Phoenix, AZ (BlackNews.com) — Author and former secret service agent Donald Tucker has released his second book entitled The Complex, and it’s quite a thriller with non-stop corruption, murder, and political intrigue. Here’s the synopsis:

A group of self-named outcasts – Special Agents Wesley Charles and Louis Boron, sexy DEA agent Wendy Weisman and Seattle Police officer James Allen – wish they were anywhere but a three-month seminar in Dallas for the Federal Law Enforcement Supplement Office in this new thriller set in 1981. They discover something menacing behind The Complex’s facade of inter-agency cooperation: a conspiracy that threatens the entire democratic fabric of our country. They find it impossible to resist investigating a case featuring a Ku Klux Klan demonstration, a B&E (breaking and entering) that leads to murder, political back stabbings and cover-ups.

The Complex delves into the issues of political corruption, the illegal use of law enforcement and racism, as Wes, a smooth competent Black Agent, finds himself passed over for promotion after “making” more cases than any other agent in his office… including the biggest counterfeit bust in the history of the U.S. Secret Service. Bigoted sheriff’s police, suspicious-acting state troopers and employees with expensive vacation homes and flashy SUVs, add fuel to the fire. When one of them is murdered, they realize they have made a dangerous enemy. A deadly explosion adds just one more obstacle in this case that may have ripple effects at this country’s highest political levels before it comes to its final, unexpected conclusion.

This is the second book for author Donald Tucker, who owns a private investigation agency. The first was his autobiography, entitled The Two-Edged Sword. Tucker worked with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in Chicago after earning a degree in sociology/criminology from the University of Iowa. He transferred to the U.S. Secret Service, where he was promoted to special agent in charge of the Secret Service Office for Arizona. Tucker earned a presidential appointment as U.S. Marshal for Arizona, and was selected as Chief of Court Security in Washington, D.C. for the federal court system nationwide before returning to Arizona and becoming a PI.

About the Book:

The Complex by Donald Tucker ISBN: 978-1457504709
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Date of Publication: August 2011
Pages: 280
S.R.P.: $15.99

For more details, visit www.dontuckerbooks.com

Photo Caption: Bookcover and author/ former secret service agent, Donald Tucker

 From Refugee to ‘Look at Me!’

Iman Kerigo

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — Iman Kerigo, the first woman of African descent to be crowned Miss Norway, arrives in the US this week as part of her goodwill tour. Miss Kerigo, a refugee from Kenya who fled with her family to safety in the United Kingdom, continues her mission to raise awareness on poverty, war and domestic abuse. She will be visiting Los Angeles, Las Vegas and surrounding areas as part of her twelve day visit.

As a child born into a life of extreme hardship forged by her family’s struggle in war torn Kenya, she and her mother struggled to survive day-to-day while living under the rule of an abusive father. Iman’s mother’s greatest dream was to simply see her children live. She never dreamed her second child could achieve something so amazing.

“My mother was just happy that we were alive but she didn’t want us to live a meager existence,” Miss Kerigo said. “Being crowned Miss Norway gave me the opportunity to make sure that her dream came true.”

After waiting for some time to gain citizenship in a new country, Iman, her mother and siblings were finally accepted under refugee status to the Scandanavian country of Norway. Growing up thousands of miles away from everything she had ever known, Iman worked hard to adjust to her new adopted home, even learning to speak Norweigan and English, rather than her native Swahili.

Through hard work and dedication, she overcame tremendous odds to eventually become the first woman of African descent to ever be crowned Miss Norway. She credits much of her success in the Miss Norway Pageant to her coach, nutrition expert David Sandoval. David, author of The Green Foods Bible, had Iman follow his ‘Superfoods For Supermodels’ program, an eating program designed especially for those in the public eye.

David says, “I created this program in response to the epidemic of bulimia, anorexia and other eating disorders prevalent in the modeling and entertainment business.” But David is keen to explain that ‘Superfoods For Supermodels’ is not a diet. He adds, “Instead it features realistic guidelines for creating exceptionally healthy, lean, beautiful bodies through pure, organic, green food nutrition and core fitness.” David’s program also helps to build confidence and strength while focusing on taking personal responsibility for one’s own destiny.

Iman adds,”Part of my mission is to let young girls know that even if it seems all the odds are against you, you can still achieve great things.”

In the future, Iman hopes to forge a career in modeling and/or become a spokesperson for an African centric product line. Iman is available for interviews during her visit. All enquiries, including requests for press photos should be directed to David Sandoval’s assistant at dsandovalpa@organicbynatureinc.com

“Dr. Raye Mitchell is a woman who makes things happen! She has the persistence and a fierce determination to succeed,” commented Ann Fudge, former Chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands. “These traits, in combination with her compassion to help others, make her formidable and most deserving of this honor.”  

Dr. Raye Mitchell – CEO, The Making a New Reality Foundation

Oakland, CA (BlackNews.com) — Annually, the East Bay Women’s Initiative for Self Employment recognizes San Francisco Bay Area women business owners for their respective professional and civic contributions. During its annual regional awards ceremony on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, the non-profit organization named Dr. Raye Mitchell the 2011 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in Alameda County, California in recognition of her leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and philanthropic contributions. The preeminent affair was held in the Lakeside Theater at Kaiser Center in Oakland, CA. Mitchell is CEO of Making a New Reality Foundation and the G.U.R.L.S. Rock Leadership Program. She, who attended University of Southern California Marshall Graduate School of Business and Harvard Law School, guides girls and women of color to be SocialPreneurs(TM), defined as individuals applying business entrepreneurial skills, experiences and training to combat social problems and challenges limiting their vision and ability to achieve greatness.

Barbara Jackson, a long-time friend and colleague of Dr. Mitchell’s and former high-ranking executive with a notable international corporation said, “Raye’s success comes from a combination of smarts, drive and focus. I believe she came out of the womb knowing that no matter her beginning, her life would be decided by her and her alone.” Jackson continued, “The real joy of knowing Raye for almost 30 years is watching her definition of success evolve. She has moved far beyond defining her success by material achievements to defining her success by how she changes other’s lives.”

“Dr. Raye Mitchell captures the entrepreneurial spirit of the USC Marshall School of Business, and we salute her many achievements,” said James G. Ellis, USC Marshall dean. “She is an important role model for women entrepreneurs of today, and also of tomorrow, through her powerful and positive message.”

“Women entrepreneurs are one of the strongest economic forces in this country,” said Julie Castro Abrams, CEO of Women’s Initiative. “We want to create a movement that promotes women’s entrepreneurship and makes people aware of the incredible contributions women business leaders make not only to their local communities, but also to economic recovery.” Recent Women’s Initiative research shows that its graduates created or retained more than 4,300 jobs in 2010 alone.

The East Bay Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment recognizes SF Bay Area women business owners who:
* Have been successful despite the barriers that exist for women business owners
* Exemplify how business ownership and leadership is beneficial for women
* Have a positive impact on the local community or the community at large
* Advance their business through innovation.

In recognizing the entrepreneurs, Women’s Initiative celebrates the power of small businesses in transforming communities through job creation and economic revitalization. In fact, recent research from Women’s Initiative shows that their graduates created or retained more than 4,300 jobs in 2010 alone.

Approximately 600 women entrepreneurs from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area were nominated; 42 were selected to be honored with the 2011 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Further information about the awards and a complete list of this year’s recipients are available online at www.womensinitiative.org.

ABOUT WOMEN’S INITIATIVE
For more than 22 years, Women’s Initiative for Self Employment has been providing low-income, high potential women with the business training, funding and ongoing support to start their own business and becoming financially independent. The women who go through its training significantly increase their income and assets while launching businesses, creating jobs and stimulating the local economy. Women’s Initiative operates from five offices and 18 training locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

ABOUT RAYE MITCHELL

Dr. Raye Mitchell is the social entrepreneur, author, and speaker. She is a Harvard Law School graduate, graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business and Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow and recipient of a 2010 Jefferson Award for Public Service. www.rayemitchell.com.

Dr. Raye is founder of the social impact program, G.U.R.L.S. Rock – a global leadership-training initiative of The Making a New Reality Foundation – a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Mitchell left the law firm she had operated for over 16 years to help train girls of color ages 8-18 in leadership skills and to be global leaders. “G.U.R.L.S.” stands for Growth, Unity, Respect, Leadership, and Success. To learn more about the G.U.R.L.S. Rock Leadership Program, please visit www.GurlsRock.org and www.fb.com/GurlsRockPower on FaceBook.

Ballentine Addresses Critical Community Needs with a Cup of Joe

 Atlanta, GA - Warren Ballentine, popular syndicated radio personality and attorney affectionately known as “The #1 Truthfighter” is once again galvanizing his listeners and encouraging thousands to actively help support and elevate communities across America.  Ballentine announced today a new initiative challenging 30,000 people to buy coffee for $30 every month. The proceeds from the coffee will benefit distressed communities and help individuals who need it most. Every month the earnings from the coffee will go directly into the communities to financially assist in everything from saving homes in jeopardy of foreclosure, to funding college tuitions and helping small and community businesses stay afloat.

In true Ballentine fashion, the charitable cause does not come without pre-requisites. In order to qualify certain criteria must be met. To be considered potential recipients must: 1) Register to vote (if they are legally eligible) 2) Open up a bank account in a community-based bank  3) Hire people in the community which the recipient resides or does business in; no matter what/if the job applicant has a prior legal record and 4) Provide a business plan and/or proof of amount owed (for example a mortgage statement; tuition bill, etc).

The goal is to offer some immediate relief to people in need in our communities, while also focusing on longer-term solutions that stimulate economic growth and promote healthy communities that are engaged financially and socially.  Ballentine, who has always been extremely vocal about the state of the African-American community, continues to emphasize the dire need to work together and learn to invest in the community and become more economically sufficient. “This is an initiative aimed at trying to put hope and opportunity back into our communities. We can’t simply dream our way out of the current conditions. The only way we can do it is by working together and by having access to capital,” explains Ballentine.

Ballentine remains committed to helping the most vulnerable populations in neighborhoods across the country and shares that he will help roughly 5 communities every 30 days. Most recently Ballentine partnered with the National Banking Association (NBA), in a national campaign to get more minorities and other consumers in urban areas to put their money in black-owned banks.  In less than 3 months, Ballentine encouraged minorities to invest more than $1 million dollars into community, minority-owned banks.  He continues to be an activist and influential on the airwaves and in the community.  “It’s about we…it’s not about me.”

To learn more about Ballentine’s current initiative, please visit www.truthfighterscoffee.com.

About Warren Ballentine

Warren Ballentine is Ebony Magazine named Warren Ballentine one of the most influential African Americans on its Power 100 List and New York Times Names Him the Lefts Answer to Rush Limbaugh. Warren Ballentine has galvanized millions of people to not just complain, but to take action to solve problems. Using the power of radio, Ballentine has championed and lead the call for action for the JENA 6 movement, the National Economic Blackout, and the National Community Reinvestment Day, among other nationwide initiatives.  He has been instrumental in driving political education nationwide and led the ONE voter’s registration campaign. Additionally, he is a recurring guest and correspondent for CNN and FOX Business News. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Ballentine allowed his love for law to take him through law school at Ohio Northern’s School of Law and propel him into a career that brilliantly intersects the legal world, with the broadcast world. He has been featured in/on The New York Times, Atlanta Tribune, Black Enterprise, Atlanta Business Journal and others. Ballentine continues to use his voice on and off the airwaves to promote change. Going above and beyond the call of duty, he remains adamant about using his voice to make a difference in his community and driving people to move to action. The Warren Ballentine Show is nationally syndicated and can be heard weekdays around the country from 10AM-1PM (check local market listing information) or visit www.truthfighters.tv.

A Message from Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO, NAACP

Tonight my family, like many others, tuned in to watch President Obama lay out his plan to revive our nation’s economy.

We were pleased to hear a plan that addresses the nation’s twin needs to spur job creation and fight employment discrimination. And I am proud to report that we, NAACP activists across the country, have had a lot to do with the focus that each is receiving in the White House.

Economic growth and job creation are top priorities for all American families as the unemployment rate hovers above 9 percent nationwide. When one considers that that figure jumps more than 16 percent for black communities—not to mention more than 40 percent for young black men in many communities—it becomes painfully clear that job creation is not enough.

We need to spur job creation and fight employment discrimination at the same time.

Fortunately, the President understands, and offered the sort of “both/and” plan we need more of in America.

The President recognized that some parts of the country have been disproportionately impacted by the unemployment crisis – and that those areas should receive special consideration for tax incentives and stimulus funding. This means that hard-hit urban areas like Detroit and Cleveland, along with countless rural communities from coast to coast, will receive the assistance they need.

President Obama discussed transparency and the urgent need for a higher level of accountability in job creation. It’s not enough to simply create new jobs—we need jobs that are based here in the United States if we are going to build an economy that works for all Americans. The President’s plan will ensure that companies receiving tax incentives to create new jobs prioritize those jobs created here at home.

The President also announced an urgently needed strategy to address youth unemployment. We know that with an unemployment rate upwards of 25% our young people have struggled more than any other demographic. By putting a focus on youth job development, the President is making an investment in the future of all our communities.

These are all policies for which the NAACP has advocated, alongside many of our allies in the civil and human rights communities.

However, we also heard the President call for an end to employment discrimination against the unemployed. Simply put, he issued this charge because we asked for it.

In my job I travel around this country virtually every week. As I do I talk to NAACP activists like you.  They have made it clear that it’s already difficult enough to find a job in this economy, but for those who have been out of work months on end, that gap on the resume can make getting hired nearly impossible.

This rapidly increasing form of employment discrimination is compounding old familiar ones like racism and sexism, and if we are to turn this economy around we must understand that fighting employment discrimination must be as high a priority as job creation.

When I sat down to meet with the President in the Oval Office in July, I relayed the specific concerns our members had expressed about job discrimination including the confounding problem of employment discrimination against the unemployed. The President responded very clearly that he would address the problem immediately. Tonight, we heard him commit to the nation do just that.

Tonight President Obama outlined an agenda – one that is pro-civil rights, pro-human dignity, and pro-American Dream for all. I am proud that the NAACP has been involved in the discussions and work that laid the groundwork for these historic initiatives, but I also know that our work will not end with a speech and a plan.

It will take a continued commitment to see these ideas through. I urge you to challenge your member of Congress to support President Obama’s strategy and to fight to create jobs and combat employment discrimination in your home town.

Together we can reach the bold vision that we have been fighting for. It begins with achieving the “both/and” agenda to spur job creation and fight employment discrimination our President laid out tonight.

Editor’s Note: From time to time, www.copylinemagazine.com finds some messages to be “Worth Repeating” due to quality of informational content and eloquence. This is one of those messages.

Dr. Allen Carter

Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) — Dr. Allen Carter, Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Professor at Morehouse College introduces to the public a series of television programs that raise the most basic question of life: “Who Am I?” This question of “Who Am I?” which is also the title of the program asks what is the essence of God and man and if there is a relationship between the two. Using his clinical training and experiences as a psychologist, Dr. Carter invites the audience to examine their basic beliefs about themselves and God and determine if man can achieve a true relationship with God and thereby obtain real peace and happiness.

This program is relevant to all communities and grew out of Dr. Carter’s recognition that religion has and continues to play a significant role in the African American experience. Although religious institutions continue to contribute to the advancement of all people and especially African Americans, Dr. Carter’s primary premise is that the mind’s main function is to establish limitations and boundaries and all communities should examine the limitations that religions impose.

The format for the show is a classroom like setting and encourages the studio and viewing audience to question their beliefs and thoughts in order to gain access to a different way of viewing themselves, life and God. Great emphasis is placed upon the interaction between Dr. Carter and the studio and viewing audience. Basic to his approach is that unexamined beliefs, feelings and thoughts create most of the conflict for individuals, communities and the world. Dr. Carter invites the studio audience to ask questions and viewing audience to send in questions via his website in response to issues arising out of the various topics presented on the show.

Dr. Carter is a graduate of Morehouse College and has taught in its psychology department for twenty-seven years. He is also a practicing psychologist with over thirty years in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Columbia University and was the first African American to be elected as president of the Georgia Psychology Association. He has also served as president of the Georgia Licensing Board for Psychologists and on several committees and boards for the American Psychological Association. He is also the author of the book What Is This Thing Called I? – a new theory about the structure and function of the mind and its apparent relationship to Spirit.

The television program “Who Am I?” can be viewed online 24/7 at www.aibtv.com. In the Atlanta area, the program is aired every Tuesday evening at 8:30 pm and Saturday morning at 1:00 am on Channel 5 on Comcast Cable and Channel 6 on ATT U-verse. For more information regarding the television program visit his Website at www.drallencarter.com.

Chicago, IL – Mike Ernst, Director of Ticket Sales for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club has been elected to a one-year position as a member of the Board of Directors with the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. 

As member of the Board, Mr. Ernst will help guide the Better Business Bureau in its mission of advancing marketplace trust and promoting ethical business practices. 

“We are very pleased to have Mike Ernst with his extensive business knowledge and experience on our Board,” said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “His experience with management and revenue development will greatly assist us in creating a community of trustworthy businesses that both consumers and businesses throughout northern Illinois can rely on.”

Mr. Ernst currently works as the Director of Ticket Sales for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club Ticket Sales and Service team. His primary focus is leading the strategic planning for revenue development and overall management of the customer service plan. In 2011, he assisted in doubling the Fire’s supporter season ticket base. 

Prior to joining the Fire, Mr. Ernst was a Senior Account Executive with the Seattle Supersonics of the NBA. While with the Sonics, he was responsible for the Corporate and Courtside Ticket sales. Mr. Ernst earned his MA in Sports Management from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. in Marketing & Public Relations from Saint Ambrose University.

Mr. Ernst, 31, currently lives in Chicago with his wife Rachelle and their daughter.

Chicago, IL – Jason Roberts, Vice President and General Manager of Advantage Chevrolet, has been elected to a one-year position as a member of the Board of Directors with the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. 

As member of the Board, Mr. Roberts will help guide the Better Business Bureau in its mission of advancing marketplace trust and promoting ethical business practices. 

“We are very pleased to have Jason with his extensive business knowledge and experience on our Board,” said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “His experience working with customers will greatly assist us in advancing a community of trustworthy businesses that both consumers and businesses throughout northern Illinois can rely on.”

Mr. Roberts has been in the automobile business for the past 16 years and has held a number of management positions leading up to his current assignment.  As General Manager he oversees the day to day operations of Advantage Chevrolet with 85 full-time employees.

Mr. Roberts stated: “I’m honored to be selected by the Better Business Bureau to help it assist both consumers and businesses as a member of its Board of Directors.” He noted that, “Ethical business operations has always been the highest priority in my business. I’m pleased I can take lessons I’ve learned to continue to help others in the northern Illinois business arena.”