The Community Reinvestor Summer 2016 Edition

SUMMER 2016, VOLUME 23
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2016 ALABAM
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S
AWARD
AT&T
CONNECTING ALABAMA FROM EVERY

CORNER AND AT EVERY AGE
REGIONS
REGIONS BANK, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND

RESIDENTS WORK TO RE-ENERGIZE BIRMINGHAMS
HISTORIC WOODLAWN NEIGHBORHOOD
BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT AUTHORITY

BHM TERMINAL IS AWARDED LEED GOLD FOR
NEW CONSTRUCTION
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
WALKING YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH
ALAGASCO
ALAGASCO NATURAL GAS SAFETY TIPS
WELLS FARGO
WELLS FARGO BLACK HISTORY SALUTE

RECEPTION IN BIRMINGHAM FEATURED
FANNIE LOU HAMER: THIS LITTLE LIGHT
CONTENTS
Letter From The Publisher
Summer 2016, Volume 23
Connecting Alabama From

Every Corner And At Every Age
Publisher
Oliver Robinson-President
Regions Bank, Community Leaders

And Residents Work To Re-Energize
Birminghams Historic Woodlawn
Neighborhood
Appetite Or Diet:
Choose The Preeminent One!
10
Birmingham, AL 35261-0343
Women, Men And Investing
12
205-841-3326
Walking Your Way To Better Health
14
The Plight Of An Organization To

Eradicate Poverty From The Community
Living With Multiple Sclerosis
Wells Fargo Black History Salute
Reception In Birmingham Featured
Fannie Lou Hamer: This Little Light
The Oliver Robinson Foundation

Post Office Box 610343
Director of Marketing
15
Sakina Manuel Robinson

Contributors
16
Terri Williams
Donna Dukes
Bhm Terminal Is Awarded Leed

Gold For New Construction
18
Richard Busby
Alagasco Offers Customer Assistance
19
Dr. Jonathan DeCarle
2016 Alabama Black Achievers

Awards Gala
20
Donna Dukes: Ted Talk From Tedx

Birmingham 2016
23
Beth McKern
Antoinette Herrera Bass
Evelyn Dilworth Williams
Stephanie Alexander
Soak Up The Sun With Healthy

Summer Skin
25
Elena Todd White
Blessed
29
Paul Carruthers
15 Healthiest Frozen Fruits

And Vegetables
30
Does Your Retirement Plan Need

Renovating?
34
Evaluate Your Risk Reduction Strategies 38
Elizabeth Saunders
Davine Smiley
Rochelle Malone
Natalie Maye
LETTER FROM
THE PUBLISHER
As we ponder where and if we can vacation with
our family this spring and summer, lets take into
consideration the cost associated with travel. I hope
we have saved throughout the year to prepare for this
expense to our household budgets. Sometimes, we
forget the stress and strain overspending can bring to
our marriage and to our family.
My suggestion, as always, to prepare for summer
fun, is to estimate, through doing some research, to
find the possible cost associated with your trip. Once
that is accomplished, look at how you can save either
bi weekly or monthly to arrive at the cost for your
vacation fun. Depending on your ability to save, dont
underestimate the expense which may be part of having
a great family excursion!
Above all, be safe and enjoy your time with your family
and friends.
Sincerely,
Publisher & President
SUMMER 2016
Digital You
Connecting
Alabama from
every corner and
at every age
Bridging the technology gap

At AT&T, we strive to use the power of technology and
our network to help build a better community for all.
A study from the Pew Research Center suggests that
two of the biggest obstacles to Internet adoption among
seniors are understanding the relevance and learning
how to use it.1 With a nearly 60% adoption rate, seniors
are a fast-growing group of users, 2 but we believe even
more can be done to increase that rate.
To help address these obstacles, AT&T, the Alabama
Department of Senior Services, the Alabama Department
of Education and the Alabama Association of Family, Career
and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) have teamed
up to create a statewide senior technology program
designed to address digital literacy issues and highlight the
benefits technology can bring to seniors everyday lives.
This program pairs student trainers from FCCLA with
seniors for one-on-one technology device training.
As a result of this interaction, seniors approach
technology with a new sense of ease and understanding
of its benefits, such as connecting with friends and
family, accessing entertainment and monitoring
nutrition, health and wellness. The program also allows
student trainers to sharpen valuable leadership and
interpersonal skills, helping them graduate career and
college ready.
Programs like this help increase Internet adoption
and empower Alabamas seniors to be more active,
independent and engaged, enabling our state to stay
connected from every corner and at every age.
Pew Research Center, Whos Not Online and Why,

25 September 2013.
Pew Research Center, Americans Internet Access:

2000-2015, 26 June 2015.
2016 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
2014 AT
A stronger
connection
Connected communities are strong

communities. By advancing our
technologies and services, were
helping to create the opportunities
that make a better Alabama.
When everything works together, your
community moves forward.
2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
REGIONS BANK, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND

RESIDENTS WORK TO RE-ENERGIZE BIRMINGHAMS
HISTORIC WOODLAWN NEIGHBORHOOD
acqueline McKinney
moved to Woodlawn
on Birminghams east
side 15 years ago. She liked
her large, older home. She
appreciated the neighborhoods historic character.
But she was concerned
about problems affecting
the community at that time.
It was full of drugs, prostitution, abandoned houses,
McKinney recalls. It wasnt a
good place to live.
Today, McKinney is witnessing
an encouraging transformation
and wouldnt want to live any
where else. She sees rsthand the results of residents,
nonprot organizations,
business interests, and
government entities working
together to turn a onceblighted area into one that
offers stability, safety and
opportunity.
Cutting the ribbon at Wood Station are, from left, Leroy Abrahams (Regions Bank), Sally Mackin
(Woodlawn Foundation), Gillian Goodrich (Goodrich Foundation), Birmingham Mayor William Bell,
Marcella Roberts (Hollyhand Development), and Ethan Davidson (Purpose Built Communities).
A major milestone in Woodlawns revitalization took

place recently with the
opening of The Park at Wood
Station, a new 64-townhouse
development covering several
blocks where abandoned and
blighted properties once stood.
McKinney is one of Wood

Stations rst residents, drawn
from her older home to the
new construction and security
provided by the townhouse
community. This is oh,
wow! just awesome and so
peaceful, she says. This area
has been down so long, but
now its a joy to be here.
It took considerable
coordination to make Wood
Station a reality. At the helm:
the Woodlawn Foundation,
a nonprot organization
committed to facilitating
long-term revitalization of the
neighborhood. Funding for
Wood Station came, in part,
through a tax credit allocation
from the Alabama Housing
Finance Authority. Regions
Bank invested more than $11

million in the development.
When you walk around here,

you cant believe what used
to be in this area, Mayor
William Bell says. They have
turned it around, but they
didnt do it by themselves.
For more information: www.regions.com/about_regions/regions_accessible_banking.rf

8
Continued on page 35
www.thecommunityreinvestor.org
318
families
Your commitment to those you care about, your dedication to supporting local events, the way
you enjoy life. You are the ones who make this community great, and we are honored to be a
part of it. Every day, you inspire us to find ways to make banking easier, serve you better and
help you keep life moving forward.
1.800.regions | regions.com
2016 Regions Bank. Regions, the Regions logo and the LifeGreen bike are registered trademarks of Regions Bank.
The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.
APPETITE OR DIET:
CHOOSE THE
PREEMINENT ONE!
S
o, why are we not well spiritually

and why are we sick physically?
We, human beings, enjoy the thrills
of trials and tribulations. The adventure of
try this n that with no afore thought to
consequences from eating and drinking
stuff that is mostly sugar and nitrites (salt).
We must be specic and particularly,
painstakingly disciplined regarding the
required fuel as set forth in Genesis 1:28-31.
A brief synopsis And God blessed them
and said be fruitful and multiply and
replenish (to be resilient, and to be anointed
to restoreto supply with fresh fuel.
We must be specic and precisely particular
regarding the peculiarly proper nourishment.
First, a spiritual snack, things that are sacred
matter. What I have in mind is listening to
and/or reading the Word of Life as often
as you can. Second, in order to be fed to
be lead, you must be in one accord with
admitting what is real or true and recognize
the existence, truth or fact of nourishment
not junk, the ones which belong to the
soul, not the bodys cravings like liquids and
packaged food stuff such as products found
in service stations and convenience stores.
A suggestion is to buy a piece of fruit. In the

US, trillions of dollars are spent on medical
research, surgeries, prescriptions and OTC
medications, treating men, women and
children, physically and psychologically.
There are things for the appetite and diet that
are promoted by the constant bombardment
of this is good for you and the millions of

dollars invested in research and sales for
medication for the treatment and cure of
diseases which are dened as afictions,
inrmities and iniquities. An example of this
syndrome is infants with numerous diseases
as a result of the mother having extremely
10
THIS IS
Mrs.
Evans
Shes had 6,604 school days. 1,105 students.

And ONE Health insurance company.
For 37 years, shes been with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Alabama. Her plan covers preventive checkups and physicals
and offers healthy diet tips online at AlabamaBlue.com.
Which keeps her going strong. After all, there are a lot of
people depending on her. Thats why she depends on us.
AlabamaBlue.com
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
WOMEN, MEN
AND INVESTING
I
n their approach to investing, men

typically have more condence,
while women generally have more
patience. A successful long-term
investor needs both qualities.
Men are more comfortable with investing
in stocks. Historically, stocks have a
better track record for outpacing longterm ination, but theyre risk averse.
Their caution sometimes leads them
to invest too conservatively to achieve
the long-term returns they need.
Different outcomes
Men focus on short-term results more than
women do. This can drive them to chase
performance, buying high and selling low
12
a habit that reduces long-term investment

return. Women trade less frequently and
hold less-volatile portfolios. As a result,
one study found, risk-adjusted returns
of women beat those of men by average
of about one percentage point a year.
Different challenges
Women are more vulnerable to shortfall
risk, the danger of not having enough
savings to provide for a comfortable
retirement. With a longer life expectancy
than men, they need a bigger nest
egg, but usually have smaller dened
contribution retirement plan balances
and smaller pensions. The reason:
they typically earn less than men and
have shorter job tenures as a result of
leaving the workforce for extended

periods for family-related reasons.
Smart strategies for both genders
Start saving for retirement as soon
as you can. Getting an early start
can help you make up for a shorter
time spent in the workforce, whether
youre taking time off to raise children,
providing care to elderly parents or
planning for an early retirement.
If youre married, take an active
role in choosing and monitoring
your investments. When a couple
shares this responsibility, the
surviving spouse is better prepared
to handle nancial decisions.
WALKING YOUR WAY

TO BETTER HEALTH
by Davine Smiley
veryone knows that

physical activity is a
great way to increase
energy, control weight, and
help prevent chronic diseases.
But many people think you
have to spend hours in the
gym running on the treadmill,
dancing, kicking or stretching
in a class, or lifting heavy
weights. That couldnt be
further from the truth! A
simple walk in the park, in
your neighborhood or around
14
your ofce building can be as

benecial as hours in the gym.
According to the Mayo Clinic,
a brisk walk can help you:
Maintain a healthy weight
Prevent or manage various
conditions, including heart
disease, high blood pressure
and type 2 diabetes
THE PLIGHT OF AN ORGANIZATION TO

ERADICATE POVERTY FROM THE COMMUNITY
LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
By Rochelle Malone
ultiple Sclerosis is a
chronic disease affecting
an estimated 4,100 persons
in Alabama, 400,000 in thecountry.
It is most often diagnosed in women
between 20-50 years of age, but MS
can happen to anyone at any time.
MS is an autoimmune disease causing
plaques (also described as lesions)
in the spinal cord, brain, and optic
nerve.Disease management costs
individuals nearly $70,000 per year in
health-care costs such as medication,
lost wages and caregiver expenses.
Across a lifetime, that can add up to
nearly $3 million for people with MS
and their families.Currently, there
is no cure for multiple sclerosis.
MSFace2Face, is a 501c3 non-prot
organization that has joined the ght to
cure Multiple Sclerosis AND SUPPORT
THOSE LIVING WITH THIS DISEASE.
Themission of MSFace2Face, is to raise
awareness and educate the public on
how important funding is to aide those
living in poverty due to MS. Its goal is to

ease the nancial challenges MS patients
face by offsetting some expenses incurred
due to their illness. MSFace2Face
serves be a model of faith, a voice of
encouragement and a light of hope for
everyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis,
all while fullling the vision to eradicate
MS Poverty through HOPE IN ACTION.
The founder of MSFace2Face, Rochelle
Malone, is truly a face of MS. This
former reading specialist, kindergarten
teacher and dance instructor had no idea
how drastically MS would change her life.
Forced into early retirement and disability,
she has chosen to take a stand against this
disease by creating MSFace2Face. This
organization was birthed out of her hearts
desire to keep others from hearing the
words You have Multiple Sclerosis! She
has committed her life to ghting MS.
Face2Face until its GONE!!!! As Ms.
Malone seeks to leave a legacy for those
that will travel this journey behind her,
she is carrying out the legacy of someone
else who fullled the needs of others.
SUMMER 2016
The founder of MS Face2Face, Rochelle

Malone is the granddaughter of the
late Dr. A.G. Gaston, Sr. Dr. Gaston
was a businessman who established a
number of businesses in Birmingham,
Alabama. While working in the mines,
he developed the plan of selling lunches
to his fellow miners and then branched
into loaning money to them at 25%
interest. It was also while working in

the mines, he conceived of the idea of
offering burial insurance to co-workers.
He noticed that mine widows would
come to the mines and to local churches
to collect donations in order to bury their
husbands and he wondered if people
15
2305502_17443
WELLS FARGO BLACK HISTORY SALUTE

RECEPTION IN BIRMINGHAM FEATURED
FANNIE LOU HAMER: THIS LITTLE LIGHT
Sponsored internationallyacclaimed production, written and
performed by MacArthur Fellows
Recipient Billie Jean Young
ells Fargo kicked off the

celebration of Black History
Month in Birmingham,
Alabama with a Black History Salute
reception at the Red Mountain Theatre
Company followed by a sponsored
presentation of Fannie Lou Hamer: This
Little Light on Feb. 2. The reception
was co-hosted by Mid-South Region
President for Wells Fargo Leigh Collier,
Executive Director for Red Mountain
Theatre Company Keith Cromwell
and Founder and Executive Director
for Birmingham Business Resource
Center Robert Dickerson, Jr.
Writer, actor and MacArthur Fellows
Recipient Billie Jean Young took The Red
Mountain Theatre Company audience
on a time-capsule journey through
Hamers life story. Fannie Lou Hamer
was an American voting rights activist
and civil rights leader during a time
when many of the most basic human
rights were not available to African
Americans. Through Youngs depiction,
9.125x11
4c
the audience gains insight into Hamers

heroic ght, which brought about a
change we still benet from today.
Hamer will be forever revered for
her role as an American voting rights
champion, civil rights leader and
political activist, said Collier. Wells
Fargo is a proud presenting sponsor
of this important production. It
truly reects one of our most central
values as a company, that enthusiasm
and caring are what allow ordinary
people to do extraordinary things.
Fannie Lou Hamer was a living
testament to this idea through her
tireless ght for equal voting rights.
Hamers most famous speech was given
in 1964 at the televised Democratic
National Convention, which many
historians considered the convention
highlight. The testimony was interrupted
from being aired when President Lyndon
Johnson called an impromptu press
conference. His announcement was the
nine-month anniversary of the attempted
assassination of Governor John Connally.
The televised testimony Hamer delivered
was over, but her delivery still resonated
through the media coverage received
that night and many days thereafter.
The Red Mountain Theatre Company

is delighted to host such a monumental
event by Wells Fargo, said Cromwell.
Events like Fannie Lou Hamer: This
Little Light helps us fulll our mission to
create powerful theatre experiences that
enrich, educate and engage audiences
nourishing the human spirit, fostering
valuable life skills and cultivating
a deeper sense of community.
Approximately 150 guests were in
attendance, including Birmingham
Mayors Ofce Chief of Operations
Jarvis Patton, President and CEO for
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Andrea
Taylor and a host of other community
leaders with family and friends.
We are honored to help continue tell

Ms. Hamers story and we strive daily in
the way we interact with each other and
conduct our business to live up to the
spirit of diversity and inclusion she lived
by, worked for, and died still working
to achieve, stated Senior Community
Development Ofcer Richard Busby. I
am very proud to work for a company
that share and encourage these values.
20
16
2305502_17
443
x11
4c
Theres power in
every story.
We believe every voice deserves to be

heard. And the greatest untold story is
your own. WellsFargos MyUntold Story
Collection celebrates voices from every
generation across the African American
community and we encourage you to
share your story. We proudly shine a light
on an enduring legacy of triumph, spirit,
and achievement simply because African
American history is American history.
Watch the stories and share your own at
wellsfargo.com/myuntold.
2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. (2305502_17443)
2305502_17443 9.125x11 4c.indd 1
3/8/16 6:43 AM
BHM TERMINAL IS AWARDED LEED

GOLD FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
High-efciency light xtures to
minimize energy consumption
when articial lighting is used.
Regional Materials: 44.47% of the
total building materials have been
extracted, harvested or recovered
as well as manufactured within
500 miles of the project site.
Rainwater harvesting to reduce water
consumption by building occupants
and reducing discharge into the
storm water drainage system.
he Birmingham-Shuttlesworth
International Airport has been
awarded LEED Gold for New
Construction as established by the U.S.
Green Building Council and veried
by the Green Building Certication
Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nations
preeminent program for the design,
construction and operation of the
high performance green buildings.
The Birmingham Airport Authority
achieved its LEED certication for
energy use, lighting innovation, water
conservation, and material use, as well as
incorporating a variety of other sustainable
strategies. By using less energy and water,
LEED certied buildings save money for
families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce
greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute
to a healthier environment for residents,
workers and the larger community.
LEED certication of BirminghamShuttlesworth International Airport was based

on a number of green design, construction
and operational features that positively
impact the project itself and the broader
community. These features include:
High-efciency thermal building

envelope and solar water heating
at public restroom clusters to
reduce energy consumption.
Recycled content: 22.66% of the
total building materials content,
by value, has been manufactured
using recycled materials.
Energy modeling was performed

throughout the design process to
evaluate energy consumption and to
maintain the model,as designed.
Waste management practices

were used by the construction
manager throughout the project
to practice construction activity
pollution prevention.
Maximizing the utilization of natural

daylight to improve passenger
experience and to minimize the
need for articial lighting.
An achievement plaque will be

placed in the airport terminal
in the upcoming months.
This LEED certication is yet

another positive component of the
$201 million Terminal Modernization
Project. Congratulations to everyone
associated with theproject, said
Alfonso Denson, Birmingham Airport
Authority President and CEO.
18
ALAGASCO OFFERS
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
A
t Alagasco, we offer a variety of

convenient billing and payment
options to t your lifestyle.
However, if the need arises and you
have difculty paying your Alagasco
bill, we want to help you. We offer
our customers a variety of assistance
programs and payment options.
Average Monthly Billing (AMB)
During the cold winter months, its
easy to use more gas than you use in
the summer. AMB allows you to pay
your winter bills throughout the year.
To enroll in AMB, your account must
still be current. Its important to stay
on the plan, year round, and pay your
AMB amount, in full each month, to
benet from Average Monthly Billing.
Gift of Energy
Alagascos Gift of Energy program
provides a way for you to help someone
in need. Your gift of $10 or more can
be applied to any customer account
SUMMER 2016
you choose, or we can help you nd

a recipient for your gift. For more
information, go to www.alagasco.
com or call 1-800-292-4008 to speak
with an Alagasco representative.
Assistance Agencies
Alagasco representatives can provide you
with the names of agencies with programs
designed to help you pay your gas bill.
Project SHARE
Alagasco is proud to be a co-sponsor
of Project SHARE (Service to Help
Alabamians with Relief on Energy).
Contributions from Alagasco customers
help fund Project SHARE, which is
administered by the American Red Cross.
Who receives help?
People with low incomes who are head
of the household
62 years or older
Disabled (receiving disability income)
Individuals who meet one of these criteria

may call the American Red Cross.
LIHEAP
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program) is a federal program
that provides nancial assistance to
help low-income individuals pay their
energy bills. In Alabama, LIHEAP is
administered by several community
resource agencies and is sponsored by
the Alabama Department of Economic
and Community Affairs. To apply for
LIHEAP assistance or to learn more
about the program, contact a community
resource agency in your area.
No Customer Charge
Customers who receive Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) or Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will
not be billed a monthly customer charge.
Please call an Alagasco representative
who will give you instructions on
how to apply for this program.
19
2016 ALABAMA BLACK

ACHIEVERS AWARDS GALA
Lifetime Achievers: Eugene Freeman, Dr. Myland Brown, Tuskegee Airman Val Archer, Adrienne Kelly Washington and
Tuskegee Airman Dr. Hillard Pouncy
he Oliver Robinson Foundation

again hosted the Alabama
Black Achievers Awards Gala
at the Sheraton Birmingham. For the
ninth year, achievers from throughout
Alabama gathered to celebrate their
accomplishments, for their work, within
their communities and the state, overall.
Three hundred seventy attendees
were there to honor the achievers.
Presenter: Debra Nelson, Brasfield and Gorrie
20
As has been for the previous eight years,

Regions Financial Corporation was the title
sponsor. A special thanks to Regions Senior
Vice President of External Affairs, Lajuana
Bradford and Dawn McGlothan, CDP, Vice
President for their continued leadership
and support of this event. However,
without the nancial support of Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Alabama, AT&T, Alagasco,
Birmingham Shuttlesworth International
Airport, Bright House Networks, Borrow
Smart Alabama, Honda Manufacturing of
Alabama, Braseld and Gorrie, Sheraton
Birmingham Hotel, Brookwood Baptist
Health, Partnering for Progress, Robinson
& Robinson Communications and
McQuick Printing, this event, to honor
these achievers, would not be possible.
The black-tie event was held in the dimlylit Sheraton ballroom, which made the
perfect ambience, was adorned beautifully
in stone shantung tablecloths and clover
mesa runners. The chairs were dressed in
black spandex chair covers with taupestretched chair bands, truly betting
kings and queens. To compliment the
tables, the centerpieces were a medley
of fresh cut hydrangeas, pink and yellow
roses, white stargazer lilies, leopard

lilies, orange alstroemerias (small clusters
of lilies) and pink and white stock.
The stage was graced with black velvet
drapes, spotlighted with a white beam,
Lucite podium and two enormous replicas
of the tables centerpieces on each side.
The 2016 honorees were Civil
Rights Legends: Henry Allen, Selma;
Annye Braxton, Demopolis; Alma
Dennis, Birmingham; and Mary
Smith Ware, Montgomery.
The Lifetime Achievers were an outstanding
collage of individuals from many walks
of life. They included: Tuskegee Airman
Val Archer, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Myland
Brown, Dothan; Eugene Freeman,
Catonville, MD; Tuskegee Airman
Dr. Hillard Pouncy, Atlanta, GA and
Adrienne Kelly Washington, Huntsville.
An exciting phase of the program occurs
when the winners are announced. The
2016 winners are: Non-Prot Executive of
the Year Kent Crenshaw, Montgomery;
Physician of the Year Dr. Rosa Bell,
Dawn McGlothan, VP Regions Financial Corporation

Montgomery; Attorney of the Year
Brendette Brown Green, Birmingham;
Corporate Executive of the Year Clifford
Long, Birmingham and Entrepreneur of
the Year Anthony Brock, Montgomery.
Because of our excellent presenters
and mistress of ceremony, the evening
progressed smoothly. The woman that
kept everyone in order was our Mistress
of Ceremony, Eunice Elliott, Morning
Co-Host, WVTM 13. The presenters
Corporate Executive of the Year Clifford

Long, Birmingham and Willie Durham
SUMMER 2016
Mistress of Ceremony Eunice Elliott, WVTM 13; State Representative Oliver Robinson;
Debra Nelson, Brasfiled and Gorrie; and Melanie Posey, WBRC FOX6
21
Proud Sponsor of Family Recipes

A recipe is more than a combination of ingredients. Its the preamble to the moments
we share around the table. For over 160 years, we have been honored to help create the
meals that bring us together.
1-800-292-4010
DONNA DUKES: TED TALK FROM

TEDX BIRMINGHAM 2016
By Donna Dukes
aranathan Academy
Changing the Lives of
Critically At-Risk Youth
& Adults for Nearly 25 Years!
Since September 3, 1991, Maranathan
Academy, a nonprot school, specializing
in Critically At-Risk youth and adults,
has made a positive impact on1,500
lives. She founded Maranathan nearly
twenty-ve years ago, to work with kids
others were afraid of, or who had been
written off as lost causes. People often
ask, What makes a youth Critically
At-Risk, instead of At-Risk? The best
way to answer the question, is to give a
comparison like this one, paraphrased
from the TED Talk she delivered at TEDx
Birmingham 2016: At-Risk youth, go
SUMMER 2016
home to parents who, may not be well

educated, but respect school. Critically
At-Risk youth, go home to parents who
try to make them quit school on a daily
basis, so that they can deal drugs or turn
tricks. And, thats only if they notice
whether the kids come home at all..
One of the most rewarding things in
life, is to help a person realize their
potential and prove their critics wrong.
Maranathan Academy has an 85%
graduation rate. Our students go on to
college, the military or trade school.
Because of Maranathan, a young single
mother goes from receiving welfare
and food stamps, to supporting her
family without government assistance.
A young man, like Neil Chaverst,

enrolls as a drug-dealing gang member,
who is nearly twenty-years old, but
still in middle school, to becoming a
certied welder and a proud husband,
father and homeowner. A young lady,
like Brionna Young, who has been the
victim of severe bullying, ourishes in
the nurturing environment provided at
Maranathan and goes on to graduate
Magna Cum Laude from Talladega
College. A young man, like Jonathan
Patterson, after experiencing some
crushing academic challenges, goes
on to graduate with honors from
Miles College. Maranathan Academy
graduates become success stories
instead of statistics. Yet, for every
young person or adult helped, there
seem to be three more who need
the unique services that Maranathan
provides. Currently, there are 68
Critically At-Risk youth and adults,
on our waiting list. The Critical
Scholars Program is a scholarship drive
designed to signicantly reduce our
waiting list. Its success will ensure,
that Maranathan Academy is able
to continue to reach the three main
23
Continuation from page 23
Students at Maranathan Academy

thrive, because they are given a belief
system that is inspirational, a thirst
for knowledge and self-improvement
that is unquenchable, and a work
ethic that is inordinately strong.
One of her greatest desires, is that all
who wish to reach their full potential
through the transformative power of
education, shall, in the not too distant
future, be able to realize all of their
academic, and behavioral dreams.
Dreams that, once realized, enrich
not only the economy and society, but
our great nation as a whole. Heres to
investing in the lives of Critically At-Risk
youth! Heres to dreams coming true!
To learn more about the work and mission
of Maranathan Academy, please visit
our website at www/maranathanca.
org. To gain further insight regarding
the challenges faced by Critically
At-Risk youth, please watch her TED
Talk by accessing the following link:
https://youtu.be/T1_DJh10Mgs
goals for which it was established (1)
to help Critically At-Risk youth

become productive, contributing
members of society
(2)
to remove the sense of self

entitlement held by many in
the critically at risk populace
(3)
to help Critically At-Risk youth and

adults break the cycle of government
dependency that has, in many cases,
plagued their families for generations
Maranathan Academy is many

things to many people.
To high school dropouts as well as,
preteens and teens experiencing difculty
24
in traditional schools, Maranathan is

a beacon light shining through the
darkness of their educational struggle.
To parents, Maranathan is a light
shining in the darkness, the last
hope to see a child rescued from
the juvenile court system.
To members of the civic and corporate
community, Maranathan is the school
that removes the sense of self entitlement
held by many in the critically at risk
populace causing them to strive for
excellence and strengthen the economy.
She liked to see dreams of success,
begin to shine in the eyes of Critically
At-Risk youth and adults.
SOAK UP THE SUN WITH

HEALTHY SUMMER SKIN
W
ith warmer weather upon

us, its almost inevitable that
we are showing a little more
skin when we go outshorts, sleeveless
shirts, sundresses, and sandals are all
part of most Alabamians wardrobes,
for sure. If your personal goals include
looking great this summer and taking
better care of yourself, inside and out and
from head to toes, healthy skin is vital.
to the suns ultraviolet rays, the skin

manufactures Vitamin D, an essential
nutrient for healthy skin. Vitamin D
promotes the bodys absorption of
calcium, which is necessary for the
normal development of healthy teeth
and bones. Keeping your skin fresh,
clean, and radiant reveals your outer

beauty, and a healthful skin care regimen
also enhances overall wellness.
Nirvana products are luxurious,
natural creations formulated with
absolute high-quality, pure butters,
Nirvana by Natalie M. is a line of luxury

natural skin care products designed to
nourish, heal, and moisturize dry skin.
Caring for our bodies denitely starts
from the inside, with eating whole foods,
drinking plenty of water, exercising
regularly, and healthy stress management;
nurturing our surfaceour skin
contributes to overall health, as well.
Skin is the largest organ of the body.
It supports the life of all other body
parts and plays a role in maintaining
the immune system.When exposed
SUMMER 2016
25

Strengthen your bones
and muscles
Improve your mood
Improve your balance
and coordination
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of Alabama is helping
Alabamians walk their way
to better health with the
National Walk@Lunch Day
event! This year was the 10th
anniversary of the event and
it had the largest turnout
ever! Blue Cross encouraged
businesses, schools and other
organizations to plan walks
during their lunch break all
across the state. For this years
event, walks were held at Linn
Park in Birmingham, Biscuit
Stadium in Montgomery, Big
Spring Park East in Huntsville
and downtown Mobile during
the last two weeks in April.
If you missed National
Walk@Lunch Day, you
can still walk your way to
better health. Heres how:
Before starting any tness
routine, talk to your doctor.
Try to walk at least ve
times each week.
Always start with a veminute, slower paced
walk to warm up and end
with a ve-minute, slower
paced walk to cool down.
Start at a pace thats
comfortable for you.
Gradually pick up speed
until youre walking briskly
the equivalent of 3.5
miles an hour. You should be
breathing hard, but still able
to carry on a conversation.
26
Each week, add two minutes

to your walking time.
Track your progress. Write
down details about how
long and how far you
went on each workout.
Youll draw condence
from seeing all of your
workouts add up.
Before you start your walking
plan, be sure you have the
right equipment. A good pair
of shoes is the most important
equipment a walker can have.
Good footwear helps reduce
injuries and joint pain. There
is no one best shoe for all
walkers. The best shoe for you
is the one that ts you best.
Each persons feet are different.
Go shoe shopping at the

end of the day or after
your walk when your feet
may be slightly swollen.
Find one that is light
weight and breathable.
Look for one that ts
properly. Be sure your foot
has enough room in the toe
box. There should be about
half an inch between your
toes and the end of the shoe.
The shoe should be wide
enough in the toe that your
toes can move freely. Your
heel should not slip, and the

shoe should not pinch or
bind, especially across the
arch or ball of your foot.
Finding the right shoe is
important. If you need
help choosing one, visit
a shoe store and ask a
professional to help you
nd the right shoe for you.
Now that you have a walking
plan and the right shoes,
youll soon be walking your
way to better health!
When looking for a shoe:

Look for one that gives
you the proper support,
exibility, cushioning,
and compensates for
any stride problems you
may have, such as overor under-pronation.
B
lic
TREY
needs a healthcare plan as
INDIVIDUAL AS HE IS.
ONE
that covers all
HIS BASES.
AND works as hard

AS HE DOES.
LET US LINE UP THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOU.
AlabamaBlue.com
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent

licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

would give into a burial society to bury
their dead. Thus forming, the Booker
T. Washington Burial Society, which
later became the Booker T. Washington
Insurance Company. Although she didnt
nd MS, Ms. Malone is implementing
the model that her grandfather strived for,
which is- Find a need and ll it; what
she has found after being diagnosed with
MS and having lived in MS Poverty
herself, is the need to garner signicant
nancial contributions to MS patients! Just
as her grandfather famously said, I never
thought of trying to get richI never went
into anything with the idea of making
moneyI thought of doing something,
and it would come up and make
money.Ms. Malone isnt trying to get rich;
she is simply striving to prevent others
from being poor, living in MS Poverty.
The Stardome Comedy Club to host an

annual Comedy benet: Laugh Through
It Until The Cure Comes, MSFace2Face
also gathers a walk team to raise money
and support Walk MS Birmingham.
MSFace2Face envisions itself growing into
an organization that hands out to offset
some of the expenses incurred due to the
impact of the disease by providing grants
to help pay for various forms of therapy
treatments, educate researchers, and
assistance in meeting everyday needs of
MS patients living in poverty due to MS,
as well as providing the proper resources
and strategies to keep these recipients from
falling back into victim of MS Poverty.
To accomplish this goal, MSFace2Face

presents One Night Without a Face,
a Black and White Fun-raising Gala
beneting Multiple Sclerosis. Partnering
with major entities that support the
mission of MS Face2Face and adds to it
by focusing its efforts on outreach for MS
patient care and cutting edge research.
Its their hope that this gala will become
a national event that raises the funds
needed for educating researchers and
awarding grants to support individuals in
the community. MSFace2Face believes
that collective efforts and the support of
sponsors and individuals like you, will help
us to eradicate this debilitating disease
and MS Poverty SUCCESSFULLY!!!!!!
Rochelle Malone
MS Face2Face began to speak out when
it launched its rst and very own radio
talk show Face2Face with Rochelle
Malone on satellite radio. MS Face2
Face uses radio as a global opportunity
to educate and inform listeners
about Multiple Sclerosis in a fun and
entertaining way, including great uplifting
music and special guest interviews.
MS Face2Face began to act out when
it started hosting Parties with a Purpose
at local businesses. In addition to these
events, MSFace2Face has partnered with
28
BLESSED
By: Evelyn Dilworth-Williams
Lord, Im so glad to know that Im blessed
When surrounded by the followers of evil
You show me the way to clear away upheaval
I just look to the heavens and thereYou stand
With deep-root grace and a stretched out hand
The storms of lifes agony and discomfort
Appearing without a warning of any sort
You rearrange the pain of time to yield less
Before I plea, you give my spirit needed rest
To have family and friends always by my side
With love in their hearts, soul and eyes
My blessings are clear and cant be denied
For You are always there to steer and guide
When others around me are struggling with lifes stay
Im so glad I know to call them by name when I pray
To conquer their defeat and graciously succeed
Rising each day with a view of the newness of the sun
Knowing this is not by man but its what Youve done
So my path can have the light thats needed to walk your way
Your sunset lets me know to thank you for another blessed day
SUMMER 2016
29
15
HEALTHIEST
FROZEN FRUITS
AND VEGETABLES
By: Elena Todd White
hat if I told you that you

could be more t, boost
your antioxidant intake,
and save money all at the same
time? Sounds too good to be true,
right? Well, Ive put together a list of
15 frozen fruits and vegetables - yes,
frozen - that will help you do just that!
Especially during the winter months,
fresh produce is limited - or expensive
- in most of the country, which forces
many of us to turn to either canned or
frozen fruits and veggies. While canned
vegetables tend to lose a lot of nutrients
during the preservation process (some
notable exceptions are tomatoes and
pumpkin), frozen vegetables may be
even healthier than some of the fresh
produce sold in supermarkets.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the International Food
Information Council (IFIC) both agree that
nutrients in produce are generally NOT
lost during freezing and they provide
the same essential nutrients and health
benets as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Once a fruit or vegetable is picked,
it starts to lose nutrients, so exactly
when its plucked, and how long
after harvesting you eat it, impacts its
nutritional value. Did you know that
fresh produce can lose as much as 45%
of its essential nutrients from the time
it leaves the farm to the time it makes
it to your table a period that can
last as long as 16 days? These berries,
melons, greens, etc., are often exposed
to pesticides, extreme heat, and light
during transport, which further decreases
30
their freshness and nutritional value.

On the other hand, most frozen fruits
and vegetables are quickly blanched,
boiled, or steamed, and then frozen
within a few hours of being picked, a
process that helps lock in both fresh taste
and nutritional value. Since the freezing
process actually preserves food, no
unwanted additives (e.g. no added salt
or sugar) are needed in bags of frozen
pineapples or broccoli, for examples.
Therefore, its pretty easy to nd fruits
and veggies with single word ingredient
lists-- just the fruit or veggie itself. To
be sure, always check the ingredients,
but I bet youll nd at least 10 varieties
in the freezer aisle with absolutely
nothing added - denitely a win-win!
Also, youll want to be sure to choose
packages marked with a USDA U.S.
Fancy shield, which designates produce
of the best size, shape and color. These
vegetables tend to be more nutrientrich than the lower grades (U.S. No. 1
or U.S. No. 2.). Also, try not to wait
too long to eat them after purchasing:
over many months, nutrients in frozen
vegetables do decrease. Steam (dont
microwave) rather than boil your produce
so that you can retain as much of the
water-soluble vitamins as you can.
TRY ANY OR ALL OF THESE
15 HEALTHY FROZEN FRUITS
AND VEGETABLES:
1. CHERRIES. Research links cherries
red colorprovided by the fruits
powerful anthocyaninsto a reduction
in inammation, total cholesterol, and
belly fat. Cherries are also rich in two
important avonoids, isoqueritrin and
queritrin, which act as antioxidants and
work to eliminate byproducts of oxidative
stress, therefore slowing down the aging
process. You can add frozen cherries to
your smoothies or defrost a cup and put

them on top of plain Greek yogurt.
2. BLUEBERRIES are packed with
vitamins C, E, riboavin, niacin, and
folate. One cup of blueberries has
only 71 calories, but packs 6 grams
of ber, and its hard to believe
just how much nutrition is jammed
into such a small superfruit.
Catechins found in blueberries activate
fat-burning genes in abdominal fat cells
to assist with weight loss, and belly fat
loss in particular. According to research
at Tufts University, regularly ingesting
catechins increases abdominal fat loss by
77 percent and double total weight loss.
Additionally, blueberries are one of the
richest sources of proanthocyanidins,
which are phytonutrients that decrease
free radical levels that are linked to aging
(say goodbye to wrinkles!) and disease.
Keep these berries on hand to
boost the avor and nutrients in
your protein shakes, or add frozen
blueberries to hot cereal.
3. PEACHES are the perfect snack
food for losing weight. A peach makes
you feel full and keeps you from

overeating. One medium peach contains
only 35-50 calories and zero fat!
These fruits are high in calcium,
potassium, B vitamins, and antioxidants.
They also help keep the skin healthy.
Vitamin A and C make peaches a great
natural moisturizer which is why theyre
often used in cosmetics. These vitamins
can help regenerate skin tissue.
For a healthy dessert, bake one peach
with cinnamon and a touch of agave, then
top with low-fat frozen yogurt. Yummy!
4. BROCCOLI reportedly helps lower
cholesterol and detoxies the body.
Steamed broccoli is full of potassium
and folate - which helps prevent
anemia - and it also gives you solid
doses of vitamins A, C, and B6.
Its also a huge cancer-ghter. Broccoli
contains something called sulforaphane,
which may help combat prostate,
liver, lung, bladder, skin, and stomach
cancer. Plus its rich in compounds
that boost healthy tumor suppressors
and destroy ineffective ones.
Broccoli is great fuel, because with 5
grams of ber per cup, it helps you ll

up fast. And...its only about 55 calories
per cup. Add some to your omelet
to make it even more delicious.
5. GREEN BEANS are rich in
eye-protecting phytonutrients and
manganese. Aside from relieving
symptoms of osteoporosis and
osteoarthritis, manganese can also help
ght premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
A healthy dose of manganese can
help alleviate PMS symptoms such as
irritability and mood swings. Manganese
also helps your body to effectively
absorb other nutrients such as vitamins
B, E and the mineral magnesium.
Another good reason to eat green beans
is that they are packed with vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that
can help protect you against cancer,
heart disease and high blood cholesterol.
Vitamin A is also known for eliminating
signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles,
ne lines, dull skin and age spots.
6. CARROTS are rich in beta-carotene,
a form of vitamin A thats great for
your vision, as well as heart-healthy
antioxidants. Also, eating a cup of
raw carrots will provide you with
Continuted on page 32
SUMMER 2016
31

11 percent of the DV for potassium.
Potassium helps counteract the effects
of sodium, potentially lowering your
blood pressure and your risk for heart
disease, if you consume enough of it.
You can throw frozen carrots (right
out of the bag) into stews and soups.
If you prefer them tender, add them
early in the cooking process; for more
crunch, add them near the end.
7. SPINACH is packed with
cancer-reducing antioxidants
and anti-inammatories, and is
also a rich source of iron.
According to Gloria Tsang, RD, spinach
is a source of non-heme iron, which
is found in vegetable sources and is
not as bioavailable to the body as the
heme iron found in animal products,
e.g. meat. Raw spinach contains oxalic
acid or oxalate, which naturally binds
with minerals like calcium and iron,
making them harder for the body to
absorb. Cooking spinach helps make
iron more available to your body. If you
are going to eat raw spinach and other
iron-rich foods, perhaps pair them with
the following iron absorption enhancers:
Meat, sh, or poultry
Fruits: Oranges, orange juice,
cantaloupe, strawberries,
grapefruit, and other
Vitamin-C-rich fruits
Vegetables: Broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, tomatoes,
tomato juice, potatoes, and
green and red peppers
White wine
8. CAULIFLOWER is a cruciferous
veggie that helps reduce the risk of
cancer, particularly prostate, bladder, and
colon cancers because its full of vitamin
C, a proven antioxidant that boosts
immunity and protects against cancer.
Its also an excellent, low-calorie
source of potassium, (for example,
32
one cup of the chopped raw vegetable

has only 27 calories, as compared
to a banana, which has 105.)
Watching your carbs? This lling,
nutrient-rich vegetable will satisfy your
craving for something starchyso chop
in the food processor, then steam in a
covered dish for an alternative to rice.
through the winter. With the their

diverse shapes, sizes, colors, and
avors, heirloom winter squashes are
grown for their remarkable appearances
as well as their distinct avors.
Pure winter squash and add cinnamon
and maple syrup for a cold-weather treat,
or for a more savory soup, blend squash,
a low-sodium broth, and sauted onion.
source: Wikimedia Commons

By ThorPorre (Own work)
[CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/3.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons
9. BRUSSEL SPROUTS are a personal
favorite at my house (even the kids like
it). Brussels sprouts help lower cholesterol
and protect your DNA, plus they have
anti-cancer benets. Brussel sprouts
also have tons of potassium. Added
bonus: There are only 46 calories in 4
ounces of Brussels Sprouts (Frozen)!
An easy way to prepare them is to
just throw them on a at cooking
pan or cookie sheet with a little
olive oil and chopped garlic, then
roast at 400 for 30 35 minutes.
10. WINTER SQUASH is like a
multivitamin on your plate, protecting
you from tons of illnesses. Winter
squash brims with beta-carotene and
the body converts beta-carotene to
vitamin A, which helps maintain the
immune cells that ght off cold and u
viruses. Winter squash also contains
lots of carbohydrates, making it a
great energy source (without the fat).
One cup of winter squash has only 40
calories, 10 carbs, and 0.2 g of fat.
The squash is a member of the
Cucurbitaceae family, and is related
to melons, cucumbers, and gourds. It
is harvested in the Fall, winter squash,
which include pumpkin varieties, are
distinguished from zucchini and other
summer squash by their dry, hard
skin and long shelf-life that extends
11. ARTICHOKE HEARTS have a

mildly sweet avor and provide lots of
ber and other nutrients. A recent study
in The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition followed nearly 90,000
subjects for six and a half years and found
those who ate the most ber gained
less weight than those who had a lowber diet. Fiber can slow digestion,
says sports dietitian and runner Cara
Marrs, RD, which keeps you full.
A medium-sized artichoke that weighs
about 125 grams has: Protein (4 g),
Carbs (13 g), Fat (0.05 g), Cholesterol
- 0, Fiber (6.5 g) Calcium (50 mg),
Iron (1 mg), Potassium (470 mg),
Phosphorous (110 mg), Magnesium
(75 mg), Zinc (0.5 mg), Sodium (115
mg), and Vitamins A, B, E and K.
12. BLACKBERRIES. A 2010
Nutrition Journal study discovered
blackberries have about twice as
much antioxidant powerincluding
potent anthocyaninsas blueberries,
raspberries, and strawberries.
Anthocyanins may help reduce the
damage to muscle cells brought on
by training that can lead to muscle
soreness, says Scritcheld. Each cup
of frozen blackberries contains 8 grams
of ber and a wealth of manganese, a
mineral necessary for strong bones and
healthy muscle connective tissue.
13. LIMA BEANS are available fresh
only a few weeks in summer, are rich in
ber and potassium, and they provide
12 grams of protein per cup. They also
add a dose of iron to your diet. Thats
important for runners, says Marrs,

an attempt to explain why people, young
and old, die from strange diseases that
are dened by long words that usually
are hard to pronounce and understand.
bad dietary intake and poor spiritual support.

The numerous religious denominations
and ethnic myths, to a great degree, are
more confusing than sound doctrine. I
am referring to the study of human beings
and their preoccupation with ancestral
inuence, deities and heroic exploits of
mythology. This is a real or ctional story
that appeals to the consciousness of a
people by embracing its cultural ideas and/
or by giving expression to deeply rooted
and commonly felt emotions. I am making
SUMMER 2016
In order to explore the many reasons

why a person, who is described as being
intelligently sane and successful in their
particular or profession, will meddle with
things they intend to put into their mouth,
the mouth of the mind, is searching for
the insatiable, something that will catapult
your souls taste and the daring of your
curiosity. Examples, the new device that
is smoking but not really smoking and
drinking beverages that are advertised in the
newspaper, magazines and most particularly,
the television. Some of these new products
maybe appealing and even tolerable to
include in ones diet but very often, adults,
children and even small children get hooked
on the taste, avor and approval of dozens
of cultures. The food industry is focusing on

fancy packaging and not the nutritious factor.
Preeminent One I am being obedient to the
Spirit of life because I believe in my heart,
spirit, soul and mind I will be rewarded for
adhering to the voice of the herb-bearing
seed. Gods reward system is based on how,
when and where you discipline your mind
and soul, how you exact the instructions He
gives you. Summarizing your appetite, which
is a craving desire, must be managed by any
means necessary; otherwise, you will be
walking blindly with your eyes wide open.
This is my way of explaining the syndrome of
how, we humans, become slaves to how she
or him looks, smells or performs. Stop burning
daylight. The Word, who became esh, asserts
we should work the works while it is day.
Dr. Jonathan DE Carle, Clinical Therapist
and Forensic Pathologist 205.841.6181
33
DOES YOUR
RETIREMENT
PLAN NEED
RENOVATING?
f you havent updated your home

in years, its probably due for some
serious remodeling by now; ditto for
your retirement plan. Its important to
revisit it periodically to avoid ending
up with an outdated plan that leaves
your retirement goals in jeopardy.
Updating your retirement plan
involves several important steps:
What is your estimated
income and expenses?
As you get closer to retirement, its easier
to estimate expected living expenses and
discretionary spending. From housing
costs to dining out, crunch the numbers
to see what to expect. Take a look at
future sources of income such as Social
Security, pension benets and personal
assets such as IRAs and annuities.
34
How do you develop a

retirement income strategy?
Talk with your nancial professional
about your retirement program. If you
nd a gap between expected sources
of income and estimated expenses,
check out ways to close that gap.
For example, boost contributions to
accumulation vehicles such as IRAs
and deferred annuities geared toward
providing future income. You may not
realize some deferred income annuities
now offer more exible options than
previous versions. Concerned about
outliving your assets? Take a look at
annuities that provide an option to receive
income for life. Also, consider strategies
that may help to mitigate income risk
such as laddering or split annuities.
When does your plan need revisiting?

Its important to have a periodic
retirement plan review with your
nancial professional. Major life events
should trigger a review: receiving an
inheritance, getting divorced, remarrying
or changing jobs. Check if your plan
needs updating due to other factors, such
as market changes, new tax laws or to
take advantage of innovative nancial
products/services that offer new features.
Contact your nancial professional to
discuss your retirement program. It may
not require a signicant remodeling job
but may need some updating to help you
achieve a nancially- stable retirement.

We had the cooperation of many
organizations, many individuals. We can
stand here today and say that Woodlawn
is on its way back.
Leroy Abrahams, North Central Alabama

Area President for Regions Bank and a
Woodlawn Foundation board member,
says the ongoing nature of this revitalization is essential. He en-courages
everyone to remember that for the
Station can serve as an inspiration for

future developments. Its ex-citing, an
encouraging testa-ment to what can be
done when people come together and
bring resources together to do some-thing
constructive. Its a cata-lyst to what else
transformation to succeed, it must build

on pro-gress already made.
can be accom-plished, he says.
As the neighborhood sees progress, says

Woodlawn Foundation Executive Director
Sally Mackin, another crucial ingredient
starts to return: pride. Residents in the
community have a sense of pride, having
seen some physical transformation begin,
she says.
Community pride extends be-yond
Wood Station. The Foun-dation
launched a homeowner rehabilitation
program to help longtime local property
owners pay for roof and faade repairs,
energy efciency upgrades and other
improvements.
Soon, Wood Station will include a
homeownership component as well.
The foundation is working with a
homebuilder and a real estate rm to
develop single-family homes for lots near
the townhouses, beginning with ve and
eventually growing to a dozen or more.
Were building a sense of community to
try to encourage new construction and
more home-ownership, Mackin says.
Lets not look at this and say, Mission

accomplished, check the box, Abrahams
says. Its great to look back and celebrate, but its even more im-portant to
look forward and think about what comes
next.
Regions is committed to the Woodlawn
community, he says. The success of Wood
As Jacqueline McKinney looks out across

the new townhouses at Wood Station,
she also looks forward to the prospect of
seeing more abandoned Woodlawn lots
cleaned up, more blighted prop-erties
repaired, and more people recognizing
her neighborhood as a community
growing stronger and more vibrant.
Its a dream come true, she says.
Resident Jacqueline McKinney
SUMMER 2016
35

oils, essential oils, minerals, and
herbs. Gentle cleansers, sweet scrubs,
and rich moisturizers are only a few
of Nirvanas opulent offeringsto
see a full list of products, visit www.
Etsy.com/shop/NirvanaNaturalSkin.
Be summer ready and soak up some
sun with Nirvana by Natalie M!
Top Products for Summer:
Natural Healing Body Butter remains a
community favorite because of its ample
concentration of natural components
that soften and heal even the roughest
skin. This product contains shea butter
and cocoa butter, which are extremely
emollient and work well together to
combat ashy heels (remember the
aforementioned sandals?) and heal and
hydrate every other parched part of your
body. Shea butter contains high levels of
Vitamin A, and cocoa butter has immense
antioxidants, which together help reduce
signs of aging, skin inammation such
as eczema and psoriasis, and soothe
countless other skin conditions. Nirvana
body butter also contains a customized
blend of natural oils and essential oils that
lend to its creamy, buttery blissfulness!
This product is denitely a must-have
for smooth, healthy summer skin.
36
African Black Soap Body Wash is a

natural soap that can be used from
head to toe as a shampoo, facial
cleanser, shaving foam, bath soap, etc.
This creamy body wash is revered for
having skin nourishing benets due
to an abundance of antioxidants. The
soap is made from the ashes of plantain
skin, cocoa pod, palm leaves, and palm
oil. Its a gentle cleanser that exfoliates
the face, helping to eliminate acne,
blackheads, oily skin, and discoloration.
With all that extra summer sweating
(from your workouts, right?), your face
and body will thank you after you
lather yourself in Nirvana black soap.
Soft Kisses Lip Butter has everything
you need for smooth, sweet summer
smooches! Sun exposure can dry out
the skin on your lips, leaving them dry
and cracked, but the combination of
emollients in this lip balm protect and
heal with the rst application. With
similar ingredients to the body butter,
Nirvana lip butter is created with an
abundance of delicious mango butter,
which has numerous benets to the skin.
These include lush moisture, and a high
concentration of vitamins A, C, and E,
which work to combat free radicals.
When applied to the skin, Nirvana lip
butter has the ability to protect it from
sunburn as well as soothe sunburned
skin. This little tube of lusciousness

also helps with lip discoloration, and
comes in some amazing scents!
Treat yourself to some natural
skin care luxury, and have a
healthy and happy summer!
Written by Natalie Michelle Maye,
Owner/Designer
Nirvana by Natalie M.
Natural Skin Care Luxury
Health and Wellness Advocate
Earth Mother
Educator
nirvanabodybutter@gmail.com
www.Etsy.com/shop/NirvanaNaturalSkin
(205) 862-3051
Civil Rights Legends: Henry Allen, Alma Dennis, Annye Braxton and Mary Smith Ware
were: Debra Nelson, Braseld and
Gorrie; Melanie Posey, WBRC FOX6
and State Senator Bobby Singleton.
A special thank you to our Nominating
Committee: John Powe, Honorable
Barbara Boyd, Honorable Bobby Singleton,
CC Calhoun and Honorable Grover Dunn.
Many thanks to our volunteers for their
continued dedication to make this event
the best in Alabama! They include:
Adriana Robinson, Amanda Robinson,
Carlton Martin, Edith Major, Emmett
Handy and Stephanie Handy, Jacqueline
Tymes, John Powe, Kenneth Prevo, Leasa
Franklin, Natalie Kemp (In Memoriam)
Scottie McClaney and Tara Preyer.
This years event saw a memorial
tribute to Natalie Kemp, a volunteer
to the Gala and friend to all in the
organization. Natalies family was
present to witness the outpouring
of love that was shared by those in
attendance. The Foundation and the
Alabama Black Achievers Awards Gala
will not be the same without our friend!
SUMMER 2016
Physicians: Drs. John Jernigan, Nova Law, Rosa Bell and William Abernathy
37
EVALUATE YOUR
RISK REDUCTION
STRATEGIES
I
38
n a perfect world, you would never

suffer a catastrophic illness that threatens
your job security, your family would
be nancially secure even if something
happened to you and your home would
never be damaged by re, ood or storm.
However, we dont live in a perfect world.
Thats why its important to protect your
income, your loved ones and your assets
from nancial risks. Take time to review
and update your risk-reduction strategies.
for 2 1/2 years? Thats the length of the

average long-term disability claim, according
to the Council for Disability Awareness
(CDA). The CDAs 2012 report shows
long-term disability claims have gone up
every year from 2007-2011 and Americans
age 60+ showed the highest increase in
long-term disability claims. If you have
only minimal disability coverage through
your employer, consider supplementing
it with a personal disability policy.
life insurance. As long as there are loved

ones who still depend on you nancially,
you may need coverage in case anything
happens to you. Perhaps your college
grad has moved back home and youre no
longer empty nesters. Even empty nesters
may need coverage if a surviving spouse
could not meet ongoing expenses without
the main breadwinners income. If its been
a while since you reviewed your familys
life insurance needs, take time to do so.
Loss of Income. Being unable to work due

to disability could put all aspects of your
nancial security at risk. Without an income,
do you have enough emergency funds to pay
your mortgage, car loans, insurance bills,
childrens education costs and other expenses
Protecting your family. None of us want

to contemplate our own mortality; but its
inevitable. When it comes to life insurance,
30% of American households are uninsured
and 50% say they need more life insurance.
Its not just younger families who need
Online and personal resources. Go to www.

massmutual.com for more information and
planning tools for disability and life insurance
and retirement planning. Then talk to a
nancial professional who can be a valuable
resource to help you with mitigation planning.
36
brighter futures
Financial education is about more than learning financial terminology. Its about setting
yourself up for a better future. Regions is honored to be a part of this great community and
to provide you with the skills that can help you reach your financial goals. We are committed
to giving you knowledgeable advice and guidance so you can keep life moving forward.
1.800.regions | regions.com
2016 Regions Bank. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank.
The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

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SUMMER 2016, VOLUME 23

CONNECTING ALABAMA FROM EVERY

REGIONS BANK, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND

BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT AUTHORITY

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD

WALKING YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH

ALAGASCO NATURAL GAS SAFETY TIPS

WELLS FARGO BLACK HISTORY SALUTE

Summer 2016, Volume 23

Connecting Alabama From

Regions Bank, Community Leaders

Women, Men And Investing

Walking Your Way To Better Health

The Plight Of An Organization To

The Oliver Robinson Foundation

Sakina Manuel Robinson

Bhm Terminal Is Awarded Leed

Alagasco Offers Customer Assistance

Dr. Jonathan DeCarle

2016 Alabama Black Achievers

Donna Dukes: Ted Talk From Tedx

Soak Up The Sun With Healthy

Elena Todd White

15 Healthiest Frozen Fruits

Does Your Retirement Plan Need

Evaluate Your Risk Reduction Strategies 38

Publisher & President

Bridging the technology gap

Pew Research Center, Whos Not Online and Why,

Pew Research Center, Americans Internet Access:

2016 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.

Connected communities are strong

2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.

REGIONS BANK, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND

A major milestone in Woodlawns revitalization took

McKinney is one of Wood

Bank invested more than $11

When you walk around here,

For more information: www.regions.com/about_regions/regions_accessible_banking.rf

o, why are we not well spiritually

A suggestion is to buy a piece of fruit. In the

of this is good for you and the millions of

Shes had 6,604 school days. 1,105 students.

n their approach to investing, men

a habit that reduces long-term investment

leaving the workforce for extended

WALKING YOUR WAY

veryone knows that

your ofce building can be as

THE PLIGHT OF AN ORGANIZATION TO

living in poverty due to MS. Its goal is to

The founder of MS Face2Face, Rochelle

interest. It was also while working in

WELLS FARGO BLACK HISTORY SALUTE

ells Fargo kicked off the

the audience gains insight into Hamers

The Red Mountain Theatre Company

We are honored to help continue tell

We believe every voice deserves to be

2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. (2305502_17443)

2305502_17443 9.125x11 4c.indd 1

BHM TERMINAL IS AWARDED LEED

LEED certication of BirminghamShuttlesworth International Airport was based

High-efciency thermal building