Breathe… Before I Talk About It

There is no secret to it. You just have ...it’s a necessity if you to do it and realize that no one’s going wish to be a success in the business world—so to throw anything at you and that they you have to overcome won’t always agree with you either. it...my various role Humor is good to have in order to models influenced me keep the audience’s attention. to be more outgoing. Get out there and do it. Melvin– Repeat-Attender Carl- Repeat Attender Carl—Repeat-Attender Love it. Public speaking can help everyone become more confident, suc- cessful and inde- pendent. Michael Galloway (aka Baby Simba) You have to overcome it by get- Uh….I was nervous at ting out of your comfort zone, us- ing the tools through PEP that first, then it got easier— allows you to grow. You got to my confidence grew and remember to have fun. I feel good about it. Yuniel Sanchez Scott Paz (aka Chino de Mayo) (aka Sweet Nay Nay) Servant-Leader I try to have a thorough understanding of the topic Breathe… before I talk about it. Patty Speak from the heart. Adam Sotero (aka Lollipop Kid)

I started in Boy Scouts—not Speaking in front of a large When you’re nervous, there’s always crowd is a great feeling because going to be someone in the audience my strongest point. I still get that smiles. Focus on that person’s en- nervous but it’s one of those they’re there to listen to what you have to say. You have con- ergy and let it propel you forward. Re- member that it’s okay to admit you’re things that can take you any- trol of the energy in the room. where in the world. nervous and be transparent Anousa Phomsouvanh about it, it makes you more Charles Griffin genuine. You’re able to get (aka Duck Sauce) in sync with the audience be cause it’s something we can all relate to. Kelah

By: Brandon Green

and fruitless. Happiness is event-specific, joy is everlasting and not dependent on the moment. They explained that fun is doing some- When you hear the thing you enjoy without the detrimental effects of negative results. word fun, what thoughts come to mind? Is it an activity? A memory? Does it remind you of a certain person? Whatever it is, the journey For most of us, the fun we were accustomed to was born out for fun is rooted in the search for one of two things: Happiness or of selfish desires. This group of men discovered a whole new kind of joy. The Webster’s defines fun as: 1) Lively, joyous play or pleasure. fun that was born out of wholeness. Brian brilliantly said—If I can’t 2) A soiree of amusement—intended for pleasure. The etymology of have fun in life and I’m miserable, I put myself at risk of going back to the word fun dates back to the late 1600s to early 1700s. It was used the old life. God doesn’t want us to abstain from fun, He just wants to describe a hoax or a joke. With fun being one of our 10-Driving us to change the way we view fun and change the way we experience Values, it raises a question: What is the true definition of fun? fun from a selfish pursuit—to a selfless pursuit. Mike shared his three things he believes to be imperative for success and finding genuine On Friday, August 19th, the class of Famous Fall 2016 was fun: 1) Surround yourself with positive people; 2) Maturity.; getting privileged to welcome Brian Kelly and two guests—Mike Lion and older and wiser; 3) Tethering yourself to a good woman. I believe the Josh Jones. They came to speak about fun and help break down with key is also following these steps in that exact order. us the definition of fun. Brian is the In-house Prison Manager for PEP at the Estes Unit, as well as a former TDCJ inmate. Despite having a These three gentlemen coming to spend their day with us life sentence, Brian showed himself to be a and sharing wisdom and allowing us an op- vessel for God and, due to his incredible portunity to explore fun was a great bless- change, he was granted parole. Before going hree things he believes to be impera- ing. Their words and advice were biblical, home, he was given the opportunity to come what they had to say was rooted in the life tive for success and finding genuine that Jesus lived. We know that greed cor- to the Cleveland Unit and participate and T graduate as a member of class 21. It was this rupts and destroys, so we conclude the only final opportunity, before reentering society, fun: 1) Surround yourself with positive people; way to be free is to detach ourselves from which showed him how important the value all human desire until we withdraw our- of fun truly is. Once he was reacquainted with 2) Maturity.; getting older and wiser; 3) Tether- selves from the world in which we live. That the world on the outside, Brian met Mike and doesn’t sound like fun to me and I don’t be- Josh and formed a men’s group based on ing yourself to a good woman. lieve it is the path Jesus set before us. Jesus Proverbs 28:1. It was within this group that these three men really was accused of being a glutton and sinner. began to understand that fun is rooted in joy—not happiness. They He clearly enjoyed His life that He lived. He was chastised for not reinforced the need for fun in both work and personal life. They living a monastic existence. Even his disciples were authorized by shared with us of how the pursuit of happiness is often temporary Him to break the rules. Jesus was having way too much fun for the religious observers who watched Him with disdain; they seem to have been envious. Is it possible to be a genuinely good individual and indulge in the pleasures of life? Sometimes, we forget that God created the world for many pleasures and enjoyment. The Garden of Eden was a garden of pleasure—not of obligation. God put man into a deep sleep, took a rib from his side, and created woman. This was not because men didn’t have enough responsibility, but because God saw how He could enhance man’s enjoyment of living. The scriptures tell us that God concluded that it wasn’t good for man to be alone. Laced within the concept of good- ness are enjoyment, pleasure and especially fun. We were created to enjoy God’s world, and the world was created not only to declare the glory of God, but to satisfy our desires and meet our needs. From the design of our planet’s atmosphere to the atoms of a cup of coffee, creation is here for our good and pleasure. As Brian, Mike and Josh shared with us, I realize that when we replace greed with generosity, we exchange a black hole of temporary happiness with a wellspring of joy. The goal isn’t so much to have less, but to give more. Generosity is the result of a life in the continuous overflow of fun. It is the exponential result of wholeness. The simple act of sharing their time and wisdom with our class, re- sulted in a morning of fun and fulfillment. I believe every man left the room that morning with a better perspective of fun and a clear vision of what it means to seek joy in life.

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grasped, what really matters, such as integrity, kindness, love and faithfulness? Often times, an individual is absolutely oblivious to the fact that they are physically infirmed until enlightened by a physician and offered treatment. And so, it is similar with a man’s character. We are ignorant to the existence of character flaws that can seriously impede our growth and shed ghastly graveyard light upon our culture. A candid assessment by those who’ve perceived our actions and attitudes—can be an invaluable tool to our development. With objective outlooks and humility, we gain insight through our peer’s evaluation. We can fine-tune ourselves to coincide with the desired standard; what we aspire to achieve. PEP is undeniably a culture of its very own. This fact rings particularly true on the unit and within the dorms as we are intermixed with nonparticipants and required to lead by example without succumbing to temptations or demonstra- tions of negative behavior. We as men living between the wings of Moral character boundless future, must have in our deeds—a standard of distinction. is an evaluation of a individual’s stability and qualities. The concept The week of character assessment is always declared one of character can imply a variety of attributes including the existence, of the most uncomfortable times in the program. We are tasked or lack, of virtues such as empathy, courage, fortitude, honesty, loy- with the responsibility of looking at our brothers and pointing out alty and of good behaviors or habits. Moral character primarily re- possible blind spots to help them change for the better. Even when fers to the qualities that distinguish one individual from another. On that task is complete, the work is not done. For those that reflect a cultural level, the set of moral behaviors, to which the social group daily on their actions and behaviors, the assessment is really no sur- is accustomed to, can certainly vary. Psychologist Lawrence Pervin prise. But for those who have failed to really take responsibility for defines moral character as “a disposition to express behavior in con- their character, it proves to be a wake-up call. We don’t have the sistent patterns of functions across a range ability to be perfect in all of our endeav- of situations.” Plainly speaking, the elusive ors, but we do have the ability to execute thing called character, is actually who you Honesty never fails; the excellence in our lives. Some of us have are—the sum total of all that distinguishes never been given the privilege and re- you as an individual. Your reputation–what only failure in honesty sponsibility of adding value to the lives of other people are saying about you–is often those around us—that challenge is not a good indicator of your character. If some- always easy. one were to be speaking about you, what comes from the individu- would they say? That person’s perception is There is a time and place for healthy criti- the reserved truth of you within their heart. al who cannot accept it. cism: When someone is engaging in a There’s one thing you can always rely on lifestyle that is not favorable to their when it comes to another’s opinion: They -Daniel J. Brown growth and goal. It is then that an as- will always exist. sessment of one’s character can be heal- ing and redemptive—only if it is truly It is a man’s decision in what kind of behaviors define his genuine. Depreciating another person, to make a point or acting out character. Character is something you are and it must also be some- of spite is wrong, particularly when the depreciating robs the other thing you desire to become. Men are ever-anxious to improve their of a sense of personal worth. Nothing has the power to destroy a circumstances, but are often unwilling to change their actions. Ulti- person’s self-worth like malicious criticism. mately, our character is our mark on society. Those striving for good character, or better yet, righteous character, are working toward An assessment of another can be dangerous and hurtful moral excellence. We work hard all our lives to become excellent in when our opinions are presented as facts. If we are insistent on many areas, especially in the areas of employment and hobbies. simply making a point, our words are equivalent to weapons fash- Doesn’t it make sense to also work hard at becoming morally excel- ioned for hurting. Before we evaluate someone, there should be a lent; to be known as someone who has mastered, or at least great struggle within us to determine whether our motives are pure. We should question whether if it is a valid, unbiased reason for us to personally assess this person’s character. If it gives you a sense of satisfaction to give this man a deplorable appraisal, then you are probably out of line. If you are forcing yourself to speak because you know they need to hear what you perceive, then you are probably acting out of care and concern. You carefully choose your words and how you relate your views. We must remember that knowledge about another’s thoughts, feelings and motives are simply out of our reach. If knowledge is power, then the key to power is to understand. It is our duty, as brothers, to not only honestly evaluate each other but more importantly—to do our best to understand a man before we even attempt to critique him. Doing so allows men, who grasp the essence and importance of the character assessment, to develop genuine brotherly relationships. Do we want the types of feeble friendships that are comprised of generic pleasantries and affectations, or do we want unbreak- able bonds that are solidified by candor, intimacy and loyalty? As individuals and a culture, we are behooved to accept the truth as it is necessary to speak it into one another’s lives. —Daniel Osgood XIII

Dear Chronicle, It doesn’t matter what my name is. The point is this: I’ve been on the Cleveland Unit for more than a month now and well, honestly, I’m getting very tired of Serv- ant-Leaders telling me how to live my life and how I should do things. I respect the fact that they have earned the title of graduates but that does not give them the right to tell me—how to do everything! I came to this program with a skillset and have the same qualifications as most of these men here. It just seems that everywhere I turn, there’s a micromanager there to tell me how to do things: How to study, how to deal with my family, and how to do a whole lot of things before they ever realize who I am as a person or how I do things.

Dear Mr. Let Me Do It, I’m sure that you have worked hard to be where you are at this point in your life—we all have and we want acknowledgement for our efforts. Therefore, I ap- plaud, acknowledge and affirm you for the things that you have done to get here. It’s difficult at times to meet the prerequisites that PEP demands. Step back for a second and remove all the emotion from the sub- Dear Chronicle, ject and let’s look at your problem from a different It seems like the only 10-Driving Value that people ever men- vantage point. tion is—accountability! It seems like I hear about it every- day of my life and that is the entire focus of PEP’s Servant- I too have been in your shoes, when I arrived in the Leaders. I don’t have a serious behavioral problem and it’s a program. Everyone, Servant-Leaders and participants, little disturbing to always have to talk about the same thing. attempted to dictate how I would live my life and I What about all the other principles that we live by? told them—stop, allow me to have my own experience! What you have to realize is that just because someone has graduated or advanced in the program, that doesn’t mean that they have it all figured out—such as Dear Mr. Accountability, you do. For some they don’t realize that we are individ- Have you ever heard this before—accountability is the glue that holds PEP together? Sure you have—we all have and at ualistic and they attempt to mold each person to a sta- times it seems like people are just parroting each other, say- tistical sample. There is no mold in life, Servant- ing the same old thing. But, accountability is extremely im- Leaders, what works with one person might not work portant for several reasons. It allows us as individuals to with another. This means you are going to have to use see things from another perspective but the key to account- discernment and get to know a person before you start ability is receptivity, love and communication. barking orders at them and—micromanaging? I always think it’s awesome when a Servant-Leader is willing There, now that we’ve set them straight, let’s address to hold a man accountable before he ever knows their the other issue at hand. Try to show some grace and name. Guys, rapport should come far before accountability. mercy to the Servant-Leaders. They are trying to help, Sometimes, we as a community lose focus and forget that all but some might not know how. Since you seem to no- the 10-Driving Values are derivatives of love. This means tice the problem, try to be the solution and help them that if we as Servant-Leaders learn to lead with compassion in their efforts instead of trying to do everything your- and earnest understanding, accountability comes with abso- self. Sometimes, it’s okay to let someone else drive, lute fluidity—it just comes natural. even if they are going to make mistakes and allow them to think they are having an impact. What’s it feel like So next time, you feel like someone is holding you accounta- to be holding on to all that emotion? It just seems that ble because of other reasons other than love—you got a job you have a problem with being in control—let go and to do. It’s you—and our obligation to learn to have an un- have faith in us, and have some fun. derstanding of the people we are holding to a standard. Ask them—Hey, do you know what I'm trying to accomplish with my life and the direction that I’m heading? If the an- swer is no, then we really have an accountability issue. Re- member this, accountability never means you’re in trouble or being checked. It’s just our way in PEP to tell you that we love you and sometimes sharing endearment between a league of such men can be difficult.

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Marcos Gamez

John Cuellar

By: Anousa P. (Master Chef) By: Anousa P. (Master Chef)

1 Package beef or chicken soup 1 Beef Tips 1 Teaspoon coffee (instant dried) ½ Bag of milk 1 Package jalapeno peppers (seeded and diced) 1 Jalapeno chips (crushed) (desire amount) ½ Cheese ¼ Cup Salsa Verde chips (crushed) 1 Tortillas 1 Tablespoons jalapeno chips (crushed) 2 Jalapenos 4 Tablespoons jalapeno cheese (heaping) 1 Pickle Hot water

Directions: Directions: Cook noodles. Place hot water in coffee cup While stirring add powdered milk to hot water slowly (about one inch from bottom) and add coffee to prevent lumps. Add cheese and stir until smooth. and ½ package seasoning mix. Stir and add to Pour crushed chips into bowl and add beef tips and drained noodles. Add peppers, cheese, chips, cheese mixture. Stir well. Add desired amount of po- and mix thoroughly. Serve with crackers or tato mixture to tortilla and fold into a taco. Cook for chips. an hour or two. Serves: 2 Serves: 3 XV

My name is

Tony Pak Burdette and I am the owner, visionary and full-time kimchi fermenter at Fork N’ Sticks restaurant—a new and exciting concept, intro- duced to the city of Houston—infusing west- ern tradition with eastern influences. We are a mid-scale, trendy and casual establishment that introduces the merging of food and culture. Our guests will be provided with more than a meal—but also an experience. Fork N’ Sticks provides a communal environment, casual-dining ambiance for those who not only dine for cuisine but— also for an occasion. We seek to serve the culturally-enthralled millennials within a mile radius of downtown, comprising the University of Houston area. We also accommodate our guests with innovative meals and Korean ingredi- ents—mainly with the use of kimchi. Our luscious meals include Korean tacos, Taegu-kimchi burgers, wan- ton chips, kimchi fried chicken, Korean barbeque and, of course, good old-fashioned kimchi. We produce an awesome house kimchi—secret family recipe! At Fork N’ Sticks, we understand social responsibility should lie at the heart of an organization and that the needs of society shift and vary. Therefore, we will allo- cate a percentage of our revenue, in order to perform diverse philanthropic du- ties, determined by staff and manage- ment. This can be done by developing a philanthropic fund, with steady contribu- tions and a capital gains that can be do- nated to a cause of our choice. There’s always a next great cause gentlemen! XVI

6 5 1 4 6 1 5 3 4 5 9 6 4 9 1 8 5 4 2 9 1 4 3 4 8 2 7 1 4 7 6 3 8 4

Charlie Wilson is the head chef at Oishi, a high-end fine-dining establishment. This is not your typical Sushi joint. They serve all types of specialized items like sea cucumber cocktails for $5 and whale tail tempera for $8. But the star of the show is the Chocolate Sushi Roll that is priced at $10. It’s basically scallops, cream cheese and conch meat dipped in semi-sweet chocolate. It’s great, if you’re into that kind of thing. They also have a conch meat sandwich that sells for $15. Charlie has been killing it! His sales were $127,029 in July and he considers his unit of sale to be one cocktail, one tempera, and one sushi roll. His seafood distributer, Russell’s Shrimp Shack, invoices for July were $20,000. He had additional variable costs of $18,661 for production of his food art. Charlie pays $4,500 in rent, $2250 for utilities and includes the cost of his vehicle in his overhead which is $2,000—cause, you know, Wilson drives a fly whip! Lastly, it cost him $12,000 to pay all of his employee’s monthly salary. Charlie’s buddy Wall Street loaned him $200,000 to get the business off the ground. Please complete his items below. Assume his tax rate is 30%. A. Name and calculate the three lines that make up his revenue model. B. Calculate the breakeven point. C. Show his income statement. D. List percentage of sales for each line (round to the nearest whole per- cent). E. On average, how many units did each customer buy? F. What was his yearly ROI (return on investment)?

Across 4. When designing a mission statement, making it ensures that it has direct applicability to even the most entry-level employee. 5. One of a variety of acronyms used for the tech- nique known as resource-based analysis. 7. It is important to understand that ______in a business is not the same as profit. Down 8. A comparison between the best and worst-case cash flow scenarios. 1. A measure used to evaluate whether or not a person or firm is meeting stated goals. 9. Those companies within a specified geographic 2. Those resources that combine to allow the firm to perform better than its competitors. radius that will be in direct competition for the same customers and sales. 3. Working with and learning from a company outside your industry. 14. ______implies that the new business not only 6. Exists if the service or product performs a similar function or achieves the same result, but is not matches the norms of the industry, but in several a precise imitation. areas, far surpasses the industry in a manner that 10. An analysis of how the predicted and actual cash flow differ. allows it to charge well in excess of its additional costs. 11. A mission statement is not a tome that describes everything you have done and might do, in other words, keep it ______. 15.When a new venture's positive cash flow exceeds the initial investment plus the time value of money 12. With regards to a new product or service, when customers are willing to pay extra and/ or it invested. This is known as ______breakeven. draws in new customers from the competitors and/or it cost the new firm less to accomplish than its competitors; this is answering the question of 'Is it ______? 13. The difference between when the money goes in and when the money goes out.

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t is in the face of adversity that we find out who we truly I are. To our brothers who have recently left, for a better and much brighter mañana—never forget this incarceration. During our journey, we have learned and seen together, but most importantly—grown together. To attain a success only dreamed of, what we have gained must be practiced. The real tests of temp- tation is now upon you. While deprived of freedom, we were deprived of desires that once led us into our predic- aments. Brothers, continue to seek counsel and depend on those who have paved the way. I don't fail but I do fall. I don't drown but I do go down. When I fall my heart stays up, when I go down my dreams stay on their feet to pull me up. I'm way too far from the end. —Bizanani Hadebe We are too far from the end of this book—our lives. Let these years be but a mere chapter in your ultimate biography.

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my own personal recovery. I thought, I had Embrace the wings that can carry you further I want to leave with you a achieved a high standard in character. I thought than you have ever gone before. The tools that that I was somebody who had authority in areas are supplied are just that—tools. As I used to say few words; to share, at least, of maturity and high standards of living. But when I was heading the Recovery Dynamics when I came to PEP, I found out that I was actu- steering committee—it works if you work it. a small bit of wisdom. ally nowhere near where I thought I was. I was Yes, PEP works if you apply the knowledge and NOT the person that I had been aspiring to use the tools that PEP has supplied you with. First, allow me to give you a no- become, although I thought that I had arrived. This is what we call wisdom—the application of brainer—don’t lax off in your efforts; to achieve This is what I am trying to communicate to you knowledge or knowledge in action. It works if the end result that the Prison Entrepreneurship here. We are more than able to deceive our- you work it! The burden of proof lies with you. Program offers. It is not meant to be easy, hah, selves. In fact, the very nature of deception Take cheer, my fellow aspiring entrepreneurs, not by a long shot! This program is meant to entails that the one deceived does not have a and aim for the high standards of the PEP frater- help you become a better you, not to change clue that he is deceived. Were he to know that, nity. you into something else. So for those of you then he would not be deceived! We often lie to who are still complaining and grumbling about ourselves; that we are someone we are not. We how things go and that “they” are not giving you are blinded to whom or what we really are; a heads up, well, wake up and smell the reality. simply because we are always looking outward— The world doesn’t give you a heads up either. rather than inward. We’re hyperaware of oth- This program is meant to push you and stretch ers, but we never consider our own faults and you until you want to snap. Why? Simply be- failures. As the proverb states—A dog can’t see cause that is how the world will do you. PEP its own tail. wants to prepare you for this very thing and supply you with the tools to overcome the nor- Before I close this farewell letter, I mal response that we all have. Now you can lie want to share with you—about being a leader. and tell yourself that you have it all figured out (I Many of you desire a leadership role and some did that very thing for a long, long time) but if will veer from it. Some will see it as a chance to you do have it all figured out, then why are you “be in charge” or an opportunity to wield power. here in prison? Yeah, that’s the truth and the If you are one who sees it as such, then, in truth, truth hurts—that's why we always attempt to leadership is not for you. Leadership is a burden escape, whether it’s into drugs, women, or other and a privilege. It is not something to be taken unseemly activities that have put us all here in lightly. Every leader has difficulties and com- the first place and, for some of us, it’s the sec- plaints, but nobody forces you into leadership. It ond, third, or more. is your choice and if you are given it—it is a privilege and a gift. And if you don’t feel that way, Second, before I came to PEP, I had you should step down. been leading a group of men in living a life of Torah. I had already worked upon myself and So, as I exit this place, never to return, thought that I had accomplished a great feat in I encourage you to value your time and PEP. —Jimmy H.

essential to the success critical feedback, on their concepts, in areas that and viability of a venture. needed improvement and further development. Simply put, a business has to be able to profit or Job well done gentlemen! What an arduous there will be no business. This is one of the most and painstakingly hectic month! The Famous challenging and strenuous subjects of the PEP It’s truly been an honor and a privilege Fall ’16 participants aren’t even halfway through curriculum and many previous classes have to witness these men prevailing in such a daunt- Phase II and the homework assignments contin- failed. That’s why many hours are allocated to ing task. There has been continuous growth, in ue to compile. The class has dropped, as ex- working on this complex topic. The wordy prob- our Famous brothers, as they overcome this pected, below 100. But, the brothers who re- lems and equations don’t seem so difficult after challenging moment in their lives. It’s crucial to main are assertive and steadily pushing their constant practice and receiving assistance from confront one task at a time—positive change is a way towards the finish line. It’s during these our servant-leaders who ensure they have what lifelong endeavor. We at the Chronicle are al- times that focus, persistence and patience are they need in order to succeed. ways seeking to display the aspects of such a indeed necessary—especially to the men who fantastic journey. This process is made all the stand beside us. It has truly been inspirational to wit- more effective and worthwhile by our many ness the unremitting consistency and hard work contributors. Please do continue to submit arti- During this month of August, our Fa- of the Famous class in their preparation of busi- cles, ideas and material for the Writer’s Corner mous brothers faced their very first character ness concepts. There wasn’t a single corner or and we will present it to the best of our ability. assessment. This can be a time of unease and crevice at the Cleveland Unit where there wasn’t Thank you. apprehension. An assessment received from our the tones and echoes of pitching. These guys peers isn’t always easy to endure. The character were required to present their pitches over 50 assessment is a tool that is intended to bring to times—now that’s a lot of pitching! This was all light, what isn’t always seen by us—we’re com- vital in order to prime them for the final and pelled to look at our own reflection. To gain a highly anticipated day: the Venture Capital Pan- better understanding of our imperfections, it el. takes humility and a willing heart to look past what seems like antagonism. It has been a time Hard work and persistence pays, be- of true introspection and improvement. It’s cause there wasn’t a pitch that wasn’t honed important to remember that our assessment and delivered with perfection. Composure and should never stem from spite, but out of love, control was imminent as participants delivered enabling our brothers to better their selves—an pitches only to be met with constructive criti- endless and lifelong process. cism, applauds and the astounded faces of our executive-volunteers. It is gestures and the What seemed never-ending was the overcoming of obstacles, such as these, that hours dedicated to the Economics of One Unit instill confidence and propel us forward into our (EOU). EOUs and its thorough understanding is next challenge. Our Famous brothers received —Johnny N. XIX