Unique Voices. Bold Faith. April 2010

Commentary by Roshard Small

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Stepping Out on Faith 3

Rising Star Necie B. 8 Am I My Sister’s Keeper 5 By Roshard Shad” Small Gospel Industry News 6 This Month’s Spiritual Vitamins 6 Online Exclusives 7 Featured Author: Sheila L. Jackson 11 Local Mentoring Opportunities 12 Faith Marketplace 14

ON THE COVER

Necie :Bee

COVER PHOTO BY

Toni Wright for

Toni Wright Photography

Publisher/Editor Alynetta Beck

Copy Editor

Adrienne C. Mosby

Contributing Writers Sharon Marshall

Shad Small

www.urbanfaithmagazine.com

To advertise, call 318-655-2336.

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Pray...Prepare...Proceed: Just Do It! Okay. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it is the best way I can tell you to

pursue your goals and dreams. These are three simple words that are simply powerful. Yes, Nike® made the phrase famous, but it’s more than just a

marketing gimmick. Just doing something will take you from hoping and wishing to actually living your dream.

God has given us all gifts and talents. It is up to us to notice and nurture them. For some, those gifts and/or talents are obvious. For others, we must take the time

to get to know ourselves to know what it is that we should be doing. PRAY. Then, we must continue to look to God for guidance.

When we know what gifts and talents we have, we must continue to develop that

knowledge and those skills to not only sustain ourselves, but for the good of our respective communities. You see,

God has supplied us with everything we need to survive; knowledge, skills, talents, the ability to acquire knowledge and skills. We just need to focus on what it is that we can do to meet our needs. PREPARE.

I recently spoke with a young man who says it is his dream to become an actor. He writes plays as well and wants

to become an award winning playwright. So asked him what was he doing to get closer to that dream. He kept

telling me what was not in Shreveport and how small Shreveport is. He never focused on what is in Shreveport or what he could do. I told him what I just wrote, plus has he tried to produce his plays himself or even get with

some theatres around town to produce them. (I can name a least 3 theatre companies right off hand.) Was he auditioning in any of their plays. Plus, the film industry is growing, had he considered any of that. My advice to him

was: Just do it! PROCEED!

What are you waiting for? We should wake up thanking God for all of our blessing. Then, our day should be filled

with either preparation for more blessings and us proceeding the fulfill those dreams that God has allowed us to dream. God has not allowed us to dream big without blessing us big. He truly has given us what we need.

And while all of that was filling my mind, I had the opportunity to eat at Big O’s with Lane Chapel CME Church Sun-

day School. They were continuing a celebration of Black History by patronizing Black-owned businesses. The man

himself, Big O (Odis Johnson), spoke to the children and youth about owning a business and how it is never too late to pursue your dream. I think the adults present learned a lesson

from his talk. Several students raised their hands to show that they had an interest in becoming a chef. With that, “Big O” handed out

black aprons to encourage that interest.

I had a great time at Big O’s and the food was wonderful! Thanks Mr.

and Mrs. Johnson for a delightful experience.

Shout out to our contributing writers this month: Shad Small, the cover article on Necie Bee is great! And you are awesome! And to my

sister in Christ and in Delta, Sharon Marshall, keep sending that inspi-

ration. It truly blesses more than you know. Thank you both for shar-ing your gift and yourself with the world.

Don’t forget to share this issue with your friends. Can’t find a print issue? You can always visit our website at

www.urbanfaithmagazine.com to read this issue as well as past issues. You may also subscribe to our e-newsletter

to find out when the new issue is out and other interesting news.

Until next time.

Be bold! Have Faith

Alynetta Beck Publisher

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By Roshard “Shad” Small

t’s easy for a man to ask am I my brother’s keeper when he support the bad habits of each of his other brothers constantly and consistently, but as for my

women am I really my sister’s keeper? As men fol-lowing God’s path we were taught to treat women with respect, provide for them by any means, and honor yet cherish the air they breathe. Even with the lessons that were taught it seems as if we have ig-nored them and made women feel lower than what they are, but put certain ones on a pedestal who really mean us no good. How can we look past that great woman with a plan who will do nothing but stick by her man through thick and thin just because she has a kid? Is it really fair to what’s beautiful and what’s perfect in God’s eyes to be ignored because she is not what we see, dream, and desire because of what is on the T.V.?

Am I really my sister’s keeper because all the real women are struggling working two jobs to provide for two kids all because we are too lazy to get off the couch and earn an honest living. For all my brothers who feel like what we should have is what’s on tele-vision all we’re doing is hurting our own. It’s amazing that instead of wanting a woman that shows less, we want a woman that shows more. I can imagine for a young black woman it’s hard looking for real love when you can’t be yourself because it seems as if men only want women that look and dress as if they are video vixens. We have to open up our eyes and look at who is really at fault here. Is it our fault; rap-pers, artists, singers, movie directors for portraying women in a fake manner as if this is what they need to be like in order to live a type of lifestyle that is beneficial to them and to make as seem as if this is the right way to be.

I am my sister’s keeper because I am a proud fa-ther and a faithful husband. I feel there is no other woman whether it’s on television or in the streets that can take my wife’s place. I am my sister’s keeper because even when I’m down I know I’m not counted

out. I know how to up-lift my wife by telling her she’s beautiful without makeup on so she knows she doesn’t have to be like the women who are por-trayed as beautiful on the movie screen. I am my sister’s keeper because I raise my daughter and I fill her head with thoughts that she doesn’t have to dress half naked to make money, and she can become a doctor, lawyer, or judge because she doesn’t need a man to provide for her. I am my sister’s keeper because the women in my life know that God is the head of their life, they believe that God is all that they need. I am my sister’s keeper because I honor my women and don’t treat them as if they have to be something that they are not. Shad Small is a 21 year old 2006 Southwood High School gradu-ate. A member of GRIP Church in Shreveort, he is the father of Navaeh Jahnson and the husband to Angel Delandro-Small. (Photo by Kristi Woodard for Mahogani Media www.mahoganimedia.com)

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Here is a “Spiritual Vita-

min” for you!!!! Be blessed and be a blessing !!!!

I open my heart and mind

to be aware…I must make

a decision about how my day is going to be.

As soon as you decide that

you are going to be faith

filled, joy filled, peace filled and filled full, you are

going to have a good day. The moment you decide that you are not going to be

beat down or weighed down, put down or run down,

hung up or beat up, upset or set up, pissed off or blown off, you are going to have a good day!!! When you de-cide in your own mind that you are going to get grounded, be centered, stay focused, have a vision, ac-

complish a goal, complete a mission, pursue a dream, live with purpose, you are going to have a good day!! As

soon as you decide to accept yourself, celebrate your-

self, correct yourself, authorize yourself, validate your-self, to be who you are, and to love yourself just the

way you are, you are going to have a good day!!

If you decide to take just a moment, just a moment to

get still, to clear your mind, to open your heart, to listen to the sacred voice that guides you, that protects you,

that knows you and loves you, you are going to have a good day. And if you find that you are not having a

good day, it could be that you have not made the deci-

sion or taken the time to do what you know you must do to ensure that your day goes the way you have de-

cided it should.

Until today, you may not have been aware that deci-

sions fuel the spirit. You may not have realized that YOU have the power to decide the direction of your day

and your life. Just for today, make a decision about how you want to experience the day. Fuel that decision with

a commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure that it

happens.

Today I am devoted to making clear decisions about what I choose to experience!

Sharon Marshall is an Assistant Administrator at

Willis Knighton Health System. She and her hus-

band, Pastor Jeffrey L. Marshall, Hurricane Bluff

Baptist Church, have two sons. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Visit the church

website at www.hbbconline.com.

GMA Dove Awards Open for Fan Voting—The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards are asking fans to weigh in on their two significant award categories. Fans can now vote

for the categories of “Artist of the Year” and “New Artist of the Year” once online and once via text message. Nominees for the “Artist of the Year” cate-gory include Mary Mary, Francesca Ba-tissteli, Casting Crowns, Jason Crabb, Jars of Clay, tobyMac, and Skillet. “New Artist of the Year” nominees include Kari Jobe, Crystal Aikin, Brian Court-ney Wilson, Jonny Diaz, Revive, Sidewalk Proph-ets, and Bluetree. Voting takes place at the GMC website

(gospelmusicchannel.com/fanvoting), with polls closing on April 20, 2010 at midnight ET. This year’s GMA Dove Awards airs on

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Featured Authors—Check out Featured Black Authors. If you would like to be-come a featured author. Visit our website. Subscribe to our E-Blasts—Receive our e-newsletter 1x month directly in your inbox! We will let you know when the new issue of Urban Faith is available with a link to read it online. Plus, get exclusive event notices. Got a testimony? Share it with us online. Your testimony can inspire and en-courage someone else. Got a recipe? Share it with us. It just might be included in the next issue of Urban Faith Magazine. Just join our online community and start blogging.

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I caught up with rising gospel star Necie B. to learn more

about her and ask some questions about the highly antici-pated cd that she has been working on. In a few questions I

noticed that she speaks with a confidence like no other. She is very excited about where she is headed with her career,

and she also has a voice that can touch the heart and mind

of anyone at any age. I can, with confidence, deem Necie Bee as the next big thing to be heard and she is a force that

will take music to new heights.

(Shad) So Necie how long have you been singing?

(Necie) I was 4 years old when I did my very first solo, and

at that age I didn’t really know what I was getting into

(Shad) Who or what was your biggest inspiration to pursue a

singing career?

(Necie) Honestly, no 1 person just inspired me… I like all different types of music and I just knew what my purpose

was

(Shad) Growing up what musician did you listen to most?

(Necie) As a little girl I listened to Whitney Houston the most, when I got older it was a little more of Anita Baker, Stevie

Wonder, but I am a huge fan of soul music. I love Chrisette Michelle and Ledisi

(Shad) Who would you be best compared to musically?

(Necie) Nobody. I love all genres of music and I try my best to combine everything I like and come with something that is

more complete

(Shad) What makes you stand out from other upcoming art-

ists in your genre of music?

(Necie) What makes me stand out is I’m not trying to be like

this person or that person. I can’t be anyone but myself. I don’t think that I’m that big of a star but I do feel I am an

individual, and when you try to sound like other people you don’t quite stand out as an artist

(Shad) Who can you say had the biggest influence of your life?

(Necie) I would definitely say that it would be no other per-son but my mom, she showed me how to be strong when

times were hard and from that I learned that nothing is

handed to you

and you have to work for every-

thing

(Shad) What

song best de-scribes you and

why?

(Necie) India

Arie’s song Pri-vate Party, it’s a

very soulful way of encouraging

yourself

(Shad) What

are your future goals?

(Necie) Besides going platinum (laughs) I want to be an all around entertainer, I would love to be in movies, not just the

movies straight to dvd but movies on the big screen.

(Shad) What can we look forward to you bringing to the mu-

sic world?

(Necie) A mainstream sound with a gospel feel, I feel like some of the stuff is cliché and the way you have to reach out

to different crowds is by having different sounds that can

attract them.

(Shad) Right now in music as a whole people focus more on beats than lyrics. How can you change that?

(Necie) In order to do that I feel that it’s necessary to have lyrics that people can relate to, it’s easy to just go in and

throw a song together that means nothing, but when you have things that people can relate to they’ll be more willing

to listen and you’ll gain their love and support

(Shad) What is the most self-inspiring song you have written

or sang?

(Necie) It would be this song I just got through working on

called “Love Lock Me Down”, …not like Keri Hilson’s song (laughs)

(Shad) If you could choose any artist to sing a duet with who

By Roshard “Shad” Small

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1 Necie B. & husband Willie Scooter Burton. 2 Necie B.

and her sisters (Photos by Toni Wright for Toni Wright Pho-

tography)

(Shad) Who do you believe is your biggest supporter

(Necie) My husband, we work well together and he is a

music lover as well so we often talk about things on a pro-fessional level and I believe it makes my music even better.

(Shad) What advice could you give to any upcoming artist?

(Necie) Don’t limit yourself to what people think. You

should be yourself, you don’t have to be like anyone else and people respect you more when you’re yourself and not

trying to be like this or that person. Being different from everyone else is good and by not conforming to what eve-

ryone else is you will stand out

(Shad) Would you ever quit gospel to sing R&B?

(Necie) No, I’d never give that up but I do feel like I can

make music about love because I am married. Love is a

part of Christianity and I feel it should be expressed.

(Shad) What arena would you want to perform a sell-out show at?

(Necie) Madison Square Garden, Once you even perform at MSG that means that you have arrived. It’s so much tradi-

tion and history in that building I just know it would be great.

(Shad) I remember earlier you said that you wanted to be in movies, any in particular?

(Necie) Tyler Perry movies of course, I love the story lines.

I would also want to be in suspense thrillers. I’m not afraid

of the woods so I would survive in it and I will not fall (Laughs)

(Shad) Any producers you would like to work with?

(Necie) I would love to work with L.A Reid, it seems like everything that he touches turns into something huge,

even if I can just talk to him that would be great but even better to work with him because I don’t know of any gospel

artists he has worked with and I want to bridge that gap.

In an off the record conversation we also talked about her

singing with her church praise team. She also explained to

me the risk and the commitment you have to have to pur-sue your dreams, the obstacles, the doubters,- but one

thing she did mention is that her faith is even bigger and when she has doubts herself she turns to the man above

and no one else. I feel that Necie will be a household name very soon. I had the chance to listen to a song that she has

been working on and it was truly amazing. Her sound

seems to give me a feel of someone who has been crafted and polished into a perfect package. Her music is exactly

how she described it; the lyrics reach out and grab you and the beats are on a different level from any other gospel

artist out there. It’s what I call a perfect combination and

she has a positive attitude that compliments her artistry. Keep an eye out for Necie B., you’ll definitely be seeing her

again very soon.

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“When our organization wins, our children win!” says Myra Robinson, Executive Director of the Reach for the Stars Mentoring Children Program. Robinson is referring to the organization’s recent receipt of $5,000 from the Michael Baisden Foundation.

Syndicated radio host Michael Baisden brought his One Million Mentors Tour to Shreveport to motivate and in-spire new and established mentors. He is traveling to 72 cities to galvanize mentors to save our kids. “You can’t just shake your heads and talk about how bad kids are. You got to get out there and do something about it.” Baisden said during his stop at Southern Uni-versity Shreveport. Baisden said that many mentoring organizations do not have enough money or enough mentors to continue their mission. The Michael Baisden Foundation and the One Million Mentors Tour is just a catalyst to help organiza-tions such as Reach for the Stars save our kids. For more information about Reach for the Stars Mentoring Program, contact Myra Robinson at 318- See page 13 more mentoring opportunities.

Inspirational speaker/writer Sheila L. Jackson was born in Shreve-

port, Louisiana where she still resides with her husband and two

daughters. She graduated from Booker T. Washington H.S. Sheila

is a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and holds a Bachelor’s of Science

degree from ULM of Monroe, La and an Associate of Science degree

from Southern University, Shreveport, La.

Mrs. Jackson is the author of “The Enemy Within” and “Through the

Eyes of God”. She has penned many articles, such as: Only the

Strong Survive, Count it all Joy, and Suffering in Silence, which ap-

peared in Dream Magazine. Sheila also wrote: Voting Booths, allows

you to speak now or forever hold your peace (during the 2008 presi-

dential election) for the Shreveport Times. Mrs. Jackson is an anointed speaker, teacher, and

writer that utilize her gifts to carry the Word of God to those in need of spiritual soul food.

Through her writing she has touched many lives, because too often people are afraid to open

up and get the help they need; for fear of being talked about and put down. But reading her

written words has given them the courage to stand. Her motto is: “I want more out of life than

just to exist.” She knows that God has created us all for a divine purpose and her purpose is to

inspire and motivate others through written words.

Sheila L. Jackson’s first book, The Enemy Within, was released in May 2007. It stems from

the Apostle Paul’s writing that says, “When I would do good, evil is present with me (Roman

7:21).” The Enemy Within exposes the power struggles that we have between the flesh and

the spirit man within us. The stakes are high; you should choose this day which of the two

powers will win control over your life. The decision is yours, but the cost is everlasting.

Her second book, Through the Eyes of God, was released in November 2009. It’s quoted from

King David, when he says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalms 139:14).” It exposes the people and places —community, family, friends, workplace

and church— that are responsible for causing feelings of unworthiness and self-hatred. Ideals

with how we allow others to validate us and set standards that are unobtainable. And when we

fail to meet those standards our self-ideal fails, which causes self-esteem issues.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Sheila L. Jackson’s book, you can go to Christian Life

Tapes and Books and Barnes & Noble bookseller. To order online, go to: amazon.com. barne-

sandnoble.com, booksamillion, and all other online sites where books can be ordered.

To contact Mrs. Jackson for

speaking or book signing

engagements you can contact

her at SJ@comcast.net, (318)

560-1716 or (318) 631-7059.

You can also go to her web-

site to see where she will be

appearing next or watch vid-

eos, listen to audios, or read a

sample chapter from both her

books at:

www.sheilaljackson2.com.

Book Reviews By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - "Through the Eyes of God: I'm Fearfully & Wonderfully Made" is a 170-page com-pendium of compassionately informed and informative commentary enhanced with real-world examples of dealing with the all-to-common problems of self-deprecation and self-esteem deficiency that are the underlying causative factors that, unchecked, lead to identity crises. This is a problem that spans all economic strata, classes, and both genders. The resolution so nicely articulated by Sheila Jackson is thoroughly 'user friendly' and accessible, making "Through the Eyes of God" ideal for the non-specialist general reader seeking a self-help approach in dealing with their depression, peer pres-sure, and family stress. By Author O. Wright (Minneapolis, MN USA) - Author Sheila L. Jackson beautifully shared with her readers a powerful deliv-erance treatise in her revealing and com-passionate book, The Enemy Within. She prayerfully described the subtle workings of the flesh prompted by our adversary, the Devil. This book meticu-lously penetrates the kingdom of Satan's stronghold and gives great hope to those who are struggling with consistently walk-ing a saved and spirit-filled life. Her godly message is very strong and spiritually rich and it is immediately obvious that her wise and gracious teaching is filled with the grace of Christ's love. This book also portrays her beautiful testimony of how God saved her and led her to a Christ-centered life. This book is a must-read for those who want a brighter and more powerful walk with their Lord and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. "I think that The Enemy Within will be an inspiration to both believer and unbe-liever. It gives biblical insights to those interpersonal conflicts that we face daily. Mrs. Jackson’s approach is simplistic and yet profound enough to reach those of every socioeconomic and spiritual back-ground. I recommend The Enemy Within to all readers and especially those new converts who are beginning their new life in Christ." -Bishop Jerry L. Maiden, Sr. Pastor/National President-The Church of The Living God “Mrs. Jackson challenges the reader to take an honest and sometimes brutal look at how they truly perceive their own beauty and self-worth.” -Crystal Brown-Tatum, an award-winning Public Relations Consultant

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The Queen in Me Contact: Brenda Ashley (318) 525-9000 Boy Scouts of America Contact: Talmon Butler (318) 868-2774 Girl Scouts of America Contact: Audrey Crosby (318) 868-7560 GEMS & GENTS Contact: Vincent Perez (318) 227-4413 Second Chance Mentoring Program Contact: Lynette Jackson (318) 675-1112 Project M.E.T.A.L.S. Contact: Chellette Holden (318) 226-9944 Reach for the Stars Mentor-ing Program Contact: Myra Robinson (318) 675-0408

For more mentoring opportunities, visit

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GRAMMY® award winning gospel singer Marvin Sapp is the guest speaker as

Southern University Shreveport Student Government Association host Celebration

of Gospel Music at Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2842 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Drive, Shreveport.

Dr. Sapp is the senior pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand

Rapides, Michigan, and is a six time Grammy Award winning artist. Sapp is best

know for his songs “Never Would have Made it” and “You Saw the Best in Me.”

The purpose of this event is to recognize notable individuals who have contributed

to the gospel industry and to connect SUSLA student body to local religious organi-

zations. This particular event is dedicated to the memory of former SUSLA stu-

dent, Tavia Stills, who was killed September 2008.

Miss Stills attended Spirit of Life Church of God in Christ Church, Shreveport,

where she was a member of the praise dance team.

Southern University at Shreveport Louisiana, an institute within the Southern University System, is seeks to provide a quality edu-

cation for its students, while being committed to the total community. This institutional prepares students for careers in technical

and occupational fields; awards certificates and associate degrees as well as offers courses and programs that are transferable to

other colleges and universities. Dedicated to excellence in instruction and community service, this open enrollment institution pro-

motes cultural diversity, provides developmental and continuing education, and seeks partnerships with business and industry.

For more information about Southern University at Shreveport Louisiana and Celebration of Gospel Music, visit their website:

www.susla.edu.

For some people, obstacles are minor bumps in the road on the way to success. For others, obstacles

represent a major catastrophe of epic proportions threatening to disrupt any chance of success they may

have otherwise had. But for seven-time GRAMMY® award winner Kirk Franklin, obstacles represent

the challenges needed to propel you through life. In THE BLUEPRINT: A Plan for Living Above Life's

Storms (Gotham Books; May 18, 2010; $25.00), Franklin reveals how he turned negative aspects from

his own life-drugs, an absent father, teenage parenthood, poverty, etc.-into blessings by learning from

them and moving forward. The beauty of THE BLUEPRINT is that Franklin by no way claims to be

perfect or have insider knowledge of how to live your life wisely, but rather puts his setbacks and faults

on full blast and suggests that oftentimes people, like Franklin at one point, go through life without a

plan for success, simply living purposelessly, and without a person to show them the right way. THE

BLUEPRINT fills the void of not knowing which way to turn and arms you the necessary tools to suc-

ceed.

By the time Franklin was just fifteen years old, he was a young father, without an encouraging figure in his life, and just another

statistic on the street. As he explains in THE BLUEPRINT, "The street corner was my classroom. The 'hood was my Harvard."

He went through life thinking he knew it all, and blamed the fact that he didn't have a role model for not being able to achieve his

dreams, until the day he realized he had to turn his life around and become the man he needed to be on his own. That is what

Franklin has outlined in THE BLUEPRINT-a chance for young people to become the person they need to be, no matter what the

situation, or where they come from.

Today, Franklin is the proud father of four and devoted husband of fourteen years, as well as one of the biggest multiplatinum-

selling gospel artists of all time. He credits his faith in God and a very close mentor he found later in his life for his success.

Whether you're down and out, misguided, or simply need a boost to push forward, THE BLUEPRINT is the essential guide to crea

ting a better you, one day at a time. Success doesn't come easy, but it will come with a helping hand. Follow THE BLUEPRINT and

start living the life you were always meant to live.

To purchase the book, visit www.urbanfaithmagazine.com.

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9096 Walker Road Shreveport, LA 71118 318-68-SMILE (6453) 318-687-6553 FAX hendersondentistry@yahoo.com

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