Featured Artist

Michael Wallace

“Butterfly”

Book Of The Month

From Breaking Down Lives

To Building Up Futures

Tracey Syphax - Cover Story

Jersey Connection

A pictorial look at what is happening in

the Trenton, NJ area!

Be Inspired

A pictorial look at what is happening in

the Greenville, NC area!

What’s Going On In Gvegas?

Bishop Eddie L. Long

“60 Seconds To Greatness”

Sean Moye & Israel Ward

“Owners of I & S Enterprises”

Have you ever been in a situation…and you thought there was no coming from it. You believed there was no way you could ever make it from this mistake. These questions were flowing through my mind when I thought about the Power of Re-

demption! No matter what we have done in our lives, we are all able to redeem ourselves through a moment…if given the opportunity. Even if the people we have hurt are not willing to forgive us. We must make a true attempt to redeem

ourselves in order to move forward in our destiny of truth.

I will never forget a conversation I had with my brother

Bill before he died.

Bill had caused some issues to happen that af- fected me and my immediate family. He

called me out of the blue one day to say he was sorry and to ask for my forgive-

ness. I explained to my brother that I had already forgiven him a long time ago. Bill made it clear that he was not apologizing for me, but for himself. At that moment, I knew that my brother was evolving into his true self. He was changing through the Power of Redemption! We are all given the ability to make wise choices…and when we don’t …Thank GOD if we are given an opportunity to begin again!

In this issue of IMPACT Magazine, we are highlighting the likings of Mr. Tracey Syphax (“Breaking Down Lives To Building Up Futures”.). Tracey’s story is a true testament of the Power of Redemption. Tracey spent seven years in the prison system and came out and reinvented himself. Now he is a renowned speaker, phi-

lanthropist and is the owner of two successful million dollar corporations. We are also featuring the artistic works of Michael Wallace and in our “Be Inspired” sec-tion, we are highlighting the owners of I & S Enterprises. I&S Enterprises special-izes in graphic design, web design, and event planning. I&S Enterprises is hosting an event that is designed to promote economic development and to offer minority

companies the opportunity to promote their products and services.

Redeeming ourselves will take time, energy and patience. It will only begin to take

place when we are true to the redemption and it’s process. Don’t fret or fear…or worry about the people..remember this is for you to move forward towards your destiny of truth!

Be a blessing to someone today and remember to always walk in peace!

Tunisha C. Brown Editor-In-Chief

is an entrepreneur, community activist,

and a motivational speaker. He is the

President/CEO of two Million Dollar-

award winning corporations; Capitol

City Contracting, which specializes in home and building

improvements and rehabilitation services. In addition to, The

Phax Group LLC, which focuses on real estate development with

multiple properties in Trenton New Jersey.

Tracey Syphax knows that sometimes it takes the will from

within or a push from behind to open the doors in front of you.

This knowledge, plus the hard knocks he received as a kid in the

streets and as an adult behind bars, helped the New Jerseyan

create one of the most successful Black-owned contracting

businesses in the Garden State.

For Syphax, the road to entrepreneurship was paved with

obstacles, with his past as a drug abuser, thief and hard-core,

gang-member thug coming back to haunt him. His subsequent

jail term and criminal record made it difficult to secure certain

business licenses and funding. “I was poor, came from a broken

home and dropped out of high school for a few months,” Syphax

said in a interview with The Network Journal. “It was a tough

period in my life and I did what I had to do to make it while

growing up.”

After his release from jail, he put his energy into clearing his

name and starting a business. He obtained a high- school di-

ploma, took several small-business development classes at a lo-

cal community college and developed a niche-market strategy

to establish and grow Capitol City Contracting. He planned to

run the company for several years before approaching lenders

for a business loan. Syphax says the company saw $32,000 in

sales the first year. “I built my business by re-investing money I

made back into the business,” he says. “I didn’t receive a loan for

the business until three or four years after starting the

Overcoming and excelling beyond the

stigma of the ex-offender… Years after his

incarceration and two multi-million dollar

businesses later, Tracey speaks on continu-

ously “fighting the felon tag.” Getting out

was the easy part. It is the rise up that is the

true test of strength, perseverance and

human endurance. Through sharing his

experience, Tracey proves that it is more

than possible to turn your life

around as well as make a differ-

ence in the lives of others. His

first job out of prison gave him

an opportunity for a new

lifestyle. Now, Tracey stresses

the importance of returning this

favor and faith in others. From

the very beginning his compa-

nies have made it a priority to give ex-offenders a second

opportunity at rebuilding their lives…. a third if necessary. Awarded nationally and

locally for his accomplish-

ments in business and his

work encouraging the next

generation of entrepreneurs,

Syphax formerly hosted a

weekly radio show, “Violence

Shows No Purpose,” on WIMG 1300 and TV show, “Trenton

Talks” on WZBN 25. His most recent speaking engagements

included: Mercer County Community College, Mountainview

Youth Correctional Facilities, Lincoln Technical Institute,

2009 Titusville Academy Graduation Commencement Speech

and various occasions for Trenton Public School District, Mo

Shea Corporation and Capital Preparatory Charter School.

Sean Moye is a graduate of North Carolina Agricul-

tural and Technical State University, in Greensboro,

NC. Mr. Moye holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in

Graphic Communication Systems with a concentra-

tion in Graphic Design & Drafting. Mr. Moye

co-founded I & S Enterprises LLC in 2004.

Prior to I & S Enterprises, Mr. Moye used his

professional business skills to strategically pursue

clients in the advertisement and marketing industry. He also attained most

of his skills by working on various projects for community service groups,

radio stations, authors, comedians, and faith-based organizations. is a

graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in

Greensboro, NC. Mr. Moye holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic

Communication Systems with a concentration in Graphic Design &

Drafting. Mr. Moye co-founded I & S Enterprises LLC in 2004. Mr. Moye is

well known for his professionalism and his understanding the skills

necessary for sustained success.

Israel Ward is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical

State University, in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Ward holds a Bachelor of Science

Degree in Architectural Engineering. He co-founded I & S Enterprises LLC

in 2004.

Prior to I & S Enterprises, Mr. Ward gained extensive experience in sales

and marketing as an Environmental, Mechanical, and Plumbing Design

Engineer. He has also been afforded the opportunity to

collaborate with many successful business leaders to ef-

fectively start and grow programs concerning networking,

leadership, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Ward utilizes his

past experience in project management, design and engi-

neering to contribute to I & S Enterprises’ multi-faceted

endeavors. He is proficient in AutoCAD 2000-2009, Archi-

tectural Desktop, Microsoft Office, MS Access, MS Project,

MS Publisher and Lotus Notes.