Living Roots Magazine December/January 2011-12

Darius RuckerLoving the Lowcountry;Giving Back

Building the

Ascue Brand

Plus Kissy J Dolls, Utopia,

Business Tips and More

December/January 2011-12

1December/January 2011-12 | L iv ing Roots

Contents

SectionsSTYLEPunk Look ................................................................ 5Utopia ...................................................................... 6

THE VERGEMiddleton Made Knives ............................................ 7Kissy J Dolls ............................................................. 9

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENTWordSoundPower .................................................. 10Charlton Singleton .................................................. 12

CULTUREEyes Never Lie ....................................................... 16Vertamae Grosvenor .............................................. 18

MONEYAdvice on Starting Your Business ........................... 32Housing Market Woes ............................................ 34Car Shopping ......................................................... 36

THE VILLAGEKids and Money ..................................................... 38

HEALTHAfrican-Americans and Depression ........................ 39

CUISINERecipes .................................................................. 40

GIVING26 to Life ................................................................ 43

FLYMe as a Philanthropist .................................... 44

RISEAnother Reason Color Shouldnt Matter ......... 45

CITY SCENE2011 Debutante and Masters Commission ...... 47

Letter from the Editor .........................................2Contributors .......................................................3

FeaturesFamily Business .....................................................20Ascues Discover the Keys to Success

Darius Rucker .........................................................24A Sweet Tea-Drinking, Southern Gentleman

Fielding Home for Funerals ...................................28100 Years and Counting

20

THE COVERThe lead singer and guitarist for the Grammy-award winning rock band, Hootie & The Blowsh, Rucker has pushed on to garnering chart-topping platinum success as a solo country artist as well.

Photo courtesy of Jim Wright

9

47

24

STYLE

Add some spice to

your look by

going punk.

Punk has been

around for years

and, trust me, it is

here to stay. Give it

a try; heres how.

Hair: Try a FohawkThe word faux means fake in

French, so you dont have to shave

your sides. The models hair was

brushed up along the sides and

nape and gathered into a braid, then

a wavy hairpiece was added.

BY

AN

GIE

RA

VE

NE

L

Smokey Eyes

Smokey eyes were achieved by

using blue instead of black, which

can be more forgiving. To add more

punk to this look, add full, faux

lashes and pink lip color.

Makeup:

Clothes: LeatherLeather pants were slit and

combined with a form-fitting top to

show off the models curves.

D e ce mb e r / Ja n u a ry 2 0 11 -1 2 | L i v i n g R o o t s 5

Ph o to b y An g i e R a ve n e l

TH

E A

LTE

RN

ATIV

E


W IKIPEDIA denes blade smithing as the art of making knives, swords, daggers and other blades using a forge, ham-mer, anvil and other smithing tools. Although blade smithing is an ancient craft practiced for thousands

of years in China,

India, Germany, Korea and the Middle East, it is refreshing to know that a local African-American is per-fecting the art. Quintin Middleton, a 26-year-old craftsman, has been producing knives since 2003, display-ing his exceptional artistry and talent in each piece of cutlery. He believes every great chef needs a great knife at a great price. Living Roots spoke with Middleton about his knives and his inspiration. How did a young man from Alvin, S.C., become interested in making knives? I became interested in making knives when I was a little child. I liked watch-ing movies and cartoons like Conan the Barbarian and Thundercats. They had large swords.

How did you learn the art of blade smithing? I really learned how to make knives by trial and error and lots and lots of research. My mentor, Jason Knight, guided me in the right direction, but he told me that if he dragged me around, held my hand and showed me everything, I still wouldnt understand. He said I wouldnt be able to learn like that. In the beginning, I thought he was being mean and didnt want to teach me. Seven years later, I see that he was right. I had to learn the technique that works best for me. I had to hit some metal for myself.

Are any local chefs using Middleton Made Knives? Yes. My knives are being used in restaurants such as Cypress, The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, O-Ku, Fish, Muse and the Palmetto Cafe. They are available for sale at Charleston Cooks! on East Bay Street and at Whisk in Brooklyn, N.Y.

What is your dream for Middleton Made Knives? In 10 years, I hope to be doing this full-time. My dream is to open a fac-tory and employ people coming out of prison; it would be an opportunity to give them a second chance. Are there any changes you would like to see in the industry? I would like to see more things that are made in the United States. It would be nice to have products made here from a local blade smith, instead of so many that are imported from other countries. Any advice to others who want to follow in your footsteps? Let Jesus order your footsteps. Your passion creates quality. If you have a passion for something you love, the money really doesnt matter. As time passes, money will come and doors will open. So let your passion light your journey on the road to success.

For more information about Quintin Middleton and his handmade knives, visit his website, middletonmadeknives.com, or his Facebook page.

BY THERESA SPANN

THE VERGE

On The Cutting Edge

Quint in Middleton has been producing knives s ince 2003.

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16 Liv ing Roots | December/January 2011-12

CULTURE

AZ U R E E F U L M O R E Swriting career, once a hidden treasure of the Lowcountry, is no longer one of this areas

best-kept literary secrets. Writing under the name A.O. Fulmore, the

New Jersey native moved

to Goose Creek in 2007 and hasnt looked back. In addition to her published novel, Eyes Never Lie, she has written a play and poems. Fulmore sat down with Living Roots to talk about her rst book, a Christian-based novel about a young womans journey toward forgive-ness. She also discussed plans for her upcoming book, See Beyond What Your Eyes Can See, and how she envisions her writing career. Q: What inspired you to write Eyes Never Lie? A: The inspiration came from a poem. Poetry has always been a deep-rooted passion. While attend-ing Clark Atlanta University, I was positively exposed to a plethora of creative events and venues. Writing poetry was a great escape into the world of creativity. However, when I graduated from college, I moved back home and sank into depression as a result of an immense environ-mental change. Transitioning from an institution of higher learning with a continuum of intellectual stimulation to the uncertainty of my future was a hard pill to swallow. I was surrounded by my urban concrete jungle, and I

initially felt out of place. The opening scene in the book was the depiction of my environment when I returned home. As the poem progressed, a book evolved. After asking a friend to read the rst 19 pages, I was encour-aged to make something out of it, hence my rst book. Q: For those who dont know, what is Eyes Never Lie about? A: This book speaks to the essence of underlying problems within the family infrastructure. It teaches about forgiveness and reconciliation, which are often the root cause of turmoil within the family. Each character

endures a trial within a relationship and must ascertain how they achieve condence in moving forward with a clear heart. Trials and tribulations are inevitable, but when faced with circumstances where harboring bitterness, vengeance and malice are evident, you must clothe yourself with forgiveness, lest you succumb to their venom. No matter the trial, God will always give you warnings,

and these warnings are pertinent to the development of the story. You must to pay attention to the warn-ing signs. Warnings will come in the form of a dream or conversation, and they serve as a foreshadow to prevent dangerous situations. The book intentionally has char-acters that are named based on their true persona. This helps the reader personalize with the characters and see their lives mature. For example, the reader will discover that Virtue, the main character, reects a virtuous spirit that endures great hardships and pain. The reader grows with Virtue from her high school years into adulthood with the struggles of maintaining virtuosity when ad-dressed with molestation and death. However, the antagonist, Rue, is every mothers nightmare and often overlooked within relationships for the sake of having a man or warm body to come home to at night. All the other characters surround these two to help establish a story line that will develop into recognizing warn-ings and ultimately forgiving. Q: How did you go about publishing your book? A: I went to some major publish-ers, but, since I was a novice, they werent receptive. I thought about self-publishing, but that didnt work out. My ex-husband was talking to a friend of his who is a producer for ABC Studios about my book, and he referred me to his friend Germaine Miller, who was starting a publish-

BY M AYA H O L L I N S H E A D

Exploring Trials & ForgivenessEyes Never Lie

Azuree FulmoreAuthor

Pho

tos

Cou

rtesy

of A

zure

e Fu

lmor

e


ing company. As a result of divine connection, I was able to publish my rst book through Hope of Vision Publishing. It was truly a bless-ing, and thats how I got published. Q: How has the response been for Eyes Never Lie? A: The response has been great. Ive been invited to book clubs and requested to speak at youth engagements. With modern technol-ogy, I must admit, I have had a very good response. People often ask if there will be a sequel or if the book is based on my real life. Unfortunately, there will be no sequel, but I have another book that will come out soon. When I have been given feedback about the characters, so far there has been unanimous agree-ment: No one likes Rue. The good thing is, to form your own opinion, youd have to read the book. Q: Can you tell us about your new book, See Beyond What Your Eyes Can See? A: This book is a stark dierence from Eyes Never Lie. This is more adult focused and concentrates on the underlying reasoning for people com-ing to the church. Using the church as the foundation and building from

there, it demonstrates how each char-acter has issues. The characters are the everyday people you know and may even reect you. Eventually, no mat-ter the issue, something brings them

to the cross. Its only at the cross where you will be healed. This book deals with dualities and perceptions. People often try to convince you they are one way, but who are they really? This book has a more mature tone. My first book was written after I graduated from college, but this book was written as a result of my own personal tribulations that ignited my roots to grow deeper in

Christ. Marriage, divorce, being a single parent, working and provid-ing for two will cause you to see the world a little different. See Beyond What Your Eyes Can See deals with

secrets, submission, skeletons, rape, sexuality and several other elements people often hide because of people percep-tions. Everyone walks around with a veil hiding their true persona. You have to pay attention to the hidden details in a persons life, and then youll be able to see beyond what your eyes can see. Q: What is your vision as an author? A: My vision is to see all of my books become movies, and I believe its going to happen. I hope that my vision and gifts will bless the lives of millions. You cant receive a blessing without being a blessing to others. Im convinced my books will ignite people to break down the barriers of shame, embarrassment and fear. These characteristics house unforgive-ness and bitterness, which ultimately hinder blessings and growth physically, mentally and spiritually.

Copies of Eyes Never Lie can be purchased online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble (barne-sandnoble.com) and Hope of Vision Publishing (hopeofvisionpublishing.com).See Beyond Your Eyes Can See is expected to be released in January 2012 by Tate Publishing Company. You can email Fulmore at [email protected].

CULTURE


IF THERE IS SUCH A THING AS AN entrepreneurial gene, the Ascue family certainly has it pumping through their bloodline. From a long-standing Lowcountry family, siblings Timothy, Julius and Charlotte have founded three

thriving businesses. Growing up in Awendaw, S.C., they said they inherited their work ethic from their thrifty, hardworking parents. Today, they continue to pass down their business savvy to their children and grandchildren. Whether the economy thrives or dives, the Ascues prove that ingenuity, hard work and family values are the true keys to success.

FAMILY BUSINESS

story by Kristen Gehrman

photography byRichard Ellis

Whether the economy thrives or dives, the Ascues

prove that ingenuity, hard work and family values are

the true keys to success.


FEATURE

FAMILY BUSINESS

TIMOTHY ASCUE - FOUNDER OF ASCUES BODY SHOP Timothy Ascue founded his Mount Pleasant auto body shop with his brother Robert in 1968, amid the turmoil of the civil rights movement. He was just 21. It was not an easy task building a business then, Timothy said. Although we operated a quality repair and service business, it was extremely difcult to get banks to support us. I had to gain the condence of the customers. Timothy and his wife, Pearl, were no strangers to hard work and have cultivated a lifelong habit of fac-ing obstacles with optimism. Both hail from family-farm backgrounds Pearls father owned a large veg-etable farm in Mount Pleasant and Timothy grew up working the land in Awendaw. Undeterred by restrictions on African-Americans, they remained faithful to their family and hopeful in their business future. In the early 1970s, Timothy went before the city council ve times to request permits to expand his busi-ness. He was denied ve times, so he closed his rst location on Schemer Drive and opened a new store in the country, long before Mount Pleasant

became a commercial hub. Thanks to his clever knack for business, enthusi-asm for hard work and commitment to his family, Timothy grew his busi-ness from a small garage to a state-re-nowned collision repair shop special-izing in complicated insurance claims. Today, Ascues Auto Body and Collision Center still thrives with a loyal client base locals who have come to expect a warm family wel-come and excellent customer service. Timothy and Pearls son, Craig, now manages the shop. We consider our children a blessing for continuing the family tradition of working together in the business, said Timothy. Just like our parents taught us, we always tell them to put God rst, be consistent with good work ethics and give back to the community.

CRAIG ASCUE - OWNER AND MANAGER OF ASCUES BODY SHOP

When Timothy passed his 31-year-old body shop down to his son Craig in 1999, he ensured that the business would continue to bear the family name. Craig grew up around

the shop. He has seen it transform from the only commercial enterprise on Highway 17, except for a few farms, in 1975 to the long-established business it is today. My dad started me out sanding cars, Craig explained. Back then, we had to use newspaper because we couldnt afford the specialty paper. Nobody minded; we were the only shop in town. When Craig got older, he took an interest in marketing and attended South Carolina State University. He had no intention of taking over the family business, but, when his older brother, who worked at the shop with his father, was killed in a car accident in 1989, Craig knew that his family needed him more than ever. I learned that I have to be faith-ful to my family, said Craig. I have to endure, stay even and steady. I still nished school, but then I went home to work for my dad. It was a real low point for my parents. Throughout the years, Ascues Auto Body and Collision Center has transformed to meet the needs of todays market, moving from special-izing in custom paint jobs, which were more in vogue in the 70s and 80s, to quality repair and insurance claims in demand today. Welding, painting, detailing, tuneups, you name it Ascues team is trained and certied to do it. Craig has 10 employees, two of whom are members of his family, brother Tory and cousin Kevin. Working with your family is not much different from working with anybody else, said Craig. You still have rules and still have to get the job done. But it is nice spending time with them during the day. For exam-ple, I know that if I am stressed out, my uncle will take me for a drive. We all look out for each other.


JULIUS ASCUE - FOUNDER OF ASCUES ARTISTIC FLOORS

When Timothy and Robert Ascue worked in their uncle Lawrences body shop in New York years be-fore they started their own, younger brother Julius was right there in the garage with them. Since he was the most artistic of his brothers, his uncle trained him to tape cars for body work. One afternoon on his break, he wandered across the street to inves-tigate a man sanding oors with a curious machine. I was fascinated. I wanted to know how he got that oor so shiny like that, said Julius. I guess the man saw me staring at him and asked if I was interested in hardwood oors. Hed been looking for a young man to help with the equipment. Julius left his brothers shop at age 22 to learn the trade of hardwood ooring. Using his body taping skills to layout intricate patterns for wood stains, he mastered the art of check-erboard, herringbone and diamond designs. It wasnt long before he was recognized by nationally renowned interior designer Thomas Britt, who commissioned him to oor several

homes, one of which appeared in Architectural Digest. When I told my uncle and brothers that I was going to learn flooring, my uncle asked, Youd rather scrub peoples kitchens than work on a car? Julius laughed. But after a while, I got good at it, and he was really impressed with the work I was doing. Forty-eight years later, Julius has been honored by the National Wood Flooring Association as one of the countrys most innovative oor arti-sans. He is ready to pass his North Charleston business, Ascues Hard-wood Floors, to his oldest son, Rodney. Rodneys real good at manage-ment, and Im just about ready to retire, said Julius. His younger son, J.J., spends his summers away from college working in the showroom, and his wife, Ivy, takes care of bookkeeping.

CHARLOTTE JENKINS OWNER AND CHEF OF GULLAH CUISINE

When the Ascues were growing up in 1940s Awendaw, oldest sister Charlotte was always helping their mother in the kitchen. Mom fed

them a delicious diet of fresh vegeta-bles, home-raised chicken and pork, and Lowcountry shrimp and seafood all prepared in traditional Gullah style. Charlotte took over most of the cooking when she was only 9 because their mother was called away to care for a sick relative. Ever since, shes seasoned her life with soul food and family ties the two main ingredients in her restaurant, Gullah Cuisine. Before opening Gullah Cuisine, Charlotte managed payroll, wrote estimates and handled nances in her brothers body shop for 19 years. Meanwhile, she took evening classes at Johnson and Wales Culinary School, learning how to turn those old fam-ily recipes into a business. When she opened Gullah Cuisine in 1997, she had a whole bloodline of experienced entrepreneurs to offer advice. Mostly, my brothers were my guinea pigs. They would test the food and say yeah, this is good, said Charlotte. They never had any complaints. They liked pretty much everything. Today, Gullah Cuisine is a boom-ing restaurant on Highway 17, seat-ing 275 people. Tourists come from all over the country to taste authentic Gullah dishes; Charlestonians know Charlotte as the local matriarch of their ancestors culinary heritage. Even with the restaurants success, Charlotte still enjoys cooking for her family the most and she knows all of her brothers requests before they make them. Okra soup and stewed chicken for Timothy, oxtail for Julius, she crab soup for Robert and catsh for Esau. It all goes back to our mother, Charlotte explained. She taught us that over a family meal, a lot could be accomplished and any problem re-solved. I think she would be so proud of us, the way we have stayed so close to each other.

FEATURE

Liv ing Roots | December/January 2011-12 23


HIS CAREER has taken him around the globe, but regardless of how much fame and

success Darius Rucker attains, his heart remains in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. I can live anywhere in the world I want to, but my home is right here in Charleston, he said. So when someone asks if I have a house here, my answer is ... Its my only house. First gaining fame as the lead singer and guitarist for the Grammy-award-

winning rock band, Hootie & The Blowsh, Rucker has pushed on to garnering chart-topping platinum success as a solo country artist as well. Hootie & The Blowsh broke into the mainstream in 1994 with their album Cracked Rear View. Featuring smash hits such as, Hold My Hand, Time, Let Her Cry and Only Wanna to Be With You, the groups bluesy sound, accented by Ruckers deep, baritone voice, caught the attention of listeners on both sides of the Atlantic. Cracked Rear View quickly rose to No.1, selling more than 16 million copies, and achieved

diamond status both in the United States and in the United Kingdom. Thats quite impressive for a local bar band, but Rucker has evolved well beyond his status as the face of Hootie & the Blowsh. He has made a name for himself as the rst African-American to reach the top of the country charts since Charley Pride in 1988. His debut country album, Learn to Live, went platinum, while the single, Dont Think I Dont Think About It, maintained a place on the Billboard Top 20 and eventually hit No. 1 on the country charts. Two other singles from the album,

A SWEET TEA-DRINKING, SOUTHERN GENTLEMANstory by Kristen Wright-Matthews

photography courtesy of Jim Wright

Darius Rucker


FEATURE

It Wont Be Like This For Long and Alright, also advanced to No. 1, making Rucker the rst country music singer to reach the top with his rst three singles since Wynona Judd in 1992. The album gained the attention of critics and earned him two Country Music Association award nominations. He was named New Artist of The Year at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards, and he also earned nominations from the Academy of Country Music, Teen Choice and the American Music Awards. Ruckers pride in being from the Holy City is manifested in his follow-up album, Charleston, SC 1966. He paid tribute to the city and to longtime friend and country music idol Radney Foster, whose 1992 album, Del Rio,

TX 1959, was a light switch for Rucker, turning him on to a dierent way to hear music and inspiring him to cross over from pop to country. Radney and I have been friends for years, but, whenever Im around him, I still feel like that 22-year-old kid who just wants to hear him sing, he said about his friend, who was one half of Foster & Lloyd, a hit country duo of the 1980s and 1990s. Charleston, SC 1966 debuted at the top of the country album charts in October 2010. Produced by Frank Rogers, it includes Ruckers fastest-rising single, Come Back Song, a multiple-week No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart, and This, which also topped both the Billboard and MediaBase country singles charts. His current single on his Recording Industry Association of America-certied gold album, I Got Nothin, landed him a nomination for a 2011 Country Music Television award for Performance of the Year, based on his collaboration with Adele on the 2010 CMT Artists of the Year special. While the South Carolina native is now singing a dierent tune, his success hasnt changed him. As he said of himself in his song titled Southern State of Mind, No matter where I go, Im a sweet tea-drinking, well-mannered Southern gentleman. He continues to be a laid-back, friendly gentleman who radiates through the television screen and whose warm, melodic sentiment oozes across the radio airwaves. Rucker is a genuinely nice guy, which he attributes to his Charleston roots. Theres no city in the

world like this place and nowhere have I traveled where the people are nicer, he said. Rucker was raised by a single mother and graduated from Middleton High School in Charleston. Smiling, he describes his typical Southern African-American upbringing. We spent a lot of time in church, he explained. Rucker, a hands-on philanthropist, learned to give back to his community long before he was able to make a major nancial impact. I think my interest in helping people just comes from being born and raised here. When I was younger, it wasnt like I saw my family giving money to people. There was a woman who lived down the street from us, and her husband was in the military. I saw my brother down there cutting her grass every week. When people were sick, my mother was cooking meals and taking them


FEATURE

over to their homes, he continued. So when I got to a point where I could give of myself with money and my time, it was a no-brainer for me. You can actually see the good things you do, and I like that feeling. A proud and loving father of three, Rucker devotes much of his time to securing a better life for children besides his own. He is involved with nationwide as well as local charities. Starting with The Hootie & The Blowsh Foundation, he has always stayed true to his roots, paying it forward to the community whenever possible. The Foundation, developed in Charleston, benets the children of South Carolina through education and by supporting school music programs nationwide, and it has made an indelible mark on the lives of teachers and students in the Lowcountry with its Homegrown Tour. When we started the Homegrown Tour, we sat down with some teachers and we asked them what was the most important thing they needed that we could give to them, and they all said school supplies, Rucker related. It was a shocker to us, but it was easy enough to get. The most recent show, held in Charleston in August, brought in eight buses full of school supplies, and events surrounding the show provided dental checkups, haircuts, shoes and backpacks for local students. Its an amazing thing to see, said Rucker. I love being a part of something so powerful. He also is a major supporter of St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital

in Memphis, Pattisons Academy in Charleston and the MUSC Childrens Hospital. Pattisons Academy, a charter school for children with multiple disabilities, provides a comprehensive education program that integrates educational curricula with functional rehabilitation instruction to maximize the potential and well-being of its children. This school is very close to my heart, and I do what I can to help to keep their doors open, Rucker said. Rucker is anticipating performing at the fourth installment of the Big Band Show in February, where he will sing

the songs of Frank Sinatra, conducted by Peter Graves, who also conducted for Sinatra. A major fundraiser for the MUSC Childrens Hospital, the show,

last presented in 2008, typically raises around $100,000. I am looking forward to doing this show again and just being able to perform at home for such a worthy cause, said Rucker. He and his wife, Beth, serve on the Childrens Hospital Advisory Board, and both are committed to helping generate funds for the medical facility. A committed father and husband who has broken down barriers and preconceptions that others might have avoided, Rucker uses his talent to help others. He knows where he came from, and he knows where he is going. I feel like I am right where my career and my life are supposed to be, he remarked. And were proud to call him our own.

Fans may be interested to know: LR: Why did you start singing country? DR: I always loved country music, even as a child, and I knew that I would make a country record someday. When I would listen to country, folks would ask my mom why. Shed say, Leave him alone. He can listen to anything he wants to. The members of Hootie probably always knew, too.

LR: Where is your favorite place to travel? DR: There is no place like home for me, and, when I am not working, it is hard to leave because I am away so much and I love the city so much. If the wife wants to go somewhere, Ill go, but, if you ask me, I always want to go home when I am not working. When that plane lands or when the bus pulls in, I feel like I am at home.

LR: Will you go back to being the frontman for Hootie? DR: We are still together. I am sure that we will do another record and another tour sometime, but well talk soon. Right now I am doing country every day, and I am happy where I am.


FIELDING HOME for Funerals, one of Charlestons oldest and most prominent businesses, will celebrate a century of

excellence next year. Founded by Julius P.L. Fielding in 1912, the funeral home and its

proprietors still stand

firm as pillars in the community. At the privately-held, family-owned business, three generations of Fieldings have strived to fulfill the companys longstanding motto: He profits most who serves best! Thousands of Lowcountry families who have relied on Fielding Home for Funerals to lay their loved ones to rest agree.

A downtown Charleston native, Julius P.L. Fielding was born on July 22, 1896, and grew up on Tradd Street, where the future entrepreneur helped his father run a horse-drawn delivery business from their backyard. After his fathers death, his mother, Mrs. Felicia Fielding Goodwin, an ardent community activist and

one of the founders of the Coming

Street YWCA, remarried, and Fielding worked in his stepfathers barbershop. He attended Avery Normal Institute

and Colored Normal

Industrial Agricultural

and Mechanical College of South

Carolina, now South Carolina State University.

He furthered his education at

100

FIELDING HOME FOR FUNERALS AT YOUR SERVICE

BY KRISTEN WRIGHT-MAT THE WS

and Counting:

YEARS

Jul ius P.L . Fie lding



FEATURE

the Renouard Training School for Embalmers in New York, and, when he returned home, he opened the funeral home with the encouragement and support of his mother and stepfather. In fact, it was in their home at the corner of King and Queen streets that the legacy began. A large sign outside read Julius P.L. Fielding, Undertaker and Embalmer. Back then, they made the caskets in the garage and my grandmomma lined them and made the flowers, said Herbert U. Fielding, 88, funeral director, first vice president and director of operations and the eldest of two surviving second-generation Fieldings. Herbert is a retired South Carolina state representative and senator, who in 1970 became the rst African-American to be elected to the state

Legislature since Reconstruction. A World War II veteran, he served as chairperson of the Legislatures black caucus. Herbert graduated from West Virginia State University and attended the Renouard Training School for Embalmers, as his father did. He joined the rm full-time in 1948.

In 1916, Julius married Sadie E. Gaillard, and they moved with the business to 61 Logan St., at the corner of Short Street. This is where the two would start their family. They had six children: Emily, Timothy, Herbert, Bernard, Julius and Dorothy. The Fieldings also fostered a son, Oscar, whose son, Everard O. Rutledge, Ph.D., now serves as chairman of the board of directors for Fielding Home for Funerals. In 1928, the family moved two blocks away to 122 Logan St., the location of their present downtown chapel. Built in the late 1700s, it is still a stately mansion in the center of Charlestons most celebrated historic district. For two generations, it served as the familys home and as the funeral home. Like many businesses of the time, Fielding Home for Funerals was affected by The Great Depression. Julius responded by developing a barter system, furnishing complete funeral services in exchange for a promise to pay in installments of farm products such as eggs, chicken, pork, beef and vegetables. The business prospered, and he was able to employ additional embalmers and a well-rounded staff. Together, they developed a reputation of service above self, and the company took an oath that every family would be served, regardless of social or

financial circumstances. It is with this commitment and compassion that the Fieldings have been able to

elevate their business into an extraordinary institution

known for reliable, professional

service. Julius Fielding was well-known throughout South Carolina and the United States, in part because of his involvement

in organizing the group

formerly called The Colored

Funeral Directors and Embalmers

Association of South Carolina later changed to

the South Carolina Morticians Association in the early 1960s by his son, Bernard. He remained in the business until he succumbed to leukemia in 1938. His wife, Sadie, died of breast cancer the same year. The business continued to grow even after Julius death, even though his will decreed that the business be sold and the proceeds distributed among his children. According to Bernard Fielding, 79, funeral director, president and general manager and the youngest surviving son of Julius and Sadie, Two very wise black men in the year 1938 took that provision in his will as ordering that the company be sold to a corporation named Fielding Home for Funerals. A majority of the stock was distributed among the four surviving children, with a few shares going to existing employees: Charles C. Mason, a funeral director, and


Herbert U. Fielding

Sadie E . G ai l lard


FEATURE

Fred C. Brown, a licensed embalmer. Both dedicated more than 50 years of their lives to the company, and both were among the first 20 funeral directors licensed in the state of South Carolina. Bernard R. Fielding, who has practiced law in Charleston for 50 years and was the first African-American elected to the Charleston County Probate Court, served as an associate probate judge for 14 years and an elected probate judge for four years. He earned a bachelors degree from Hampton University and his law degree at the Boston University School of Law. He has served as president and chief executive officer of Fielding Home for Funerals since 1984. We were all minors, Bernard said.

Emily was only 18 years old when my parents passed, and I think it was ingenious that these two men had the business acumen to construe this. The brains behind the acquisition were Julius Fieldings friends, advisors and trustees under his will, Dr. John Allen McFall, owner of McFalls Pharmacy, and James H. Rodolph, a prominent real estate agent. McFall and Rodolph ran the corporation until the early 1940s, when Emily assumed the responsibilities of company president and guardianship of her three younger brothers. Timothy succeeded Emily after her death in 1975 and served until he passed in 1982. Currently, under the leadership of Herbert and Bernard, the company is staffed with experienced professionals, trained in all areas of the funeral business and together boasting a total of more than 400 years of experience in

funeral services. They include third generation Fieldings, among them Timothys son Mark and Herberts sons Julius and Frederick. Many of our staff members have been here for so long, said Herbert.

They may not be related by blood, but so many of them have been with us for so long that they are just like our family. The leadership of the company has changed hands several times over the years. The buildings have been renovated, and funeral practices have changed. Today, technology plays a major role in funeral planning, and Charleston has developed substantially from the days when Julius Fielding served the nearby islands by ferry. However, the integrity and extraordinary service provided by Fielding Home for Funerals has remained constant. Its employees are passionate about replacing doubt and confusion with care and certainty. We have served the public with trust, honesty and capability for 100 years, and we hope that the business will be here for 100 more, said Bernard.

I am proud of the fact that we have been able to maintain the same standards that were established by our father 100 years ago, said Herbert. Julius certainly must be looking down with great pride and contentment.

In addition to the downtown chapel, Fielding Home

for Funerals has two other locations: 2704 Meeting Street Road in North Charleston, and 7173 Highway 162 in Hollywood. For more information on Fielding Home for Funerals, visit www.fieldingfuneral.com.


Bernard Fielding

Frederick Fielding Mark Fielding

presents

Steps for the FutureJoin Fielding Home for Funerals as we celebrate 100 years of service at a community appreciation workshop. Local experts will teach you simple steps to prepare your family for the future. Workshops include: LIVING DOCUMENTS Learn why you need these documents. Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for Health Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for Business Last Will and Testament HEIRS PROPERTY RIGHTS Do you have a family tree? Does your family record births, deaths and marriages? What happens to property when someone dies without a will? ORGANIZING FAMILY RECORDS Do you have a list of your bank accounts, property, insurance policies and other important documents?

January 11, 2012 6:00 p.m. St. Luke AME Church 7113 S.C. Highway 162 Hollywood, SC 29449 March 8, 2012 6:00 p.m. Morris Brown AME Church 13 Morris Street Charleston, SC 29403

May 22, 2012 7:00 p.m. First Baptist Church of James Island 1110 Camp Road Charleston, SC 29412 For additional information, call Barbara Johnson at 843.722.3348.

Celebrating 100 Years! 1912 2012

Fielding Home for Funerals

122 Logan Street Charleston, SC 29401

843.722.3348

Select a location near you:


Advice on Starting Your Business: KNOW WHAT YOU DONT KNOW

MONEY

A S AN ATTORNEY, I am frequently asked for advice on how to launch a new business. There is a big differ-ence between meeting all the legal requirements of starting a business and actually establishing a thriv-ing company. According to Dun &

Bradstreet, which

provides information on businesses and corporations, 33 percent of all new businesses fail within the first six months, while 50 percent are gone after two years. By year three, the failure rate rises to 75 percent. In the face of such grim statistics, my advice to aspiring business own-ers is this: Make sure you prepare a solid business plan; make certain you are adequately capitalized; and do your best to properly assess your market. And dont be afraid to ask questions of experienced business owners or competent professionals. Ignorance may be bliss, but, in the world of small business start-ups, it usually is fatal. I cannot overstate the importance of a solid business plan, which includes the business name, any licenses needed, the proper legal structure and, most importantly, the companys goals and objectives. Starting a business without a plan is like going on a long road trip with-out a map, but many people skip this essential step. Having started a small business, I can say that the process of developing a business plan is as important as the plan itself.

BY DWAYNE GREEN

The research required to establish a plan takes a potential business owner through many of the initial assess-ments that will determine if the business will succeed or fail. Another fatal flaw is that many businesses start out undercapitalized. You will need sufficient reserves until you establish a positive cash flow. The number one reason new businesses fail is that they run out of money before they start turning a profit. You must have a good idea of how much capital you will need, not only to operate your start-up but also to pay your personal expenses if the business is your primary source of income. When I started my law firm 10 years ago, I had to consider items such as office space; malpractice, liability and property insurance; furniture; computers; office sup-plies; personnel; taxes; and utilities. If I had failed to research the cost of running a law firm, my business might have been grossly undercapi-talized even before I got to the issue of what I would pay myself. A fair estimation of first-year business ex-penses, start-up costs and estimated income is essential in making sure your business is adequately capital-ized. Will the money to capitalize the business come from savings? Will you need a line of credit or small business loan? If investors capitalize the business, what say will they have in the direction and management of the business, and how and when will their investments be repaid? All these questions have profound

ramifications for a new business. Finally, aspiring business owners often have an idealized notion of how successful they will be. Because you have lived with the idea of starting a business for so long, you might assume that potential custom-ers and clients also will be passionate about the concept and that money will automatically start flowing in the door. Before that can happen, however, potential customers have to have some way of finding out about your new business. Determining how you will attract customers is the first step in marketing your business. Whether you rely on the Internet, direct mailing or the Yellow Pages, advertising will cost you money, and it will target a specific segment of the community. If the market already is saturated with companies offering the same product or service, you will have to find ways to dif-ferentiate yourself from your com-petition. Many new business owners fail to appreciate the difficulty of reaching potential customers or the effect competition has on maintain-ing a consistent client base. The best way to properly address this issue is through front-end research and market analysis. Once you answer all these im-portant questions, your best move is to surround yourself with a team of advisors and professionals who know all about the finer points of managing a successful business an accountant who can offer tax advice, an insurance agent who can protect you against certain risks


and a banker who can offer prudent financial advice. The best business owners succeed because they know what they do not know. As a lawyer, I would be remiss not to mention that proper legal advice also can protect you from potentially catastrophic liability. For instance, the choice of whether to incorporate or form a limited liabil-

ity company could be important in determining if your personal assets would be in jeopardy in the event of a lawsuit. In South Carolina, approximately 92 percent of businesses owned by African-Americans have no other employees, and they often are run by people with multiple responsibilities and little or no management train-

ing or expertise. However, if you establish a solid business plan, secure adequate capital, assess the market properly and seek advice from expe-rienced professionals, you will have a much better chance to make your new enterprise a thriving success. Dwayne Green is an attorney with Ford & Wallace, LLC, of Charleston.

MONEY


Housing Market Woes FOR MIDDLE AMERICA

MONEY

TH E R E C E N Trecession or double-dip recession, depending on which economists are featured on the nightly

newscasts has Middle America won-dering what the future will bring for those of us who made smart real estate investments, are fortunate enough

to be gainfully

employed and faithfully make our mortgage payments without the ill-fated reality of foreclosure looming in the distance. Risky, complicated loans designed by Wall Street insiders, aimed solely at maximizing prots, have ooded global markets with mortgage-backed securities that still threaten to collapse economies worldwide. Even as our leaders strategize solutions to avoid nancial crisis and panic among the people through govern-ment bailouts, deep budget cuts and, probably, higher taxes, the economic outlook can seem hopeless, regardless of which Ph.D.-wielding economists or ag-waving politicians are featured on the Sunday morning talk shows. Reporters and commentators intensely debate the cause of this crisis, whos responsible and how families across this nation are coping with the new economic reality. Much attention has been focused on our most vulnerable citizens facing foreclosure, and we can all agree this is essential, yet no one seems overly concerned about the ma-jority of taxpaying Middle Americans who are innocent bystanders in this global misfortune. The bear market created by the IT bubble of the late 90s, coupled

BY W. LEE GILLIARD I I I

with aggressive deregulation policies governing nancial securities, created the perfect backdrop for a bull market fueled mainly by excessive risk and greed. This real-life nightmare is poeti-cally portrayed in the movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps when the lead character, Jake Moore, asks the villainous Bretton James, How much money is enough? He grins devilishly, then replies, More! Middle Americans who own homes and followed the blueprint of the American dream by building wealth through real estate have been stripped of their most prized asset: equity. Recent news reports detail a

housing market in which conservative estimates project that 5 million to 7 million U.S. homeowners will face foreclosure before the market correc-tion ends, possibly by 2013. Areas such as New York, Miami and Las Vegas have seen home values plummet more than 25 percent from their peak in early 2006 as foreclosures continue to drain communities of their value and potential appreciation. These factors equal a signicant collective loss of home equity for the record 65 million American families who will surely depend upon real estate to fund retirement or to leave something to their heirs.


The silent majority of American homeowners has been largely ignored during the worst housing market since the inationary era of the early 80s, when mortgage rates were consistently in double digits. With unemployment gures still hovering around 10 per-cent nationwide, the likelihood that this downward spiral will end soon is optimistic at best. Industry experts have concluded that U.S. companies, which include Wall Street investment rms and nancial institutions, have in excess of $2 trillion in liquid cash. The banking industry, in particular, appears to have won big during the recession, securing taxpayer-backed

bailouts because, among other rea-sons, they were too big to fail. That approach contradicts our established model of economics, which implies that free markets naturally allow companies to succeed or fail without excessive government intervention. But who among us will stand up, organize and lead the charge remind-ing everyone that Middle America is too important to forget? With so much doom and gloom regarding the housing market and the economy televised to Middle Americans 24/7, I recently laughed when I recalled a phrase my grandma would yell out when things got to be a bit much: Now thats enough of this foolishness! The point is this: Even though there are many factors beyond our control that aect our home investments, being complacent in the middle of a volatile market will not work in your favor. We must be proactive in preparing for the hous-ing market to rebound, and, based on historical data, it should. What we are all hoping for is that Congress can somehow resurrect the idea of compromise, the banking industry can get back in the game and lend money responsibly and the sacred business community can truly start reinvesting in our economy. In the meantime, here are two options to consider:

(1). Refinance - Mortgage rates are still historically low, currently averaging 3.75 percent to 4.25 percent xed for a 30-year term. For those nearing retirement, consider reducing your mortgage to a 15-year term if that is economically feasible. Also, research the Home Aordable Renance Program being promoted by President Obama to reduce monthly mortgage payments for re-sponsible homeowners. In addition,

the Federal Housing Administration oers up to 105 percent of the loan amount to borrowers willing to earmark the extra funds for energy ecient home improvements. This could help you reduce your monthly mortgage payment and save money on household energy costs as well. (2). Rent - The U.S. rental market is on the upswing, and vacancy rates for rental property have dropped to a low of 7 percent in recent months, partly due to excess inventory in the housing market and tighter lending requirements. Eective and asking rents rose more than 0.6 percent in early 2011, which means landlords are getting more in rent than they request. Demand for rental property is expected to remain constant this year. This option could prove vital for homeowners who maintain multiple properties, seek a measur-able return and want to avoid the possibility of losing their property to foreclosure.

This housing bubble is cyclical and will run its course in time. Until then, take an active, strategic and proactive approach to coming out of this mess with much more than just the shirt on your back.

W. Lee Gilliard III returned to the Lowcountry in 2004. Upon earning his bachelors degree from Hawaii Pacific University and retiring from military service, he set his sights on relocating to Charleston and pursuing a career in real estate. He currently serves as assis-tant general manager of the Charleston City Market Preservation Trust. He also maintains a real estate practice focusing on residential and commercial sales and leasing. He can be reached at [email protected].

MONEY


MONEY

in Todays MarketCar Shopping

W ITH INTEREST RATES AT AN ALL-t ime low, you might be thinking about purchasing or leasing a new or used vehicle. Arming yourself with sound information can help you make an informed nancial decision. First, think about what you need as opposed to what you want, and make sure you select a vehicle with a price that falls within your budget. Second, take a few moments to compare the three options.

What about nancing? The bet-ter your credit score, the better your interest rate will be. Pay careful atten-tion to the loan agreement before you sign, making sure you know the exact price, the amount you are nancing, the nance charge, the annual percent-age rate and the number of payments. Beware of 0 percent nancing theres often a catch, such as a maximum term of 36 months or giving up any rebates that might be available otherwise. How do you get the best deal? Do your research. Know what you want,

know what you can aord and read consumer reports and as much as you can about cars you are considering. Negotiate up from the invoice price, not down from the sticker price. You might get more money by selling your vehicle rather than trading it in. Finally, call your agent to get a ballpark gure on what the insur-ance will cost on the vehicle you are looking to buy; the premiums might not t your budget. On the subject of insurance, guaranteed asset protection is an optional product that covers the

dierence between what you owe on your vehicle and what your insurance company says its worth if it is totaled in an accident. You can purchase GAP at the dealership or at your nancial institution, where it might be less expensive. The bottom line is this: Make sure you do your homework before you sign on the dotted line.

This article was provided as a courtesy of South Carolina Federal Credit Union, www.scfederal.org.

TYPE OF CAR PROS CONS

More reliable More expensive Warranty Depreciation

Less expensive Unknown history Higher repair costs

Lower monthly payment Mileage limitations Higher insurance costs

NewUsedLease


W ITH THE U.S. nancial system foundering and the job market growing bleaker by the minute, many of todays parents are struggling just to stay aoat. They must deal with issues concerning

mortgages, foreclo-

sures, unemployment and retirement and teaching their kids healthy money management skills, an intimi-dating task at best. Charleston native Jennifer P. Streaks is a skilled nancial services attorney based in Washington, D.C. With more than 10 years of experience in the areas of nance, investment management and securities, she is a highly-sought-after professional. She is a nancial expert for US News and World Report, as well as a nancial contributor for WUSA9, Washingtons CBS aliate. Streaks graciously agreed to share her esteemed counsel and advice on how best to teach children about money. LR: At what age should parents begin teaching their children about money and nancial responsibility? Streaks: Parents should start teaching kids about money as soon as they start asking for things. Explain to children how you go to the store and make a purchase. Take them grocery shopping, and make sure they see you pay at the register. LR: Most kids live by the naive notion that money grows on trees. How can parents combat this idea and replace it with responsible behavior and good money management skills?

Streaks: Parents should talk about saving money with their kids. I remem-ber my rst piggy bank and hearing the coins drop in and seeing it add up. A great idea is to take the kids to a Coinstar machine. Exchange the coins, take it to the bank and deposit it into a savings account. LR: Can earning allowances help children become more nancially aware? What are your suggestions for an eective allowance plan?

Streaks: An allowance is a good way to explain money, nancial manage-ment and the world of work to a child. Give the child a weekly or biweekly allowance based on chores around the house or school grades, and then have a periodic discussion about what they want to do with the money. This can lead to a good discussion on saving versus spending. LR: Do you recommend that children have their own personal checking accounts? Streaks: I would not start a child o with a checking account. I think this is a senior year lesson. You can teach them how to use a checking account by having them pay for their senior year

expenses from this account. Kids can denitely have a savings account. They should make deposits and go over the bank statements they get in the mail. LR: Should parents encourage their children to save? Streaks: My dad always told me that I should save a portion of any money I receive. Parents should denitely encourage their kids to save. If they get an allowance or money from grandparents, a portion should go into savings so they can develop good nancial habits now. LR: How can parents teach their kids about investing? Should parents require their children to set money aside for charitable purposes? Streaks: I would talk to kids about investing or setting money aside for charitable purposes once they were a little older denitely teenagers. LR: What is the most valuable nancial lesson parents can teach kids concerning the current state of the U.S. economy? Streaks: The most valuable les-son parents can teach kids about the current state of the economy is to make sure you have a nancial parachute. Jobs are no longer guaranteed to last, and you must have adequate savings to cover expenses. A nancial parachute, or backup plan, is a savings account with at least eight months worth of ex-penses, an emergency account that has $1,000 to $2,000 in it and adequate insurance coverage in all areas.

For more information and tips concerning nancial management, visit Streaks at www.JenniferStreaks.com.

BY DONLOYN GADSON

THE VILLAGE

Making Dollars Make SenseKids and Money:


African Americans and Depression MORE THAN JUST A CASE OF THE BLUES

THE HOLIDAY season often brings bouts of depression. Many people both past and present have battled depression, from Halle Berry and Ken Griey Jr., to King Saul and the Apostle Paul. Once identied, it

can almost always be

successfully treated. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis and undertreatment are common in the African-American community. A large number of African-Americans do not seek treatment because depression is viewed as a personal weakness rather than as a health problem. This perception must be eliminated if people who live with depression are to receive the help they need. Clinical depression is much more than just a case of the blues or feeling sad; it is a serious medical illness that involves abnormal changes in how a person thinks, feels and acts. Although depression is treatable, it is a lifelong condition that returns periodically. Signs of depression vary, depend-ing on the age and gender of the in-dividual. However, some of the most common symptoms include over-whelming sadness, feeling trapped, loss of interest in pleasant activities, eating too much or too little, trouble sleeping, feeling tired, nervous or cranky, crying a lot, feeling guilty or worthless, trouble paying attention, memory problems, decreased sex drive, recurrent thoughts of death or

suicide, social isolation, neglecting personal hygiene and exaggerated complaints of aches or pains. If any of these symptoms last for more than two weeks, the individual might be experiencing clinical depression. No one real-ly knows what causes depres-sion. It is an illness that may have something to do with the way different parts of the brain com-municate with each other, genetics, having a chronic or terminal illness, stress, substance abuse, major losses, having a baby, distorted thinking or any combination of these issues. Most people diagnosed with depression can be eectively treated and return to their normal activities. The type of treatment depends on the individual and severity of the illness. There are well-established treatments for depression, such as medications, counseling and electroconvulsive therapy. For people who suer from depression during a specic season, light therapy might be useful. These treatments may be used alone or in combination. Additionally, education and support groups can help. You can lower the risk of depres-

BY MYRA PINCKNEY

sion by: engaging in social activities; maintaining a healthy diet; exercising regularly; avoiding tobacco; limiting alcohol intake; connecting spiritually with a higher power; thinking posi-tively; getting adequate sleep; talking to your health care provider; manag-ing stress; and providing support to those suering with a mental illness. If you or a loved one is experienc-ing depression, you should get help; dont try to defeat depression alone. Commit the time and effort neces-sary to gain victory over depression. Its time to eliminate the stigma of mental illness in the African-American community. For more information, contact the 411 hot-line, the county mental health center or Myra Pinckney, registered nurse and professional counselor, at (843) 887-3274.

HEALTH


Serves 10 to 15 people 8 pounds mustard greens, thoroughly cleaned, cut and blanched (see note) 1 12 pounds smoked bacon, diced 1/2 head garlic, chopped 2 large onions, diced 1 tablespoon red pepper akes 1 12 cups bourbon 2-3 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup wildower honey Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until it is crisp - approximately 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and reserve. Add the onion to the bacon grease in the skillet and cook until it is translucent - approximately ve minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant - approxi-mately three minutes. Add the red pepper akes and cook for one minute. Add the bourbon to the skillet and reduce heat by half. Add the chicken stock and cook for ve minutes. Add the drained and squeezed greens and cook until they are warmed through, making sure they stay bright green. Add the honey and reserved bacon and combine. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve. Note: Blanching is the process of briey and partially cooking food in boiling, salted water then placing it in ice water to stop the cooking process. Remove the greens from the ice water and squeeze them to get rid of excess water.

Bourbon Braised Mustard Greenscourtesy of Chef Kevin Mitchell

2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup diced yellow onion 1/2 cup diced celery 1/2 cup peeled, diced apple 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch ground nutmeg Pinch ground allspice 4 cups chicken broth 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper Melt the butter in a heavy three-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and apple, cook for three minutes, until vegetables are soft. Mix in the potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice and stir continuously for two to three minutes, until potatoes begin to soften and spices are aromatic. Add the chicken stock, bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Puree the soup using a hand-held immersion blender, or blend in several batches in a blender. (If using a standard blender, place a folded dish towel over the top to prevent hot liquid from splashing out.) Pulse on and off until the soup is smoothly pureed. Return the soup to the saucepan and whisk in the cream, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Serve hot. Note: Have extra chicken broth on hand should you need to adjust consistency.

Cream of Sweet Potato Soupcourtesy of Chef Kevin Mitchell

Perfect for the holiday season and beyond, Courvoisier Ros is a blend of Courvoisier cognac and premium French red wine. If you typically pair your cognac with fruit juices or mixers, Ros is a great alternative. It features a fruity and refreshingly light taste with blackberry, black currant and a hint of cherry avors. The perfect drink for any occasion, Ros will make you forget about ordering that happy hour glass of wine or celebratory bottle of champagne. Take your cocktail hour to a new level. Try Courvoisier Ros, and experience the class and sophistication that only cognac can provide.

Courvoisier Roscourtesy of Deona Smith

FOOD + DRINK

Liv ing Roots | December/January 2011-1242


26 to Life:Blending Upscale Events With Charitable Giving

INDUSTRIES, which began as a college students idea to earn a little extra money, has

become not only one of the premier event planners

in Charleston but also a catalyst for raising funds for a wide range of local charities. We like to party with a purpose, said Lamar Bonaparte, who, along with his sta of 10 highly skilled pro-fessionals, provides marketing as well as public relations and event planning services to clients in the Charleston area and in cities accessible by Interstate 26, including Columbia, Greenville, Charlotte and Atlanta. Hence the name of the company. It was always the route taken to the party venues, Bonaparte ex-plained, adding that Interstate 26 has a lifestyle metaphorically speaking, the road to his success. Born and raised in Charleston, Bonaparte, a graduate of South Carolina State University, has been promoting events for 13 years. Combining his special events experi-ence with his social consciousness cre-ated the perfect recipe for a company that not only would provide a good time but also would help improve the lives of others. Over the past 10 years, 26 Industries has held fundraisers and donated thousands of dollars to many local charitable organizations, includ-ing Darkness to Light, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Lowcountry AIDS

Services and MUSC Childrens Hospital. Because 26 Industries goal is to change the face of en-tertainment and philan-thropy in Charleston, you might feel like you havent been to an event in Chucktown if you havent been to one of the companys events. When 26 Industries is in charge, you never know what you might see when you walk through the door: glamorous VIP sections, fashion shows, entertainers, famous disc jockeys, light shows or even its signature ice sculptures adorning the room. The leader in upscale events in the Lowcountry, 26 Industries sets the bar high for its competitors, gaining notoriety for countless aairs

held throughout the year, includ-ing Fashion Forward Fridays and

BY KRISTEN WRIGHT-MATTHEWS

International Sundays. 26 Industries also is responsible for the annual Platinum Ball, held on New Years Eve at the Hippodrome in downtown Charleston, and the Music Loves Fashion runway show, which will be launching a weekly festival in 2012. The show will combine the latest fashion with music from the hottest national recording artists, right here in Charleston. 26 Industries also hosts the ocial Charleston Fashion Week after party, Luxe, each year. 26 Industries is not your average event company. Its a movement, a lifestyle in the way that we should do social here in South Carolina, said Bonaparte.

GIVING

Lamar Bonaparte

...26 Industries goal is to change the face

of entertainment and philanthropy in

Charleston...

26

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Me As APhilanthropist

FOR MANY YEARS, I thought that all philan-thropists had a lot of money Oprah Winfrey and Bill and Melinda Gates come to mind. My opinion changed, however, when I became a philanthropist myself. Though Im not rich, I am a philan-thropist, and I wear the title proudly

not because I

have money but because it is important to give back and help others. How did I become a philanthro-pist? The question really should be why I became one. I felt the need to do something. I wanted to provide an avenue for women to obtain their dreams. As a result, I am living my dream through The Walker Phenomenal Spirit Award. A thought crept into my head one day during a six-mile run. I was contemplating going back to school but couldnt get a grant because none of the normal labels fit me: I wasnt unemployed, on welfare, abused, homeless, gay or a single parent. I put my plans to enhance my educa-tion on hold. Then one day I received a gener-ous bonus at work. I cant remember what I spent half the money on, but my decision on what to do with the rest changed my life. I bought a certificate of deposit and gave it to the Center for Women to fund the Walker Phenomenal Spirit Award. After much thought and delib-eration, I decided that the award would be limited to women at least

35 years old and working toward a dream. My goal would be to provide that last bit of money necessary to make that dream reality. I cannot describe the dream, because it is different for every woman. No dream is too big or too small. The only reason not to apply is because you are not a woman, havent reached your 35th birthday or simply dont have a dream. The award will provide up to $1,000 to help fulfill your dream, but it wont pay for gas, child care or food. So far, the award has helped five women. One womans dream was to be a glass artist; she needed the money for a kiln. Another wanted to grow organic herbs to sell to restaurants and had to take a class on building a greenhouse. Still another wanted to compete internationally on a dragon boat team; she used the money to travel. Another winner dreamt of becoming certified so she could continue to provide services to the blind. Last years winner bought a camera and is transforming her life. I do not have any corporate sponsors, and I havent done any an-nual fundraisers. Friends and family donate all the money. No contribu-tion is too small. Some people give as little as $10, which is appreciated because every little bit helps. For some women, as little as $200 can

BY DORETHA WALKER

make the difference between attain-ing a dream and giving up. I am proud that I have estab-lished the Walker Phenomenal Spirit Award, and one day I hope to have enough money to help more than one woman a year realize her dream. Eventually I will have a fundraiser; in the meantime, I will continue to hand out money to deserving women one at a time because I am a philanthropist. If I can do it, so can you. You can apply, donate and see past winners at http://c4women.org/walker_award.html.

FLY

Doretha Walker

Pho

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Another Reason Color Shouldnt MatterBATTLING THE MYTH THAT BLACK PRODUCTS ARE INFERIOR

I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS a story about Maggie and John Anderson, a couple who began what they called the Empowerment Experiment formerly the Ebony Experiment which challenged the myth believed even in black communities that

products and ser-

vices provided by blacks are infe-rior to those provided by people of other ethnic backgrounds. Whenever possible, they patronized black businesses and purchased products manufactured by blacks for a full year in 2009. They spent about 70 percent of their income, around $70,000, with black-owned businesses. The Andersons believe a thriving black economy is necessary to restore impoverished African-American communities, and for years they have sought a way to address this problem. Entrepreneurship within the black community always has provided a way for members of my family to make a living. One of my uncles owned a popular corner store in downtown Charleston. My maternal grandfather acquired a business license after he retired as a truck driver for a large supermarket chain; he used his van to sell a variety of items in North Charleston. My paternal grandfather sold popular beauty products from his living room well into

his 90s. My late father-in-law, whom I never met, was the rst black man in this area to own a gospel radio station. None of them had a website where you could purchase their prod-

ucts and services online. In fact, for some of them, online wasnt yet an option. Nevertheless, their businesses thrived because the relationships they nurtured fostered a sense of trust in their goods and services and ensured repeat customers.

Now fast forward to the 21st century, where businesses can market to their potential customers on the Internet, social media and various other avenues. In an ever-shrinking world, what is a black businesses most valuable asset? When it comes down to it, people purchase goods and services from the person or company they trust. Why arent more black-owned businesses excelling, especially in their own communities? In my opin-ion, media stereotypes have created a general distrust of the ability of black people to deliver high-quality goods and services. Unfortunately, these stereotypes continue to perpetuate themselves within parts of the black community. It is vital that black entrepreneurs be taken seriously, not just as consum-ers but also as producers. Skin color does not determine whether a person is a highly eective business owner or produces a top-notch product. The

diverse black community cannot be relegated to con-suming and, in large part, be overlooked as potential business owners. At the same time, black entrepreneurs should not expect to be given preferential treatment only a level playing eld in the business world. When it comes to making a living, race or ethnicity shouldnt matter one bit. As far as color goes, all people want enough green to stay out of the red and in the black.

BY KEVIN SMITH

RISE

Kevin Smith

When it comes down to it, people

purchase goods and services from the

person or company they trust.


2011 Debutante and Masters Commission PALMETTO ANNUAL CONFERENCE | SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT | AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH HELD ITS ANNUAL Debutante and Masters Commission ceremony Aug. 21 at Morris Brown AME Church in downtown Charleston. Members of the Palmetto Conference welcomed 31 beautiful young ladies and handsome gentlemen in a formal affair full of ritual and religious observance. Established in 1952, the Debutante and Masters Commission is an evening of pageantry for the purpose of introducing young ladies and gentlemen entering adulthood to church society. Participants are required to be rising high school seniors, active church members and in good stand-ing in their church, school and community. But this group didnt stop at the basic requirements; they included honor roll students, scholarship award winners, accomplished athletes and dedicated community volunteers. At a time when young people all too often are recognized for what they are doing wrong, it is refreshing to see young ladies and gentlemen with their sights set on excellence.

DEBUTANTES: Miss Maril Mont Armstrong Miss Ronette Michelle Bacote Miss Jensuela JLana Barkers Miss Julisa Nichole Campbell Miss Jessica LaShae Cash Miss Kimesha Robyn Cooper Miss Jacquetta Alexis Deas Miss Ajuamiah Chaumon Grant Miss Jetovia Keyatta Jackson Miss Whyeisha Elizabeth Jones Miss Ruth Terri McNeil

Miss Eboni De-Shontia Sanders Miss Mekka Kamese Simmons Miss Kaydra Rainise Smalls Miss Valencia Maria Syndab Miss Erica Marie Vanderhorst Miss Paula Renee Washington Miss Erana Van White Miss Malyka Khalia Shaunique Wims Miss Kadijah Laura Winns

MASTERS: Mr. Meshaq Justice Alexander Mr. JacKel Shakur Brown Mr. Donaven LaTrand Capers Mr. Clinton Devone Erving Mr. Jalen Taheim Frazier Mr. Lewis Earl Johnson Jr. Mr. Shoundel Wess Pinckney Mr. Pierre Joseph Singleton Mr. Shaquille Akeem Singleton Mr. Walter Smalls Jr. Mr. Justin Akiem Temoney

CITY SCENE

Living Roots Magazine December/January 2011-12

Documents

Transcript of Living Roots Magazine December/January 2011-12