob Ross on channel 13, Saturday mornings.

I mocked him in drawing beautiful pieces of art.  These habits developed a very creative mind and trained my taste buds, only to many years later marry and birth my now cake business.

My Pastor used by God and led by the Holy Spirit inspired me to go into my present creative and special occasion cake business.  He preached a message “Creation Waits for You” where he inspired me to the “business” aspect of caking.

He talked about what God gave us in our hands and how that was given to us as a gift to bless others...and bless us!  The first year of my church having a picnic and featuring a baking contest, I won.

I not only won the first year, I won the second year too, and that opened up more opportunities for me.  In all that baking, this creative edible habit was becoming very costly.  So in order to continue mastering my craft, I barely charged for an order and when I did it was to almost cover ingredients and supplies.

I then began to research the cake industry to learn of it even further and was introduced to Great Cake Artist from all over the world.  Social media became my schooling along with classes taken here and there.

I was fascinated by what the “ordinary cake” could be transferred to look like or become.   It allowed me to divorce the “basic” look for cakes and re-routed me to taking this delightful dessert and transforming it.

Kamau: What is the uniqueness in your business in contrast to similar cake and desert businesses in the area?

Marie: The uniqueness to what I offer is the pride I take to deliver my products.  I like for my creations to speak for themselves.  I believe in “we eat with our eyes first” and so it is important to me to create something catching and deceiving to the eye, leading to a curious drive of the taste buds only to be led into a satisfying quandary.

I applaud all other baking businesses.  I believe we are not competing but rather enhancing our community.