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Heart2Help Foundation Celebrates One Year of Service
Seth Mitchell-Life and Culture Journalist Heart2Help (H2H) Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, in Southeast Missouri is celebrating their one-year anniversary with a weekend of exciting events. Consistently, from the beginning, Heart2Help Foundation have been a support to their community and region. Heart2Help Foundation exemplifies their moto “from our heart to your hands,” by servicing those in need of assistance. Heart2Help Foundation have rendered culture enrichment services to women by hosting self-defense classes with Missouri Department of Tactical Teams as well as having free giveaways of toys and turkeys during the holiday seasons. In addition, Heart2Help Foundation had partnered with a local ministry, New Prayer of Deliverance Church, and hosted a warming center, to help those homeless during the winter season. LaKishea Braxton, founder of Heart2Help Foundation, arranged a weekend full of celebration and entertainment for the milestone of one year of servicing others with positive solutions in time of unfortunate events. “I'm overjoyed, by what Heart2Help Foundation has accomplished this pass year, it is now time to celebrate,” said LaKishea Braxton. Friday, September 24, 2021; Heart2Help Foundation had officially opened their Help Center and was welcomed by the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce in New Madrid, Missouri. Many people from the city and surrounding areas came to witness this historic event. “We are going add and complete a computer lab, family room, and offices,” said Cornell Braxton, co-founder of Heart2Help Foundation. The Help Center serves as a safe place to anyone in need to be empowered by creating an atmosphere of love, care, and support. Saturday, September 25, 2021; H2H Foundation hosted a clean comedy show in the city of Sikeston, Missouri. NotKarltonBanks and Ms. Shirleen, both social influencers and comedians were the special guest of the show. Both NotKarltonBanks and Ms. Shirleen characters were funny and creative. Many people from all over Missouri as well as Illinois and Arkansas came to celebrate. The comedy show was hilarious and unforgettable. Heart2Help Foundation one-year anniversary was full of enthusiasm and entertainment. To donate to Heart2Help Foundation you can go to their website and find more information.
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A1GF Spook a local rapper and rising star from West Memphis, Arkansas shares his career path and views on the music industry.
Hip hop has been apart the fabric of the urban minority communities since the early 1970s, and it has evolved into a sound like no other. Hip hop flow, style, and beat combined with lyrics, poetry, and sound effects makes the listeners connect. Hip hop speaks to emotions and experiences, as well as fancies and dreams. According to Icon Collective “Hip hop has grown into one of the world’s most prominent musical genres and cultural influences.” Hip hop has affected the culture, it has affected languages, fashion, relationships, businesses, and music itself. A1GF Spook started rapping as a teenager, falling in love with music. At the age of 21, Spook pursued his passion for music and started recording. “I had to learn everything myself, “said A1GF Spook. Spook learned to create the song, sound effects, and arrangements all on his own abilities and talents. Spook started his own independent record label, No Gravity Records, at 21 years old. No Gravity Record tag is “elevation.” Elevation encourages everyone to live life without gravity. “Just float” says A1GF Spook. Spook was influenced by Lil Wayne as a teenager and now respectfully Young Dolph. Spook music is described as having range, covering topics with relationships, homeboys, and life situations. “My music tells people to be themselves,” said Spook. “Energy, delivery, and quality is what makes good music,” said A1GF Spook. A1GF Spook has relocated to Georgia and is working on new music and building his record label. A1GF Spook stressed the importance of studying his craft and producing the best quality of music. A1GF Spook wants his listeners to keep “positivity.” He has the philosophy that everything will be resolved with positivity. Connect with A1GF Spook music on all streaming platforms as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
Curtis Tate Sr., and Curtis Tate Jr., owners of Tate Farms LLC located in Edmondson, Arkansas sharing with the community their experiences as black farmers.
In the midst of racism and discrimination against black farmers for generations. Curtis Tate Sr family has been black farmers for over 100 years in Edmondson, Arkansas. The first property was purchased by Curtis Tate Sr., grandfather and the family has been farming since that purchase. Curtis Tate Sr reflects growing up, getting up in the morning and helping his father with the farm. “Daddy would say ‘get up son, it’s time to go to work,’” said he. Curtis Tate Sr., took over the family farm in 1995. He has maintained and added to the farm. Now the farm expands over 3000 acres between Edmondson, and Proctor, Arkansas making them one of the largest minority farmers in Crittenden County. Curtis Tate Jr is following the path of his father as well. Curtis Tate Jr went and graduated from Arkansas State University with a bachelor's in agriculture. Curtis Tate Jr., has field experience working with the family business as well the education. “Having the education make you aware of the crop diseases, variable rates, properly application of chemicals to crops and many other factors” said Curtic Tate Jr. “There are a lot more career opportunities in agricultural, and I encourage blacks to pursue those areas,” said Curtis Tate Jr. Tate Farms LLC raises crops throughout the year such as: soybeans, milo, and rice. Farmer sow crops between March and June and harvest starting in late August. The Tate Farms uses most of the modern and updated tractor equipment from John Deer and Case IH to process the crop. Having these tractors makes it efficient for crops and laborers. Tate Farms LLC is a beacon of light and hope in Northeast Arkansas. Curtis Tate Sr., and Curtis Tate Jr., encourages others in the minority communities to explore the world of agriculture as well as appreciate the life of black farmers. Mental illness is a reality in the black, brown, and minority communities in Northeast Arkansas; and it is time to identify and educated those on the seriousness of mental health.
Mental health includes ones emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is the trigger of how someone thinks, feels, and acts; according to US Department of Health and Human Services. The life experiences for people of the minority communities are different but the culture reality of racism, discrimination, and inequality are shared and may affect their mental health. Also, there are other factors such as poverty which is traumatizing to some in these communities. Because of these factors many in the black, brown, and minority communities are suffering in silence and are having feelings and/or behaviors that may be an early sign of a mental health issue. Some of these early signs include excessive worrying or fear, feeling excessively sad or low, confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning, and many more other warnings and signs according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. According to National Alliance on Mental Illness the stigma of having a mental health issue is considered weakness in minority communities. So many rely on spirituality and faith, oppose to seeking professional assistance. Dr. Donald McDonald a psychiatrist, a primary care doctor for the mind. He is aiding and helping many in Northeast Arkansas with mental health issue for over 20 years. He is treating a vas of mental and behavioral disorders in adults as well as children. McDonald have advance experience with Neurodevelopmental Disorders than other specialists in his area. He treats many with autism, dyslexia, and ADHD to name a few. As well as children that are affect by drugs causing mental health issue at early ages. “When they are five years old, I will start treatment,” said McDonald. McDonald is here to respond to the black, brown, and minority communities in Northeast Arkansas communities suffering in silence dealing with trauma and finding it difficult to cope with their mental health. “Mental Health may be your boat and helicopter that is sent to help you, when you about to drown,” said McDonald. “I believe my emotional honesty has enable me to connect with my patient,” said McDonald. McDonald believes that to help someone you must accept them, then you can connect them to the treatment needed. Dr. Donald McDonald encourages anyone in the black, brown, and minority communities in Northeast Arkansas to seek help if you have mental health questions and/or problems. McDonald is located at in West Memphis, Arkansas and have opening to the public to assist with your mental health needs. Mental health is real and reality in the black, brown, and minority communities and it is not a “weakness” to get the proper attention from professional, that needed to manage your mental health. |
AuthorHello my name Seth Mitchell. I am a vibrant and energetic personality. I'm a native of Arkansas and now reside in Missouri. I am a Life and Culture journalist covering stories that are meaningful and entertaining to the people of color (Black and Brown communities) and minorities in Northeast Arkansas. Archives
February 2022
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Kheel Center, Cornell University Library, Pest15