Roger Louis Kennedy, knows that associating with individuals who truly understand your gift will allow you to take a good look at yourself and your creative aspect of life. He is the President of My Spouse Made Me Rich, Inc. “I am the proud parent of two wonderful kids. My daughter Amber Kennedy, is 21 and my son Kaylon Kennedy, is 16. I grew up with two wonderful parents Joe and Phyllis Kennedy who have been married for 48 years.” Born and raised in a Chicago suburb called Harvey, Kennedy have always loved working with people and after high school, began his career as a salesman. “Being a salesman was a perfect fit for my personality and my spirit to do things my way. I have always been a creative person with a lot of energy and passion for wanting to create avenues of opportunity for myself.”

Kennedy, started writing books after being separated from his wife – the title of his book was Inspired in a Dream. “I didn't realize what the title of my book meant until I began writing it and looked at the things I had done in the relationship. It caused me to really examine myself inside and out in so many ways. I am proud of my journey with my book because it has inspired many and the title alone has gotten noticed around the world by celebrities, music moguls, athletes and many more successful Individuals.”  “I am also proud to say that my book is endorsed by Rhonda McMillian M.D., I have taken my book journey up from ground level since 2008 and the journey has been filled with love, haters and very powerful individuals who have stood behind me throughout my journey. I am proud to say that my book can be ordered through all of the major bookstores online.”

     “My personal adversity of a failed marriage has driven and pushed me to a higher level of creativity. I tell everyone that at some point and time in your life, you have to take a good look at who you are and what you contributed to the demise of the relationship or marriage. It's not easy to look in the mirror at yourself but it's not how you start its how you finish. I have done some T.V interviews and a couple of radio interviews along with having some write ups in a few magazines – my whole purpose is to inspire individuals to be more accountable in their personal lives, relationships and/or marriage. I have continued to grow in so many ways and I also continue to struggle in many ways with the mistakes I have made in the past.”

By Ava Simone Collier

Carmalitha L. Gumbs is the Marketing Support Sales Specialist for Humana MarketPOINT, an agency of Humana, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. MarketPOINT is a distribution channel of Humana which offers services directly from business to the consumer. In her current role, she is responsible for all the local marketing efforts to support the sales team. Carmalitha explained that it is Humana’s objective to build relationships within the community “It takes a lot of networking and business development to do this. We want people in the community to identify and recognize us so they can understand what we do,” says Carmalitha.

Although Humana is well known as a healthcare insurance company, Carmalitha explained that Humana is now refocused on community outreach. Humana has always been synonymous with private health insurance often offered through commercial businesses, large and small. She explained that the company started off with nursing homes and eventually got into the insurance arena. “Our business motto is changing. We definitely focus on health insurance but are now moving to financial products.” She explained that Humana is still focused on health but now offers other products to help give the community a comprehensive portfolio. “We want to bring the message to the community that we can also help with everyday needs in life, such as financial planning in the event of an illness involving yourself or a loved one or if you have lost your job and have no coverage. We can help you prepare for the future.”

Humana’s new focus can also be beneficial for parents who may not have or even thought about health and life insurance for their children. “We provide guidance, not pressure selling. We want to let people know what resources are available to them,” says Carmalitha. Humana is becoming very visible at community events and also offer home consultations. Although Humana is still in the business of offering commercial insurance to small businesses in the community, individuals can also purchase private health insurance called HumanaOne. They offer competitive rates to people 65 and under. “We used to be very focused on Medicare where we did a lot of business with seniors in the market. With the new healthcare reform we have to change our strategy. We also focus on overall products that will enhance their lives such as life insurance for adults and children, dental and vision plans and annuities. Before, we only focused on healthcare and these other services were not previously available as much.”

Carmalitha says that although she loves her job and all that it entails, there are still challenges regarding ever changing governmental Medicare guidelines and healthcare reforms. Although up for the challenge, she states that Humana looks forward to getting specific guideline directives in the future to better serve the community. “I think that would make life easier; Things change daily. The reality is that it’s not that way now so we do the best we can. Our whole goal is to bring the message out to the community and let them know we are here and to see everyone covered with health insurance.”

To find out more about Humana and their services, visit http://www.humana.com

By Ava Collier

TV and film star Lamman Rucker and Koffee and Kompany of Dallas, Texas, have announced the official launch of forplai, the actor’s signature bath and body care line for women, men and couples. The new line features four alluring scents personally selected by Lamman Rucker as a soft yet subtle introduction to intimacy while encouraging a meaningful and daily connection between the mind, body and spirit. Forplai is now available for purchase exclusively on its new website at www.forplai.com.

Forplai is the culmination of a two year journey by Co-Owners and Co-Creators Lamman Rucker and Thai Morrison, Founder of Koffee and Kompany, after they discovered their mutual interest in natural approaches to health and wellness. The result is an innovative paraben-free, color-free, and vegan friendly product line that reflects every facet of Rucker’s sexy, stylish and sophisticated persona.

Each distinct scent will feature a body butter, body scrub and body mist. Created with exquisite blends of quality ingredients such as avocado oil, walnut shells, mango butter, watermelon seed oil combined with delicate hints of chocolate, caramel, floral and more, forplai products are designed to exfoliate, moisturize and condition the skin. Morrison states, “What makes forplai and other Koffee and Kompany treats so appealing are the exceptional elements and edible-smelling scents that make you desirable.”

The first products to be released from the line are Passion and Purity with the remaining two scents of Peace and Power to debut in 2011. The names of each scent are attention-grabbing affirmations also chosen by Rucker to remind us, with each application, of our inner power, beauty and strength. "I wanted to create a line for women and men alike that would encourage them to embrace the harmony and divine balance of sensuality and spirituality within all of us,” said Rucker. “Forplai is an opportunity to not only smell good and feel good, but to also take time to connect with the heavens above and the God in you.”

The brand will expand its presence in the marketplace with an assortment of unisex indulgences that provide a chic and vibrant day spa experience in the comfort and privacy of your home.

Bath and body care fanatics may purchase single items on the new website or a complete Ritual bundle containing all three products that work in tandem for optimal results and the ultimate body care experience. Holiday shoppers will find great gift ideas, too. All products are 4 ounces in size and priced competitively at $22 for body butters, $20 for body mists and $15 for body scrubs. Fans were treated to a special sneak preview of forplai at a series of exclusive shopping events hosted by Rucker during the 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas this past February and the response was overwhelming. And, in keeping with Mr. Rucker’s passion and commitment to ‘green living’ and decreasing the impact on the environment, forplai packaging is recyclable and designed with classic simplicity.

For further information about forplai by Lamman Rucker or to request an interview, please contact Sabrina Russ at Sabrina@forplai.com or (772) 226-0794. Also visit our website at www.forplai.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/forplai.

“First and foremost, baby, I am a stand up comic!” declares Mo’Nique. It was like talking with a girlfriend over a cup of coffee or lunch. Mo’Nique just has a way of making you feel comfortable and relaxed. There were no signs of a diva, although she’s has certainly earned the right to be one if she chose. Instead, this is a woman who, despite her many successes and accomplishments, remains uniquely REAL. We talked about her Academy Award winning performance in Precious. Mo’Nique portrayed the highly dysfunctional, abusive mother of Clarice “Precious” Jones, played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe. This role was a dramatic departure from Mo’Nique’s more familiar comedic roles. When I asked her what went into preparation as Mary Jones, she explained. “In reading the book and then the script, I was very excited about that role and the message. The moment we knew what it was, we knew that it was going to change lives. When director Lee Daniel’s would say ‘Action’, we knew we couldn’t sugar coat Mary Jones. She’s very real.” Mo’Nique spoke about her personal painful experience of being molested by her brother. “Coming from being molested by my oldest brother, I knew who that ‘monster’ was. It was that ‘monster’ coming to life. We knew people would look on that screen and see themselves.”

This Academy Award, Golden Globe and NAACP Image Award winning actress is a no-nonsense, keep-it-real sista’. She doesn’t seek the approval or accolades that often come with such accomplishments. She is also the host of The Mo’Nique Show, a nightly talk show on BET. Although Mo’Nique’s physical appearance has changed by her successful weight loss, her vivacious, confident and effervescent personality has not. “I don’t know who else to be. It would be too much energy to be someone different. When I look in the mirror I don’t want to be confused at who’s looking back at me. I don’t want to say ‘Who are you?’ ” We talked about the universal message in Precious and how it relates to everyone. Mo’Nique feels that this was only a story about one woman and her family. However, she states that abuse is pervasive and has no color or gender. “You can go to any point on the face of this earth where human beings are and this goes on. It almost makes you say ‘wow are we still caught up in that?’ We get caught up in two black women who live in the projects that are on food stamps. Well you know what? There ARE black women who live in the projects on food stamps who treat their children poorly. There are also white women with millions of dollars living in the midst of Beverly Hills who treat their children poorly.” Mo’Nique further explained that abuse is abuse regardless. “Watching this movie, you could relate to either Mary or Precious. If not yourself, then you know someone who was. We aren’t that far removed from that.”

At the Academy Awards, Mo’Nique wore a beautiful blue gown with a gardenia in her hair. She stated that it was in honor of Hattie McDaniel, who played “Mammy” in Gone with the Wind in 1939. She was the first African American to ever win an Academy Award. At the awards that year, Ms. McDaniel wore a blue dress with a gardenia in her hair. I asked Mo’Nique what she thought about the controversy that African Americans have won awards for portraying negative, stereotypical roles, such as Denzel Washington in Training Day, Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball and even Hattie McDaniel for playing a slave. Mo’Nique stated, “For people who say ‘Oh my goodness! You won this award for playing a project mother,’ I say do your research. Most times when we win those awards it’s because you’ve played the “grit” - the opposite of whom you really are. I wish the day would come when we don’t get so caught up in those things. At what point do we just say, ‘Wow! We got the trophy!’ ”

Mo’Nique is speaking about how she remains remarkably humble and unphased by her notoriety. “If we become selfish and think that it’s just about you in the moment, I feel sad for you. It’s so not about me. I think the universe says I’m glad you got it.” Mo’Nique credits her husband, Sidney Hicks, with helping her to stay grounded. “I have an amazing husband who is my best friend. He will tell me what I really need to hear, not what I want to hear. I don’t want to disappoint my family, my husband, my children or grandchildren that I have not met yet. When they write the story a hundred years from now, I think about that. I don’t want anyone to say that she was a diva, rude or inconsiderate. I don’t want those words being used behind my name. I do have my moments, baby! I have those moments in that closet by myself! God has to take me to my knees sometimes! God will say ‘Let me introduce you to me again!’ I don’t know why I’m funny or why I was able to pull that role off. It’s not a special formula. There’s nothing about me that’s special. I’m appreciative that the universe says that we’re going to use her to do this. I’m going to do all I can to make sure that I am in good graces.” 

In case there has been any doubt about Mo’Nique’s authenticity in her desire to never forget where she came from and who was there on her way up, it was evident during the post Academy Awards press conference. Mo’Nique, looking radiant while holding her well deserved Oscar, stood in front of the camera while hundreds of reporters asked questions. The viewing audience could not see the reporters, only Mo’Nique’s smiling face. The television audience could hear a voice calling out numbers indicating the order in which the reporters had the chance to ask Mo’Nique a question. Shortly into the question and answer session, Mo’Nique’s happy expression changed and was replaced by a look of dissatisfaction. She then boldly, and without hesitation, interjected and redirected the order of the reporters and their questions. I remember watching how she took charge and was so proud of her. I asked her what was going on that the viewing audience couldn’t see. “In that press room there were about 300 reporters. Only five of them were black that I could see. None of them (black press) had been called on to ask any questions. I said wait a minute, baby! How could I not talk to them when they’ve been talking to me all along! Now all of a sudden I’m gonna ignore them? No, I don’t play like that. They’ve been good to me my entire career. Now I come here and now they can’t ask me any questions? No way. I think the universe would slap me in the mouth if I acted as though I didn’t see that!”

Mo’Nique says that she has often been asked about now being “mainstream.” She says, “I ask them what does that mean? Which stream am I in right now? The stream I’m in right now is my mainstream because it’s the stream I visit frequently. If you want to come over and play in my stream, baby, you’re welcome to come.” When I asked her about the energy that she brings to The Mo’Nique Show, she stated, “When that elevator door opens up, y’all are looking at a little girl because I always dreamed of being what I am right now. We can actually play and love up on each other and do this every night? I am surprised every night by the sheer beauty of what the universe has given me. In the beginning they said I was too loud and I tried to calm it down. Then me and God had a conversation. He said I made you who you are. I get to scream and holla and it’s okay. This is the way that you get rewarded if you stay obedient. The Mo’Nique Show hasn’t been on a year and we’ve already won an award. This show is nothing but love and we won’t waiver. People say you gotta throw some dirt in there, but listen, baby, we ain’t showing nothin’ but love! When you’re obedient, the universe has a way of saying ‘We got you covered, baby!’ ” When asked what’s next, she simply said “If I just get tomorrow, baby, because I ain’t greedy. I don’t know what’s up next year because tomorrow might be gone for me. If I enjoy it today, then I won’t be mad at God if He brings me home tomorrow. I can’t say, ‘God, I told you in five years I wanted to do something with Don Cheadle. God, you trippin’!”