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Roth IRA Conversions in

2010: Goodbye, Income Limits!

Six Mental Tricks to Achieving Your Fitness Goals

FALL ISSUE

Behind The Scenes of Women in Politics: An Interview with Shy Armstrong

Copyright 2009 by NCBWSML

Annual Membership Retreat/Fall Membership Open House

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33 Message From PresidentMessage From President

4 Letter From Editor4 Letter From Editor

5 Annual Membership Retreat/Fall Membership Open 5 Annual Membership Retreat/Fall Membership Open HouseHouse

9 Women In Politics: Behind the Scenes9 Women In Politics: Behind the Scenes

13 Financial Security: ROTH IRA Contributions in 13 Financial Security: ROTH IRA Contributions in 20102010

15 Health & Wellness: Six Mental Tricks to Achieving 15 Health & Wellness: Six Mental Tricks to Achieving Your Fitness GoalsYour Fitness Goals

Fatina C. Newman – Editor In ChiefJuanita McGowan – Art Director

Dayshawn Mayweather & Deborah Williamson – Copy EditorsLynita Mitchell-Blackwell – Production & Development Director

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In 2008, millions of Americans got involved in the political process — many for the firsttime — to fight for a new kind of politics and a better future for our country. Those voices enabled a new

beginning — YES WE CAN! The influential and encouraging change these three simple words have brought about in our society today has been encouraging, inspirational and created feelings of excitement, hope and

confidence for greater opportunities within our community and beyond. However, these feelings of excitement, hope and greater opportunity will have zero energy without Advocacy!

In the 2009-2010 year, NCBWSML will stand with ENERGY IN MOTION! No one left behind! EACH 1—BRING 1. No More Excuses for our African American daughters, sisters, and mothers growing up without a

positive role model or mentor. Yes - EACH 1-BRING 1 to step up and become actively engaged in seeking out opportunities, small and large, to become a role model or mentor for some child or mother.

No More Excuses for not identifying and supporting African American businesses, especially female owned and operated. Yes - EACH 1—BRING 1 to actively, conscientiously and consistently use OUR dollars and commerce abilities to support and enhance OUR own economic development through entrepreneurship.

No More Excuses for under educated and unhealthy lifestyles for our African American women and youth. Yes - EACH 1—BRING 1 to higher levels of excellence and more involvement, accountability and take

responsibility for OUR own education preparedness and lifestyle choices.

No More Excuses for adolescents to be the fastest growing group of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in the US, yet only 10% of this age group has been tested. YES—EACH 1—BRING 1 to be tested for HIV.

As the new President of the Stone Mountain/Lithonia Chapter of NCBW, I am both committed and very proud to follow the path of our past presidents in leading this great organization while also creating new paths

for our on-going commitment and contributions to improve the lives of women and youth of colorin the Stone Mountain/Lithonia Area. Our motto is “ENERGY IN MOTION—EACH 1 BRING 1”. My personal commitment to the NCBWSML is to deliver ADVOCACY with ENERGY in the community.

Simply put, we will sustain the largest, MOST ACTIVE, most productive, most visible advocacy organization in the Stone Mountain/Lithonia area & within the entire NCBW by following what I call the 3 C’s.

1. Confidence: We will stand confident in our Advocacy Agenda and will breed confidence in black women that may be affected by issues causing low-esteem through relevant programs that empowers & mentors.

2. Consistent: We will consistently attend our meetings monthly; Consistently participate in programs and develop programs that support our Advocacy Agenda; Consistently participating in all fundraising efforts to

produce a SOLID financial foundation.

3. Commitment: Committed to being women of excellence, women of integrity, and therefore a coalition of excellence!

I look forward with great anticipation to leading this great group of caring, energetic and positive new leadership to our community. The members of NCBWSML understand we are “ENERGY IN MOTION” and

it will take EACH 1 BRINGING 1 to fulfill our agenda.

Talvia Peterson, NCBWSML President

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Change begins....With a single small step, the decisions to move

rather than stay still, to try something rather than merely fantasize about it. Go ahead, take that

step. Feel the energy change around you, within you. You are moving in the right direction. Be the

change you wish to see in the world.

Welcome to our Fall Issue of our Bold and Fearless e-zine, a magazine for and about courageous

women. Our theme this year is “Energy in Motion, Each One, Bring One!” In this issue you will see how we kicked off our new year and see how we

went behind the scenes with Shy Armstrong, Legislative Aid to Congressman Hank Johnson and

how she shared with us how she got started in politics. I hope you will enjoy this issue and I

encourage and challenge you to be Bold & Fearless and to pursue your destiny with passion!

Fatina C. NewmanEditor In Chief

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NCBWSML Presents “Energy In Motion”By Fatina C. Newman

On August 29th, the women of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter kicked off their 2009-2010 Annual Membership Retreat with their new

motto “Energy In Motion – Each 1 Bring 1”. Our newly elected President, Talvia Peterson captivated the members with high energy, motivation and charm by encouraging us all to step up and become

engaged in seeking out opportunities and becoming role models and mentors. It was SPECTACULAR!

Committed to follow suit of our past presidents and create new paths, Talvia Peterson introduced our current programs committee and introduced a few new ones. Each committee chair all gave a 5 minute infomercial describing their overall goals and as well as extending an invitation to sign up. The committees include: Advocacy; Audit; Cultural Arts Literacy & Education; Finance; Human

Resources; Membership; Political Action; Programs; and Public Relations.

As a reminder of what the NCBWSML is dedicated and committed to the members were treated with several presentations outlining briefly some of our advocacy projects and programs. Our past NCBWSML President, Lynita Blackwell gave a brief overview and synopsis of our Jewell Jackson

McCabe Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) (www.emergingleadersnow.com) ELI is a leadership training and development organization dedicated to the Total Empowerment of Women Everywhere. The program is comprised of five core divisions: Apprentice, Young 100, Leadership, TIFFANY and

Shadow. The application deadline for fall program was Augusts 31 and is scheduled to begin October 2009.

Our other advocacy projects include HIV/AIDS Awareness, Entrepreneurship, Nutrition & Obesity, Financial Security and Career Enhancement. Two of our very own, Zina Age gave an awesome presentation on HIV/Aid Awareness and Ivana Foster, the “Confident Architect” gave a riveting

presentation on Building Confidence. Zina Age, Founder and President of Aniz, Inc. (www.aniz.org) and one of our 2009 “Bold & Fearless Recipients raised our level of awareness regarding the history or HIV/Aids and the politics that goes on in funding, educating and preventing HIV/Aids. Her non-profit

organization provides comprehensive health and awareness education and prevention services for disadvantaged multicultural children, youth , young adults, families and grandparents. Ivana Foster, life coach, author and founder of Aspirations Development Consulting (www.MyAspirationsDCS.com)

gave us dynamic presentationon “Oh the Fear of .....SUCCESS... and the importance of having a life empowerment coach. Ivana encouraged us to step out on faith and live our dreams and be confident in who we are regardless of the opposition. Other presenters included Deandra Stanley a representative from the Georgia Small Business Development Center Network (www.georgiasbdc.org) gave us an overview of the services

they provide and basic information you will need to start your own business as well as the variety of resources available. Shirley Vanderbilt Osborne (www.osbornecpafirm.com), provided us with some

basic tools regarding debt management and building wealth in this difficult

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economic downturn. Our final presenter was the Fitness Director of Bally Total Fitness Northlake (www.ballytotalfitness.com). She used Talvia Peterson’s “energy in motion” by demonstrating

exercises we can do at home when we didn’t have time to get to our local gym and educated us on the importance of good nutrition and overall fitness.

The energy continued on September 17th when NCBWSML hosted their Fall Membership Open House at After Dark Bistro’s in Decatur, GA. Membership Chair and State

Representative, Dee Dawkins-Haigler gave an awesome welcome to the fabulous women who attended the open house. The 12 women who attended in spite of the rain and thunderstorms were from an

impressive background that included retired Principals, Educators, Mary Kay Consultants, Business Owners, and retired Law Enforcement Officials. Bonita Johnson, President & CEO of Enchanted

Closet was also one of the many women in attendance. The evening wrapped up with a mini fashion show presented by President and Co-Owner, Ivey Peterson of Upscale Salon Suites Inc. (

www.upscalesalonsuites.com) collection of handbags, jewelry and accessories.

The Membership Retreat and Open House was a great way to start off our new year. The passion and dedication of our members is truly second to none. We are excited about this year and hope you will

take part in our organization in raising a new level of awareness.

To find out more about the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter, please visit us on the web at: www.ncbwsml.com

NCBWSLM CHAPTER 2009-2010 EXECUTIVE BOARDNCBWSLM CHAPTER 2009-2010 EXECUTIVE BOARD

President – Talvia PetersonPresident – Talvia Peterson1st VP of Programs – Janea Johnson1st VP of Programs – Janea Johnson

2nd VP of Fund Development (Fundraising) – Sheneeza Alexander2nd VP of Fund Development (Fundraising) – Sheneeza Alexander3rd VP of Membership – Dee Dawkins-Haigler3rd VP of Membership – Dee Dawkins-Haigler

Treasurer – LaTosha KeownTreasurer – LaTosha KeownFinancial Secretary – Melody DawkinsFinancial Secretary – Melody DawkinsRecording Secretary – Regina AdamsRecording Secretary – Regina Adams

Historian – Juanita McGowanHistorian – Juanita McGowanLegal Counsel – Jennifer WattsLegal Counsel – Jennifer Watts

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Women in Politics Behind the ScenesWomen in Politics Behind the Scenes An Interview with Tishyra “Shy” Armstrong An Interview with Tishyra “Shy” Armstrong

Legislative Aide to the Honorable Hank Johnson, Georgia-Legislative Aide to the Honorable Hank Johnson, Georgia-District 4District 4

By Lynita Mitchell-BlackwellBy Lynita Mitchell-BlackwellIn our last issue, B&F spoke with women in politics – Georgia State Representatives Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Alisha Thomas Morgan – who emphasized a common concern: a desire to see more

women involved in politics. The B&F Editorial Board had a brainstorming session, determined to find “the women involved in politics”, and found something we know to be the case in most instances –

women are heavily involved behind the scenes. So with that in mind, the Board searched its collective network to find a woman from behind the political scene willing to step into the spotlight for a

moment, and Ms. Tishyra “Shy” Armstrong, Legislative Aide to US Representative Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4, graciously agreed to be interviewed for this article.

We met in Rep. Johnson’s office, located in Decatur, GA one rainy Friday morning. After discussing family (she is married with three sons), we hit the ground running.

Bold & Fearless (BF): So, Shy, I reviewed your resume and your background is corporate – accounting in fact. How did you get involved in politics?

Shy Armstrong (SA): (She smiled) Yes, after graduating from West Georgia [University], all roads led to accounting or budget/finance. I spent 10 years as a supervisor in accounting and budget/analysis,

and then I was downsized. I spent some time doing property management and thought about taking a year off to just enjoy my children. But when I shared that thought with one of the mom’s at my son’s football game, she convinced me that my skill set would become outdated and it would be hard to get back into the workforce. So we compromised – I would work quarter-time – which is part of a part-

time job. The following Monday, I applied to a part-time ad on Craigslist – “10-15 hour a week administrative job” – and I was hired by the end of the week by [then Mr.] Hank Johnson’s

congressional campaign. (She laughed) Anyone who has worked on a campaign knows that there is no such thing as part-time. Once you prove yourself, they want you to come on full time. After three

weeks working 30 hours a week on that “10-15 hour a week” job, I negotiated a full-time position with a schedule that allowed me to be home with my children in the evenings.

BF: I sympathize, having worked on a couple of campaigns myself. How did the up tick in hours impact your relationship with your spouse?

SA: Actually, the campaign is how I met my husband! He was a volunteer, and we met during a fundraiser. After working so closely together, we decided we wanted to spend even more time together

and we got married Inauguration Day.

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But as for family support, my aunt lived here during that time, and she was a tremendous help with household responsibilities and with my children. Family support is critical when you have children. When you’re on a job, people only care about one thing: performance. And your performance can be

adversely affected when you’re worrying about your children. Thank goodness I did not have that issue.

BF: Being on the campaign trail is an experience unlike any other. As an employee of the campaign, you tend to feel like you’re running, too.

SA: Absolutely! I tell you, I have a new respect for politicians. I used to think “What’s so hard about the job? All you do is shake some hands and kiss a few babies.” Boy, was that wrong! The pace is

grueling and the demands are unrelenting. Rain or shine, you have to be in place, on time, and ready to win people over to get their support and ultimately, their votes. Running for office requires an

enormous amount of discipline, commitment, and courage. This job is definitely not for the faint at heart! I developed a genuine respect for the profession.

BF: Usually, candidates don’t hire their campaign staff in their offices once elected.

SA: Yes, [Rep. Johnson] was strongly discouraged from hiring us [from the campaign staff], but he believed that he should support those who supported him.

BF: Did you have any concerns as you considered the job?

SA: My biggest concern in any hiring decision is that my “boss” or supervisor has strong character, and by that I mean integrity and leadership. Too many people just don’t have those qualities

anymore. Since I had already worked with [Rep. Johnson], I had the enviable position of knowing that my boss had integrity and was a good leader. So the decision to accept the position was an easy

one.

BF: How was the transition from campaigner to congressional office aide?

SA: Culture shock! On the campaign, you are working so fast and furiously, people forgive a lot when you misspeak or make a small mistake, understanding that you’re in campaign mode. But as a

member of the congressional office staff, you are an extension of the Congressman. I always have to be cognizant of my surroundings, how I communicate my thoughts, and make efforts to reach out to

diverse groups within the constituency.

BF: Touching on that last point, how do you reach out to various constituent groups? The reality of any situation is that every person in the district did not vote for “your candidate”; so how do you

bridge the divide?

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SA: My goal is to serve people, and I like being in a position to ensure equal and just treatment of all constituents, no matter their beliefs or socio-economic status. When you have service at the front of your mind, people can feel it and they surely can see it in the quality of your work. That goes a long

way in winning people over.Also, I always focus on being “in the here and now”. My focus is on the person or the project in front

of me now for the purpose of addressing the need or issue at present, not just completing an assignment or pleasing someone to build my resume. Actions must be both effective and intentional,

with the thought “what am I trying to accomplish?”

BF: Well, the strategy certainly works for you – you were selected as the “Champion of the Week” by The Champion Newspaper in June. I believe you were nominated by Mattie Hudgeons.

SA: Yes, I assisted Ms. Hudgeons in getting her passport processed for a trip to Europe. I appreciated the recognition, but it was part of my job.

BF: Speaking of work, which agencies do you primarily work with?

SA: Any agency that has a finance component. (We share a laugh) I work with the IRS, Treasury Department, Veterans Affairs, Unites States Postal Service, FDIC, and Homeland Security. One of the

joys of this job is that my finance and accounting skills will never get rusty here!

BF: Do you work with many women and/or other minorities within these agencies?

SA: Sadly, not many. There are too many times when I am the only woman, only minority, or both, in meetings with senior management with the agencies. I would love to see more diversity at the top

levels of these agencies, as decision- and policy-makers. This has to changed – we [the US] are operating in a global economy, and our leadership must begin to look like the people we manage.

There is something wrong when the racial/ethnic makeup of management is consistently and grossly disproportionate to the group over which it has decision making power.

BF: What can be done to address this disproportionate ratio?

SA: The end client – consumers, users – must demand it. With our dollars.

BF: What other challenges do you face when working in your position?

SA: Sometimes I have to be creative in getting the job done, putting forth extra effort to ensure others are on board with the Congressman’s vision. And people have been condescending toward me - until

they get to know me and the quality

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of my work. I’ve had to learn to deal with these challenges without sounding defensive, and I’ve learned that I must respond in some fashion or I will find myself doing not only my job, but assuming

other people’s responsibilities as well.

BF: So what makes you stay and “fight the good fight”? Many people when faced with such daunting circumstances leave to find a place where they believe they will better thrive.

SA: When you work for someone who is a proven leader – someone with vision, mission, goals, and will work to accomplish them – that makes it easy.

BF: This is the second time you’ve mentioned leadership as a key determinate in your career decisions. Can you expound on that?

SA: A leader has followers. I heard someone once say, “If you don’t have anyone following you, you are just taking a walk.” And I believe that one of the ways you become a great leader is by taking care

of people, one person at a time.

BF: So what are next steps for you in your career?

SA: I’m not sure, but I am definitely open to the next great opportunity. But it will be hard to top my current work here!

For Constituents Services or to contact Congressman Hank Johnson, please visit

www.hankjohnson.house.gov

District Office South5700 Hillandale Dr.

Suite 110 Lithonia, GA 30058

Phone: (770) 987-2291 Fax: (770) 987-8721

District Office North3469 Lawrenceville Highway

Suite 205 Tucker, Georgia 30084 Phone: (770) 939-2016 Fax: (770) 939-3753

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Roth IRA Conversions in 2010: Goodbye, Income Limits!

With the lure of tax-free distributions, Roth IRAs have become popular retirement savings vehicles since their introduction in 1998. But if you're a high-income taxpayer, chances are you haven't been

able to participate in the Roth revolution. Well, that's about to change.

What are the current rules?For 2009, if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is greater than $100,000, you can't convert a

traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. This $100,000 limit applies whether you're single or married filing jointly. And if you file your taxes as married filing separately, you can't make a conversion at all--

regardless of your income level.

In addition, your ability to make annual contributions to a Roth IRA depends on your MAGI:

What is--and isn't--changingIn 2006, the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act (TIPRA) became law. TIPRA repeals the

$100,000 income limit for conversions, and allows conversions by taxpayers who are married filing separately, beginning in 2010. This means that regardless of your filing status or how much you earn,

you'll be able to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA starting in 2010.

Unfortunately, TIPRA does not repeal the income limits for annual Roth contributions. However, depending on your circumstances, beginning in 2010 you may be able to make your annual IRA

contribution to a traditional IRA, and then convert that IRA to a Roth. Your financial professional can help you determine if this works for you.

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Securities offered through ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Broker-Dealer, Member FINRA & SIPC. www.proequities.com

Focus Wealth Management, Inc. is independent of ProEquities, Inc.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as providing specific tax, legal, or investment advice. The links contained on this newsletter are provided

strictly as a courtesy and the pages referenced are maintained by external sources. Focus Wealth Management, Inc. is not responsible nor guarantees the accuracy of the

information contained in the sites. Prepared by Forefield Inc. Copyright 2009 Forefield Inc.

Convert now, pay laterNormally, when you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you're required to include the amount converted--minus any nondeductible contributions you've made--in your gross income in the year you make the conversion.

However, to ease the pain of a potentially large tax hit in 2010, TIPRA includes a special rule for 2010 conversions only: if you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010, you can report half the income from the conversion in 2011, and the other half in 2012. For example, assume that in 2010 your sole traditional IRA is worth $200,000, and you've made $50,000 of nondeductible contributions.

If you convert the entire IRA to a Roth in 2010, $150,000 will be subject to federal income taxes. If you use the special rule, you can report half of the taxable amount ($75,000) as income in 2011, and the other half as income in 2012. Alternatively, you can report the entire $150,000 as income in 2010. (Note: state tax rules may differ.)

(Note that a SEP IRA can also be converted to a Roth IRA, and a SIMPLE IRA can be converted two years after you begin participating in your employer's SIMPLE IRA plan.)

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By Fatina C. Newman

GET MOTIVATED: Overcome detouring emotions by taking a break from them. Research shows that exercise is one of the most powerful antidepressants and it decreases anxiety. If you’re feeling uninspired commit to a shorter workout session.

STAY FOCUSED: You can triumph over distracting feelings by setting specific goals and pinpointing exactly what you’ll do in your workout. Focus on the feeling of accomplishment you’ll experience.

LET YOUR MIND WANDER (sometimes): Conquer emotions by tuning into the world around you. While at the gym, listen to your favorite music on your iPod or MP3 player or watch some TV while on the treadmill. Enjoy being in the experience!

TAME TROUBLES: Soothe the often overwhelming emotion of worry by sticking with your regular fitness routine and maybe even tackling some household chores. EAT MINDFULLY: According to a research study, did you know that 87 percent of 18-34 year olds turn to potato chips to make themselves feel better, while ice cream and cookies also outscored more balanced meals as comfort food. Avoid eating at your desk and in front of the TV. Do not overindulge at restaurants and stuffing yourself at meals. Avoid going back for seconds and thirds.

WRITE IT DOWN, WRITE IT DOWN! Keep a fitness log can help you foster positive feelings. This log can also help you set weekly or monthly goals. Recording your mood or tension before and after exercising is a great way to track your feelings about eating and exercising.

Six Mental Tricks to Achieving Your Fitness Goals

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The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) is an advocacy organization founded by Jewell Jackson McCabe in 1981. Our mission is the development of socially conscious female leaders who are committed to furthering equity and empowerment for women of color in the society at large, improving the environment of their neighborhoods, rebuilding their communities and enhancing the

quality of public and private resources for the growth and development of disadvantaged youths.

NCBW is dedicated to community service, the creation of wealth for social change, the enhancement of career opportunities for women of color through networking and strategically designed programs and

the empowerment of women of color to meet their diverse needs.

..

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter, Inc., is an advocacy organization dedicated to bringing voice to the issues that concern women of color and children in Georgia. Our chapter was founded June 3, 2003 and chartered April 4, 2004. We are a tax-exempt

organization under IRC 501(c)(4).

Our mission is to provide educational, professional, and social resources to the communities in which we live and work. We are committed to creating an environment that fosters the Golden Rule: one that supports our membership, provides resources for community members, and builds a powerful alliance

with other civic organizations in our area.

We diligently work to inform the community of public policy initiatives and those initiatives’ perceived affect on our wellbeing; present seminars on topics of relevance to community members; and train,

mentor, and develop our members to assume leadership roles within Georgia.

Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter

About Us

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Justine BoydCEO YWCA of Greater Atlanta& Woman of the Year by Atlanta Magazine

Featuring Guest Speaker

National Coalition of 100 Black WomenStone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter

New Officer Installation& New Member Induction

October 24, 2009Twelve O’Clock Noon

Cafe 2674450 Hugh Howell Road, Suite 10

Tucker, GA 30084Ticket $40.00

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