4 The Hampton Roads Messenger Editorial


Share Your Light with a Graduate


support system. Graduates should


feel confi dent that if they misstep, a friend or a family member will be there to help them get back on track.


The world that we live in today


can be a cruel and scary place for someone just starting on their journey of independence. Now is the time that some young people realize, for the fi rst time, that if the electric bill does not get paid they will be living in the dark. Although not as obvious, they should also realize that if they do not surround themselves with positive and progressive people, the light within themselves will have a diffi cult time remaining illuminated.


We should be that light in a BY ANGELA JONES It is that time of the year again; the


time of year when many years of hard work are rewarded with a diploma. It is the season of graduations. It is the season when the “road of hopes and dreams” intersects with the “road to success.”


We all know someone graduating this month; a neighbor, a friend, a son, a daughter, a niece, a nephew, or maybe even a mother or a father. For those graduating, emotions may run from exuberance to fear. This is why it is so imperative for those graduating to know that they have an extensive


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young person’s life, a light that will shine on their path to success. Our light, which will come from our positive advice and encouragement, can make the difference


Volume 9 Number 9


May 2015


Local Businesswomen Selected as InnovateHER Business Challenge Winners


Pictured (l-r): Becky Watson, Jesse Ranney (representative for Elaine Horn-Ranney), Christina Handle, Marty Kaszubowski, Nancy Grden, and Carmen Saunders. Photo by Sadiksha Nepal.


Norfolk, Va.—Elaine


Horn-Ranney, President and CEO of Tympanogen, LLC, headquartered in Norfolk, has been selected as the local winner of the InnovateHER Business Challenge recently hosted by the ODU Business Gateway’s Women’s Business Center


between


success and failure for a graduate. We should remember that fact when we are asked for our advice. There is a way, without being deceitful, that we can fi nd some good in any negative situation.


Even the recent news reports


of young people in our community being mistreated by some law enforcement personnel can have a positive result. It has brought about dialogue regarding numerous acts of injustice taking place all across the United States. By shining a light on these


It people is lose


unfortunate when young hope.


They


partnership with the Small Business Administration (SBA). challenge,


women families. During the entrepreneurs


presented their ideas for innovative products and services that impact and empower the lives of women and


Horn-Ranney’s


presentation focused on a gel patch for nonsurgical repair of chronic tympanic membrane perforations, which are persistent holes in the eardrum.


will injustices, our young people


have found their voice. They have stood up and said “We are not going to take it anymore.”


become


apathetic to what is happening around them. Our youth have demonstrated, time and time again, that they have not lost hope, nor have they lost self-respect. We have to respect their right to defend their lives in a manner that they believe is necessary.


If we sow the seeds of positivity www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


in the lives of our friends and family members who are graduating, they will be able to face any adversity with confi dence. If we encourage them with positive feedback, they will be able to climb any mountain. If we support our youth today, not only will they have a brighter future, but our future will be brighter too.


The Women’s Business Center now submit


LLC—one of approximately 92 InnovateHER


challenge


Tympanogen, winners


selected from around the country— to the SBA, which will identify no more than 10 fi nalists. The selected fi nalists will make a live pitch to a panel of expert judges in Washington, D.C., during National Small Business Week in May, where they will compete for three awards and prize money totaling $30,000.


In March, the ODU Business


Gateway’s Women’s Business Center was one of several locations across the country that worked in partnership with the SBA throughout Women’s History Month to host a local InnovateHER Business Challenge. InnovateHER is a cross-cutting women’s business challenge to unearth innovative products or services that have a measurable impact on the lives of women and families, has the potential for commercialization, and fi lls a need in the marketplace.


Challenge


Loretta Lynch policy.


FROM PAGE 1


Established 2006 Angela Jones, Publisher Chris Parks, Editor


Rae Willis, Graphic Designer Ida Davis, Contributing Writer


PO Box 10414 ● Norfolk, VA 23513


Sales and Information 757-575-1863 info@hamptonroadsmessenger.com Copyright pertaining to contents of this edition. All rights reserved.


Her confi rmation vote was held


up in the Senate as Democrats and Republicans bickered over abortion- funding language attached to a bill against human traffi cking. The lengthy delay rankled


the left, including


Obama, who called it "embarrassing." The Senate fi nally reached an


agreement, clearing the way for the Lynch vote.


"This should be a happy day for America,” said Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. "Republicans opposed her merely


because she participants


Courtesy of CareKeepers: Jaynee Sasso, owner of CareKeepers, winner of the InnovateHER competition hosted by the Peninsula Technology Incubator.


submitted an executive summary,


investor pitch, and a business plan to the Women’s Business Center, and four fi nalists were selected to present their ideas to a panel of expert judges. In


addition to Horn-Ranney with


Tympanogen, LLC, other fi nalists and their presentations were Becky Watson, owner, Music for Wellness


Handle, President Marty


Center for Enterprise Innovation and Nancy Grden, Executive Strome Entrepreneurial Center.


Director, Director,


(music


therapy and music making programs); Carmen Saunders, President and CEO, VOIS, LLC (virtual assistant services), and Christina


and CEO, U.S. Degree Consulting (affordable, time-effi cient bachelor’s degree).


Judges included Kaszubowski, Executive


in


agrees with the man who selected her." Holder, who was the fi rst African-


American to hold the position, praised his successor as a "gifted attorney, a consummate professional and a dedicated public servant."


"At every stage of her career,


Loretta has earned the trust and high regard of allies and adversaries alike, both in Washington and throughout the country," Holder said following the historic vote. "She is respected by law enforcement offi cers, civil rights leaders, and criminal justice offi cials of all political stripes. In every case and every circumstance,


she has


demonstrated an unfailing commitment to the rule of law and a steadfast fi delity to the pursuit to justice."


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