THE CONDUCTOR ORR PULL-OUT Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® BUSINESS DIRECTORYwww.overgroundrr.com Pages 15-18

THEThe Official CONDUCTORNewspaper of The Overground RR!!® VOLUME 6 No. 4 Fourth Quarter 2009 ABOVE ALL THINGS MINISTRY WORSHIP TheORR centers and the “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper The Call and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” - III John:2 Anointed Word Evangelistic Tabernacle Ariel Bowen UMC Response The Ark of Salvation Believers’ Bible Christian Church Ben Hill UMC Beulah Missionary Baptist Church 3/5ths Human, Are You? Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church Butler Street Christian Methodist Episcopal If Not, Demand H.R. 40 Now. Calvary United Methodist Church Cascade United Methodist Church e, as a people, must now start the final Reparations for Jews did not end there. trek on the road to freedom. Kitchen “Yad Vashem noted that “in the 1990s, Jews Christian Fellowship Baptist Church W Table Affirmative Action is founded upon began making claims for property stolen in Columbia Drive United Methodist Church valuing ourselves as individuals and a com- Eastern Europe. Various groups also began in- Covenant Ministries munity. This same self-esteem causes us to vestigating what happened to money deposited Dodd-Sterling UMC become aware and knowledgeable of our past, in Swiss banks by Jews outside of Switzerland Elizabeth Baptist Church both recent and ancient, and responsible for who were later murdered in the Holocaust, and our actions with regard to OUR past. “Those what happened to money deposited by various Emmaus Road Missionary Baptist Church who cannot remember the past are condemned Nazis in Swiss banks...” Id. Emmanuel Tabernacle to repeat it”. George Santayana, Reason in Enon Church Common Sense, The Life of Reason, Vol.1. Then... “In addition, individual companies First AME Church (many of them based in Germany) began to First Iconium Baptist Church This demands that, as we build the economic be pressured by survivor groups to compen- infrastructure of the Black community, we sate former forced laborers. Among them are Friendship Baptist Church must also address the undeniable oppression Deutsche Bank AG, Siemens AG, Bayerische Friendship Community Church afflicted on our people for 400 years. Motoren Werke AG (BMW), Volkswagen AG, Grace Community Fellowship Church and Adam Opel GmbH. In response, early in Greater Heights Christian Church We are just beginning to recover from the slav- 1999, the German government proclaimed Greater Mount Carmel AME ery (chained and Jim Crow phases) imposed the establishment of a fund with monies from upon us by terroristic national, state and local these companies to help needy Holocaust sur- Greater New Life Baptist Church governments, along with their corporate and vivors. A similar fund was set up by the Swiss, Greater New Light Missionary Baptist Church individual citizens. We must reject lies de- as was a Hungarian fund for compensation of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church signed to keep us financially, socially, mentally Holocaust victims and their heirs.” George, an ancestor with scars inflicted by whipping Greenforest Community Baptist Church and emotionally enslaved. We must reject lies Headland Heights UMC designed to deprive us, our mothers, fathers, And agreements were reached as recently as was willing to discuss the possibility of mak- grands, greats and earlier ancestors from the 1999... “At the close of the 1990s, discussions ing extra pension payments to Holocaust Hillside International Truth Center, Inc. Justice that we are morally bound to demand. of compensation by insurance companies that survivors if the Israeli government makes International Christian Fellowship had insured Jews before the war and who were an official request.” (Emphasis supplied). Id. Jackson Memorial Baptist Church Reparations for Jews later murdered by the Nazis were held. These Life Changing Ministries “In response to calls from Jewish organiza- companies include Allianz, AXA, Assicurazio- Black U.S. Taxpayers in the fiscal year 2004 Light of the World Christian Tabernacle tions and the State of Israel, in September 1951 ni Generali, Zürich Financial Services Group, assisted in giving $2.62 billion to the State Chancellor Konrad Adenauer of West Germa- Winterhur, and Baloise Insurance Group. With of Israel, and similar amounts for years be- Lindsay Street Baptist Church ny addressed his Parliament: the help of information about Holocaust vic- fore and after 2004. Wikipedia, United States Love Life Christian Fellowship Church `… unspeakable crimes have been commit- tims made available by Yad Vashem, an in- Agency for International Development citing Midway Missionary Church ted in the name of the German people, call- ternational commission under former US Foreign Aid: An Introductory Overview of Miracles, Miracles and More Miracles ing for moral and material indemnity … The Secretary of State, Lawrence Eagleburger, U.S. Programs and Policy, http://fpc.state.gov/ Mission On The Move Federal Government are prepared, jointly has been trying to uncover the names of those documents/organization/31987.pdf, Figure 4, with representatives of Jewry and the State who had been insured and died in the Holo- Page CRS-1. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Israel … to bring about a solution of the caust. The World Jewish Restitution Organiza- Mt. Carmel Baptist Church material indemnity problem, thus easing the tion was created to organize these efforts. On Reparations for Japanese Muhammed’s Mosque No. 15 way to the spiritual settlement of infinite suf- behalf of US citizens, the US Foreign Claims “Beginning in the 1960s, a younger genera- New Beginnings Ministries fering.’ Settlement Commission reached agree- tion of Japanese Americans who were inspired New Jerusalem Baptist Church Wikipedia, Reparations Agreement between ments with the German government in 1998 by the Civil Rights movement began what is Israel and West Germany citing the website and 1999 to compensate Holocaust victims known as the “Redress Movement,” an effort Omega Holiness Church of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims who immigrated to the US after the war.” to obtain an official apology and reparations Poplar Springs Baptist Church Against Germany, or Claims Conference. (Emphasis supplied). Id. from the federal government for interning their Powerhouse of Deliverance Cathedral parents and grandparents during the war, fo- Providence Missionary Baptist Church “Despite the protests, the agreement was It is interesting that Black taxpayers (born into cusing not on documented property losses but Ray Of Hope Christian Church signed in September of that year, and West Jim Crow slavery) helped fund United States on the broader injustice of the internment...” Germany paid Israel a sum of 3 billion marks efforts to obtain reparations for Jews. Wikipedia, Japanese American internment; Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship Church over the next fourteen years; 450 million Reparations and redress. Salem Bible Church marks were paid to the World Jewish Con- And that is not all... “In 2007, Israeli MK Rafi St James Missionary Baptist Church gress. The payments were made to the State Eitan made suggestions that were interpreted “In 1980, Congress established the Commis- St. John Missionary Baptist Church of Israel as the heir to those victims who had as a claim to reopen the agreement, although sion on Wartime Relocation and Internment St. Mark AME Church no surviving family. The money was invested he insisted that he merely intended to “estab- of Civilians (CWRIC) to study the matter. On in the country’s infrastructure and played an lish a German-Israeli work team that would February 24, 1983, the commission issued a St. Mark Lutheran Church important role in establishing the economy of examine how Germany could help the finan- report entitled Personal Justice Denied, con- St. Philip AME Church the new state. The reparations would become cially struggling survivors”. German Finance demning the internment as “unjust and moti- The True Light Baptist Church a decisive part of Israel’s income, comprising Minister Peer Steinbrück originally argued vated by racism rather than real military ne- Wheat Street Baptist Church as high as 87.5% of the state income in 1956.” Germany would not consider expanding the cessity”. The Commission recommended that Woods Memorial Baptist Church Id. agreement, but later German government ...reparations be paid to those Japanese Ameri- spokesman Thomas Steg said that Germany World Covenant Christian Center HR40 continued on page 2 Zion Hill Baptist Church ORR A • L • L • I • A • N • C • E • S

100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. - 100 Black Women of Atlanta - A Guiding Hand - All Empowered Inc. - Association of Black Cardiologists - Atlanta Be Someone Atlanta Business League - Atlanta Quest - Atlanta Urban League - Black Women Film Network - Career Choice International - City of Atlanta, Minority Business Opportunities - Cleveland Ave - Roy L. Yancy, Sr. Public Library - Community Teen Coalition, Inc. - Concerned Black Clergy - FACAA - Fulton County Workforce Development - Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce - GABEO - Ga. Coalition of Black Women, Inc. - Girl Scout Troop 9216 - Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance - Investment Atlanta, Inc. - Jehovah Jireh Edutain- ment Ministries - LAMA Inc. - Making The Transition, Inc. - MACEO’s Kids Foundation - M.E.N.S. Wear Inc - NAACP of Georgia National Action Net- work - Radio One - Ropheka Rock of the World, Inc. - Save Kids of Incarcerated Parents, Inc. - SCLC Women - Show and Prove Youth Organization - SKIP, Inc. - Soul Food Museum - SPARC - The B-Aware Foundation - The Grapevine HIV/AIDS Foundation - The Green City Development Group - The Owens Center For Excellence - The Spirit of Sweet Auburn - Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture - United Negro College Fund

1 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Official Publication of the Overground RR!!®

HR40 continued from page 1 businesses approximated $22 trillion, which Blacks were Letter From the Chairman cans who had been victims of internment. Id. is 353 percent of that amount. (The article in- to be treated tends to be as accurate as possible. In addition as 3/5ths The Over- “In 1988, U.S. President (and former Califor- to businesses identified as specifically owned of a human ground RR!!® nia governor) Ronald Reagan signed the Civil by Whites, publicly held businesses are includ- person. The is constantlly Liberties Act of 1988, ...which provided re- ed. It is assumed that Whites own well more census was moving in a dress ...totaling $1.2 billion dollars.” Id. citing than 90 percent. If you disagree, make your not to ben- swift, pro- Hatamiya, Leslie T. Righting a Wrong. 1994, own adjustment, the difference will make no efit Blacks. ductive pace. page 108-9. distinction in the point of this article.) It only ben- Church, busi- efitted Whites ness and com- “On September 27, 1992, the Civil Liberties In 2008, the spending of Blacks increased to and the cit- munity leaders Act Amendments of 1992, appropriating an $913 billion even though the Black population ies, counties, are recognizing additional $400 million ...redress payments, only increased by 3 million making a total of states and ter- the significance was signed into law by President George H. W. approximately 39 million. Assuming the same ritories who Bush, who also issued another formal apology percentage for business revenue for the respec- claimed to of the move- Congressman John Conyers Aaron Turpeau, ORR Chairman ment and what from the U.S. government.” Wikipedia, Japa- tive ethnic groups, the direness of the picture own Blacks. it stands for. nese American internment; Reparations and is apparent. In this country, Blacks were not human at all, Membership is continually growing and redress. no more than an ape is human, notwithstand- members are reaping the benefits of the This is the empirical evidence which shows ing some undeniable similarities. Overground RR!!®. “In 1988, following lobbying efforts by Japa- where we are. Blacks spend more than any nese Americans, $20,000 per internee was ethnic group other than Whites, but they spend As part of the fundamental education in this The ORR staff is readily available and paid out to individuals who had been interned very little of it with their own businesses. country, especially for Blacks, the language dedicated to providing the community or relocated, including those who chose to re- of certain court cases should be studied. We with a reliable central business directory turn to Japan. These payments were awarded “Ordinary Articles of Merchandise” will better understand how deeply rooted in the which is published throughout the com- to 82,210 Japanese Americans or their heirs The scriptures state, “And ye shall know the core of the United States and how vast and ter- munity by print and cutting edge technol- at a cost of $1.6 billion; the program’s final truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John roristic the evil perpertrated upon us has been. ogy. To attract and encourage use of the disbursement occurred in 1999.” Id. citing De- 8:32. The truth is the “Founding Fathers”, It would help us to understand the challenges ORR business directory, the ORR has en- mocracy Now! | Wwii Reparations: Japanese- their ancestors and many of their descen- we have and are facing as a people. hanced and developed dynamic mediums American Internees. dants were terrorists, kidnappers, rapists, that promote the churches, businesses and torturers, child molesters, and perpetrators The words of the United States Supreme Court organziations of the African-American OUR PEOPLE of every other act one can imagine. The rea- in Dred Scott v. Sanford is an excellent (but un- community. The Conductor can now be The Lack of Economic Stability In Our son you do not hear this is because it is not fortunately not unique) example: found at more than 400 locations in ad- Community is Directly Tied To Slavery.As “politically correct”. dition to being available on www.over- reported in Your Name Is Not Toby. Or Is It? In “In the opinion of the court, the legislation and groundrr.com. the last issue of The Conductor (Vol. 6. No. 3), Yes, the very same people who constantly harp histories of the times, and the language used about “political correctness” would have a cor- in the Declaration of Independence, show, that This issue is a major milestone for the In 2000, approximately 36 million Blacks onary explosion if George Washington, Thom- neither the class of persons who had been ORR. We are challenging our members spent approximately $590 billion (spending as Jefferson (rapist of Sally Henning), Ben- imported as slaves, nor their descendants, and readers to delve into the history of and population data is from the Selig Center jamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and a host whether they had become free or not, were strength and entrepreneurial spirit that has for Economic Growth, Terry College of Busi- of others were said to have been terrorists, then acknowledged as a part of the people, lived in our communities for centuries. ness, The University of Georgia; July 2008 is- kidnappers, rapists, torturers, and child nor intended to be included in the general It’s time to shake the system and support sue). However, according to the U.S. Census molesters, or supporters of those who person- words used in that memorable instrument. those who’ve taken the steps to economic Bureau, the revenue of Black businesses in ally perpetrated the evil acts. But it is true. [Emphasis supplied]. freedom. Will you? Get Onboard!! 2002 (data from the closest year available) ap- Otherwise how could they keep us in slavery proximated $89 billion, only 15 percent of that for 400 years? Think about this the next time “It is difficult at this day to realize the state of amount. someone complains of “political correctness”. public opinion in relation to that unfortunate race, which prevailed in the civilized and en- During 2000, approximately 36 million His- Blacks from the founding of the United States lightened portions of the world at the time of panics spent approximately $490 billion. Ac- were classified and treated as property. Some the Declaration of Independence, and when Inside this issue... cording to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2002, have confused the fact that, for census purpos- the Constitution of the United States was the revenue of Hispanic businesses approxi- es as set out in the U.S. Constitution, Art. I, framed and adopted. But the public history mated $222 billion, which is 45 percent of that Sec. 2, Blacks were counted as 3/5ths of a hu- of every European nation displays it in a man- The Call and Response ...... Pg 1 amount. man person. However, this did not mean that ner too plain to be mistaken. [Emphasis sup- Letter from the Chairman...... Pg 2 Overground in the Pulpit...... Pg 3 During 2000, approximately 11 million Asians Ethnicity Amount Spent Business Revenues % of Amount Dottie Peoples Introduces Make Up Line...... Pg 4 spent approximately $209 billion. According Spent Business Directory...... Pg 15-18 to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2002 the rev- Blacks $590 billion $89 billion 15% ORR Destinations...... Pg 19 enue of Asian businesses approximated $326 Hispanics $490 billion $222 billion 45% Distribution Locations...... Pg 28 billion, which is 155 percent of that amount. Asians $209 billion $326 billion 155% During 2000, Whites spent approximately Business $6 trillion, 231 billion. According to the U.S. Withes $6 billion, 231 billion $22 trillion, 97 billion 353% ABL Honors Women Business Leaders...... Pg 5 Census Bureau, in 2002 the revenue of White HR40 continued on page 8 Essentia Legal: Trademarks ...... Pg 5 Faith Video Broadcasting Churches...... Pg 6 Wine Styles Raises Bar ...... Pg 6 Heart of Comapssion Healing the Mind ...... Pg 7 The ORR welcomes our new members Amazing Cakes Sweetens Business...... Pg 7 Alliances Business Churches Chantrelles Serves Up Quality Delicacies...... Pg 8 Black Women Film Network Heart of Compassion Lindsay Street Baptist Church Church Investment Atlanta, Inc. Paul Morton Builds Second Atlanta church...... Pg 9 Lindsay Street Baptist Church...... Pg 9 Thanks, for getting aboard … Emmanuel Tabernacle...... Pg 9 Emmaus Rises After Church Fire...... Pg 10 Impact! Doing Church Differently ...... Pg 11 Mt. Carmel Pastor’s 35 Years ...... Pg 11 THE CONDUCTOR STAFF Church Directory...... Pg12-13 Publisher Overground RR!!® Managing Editor H.J.A. Alexander Community Operations Manager Elgintine Dudley Truly Living Well with Natural Foods...... Pg 20 Editor JaTika Hudson The Conductor is not responsible for unsolicited CBC Recognizes/Awards Mothers...... Pg 20 Design, Graphics & Photography Larry M. Newton manuscripts, art, and photographs. Views and opinions Neighborhood Church Coalition ...... Pg 21 Videographer Nathaniel Small expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. UNCF 65th Anniversary ...... Pg 21 Alexandria Childs Contributing Writers Pastor Keeps Going After Retirement...... Pg 22 Jeremy House For more information contact: Jacquee Minor Black Women Film Network ...... Pg 22 The Overground RR!!® Kay Marie Pressley Teen Coalition Teaches Business Sense...... Pg 23 Membership and Marketing Rep. Antoinette Stith (404) 346-0808 Spelman Announces $150M Campaign...... Pg 24 Administrative Coordinator Vivian Benjamin GABEO Celebrates 40 Years...... Pg 25 Distribution Phala Herron-Nazarine www.overgroundrr.com Pastor Joins Group to Fight Pollutants...... Pg 25 House of Hope Gives Second Chances...... Pg 26 THE POWER TO PRODUCE WEALTH IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH SPIRIT-BASED COLLABORATION Creating Economic Power in Our Community • Business Directory • Jobs in the Community • Consumer Satisfaction • Church Centers for Business Referrals • Business/Consumer Accountability • Membership Benefits • Email Newsletter • Referral Service • Arbitration of Disputes

2 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® ORR Pulpit www.overgroundrr.com Overground RR!!® Pulpit Host Pastor Guest Pastor Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley Rev. Jerry D. Black Pastor/Providence Missionary Baptist Church Pastor/Beulah Missionary Baptist Church

Church congregations, civic organizations, and citizens from “A Mother’s Love and the Love of God” the Cascade community are very involved in the strength and creation of the life of Atlanta. The diverse groups of people With these two passages of scripture [Exodus 2:19 and John from the Cascade neighborhood are the thread that keeps 3:16], the old and the new testament, I want to talk to you on the community together. The primary objective of the Over- this brief thought, “A Mother’s Love and the Love of God.” ground RR!!® is to avoid the splitting of the community. It’s a pleasure to introduce Rev. Jerry D. Black, once again, as he provides insight on the significance and value of love.

A Mother’s Love and the Love of God Sermon by Pastor Jerry D. Black (This is an excerpt from Pastor Black’s full sermon. To read more visit www.overgroundrr.com)

t seems that the general theme in the written text would be that of love. Webster defines the word love as a deep feeling of endearment that tends to make one feel special Iabout another, that’s love. Love causes us to have special feelings about others. I’m a bit disturbed because it grieves me to find how loosely, some in this day and age, use the word love. Now, it’s true meaning has been corrupted and defiled and polluted because a lot of people call certain things love in this day and age that really is not love. Love is not a hungry passion. Say what one will or may you miss the true meaning of love if you connect it only to the hungry passion or a fleshly lust, you demean the true meaning of this word love.

Now, love in the Christian sense is an indicator of just how Christians really are. Jesus said if you want to know a real Christian, you will know him by his love, her love, for his or her fellow man. Now, say what you will or may about it, he didn’t say that you will know a Christian by how well he talks; he didn’t say you will know a Christian by how well we sing, some of us feel that way. He did not say you’ll know a Christian by how fervently he prays, but you will know a Christian by how they love. Remember Jesus said by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, not by what church you are affiliated with.

We will deal with the love of a mother and on the other hand the love of God. I don’t know about you but I see a close similarity between a mother’s love for her children and the Lord’s love for us. There is a close similarity existing between the two. So I would like to talk a little about A MOTHER’S LOVE AND THE LOVE OF GOD.

A mother’s love is unique because a mother lovers her children not because of, but a true mother loves her children in spite of. that’s why one song writer put into words, and I like those folk who can express themselves in song because that gives us a tool to lean on th make you know what we are trying to say, the son says it so beautifully; “regardless of the crime the child is still mine.” And I look at mothers who have several children and some of those children never give their mother any trouble. The are always there to help and aid for their mother. But there are always some, at lease one in crowd that is not as conscious of sparing mother of hurt and pain as others.

Just like there are some that put forth every effort to keep mama from worrying, there are others who have one problem after another. But there is something about a mother’s love that she loves that problem child, she loves that worrisome child, that child that is always in and out of bad situations, she loves that one as much as she loves that one who never gave her any problems. I’m talking about a real mother. “Regardless of the crime the child is still mine.” That mother loves that child not because of but in spite of. And all of them won’t grow up to be doctors, all of them won’t grow up to be lawyers, all of them won’t grow up to the things that we would really want them and like them really to do. Some may be doctors and others may be mureders but a mother’s love form her children is still there.

Thank God for praying mothers. Thank God for mothers that pushed us on the river of life. Thank God for mother’s faith. Thank God for mothers who know the Lord. Thank God for a mother’s love. Thank God for the Love of God. Heroes and Sheroes of the Church ORR Church Coordinator Usher Swain Watters has been a member of Headland Heights United Methodist Sister Alicia Evans, an original member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church essentially all of his life. Swain has been active in the leadership Church, currently serves as Ministry Leader of NJBC Ushers. She of the church since they relocated to Dodson Drive in 1985. He has served believes that she was called to the ministry by God six years ago. As as United Methodist Men President, on the Finance Committee, Board of Ministry Leader, her main concerns are maintaining order and helping Trustees and other positions. He is currently Chair of the Administrative during service. Alicia considers herself blessed as her desire is to provide Council and teaches the Middle School-High School class every Sunday assistance and comfort while serving the people of God in a friendly man- morning. Headland has a legacy of developing generations of young people ner. She believes that through it all God will say, “Well done my faithful academically, socially and most of all spiritually. servant.”

Deacon Choir Director Deacon William Dixon, has been a devoted and faithful member of Beu- Timothy Simmons is a native of Winston-Salem, N.C. He is a General lah Missionary Baptist Church for 60 years, and he is the church historian. Music School teacher for the DeKalb County Schools and Min of Music Deacon Dixon, proudly served in the Army during World War II. A fellow at Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship where Dr. Mark W. Thompson church member stated that he has “A Heart That Only God Could Have is Senior Pastor. Simmons began his singing ministry at the age of three Created.” A big salute to this Hero of Beulah MBC. and began playing for various churches in Winston Salem at the age of 14. One of his favorite biblical passages is “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NAS)

Mother’s Board Auxillary Mariann Couch of Emmanuel Tabernacle is the birth mother to the Christian Rites of Passage, Inc., Cascade United Methodist Church church’s founder and pastor, Mark A. Couch. She is the executive direc- The Christian Rites of Passage, Inc. (CRoP) was founded in 2003 by Ida tor of the Sparkling Foundation that has awarded more than $175,000 in I. Crook in order to recognize the importance of instilling youth empow- scholarships to high-risk students seeking higher education and served erment, self excellence and self-pride. The 12 rites of passage program on the Board of Directors for the I Sign For You, Inc. organization that further builds on these core values through themed and structured class- improves the quality of life and socializes the hearing impaired into the room instruction. “My goal is to serve the youth of Atlanta so thoroughly mainstream of society. that [the Christian Rites of Passage] would have reached every part of the metro Atlanta community.”

To learn more about our church members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com 3 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com A.G.E.S. Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Dottie Peoples Takes Cosmetic Industry By Storm

The Conductor the product] well and they came after me.” This new venture for Peoples is one that she ottie Peoples is known for her dynamic says is a showing of favor by God. “I wasn’t Dsinging voice, unflinching spiritual even thinking about [the cosmetics business]. beliefs, strong stage presence, and now, she is taking a brand new venture into the world Not only was she excited and flattered but of entrepreneurship. There are many goals honored to be the new face of this line that that the longtime singer has accomplished but is made specifically for women of color. Her now, she is ready to walk into a new calling passion still lies in her music nevertheless in her life that will still allow her to help she is ready to take this new step toward others along the way with a new makeup line entrepreneurship. “We’re opening a store in and music label. November at Union Station Mall where you can purchase D.U.E. makeup,” she says. Oth- Her newly released makeup line, DUE erwise, the makeup can only be purchased (Dottie’s Ultimate Enhancers) is created for online at www.d-u-e.net. The makeup line women of color and has products that cover will be very similar to other brands including Dottie Peoples takes her first step into the business of entrepreneurship with a new cosmetics line the health of skin to beautification. “The Avon, Mary Kay where there will be repre- and DP Muzik Group. She is currently seeking new talent for her label. newest thing on our agenda is DUE, the new sentatives who will sell products for custom- makeup line we’ve just introduced. We’re ex- ers all over the country. cited about that,” Peoples says. “It’s a newly formulated line of skin care and cosmetics.” No matter what direction People’s career takes her, she will always find her way Peoples recalls how she was approached by back to her second love (with her first be- “We’ve gotten a really good response from executives who were contemplating starting a ing God) : Music. She is preparing now to makeup line but needed a face to help launch create a live compact disc set for release [the makeup line]. Everybody who has tried it loves the business. After looking around and not next year. “Somebody told me to do Dottie finding a suitable candidate, Peoples’ name and Friends, so I may do that. [I might] it which is a good plus for us,” Peoples exclaims. arose and her consummate professionalism call up five or six of my friends and people and consistent gift to always look beautiful I’ve worked with for years and them all on and carry herself in a way that represented there,” the Ohio native states. everything the company wanted. Also, she recalls how she has constantly been compli- Peoples has been in the gospel entertain- out and make my next single on my own To those who are looking to enter into the mented on her makeup and look when in the ment business for more than 20 years and has label and I started DP Muzik from there.” gospel entertainment business, Peoples ad- public eye. the accolades and awards to prove it: She has vises that you should “keep God first. Know earned the Spirit Award and been nominated She is initially looking for a male quartet that He is first in your life and then give God “The people came to me about the makeup. for Grammy Awards. In 2008, Peoples started group, a soloist and possibly thinking of some of your talent. If you can sing, get in They said ‘you carry yourself in a way, in the her own music label, DP Muzik Group where starting an Atlanta mass choir. With all of the choir. Give Him some time. Just because industry that when we went out and asked she is currently looking for artists to continue these goals, Peoples has to make time to you can sing doesn’t mean that He will give what artist would be the one we could market carry and the message of God around the concentrate on the burgeoning cosmetic line. you a contract. You have to prove that you this with, they said Dottie always looks nice, world. “I was with Air Records since 1993 “We’ve gotten a really good response from are worthy of that contract.” Peoples has her hair is always in place she wear nice and then the record label was sold to Malachi [the makeup line]. Everybody who has tried surely shown herself approved. it loves it which is a good plus for us,” she clothes and her facie is always made up.’ out of Jacksonville, Miss.,” she recalls. To view video clips of the A.G.E.S. luncheon, They felt I would represent [the company and “When my contract was up I decided to step exclaims. please visit www.overgroundrr.com

Arts Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre presents the gospel telling of the Christmas story as a soul-stirring musical celebration. A testament to the power of gospel music, the story of the Nativity is told through the combination of scripture, poetry, dance and song that connects a contempo- rary church revival to the time of mangers and swaddling clothes. This joyous evening brings the real meaning of faith and love to life.

Gospel Since the early 1980’s, Babbie Mason has made an indelible mark on the gospel music industry. She continues to be one of the great musicians that spread God’s word to the masses. She is the host of the television show, “Babbie’s House” that airs on various TV outlets worldwide. Her numerous awards and accolades prove that she is making a difference in the world of music and for the greater good of humankind.

Entertainment Xernona Clayton is the founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Creator and Executive Producer of the Foun- dation’s Trumpet Awards. The awards show is a prestigious event highlighting African American accomplishments and contributions. Initiated in 1993 by Turner Broadcasting, the Trumpet Awards has been televised annually and distributed internationally to over 185 countries around the world.

Sports Future Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk, inner city youth in metro Atlanta, is a haven where youth shape promising futures. Founded in 2001 by NBA Star and Coach, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, it is the fastest growing nonprofit organization in metro Atlanta. Today its impact runs deep, serving over 4,000 youth annually. Core services include afterschool, healthy relationship skills, parenting, and community capacity building. For more information, visit www.future-foundation.com.

4 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official PublicationBusiness of the Overground RR!!® www.overgroundrr.com ABL Honors Women Business Owners The Conductor the Odds, Non-Traditional Business Enter- prises and Outstanding Achievement Finalists In the legacy of Booker T. Washington, the (Woman of the Year). The women who were Atlanta Business League (ABL) is keeping the nominated and awarded were chosen by a spe- torch burning high for the rise of black busi- cial board within the ABL, even though, it was nesses and the overall black, Atlanta commu- said that some decisions were difficult to make nity. As the founder of the organization, then due to the high-caliber of businesswomen. called the National Business League, Wash- ington intended for the group of black profes- The Atlanta Business League has raised the bar sionals “to enhance and expand the business for its members and for those who are potential community at large, to encourage civic pride, members. Those who are associated with the and to reinvest community money within the group have continually proved themselves to community.” be leaders and trailblazers in the local, national and global business community. ABL leader- Fast forward 76 years from founding date, ship is included. The business organization is 1933, to October 6, 2009, to the 25th anniver- led by the president and CEO, Leona Barr- sary of the ABL Super Tuesday Conference at Davenport and chaired by Erica Qualls, gen- the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. There hundreds eral manager of the Marriott Marquis, where of ABL members, guests and friends convened the event was hosted. to learn more about the women-owned busi- ness community, be encouraged as well as be Cherran Allison, founder of Cher’s Escapes recognized and awarded for outstanding busi- Alice Bussey (center) receives an honor given by the Atlanta Business League for her dedication and service and Events (CE2), an ABL member and vol- nesses. to the organiztion. She is joined onstage by supporters including Erica Qualls (far left), ABL chair, and Leona unteer, has been associated with the organiza- Barr-Davenport (far right) ABL president. tion for one year now. She has already reaped This year, the mostly female benefits from becoming an active member. “I audience received a warm popular and notable African-American wom- were chosen with the goal of reaching the core searched around for different organizations to and informative morning en that have made an impact on the Atlanta purpose of the mission. join, to put my business out there with other welcome at the Opening Ple- community in various ways. Hughes founded businesses and I decided that the [ABL] had nary session guest speaker Radio One in 1979 after she and her husband Attendees had full access to the workshops that the best opportunities for me and I could meet from Cathy Hughes, founder Dewey bought a Washington, D.C. radio sta- were led by Atlanta and nationwide business more people in their networking circle,” she Cathy Hughes and president of Radio One, tion, WOL. Through the years and after buying leaders. Workshops covered topics that ranged recalls. “Just by being in the resources guide, Inc., TV One and Syndica- more stations, Radio One became the largest from social media/networking to self wellness. I’ve received calls saying that they saw my tion One. She informed the crowd of the ins black-owned radio chain in the nation. Her Bunnie Jackson Ransom, president of First company and so to me that awesome and free and outs of the entertainment industry and told success, drive and intellect are what prompted Class, Inc., and a panelist on the Execute or advertising for a year. It just makes good busi- them of the challenges that she and her com- the ABL to invite her to the event as the guest Perish- Your Company’s Life Depends on it, ness sense.” pany faces on a daily basis. “ speaker. states the importance of events and workshops like these. “I think the most important thing is As a member of the public policy committee Her words of encouragement were framed She also spoke of how black stations are in the networking opportunities for these types and event volunteer, Allison has immersed her- around the idea that African Americans should trouble of becoming extinct and how BET, the of events,” she says. “You get out of it what self in the organization to make herself known tell their own stories and tell them in a way that nations’ largest black TV station is owned by you put into it. If you come [to these work- and reputable. “Whatever they need me to do, truly represents the significant spiritual, eco- Viacom, mentioning “which by the way I’m shops] thinking someone has a golden bullet I wear several hats,” she stated. The former nomic and developmental growth achieved. planning to change.” Hinting at her possible for a quick fix on how to market your busi- executive administrator Southern Christian “When you have movies like Tarzan and you purchase of the station, Hughes stated “I’m ness, you’ll be sadly disappointed. But if you Leadership Conference/Women’s Organiza- have television shows like ‘The Real House- sick and tired of being sick and tired” in speak- come to listen and work what [advice] you tion Movement for Equality Now, Inc. [SCLC/ wives of Atlanta’ … which in my veteran me- ing of the sometimes controversial station. get, then you’ll get a lot of it. What works for W.O.M.E.N.], says that she’s faced financial dia opinion, both are equally damaging to the me may not work for John and what work for challenges, however, she is confident that there areas of which they allegedly represent,” she There were many that took the words of the Judy might not work for me.” Jackson’s com- will be a pick up in the economy where she said above the crowds’ applause. “I know that speakers to heart and will continue to use them pany has been incorporated for 35 years and, will see her gain. “I just believe that when it’s might not be the popular position to express in their everyday lives as well as with the hopes according to her, it’s all been by the grace of my season, it’s my season,” she says with a in Atlanta, but, Atlanta, Georgia is blessed to of gaining prosperity in their businesses. The God. wink, embodying the spirit of the women that have one of the most affluent, intelligent, high- mission of the ABL is to “foster[s] the growth, exemplify the ABL, from the leadership to the ly-educated, hard-working, enterprising and creation and development of successful busi- In the luncheon section of the all day event, membership. beautiful populations of women in the world.” ness enterprises owned, operated and managed women business owners were nominated and by African-Americans in metropolitan Atlan- a winner chosen for categories that included, To learn more about our business and communi- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com She then made her way down a long list of ta.” The workshop moderators and panelists Home Based Achievement, Success Against

Essentia Legal: Protecting Your New Business Starts With the Trademark By Jeremy House the legal documents preparing giant We The a supervising examiner, training young law- People, in which they fought for a young po- yers to research and prepare trademark docu- New business owners would be smart to con- litical activist who owns the Internet domain ments. He led the Essentia Legal team on the nect with a legal firm like Essentia Legal. In a WeThePeople.com (WeThePeopleUSA.com landmark case with We The People. business world complicated with legalities that is the company’s domain). Attorney Mason can mean the difference between profitability explains that the legalities involved with trade ORR: Explain the trade marking process?: and financial disaster, the firm was form with a marking present a common pitfall for new specific sensibility for the ongoing struggles of business owners. The trademark process by the U.S. government business owners—big and small. is basically a system based on actual use of a Mason sat down with the ORR to explain mark. Not many people realize that you don’t Essentia Legal’s price structure reflects the some key issues involving trademarks. All in have to actually a have a federal registration in needs of small business owners with a focus all, he told us that it starts in the beginning, by order to have a trademark. Once you put your on affordability and efficiency. With all their “picking the right name.” Mason worked for brand name, symbol or whatever you have ref- This Essentia Legal office is located in the Camp focus on serving the community with afford- the United States Patent and Trademark Office erencing your identity on a particular product, Creek Marketplace on Camp Creek Rd. in East Point. able services, the firm is staffed by three for- for eight years. He was part of flood of lawyers service or in association of service you have mer King & Spalding attorneys, one of the hired into the U.S. Patent and Trademark Of- actually created what is called a common law Most people try to get a registration to have most prestigious law firms in South. Not a bad fice to deal with an influx of trademark regis- trademark. that federal protection in order to be known tradeoff for affordability. Just look at some the tration applications, after a 1988 law permit- as being the federal owner of the mark to give recent media attention that Essentia Legal’s ting business owners to apply for a trademark As Mason explained, for small business own- public notice also to the world that you are the Michael Mason, Latif Oduola-Owoo and Rob- with “bona fide” intent to use the mark. Prior ers, retrieving a trademark begins with just us- federal owner of this trademark. And there are ert Arrington have garnered. to the law change, business owners were re- ing a mark on the entity for sale. Nonetheless a lot of other advantages of having a federal quired to show proof of usage of a trademark. they are limits, the protection bound within the [trademark] registration. The powerhouse threesome won a case against Before leaving King & Spalding, he served as state lines or areas of use.

5 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Business Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Faith Video OnDemand Spreads Worldwide Gospel By Kay Marie Pressley son considers this a small, yet significant token on behalf of his organization. “This shows our huck Johnson, through his business, has thanks to the ministries that support us. This is Cbecome a minister in his own right. He also a great way to be introduced to other local is the owner and CEO of Faith Video OnDe- pastors in the community who may, in return, mand, a multimedia company that broadcasts discover that they may need our services,” the church services world wide using the digital Church of God of Prophecy member says. technology of streaming media. The company was started in 2004 with only a few churches As a youth minister he assists children in the but now it has expanded its services to ap- neighborhood, as well as, his church by ex- proximately 60 churches both nationally and company that I was working for had slowed new members. New members are able to use posing them to the media industry. Johnson is internationally. down. This created an opportunity that helped the Internet to obtain updated information on working with the youths on producing a show to propel me into this business and pointed me events, become personally involved and also called “Kid Action”. It is a media outlet where Not only is this company used to spreading in the direction that I needed to go.” pay tithes on line. Another perk to the Web site the children get to speak about the Lord and the gospel worldwide but it also covers events is that they are able to broadcast events at a express what is happening in their lives. such as conventions, conferences, seminars, Johnson considers this feature extremely valu- considerably lower cost than other forms of revivals, funerals, graduations and weddings. able considering that Faith Video OnDemand electronic media, including television and ra- Faith Video OnDemand has a main goal that This brings the event home for families and not only provides services 24/7 for churches dio. Other products and services include pod- for the next two to five years the customer friends who are unable to attend the events for and their congregation, but also families, casting, video e-mail, customized storefront base will increase to include other churches, whatever reasons. They have the access to tune friends and church members who are in tran- and sponsorship opportunities to organiza- mosques and synagogues with congregations in via the Internet and watch their loved ones sition either by job or home relocation. They tions. There is also a Word of the Day on the from the Jewish, Hispanic, and other cultural or gain information without ever leaving the also service military personnel, college stu- company’s Web site at www.faithvideoonde- denominations. Now, they are connected to comforts of home. dents who are away from home, seniors or the mand.com that has generated a lot of positive churches in England, Canada and Africa and elderly who are sick or homebound, as well feedback. look forward to expanding to other countries. An engineer by trade, Johnson got into this line as, incarcerated individuals who wish to view For further information on how you can con- of work because he believes that God was using these events. This round the clock media cov- The company hosts a Pastor of the Month Ap- nect your church, organization or business, him as an avenue to expand the gospel world- erage helps bring awareness to church minis- preciation Day as part of its community out- please contact Chuck Johnson at the Web site wide. “I wanted to do something that involved try, community events and also increase their reach. During a special luncheon or dinner or call 770-912-7677 or 866-847-6793. spreading the gospel which is a commandment membership locally as well as internationally. every month, Faith Video OnDemand reveals by God in Matthew 24:13,” he says. “I was a pastor and first lady to honor. With the honor To learn more about our business and communi- also searching for something to do because the With Faith Video OnDemand many of the are a personalized plaque and other amenities ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com churches have grown incrementally by gaining on behalf of Faith Video OnDemand. John- Wine Styles Raises the Bar on Entrepreneurial Style The Conductor

It’s been said that if you find a job doing what become entrepreneurs and we really trying to you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. decide ‘what is it that we know enough about to Well, according to the husband and wife team, do and do well and enjoy doing everyday’ and Belinda Stubblefield and Ron Frieson, they’ve we thought about wine.” After taking classes at found the job that doesn’t require a day of work the Atlanta Wine School, the two were ready to at their own establishment, Wine Styles. take on Wine Styles.

Married for six years, the couple felt that they’re Frieson states that they noticed that there was a love for wine would be the perfect blend to their lack of “amenities” in their community; how- desire to become entrepreneurs. With both hav- ever, they were sure that there was a desire to ing successful professional backgrounds, Hers: learn more about wine as well as socialize. “We Belinda Stubblefield is the co-owner of Wine Styles Head of Delta Air Lines Customer Service and both had a multifaceted, tremendous interest in with her husband, Ron Frieson. Stubblefield enjoys call center and His: Executive Vice President wine and when you think about expanding the taking care of customers that visit the store by ring- of External Affairs at Children’s Healthcare knowledge base, I think that is a service to the ing up orders, answering questions, greeting and even of Atlanta, entrepreneurship was their next community.” pouring a glass of wine for the “regulars”. (Right) Wine Styles creatively displays its fine wines. step. “Wine Styles-Cascade has been open since November 2006 and we are approaching “We’ve got to start investing in our communi- made sure that the two establishments bring the our third-year anniversary,” Stubblefield says ties, in oppose to asking a lot of the big chains best of the best to the predominantly African- proudly. “It’s been great. We really wanted to to come and [invest]. A big part of our focus is American community. The store is designed open a store here in our community and the turning money over in our community. We don’t to be customer friendly, unintimidating and as community has really embraced it.” ask people to give us a pass on our service … reasonably-priced (averaging $10-$20 for many [or] product. All we ask is that [the community] bottles) as possible. With the warm atmosphere The support shows in the more than 200 wine puts us in your rotation, give us a try.” He notes and wine chilled temperature, customers are club members that the store owners boast. Wine that their visitors and customers include all types always greeted with advice on a wine(s) that club members enjoy monthly wine tastings and of community leaders and everyday folks who they’re looking for. continuous discounts during the events and spe- enjoy the warm, vibrant atmosphere that the cial VIP treatment. The store holds 150 wines store exudes. A large part of the locale planning went into that customers can choose from to take home Wine Styles. The two pondered opening the or enjoy in the store. Located at 3752 Cascade Rd., the wine store is wine store in another location but their thoughts the host venue to wine tastings, organizational quickly came back home to the Cascade area. The couple recalls how they enjoy wine in their events and has become a place where com- They wanted to bring this experience to the personal lives and knew that this transition into munity residents visit to sit and enjoy a glass community that they live and love and reduce working with wine would be a welcomed chal- of wine with other connoisseurs. The dual the commute that Cascade residents take for an lenge. “My husband and I were thinking about owners are also co-owners/partners of their upscale wine experience that would occur, oth- what we wanted to do because we wanted to neighboring restaurant, Landon’s. They’ve erwise, closer to downtown, midtown or Buck- head. The support has been so overwhelming from residents and organizations that the owners have no plans of opening a store anywhere else.

Need a service Another part of entrepreneurship that Stubble- field enjoys is the ability to employ community important because our differentiation is the cus- and/or product? members. She says her staff makes her job easier tomer service,” the former California resident and when customers come in to have a glass states. “Not only [do we have a] friendly staff ® of their favorite wine or to try a new wine, it’s but [they are a] knowledgeable, educated staff. Overground RR!! business directory like “spending time with a friend.” Providing In many ways, I feel lucky because we’ve been jobs and helping others create a livelihood is blessed with people who love wine and enjoy provides you with a host of businesses something the duo takes seriously. “It’s nice to customer service and spending time with our be able to know that you’re helping someone customers.” else help themselves,” she says. “[It’s great] to to choose from. be a part of the solution.” To learn more about our business and communi- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com “We have a really good team and that’s real

6 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Business www.overgroundrr.com Amazing Cakes Celebrates Success Heart of Compassion: Healing One Sweet Tooth at a Time The Conductor the Body by Healing the Mind By Jeremy House relaxation exercises Finding our calling comes from many direc- that engender a state tions. The husband and wife team, Tanya and Frightened by the thought of being hypno- of trance. Once in Joaquin Thompson are entrepreneurs today tized? “Don’t be” says Cassandra Bell, a that trance state, because Tanya’s sweet gesture to her spouse. trained hypnotherapist in Atlanta. Referring to a trained therapist highly televised stereotypical scenes of people could suggest posi- One day, Tanya baked a cake for her husband being hypnotized to quack like a duck, Bell tive bits of informa- and took it to his job. A female co-worker, who proclaims that it’s just nonsense. “It’s stage tion that retrain sub- was also engaged to be married, tasted the cake hypnosis,” said Bell. “It’s there for entertain- conscious habitual and asked Tanya if she would bake her wed- ment purposes only. It’s comedy.” brain reactions that ding cake. After many requests and persever- The Thompsons own and operate The Amazing Cakes aid certain health Bakery, Inc. ance from the bride-to-be, she faced her fears In contrast, according to Bell, hypnotherapy predicaments. Cassandra Bell and said yes. This was something that she’d deals with real problems. One of Bell’s clients never done before, even though her mother board. Joaquin, is more of the front man for the informed her that the success of therapy out- Commonly treated had previously asked her to accompany her to store as Thompson states that “he is more of a weighed the success of anxiety medication. illnesses include anxiety, stress, and eating a baking class. Now, Tanya willing signed her- character and [has a more outgoing] personal- “Our mind, which is the most powerful tool and sleep disorders. A joint study by the VA self up for baking classes thar were now more ity]. He is the sales and marketing person.” that we have to heal and improve our bodies, Medical center and the University of Southern of a security effort than a luxury. [is what] we’re not using. Instead, we’re using California-San Francisco, published in May Since then business has been booming and she other methods that may 2008, showcases sig- With such a grand request for a momentous oc- is busier than ever. The Thompsons are now not be as good for you; nificant success of hyp- casion, Thompson was proud of the cake. “By searching for a second store to sell their good- or natural.” “Whatever affects notherapy for a waning delivery time, I just couldn’t believe the cake ies. She notes that she has more than 1,000 smokers’ dependence I’d done. I woke everyone up in the house so recipes, however, customers have 15 types of Veteran hypnothera- the body affects on tobacco. they could come and see the cake,” the mother desserts to choose from including red velvet pist Darice Bossen in- the mind and cakes to Hummingbird cakes. of three says. She’s been baking ever since. cited Bell to discover whatever affects “Its not mind con- the untapped power trol,” explains Bell For seventeen years, Thompson has been bak- Part of her motivation for staying in business of the human brain. the mind who says the trance ing cakes professionally. She baked from her is due to there being too few black businesses. During a networking affects the body.” like state of hypnosis home the first 10 years and then moved to a Thompson says that she has lived in Florida, event in 2006, Bossen is a “natural process. storefront location seven years ago. Now, she Washington, D.C. and New York, and un- helped Bell realize that -Cassandra Bell In fact people experi- and her husband are the owners of The Amaz- derstands that Atlanta is a rarity where there the mind can heal the ence a state of trance ing Cakes Bakery, Inc. She is the baker and he are more black-owned businesses. “When it body. Since then, Bell everyday. “Whatever handles the day-to-day business operations. comes to African-American businesses, we are has received training affects the body affects The baking business wasn’t what she initially less than one percent,” Thompson says. “So, at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in Tar- the mind and whatever affects the mind affects wanted for herself. Before Amazing Cakes, that’s why I get up every morning.” zanna, Calif. and received certification has a the body.” Therefore, taking care of the mind she was an early education teacher who was therapeutic imagery facilitator. Now she op- is essential to overall health and well-being. satisfied with enlightening the minds of youth. With three children, the couple plans on leav- erates Heart of Compassion Hypnotherapy, a Hypnotherapy is not a quack medicine; it’s a ing a legacy of independence, whether they business of healing, striving to cure by uniting healing alternative that allows the body to heal Nevertheless, she is still using her teacher become entrepreneurs or not. The main goal is mind and body. itself, a step in the right direction from many of training and tactics in the bakery business. She to instill pride in yourself as well as your work. today’s medicinal and chemical dependencies. mentions how her creative mind is still very Hypnotherapy is one of many alternative heal- active when it comes to creating new cakes To learn more about our business and communi- ing methods booming with the last two de- To learn more about our business and communi- and designs for her cake model and display ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com cades. The therapy employs a wide range of ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com

Essenta Legal continued from page 5 Publication? After one month of publication the mark is Picking the right name. To any new business ORR: What are the steps for obtaining a officially registered? owners advantage to always try to pick a name federally registered trademark? To be approved for publication means that the that is proctectble and registerable.” What you mark appears in this magazine called the “Of- And even after a registration there’s no guar- want do is avoid problems in the beginning.” The trademark process itself is not as simple ficial Gazette” and you can find it in any pub- antee you can keep it. Common law use is It’s very important to picking right name and as like the copyright process. You just don’t lic library it comes out every week from U.S. based on date of first use. Who actually used getting that internet domain name at the same file a trademark and expect to get a registra- Patent and Trademark office. It’s there for the the trademark first? Best case scenario is year time. tion. What happens is it goes through a period entire world to see. You have one month to file before you could use the registration symbol. of examination [to prevent the likely hood of an opposition. It’s called the opposition period. confusion]. If a month goes by and there no oppositions… Any tips for people wanting to begin the To learn more about our business and communi- typically what happens then the mark is ap- trademark process? ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com Step one: proved for registration.

Typically what happens when you file your ap- plication is that it eventually reaches the desk of an examining attorney; he looks it over and the first thing he does is called a trademark search. He searches the database of the regis- tered trademark at the U.S. trademark office to determine if there are any conflicts.

What if the trademarks are similar?

Now, it doesn’t have to be exactly the same. Let’s say, if I filed a registration for “Masons Peanut Butter” and someone already has “Ma- sons Grape Jelly” that probably would be a conflict even though the marks aren’t the same and the goods aren’t the same. You can see how someone would assume that the owner of Mason Grape Jelly would expand their line of business into the peanut butter business.

What’s another problem business owners could face?

If the mark is too descriptive. Everyone in the peanut butter industry could use the word crunchy. Additionally, there could be grounds for denial name marks. The government doesn’t mark coming in with just last names. There’s a back in forth between the trademark office and the person who files registration until they have satisfied registration and have been approved for publication.

7 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Business Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® RestaurantsRestaurants

Chantrelle’s Restaurant and Catering dining areas provide a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for diners in Southwest Atlanta. Perseverance Leads Chanterelles Chef to Entrepreneurship The Conductor make orders to the other kitchen staff, Bridges Bertram, who came to United States in 1967, diners. When you walk through the door, the included. He was also marveled at how the is a West German chef who has trained and ex- middle dining area used to be all the seating orking toward a dream is sometimes chef would take food from scratch and prepare celled in European cuisine. He has become one choices diners had. Later on, Bridges was able Whard work. It takes determination, the most beautiful, delicious dishes for hotel of the city’s best and most well-known chefs. to purchase the space to the right – a former know-how, dedication, talent and, most of all, guests. This was the moment that he finally re- beauty shop and then the space to the left – an help from the Divine. All are familiar to Al alized his calling, or at least the goal he wanted “I was a chef other establishments [including] African shop. Bridges, owner and chef of Chanterelles Res- to reach for now. The Abbey, the Sheraton [et al.]. After a while, Success has proven taurant and Catering in Southwest Atlanta. you don’t want to work for anybody any lon- itself a long After a brief amount of time, he really began ger,” Bridges explains. “If you can be a chef but worth- Bridges’ story starts after an unexpected fam- to enjoy working in the kitchens and made his at a successful restaurant, then you want to while road ily move to Florida and his search for a job of first move to cook hotel meals. He arranged see if you can be the chef/owner at your own for Bridges. any kind. After just a short time in the Sun- an “apprenticeship” for himself at his second successful restaurant. It’s just a natural thing The foun- shine state, he knew it was time to find a job. A hotel job where he would arrive at work at 5 to do.” His progression into entrepreneurship dation of his friend of his brother told him of a dishwasher a.m. and then after cooking he would return began around 26 years ago when he opened journey is one position at a local hotel. Not being concerned to washing dishes. This went on until his road, Chanterelles. of good times, with the type of job, Bridges applied, inter- once again, landed him back in Georgia albeit good food and viewed and was offered the job. “ this time Atlanta. Chanterelles is a unique fusion of soul food seemingly a good dishes with a French cuisine influence. The attitude partnered In the kitchen, he noticed how the chef would “It was an ambition that I wanted to own my dishes include baked rosemary chicken, with an open mind. own restaurant,” Bridges states.” But [I want- French peas, shrimp creole and curry goat. Bon appétit! ed] to be a chef first and see how everything Bridges admits that all of the dishes are his fa- works. You see, owning your own business is vorites because he won’t serve anything to his not earn while you learn. You have to already customers that he doesn’t love himself. know.” Knowing is only part of the craft. The other is God-given talent. To this day, Bridges His time as a hands-on restaurateur has made has never taken a culinary class at an institu- him many new friends by way of regular cus- tion. His learning has been hands on since the tomers. His humble beginning in the restau- beginning. rant business is a story that he willingly and proudly shares. It’s a story that shows that Al Bridges is the founder and chef at Chanterelles. While at the Abbey hotel in Atlanta, Bridges hard work and great customer service goes a To learn more about our business and communi- trained under Hans Bertram as an apprentice. long way. Now, Chanterelles can seat up to 60 ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com

646 Evans Street For more information Atlanta, GA 30310 visit: Phone: 404-758-0909 Bridges recalls how he started washing dishes in a www.thechanterelles.com hotel kitchen and now owns his own restaurant is located at: Fax: 404-758-3671 in southwest Atlanta.

HR40 continued from page 2 upon it in their private pursuits, as well as in lantic. And, accordingly, a negro of the Afri- plied]. matters of public concern, without doubting can race was regarded by them as an article 5,000 lynchings are documented between Re- for a moment the correctness of this opinion. of property, and held, and bought and sold construction and the late 1960s. After the suc- “They had for more than a century before been [Emphasis supplied]. as such, in every one of the thirteen colonies cesses Blacks achieved after the Civil War, regarded as beings of an inferior order, and which united in the Declaration of Indepen- Jim Crow slavery was established to replace altogether unfit to associate with the white “And in no nation was this opinion more firmly dence, and afterwards formed the Constitution chained slavery. In 1889 Florida became the race, either in social or political relations; and fixed or more uniformly acted upon than by of the United States. The slaves were more first state to use the poll tax to disenfranchise so far inferior, that they had no rights which the English Government and English people. or less numerous in the different colonies, as Black voters, Mississippi in 1890, South Caro- the white man was bound to respect; and They not only seized them on the coast of slave labor was found more or less profitable. lina in 1895, Louisiana in 1898 (notably ORR that the negro might justly and lawfully be Africa, and sold them or held them in slav- But no one seems to have doubted the correct- member North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance reduced to slavery for his benefit. He was ery for their own use; but they took them ness of the prevailing opinion of the time. [Em- was founded that year - We should flock to it for bought and sold, and treated as an ordinary as ordinary articles of merchandise to every phasis supplied]. our insurance needs), North Carolina in 1900, article of merchandise and traffic, whenever country where they could make a profit on Alabama in 1901, Virginia in 1901, Georgia in a profit could be made by it. This opinion was them, and were far more extensively en- “This 1857 states the plight of our people 1908 and Oklahoma in 1910. Quintard Taylor, at that time fixed and universal in the civilized gaged in this commerce than any other na- during the chain stage of the terroristic slav- America I Am;Black Facts; The Timelines Of portion of the white race. It was regarded as an tion in the world. [Emphasis supplied]. ery. Through Jim Crow it continued without African American History, 1601-2008. axiom in morals as well as in politics, which the formality of the chains. The terror was so no one thought of disputing, or supposed to be “The opinion thus entertained and acted upon deeply embedded into our minds that Blacks “Woodrow Wilson in 1913 initiated segregated open to dispute; and men in every grade and in England was naturally impressed upon the remained enslaved through the lynchings and workplaces, restroom and lunchroom in all position in society daily and habitually acted colonies they founded on this side of the At- other forms or terrorism until the 1960s.” federal offices across the nation. The Ku Klux HR40 continued on page 24

8 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official PublicationChurch of the Overground RR!!® www.overgroundrr.com Bishop Paul S. Morton Readies to Open ‘Change A Generation’ Church ishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. is the found- Bing Presiding Bishop of one of the fast- est growing movements in America - The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Internation- al (FGBC). As an apostle, he has birthed many churches out of Greater Saint Stephen, New Orleans. Bishop Morton is also an internation- al television preacher who, for more than 25 years, has reached thousands of souls for the Lord on a weekly basis. Morton is known as a gifted author and an anointed singer, having Lindsay Street received five Stellar Awards. His life in Christ is evidenced by his love and compassion for his family, the brethren and those who are lost. Fights for Its Many esteem him as a pastor’s pastor; a lead- er’s leader, but outside of the church his wife and children revere him as a loving husband Community and role model father. (Above) This is a photo of Bishop Morton’s new church, Change A Gerneration Full Gospel Baptist Church/ Atlanta. The new facility will be opening on November 29 for a dedication service. Morton’s Change A Genera- By Jeremy House Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. who strives to ex- tion Church on Snapfinger Dr. will remain a staple to his ministry. His former church, Greater St. Stephens Full emplify the heart of God, is truly God’s Man. Gospel Baptist Church, in New Orleans, was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. eighbors know the exact location of Lind- In August 2005, Katrina devastated the New Stephen FGBC Uptown and Greater St. Ste- our new campus at 3350 Greenbriar Parkway Nsay Street Baptist Church. Founded de- Orleans area. God said to Bishop Morton, “I phen/Atlanta. in Southwest Atlanta where we held our Cam- cades ago inside an old brick building, where may be down-sizing New Orleans, but I won’t pus Dedication Sunday on November 29. God fresh onlookers would call in the middle of down-size your ministry.” So, in October With a determination to “Change A Gen- has richly blessed Changing A Generation Full nowhere, the church has become a community 2005, Greater St. Stephen began having ser- eration” during a difficult time in both states, Gospel Baptist Church. staple. In the years since the church has expe- vices at New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Bishop Morton adopted a new motto: “Chang- rienced relative prosperity, residents haven’t Church at 3:00 p.m. ing the Way We Do Church”. In Atlanta, the Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist forgotten about the church and the church cer- church prospered with more than 20 active Church was birthed out of the legacy and rich tainly has not forgotten them. In January 2006, church members marched ministries within two years. After celebrating history of Greater St. Stephen Missionary Bap- into the newly-renovated edifice at 4185 33 years of pastoring in New Orleans, Bishop tist Church, which was organized on January 6, Located on Lindsay Street, perpendicular to Snapfinger Woods Drive where the Lord be- Morton passed the mantle to his wife, Co- 1937 in a rented hall on South Liberty Street in Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., the name appropri- gan adding to the church daily. After the wa- Pastor Debra B. Morton and appointed her as New Orleans by the late Rev. Arthur A. Gundy. ately dubs the church which is deeply rooted ters receded in New Orleans, renovations were senior pastor of Greater St. Stephen in New After experiencing great growth they moved to in street’s happenings. The old brick building underway to rebuild. Greater St. Stephen was Orleans. Bishop Morton now serves as her co- Ladies Providence Hall and then again in 1939 in which the church was originated, rests a not only blessed by the compassion and con- pastor. This repositioning, therefore, evoked to a two-story building at 2308 South Liberty few steps behind the new creation on the same tributions from the Body of Christ, they were the change in the name of the church in 2008 located in the Uptown area of New Orleans. In road. Able to facilitate three times the size of able to be a blessing to thousands who came to after Bishop Morton repositioned his focus 1954, construction on the new church began, its predecessor, it’s the perfect structure for a receive assistance (food, clothing, personal ne- to senior pastor of the newest church birthed but Rev. Gundy was called home that same congregation that houses a growing agenda cessities, etc.) after Katrina. The Westbank and out of the legacy and strength of Greater St. year and did not see his vision come to pass. and strong record of community advocacy. Uptown locations were restored and the servic- Stephen, the place where so many now call His Assistant Pastor, Rev. Percy Simpson, Jr. es were filled to capacity. Bishop Morton was home, “Changing A Generation Full Gospel was immediately appointed Pastor-in-Charge Pastor Anthony Motley has led the congrega- led to install Bishop Tommie Triplett as Pastor Baptist Church/Atlanta.” We are producing a and continued the work started by Rev. Gundy. tion for 29 years, moderating over a period of of the Westbank Location in 2007. We became greater change with one church in two states. To learn more about our business and communi- significant growth. Instead of transplanting “One Church in Two States” with Greater St. We have acquired and blessed the grounds of ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com the church to a more suburban-like neighbor- hood, the church opted to remain in the historic English Avenue community, a neighborhood characterized by its disparity and dilapidated Emmanuel Tabernacle Pastor housing.

“This is a historic community,” said Motley, Transforms Lives, Community a former pastor at Rome and Cedartown, Ga. By Jacquee Minor they come from. I can speak their language.” churches. Past dwellers of the neighborhood included Gladys Knight, Maynard Jackson and It’s no coincidence that Pastor Mark A. Couch When they first moved in, Couch, positioned a litany of deceased local political figures. He chose one of Atlanta’s most crime-ridden streets himself as someone they could talk to. He went joined the church because he felt a “special to start his church five years ago. In 2001, Dill directly to gang members to communicate, kinship” with the church community and in- Avenue in Southwest Atlanta was notorious broke up street fights, and intervened in drug sists that he has stayed there for that reason. for its gang violence, drugs and crime. Couch deals. and the nine members who started Emmanuel “At one point we considered moving and were Tabernacle purposely chose a location “in the “This is what separates those that really have in negotiations with a church in East Point,” hood” realizing it had the greatest need. the heart for people, and those that are just in said Motley. “But God intervened and made it it for the fame or the fortune and glamour,” ac- Emmanuel Tabernacle was founded by Pastor Mark clear … that he wanted us to ‘drop our buck- Now approximately 600 cording to Couch. “I have a desire to see people A. Couch. ets’, as Booker T. Washington would say, members strong, the delivered and healed. That’s where my passion where we are.” He added, “We saw it as a di- doing things he knew were wrong. He didn’t church has become a comes from.” rect indication that God wanted us to do seri- find his way again until the age of twenty-two, symbol of hope and the ous ministry that was not being done.” when he made a commitment to read the Bible source of inspiration for a Couch believes you have to reach troubled youth for 30 consecutive days. Couch says he had to remarkable turn-around in where they are before you can start to minister to By “serious ministry” Motley means direct lose everything he had before returning to his the community. them. Inquiring about their interests, he learned involvement in the social uplift of a forgotten roots in the church. that sports got them excited. The church started American neighborhood. Convictions his edu- Pastor Mark Couch Couch, in response to a a basketball team, engaging fifteen boys to play cation firmly ingrained into the young Motley. Having studied to show himself approved, at- divine directive to take on the team, while twenty girls chose to become tending Morris Brown college and earning a his ministry beyond the cheerleaders. As the son of an Alabama pastor, Motley was Biblical Studies degree from Carver Bible Col- four walls of the church, notes the crime rate reared in a religious household. It was years lege, Couch and his band of followers stepped is noticeably improved and gang activity is Many of the wayward are now faithful members after his family relocated to Cincinnati (after out on faith to establish Emmanuel Tabernacle. practically non-existent. While there is still of the church, giving back to the community his father was received as pastor of another room for improvement, the pastor points to they once terrorized. church) and Motley was a sophomore at Ohio Worship services on Sundays at 8:00 am and signs of progress in making Dill Street a safer State University that he heeded to his call to 10:45 am, designed to appeal to all denomina- place to reside. Born in Pennsylvania, Couch grew up in the preach. At the time, still ambivalent about a tions, have grown to attract hundreds of new Atlanta public school system. He credits his suitable pathway into ministry, Motley pon- followers with a wide range of talents and skills, Much of his success is the result of hands-on in- parents with doing a good job of raising him and dered alternatives routes. For Motley, Ohio stretching the physical limits of the church to volvement. “I identify with young people”, says his siblings, but he got off track as a teen-ager. EMMANUEL continued on page 10 LINDSAY continued on page 10 Pastor Couch, “with what they’re doing, where He began to hang out with the wrong crowd,

9 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Church Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Emmaus Baptist Church On the Road to Recovery

By Jacquee Minor

2:30 a.m. phone call rarely brings good Anews. A call in the wee hours of Friday morning, Au- gust 22, 2008 informed Pastor David Scott that his church, Emmaus Road Missionary Baptist, was in flames. Hours later, the church in ruins, Scott, still in shock from the sudden loss, sum- moned the courage to look ahead. He saw the church rising from the ashes to become a glori- ous, new edifice.

His vision for a new home comes to life in De- cember 2009; a brand new 24,000 square foot sanctuary in Riverdale. When completed, the church will seat 520, with a 1,200 person ca- pacity throughout the modern, spacious facil- ity. An elevator will transport members to the second floor, and a lift on the front of the build- ing to facilitate easy access.

For more than a year since the fire, deemed sus- picious but the cause still officially unknown, the congregation has met in a strip mall on Church Street in Riverdale. While attendance has admittedly fallen off, from more than 500 Emmaus Road Baptist Church pastor reveals their brand new church after a tragic fire destroyed the previous house to now around 350 members, optimism about of worship. The new church is expected to open for members, visitors and friends early 2010. (Right) The church van, the future is at an all-time high. Scott gives located next to the burnt church, was also destroyed in the August 22, 2008 fire. thanks for the faithful few who have remained steadfast and committed to the vision.

He started Emmaus Road 13 years ago in his program with a 70 percent success rate. The On a tour of the new church, a couple of The church meets home. A former bankruptcy attorney and pros- program welcomes men with substance abuse months from completion, Scott points out up- for Sunday ser- ecutor, Scott finally answered the higher call- problems through rigorous 18 month reha- to-the-minute amenities, like the elevator and vice at 10 a.m. in ing to hold court over the pulpit. Several re- bilitation treatments before releasing them out front stoop lift. It is perched on the corner the Chateau Plaza locations later, in December 1999 they moved into society. GANG (God’s Anointed New lot of a three-acre tract of land owned by the in Riverdale. For to 3725 Flat Shoals Rd. in College Park, their Generation of Men) targets young men at risk; church. more information, home of nearly nine years before the fire to- and Oasis in the Dessert, a summer tutorial contact the church tally destroyed it. Despite being displaced, the and afterschool program serves children 5-12 The completely brick building showcases office at 770-964-7007 or 770-909-3747, or church has continued a significant outreach years of age. There’s also a literacy program doves etched onto the glass doors and stain visit them at www.ermbc.org. ministry. and food bank. glass windows, and television monitors placed strategically throughout the building. When To learn more about our business and communi- Sitting in his temporary office in the Sims Married 25 years with two adult children, Scott completed, it promises to be a magnificent, ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com Group Insurance Agency on Riverdale Road, has been recognized by the Gospel Choice state-of-the-art addition to the River- down the street from the temporary church, Awards as Outstanding Pastor in Atlanta in dale community. Sims proudly describes the programs that have both 2004 and 2008. He earned a Doctorate in defined his “urban ministry with a heart for Theology from Restoration Theological Semi- Down but not out, Emmaus Road the people”. Their House of Hope program for nary in Atlanta. Missionary Baptist Church is on the men with addictions is a long-term, in-house proverbial road back to recovery.

LINDSAY continued from page 9 involvement in the social politico health of the neglected and the resources that are State couldn’t intimately prepare him for pas- community became the standards his congre- available to, let’s say Buckhead, are turing to the African-American community. gation. not available to English Avenue and For that he had to attend Morehouse College. we want to bring attention to it.” “I think that to be an effective preacher and While visiting Atlanta on a personal vaca- pastor you have to [have] both a spiritual as Perhaps the best example of this ad- tion, Motley’s father introduced him to a man well as a social, political, and even scientific vocacy is the church’s involvement who would later introduce him to the college dimension to your preaching. All of those ar- in pressuring the city to prosecute campus. Professors, students and faculty alike eas of study should inform your preaching,” the killers of English Avenue resident impressed the young Motley who transferred Motley proclaimed. Kathryn Johnston. Members of the to the school immediately during his senior Atlanta Police Department Narcotics year at Ohio State. The school’s record for The possibility of changing the social land- unit gunned downed Johnston after mass producing outstanding, astute preachers scape of the community enticed Motley. Mot- conducting a drug bust of her home. and employing cutting-edge African American ley has enticed his congregation to do the same. Lindsay Street Baptist Church’s pub- scholars, soon attached Motley to its catalog of A founder and current president of the English lic outcry helped keep light on the of- extraordinary religious leaders. He furthered Avenue Ministerial Alliance—a coalition of ficers who were later convicted and his education at the Interdenominational Theo- 22 Baptist churches located in and around the sentenced to prison for conspiracy, logical Center (ITC)’s Morehouse School of English Avenue neighborhood, Motley intends fraud, and police brutality. Religion from which he earned his Master of on revitalizing the community from ground up. Arts degree in Christian Education. Work like this is what advocacy is “We are busy pulling together the faith com- about; righting the wrongs that the Martin Luther King, Jr., Benjamin E. Mays, munity and [drawing] attention to the disparity powers that be allow, and sometimes Howard Thurman and a host of other More- of resources that comes about through both ra- enforce, to happen in communities house preachers became Motley’s role mod- cial discrimination and class discrimination,” like English Avenue. With all of the els. These preachers’ ability to incorporate the exclaimed Motley. “This community has been wrongs of the Atlanta communities literatures of politics, philosophy and history To learn more about our business and communi- and the world, Motley has his work became the hallmark of his style. Their intense ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com cut out for him.

EMMANUEL continued from page 9 Dill Avenue, Sylvan Road and Hartford Street. school for the community. The ultimate its capacity. Plans are to break ground in early 2010 for goal is to build a new church complex the first major project, a senior assisted living with a community recreation center, “God has brought the right people to bring about development. The CDC has also acquired land located in the immediate vicinity of the right projects,” observes Pastor Couch. in East Point with plans to build in that area in the current church. the future. In perhaps its biggest project to date, a church- The City of New Hope will stand as sponsored Community Development Corpora- Looking further down the road, Pastor Couch testament, in what was once menac- tion (CDC) has envisioned The City of New envisions a strip plaza, a restaurant and a charter ing territory, of God’s promise to the Hope, a $10 million dollar building project To learn more about our business and communi- faithful. that encompasses a four block area bordered by ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com

10 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Church www.overgroundrr.com Impact! Takes Aim at ‘Doing Church Differently’ od has given all a talent, gift or calling. people where they are and assist them in grow- various aspects of possible disturbances to the GMany fall in a category that don’t allow ing a relationship with God. “We are about worship services, Brown created a plan that them to use this gift, be it self-chosen or circum- relationship, not membership,” Brown states would include the Atlanta Falcons football stantial. Pastor Olu Brown, founder and lead as he expresses that there are no members as games into his plan. “When we leased the space pastor of Impact! Doing Church Differently, there has not been a membership request at … we knew that there would be an Atlanta Fal- here in Atlanta is following in the path that God services. However, he is aware that there are cons football game at least six times that would has laid for him. approximately 900-1,000 attendees per service. impact our worship time at the [GWCC]. So we ”Impact church has been successful, I believe, said, what we would do is not close our doors “I entered into ministry at a pretty young age. because we’ve always been concerned with but we would reach out and try to be a part of the I was still a teenager, I felt a since of calling the spiritual side of an individual’s life but we football community. We’ve branded ourselves although I did my best to run from it and do take a holistic approach to ministry. [We ask as the best pre-game show in Atlanta.” With this some other things I just felt a certain since of ourselves] what happens in the academic side plan in motion, Impact is gearing up for the sea- call to ministry and serve others in new and of the community; what happens in the social son while other churches are sometimes, forced dynamic ways.” aspect of the community; what even happens in to step back to not interrupt the football season. the economics of the community?” In 2006, Brown stepped away from his post His more than 30 employees are housed in their at Cascade United Methodist Church as an as- The inaugural worship service took place at offices at the H.J. Russell building on Fair St., sistant pastor and Wednesday Night Live host Brown Middle School in the West end section just a few blocks away from the GWCC. Closer pastor. He then took on the role of a lifetime of south Atlanta was the first home of Impact to the end of 2009 Brown expects the church and faced the challenges of starting his own and the first visitor filled the gymnasium and will find a home of its own. church, from the bottom up. “What led us to offered a glimpse of what was to come. Shortly start Impact Church was similar in that I had a thereafter, the visitors kept coming and now With the church’s growth, he’s had to lease rich experience with existing congregations,” the worship services are held in the Georgia more than three offices on the street level of the the Texas native recalls. “[I] saw all that they World Congress Center [GWCC] in downtown building. He credits God, his faith and strong were doing and wondered what would happen if Atlanta as of the summer of 2009. Even in such family support for the significant growth his we created this hybrid experience of all of these a large arena, Impact! and Brown have man- ministry has seen. experiences to reach people, therefore our theme aged to make, and possibly leave, an imprint is ‘Doing Church Differently.’” on the venue. Pastor Brown delivers one of his sermons to the Im- To learn more about our business and communi- pact! congregation. Services are held at the Georgia World Congress Center. ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com The goal and mission of the church is to meet Knowing that leasing this space would bring Former Child Pastor Leads Mt. Carmel Baptist 35 Years The Conductor more strenuous and demanding for a child go to church, [my family] really didn’t go to an old man’s shoes and [be] prodigy. Pastor Flemming recalls how he hid church that much. But, when I did go to vaca- a baby at the same time,” ife would never be normal for Timothy his gift from friends, even family, at the age of tion bible school, the preaching feeling came the Macon native explains. LFlemming, Sr. as he missed out on the life seven, to keep from being teased. “I would go over me again.” Flemming later joined the He often found himself in a of a child, teen and young adult. He regrets that to the elderly when I was seven, eight or nine church, Ross Street Baptist Church because difficult place of determin- he missed out on school dances and the fun of [years old] and preach to them but I would al- the pastor was his neighbor and was asked to ing where he fit in. Being so being young but understands that the preach- ways beg them not to tell anybody that I was do an Easter speech. With the calling laid on young, older people thought er’s lifestyle has given him the righteous life a preacher. I was embarrassed and scared that his heart, Flemming delivered one of his first he was ‘playing’ with the Rev. T. Flemming he’s led. All of his experiences were training my friends would laugh at me. public sermons. significance of ministry. On him for the job he carries today as the pastor the other hand, friends of the of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and leading its “But when I was 11 years old, I went to a va- This path led him to many high expectations same age teased him. He recalls how he “had 10,000 members. cation bible school, I’ll never forget it. Going that some might were unrealistic for a child, to prove my sincerity and my calling.” there that morning … something stirred up in but he admits that the expectations kept him Taking on a life of ministry for any man or me and I stated this feeling again of when I on a narrow path to righteousness. “It was hard That was many decades ago and the road has woman is hard work. The lifestyle can be even was preaching. Believe it or not, I really didn’t because I was so young, trying to [walk] in MT. CARMEL continued on page 14

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11 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com ORR Church Station Conductors Official Publication of the Overground RR!!®

Anointed Word Evangelis- Calvary United Methodist Emmanuel Tabernacle Greater New Life Baptist tic Tabernacle Church Pastor Mark A. Couch Church Bishop Bobby Henderson Rev. Carol Snype Crawford Rev. Dr. Leland L. Jones, Sr.

2540 Campbellton Road, SW 7373 Covington Hwy 823 Dill Avenue Atlanta, GA 30311 Lithonia GA 30058 1471 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd Atlanta GA 30310 Tel- 404-344-0199 770-482-5040 Atlanta GA 30310 404-753-5551 Fax – 404-344-0189 www.bobbyhendersonministries.org 404-753-8151 www.emmanueltabernacleatl.org www.greaternewlightmbc.org

Ariel Bowen UMC Cascade United Methodist Greater New Light Mis- Rev. Ron Johnson Church The Enon Church sionary Baptist Church Pastor Marvin A. Moss Rev. Gregory L. Pollard Rev. Dr. Leland L. Jones, Sr.

384 Arthur St. SW 3144 Cascade Road 2540 Campbellton Road, SW Atlanta GA 30310 Atlanta GA 30311 3550 Enon Rd Atlanta, GA 30311 404-525-6173 404-691-7961 College Park GA 30349 Tel- 404-344-0199 www.cascadeumc.org 770-306-0400 Fax – 404-344-0189 www.enonchurch.net www.greaternewlightmbc.org Christian Fellowship The Ark of Salvation Baptist Church First AME Church The Greater Piney Grove Pastor Nathaniel Bronner, Jr. Rev. Dr. Matthew V. Bishop William Phillips Baptist Church Johnson Sr. DeVaux Rev. Dr. William E. Flippin

1500 Norman Dr 355 Georgia Ave College Park GA 30349 2046 Richard Allen Lane SE 1879 Glenwood Road SE Atlanta GA 30312 770-997-4087 Atlanta GA 30316 Atlanta, GA 30316 404-635-0400 404-241-5900 404-377-0561 airjesus.com http://www.firstameatlanta.org www.pineygrovebapt.org Columbia Drive United Methodist Church First Iconium Baptist Believers’ Bible Christian Pastor Robert White Church Greenforest Community Church Pastor Timothy McDonald Baptist Church Rev. Allen McNair III Rev. Dennis Mitchell

2067 Columbia Drive Decatur GA 30032 404-284-4151 542 Moreland Ave.SE 3250 Rainbow Dr. 3689 Campbellton Rd. www.cdumc.org Atlanta GA 30316 Decatur, GA 30034 Atlanta GA 30331 404-627-1371 404-486-1120 404-344-7203 Covenant Ministries www.firsticonium.org www.greenforest.org Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell Headleand Heights UMC Ben Hill UMC Friendship Community Rev. George P. Lanier Rev. Richard Don Winn Sr. Church Pastor Donald Earl Bryant

1700 Corey Blvd Decatur GA 30032 2147 Dodson Dr. 2099 Fairburn Rd. SW 404-288-8384 4141 Old Fairburn Rd Atlanta, GA 30344 Atlanta GA 30331 College Park GA 30349 Phone – 404-344-0144 404-344-0618 Fax – 404-349-5675 www.benhill-umc.org Dodd-Sterling UMC Rev. Robert L. Melson Sr. Hillside International Beulah Missionary Baptist Grace Community Fel- Truth Center, Inc. Church lowhip Church Rev. Dr. Barbara King Pastor Jerry D. Black Rev. Frederick L. Caldwell

3272 Browns Mill Road Atlanta GA 30354 2450 Cascade Rd, SW 2340 Clifton Springs Road 404-361-4135 4215 Wendell Dr. Atlanta, GA 30311 Decatur GA 30034 www.doddsterling.org Atlanta GA 30336 404-758-6811 www.hillsidechapel.org 404-241-3307 770-841-2533 www.beulahbaptist.org http://www.gracecfc.com Elizabeth Baptist Church International Christian Big Miller Grove Mission- Rev. Craig L. Oliver Greater Heights Christian Fellowship ary Baptist Church Church Rev. B. G. K. Harris Bishop Fowler Pastor Eric D. Jackson Sr.

3076 Humphries Drive, SE Atlanta, GA 30354 4245 Cascade Rd 4768 Highway 124 404-363-3300 3800 Big Miller Grove Way Atlanta GA 30331 Snellville, GA 30039 www.icfmatl.org Lithonia GA 30038 404-691-3146 770-860-0820 www.bigmillergrove.org www.elizabethbaptist.org www.greaterheightschurch.org Jackson Memorial Baptist Butler Street Christian Emmaus Road Missionary Greater Mount Carmel Church Missionary Episcopal Baptist Church AME Pastor Gregory Sutton Pastor Anthony M. Alford Sr. Rev. David Scott Rev. Dr. Michael A. Jones

534 Fairburn Road NW 23 Jesse Hill Dr. SE Atlanta, GA 30331 Atlanta GA 30303 3725 Flat Shoals Road 4078 Carver Dr. Phone - 404-691-4238 404-659-8745 College Park GA 30349 Doraville,GA 30360 Fax – 404-691-7980 www.butlerstreetcmechurch.org 770-964-7007 770-451-1091 www.jacksonmemorialbaptist.com

12 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® ORR Church Station Conductors www.overgroundrr.com

Jehovah Jireh Edutain- Mt. Calvary Baptist Ray of Hope Christian ment Church Church The True Light Baptist Ministry International, Rev. Douglas Stowers Pastor Cynthia L. Hale Church Inc. Rev. Darell D. Elligan Rev. Ranson Johnson

1835 Henry Thomas Dr. S.E. 2778 Snapfinger Road 47 Anderson Ave NW Atlanta, GA 30315 17 Fairburn, GA 30331 Decatur, GA 30034 Atlanta, GA 30314 404-624-0817 404-696-1039 770-696-5100 404-799-8623 www.atlmtcalvary.org www.rayofhope.org www.thetruelightbaptist.net

Life Changing Ministries Redemptive Life Rev. Pastor Napoleon Boyce Muhammed’s Mosque Christian Fellowship No. 15 Church Wheat Street Baptist Bro. Sharrieff Muhammad Dr. Mark W. Thompson Church Rev. Dr. Michael Neely 4172 Meadow Wind Dr. Harris 675 S. Gordon Road Snellville, GA 30039 770-736-2676 Mableton, GA 30126 359 Auburn Ave 404-488-7770 3642 Campbellton Road SW www.theredemptivelife.org Atlanta, GA 30331 Atlanta, GA 30312 678-705-1361 404-659-4328 www.wheatstreetbaptist.org Light of the World Chris- Salem Bible Church tian Tabernacle New Beginnings Bishop Jasper W. Williams Woods Memorial Baptist Pastor Ruth W. Smith Ministries and Church Bishop James H. Morton Rev. Joseph L. Williams Rev. Toney Moseley

2283 Baker Road NW 5883 Highway 155 North Atlanta, GA 30312 Stockbridge, GA 30281 404-792-0303 678-565-7001 5865 Old National Highway www.comeintothelight.org College Park, GA 30349 923 Valleybrook Road 404-761-3002 Decatur, GA 30033 www.woodsmemorial.org 404-508-1400 Lindsay Street Baptist www.newbeginningfgbc.com Church St. James Missionary Rev. Anthony W. Motley Baptist Church World Covenant Chris- New Jerusalem Baptist Rev. Rodney B. Harris tian Center Church Pastor Reginald Ezell Pastor Elijah Collins Jr. 550 Lindsay St. NW Atlanta, GA 30314 Conyers, GA 30012 404-688-8959 404-561-7475 1738 Fairview Road www.saintjamesmbc.org Stockbridge, GA 30281 1958 Dogwood Road 678-565-0378 Love Life Christian Fel- Snellville, GA 30078 lowship Church 770-972-2324 Pastor Grace Washington www.njbchurch.org St. John Missionary Zion Hill Baptist Church Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Aaron L. Parker Omega Holiness Church Rev. Dr. Richard H. Cobble 3980 Panthersville Road Ellenwood, GA 30294 404-241-1499 52 Fairburn Road SW 815 Lynhurst Dr. SW www.lovelifecfc.org Atlanta, GA 30331 Atlanta, GA 30331 404-696-1779 404-691-8025 621 Memorial Dr. SE www.zionhill.org Atlanta, GA 30312 St. Mark AME Church Midway Missionary 404-624-9488 Church Rev. Larry Hudson Rev. Edward Spencer Reynolds Poplar Springs Baptist The OvergroundRR!! Church is delighted to introduce Rev. Ulysses Ponder this new section in 2280 Godby Road College Park, GA 30349 3605 Campbellton Road The Conductor newspaper that 404-768-5648 Atlanta, GA 30331 announces the happenings at www.midwaymbc.org 404-349-6800 3796 River Road our member churches. This Ellenwood, GA 30294 first entry is a contact list that Miracles, Miracle and St. Mark Lutheran connects you with these faith More Miracles Church organizations. The upcoming Evangelist Sandi Collins Rev. Torry O. Johnson Powerhouse of event list will show you the Deliverance monthly happenings in your Cathedral community and the 2414 Benson Ridge Bishop M. J. Pace 4137 Washington Road information that you need Lithonia, GA 30058 East Point, GA 30344 404-441-1122 404-768-3304 to learn more. www.miraclesandi.com 2622 Snapfinger Road Decatur, GA 30034 We are excited to share this Mission on the Move 770-981-2001 St. Philip AME Church information with you and hope Overseer, Cynthia Andrews www.pdcpraise.com Rev. Dr. George Moore you and your church will become involved in our Providence Missionary Baptist Church mission to bridge church, Pastor Gerald Durley business and community. 3945 Yeager Road Douglasville, GA 30135 240 Candler Road 770-920-4796 Atlanta, GA 30317 Get on Board!! 404-371-0749 2295 Benjamin E. Mays Drive Atlanta, GA 30311 404-752-6869 www.pmbcatlanta.org 13 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Church Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® MT. CARMEL continued from page 11 High”, as a Mt. Carmel guest pastor, solidified love a wood floor,” he says with a smile. proved itself to be simultaneously difficult and the church’s decision to vote him in as the new triumphant. The difficulties have proven to be senior pastor in 1975. His love for community and people also shows the best lessons in life. Leaving his Macon in his recognitions, awards, books he’s au- church was one of the hardest decisions and Mt. Carmel, as Flemming says, “is a church thored and the love of his members. His book, actions that he’s had to take. Flemming has scattered and gathered.” By this he refers to “Coping with the Uncopable: Essential Build- been the senior pastor at Mt. Carmel for more the community ministries that the church has ing Blocks for Managing Your Emotions” than 35 years now and his journey is the stuff developed and carried out. ‘We believe in go- came about after he lost his son to a drunk that makes for great books on how to face the ing beyond the walls of Mt. Carmel. We are driving accident. This moment forced Flem- highs and lows of life. a church that’s involved in the community,” ming to focus on helping others through dif- the father of two states. “ blsWe clean up the ficult situations which also proved very cathar- “Somebody at Mt. Carmel heard me preach streets on Campbellton Rd. and pay people to tic for him. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on [but] I’d never heard of Mt. Carmel. One Sun- do it. [There is] a merchant association that we through his remaining two sons and the work day morning I looked up [at Zion Hill while started. We have [the] Jericho Alternative Pro- that he continues to do. preaching] and saw some strange people in the gram … where we are trying to [create] pro- audience, I didn’t know who they were. One grams to enhance the community.” His sons, Timothy Jr. and Kenneth, are follow- of my deacons said, ‘some people from Mt. ing in their father’s footsteps by working in the Carmel this morning. We know what they’re The church and Flemming are known for their church. Timothy Jr. is a minister at Mt. Carmel here for.’” He recalls. “I preached that morning “camp meeting” style services that he says are as well with a family of his own. His work is and I noticed that when I was finished they got some of his favorites. “I can do these camp a passing of the baton for his father, but the out fast. … then I get this call from a deacon meeting- style services all over the nation senior Flemming’s work is far from over. here at Mt. Carmel [saying] we want you to because that’s what the old people gave me,” come preach for us.” Because he knew noth- Flemming states. He incorporates old spiritu- als and foot-stomping to liven the spirits of his ing of the church, the location escaped him To learn more about our business and communi- P a s t o r and after questioning, he found the church was members and guests that look to bring up the Flemming authored this book after he lost his son in ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com a tragic car crash. in Atlanta. His first sermon, “Power from on religious experiences of African Americans. “I

Affordable Live Streaming Worldwide Broadcast Stay Connected to Members Broadcast available 24/7 • Missed a sermon or just can’t get enough • Have friends and family to view sermon • Sick and shut in Members • Absentee Members • College students away from home • Member on vacation • Members in transition • Members out of town working • Members who moved away

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To learn more about our church and business members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com

14 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009

Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® www.overgroundrr.com

ORR BUSINESS DIRECTORY JOIN THE ORR TODAY! The following businesses are members of the Overground RR!!® The ORR Business Directory is your community guide to utilizing members of the Black community who are dedicated to recycling How to Join the Black dollar back into our communities. Each business listed has agreed to legally binding arbitration should there be a problem To become a member of The Overground RR!!® with their product or service. Binding arbitration does not apply • The appropriate application for membership must be made and is subject to ap- to torts or banking members. proval by the Board of Directors of The Overground RR!!®. Accounting Attorneys, continued • An organization must verify that individuals of African-American descent hold a majority of the company’s ownership McGee CPA Group, The E. C. London & Associates 3180 Franklin St., Ste A 101 Marietta Street NW, • Membership may be declined for any reason deemed appropriate by the Board and Avondale Estates GA 30002 Suite 3310 the decision is not subject to review. 404-643-5061 Atlanta GA 30303 • Members agree to binding arbitration and pre-paid annual membership dues 404-688-6607 Advertising eclondon.com ($360).

Christian Business Pages, The Foster Firm, The Key Membership Benefits 3871 Rainover Dr. Criminal Def., Personal Injury Decatur GA 30034 and Real Estate For your annual investment of only $360 you will receive: 404-286-9028 3455 N Desert Dr Bldg 3 Ste 105 • One free listing in the Business Directory included in each edition of The Conduc- Atlanta GA 30344 tor (printed and distributed quarterly) Lighthouse Promotions, LLC 404-559-8325 116 Bethsea Rd. Ste 104 www.tfflaw.net • One free web page that may include a photo, a video greeting, contact information Fayetteville GA 30214 and 25 word business description 770-461-9345 Law Office of Donald P. Edwards • Business Spotlight in The Conductor www.lighthouse-promo.com Personal Inj., Medical Malpractice • Free listings in the events calendar and Wrongful Death Southwest Atlanta Home & U 170 Mitchell St • Promotional Video Magazine Atlanta GA 30303 • Exclusive advertising rights in The Conductor, Sparks on www.OvergroundRR. 5055 Montcalm Drive SW 404-526-8866 com for a small additional fee (see Marketing Rates & Specifications for more Atlanta GA 30331 www.donaldpedwards.com 404-349-1959 details). The Law Offices of David M. • A $1435 direct marketing package for a small investment of $360; over $1000 Architectural Design Walker esq. savings 201 17th St. NW, Suite 300 Washington Design Group Atlanta GA 30363 3225 Shallowford Rd, Suite 410 404-541-6551 *Please note that ad placement is only available for purchase by members in good Marietta GA 30062 www.davidwalkeresq.com standing and not open to the general public. 404-432-1818 Law Office of Daryl Von Yokely Art 127 Peachtree St, Suite 1010 Atlanta GA 30303 ® Best Dressed Walls Art & 404-876-5458 Custom Framing Overground RR!! 749 Jasper Cove Mathis Law Firm, The Connecting Church, Business and Community Riverdale GA 30296 3575 Piedmont Rd, NE Building 15, Suite 1560 Picture This Atlanta GA 30305 Name: ______PO Box 16285 404-523-5000 Atlanta GA 30321 www.mathislawoffices.com 678-472-7938 Title: ______Thomas, Kennedy, Tania’s Gallery of Art Sampson,& Patterson Company: ______3762 Campbellton Rd SW Medical Malpractice, Person Inj. Atlanta GA 30331 and Comml Real Estate 404-344-8874 3355 Main St Type of Business Products / Services Sold: ______Atlanta GA 30337 Attorneys 404-688-4503 How Long in Business? ______www.tksp.com Alexander Law Firm Address: ______Personal Inj., Wrongful Death Leroy R Johnson P.C & Assoc 2160 High Point Tr Personal Inj.,Criminal and Traffic Atlanta GA 30331 Violation, Civil Litigation City: ______St: ______Zip:______404-346-0834 3915 Cascade Rd SW, Ste 260 www.alexanderlawfirm.com Atlanta GA 30331 Phone: ( )______404-691-1069 Andrews Law Firm LLC, The Real Estate Auto Body Fax: ( )______1115 Mt Zion Rd., Suite D Morrow GA 30260 V’s Customs Email: ______770-968-7380 3781 Campbellton Rd Atlanta GA 30331 Attorney Bernadine Layne LLC 404-344-6687 Civil, Corp., Immigration www.vscustoms.com/ Send Membersip Applications To: 1401 Peachtree St NE, Ste 300 Overground RR!!® Atlanta GA 30309 Auto Services 404-231-1477 3485 N Desert DR, Bldg. 2 Suite 109 Fantastic Tire & Auto Service Inc Atlanta, GA 30344 Attorney Joseph A Roseborough, LLC 6169 Old National Hwy 3695 Cascade Rd. Ste F 308 College Park GA 30349 Atlanta GA 30331 770-994-1761 For More Information Please Contact Our office: Phone: (404) 346-0808 Fantastic Tire & Auto Service Inc Fax: (404) 684-0229 6751 Londonderry Way Union City GA 30291 770-964-8500 15 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Official Publication of the Overground RR!!®

Auto Services, continued Clothing Designer Court Reporters/Video Dry Cleaner Florist

Fantastic Tire & Auto Service Inc House Of Michael Doron, The Atlanta Realtime Reporters, LTD Ponder’s Cleaners Bussey Florists 4879 Redan Rd Lawrenceville GA 30046 925 B Peachtree St Ste 380 4473 Campbellton Rd SW 2358 Candler Rd, Decatur GA 30032 Stone Mountain GA 30088 678-472-3233 Atlanta GA 30309 Atlanta GA 30331 404-659-2968 404-299-7643 770-908-9821 404-349-6464 Commercial Leasing Dance Willis’ Flowers and Memoirs, Inc. Miracle Auto Glass Repair & Installations Electrician 6130-C Old National Hwy PO Box 669, Odd Fellows Buildings Ballethnic Dance Company Inc College Park GA 30349 Ellenwood GA 30294 236 Auburn Avenue, Ste 103 2587 Cheney St E. Ray Britton Electrical 770-991-6460 678-715-5596 Atlanta GA 30303 East Point GA 30344 158 Fairview Rd Ste C willisflowers.com 404-525-5027 404-762-1416 Elllenwood GA 30294 S&J Automotive Repair LLC theoddfellowsbuildings.com www.ballethnic.org 678-289-5522 Framing 7056 B Highway 85 www.erbelectrical.com Riverdale GA 30274 Construction Debt Management Best Dressed Walls Art & Cus- Event Planning 770-996-3698 tom Framing sandjautorepair.com Gaitor Construction Inc Debt Management Consultants 749 Jasper Cove, Riverdale GA 30296 A Regal Event 404-435-6034 800 Wendell Ct. Ste E 1571 Helmer Rd 2745 Mount Zion Rd Suite 105 Banking Atlanta GA 30336 Riverdale GA 30296 Jonesboro GA 30236 Funeral Services 770-981-1588 678-887-1624 404-437-8807 Capitol City Bank & Trust 562 Lee St Consultants Dentists Added Pizzazz Alfonso Dawson Mortuary, Inc Atlanta GA 30310 1934 Patton Place 3000 M. L. King Jr. Dr. 404-758-7519 A.C.S. Amazing & Creative Solutions Dr. Alfred Wyatt DMD,P.C. Lithonia GA 30058 Atlanta GA 30311 www.capitolcitybank-atl.com 984 Maple Leaf Ridge 6230 Old National Hwy 770-322-3597 Phone: 404-691-3810 Jonesboro GA 30238 College Park GA 30349 www.dawsonmortuary.com Citizen’s Trust Bank 404-287-3750 770-994-7811 The Atrium on Sweet Auburn 75 Piedmont Ave, www.101050.org 236 Auburn Ave. NE, Suite 102 Donald Trimble Mortuary Atlanta GA 30303 BE Orthodontics Atlanta, GA 30303 1876 Second Ave 404-659-5959 Bryant & Associates LLC Highland Grove Office 404-524-7921 Decatur GA 30032 www.ctbconnect.com 4060 Peachtree Rd. D413 Condominiums [email protected] 404-371-0772 Atlanta GA 30319 3614 Highlands Parkway www.donaldtrimblemortuary.com Bridal 404-869-6312 Smyrna GA 30082 Financial Services www.bryantandassociates.com 770-432-6070 Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home Blackanomics, LLC Wedding Firm of Jeffery Bost www.beorthodontics.com 1003 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd PO Box 1402, Atlanta GA 30301 and Associate, The Atlanta GA 30310 Contractors 404-537-6634 5400 Lawrenceville Highway Phone: 404-758-1731 Family & Childrens Dentistry www.blackanomics.com (Highway 29) Suite E1 H J Russell & Company 2440 Fairburn Rd Suite 301 www.williewatkins.com Lilburn GA 30047 504 Fair Street SW Atlanta GA 30331 Corp One Financial 404-786-5333 Atlanta GA 30313 404-349-7777 PO BOX 962188 Games www.theweddingfirm.blogspot.com 404-330-1000 Riverdale GA 30296 www.hjrussell.com Designs 678-222-1718 Que It! Bridal/Custom Tailoring 2785 Dodson Lee Dr. Counseling & Hypnotherapy Ambaisi Designs Intergrated Funding International East Point GA 30344 O’B Tucker’s 741 Deer Oaks Drive PO Box 360955 404-259-9277 1522-B Dogwood Dr. Serene Reflections Lawrenceville GA 30044 Decatur GA 30036 Conyers GA 30013 1750 Peachtree St., NW 770-978-6438 678-499-6801 Graphic Design 770-388-9644 Suite 200C www.tuckersbridal.com Atlanta GA 30309 Direct Mail & Design The Institute of Financial Free- LMN Art & Design 404-892-2205 dom & Investment Solutions 3030 Contl Colony Pkwy #1301 Check Services serenereflections.org Dove Mailing, Inc. 862 Clay Road, Mableton GA 30126 Atlanta GA 30331 5601 Fulton Industrial Blvd 678-508-9782 404-397-9064 Checks No Problem Aaron Turpeau, PH.D Atlanta GA 30336 www.jeanrahman.com PO Box 43007 600 West Peachtree St., Ste. 1570 404-629-0122 Onyx Creative The Wealth Engineer Atlanta GA 30336 Atlanta GA 30308 www.dovemailing.com 2451 Hogan Road #2275, 5 Concourse Parkway 404-691-7394 678-522-6548 East Point GA 30344 www.checksnoproblem.com Atlanta GA 30328 404-936-0884 www.drturpeau.com Direct Sales 770-395-3737 wealthengineer.com Cleaning Services Heart of Compassion Blessed Hands Enterprises 2003 Green Development (hypnotherapy) PO Box 170098, Atlanta GA 30331 Total Approach Cleaning Service 3000 Suttles Dr. SW 678-768-0536 Quality Environmental Mgt. Inc 23 Randolph St NE PO Box 54818 Atlanta GA 30312 Atlanta, GA 30331 Atlanta GA 30318 404-688-0239 770-757-0508 404-454-6323 tacclean.com www.heartcompassionhypno- therapy.com

Be sure to consider all your options when making a life insurance purchase. In some cases this may the one of the few ways to guarantee your loved ones will be taken care of regardless of the economic fluctuations taking place. Consulting a licensed professional is the best way to explore the vast number of scenarios and get a comprehensive look at your individual situation. For more information or to reach a qualified professional please contact www.ncmutuallife.com or call Charles Fowler in our Atlanta District office at 770-991-8831.

16 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009

Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® www.overgroundrr.com

Greeting Cards Health, Wellness & Fitness Home Improvement, continued Insurance, continued Limousine Service, continued continued Toucharose B & B Services N.C. Mutual Life Ins. Co. Person 2 Person Limo 4454 Catalina Circle or B.E.S.T. Health and Wealth 1828 Giben Road 1580 Phoenix Blvd, Ste 250 PO Box 2543 PO Box 490335 60 Oaks Landing Dr Atlanta GA 30315 College Park, GA 30349 Atlanta GA 30301 East Point GA 30349 Covington GA 30016 770-991-8831 678-463-3636 678-642-9209 404-952-4549 Beeks Service Company www.person2person.us www.toucharose.com 1570 Niskey Lake Investigations Body By Inches Atlanta GA 30331 Marketing Hair Care Products 6703 Shannon Pkwy Ste 3 404-346-0443 Direct Investigations, Inc Union City GA 30291 PO BOX 361939 Aaron Group, Inc. FBB Inc/ Take DownFBB Inc 770-964-0032 Platron Services Marble & Decatur GA 30036 754 Woodson St., PO BOX 115331 www.bodybyinches.com Granite 770-922-7888 Atlanta GA 30315 Atlanta GA 30310 Health, Wellness & Fitness, 220 Den Ric Dr www.directinv.net 404-622-4308 1-206-350-7971 continued McDonough GA 30253 www.aarongroup.us www.millresources.com/takedown 678-898-1511 Faye Coffield Circles of Wellness Inc www.ronplatt.net PO BOX 360453 TAG TEAM Marketing, Intl Hair Salons, Barber Shop & Spas 2572 Wiggins St. Decatur GA 30036 3465 N. Desert Drive Lithonia GA 30058 Information Technology, 770-484-0193 Building 4, Suite 102 Carolyn& Co Hair Studio 646-322-3987 Internet, Internet Video & East Point GA 30344 6157 Memorial Dr www.thewatertruth.com/henrietta Telecommunications Investments 404-305-0300 Stone Mountain GA 30083 www.tagteammarketing.com 770-879-7666 Hands on Personal, Inc Net One Stop Grin, INC 4287 Memorial Drive Ste G 1561 Virginia Ave Ste 208 A PO BOX 128, Acworth GA 30101 Marketing and Managing Clip Appeal Decatur GA 30032 College Park GA 30337 770-966-5235 Employee Benefit Services 736 Ponce De Leon Ave Ste l 404-297-6858 404-669-3600 Atlanta GA 30306 www.netonestop.com Jeweler Toni Stith Agency 404-892-6209 Health Food Intl 3384 Brookside Lane 5006 Owens Mill Lane Numillennium Telecomm., Inc. Burks Jewelers, Inc Jonesboro GA 30236 Eugene Of Detroit Hair Stone Mountain GA 30083 2567 Park Central Blvd 1188- A Glenwood Ave SE 770-968-4414 2905 Campbellton Rd Suite E 404-849-6066 Decatur GA 30035 Atlanta GA 30316 Atlanta GA 30311 404-965-7914 404-622-6090 Massage Therapy 404-349-7458 Heavenly Body Products 2571 Park Central Blvd Strick Software Inc Legal Services Massage Masters, Inc. Hair A La Parisienne Decatur GA 30035 PO BOX 4717 PO Box 304 1862 Washington Rd 404-286-6700 Atlanta GA 30302 Essentia Legal P. C Forest Park GA 30287 East Point GA 30344 www.heavenlybodyproducts.com 404-273-9634 3645 Marketplace Blvd Suite 170 404-784-7658 404-559-1511 www.stricksoft.com Atlanta GA 30344 Holistic Cleansing Center 404-549-6771 Media Consulting Hair Effects 879 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd Inspirational Wear www.essentialegal.com 2375 Wesley Chapel Rd Suite 5 Atlanta, GA 30310 Vince Bailey Productions Decatur GA 30035 Rishona Inspirational Wear Limousine Service PO Box 492011 770-987-2106 Melaleuca “The Wellness Company” 102 W. Lake Ave SW Suite A Lawrenceville GA 30049 PO BOX 1032 Atlanta GA 30314 Atlanta Chauffeur Service 770-864-7135 Prestige Beauty Salon Jonesboro GA 30237 404-753-5441 6370 East Stubbs Rd www.vincebaileyproductions.com 5970 Fairington Rd 678-768-5871 College Park GA 30349 Lithonia GA 30038 Insurance 770-969-9988 Ministry and Media 404-617-4816 Heating & Air Donna Tate & Associates Nealey Executive Limousines Consider the Word Ministries Inc Quintessence Hair Design A D Heating & Air PO Box 170565 4324 Bexley Drive D/B/A The WRTS-FM Show 4199 Paces Ferry Rd, Suite J 934 Harte Dr, Atlanta GA 30310 Atlanta GA 30317 St Mountain GA 30083 PO Box 162553 Atlanta GA 30339 678-887-6787 770-879-6342 770-808-7432 Atlanta GA 30321 770-438-0085 www.nealeyexecutivelimousines.com 678-410-9833 www.quintessencehair.com Artis Maintenance Repair, Inc Marketsearch Insurance Agency www.considerthewordministries. 1572 Hwy 85 North 974-7 N Hairston Rd org Roni Artistic Hands Fayetteville GA 30214 Stone Mountain GA 30083 6319 Memorial Dr. 770-460-6432 770-413-8110 Stone Mountain GA 30083 www.artisrepair.com 770-469-8101 ronisartistichands.webs.com Home Health Care

Simply Wanda’s Hair Weaving Bridges Personal Care Home 961 N. Hairston Rd Group Stone Mountain GA 30083 233 Mitchell St Suite 420 770-465-6211 Atlanta GA 30303 770-774-9128 Royal Crown Barbershop www.bridgespchgroup.com 889 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd Atlanta GA 30310 Exodus,Inc 404-758-4283 PO BOX 487 Union City GA 30291 Sir Charles Professional Touch 770-774-9128 4467 Campbellton Rd Atlanta GA 30331 Health Companions Inc 404-629-5760 2364 Candler Rd Decatur GA 30034 Styles Of Zuri 404-284-1768 4819 Rockbridge Rd Suite 17 www.healthcompanions.com Stone Mountain GA 30083 404-298-7133 Home Care Georgia 1280 Winchester Pk Way Ste 210 Totally U Hair Salon/ Style and Smyrna GA 30080 Beyond 770-384-0494 1514 East Cleveland Ave Suite homecaregeorgia.com 111 East Point GA 30034 Right at Home 404-768-0936 448 Ralph D. Abernathy, Ste 2 Atlanta GA 30312 Health, Wellness & Fitness 404-522-0029 www.rightathome.net/atlanta The Aloe Man Inc/The Healing Nature Home Improvement 3030 Campbellton Road Atlanta GA 30311 A & A Home & Stucco Inspection 404-629-3539 2638 Kings Way Lawrenceville GA 30044 678-231-7479

17 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Official Publication of the Overground RR!!®

Modeling, Talent & Pest Control, continued Restaurants, continued Tax Service, continued Transportation Booking Agencies N.W.O Will Kill Pest Management Soul Vegetarian Restaurant L & B Tax Service, Inc. Atlanta Chauffeur Service HOP Models & Talent Agency 3665 Cherry Ridge Blvd 879 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd 1745 Phoenix Blvd 6370 East Stubbs Rd 5825 Glenridge Drive, Ste 218 Decatur GA 30034 Atlanta GA 30310 College Park GA 30349 College Park GA 30349 Atlanta GA 30328 404-241-7619 404-752-5194 678-216-0212 770-969-9988 404-297-6638 www.kingdomofyah.com www.hopmodels.com Physicians L & B Tax Service, Inc. Video Restaurants, continued 5300 Memorial Drive Lance Boyd Talent Agency Allwell Physicians, Inc. Stone Mountain GA 30083 Faith Video Live 5015 Old National Highway, 118 N. Avondale Road Soul Vegetarian Restaurant 678-704-6780 3869 Springleaf Ct. Suite 112 Avondale Estates GA 30002 652 North Highland Ave Stone Mountain GA 30083 College Park GA 30349 404-499-0005 Atlanta GA 30306 Professional Tax Advisors 770-912-7677 678-851-8669 404-875-0145 7311 Cardiff Place www.faithvideoondemand.com www.lanceboydtalent.net Edward C. Mack, MD www.kingdomofyah.com Jonesboro GA 30236 315 Boulevard NE, Ste. #444 770-472-9998 Focus on Video,LLC Mortgage Atlanta GA 30312 Retail Sales professionaltaxadvisors.net PO Box 1828 404-420-0116 Stockbridge, GA 30281 Atlanta Integrity Mortgage D.I.V.A.S Technical Training 770-957-4299 1316 Boat Rock Road S,W. Joann Donaldson, MD 126 N Avondale Rd focus-on-video.com Atlanta GA 30331 249 Fielding Lane S.W. Avondale Estates GA 30002 New Life Technical Academy 404-310-5913 & 404-344-7911 Atlanta GA 30311 404-299-2394 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite MonStar Productions & Cre- 770-908-3449 506 ations Moving Service Reverse Mortgage Atlanta GA 30315 PO Box 90531 Regency Health Associates 770-870-7333 Atlanta GA 30364 B&B Movers 2191 North Lake Pkwy. Highly Favored Ministries, Inc. newlifetechnical.com 404-543-5557 2587 Gresham Road Bldg 11, Suite 22 3675 Crestwood Pkwy., Ste 400 monstarproductions.blogspot. Atlanta GA 30316 Tucker GA 30084 Duluth GA 30096 Tradeshow com 404-212-0819 770-935-6257 www.bbmovers.com Plumbing highlyfavoredonline.org Georgia Black Business Expo Hayes Technical Services Inc. P. O. Box 38027 9043 Jenni Circle RSK Plumbing Museum Security Atlanta GA 30334 Jonesboro GA 30238 1772 Soapstone Ct. Phone: 678-467-7536 770-210-4677 Decatur GA 30034 Soul Food Museum Monitor One Security Systems www.gbbexpo.com 770-633-1915 372 Auburn Ave, NE 1372 Lamont Rr., SW Atlanta, GA 30312 Mableton GA 30126 Printing 678-508-9478 770-819-3040 www.atlantasoulfood.com Metex Screen Printing Security Protection Investigation 2410 Butner Rd SW Music, Musicians and Services Atlanta GA 30331 PO BOX 310387 Composers 404-346-7012 Atlanta GA 31131 823 Dill Avenue Delores Burwell 770-274-9468 Perfect Image, Inc. Atlanta, GA 30310 901 Bolton Road #H1 www.spisinc.com 503 Commerce Park Dr., Ste D Mark A. Couch Atlanta GA 30331 Marietta GA 30060 tel: 404-753-5551 System 5 Electronics Pastor/Founder 770-422-4221 ext.25 1761 R D Abernathy Blvd fax: 404-753-5038 Phala Herron-Nazarine www.perfectimageprinting.com Black To Eden Atlanta GA 30310 Sunday Worship 404-756-0736 www.emmanueltabernacleatl.org 404-454-2764 Real Estate 8:00am and 11:00am [email protected] www.system5electronics.com Home Solution, LLC Sunday School Faye Raye P O Box 83053 Vision Security Inc 9:30 a.m. PO BOX 42850 Conyers GA 30013 1307 North Crossing Way. Wednesday Bible Study Atlanta GA 30311 770-572-0099 Decatur GA 30033 404-805-5888 770-771-9789 7:00 p.m. www.fayeraye.com LowCom Development, Inc 541 Tenth Street #158 Signs Music Promotion Atlanta GA 30318 770-997-2848 A+ Signs Bobby Hurd & Company 4191 Snapfinger Woods Dr. 3011 Rainbow Drive, Suite 155 Dr. James T. Walker III, LLC Decatur GA 30035 Decatur GA 30034 2125 County Line Rd 404-284-8444 404-241-3030 Atlanta GA 30331 404-281-8052 Indigo Signs Office Furniture drjames.info 3853 Lawrenceville Hwy Suite G Tucker GA 30084 HA Office 515 Inc. Rental, Props 770-939-0902 We Make Real Cakes 1582 Stoneleigh Hill Rd www.indigosigns.net Lithonia GA 30058 Creative Props Rental 770-879-8420 2311 Cascade Road, SW Simon Sign Systems Amazing Cakes Bakery www.haoffice515.com Atlanta GA 30311 3034 Lakewood Ave 669 Veterans Memorial Hwy. 404-835-2568 Atlanta GA 30310 Oil Change www.sohosites.com/creative- 404-766-5208 Mableton, GA 30126 props/contact.html www.simonsignsystems.com 770-745-6446 Oil Butler P. O. Box 311621 Restaurants Sound & lighting www.theamazingcakesbakery.com Atlanta GA 31131 404-629-2020 IHOP AEE Productions www.oilbutlerinternational.com 2841 Greenbriar Parkway 1073 Huff Rd Ste A Atlanta GA 30331 Atlanta GA 30318 Painter 404-346-0407 404-352-2201 www.aeeproductions.com Che Parker Painters Michon’s Loft 269-924-9197 1183Virginia Ave Spa College Park GA 30349 Pest Control 404-766-7770 Spa L & Colon Therapy & Skin www.michons.com Therapy Dependable Termite & Pest Serv. 2345-4 Cheshire Bridge Rd 5701 Mableton Pkwy Ste 3E Paschal’s Restaurant Atlanta GA 30324 Mableton GA 30126 180-B Northside Drive 404-321-3228 770-745-0000 Atlanta GA 30313 www.dependabletermite.com 404-525-2023 Tax Service

Ever-Redi Exterminating, Inc. Q-Time L & B Tax Service, Inc. 6380 Old National Hwy 1120 Ralph David Abernathy 185 Veterans Memorial Hwy, College Park GA 30349 Atlanta GA 30310 Ste108 770-909-7000 404-758-2881 Mableton GA 30126 www.everredi.com http://q-timerestaurant.com 678-213-1141

18 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® ORR Destinations Calendar & Events www.overgroundrr.com Siloam International Church Paschal’s Restaurant The 2009/2010 Schedule for Finan- 3695 Roosevelt Highway. 180-B Northside Drive Atlanta, cial Services Proof and Encoding College Park, Ga 30349 GA 30313; Business Builders is a Training is: Miracles, Pastor Jonathan Carter, gathering of leaders in the business, January 11, 2010 DECApex Museum For more information call: church and community sectors March 8, 2010 Exhibits of African American Miracles Bobby Hurd at 404-241-3030 working together to change the way May 10, 2010 Achievements that blacks do business with one an- Dec. 1, 2009 thru Jan. 1, 2010 & More Miracles Overground RR !!® other, creating generational wealth Unlimited Possibilities: The Apex Museum Happy Holiday Gathering and reciprocal economics. Career/Life Empowerment 135 Auburn Avenue at Paschal’s Restaurant Program (Think UP) Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Thursday Dec 17, 2009 Atlanta Urban League Programs Are you ready for a new career in a Every Second Sunday at 3:00pm For more information call 5:30pm – 9:00pm (Live Jazz) Are You Unemployed, a Displaced high growth high demand field? Are at 404-523-2739 Complimentary Appetizers Worker, looking for a better Job or you ready to INVEST IN YOUR- Everyone is invited, call us for more Eager to Improve Your Education SELF and take your life to the next Emmanuel Tabernacle Kenny Leon’s Mark A. Couch, Pastor/Founder details (404) 346-0808 and Job Skills? Register NOW for level of accomplishment? True Colors Theatre 823 Dill Avenue the Atlanta Urban League Educa- Then ENROLL NOW for the next Presents: Black Nativity Atlanta, GA 30310 United Negro College Fund tion and Workforce Development session of Unlimited Possibilities!! with Langston Hughes’ 26th Annual Mayor’s Masked Program! We have FREE Orienta- The Next Sessions begin Tuesday, A Holiday Gospel Celebration, Ball, featuring A Silent Auction, tions Monday – Wednesday ONLY September 15th! December 5 - 27, 2009; For ad- Parade of Masks and Pre-Ball Re- at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please 10 Sessions on Tuesdays from ditional information call ception Atlanta Marriott Marquis Pre-Register! However, Walk-Ins on 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 404-588-0308 or visit Saturday December 19, 2009 these days are also welcome! Please EMPOWER YOURSELF!! www.truecolorstheatre.org For more information on Tickets or arrive by 8:45 a.m. or 9:45 a.m. to *Designed to offer participants the (ORR!! family and friends use Evangelist Sponsorship call: 404-302-8623 or have time to register. opportunity to explore and pursue OVER for discount tickets) Sandi Collins visit them at www.uncf.org YOUR career “dreams” in high

Learn about AUL services that growth high demand fields! First AME Church Santa’s Creative Workshop include: Job Readiness Workshops General Conference Emmanuel Tabernacle including the Resume and Cover Commission and CONVO XIII 823 Dill Ave Letter Writing, Job Search On-Line, December 7 - 9, 2009 404-441-1122 Phone Atlanta, Georgia 30310 Interviewing Skills and Techniques, Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN 678-526-7720 Prayer Line December 20, 2009 Counseling and links to support Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, www.miraclesandi.com The children will use their creative services. You will also learn about Chair and Bishop Vashti M. talents to make holiday gifts for all of the services available through McKenzie, Host; For more their parents and & grandparents the Atlanta Urban League including information call 404-241-5900 10am - 4:30pm homebuyer education and counsel- (404) 753-5551 ing, loss mitigation and foreclosure Councilman Jim Maddox prevention, affordable housing, “A Legacy of Leadership Tribute” emergency shelter, Adult Educa- Vice President of GABEO and tion Resource Center and Job Skills Atlanta City Councilman Training Programs. Please call Retirement Celebration today to REGISTER NOW! 404- Tuesday Dec, 8, 2009 at 659-6580. The Fabulous Fox Theatre JAN For more information call: Microsoft Office Certification Dexter Chambers 404.330-6309 Xernona Clayton presents te 18th Training Course – Enroll NOW Annual Trumpet Awards, honor- for the current session by calling Overground RR !!® ing African-Americans who have the Atlanta Urban League office! Holiday Open House changed the quality of life for oth- Improve Your Job Skills and Skills Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 ers. The Events begin on Wednes- Needed to Upgrade Your Educa- 1:00pm – 3:00pm day, Jan. 27 througth Saturday, Jan. tional Attainment for New Jobs and Come and meet the staff as we 30, 2010. The Trumpet Awards Careers! Are you Unemployed? spread holiday cheer to everyone. Ceremony saluting the honorees Now is the Time to Upgrade your Call for more information, (404) will take place at The Cobg Energy Computer Skills while You Con- 346-0808 Performing Arts Centre, Saturday, tinue to Search for Work through Jan. 30, 2010. The only event that our Workforce Department! REG- Safe and Sustainable Homebuyer tickets are sold for is High Tea with ISTER NOW! Space is LIMITED! Education Workshops – Co-spon- High Heels on Thursday, Jan. 28. Contact: Jacque Lett at jlett@atlul. sored by: BB & T Bank & State For more information on tickets or org or call 404-659-1150 to register Farm Insurance – Register NOW! – sponsorships call (404)878-6738 or and get more information! It’s a Buyers Market – And You Can www.trumpetfoundation.org Become a Homeowner! Financial Services Proof The Home Buyer Education King Week (Martin Luther King and Encoding Training Workshop is designed to help create Jr.) National Holiday Celebration Are you interested in a career in the next generation of Sustain- at The Martin Luther King Jr. Cen- Financial Services? The Atlanta able Homeowners! Call Today to ter for Nonviolent Social Change Urban League offers a course that Register – 404-659-1150 – Space is 449 Auburn Ave. N.E. The celebra- trains you to work in the 24 Hour LIMITED! The Workshop is FREE! tion includes many free perfor- Processing Centers of local banks Pastor Torrey O. Johnson Registration is on a first come first mances, concerts, special religious and financial institutions. These served basis! Please share with services and educational presenta- positions generally pay $12 - $14 family and friends! The upcoming tions. Call the center for dates and Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. per hour and can lead to other workshop dates are as follows: times of the events 404-526-8900. Sunday Morning Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. career opportunities in the financial December 12/19/09 (Holy Communion - 1st and 3rd Sundays) services industry. The course is 12 Business Builders presented weeks for 3 hours per day, 5 days a Bobby Hurd Entertainment by the ORR week! Training vouchers and schol- 4137 Washington Road * East Point, GA 30344 Law Enforcement Day Thursday, January 21, 2010 from arships are available! Enroll NOW! Ph.: 404-768-3304 Sunday Dec. 13, 2009 5pm 6-8 p.m. Space is limited!

Weekly Community Events & out www.blackanomics.com or listen to the Every Saturday at Atlantic Station 201, 17th host, Stephen Biko, at 404-287-3750 Meetings: show on XM satellite radio channel 169 THE Avenue from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Meeting fee: POWER on Saturdays @ 6:00 a.m. EST. The $15 in advance/Free for members. For more Worship and Real Talk Show-For Men Concerned Black Clergy show re-feed’s @ 10:00 p.m. EST and Sunday information please call 404.841.7929 or visit (WRTS-FM) Every Monday at 9:30 a.m., you are invited to @ 6:00 a.m. Get connected!!!” www.thebusinessownermovement.com Minister Jonathan Simmons-Producer & Host; share and hear the latest and greatest discus- (678) 410-9833 sions on issues impacting our world, espe- Thursday Night Jazz TALK RADIO [email protected]; cially the African-American community. The at PASCHAL’S PSU/CBPM Radio with 10-10-50.org, Prob- www.considerthewordministries.org Community Forums are held at: The VICARS Dinner and Jazz in the Historic Castleberry lem Solvers Unlimited & Collective Black www.wigoam.com (1570AM Radio Show Community Center, 838 Cascade Road At- Hill Neighborhood from 6-9 p.m. 180 B People Movement weekly Internet radio show Link); www.brotherderrickradio.com (Stream- lanta, GA 30310. Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313; Phone: and conference call; Join us every Wednesday ingFaith.com show Link); 7:00 p.m. on 404.525.2023; www.paschalsatlanta.com evening 9-11 p.m. EST. www.blogtalkradio. 1570AM or www.wigoam.com Blackanomics com/problemsolversunlimited or listen/talk by If you are an entrepreneur or an aspiring The BOM: phone: 646-929-2009. GCPA Voter Empowerment entrepreneur, you need to be in this group. Business Owner Movement Join this weekly reunion as we set the tone Tuesdays, 12:00 - 2:00 pm at the Atlanta Life This is a meet-up group that you have to be A movement to educate start-up business and become the example of a functional unity. Bldg, Training Rm. connected with to truly understand. Check owners on building a successful business. For more information, call PSU Network and 100 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, GA

To learn more about our church and business members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com

19 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.comCommunity Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Urban Farming Center Key to Healthy, Secure Communities

By Jeremy House

Without a doubt, Rashid Nuri is an outdoors guy. The beauty of nature’s greenery doesn’t go pass his notice. Nuri is in touch with nature. He knows the wonder of plant life, the com- plexity of ecosystems and the value of living off the land.

Women Honored Nuri’s forest sits insides his backyard. About 10 yards from his driveway and 20 yards from for Service at 21st the bustling street of Washington Road, Nuri grows a hefty row of squash, greens, and cu- cumbers. Truly Living Well Center, he dubs it, Annual Salute to grows more than 15 types of vegetables and more than 10 herbs including chocolate mint Black Mothers and tarragon. It’s one of three urban farms Nuri owns in the state of Georgia and one of many By Jeremy House agricultural business ventures that Nuri has taken all over world. “I came because I saw f all the women honored at this year’s Sa- balloons on the okra,” said first time visitor lute to Black Mothers Luncheon, the fi- O Jeanette Pitts. “I didn’t know all this was back (Above) Truly Living Well garden takes healthy living to the community it serves.(Bottom left) nal and most prized award went to Caucasian, here.” This is another photo of Rashid Nuri’s garden. (Bottom right) Rashid Nuri is all smiles as he mother Anita Beaty. Excitedly, Beaty person- shows off one of the successful vegetable products from his garden. ally accepted the “Above and Beyond the Call Pitts’ stumble onto the Truly Living Well Cen- of Duty Award” or as it’s more affectionately ter is typical of several visitors who—while called, the ABCD award, for community ser- driving down Washington Road—are sur- vice. As Executive Director of Metro Atlanta prised to see a massive farm growing between Task Force for the Homeless, Beaty called Harmony Pointe Apartments and a slew of it her lifetime achievement award. The Con- houses. As she strolled the farm looking for the cerned Black Clergy President, Rev. Darrell freshest vegetables, she gleans at the memory Elligan proclaimed that “Although she is not of her childhood. an African-American mother, she is mother to many African Americans.” Like many city dwellers, large farms growing pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables is rare President Elligan’s final statements topped imagery. Pitts knows farm life all too well. a massive celebration by the CBC of Metro- He grew up on a farm in Alabama. Georgia’s politan Atlanta, Inc. to honor African-America climate permits Nuri to farm 52 weeks out of women who have demonstrated a steady com- the year. Depending on the season, he has crop mitment to service and community progress. to sell for most of year. Urban Farming isn’t a The annual event held at the Ritz Carlton Ho- new concept. Nuri has been involved in urban tel highlighted the Health and Wealth of Black agriculture for quite sometime. Women. The Salute to Black Mothers is one of two key fundraisers for the group. “I’ve been involved with agriculture for over for 40 years now,” said Nuri. While attending Co-chair of 2009 Salute to Black Mothers Harvard College, political science classes in- Steering Committee and CBC board member, troduced to him the concept of nation build- Jeannette Butler has worked on seven “Salute their food comes from or what it [initially] “America used to be a rural economy now it’s ing. For Nuri, what better way to contribute to Black Mothers” luncheons. She claimed looks like.” more urban, there are more people living in the to nation building than producing food? He that the event signified progress. “It means that cities than the country side,” said Nuri. “The received his graduate degree in plant soil sci- women are in charge and doing what’s neces- According to a 2003 report by the Urban Ag- techniques I use here are replicable anywhere ence from the University of Massachusetts and sary in the community,” she states. riculture Committee of the Community Food in the city. You don’t need a tractor, you don’t jetted to San Diego to experiment with organic Security Coalition, most foods travel between need a plow, you can do it by hand; all of our farming. “When you say organic farming peo- More than 500 impeccably dressed guests 1,500 to 2,500 miles before it hits the dinner food is hand grown.” ple look at you crazy, imagine what it was like watched eight principal honorees. The list in- table. In fact, the food that reaches American 40 years ago.” cluded Helen Butler, executive director of the tables gets there by its ability to, “withstand When asked if his style was profitable, Nuri Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda; industrial harvesting equipment and extended admitted, “Not yet. We have to grow a little According to The Council for Agricultural Sci- Mikkal Hart Murunga, director of Commu- travel, not for their taste or nutritional quality.” bit more but we’re able to sustain ourselves.” ence and Technology (CAST) and the Geor- nity & Legislative Affairs of Atlanta Public But Truly Living Well Center does exists for gia Urban Agriculture Council (UAC), urban Schools; and Nettie Jackson, senior director of The report also predicts that the urban farming reasons other than making a dollar. The center agriculture will provide unlimited means for Cultural Initiatives for the American Heart and will go a long way to eliminating food inse- connects people to their life source. dealing with problems of poverty, health, food the American Stroke Association, as well as, curity and solidifying emergency prepared- insecurity (nationally and regionally) and en- 50 other women from various church affiliates. ness (which the report interprets as an issue of That doesn’t go to say that Nuri has had suc- vironmental pollution. Additionally, urban homeland security). In case of emergencies, cess with industry. His company Cargill Ni- farming allows people to better gauge fresh- “Women still have power. Women have been such as natural disasters or swift political or geria Limited still exists in Nigeria today. He ness and food handling. in the background for so long,” said Butler economic changes, any particular commu- states that the company became the largest, who pastors her own church. Co-chair of the nity should be able produce one third of their grain traders in the country: The local farm “People have become completely disconnect- events steering committee was Lolita Jackson, population’s food requirement. Nuri, who also grew and sold cotton, sugar, maize and coco to ed from their food and I think part of our job who also holds the title of the external affairs served under the first African-American Secre- local distributors. is to reestablish that connection,” proclaimed manager for Georgia Power, praised the event tary of Agriculture, knows this and expects his Nuri. “People come here and say ‘Oh that’s for awarding women under the radar who de- farm to grow. Still Nuri focuses enormous energy on the what that looks like.’ They have no idea where served credit for their great work. quality and community he serves. As he rush- es, tending to every tiny need of the people In an eloquent letter addressed to the event at- walking through the farm, he thanks first-time tendees, Elligan wrote, “The endless wealth “The techniques I use here are replicable anywhere visitor, Pitts for spotting some fresh peas ready of knowledge and wisdom of Black Mothers/ in the city. You don’t need a tractor, you don’t need a plow, to eat. Women has shaped the minds and morals of great leaders compelling them not only to read you can do it by hand; all of our food is hand grown.” “Thanks for pointing me to my lunch. This is history but to write history.” The letter went - Rashid Nuri, Truly Living Well good,” Nuri said. on to say, “From the Underground Railroad to the front seat of an Alabama bus, Black Moth- To learn more about our business and communi- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com BLACK MOTHERS continued on page 23

20 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Community www.overgroundrr.com UNCF celebrates 65 Years at Atlanta’s Mayor’s Masked Ball eorgia is the home to the largest consor- the educations they re- crowd noting at least a 30 percent non-Afri- assistance to deserving students, raising oper- Gtium of Historically Black Colleges and ceived. can-American audience. ating funds for member colleges and univer- Universities in the United States. Students Jenkins stated that he is expecting to have sities, and increasing access to technology for come from all over the world to get an educa- For the past 26 years, 1,200 to 1,500 people in attendance and that students and faculty at historically black col- tion in the Atlanta University Center [AUC] at Atlanta has hosted the $1 million is expected to be raised this year leges and universities. Since its inception in Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, UNCF by hosting an as was in the past three years. “Atlanta’s very 1944, UNCF has grown to become the nation’s Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman Col- annual Masked Ball good about supporting the UNCF. What I oldest and most successful African American lege, Morris Brown College and the Interde- during the holiday sea- have learned so much is that even we are in higher education assistance organization.” nominational Theology College. Therefore, son. Former mayor and recessionary times, we’ve still been able to the United Negro College Fund’s [UNCF] cor- Ambassador Andrew have people support the UNCF because of our The president and CEO of the UNCF, Dr. Mi- porate campaign in southwest Atlanta has its Young, his late wife, schools in the AUC, and being supportive of chael Lomax, stated that “thanks to the support work cut out for it. Jean, and Billye Aaron, M. Jenkins, Jr. those schools has always worked out really of the metro Atlanta corporate community, wife of baseball legend, well.” UNCF and Atlanta have been longtime part- Maurice Jenkins, Jr., senior vice president of Hank Aaron, started the ners, working together through both good and the UNCFs southern field operations has been ball 26 years ago took on host positions for Gary Peacock, president and CEO of SunTrust challenging times. Working together through working with the organization for more than the Mayor’s Masked Ball. This is when Jen- Bank Atlanta and the UNCF 2009-2010 Met- UNCF’s 2009-2010 metropolitan Atlanta Cor- 20 years, starting as a volunteer. He notes that kins started working as a volunteer, and later ropolitan Atlanta Corporate Campaign chair- porate Campaign, you can help the economy the Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball is nationally moved up the ranks as the current Sr. VP of the man says, “It is a known fact that historically to rebound and to emerge stronger than ever.” unique in that it’s the only fundraising UNCF Southern region. black colleges and universities produce 25 Overall, the UNCF gives more than 40 schol- Ball that is hosted by a mayor. “[Atlanta] has percent of all bachelor’s degrees earned by Af- arships and fellowships to students across the a magnificent mayor that has been supportive The money raised goes toward scholarships rican Americans. country for undergraduate, graduate and doc- for the past eight years,” he says. “She goes for students who attend HBCUs in Atlanta. toral degrees. out and gets a lot of people to step up and help The event that draws the Who’s Who of At- The educational funding which UNCF pro- us.” lanta has raised at least $1 million for the past vides helps these students fulfill their dreams Corporate donors to the UNCF of Metro At- decade or more and helped countless students of receiving a college degree as well as prepare lanta include Black McDonald’s Operators Mayor Shirley Franklin states that “support- start and continue their higher education. them for the workforce of the future.” Peacock Association; The Mall West End and many ing UNCF is a proposition in which everyone Since its inception, the event has raised more goes on to say that “In their first year out of others. comes away a winner – the student, the uni- than $11 million. college and as long as they are in the work- versities and colleges, local businesses and force, college graduate will earn twice the sal- Learn more about the UNCF and its’ efforts at the community at large.” She also states that Jenkins stated that new attendees come every ary of people with just a high school diploma.” www.uncf.org. many of students, upon graduation, will make year, however, a large portion are usual par- their homes here in Atlanta where the local and ticipants. He also stated that despite the UNCF It has been the goal of the UNCF “to enhance To learn more about our business and communi- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com statewide corporations will reap the benefits of cause, the attendees are usually a diverse the quality of education by providing financial Neighborhood Church Coalition Leads Churches to Financial Freedom

The Conductor

n the age of mega-churches that hold wealth Iunknown, there are still thousands of wor- ship houses in the country that depend on loans to make ends meet, pay off mortgages or just start a ministry that will benefit its’ members The Neighborhood Church Coalition serves more than 400 congregations across the United and communities. William Thompson, founder States. Thompson states “My ultimate goal is to teach people how to have a budget.” and president of the Neighborhood Church Co- alition in Charlotte, N.C. featuring KRS ONE, Minister Server of Thompson, a 25-year member of Greensboro’s certified public accountant [CPA] firm, William that any time there’s money and loans involved Temple Of Hip Hop, Stic Man of Dead Prez, Afya Ibomu, Dr. Taj Anwar MOBBB, Broth- Evangel Fellowship Church of God in Christ, V. Thompson and Associates from 1990 until that can get people’s attention, so with that in 2004 that focused on his specialty of church place we also actually have a whole financial er J XClan, YZ, Bun B, Nappy Roots, Rich has managed to maintain his spiritual beliefs Boy, Raekwon & RZA WuTang Clan, Rev. in a business that sometimes lacks moral fiber. tax law. Now, as a retired CPA, Thompson literacy component. Its one thing to give peo- Al Sharpton National Action Network, Judge “We are a two and half year old organization found it difficult to sit and watches the spiri- ple money, but it’s another to teach them the Mathis, MLKIII, Steve Harvey and many and our oath, goal and mission is to unify the tual communities surrounding him suffer for principles. So, we have a team of attorneys, more...in this MOVEMENT... body of Christ and to empower them economi- funding that he knew CPA’s and financial people that we have a fi- 404-454-2764 cally,” he says. “The way we’re doing that is was available. It was nancial system in place where we are helping rebirthofthehiphopnation.com [by] going out and getting our federal char- his job and purpose, as churches comply with IRS and state guide- ter. To my knowledge, we are the first church financial strategist, to lines. We’re helping pastors get their personal group, not just African American, but the first show others how to get finances in order as well as membership also.” church group that has gotten a federal charter.” homes and keep them. This feat allows the coalition to open a federal Financial freedom and order often leads to en- credit union anywhere in the country. “It is my role to give trepreneurship. The coalition is reaching the people creative, bibli- community through upcoming businesses that In May of 1977, Thompson was preparing to cal strategies to get it will own to keep dollars moving in a more them out of debt, to centralized location. This way, surrounding go to college and discovered that his parents W. Thompson did not have the means to pay for his educa- help them raise their neighborhoods will continue to reap the benefit tion. This was a shock to the college senior as credit scores and really of financial freedom by supporting local busi- Need a service he was under the assumption that the nice cars, walk in abundance where they’re no longer nesses owned by the coalition. There are plans clothes and home that his family owned, his living payday to payday but they’re walk- that include restaurants, retail stores and pos- and/or product? educational expenses would be a breeze. His ing in the Abraham[ic] covenant,” Thompson sibly a school in the coalition’s present facility. decision to turn down scholarships to public affirms. schools and accept the offer to a more expen- My ultimate goal is to teach people how to sive private school soon turned into an educa- The coalition was started on the foundation of have a budget. To me, that’s when that person ® tion all on its own. scripture that says that the people of God are has no debt … in five years or less and also they Overground RR!! to be “the head and not the tail.” With more have no need for a job because I want them to “I told my parents that it was going to cost than 400 churches under the same charter, the work their job as unto the Lord,” Thompson business directory $4,000 the first year and their statement was, group has successfully united various Chris- proclaims. “But, I want to teach them how in- ‘we don’t have the money,’” he recalls. “I tian denominations under one umbrella. He as- vest in real estate, how to invest in the stock provides you with a thought they meant that they didn’t have the serts that the churches are “working together to market and how to have their own business or money in the house or in the checkbook.” They promote the same credit union as well as open- businesses so they can become self sufficient, host of businesses to went on to explain that their financial means ing the door for these churches to open their when they’re ready.” choose from. were low and at this moment, Thompson dis- own branches that will benefit other churches covered his calling. or members. To learn more about our business and communi- Thirteen years later, he owned and operated a Thompson has incorporated a financial educa- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com tion component to his venture. “We felt like

21 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Community Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Pastor Keeps Moving After Retirement The Conductor better,” Kimbrough states. He goes on to say that when churches become territorial “it be- etirement usually means that the retiree comes sad and bad news.” Rgets extended time to rest, recuperate and recharge after years of labor, toil and dedicated He recalls a story where he was recently vis- work to a career of choice. Usually, that’s what iting a church that was surrounded by two retirement means. For Pastor Walter Kim- other churches. They were different denomi- brough, it means just the opposite – even when nations that also called a school a high school it’s more than three years later. neighbor. Even though one of the churches expressed their work in the school, work done Upon his retirement from his senior pastor po- among the churches was nonexistent. “[The sition at Cascade United Methodist Church in churches] were literally, in a stone’s throw of 2006, he began his post-pastoral work by join- each other,” he said. “You all ought to be able ing local churches across Atlanta to continue to get together and do something,” he sug- his work as a servant of God. Since his twen- gested. ties, the now 69-year-old man is still going strong for his mission to bring souls to Christ. The separation of churches only drives home the mission of the man. He knows, and accepts “One of the things I heard, when you retire, that his work is not done. Part of his goal is you’ve got six months to declare what you’re to unite people, touch lives and serve God and going to be about. If you wait beyond that six His people. “In Revelations it says, ‘be thou month frame of time, you’ve waited too long.” faithful ‘til the end,’” he quotes. “So, that’s my After leaving the pulpit as a senior pastor, mission.” Kimbrough wasted no time in filling his sched- ule with his declaration of what he was about. Rev. Walter Kimbrough takes his pstoral duties seriously well after his 2006 retirement. He con- His first move was as a guest pastor at Mt. tinues to preach and mentor younger ministers across the country. (Right) Pastor Kimbrough and Pisgah his first Sunday after his official retire- his wife, author Marjorie Kimbrough, of more than 40 years. ment date. He’s also agreed to be the pastor in African-Americans. He has recalled how when it was time for him to move forward in a more residence at Clifton United Methodist Church. he first knew of Cascade United Methodist open situation. The summer of 2006 brought Church a few decades ago, its congregation in Pastor Marvin a. Moss and a new team of His ministry and service have carried him, and was mostly caucasian. When the pastor of the clergy for the Cascade UMC membership. his wife, Marjorie, of 40-plus years, all across church was chosen, and he was an African- Kimbrough reminded Moss and retirement the nation sharing the love of God through American man, the color of the congrega- gala attendees that people were telling Moss preached word, teachings and books. For tions shifted as well. The caucasian members that “he had big shoes to fill. So I told him to two-and-a-half months following retirement stopped coming to the church or moved to tell them that he brought his own shoes.” Kimbrough was booked every Sunday with other churches in the city and the new Cascade different churches of various denominations. UMC membership became mostly African- The attitude of passing the torch is the next He serves as a mentor to pastors all across the American. generation of leaders keeps Kimbrough vi- United States including New Jersey, South brant and excited about what is to come in the Carolina, California and of course, right here Following Rev. Joseph Lowery as pastor, Kim- future. However, he does realize that the val- in Georgia. brough left his then post at Ben Hill UMC and ues that used to be prevalent in communities, went to Cascade UMC and stayed for more is losing its significance today. With this loss, His is a story of growth and service to others. than 20 years. In his tenure, the grandfather some churches have become “territorial” and Kimbrough started in Atlanta’s Summerhill of two helped increase the church’s member- lost the tradition of working together. “There’s To learn more about our business and communi- ship and spearheaded the overall growth of the no need for [churches] to try to duplicate the community and knew all too well the plight of ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com church. When he finally reached age 65, he felt services that, right across the street, they do Black Women Film Network Opens Doors for Independent Filmmakers

The Conductor a career path as a result of the organization’s Gripper has honored a few Tyler Perry studio influence. workers for the contributions made to telling Opening the doors for women of color has the stories of women of color. Just this past been a longtime mission for Sheryl Gripper, In the past few months, the BWFPP has become October 29, the BWFN honored Roger Bobb, an advocate of accurate and entertaining story- the Black Women Film Network (BWFN). For a director and producer for the studio. Bobb telling. Her love for storytelling and television Gripper the name change falls right in line is best known as the co-producer of Perry’s has culminated into a career of leadership at with the mission of the group. “The reason for major box office movies “Why Did I Get Mar- WXIA-11Alive television station. [the name change] is because we’re going to ried”, “The Family That Preys” and others. be about networking to help women of color For 30 years, Gripper has worked at WXIA get jobs in film and digital media,” the Waco, As a graduate of Spelman College, Gripper and has successfully moved up the ladder to TX native states. This new, focus-driven goal recalls how much students need career op- her position as the vice president of commu- is due to the changing ways of the media in- portunities via internships and/or funding to film and television arenas. A few of the group’s nity relations. Her job matches her character dustry. Digital media and social networking is complete an education. Through the BWFN, past scholarship winners have gone on to make as someone who enjoys working in the com- the new wave of technology that will keep the more than $15,000 has been given to students their own marks in the industry as well. munity and bringing opportunities for others to members of the organization abreast of what for scholarships. “The goal is to be able to con- be successful. Despite her career experiences, Hollywood and the burgeoning Atlanta film tinue the scholarships at the level we’ve been Gripper’s organization has reached thousands it was a moment in a Georgia State University industry produce and expect. doing but to expand to do more workshops to and opened the door for many. From the board classroom that diverted the course of her life help people get jobs [in the] film industry,” she members to the event participants, the mis- and career. In the past few years, Atlanta filmmakers have says. “We’re not trying to be an organization sion is storytelling. Keeping the voices of the begun blazing a path in the film industry and that just gives out scholarships; we’re trying to women of color from the past, present and One day in class, Gripper took a look around BWFN has reached out to bridge the gap be- help people work in the media.” future is pertinent to the survival of a culture. and realized that she was the only African- tween the filmmakers and industry giants. For “In the future, hopefully, we can point to the American female. This bothered her and, si- a city that is known for being a leader in the Every year, the organization is the host of a number of people who have gotten work in the multaneously, sparked a fire that is still burn- music industry, it truly is not a far cry off bal- film festival that shows at least five short films film industry as a result of our workshops and/ ing 12 years later. She then created the Black ance to only widen the entertainment aspect of by independent filmmakers at a local movie or film festival,” Gripper states, holding fast to Women Film Preservation Project (BWFPP) the city. Tyler Perry began making his movies theater. This has proven to be a success toward the belief of pulling another up with you as you that was to focus on preserving the voice of based in Atlanta and then in 2007, he built and the goals of the organization by giving some climb the ladder of success. women of color. There have been countless opened Tyler Perry Studios. His grand opening filmmakers the opportunity to see their film success stories that have surrounded the or- brought film, television and media greats to the shown on a big screen, watched by an audi- ganization but Gripper’s favorites come from city and opened doors a little wider for the film ence. Another success is that there are often when attendees and/or participants enter the industry in Atlanta. industry workers in the audience who offer To learn more about our business and communi- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com film, television and digital media or choose advice and, sometimes, an entry way into the Need a service and/or product? Overground RR!!® business directory provides you with a host of businesses to choose from.

22 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Community www.overgroundrr.com Atlanta’s 100 Black Women Serve Up Gourmet Gents, Accolades

The Conductor

The Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the Na- tional Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) hosted its 20th Annual Gourmet Gents cook-off at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Grand Hall, 265 Peachtree Street on Novem- ber 22 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Chef G. Garvin was the honorary chairper- son, and a celebrity chef, for this twentieth year culinary experience. Featuring some of Atlanta’s most prominent civic and business leaders along with local media personalities and professionals, Gourmet Gents showcased Community Teen Coalition members take the time out to pose for a photo while participating the culinary talents of more than 100 men who in their entrepreneurial activities. They are learning numerous ways to become dependent, willingly gave their time and talents for a good productive citizens through entrepreneurship. cause.

Proceeds from the event benefitted “Teens on Community Teen Coalition the Move,” a NCBW’s mentoring program that assists young women in reaching their full po- tential. The celebrated event was also one of NCBW’s first and major fundraisers. Gourmet Teaches Entrepreneurship Gents began in 1990 with 100 chefs and 500 Chef G. Garvin served as the honorary chair- By Jeremy House turn the opportunities to the communities that participants and has grown over the years to person for the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of helped raised him. include more than, 3,000 food tasters and 300 the 100 Black Women. hat does Italian Ice have to do with busi- chefs. Wness? It’s a question Dominic Stokes Community Teen Coalition gives the youth a tan Atlanta Chapter of NCBW serves as part of routinely encounters from the young people channel to realistically practice their most lofty The Gents will be stationed at individual ta- the collective voice for more than 14 million entering his nonprofit: Community Teen Co- professional goals, inspiring big futures while bles to serve their culinary masterpieces, while African-American women living in the United alition. It’s a question, of course, for which he simultaneously inculcating its relationship to guests enjoy entertainment and samplings. States. readily responds “well, you can sell it.” hard work and precise planning. Throughout Chefs can compete in four award categories: the year, Community Teen Coalition teens at- Most “Appeteasing” Appetizer, Most Mouth The Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter also hosted Since 2007, Community Teen Coalition has tend various high school and collegiate sport- Watering Main Course, Most Succulent Side the 13th Biennial Conference. The conference been engaging young people around Atlanta ing events bargaining, in person, their per- Dish and “Save the Best for Last” Dessert. opened with a public meeting that featured using their dreams as a springboard. The Ital- sonally made cold treats. Community Teen Steve Harvey as the keynote speaker and rec- ian Ice stand, decorated with a rainbow, is a Coalition is a constant staple at sports events The Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter is an advo- ognized several individuals including former small but significant centerpiece of the orga- held at the Lakewood Stadium and many cacy organization built to empower African- Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin, Dr. Barbara nization. Selling the flavored ice is the first Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta Univer- American women and children through greater DeBaptiste, Dr. Bernice King, Coach C. Viv- order of business for every teen who chooses sity basketball games. In conjunction with his access to education, political strength, busi- ian Stringer, Mignon L. Clyburn and others. to participate the Community Teen Coalition. wife Dion Stokes, who serves as the cofounder ness opportunities and civic responsibility. The The Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter received Participants are charged with devising a busi- and counselor, their work heavily considers Chapter is committed to seeking solutions to “Chapter of the Year” award from the national ness model including marketing and profiting the volatile landscape of teenage life. Dion is critical issues in the African-American com- organization. the start-up company. trained a psychologist, according to her, the munity and offers programs and services to To learn more about our business and communi- younger children who learn how to run a busi- enhance the self-sufficiency of African-Amer- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com “A lot of young people may not necessarily ness is all about emotional development. ican women. Founded in 1988, the Metropoli- want to go to college, quite a few them want to start their own business but have no idea how,” Dion really tackles the tough battles of depres- BLACK MOTHERS continued from page 20 said Stokes. He believes that by involving sion, ADHD, and anxiety, while softening the ers/Women have exemplified an amazing resil- young people in business activities it provides tough effects of child abuse and neglect. She ience under the relentless acts of social injus- a concrete roadmap to future success. He goes values her work for “being able to assist the tices, racism and disenfranchisements.” on to say, “So what we try to do is incorporate kids, not just their entrepreneurship growth the etrenepneural aspect and hope that we get and learning about business, but, also meeting Corporate sponsors included Willie Watkins them thinking about the viable options avail- emotional needs.” Funeral, Capitol City Bank, Bussey Florist, able through entrepreneurship.” Georgia Power, The Coca-Cola Company, “It’s important to be an effective leader,” said Hall’s Florist, Georgia Pacific and Publix. Greater New Light Born in Boston, Stokes’ family moved to Dion. “There are certain skills that you have Church sponsors included Word of God Min- Georgia when he was just seven. Attending to develop and you have to kind of be aware istries, Antioch Baptist Church, Beulah Baptist Missionary Baptist Church River Wood High School, Georgia appeared of your emotions and feelings.” The leadership Church, Cobb Bethel Church, Omega Holiness Rev. Dr. LeLand L. Jones, Senior Pastor to offer a wealth of opportunities for the fam- team of Community Teen Coalition is rounded Church and Muhammad Mosque 15. Worship Times ily reared by a single mother. If it weren’t for out by Stokes’ mother and father. The team Wednesday Sunday those opportunities, Stokes feels that perhaps hopes to shed new light on reaching at risk The CBC of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. is the 12:00 pm - Noontime Prayer 9:15 am - P.R.E.P. School 7:00 pm - Dinner 10:45 am - Morning Worship he wouldn’t have been motivated to obtain youth and making a turnaround in the lives of primary, proactive and principle organization 7:30 pm - Bible Study two college degrees in business and human re- children through confidence and education. comprising mostly of African-American min- “GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL OF YOUR NEEDS” sources, including a specialization in nonprofit isters and laity. The CBC mission is to provide management from Central Michigan Univer- To learn more about our business and communi- leadership advocacy and service to the home- 2540 Campbellton Road, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30311 sity. Now, Stokes insists, it’s his moment to re- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com less, helpless, and hopeless in our community. Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Phone: (404) 344-0199 • Fax: (404) 344-0189 CBC Takes Community Action to Save Humankind Need a service By Jeremy House by poverty and hunger and for the intensely debated public option in the the time has arrived from the health reform debate, stating that four to 10 ina Lundberg founder of The Women’s Catholic hierarchy to purge Americans in the black church have health in- and/or product? GHeart Center was the community speaker ownership for Haitian pros- surance. at this weeks Concern Black Clergy of Metro- perity. The committee also politan Atlanta (CBC) community forum. Be- plans to visit the grandmother The speaker for the event, Lundberg, promul- ® fore the presentation the audience of church of President Barack Obama in gated an initiative to screen African-American Overground RR!! and community leaders heard statements from Kenya. Lastly, next month is Rev. Elligan women for heart disease. According to Lun- committee chairs Joe Beasley, Timothy Mc- the Brazil Black History cel- dberg and other sources, African-American business directory Donald and Jeannette Butler. ebration, Beasley expects to women represent the highest at-risk pool for meet with Coca-Cola and IBM officials with deaths related to heart disease. Funded by a provides you with a Beasley, the International Affairs Chairman, celebration planning. $15,000 grant, the program is geared to reach reported the recent news of a deadly month 100 uninsured or underinsured women. Partici- host of businesses to from American troops in Afghanistan. Sec- Religious Affairs Chairman, McDonald, re- pants are qualified to receive additional care at ondly, Beasley informed members of his recent minded members of his recent trip to Wash- the Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. choose from. trip to the nation of Haiti. He plans to look into ington, D.C. to engender a communications the Catholic Church’s landownership in the package framing the upcoming debate on im- To learn more about our business and communi- region. As Beasley said, the country is riveted migration. He expressed continued support ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com

23 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Community Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® HR40 continued from page 8 “Over 4 million Africans and their descen- Klan was revived in 1919 at Stone Mountain, dants were enslaved in the United States and Spelman Georgia. In 1923, the City of Rosewood is its colonies from 1619 to 1865, and as a result, destroyed by White terrorists. From 1932 to the United States was able to become the most 1972 the United States government performed prosperous country in the free world. It is un- Announces the sadistic Tuskegee Syphillis Study (while disputed that African slaves were not compen- complaining about Hitler’s experiments in sated for their labor. More unclear however, is Germany). (Emphasis supplied). Id. what the effects and remnants of this relation- $150M Fund ship have had on African-Americans and our Jim Crow laws were passed like a flood wip- nation from the time of emancipation through ing out all of the gains attained by our people. today.” C.T. Vivian incarcerated fighting Jim Crow Slavery Raising Effort This was done with the agreement of Northern Throughout most of those 15 years, the idea of Whites whom our people helped to defeat the Mr. Conyers has requested the number of the a federal holiday honoring an African-Ameri- The Conductor Southern Whites. Famous (and little known) bill, 40, as a symbol of the forty acres and a can civil rights leader was considered radical. terroristic acts including amongst others too mule that the United States initially promised n Friday, October 16, The Campaign for many to name, Emmett Till, Medger Evers, freed slaves. This unfulfilled promise and the Like the King Holiday bill, Mr. Conyers has Spelman was publicly launched and an- O our four little girls Addie Mae Collins, Denise serious devastation that slavery had on Afri- seen the support for H.R. 40 increase each nounced as the largest fundraising effort ever McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wes- can- American lives has never been officially year. There are currently 37 co-sponsors. Sup- by the institution: $150 million. The event ley in Birmingham, Alabama; James Chaney, recognized by the United States Government. port also extends outside of the Congress as was open to friends, sponsors, community Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner in various city councils and other local jurisdic- members, faculty, staff and students to share Mississippi; and Martin Luther King, Jr. tions have supported his bill. The city coun- the moment of accomplishment and collective cils in Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, excitement. The campaign is keenly focused H.R. 40 Must Be Passed Now (The follow- Washington, DC, and Atlanta have passed on securing the resources the college needs to ing is primarily quoted from http://www.john- bills supporting H.R. 40. continue to inspire and empower young wom- conyers.com/issues/reparations) en to do extraordinary things that change the It is a fact that slavery flourished in the United nation and the world. “In January of 1989, Rep John Conyers (D- States and constituted an immoral and inhu- Michigan) first introduced the bill H.R. 40, mane deprivation of African slaves’ lives, lib- The Campaign for Spelman College is a fund- Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for erty, and cultural heritage. As a result, millions raising effort that aims to actualize the ambi- African Americans Act. He has re-introduced of African-Americans today continue to suffer tious goals identified in the institution’s stra- HR 40 every Congress since 1989, and will great injustices. Our country can no longer af- tegic plan for 2015. This is the largest such continue to do so until it’s passed into law.” ford to leave slavery in the past and the issue venture the college has embarked upon in its of reparations for African-Americans must be 128-year history. At the time of the event, $82 This is not a bill demanding reparations. But a resolved. million was raised toward the overall goal. bill to study the effect of slavery upon our peo- ple. What we must realize as a people is that Time For Action Eloise Alexis, vice president of college rela- slavery did not end in the 1800s, but continued We would have to be less than human to tions, said that the campaign in a different, but still very sadistic, mentally, believe that we do not deserve what others officially started in 2004 Spelman emotionally, physically, and economically de- (Jews, Japanese and others) were given for however, funds weren’t structive form through the 1970s. what in no way whatsoever begin to approach officially requested until the detestable horrid atrocious lives imposed 2006. “The goal is $150 H.R. 40 will do what has never been done - on us for 400 years. Such inhuman treatment million and we have $82 study the still devastating effects of the tyr- for so long has caused many of us to see our- million in hand and so in- anny inflicted upon our people. The “bill does selves as undeserving. dividual donors, alumnae, four things: We would still be on the back of the Montgom- corporations and founda- 1. It acknowledges the fundamental injus- H.R. 40 has strong grass roots support within ery bus if we allowed the timidity of some of tions have committed re- tice and inhumanity of slavery: the African-American community, as well as our brothers and sisters to determine the de- sources to Spelman for 2. It establishes a commission to study slav- major civil rights organizations, religious or- mands we make. We are pleased to announce scholarships, for academic ery, its subsequent racial and economic ganizations, and academic and civic groups many of the churches, community organiza- programs, etc.,” Alexis discrimination against freed slaves; from across the country. This support is very tions and businesses have decide to launch a states. She mentions that a 3. It studies the impact of those forces on similar to the strong grassroots movement that campaign to pass H.R. 40 which will not end College designated $80 million will today’s living African Americans; and proceeded another major legislative initia- until it has been accomplished. Are you ready? go toward scholarships and $10 million will go 4. The commission would then make rec- tive, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday bill. to improving campus environment. ommendations to Congress on appropri- It took 15 years for this legislation to pass. It To learn more about our business and communi- ate remedies to redress the harm inflicted was introduced during the Spring of 1968 and The event included a wine and hors d’oeuvres ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com on living African Americans.” was finally enacted during the Fall of 1983. reception at the Bill and Camille Cosby build- ing and later in the evening, an “Alumnae Voices” production at the campus auditorium included Spelman students and alumnae LaT- Senior Executive Balances Tightrope anya Richardson-Jackson, Tanika Ray, Cassie Davis and others. Atlanta native and Spelman supporter, Jasmine Guy, also participated in the production honoring alumna, Dovey John- of Life: Career, Motherhood, Music son Roundtree and her Spelman experience. athleen Bertrand has what most women was given the honor of singing at the inaugu- Kher age aspire to achieve: A senior level, ration of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and The overarching goal of the campaign is to high-profile position, and wonderful college- to open for the legendary Ray Charles at the acquire the necessary resources to provide aged children. Yet this single mom has another Atlanta Jazz Festival’s opening night at Chas- students with a transformational experience side most only dream about: She’s an accom- tain Park. based on academic rigor and career develop- plished jazz singer, who held a J”azz Is...” ment that leads to a life-changing commitment concert on November 7 at the Southwest Arts Additionally, Bertrand has opened for a variety to community involvement and positive social Center in Atlanta. of America’s finest musical talents including impact. The primary goals are to ensure that Will Downing, Rachelle Ferrell, Najee, Jeff each student receives the financial support she Some of the well known Atlantans in atten- Lorber, David Benoit, Roy Ayers, the Sounds needs to complete her education, more global dance were the Honorable Mayor Shirley of Blackness, and Kenny G. Her fan base in- engagement opportunities, enhanced research Franklin; Pastor Marvin A. Moss of Cascade cludes radio listeners across the nation, as well experiences and career-related internships, United Methodist Church; Rev. Angela Har- as, England, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, increased access to alumnae connections, in- rington Rice of Hillside International Truth Norway, Hong Kong, New Zealand, France, dividualized leadership development experi- Center; Councilman Jim Maddox; Erica the Netherlands and Brazil, among others. ences and expanded service learning and com- Qualls, General Manger of the Atlanta Mar- munity engagement activities. riott Marquis; Rhodell Lewis of Praise 102.5 With a repertoire that ranges from straight- FM; Sonya Young of Eventions; Stacey Key of ahead jazz standards to spirited gospel, Ber- Showing how students are already making GMSDC and many others, just to name a few. trand’s smooth vocals move effortlessly be- tween genres to present musical treats that fill changes, a video presentation was shown high- Kathleen Bertrand is a member of Cascade UMC and lighting the spirit and accomplishments of cur- This well known and multifaceted record- has released three CDs througout her career. the mind, heart and soul. Bertrand performs in rent students. One student in the presentation ing artist and writer, Bertrand is a native At- large and intimate venues, concert halls, and one of “Atlanta’s Legends” and by Spelman told the story of how she was finally able to lantan and Spelman College graduate, whose churches across the country. College with its distinguished 1998 “Alumnae attend Spelman after encouragement from her performances have ranged from two Olympic Achievement Award for the Arts & Entertain- adopted mother. Another two students told the Games, performances before two presidents Additionally, she sings regularly as the fea- ment.” story of how they competed and tied first place to appearances at jazz festivals world-wide. tured vocalist with the Jazz Vespers Series pro- in a robotics competition. These students, and Bertrand has toured and recorded as a vocalist duced by the Reverend Dwight Andrews at the She was an invited performer for 1999, 2000 others like them, will benefit from the cam- with jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers before set- First Congregational Church of Atlanta. and 2006 at the Montreux Jazz Festival in paign funds. tling down to raise her family. Once she began singing again, she came out with strength, su- Switzerland; the 2001, 2003 and 2005 Atlanta To learn more about Kathleen Bertrand and Jazz Festival, as well as, the Nuremberg Meets Among the primary goals of the campaign are perb musicianship and vibrancy. where you can see, hear or purchase her music, Atlanta Festival in Nuremberg, Germany. She to graduate 5,000 incredibly talented young visit www.kathleenbertrand.com. is the 2003 recipient of the James O. Costen women—many first-generation and economi- This three-octave vocal artist has been hon- Award for the Arts presented by the Interde- To learn more about our business and communi- cally challenged—over the next decade. ored by the United Negro College Fund as ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com nominational Theological Center. In 2002, she

24 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009 Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Community www.overgroundrr.com GABEO: Congratulations for 40 Years of Excellence in Public Service GABEO was formed in the years after the civil has included sit-ins, boy- Now with more than 1000 mem- rights movement to teach blacks how to win cotts and demonstrations, bers statewide, GABEO’s main election to offices that had been denied them touring jails and prisons, focus is developing programs that in the past.” filing lawsuits, and serv- will provide deterrents to violence ing on committees rec- and crime among youth; promot- The Georgia Association of Black Elected ommending change in ing voter registration, education Officials was formed in 1970, as a statewide governmental and legis- and participation; forming litera- political group composed of elected officials lative policy. Addition- cy programs to battle the growing on all levels of Georgia government – mu- ally, the organization has problem of illiteracy in the state; nicipal, county, state and national. The main made great strides toward T. Brooks securing economic parity for all objectives of the organization were to provide solving the Moore’s Ford President Georgians; preserving minority exemplary representation for constituents, use Bridge lynching, with the State Representative voting strength. GABEO often District 63 political clout to address issues of concern in Emmett Till Bill becoming Atlanta works in conjunction with the communities, and work in conjunction with federal law which secures NAACP, SCLC, Rainbow/PUSH colleagues to create and establish laws which a $100 million dollars appropriation to fund Coalition, the Coalition for a were sensitive to the needs of all people, es- unsolved civil right cases preceding 1970. Af- Peoples Agenda and the Georgia pecially people of color. In the early years the ter a twenty year struggle removing divisive Coalition of Black Women and organization was led by several former presi- confederate battle emblem from the Georgia SCLC Women on issues vital to dents including: former state representatives state flag. the community. GABEO is also Ben Brown and Bobby Hill, former mayor of partnering with Morris Brown Augusta Ed McIntyre, former Atlanta mayor GABEO meets three times each year in fa- College in developing group such Maynard Jackson, State Representative Calvin cilities in the heart of the communities the as Stopping The Violence, Sav- Smyre, former Fulton County commissioner organization serves: The annual winter board ing Our Children, Ending The A. Reginald Eaves, and former state represen- meeting is held on the last weekend of each Carnage Institute on Campus of tative Mary Young-Cummings. February; a special conference will be held historic Morris Brown College in in Monroe, Georgia; the annual march on Atlanta. After the election of State Representative Ty- Moore’s Ford Bridge is April 4th; July 25th rone Brooks as president of the organization conducting reenactment of the Lynching in GABEO has come a long way in in 1993, GABEO took on a new stance and Monroe, Ga. (Walton County); the summer four decades of service and lead- broadened its focus of leadership to become convention is held the last weekend in June at ership, and there is still a long a more grass roots activist-oriented body. Its Savannah State University; and the annual fall way to go. In the words of Tyrone new agenda included championing the rights meeting is held the last weekend in October at Brooks: “We’ve enjoyed over 40 of the poor, assisting victims of discrimina- a different church location each year. years of public service. ‘Ain’t No tion, and investigating allegations of mistreat- Stoppin’ Us Now !’” ment in the state’s prison population. Brooks’ To learn more about our business and communi- strong yet compassionate style of activism ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com www.ga-gabeo.org.

Jim Maddox Henry Ficklin Elaine Lucas Kenneth Smith Vice President Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Parliamentarian Member City Council MLK Commissioner Member City Council Mayor City Of Kingsland Atlanta Macon Macon President of GMA

Emma Gresham Patty James Bentley Willie Burns Sen. Emanuel Jones Secretary Emeritus Acting Secretary Commissioner Mayor District 10 Former Mayor Taylor CountyChair, ACCG City of Washington Chair GLBC City of Keysville Black Caucus President GCBM Pastor Durley Joins Committee to Inform On Communal, Environmental Hazards The Conductor borns. This, he said, shows that these children had autism are rarely given a fighting chance even before but knows the ecently, the world has been consumed they enter the world. disease has a Rwith green living and economy. There are large effect in new ways to make living healthier and watch- Rev. Gerald Durley, who gave the event’s in- the African- ing out for environmental hazards easier. On vocation and is a member of the host commit- A m e r i c a n November 10, Emory University’s Depart- tee, stated that there are so many pollutants community. ment of Pediatrics co-hosted an Enlightenment that are effecting African-American youths Luncheon to inform guests and diners about that the presence of the black community This event the harmful effects that the environment has should be increased at such events. His partici- allowed the Rev. G. Durley on health. pation on the committee expresses his concern vast and di- for the well-being and health of children, espe- verse Atlanta community to learn The focus was taking care of children and how cially those that reside in the communities sur- the dangers that are lurking in the harmful chemicals that are in everyday rounding his church, Providence Missionary the city’s drinking water, air pol- life (smog, water pollutants, etc.) are taking a Baptist Church of Atlanta. Durley noted that lutants as well as the food that’s grand toll on the health and well-being of fe- the information that was given at the event is consumed daily. Cook noted tuses. Ken Cook, co-founder of the Environ- what the African-American community needs in his presentation that Atlanta mental Working Group, listed numerous haz- to learn how to handle cases such as autism, falls among one of the most pol- ards in everyday living that cause a long list of where studies now show that it affects one in luted cities in the United States, health conditions in today’s youth. every 150 children. in some cases, falling one place behind major cities such as Los For instance, it is thought that hazardous One event attendee, owns and operates a youth Angeles. health conditions are contributors to the grow- home for children with special needs, said that ing number of autism cases in children in the she has only had two or three residents that For more information visit www. United States. He also noted that many chemi- ewg.org or to learn more about cals that were banned as far off as the 1930’s To learn more about our business and communi- Durley and his mission, visit have been found in the umbilical cords of new- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com www.pmbcatlanta.org. 25 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR www.overgroundrr.com Community Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Brighter Futures, Leadership Grow in Youth-Geared Investment Group By Jacquee Minor turned to At- lanta in 2008, or Anthony Witherspoon, helping young where he Fpeople reach their full potential is a per- launched IA sonal mission. The former basketball coach, with a focus teacher and community activist has always on leadership made youth a priority. His latest venture, In- development vestment Atlanta, Inc. (IA), continues the leg- as the key to acy while seeking to expand and partner with transforming other organizations for greater impact. young lives.

“The ability to empower others is one of the IA programs keys to personal and professional success … teach impor- A. Witherspoon with the purpose of investment in lives of oth- tant life skills, ers so that they can function at their best,” of- like relation- fers Witherspoon. ship building, public speaking, physical fitness and problem solving. Noting the striking rise IA, a nonprofit organization, seeks to instill in youth violence, Witherspoon believes a lack This table in the House of Hope demonstrates the faith that the ministers teach the men who are positive core values, develop strong leader- of opportunity to show leadership leads to neg- seeking a second chance of life. ship qualities and provide educational and ative behavior. The program, modeled after sports enrichment activities to not only en- Self-Enhancement, Inc., adopts many of the hance young people’s personal lives, but to programmatic philosophies of Tony Hopson’s also elevate the community. By reaching out 32-year old Portland, Oregon program, which to schools, families and community organiza- include encouraging parental involvement. House of Hope Gives tions, IA hopes to steer young people in the direction of a brighter future. Investment Atlanta Leadership University program, scheduled to begin June 7, 2010, is Reformed Men Second While a basketball coach at Clark Atlanta Uni- an eight-week summer program on the CAU versity (CAU), Witherspoon started a drug and campus. Witherspoon is seeking program do- violence prevention program for youth in the nors and volunteers. He hopes to build the West End area. The summer program provided Youth Leadership Center in the West End Opportunity at Life young people with alternative activities, such community. For more information, visit the as basketball, to keep them out of trouble. Af- Web site at www.investmentatlanta.org, or By Kay Marie Pressley such as paint, miscellaneous repairs, blinds, ter leaving coaching in 2002, he took on the contact Witherspoon at 404-505-8554. curtains, furniture, etc. initiative full time with a grant to develop a life To learn more about our business and communi- veryone deserves a second chance, or skills program in Bermuda. Witherspoon re- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com Emore. The House of Hope, is a half way The House of Hope program director, Faye house and safe haven for men who have been Hillman, is responsible for many of the hap- released from prison system. The temporary penings that go on at the facility. She not only home for many is conveniently positioned oversees the entire twelve-month program, but Liberian Group Honors Attorney, next door to Emmaus Road Missionary Bap- she is also the president of the church’s Dea- tist Church, and vows to take care of the spiri- coness Board. The church-funded program has Wife at Renaming Ceremony tual and physical shelters. The five-year-old created a set fee for the men who are able to ob- tlanta attorney Donald Edwards and his powerful story of the program was started by the senior pastor, Dr. tain jobs and continue living there. This covers wife, businesswoman Jo Edwards, were courageous women Rev. David R. Scott, to provide ongoing so- their food, clothing and utility expenses. The A among those recently recognized by the Li- of Liberia who used cial, emotional and economical services for organization has been able to host other fund berian congregation of International Christian active, non-violent nine men over a twelve month period. raisers such as a car wash that raised money Fellowship Ministries (ICFM) in Southeast At- resistance to wrest for the House of Hope efforts. Nevertheless, lanta. Celebrating its 23rd Annual banquet and a commitment from This outreach ministry is located at 3725 Flat they are in need of volunteers to cook and as- honoring program, the congregation of mostly then Liberian Presi- Shoals Rd, College Park, GA 30349 but its sist with the maintenance of the house. Liberian expatriates living in Atlanta acknowl- dent Charles Taylor reach spans far, wide and especially, inward. edged contributions from African supporters in to participate in peace Not only do the men receive housing assis- Volunteers are also needed to help the men a traditional naming ceremony. talks in Ghana. They tance, but it is designed to help rehabilitate stay on track as far as career and developmen- continued their vigil them and help them get their lives back on tal skills. “Some of the men have been sub- Rev. William B.G.K. Harris, Senior Pastor and of prayer and demon- track. The program has, since its inception, stance abusers,” Hillman explains.”However, Founder of ICFM, presented this year’s theme stration until, through Atty. D. Edwards seen a success rate where at least seven of it certainly helps to have someone from the “Bridging the Gap Between Africans and sheer determination, the nine participants are able to successfully outside with professional expertise to show African-Americans” as a means of dispelling transforming the country. They achieved peace transition back into the community through them another way out. We once had a licensed many of the myths and misconceptions often in Liberia after a 14-year civil war. job training and employment. There are sev- doctor who took them out on movie nights held among Africans and African-Americans. eral areas of assistance that include helping the and ordered pizzas. They certainly appreci- He proposed mutual understanding and ac- After screening the documentary, Edwards re- men with earning their GED, writing resumes, ated that.” The men of the house are in need ceptance as a way to developing strategies that called that he and his wife felt compelled to finding jobs, obtaining MARTA cards and also of constant encouragement and reassurance in will address common problems. share it with the ICFM congregation. Recog- reuniting them with their families. On aver- order to get, and keep, them on the straight and nized by the church as “Distinguished Citi- age, at least three of the nine men have started narrow. The symbolic naming ceremony, in African zens”, Attorney Edwards was given the name their own businesses and have earned a decent tradition, bestows African names with relevant “Senyon”, from the Kru people of Liberia, living. The program is operated on a drug-free basis meaning to African-American brothers and which means “a kind person”, while his wife so the men are required to pass a drug test. If sisters. While honoring the work of those who Jo was given the Mano name “Suah”, meaning Emmaus House Missionary Baptist has also any of the men fails a drug test, the center re- help bring Africans and African Americans to- “a strong woman.” seen its share of obstacles. The church had a fers them to other programs at St. Judes where gether, it is also a way of sharing a common recent fire and is in the process of rebuilding. experts who have the capability to address heritage, forging cultural ties and bridging the Attorney Edwards, in accepting the award, Almost everything was destroyed in the tragic their issues. cultural gap. In addition, it serves to educate referenced the likes of W.E.B. Dubois, Mar- event including the chairs, communion table about one of Africa’s most sacred traditions. cus Garvey and, “all those who see a common and other significant pieces of furniture. Scott The organization plans within the next few bond between the Coast of Africa and Ameri- and his congregation have persevered amidst years to purchase another bridge house as part Attorney Edwards and his wife were recog- ca.” Both dressed in festive, traditional African the growing frustration of having to rent an- of their expansion. For further information nized for their efforts to present the award- attire, Edwards thanked the congregation for other facility. Both he and the other leaders please contact Faye Hillman 770-767-0909. winning documentary Pray the Devil Back accepting him and his wife as fellow Africans. had the tireless job of keeping their members to Hell to the congregation. Winner of the encouraged and vigilant during this period of To learn more about our business and communi- 2008 Tribeca Film Festival award for best To learn more about our business and communi- transition. The church is now almost com- ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com documentary feature, Pray the Devil tells the ty members, please visit www.overgroundrr.com pletely renovated but is in need of many items www.overgroundrr.com Connecting the Church, the Business and the Community

Get on Board!!! Call today 404-346-0808 and visit us online at www.overgroundrr.com

26 THE CONDUCTOR Fourth Quarter 2009

Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® www.overgroundrr.com

[Disclaimer: This is paid advertisement and does not necessarily represent the position or ideas of the publisher, the organization publishing this media, or any of its members.]

CHRISTIAN DECLARATION OF POSITION REGARDING MARRIAGE

1. As a Christian, with all of my faults and shortcomings, I must look to the Bible to define what marriage is and what marriage is not.

2. Marriage according to the Bible is between a man and a woman. (Genesis 2:24 - “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”).

3. The relationship was established by God between the first man Adam and the first woman Eve, both created by God. (Genesis 2:20 - 25).

4. Though the Bible is my guide, support for homosexual marriages cannot be found even in non-biblical sources. Every system of faith (whether it was called a religion or not) which has had any wide recognition in human history has recognized that marriage is only between men and women, never between persons of the same sex. “The first country to allow same-sex couples to enter into legally recognized marriage was the Netherlands, effective in 2001.” Wikipedia, Same-sex marriage.

5. Even when marriage has been defined to include polygamy, it was always between men and women, never between several men or several women. As shown in Wikipedia, Same-sex marriage, homosexual “marriages” is a recent invention beginning in the Netherlands in 2001.

6. Indeed the Bible is very plain, in both the old and new testament, that homosexual behavior cannot be approved. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22). Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things; Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishon our their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. (Romans 1:22 - 26).

7. None of this is to say that homosexual behavior is the only sexual behavior unacceptable by the Bible. Sexual intercourse outside of marriage between a man and a woman is also prohibited. (Exodus 20:14 - “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”; Romans 13:9 - “...Thou shalt not commit adul tery...”).

8. At any large gathering of Christians there is likely to be many who have committed, are committing, and/or within a short period of time after that gathering will commit, adultery1. Indeed David, God’s chosen servant, committed adultery. (2 Samuel 11th and 12th chapters).

9. However, there is no movement afoot to stop the Church from preaching the Biblical teachings against adultery. A very large percentage of people who have committed adultery claim to be driven by biological urges which they cannot resist. This is similar to the claims of those who advocate homo-sexual marriages.

10. We have all fallen and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23 - “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”) This includes heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. But it is not God or the Bible that must change. We must change.

11. The fundamental message of the Christian faith as stated by Jesus is “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7). And, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

12. As much as I love my homosexual relatives and friends, I cannot go against God and the Bible to endorse homosexual marriage. I respect their choice to not follow the Bible in their personal lives, just as I respect the right of persons to commit adultery.

13. But my respect for a person’s right to make a private choice does not justify my endorsement of that which the Bible clearly states is wrong. It would be a violation of my conscience and my relationship with God, as well as an encouragement for others to do wrong, for which I would be responsible to my family, society in general and GOD.

14. Likewise I stand strongly opposed to any violence against those involved in homosexual behavior. Any act of violence against a person because of homosexual behavior is a sin in and of itself, as well as a crime which should and must be prosecuted.

15. It must be clearly understood that the Church must preach the gospel which includes the loving teaching to repent for all sin including homosexual behavior. (Matthew 28: 19-20 - “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen).

It is imperative that a clear statement of the position of Christians regarding this issue be put forth. “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8).

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12).

This is not homophobia, which those who seek to silence dialogue quickly label anyone who disagrees with them. This is homolove. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

This declaration is by the Bible Believing Christians Alliance

[Disclaimer: This is paid advertisement and does not necessarily represent the position or ideas of the publisher, the organization publishing this media, or any of its members.]

27 Fourth Quarter 2009 THE CONDUCTOR THE CONDUCTOR: The Newspaper of the Overground RR!!® Third Quarter 2009 Issue www.overgroundrr.com www.overgroundrr.com Official Publication of the Overground RR!!® Be sure to pick up your copy of The Conductor newspaper at a distribution location near you! 10-10-50 Cloud Nine Store Gospel Of Faith Ministries Nail Love The Faith Church Of Believers 4 Corners Market Clifton UMC Grace Community Fellowship National Action Network The Grounds A & A Market Club 665 barber Shop Greater Ephesus MBC New Beginning Full Gospel The OG Nappy Cutz A New You Beauty Supply Christ Our Hope Greater Faith Family Ministries New Beginning Worship Center The Original Jamaican Restaurant A Taste Of The Islands Christians For Christ Greater Heights New Covenant Metro Tital Wave Car Wash Adams Park Branch Library Cobb Bethel AME Greater Leavy MBC New Covenant Missionary Baptist Total Esteem Barber Shop African American Book Store Columbia Drive UMC Greater Mt. Zion Baptist New Hope Seventh Day Adventist Trancending Glory Ministries Abdullahs Restaurant Community Church Of God Greater New Life Baptist New Jerusalem Church Tranquil AME Anneewakee Abundant Life Church Covenant Ministries Greenforest Community Baptist New Life & Faith Christian True Light Baptist Aicha Hair Braiding Concerned Black Clergy Green Sprout Vegan Restaurant New Life AME Zion Trully Blessed Salon Alexander Law Firm Creel Road Park Haby Hair braiding New Life Community Center Tupac Shakur Center Alibaba Grill Crossroads Church Hallellujah Church New Life Presbyterian Church T & C Barber /Beauty Salon Allen Temple AME Crusade Dominion Han's Express New Life Baptist Church T-Shirt Spot All Risk Insurance Crystal Clear Emissions Hapeville Branch Library New Life Tabernacle Cogic Underground Street Supplies All Stars Barber Shop Da Vido's Pizza Happy Market New Piney Grove Church Union City UMC American Deli (2) Decatur Seventh Day Adventist Hair Express Dominican Salon New Unity Mission Urban League The Amazing Cakes Bakery Deeper Life in Christ Hair Prescription New Westside Baptist Unity In Faith Ana's Dominican Salon DeKalb Public Library Hair To Dye For Old Land Mark Church Vibez Barber Shop Angie's Beauty Supply Destinee Soul Food Harriet Darnell Multi Purpose Omega Holiness Church Victory Cathedral Church of God in Christ Anointed Word COGIC Dirty South BBQ Headland Heights One on One Hair Salon Victory Praise Catheral APEX Museum DIVAS Thrift Store Heatherwood Baptist Paradise Carribean Cuisine VIP Nails Arden's Garden (4) Divine Deliverance Heaven Bound Peachtree Branch Library Vision Of Faith Church Ariel Bowen Dodson Christian Church Hemlock Church Pinetree Park Baptist V's Customs Atlanta's Best Wings Dodd-Sterling UMC High Praise Baptist Planet Smoothie Wachovia Atlanta Family Church Dollar King Higher Hope Church Pleasant Grove MBC Waffle & Chicken ATL Fulton Public Library (5) DFACS Stone Wall Tell Hillside International Truth Ctr. Pleasnt Hill Baptist Church Wal' Mart Gas Station Atlanta Detailer Dream Girls Salon Home Health Care Prestige Car Care Center Wang's (China) Restaurant A Nu-U Barber & Salon Druid Hills Church Hope Of Glory Church Providence MBC Wash n Fold B Aware Foundation Earth Runnings Food Market Housing Authority Fulton Prince Hall Washington Food Mart Barbershop (The) East Atlanta Branch Library House Of Faith Publix (3) Wayfield (2) Barlow's Restaurant East Point Library Humsang Foods Ragarama Wheat Street Baptist Beauty & Beyond East Point Mallalieu UMC Ida's Kitchen Rainbow Park Baptist Church Welcome All Park Believer Bible Church Ebenezer Baptist Ideal Biz Center Ray Of Hope Christian Church Wesley Chapel UMC Ben Hill Package Center Ephesus Missionary Bap IHOP (Greenbriar Mall) Resurrection House West Georgia Dental Ben Hill Recreation Ctr. Elizabeth Baptist International Christian Fellowship Restoration Ministries Whosoever Will Let them Come Church Ben Hill UMC Emmanuel Lutheran Church Jackson Memorial Rick's Barber White Oak Baptist Bethel Baptist Church Emmanuel Tabernacle J&M Beauty Supply Riverdale Christian Willie Watkins Funeral Home Beulah Baptist Church Emmaus Road MBC J.R. Crickets Rose Nails Will's Flowers Berean Church Emiaca's Laundry Just Jerk Café Royal Crown Windjammin Besteda House of Faith Enon Church King Center Ruch Da Wings Woods Memorial Baptist Big A Food Mart Enon Baptist Fellowship Church Kirkwood Branch Salem Bible Church Word Of Love Big G Grocery Events Marketing/Membership Kroger (7) Salem Bible Church on Baker St. Work Force Stone Wall Tell Big Daddy's (3) Exotic Nails L & B Tax Service Salon National Work Solutions Big Bethel AME First Baptist L.A. Nails San Juan World Changers Int. Big Momma Rosa Grocery First Baptist Church of Red Oak Laundry Mat SCLC World Covenant Christian Center Big Miller Grove Church First Wesley Center Laundro Max Shadnor First Baptist WRFG 89.3 Black To Eden Events FACAA LavaDoria Laundry Shalom Evangelistic Min Yeager Street Blessed Beauty Supply Factory Shoals Zion View Leisure Locks Shop-N-Go Store YMCA Campbellton Rd. Bobby Hurd Ent. Fantastic Tires (3) Leonardo Hair Sevenanda Zion Christian Center Bouldercrest Baptist Fairburn UMC Les Laundry Sheltering Arms Zion Hill Baptist Burnadett Park Fairview Public Library Life Changing Min Shrine Of The Black Madona Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Bussey Florist Fatou Hair Braiding Life's Essentials Sickle Cell Foundation 24 Hr. Laundry Butler Street CME First African Presbyterian Light of Life Church Siloam Church 20 West Barbershop Canaan Baptist First Pres. East Point Light of The World Simmons Chapel AME Zion Cascade Auto Service Fluff-n-Fold Lock & Key Small Stop Store Cascade UMC Food For Life Supreme Love Life Smiley's Barber Shop Cash & Carry Store Formosas Chinese Buffet Lovin it Live Restaurant Smoothie King Center Of Faith Foundation Of Faith MBC Lutheran Church Solid Rock Church The Conductor is distributed Calvary UMC Foundation Of Truth Masjid Al Salam Inc Soul Food Museum in more than 400 locations in Capitol City Bank (2) Fine Nails Messiah's Temple Soul Vegetarian Atlanta. For more information Citizens Trust (3) Finish Line Laundry Metropolitan Lofts Studio2107 South Fulton Regional Library City Buffet Sushi First Class Barber Shop Michones Restaurant Spa On Demand on our distribution locations Chapel of Christian Love First Iconium Baptist Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Spread The Word Church call our office at 404-346-0808. Chelsie's Bakery Fish-n-Chips/ Laundry Mat Master Wigs & Luxury Hair S & J's Automotive Chevron Gas Flavor's Grill & Seafood Medu Books S & S Cafeteria China Way Restaurant Food For The Spirit MLK Branch Library Star's Laundry Cedar Grove Church Fried Rice King (Chinese Rest.) Moods Music St. James Missionary Baptist Central Christian Church Friendship Community Church Mountain Seventh Day Adventist St. John Baptist Chosen Generation Church Fuller's Memorial Tabernacle Midway Missionary St. Mark AME Christ Disciples Church Fulton County Foster Care Mini Mart Grocery Store St. Paul Lutheran Christian Fellowship Bap Washington Park Branch library Mission on The Move St. Phillip AME Christians For Change bap Wash & Spin Mt. Calvary Baptist St. Mark Lutheran Christians Living For Christ West End Branch Library Mt. Carmel Church Styles By Delores Christian Missionary Baptist GABEO Mt. Olive Church Sweet Auburn Festival 3 days Church Of Christ G B's Barber Shop Mt. Zion Methodist Tabernacle Of Faith Church Of Christ Bouldercrest God's Acre Missionary Baptist Mt. Zion Second Baptist Tania's Gallery Clayton State University Golden Kitchen Muhammed's Mosque The Aloe Man Health Clean & Brite Laundry Gold Crust Muhammed's Mosque The Beautiful Restaurant Cleveland Ave. Library Good Phellaz Barber Shop NAACP The Bizaar

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