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Monday Motivation
“It was not cool to be that fun, bubbly kid, so I would just go off on my own and sing and make up songs, and that’s how I think I developed into the kind of artist and writer that I am.” -Elle Varner
“I’m an around-the-way girl. I’m a singer, songwriter. I’m about positivity and spreading a good message and telling the people’s story.” -Elle Varner
“I was really heavy growing up, so it was never feeling like the pretty girl, never being popular.” -Elle Varner
Meet Courtney Hale!
Wish you had advice on how to not have barely $2 left from your allowance or part time job each week? Or better yet find out how your pockets & bank account can be full by the time you enter the real world? Courtney Hale to the rescue!
Hailing from Nashville, TN, Courtney graduated with Bachelors of Business Administration in Economics and Finance from Tennessee State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Lipscomb University. He went on to create his empowering organization of The Knowledge Bank.
The Knowledge Bank offers a multifaceted workshop series for youth 13-18 years old, centered on financial education, financial exposure and healthy practices. Courtney is also one of C.O.R.E Mag’s amazing finance contributors.
Let’s get to know Courtney a little better…
When did you first launch The Knowledge Bank?
I had carried around the idea of a starting a financial literacy program for 4 years before I actually launched Knowledge Bank in 2012. I ran the concept across my smart friends for a couple years and eventually heard “you’re on to something” so many times that I had to put my thoughts into action.
How & why was the idea of The Knowledge Bank developed and what is the mission behind the movement?
I believe each person has a daily routine that is representative of who they are. The things we eat, our sense of style, the music we listen to, where we live and all the things we entertain embody who we are. That’s all the everyday stuff. However, I believe our character is defined by how we respond during infrequent and uncommon occurences. Five years ago, I experienced some infrequent and uncommon occurrences that would, not only put my character to test, but also become the foundation for why the Knowledge Bank was created.
Around 2008 I heard two pretty depressing stories. In the first story, a client of my mentor had inherrited somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 million, only to be completely broke a little over a year later. The second story involved a woman who had won the lottery, only to have the bank foreclose on her home a little over a year later. I had always wondered what made people make such catastrophic financial decisions? Didn’t they know any better? The fact is they didn’t know any better. No one had ever taught them the importance of budgeting or living below their means. Shortly after hearing these stories, newspaper and tv headlines were plastered with words like “financial crisis”, “foreclosure”, “layoffs” and “recession”. Many experts blamed the financial crisis on greedy financial institutions who had issued bad loans and over valued property. I believed financially illiterate consumers who had signed for loans they didn’t understand should share in some of the blame.
So there I was, mentally in the middle of one of these infrequent and uncommon occurrences. Should I be an unconcerned passer-byer, equipped with the education, skills and talent to persevere in the mist of these dysfunctional values and economic volatility? Or do I use my education and experience to keep this type of history from repeating itself? I chose the latter. So now I educate the next generation on how to develop healthy financial values to avoid the mistakes that plagued generations before them.
Share with the C.O.R.E Readers some of the activities that your organization has done in the past and any future events?
This summer was pretty exciting. We concluded our second summer workshop series. The highlight of the summer was Savings Account Day where the kids deposited a total of $250 into their savings accounts. We hosted several workshops for different community organizations, summer programs and churches.We were also given the opportunity to offer our program through the Nashville Educaiton Commission, giving parents another opportunity to introduce their kids to the world of personal finance. We have a couple pretty big partnerships in the works that I cannot mention yet, but expect bigger things this fall.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
First, my wife Tia is a huge inspiration in my life. She may be the toughest person I know male or female. She never backs down from a challenge, no obstacle is too big for her and she believes she can accomplish anything. A woman like that, who looks as good as she does, makes a man want to be better, even when you’re already good.
The second person who inspires me is one of my line brothers, Isaac Addae. Isaac is the epitome of all the virtues that our parents want us to possess. He’s the type of guy that could be President of the United States, dealing with pressing world issues, but will take your call in the oval office to answer questions about the best app for data storage back up. There is a saying, “Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.” If that’s the case, Isaac is my pace setter.
Lastly, all my friends inspire me. I do not have any friends who are not committed to being better at life. I believe you are the average of all your friends, therefore I had to find friends that would push me to be better than average. Remember iron sharpens iron.
If you had to give 3 pieces of advice to teens when it comes to dealing with money, what would they be?
1. Love yourself. The root of many bad financial decisions is the pursuit of happiness through things. Will Smith said, “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” Clothes, cars, instagram followers and money do not make you, but it’s imperative to figure out what does.
2. Start career planning now. Knowledge Bank has 4 core values: Work, Budget, Save and Give. Without “Work” the other core values aren’t possible. The biggest mistake 99.9% of students are making when determining their career path is waiting too late. The job market is more competitive now than it has every been. The faster a student can identify what they want to do with their professional life, the sooner they can work on developing the skills necessary to thrive in that career.The second largest mistake students are making is assuming they have to work for someone else, but I’ll save that for a different interview.
3. Don’t spend all of your money. As an adult, it is imperative to develop a systematic approach to saving. The earlier we can develop the habit of saving, the better.
C.O.R.E Mag is all about Empowerment. What does empowerment mean to you?
When I see the word empowerment I think about making someone better. In the book “Letters to a Young Brother”, Hill Harper makes the analogy that young people are to new model vehicles, while older people are the older models of the same vehicle. When I think about empowering others, I see myself working on an assembly line building this person to be stronger, faster, more agile and better looking than me.
Where do you see The Knowledge Bank in 5 years?
In 5 years I see Knowledge Bank being more of a culture than an organization. I’ve thrown around ideas of a tshirt line and sponsoring professional athletes to endorse our mission, so maybe I can execute those ideas in the next five years. I want Knowledge Bank to be the brand associated with financial literacy in Middle Tennessee, providing enrichment opportunities for all Middle Tennessee students.I would also like to sell our curriculum in kits similar to what Dave Ramesy has done with Financial Peace University. And maybe branch out to have Knowledge Bank (fill in the blank with the city of your choice).
Fun Faves- Music artist? Food? Song? Favorite Music: All things Jay Z and the occasional backpack rapper like Drake, J.Cole or Kendrick Lamar (although I don’t think he is categorized as a backpacker)
Favorite Food: Eggs!!! I love eggs in all its many forms; scrambled, quiche, fritter, omelette, with steak, on a burger. I’m sure you get it by now.
Celeb Crush? The easy answer is Beyonce. But to be different I would say the character Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) on the show Suits aired on the USA network. The only thing sexier than a black, female, managing partner of the largest law firm in NYC is my wife (she made me say that.)
Quote? “Nothing wrong wit my aim, just had to change my target.” – Jay Z
Check out more about Courtney here..
How Do I Look?
One of the first things you say to yourself when you look in the mirror is, “How do I look?” How do you look? Does your weight bother you? Do you wear glasses? Do you have acne? Do you look totally different today than you did six (6) months ago? The fact of the matter is, you have entered a phase in your life where you look and feel like a completely different person. Your body is growing and maturing. As it develops, it is important to receive essential nutrients and vitamins. While you probably aren’t thinking about nutrients and vitamins as you dig into that deep dish, pepperoni pizza, there are all sorts entering your body and contributing to the development of its infrastructure. Think of your diet as the frame to a house. The house would not be able to stand if it did not have a solid, reliable frame to support it. The same goes for your body. If you do not have a healthy, well-balanced diet to support your body, it can’t support itself.
Be conscious of what you eat. Often times we are too busy to pack lunches or prepare meals. When we are unprepared for our meals and hunger strikes, we feel forced to eat whatever is most convenient. Unfortunately, convenient choices do not always make for healthy choices. Even though you might feel satisfied from your convenient meal, your body can still be starving for its essential nutrients. The idea is to feed your body for fuel. As a growing teenager, the last thing you want is for your body to run low on energy. Your body is constantly evolving and needs fuel to assist with the changes. It is best to ingest foods that generate energy and brain power- i.e. nuts, lean meats, or fresh fruits and veggies. Now when you are out with your friends late night and you get a bad case of the munchies, you don’t necessarily have to avoid McDonald’s or Wendy’s, but be conscious of the healthier menu options. Salads, grilled chicken sandwiches, and smoothies are all fast-food, healthy choices that will keep your body functioning at optimum levels. Also, don’t be afraid to throw a few healthy snacks in your cute little purse. It won’t matter when hunger strikes or how inconvenient it happens to be, if you have a healthy snack handy. Grab a granola bar, an apple, or even make yourself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. By keeping your body nutritionally satisfied you can avoid those unfortunate hunger pains.
The human body is extremely advanced and adapts quickly to any situation. When you don’t eat, your body assumes there is no food and enters preservation mode. The body has no idea when and/or if it will receive another meal. In turn, it stores whatever fat you have in your body and slows your metabolism. The metabolism is the process in which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. As previously mentioned, your body uses this energy to maintain functionality and meet certain levels of performance. I am not sure about you, but as a woman who is extremely eager about being the best me I can be, the last thing I want is to allow my body to function at a substandard level. Your body is you’re your mode of transportation throughout life. Without a healthy, well-functioning body, where will you go?
When people think of the body, they don’t think of the entire body. From head to toe, each inch of you needs nutrients and vitamins. It can be difficult to receive the recommended amounts, so it is important to explore other avenues and know your options. Always consult with your family doctor. As a growing woman you should visit a doctor at least once a year for a routine check-up. Your doctor will be able to advise you on what your body needs and how to attain those basic nutrients.
Don’t be afraid to take care of your body. It is one heck of a machine that requires maintenance. You are the operator. Food is intended to fuel our bodies and provide life. Don’t allow it to be your downfall. Remember, your body cannot support itself without a solid infrastructure. Consuming an unhealthy diet will have its effects not only on your body but eventually your life. So, take the time to examine your diet. What are you eating? What is eating you? Be conscious! Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself, “How do I look?” No matter the response, know that you can be as healthy and as beautiful as you allow yourself to be.
-Heidi Thomas
Until next time ladies, healthy eating, body consciousness, health and beauty!
Relationship Exfoliation
This time last week I was on vacation in the Dominican Republic with six of my oldest and closest friends, and we had an incredible time. We drove dune buggies through the mud in the countryside, went snorkeling, and even swam with starfish. We kicked it at the resort, lit up the dance floor in the club, and gambled in the casino. For me, this was a life-changing trip. On one hand, I realized that I need to devote more time to traveling to new places and having new experiences, and on the other, I was reminded of how fortunate I am to have the friends that I do. We encourage, support, and challenge each other, and though we may have bumps in the road, I have always known that no matter what happens between us, they’ve got my back.
That trip was awesome, but it was not without its faults. The sun and the salt water wreaked havoc on my skin. There were a few times that I got out of
the water and felt a stinging sensation on my face. I rinsed it off with some bottled water, washed it with soap when I got to the room, and kept it moving. Yesterday, when I woke up, I noticed that my skin was peeling. My nose, my forehead….it was all bad. So I made sure to go by the store and get some facial scrub so that I can exfoliate. That way I can scrub off all of the dead skin cells to reveal new healthy ones.
I know that this stuff may seem random, but I promise I’m going to tie it together for you. There are generally two types of people in your life: those who are full of life and help you grow and those who are full of death/negativity and have you out here looking crazy. Your experiences in life are like that trip I just took. There will be times that awesome things happen that reveal who has your back and inspires you to continue to nurture those relationships. Then there will be other times that even though someone convinced you to do something and you may have had fun doing it you were doing damage to yourself and/or others. These are the people that you need to exfoliate. There will be signs that something isn’t right, similar to the stinging sensation that I felt on my face. Doing a superficial rinse may not be enough. You may need to do a serious scrub to make sure you remove them from your life. That is the only way you can make room for the healthy relationships that make you glow.
-Tiffany Vicks
Monday Motivation!
“Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle!” – Sanya Richard-Ross
“It’s in our chasing that dream that we become the people we only DREAM of.” – Sanya Richard-Ross
“Since I was a young girl I always set lofty goals for myself. And there will always be a lot of noise in the market. A lot of voices in your head trying to take away your focus.” -Sanya Richard-Ross
Meet Sharve!
Determination, talent and a presence to command any stage she steps on describes Miss Kaylah “SHARVE” Baker! Only at 14, she has experience in modeling, acting , and singing. Hailing from Houston, Texas, the singer/songwriter will release “What You Think I’m On” featuring Young Marqus on September 3 2013!
In addition to Kaylah’s exposure with acting, she has taken part in singing and modeling opportunities. She was a contestant in the Sunburst Beauty Pageant, American Coed, Little Miss Texas and University Royalty Pageants. Kaylah has performed vocally in the Sugarland Junior Talent Competition, Little Miss Texas Pageant, Toddlers and Tiaras, United Negro College Fund, and POSE Vintage Runway Show just to name a few! She has also appeared in national print advertisements for Freescale Electronics Company and Harcourt Science Textbooks.
Kaylah also has a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower teens to use their creative talents as a vehicle to make positive changes in the community. Kaylah has served as a member of the Drama Team, Teen Praise Dance ministry, and Voices of Christ. Kaylah is incredibly self-motivated, and believes that if you put GOD first anything is possible.
Let’s get to know Sharve a little better!
You’re an amazing singer/songwriter, how did you first dive into music?
Well I have a family history of singers and singing has always been a part of my life and it was something I was destined to do. I started writing songs at the age of 7. I can recall my first song was “Never Let Go”. Although I have been singing since I could talk, I sang in front of a real audience when I was about 8 years old and have been singing ever since.
Your first single comes out on September 3 with hot artist Young Marqus, how does it feel to have your own single at only 14?
Wow, words cannot explain, I am still in shock. Although I have been singing for a while, I started my professional music journey only about three months ago with my manager Wayne “Brainchild” Anderson and everything has taken off so fast. I didn’t expect to have a single out so soon but my manager has worked super hard to make sure everything was a success. Working with Young Marqus was amazing. He is such a talented artist and very down to earth. Not only did my musical career take off so fast but I got to work with someone who is at the top of the charts right now in the teenage market. It has been an awesome experience so far and it’s only going to get better.
You also run a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower teens to tap into their talent and help build up their community, why is important for you to give back?
My parents have always taught us that “It is better to give that to receive”. I think that it is so important to help other people because you will be blessed in the long run. My mom helped me start the organization iKOOL (Keating Our Own Legacy) last year and I wanted to focus on the arts and empower teens to use their creative talents in whatever way they can to help make our community better. I also have a program called Sharve’s Sweethearts and its mission is to assist young girls with illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. I just want to help in any way I can.
Being young and having responsibilities can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?
I have always had to juggle many responsibilities but I never felt like it was too much. I have always been an honor student taking advanced courses while participating in cheer, drama, basketball, track, choir, praise dance, etc… so I guess I’m used to it. If I ever do feel defeated though, I always know that I can pray about it and ask God to give me the strength to handle the situation.
Your future is shining extremely bright! What projects can we expect from you in the near future?
We are currently working on a mini tour to promote my new single. I have several radio and television interviews scheduled for promotion as well. I am also in the studio working on new songs to be released on my next EP next year. I have one of the best songwriters in the business Ms. Tami Latrell, from Atlanta, who has written songs for Whitney Houston, Keyshia Cole and many more. I am so excited about what’s next. I have a new website that will be ready next month but in the meantime you can follow me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/
We are all about female empowerment, What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
Empowerment means to teach or help someone learn something that will help them become a better person and feel good about themselves; sharing your gifts and GOD-given talents to help and uplift others and helping them to realize their full potential.
Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
My celebrity crush is Jacob Lattimore! I have all of his songs on my IPOD and listen to them basically everyday. Two of my favorite artists are John Legend and Tori Kelly. I was born in Louisiana so I love spicy cajun food and my absolute favorite is CRAWFISH! I could literally eat crawfish everyday. The Blindside and Miss Congeniality are two of my favorite movies.
Check out more Sharve!
Back To School Fresh!
(image credit: instagram.com/murderrburgerr)
*Sings* “It’s the most, wonderful time of the yeeeeeeaaaaaarrrrrrrr!”. Remember that hilarious commercial that painfully reminded us about fall semester approaching? I happen to enjoy back-to-school season, but millions of people dread the thought. I admit, I used to have a difficult time wrapping my head around the fact that for the next nine months following summer I will be sitting in a dreary classroom listening to Ben Stein lecture too. Okay, not really Ben Stein, but that’s what most professors sound like after a while anyway. Now I’m immune to it all.
The best way to psych yourself up for school is to start with a dope wardrobe, specifically for running back and forth to class as well as kicking it in the cafeteria with friends. Let’s face the facts: nothing makes a girl feel more prepared for karate chopping book reports and acing math tests than cute ensembles to tackle them in. What better muse to look to than Willow Smith, whose envious tomboy-meets-girly rocker style is both unique and comfortable for walking from class to class? Plus, she shops at flea markets and thrift stores proving you don’t have break the bank to look amazing, even with rich parents. Swag is innate anyway, so let your quirky flag fly! Below are basics to get you started on a budget:
(image credit: instagram.com/murderrburgerr)
The outfit product listing can be found here: http://www.polyvore.com/back_
-Amber Alexander of Beauty & The Street
Ugh, Gym Class!
Gym class. I mean really, do we have to do all of this physical activity, in the middle of the day, and then go back to class like nothing happened? Something happened! It is written all over my hair. I’m sweaty and I smell like yuck! I need to shower, but the locker room gives me the heebie jeebies. It’s just a bit much… gym class. Ugh! Who likes gym class?
Let’s be honest, not everyone is an athlete. We do not all wake up craving fitness. For those us who do not, gym class is probably the best option. Yes, it is happens during the most inopportune time of your day, but the physical activity is just what the doctor ordered. Gym class allows you to be physically active while having fun with your peers. You get to laugh and talk to your classmates as you exercise your muscles and burn a few extra calories. It is recommended that teenage girls engage in at least an hour of physical activity every day. Being active in gym class is a great way to ensure you receive the suggested amounts of exercise.
What is a girl’s biggest fear… a bad hair day? Don’t allow a minute detail to determine whether or not you will participate in gym class. Come prepared. Bring a hair bush, comb, ponytail holder, gel, hair spray, bobby pins… whatever you think you will need. A hairstyle should have very little impact on your decision to participate in gym class and nurture a healthy lifestyle. Find hairstyles that are suitable for exercise. There is the infamous ponytail, two French braids are a hot trend this year, or even a high bun. All three (3) hairstyles are sleek and trendy, but will also see you through a good round of cardio and leave you with absolutely no fuss.
If you are uncomfortable taking a shower in your locker room, I understand. I advise packing baby wipes, rubbing alcohol, and a face towel in your gym bag. All three (3) help remove the sweat and smell from your body. Pack extra clothes. Yoga pants are extremely comfortable after a good workout. Also, a good workout will generate a more active metabolism leaving you feeling hungry. Don’t grab that slice of pepperoni pizza! While we all fall victim to cravings from time-to-time, you don’t want to jeopardize the hard work and calories burned. So, pack a snack and refreshing beverage for post gym class. The snack will keep your metabolism active and burning calories, while the beverage will refresh your body and keep you hydrated.
So what if gym class isn’t for you? No big deal! There are plenty of physical activities that encourage an active, healthy lifestyle and don’t require your enrollment in a gym class. It might take some time and research to find something suitable for yourself, but the time spent finding your niche is an investment is of invaluable return. The idea is to be encouraged and discover a physical activity most beneficial for your personality. The more enjoyable the activity, the greater chance you have at staying committed and holding yourself accountable. Daily exercise increases brain function and generates a natural flow of endorphins throughout the body, both of which lead to a very healthy and a very happy you. So, take control of your healthy and your happy by finding a daily dose physical activity. If you can’t decide what your daily dose will be, register for a gym class and stay active.
Until next time ladies, have peace, self-love, health and beauty.
Shhh…Listen Up!
It seems like most people think that they are good listeners. I know I do, but if I’m completely honest, I also know that when I’m angry I suck at listening. A lot of times I may talk over people or listen to what they say but instead of trying to understand and digest what they’re saying, I’m actually just thinking of what I’m going to say in response. When in a relationship, it’s a certainty that your mate will upset you and some form of conflict may ensue. It may be a calm discussion, a heated argument or a spirited debate, but either way both of you are going to need to be able to listen in order to come to a meaningful resolution. So, my piece
of advice to you is to shut up and listen – REALLY listen.
My two main issues are talking over people and making a mental list of my rebuttal to every point they make. Both of these things make me a bad listener because neither allows me to actually hear what they’re saying. Of course I hear them talking, but I’m not really putting an effort into taking in what they’re trying to tell me. That makes it more difficult to find common ground, which is the whole point of a meaningful argument in the first place. So the next time you find yourself having a disagreement, try to put your agenda on hold for a minute and make an honest effort at trying to understand what the person is trying to tell you. If you’re used to flying off the handle all of the time, you may find this a little difficult at first, but keep trying. Really listening, and doing it consistently, will help you resolve conflicts faster and may help you better understand the people with whom you’re arguing. So the next time you’re in the middle of a debate and you feel yourself about to go off, shut up, calm your nerves, check your emotions and listen to what the other person is trying to say. It’s worth it.
-Tiffany Vicks
