Interview: Comedian Stacy Whitaker

Hello valued readers! Today we want to introduce you all to one of the best rising comedians of the millennial generation, Stacy Whitaker. Whitaker is a long time friend of The Great Change, former athlete and student, Stacy is now focused on nailing performances and proper delivery for his audiences. A comedian has a unique task, to not only make you laugh, but to also make you remember them as a comedian and entertainer. We had the chance to catch up with Stacy, our conversation is below, enjoy!

The Great Change: What are your thoughts after your most recent performance at Hyaenas Comedy Nightclub?

S. Whitaker: I just saw the video of my performance from Sunday night and even though it's not perfect it was beautiful to see the work pay off on stage. It felt amazing to see the strides I'm making in comedy.

The Great Change: What was your thoughts on the other comics', who made up Butcher Lord's Stranger Comics, performances?

S. Whitaker: The other comics did really great. There were a few in particular that made my stomach hurt from laughing. I love seeing different comedians, because we each bring our own unique style to the stage. Butch Lord was made by the one and only Butch Lord. Butch is the man in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area and other areas as well. If you ever see his name on a show you better believe that it's worth clearing your schedule for.

The Great Change: Do you have any upcoming performances?

S. Whitaker: I was planning 2 more performances for 2016 however I'm thinking I'm going to take some time to do some under the hood work on my game. I have some big plans for 2017 so I'm really putting a focal point on those plans. However, you can still see me at open mics throughout the week in particular Backdoor Comedy Club on Thursday Nights.

The Great Change: What advice would you give to other aspiring comedians and youngsters pursuing their dreams?

S. Whitaker: Take your time to study the mechanics of comedy first. Be prepared for some tough performances and alot of learning. I would recommend reading comedy books or even taking a stand up class before going public with comedy. You'll save yourself alot of stale face that way.

Devonta Abron pens professional contract: Interview

Hello valued readers!

Today, we would like to share with you some exciting news about a dear friend of The Great Change who is succeeding in obtaining their dreams of being a professional athlete. Devonta Abron, standing 6'8 and weighing in at 255 lbs, is not new to the spotlight that comes with being a well known athlete and hoop star. Devonta received a high recruitment as a forward out of his high school in Seagoville, Texas, while playing with one of the nation's elite AAU teams, Dallas Mustangs. His talented play landed him a scholarship that set Abron up for a solid college basketball career for both Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas Christian University Horn Frogs men's basketball programs. The professional level is the next feat on Abron's list. Devonta has accepted the chance to play in Austria and bring his talents to a professional ball club. We got the chance to talk with Abron's about this experience. Our conversation is below, enjoy!

The Great Change: How excited are you about the opportunity to play basketball professionally?

D. Abron: I am more than excited about playing on the next level. Its a dream come true for me. This is a lot more to come.

The Great Change: What is your biggest focus going into this opportunity?

D. Abron: My biggest focus going over there is getting better and getting the job done. I now have a job that I'm getting paid for and it will bring more of the beast mode out of me because I will be hungry to succeed to get to the top.

The Great Change: Who would you like to thank for helping support you and your success thus far?

D. Abron: I would like to thank everyone that has been in my corner and never doubted me about making it in life. It has been my haters that motivated me to get this way and because of them I am hungry to show everyone why I'm here.

The Great Change: What advice do you have to college athlete who wish to take their talents to the professional level?

D. Abron: I want to say to the college athletes that anything is possible. Always follow your dreams and don't let anyone tell you that you can't. There will be people in the same boat as you that are your friend but don't want you to be better then them but you just have to stay focus and strive for greatness.

A Walk With The Sun...

I took a walk today, in hopes of getting away from my thoughts.

I walked through the glass doors, into the cooling heat of the day.

An image of the sun shining down in the distance greeted my eyes.

A glimmer of hope just from the glimpse, life made sense.

We are simply energy here to provide for everyone, but ourselves.

Like the sun, we are the source of our energy meant for others, to give them life.

Just the simple presence of the sun allows for our life to flourish.

The sun asks us for nothing in return, he just burns, she just shines.

We must do the same, grind without the need for reciprocation.

The sun even shines during precipitation, just blazing, how amazing?

Be the source of energy for another. That is your purpose.

Life is like the sun.

Interview: Chappelle Continues Football Career

Hello valued readers!

Today, we have the privilege of congratulating and commending East Texas football standout, Jeremey Chappelle, for his opportunity to continue his career at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. Jeremey Chappelle has had a remarkable journey to this point in his career. Originally from Jacksonville, Texas, Chappelle has always had success in various sports. Whether in UIL competition or on the AAU circuit. Mentored by Stacy Hunter, Chappelle's uncle, he was able to harness his skill sets and make the leap to the collegiate level at Tyler Junior College. After completing his time at TJC, Jeremey joined the Stephen F. Austin State University football program. From SFA, Chappelle accepted the opportunity to hold a roster spot with the Mississippi State University Bulldogs, until ultimately deciding to seek other football programs. In the midst of school changes, Chappelle's family and the entire East Texas community, including myself, suffered a great loss when Stacy Hunter was murdered at his nightclub on October 20, 2012 in Jacksonville, Texas. In the face of this darkness, Chappelle retreated to the depths of his mind, leaning on his support system and made the decision that his passion for the game of football was still burning and maintained his faith. Faith without works is dead. With that being said, Chappelle has put in the work to join the Northeastern State University football squad. We had the chance to catch up with Jeremey and ask him a few questions.

Our conversation is below enjoy!

The Great Change: At this point in your football career how do you feel about your abilities and confidence on the field?

Chappelle: I'm twenty-four now. My knowledge of the game is much better. I feel as if I'm better right now than I ever been. I was coming off a great spring at Mississippi State. Hopefully it will transgress to my new school.

The Great Change: What has your career taught you about the game of football, thus far. that you want to immediately put to work in your upcoming opportunity at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma?

Chappelle: My career is a lot different from others. This will be my fourth college I'm attending. My career has taught me to never give up and to always keep faith. I will IMMEDIATELY showcase my hard work and dedication to the game when I arrive on campus. Football is life for me. Its the greatest game to teach you about life.

The Great Change: Aside from the legacy that Stacy Hunter, your uncle, has left on the program you will be joining, what legacy do you plan to build?

Chappelle: The past few years NSU hasn't been very successful. In fact, they've been pretty bad. I want to win games, that's it. Winning games brings things like breaking records and scoring a lot of points but I care more about winning games.

The Great Change: What relationship are you looking to build with your fellow teammates and coaching staff?

Chappelle: Every school I've been to, I've built special relationships with my teammates and coaches. I don't think it will be different this time. Teammates are your brothers and that's how I treat them.

The Great Change: Who do you want to thank for your success?

Chappelle: I was raised by my mama, my grandma, and uncle. Those three had a big hand on my life. My mother is a single parent. She has been through it all, with me. Time, and time again I got myself into situations. My mom would come to the rescue. Getting me out of a bind. She's the reason I'm graduating with my bachelors degree. Her love for me has pushed me to do better for myself.

The Great Change: What advice do you have for youngsters with big dreams that are facing adversity?

Jeremey Chappelle: To any youngster with dreams that has been facing adversity, please don't give up. Keep a vision of your goals and do what you have to do to attain those goals. Life is all about highs and lows. In the midst of your highs be ready for your lows. The true content of a man is seen when he faces adversity. Keep your faith and finish.

Thanks for reading with The Great Change!

- The Great Change Team

To Whom This May Concern: LaKia Shepherd

Leon Aldridge, Editor-In-Chief

East Texas Light and Champion

137 San Augustine Street

Center, Texas 

To Whom This May Concern:

Racism in Shelby County is alive and flourishing. Shelby County is 66% white, 17% black, and 16% Hispanic or Latino and 12% other races (2014 Shelby County Texas Statistics). Current areas such as Union Acres and The Quarters are micro sized sub-divisions that are looked down upon by the middle-class, mostly white community. For example, annually the community conducts an MLK March which starts in town around our square and the historical lynching tree. In November 2013, the city began street repair during the March so it had to be rerouted. The repairs lasted from 2013 till late September 2014. Transportation, including bus routes were thrown off, causing many to walk for miles. These communities are unkempt and uncared for. It has been addressed during several city meetings without response or action. Now its 2016 and many things have changed. This year for the MLK march my community marched around the square and other neighborhoods celebrating Martin Luther King’s vision.

I am advocating because people of color in many rural places have little choice as to where they reside because of the racism in our community. My hope is to improve the social conditions, to meet the basic human needs of all residents of our city, and promote a community of justice. I confess I am not a literary scholar, however an individual who thinks every person, group, or class deserves equality. Please respond with your story or share the stories that you have seen and heard in last five years. 

Sincerely, 

LaKia Shepherd

#83

Firstly, we all posses the power to create of reality. Creation is harnessed by the mind. You are the interpreter of what your senses are sensing. Our senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, sound and intuition) are the receptors of which we understand our reality. All of our senses are received as vibrations. Of those vibrations that you are interpreting through your sense receptors, those that you choose to give your attention to will continue to manifest in your reality, those that are not acknowledged will be non-existent. So what will you notice and what will you not?

Blog Dictionary Entries

Life.

The journey experience of seeking truth, beauty, and nobility, all interpreted through a vibrational reality.

Love.

An experience of a high flying vibrational experience.

Curiosity.

Driven intentions behind questioning and seeking knowledge.

Wisdom.

The knowledge that one can never truly know anything.

Blog Dictionary Entries

Anger.

The feeling of increased energy in the body and mind due to the current manifestation of reality being in a state of resistance.

Vibration.

The movement of energy in our reality; used to manifest the reality we inhabit.

Home.

A combination of where the heart is and where the mind wants to be.

Death.

The awakening of the non-physical self, the higher self after sufficient life experiences.

#80

In a time of the most convenient communication, we as people in a "first-world" country have a duty to discuss and talk on what is happening around us. We waste our time talking about subjects that have no effect on the world we live in. Most take zero time to consider the impacts of our conversations. The need for meaningful conversation is turning into an epidemic. The spreading of knowledge determines the meaningfulness behind the conversation. So people, lets discuss meaningful topics until we die. All that other bullshit, let it die.