One thing I’ve always appreciated about women is how much presence can come through without saying a word. The way a woman carries herself. The way she walks into a room. Her confidence. Her style. Her elegance. That was part of the inspiration behind **XHOSA**. I wanted to create a heel that felt feminine, bold and refined without trying too hard. The deep navy, the pointed silhouette and the signature pink heel were all meant to give it that balance of elegance and personality. The name XHOSA is inspired by **isiXhosa**, one of South Africa’s official languages, and I wanted the design to carry that same sense of identity, culture and expression. Since there are so many incredible women here in BPC, I wanted to share it with the group and get your thoughts. Would you wear XHOSA? And what does elegance mean to you when it comes to fashion? If anyone wants pricing or ordering information, feel free to message me directly. XHOSA is available through AliveShoes: www.aliveshoes.com/xhosa Rodney

Thank you to our BPC family members who have sacrificed and served. We honor you on this day and every day! 🫡

What's good, family! Although a newly activated member of this community, the one thing I've learned about storytelling is that sometimes the most powerful chapters aren't the ones we write. They're the ones we're brave enough to live. For over 20 years, I've worked in construction, building spaces, businesses, and opportunities for others. But lately, I've been challenging myself to step outside everything I've known and embrace some dreams I put on hold. And that journey has taken me somewhere I never imagined — LA Fashion Week! I've been invited to participate as a VIP model in the LA Fashion Week Festival on March 13, 2027, powered by The Model Experience. Here's where I'm calling on my BPC network. I have a goal of selling 8 tickets by November 27 to secure my place on that runway. If you're in Los Angeles, I'd love to have you in the audience! And if you're not, virtual tickets are available, so you can experience the fashion shows from wherever you are. Even if fashion isn't your thing, maybe you know somebody in LA who would love this experience. A share or introduction would mean a lot. I'm always talking about making an impact, embracing the pivot, and refusing to let yesterday determine tomorrow. Well, this is me practicing what I preach. Here's my personal ticket link: https://themodelexperience.com/products/la-fashion-week-festival-melvin-j-3-13-27 Who in the BPC family is connected to the LA fashion, entertainment, or creative community? Let's connect! I appreciate y'all! Make an imPACt, not just noise.®

I help people heal from unhealthy relationships, navigate heartbreak and grief without judgment, reclaim their self-worth, and rediscover their purpose through storytelling, self-care, and practical healing tools, so they can stop repeating unhealthy patterns and turn their pain into purpose.

One thing I’m becoming more intentional about in my role with ABC SOLUTIONS is building the right network of professionals around the businesses we serve. Because the truth is, no one company can solve every problem. A business may come to us looking for funding, but after looking deeper, the real issue may be revenue, technology, operations, credit, staffing, acquisitions, contracting opportunities or simply getting connected to the right resource. That is why I’m building relationships with professionals and organizations across areas such as: • Technology and product development • Business funding and capital resources • Commercial real estate • Construction and contractor services • Government and corporate contracting • Business acquisitions • Accounting, tax and legal services • Marketing and business development • Credit and financial services • Operations and growth strategy I’ve already started having some strong conversations with companies and professionals in several of these areas, and I want to continue expanding that network. But I’m not interested in simply collecting names. I’m looking for people who already serve business owners, understand what they do well, know where their lane ends, and are willing to make the right introduction when a client needs something outside of it. The goal is simple: A good business opportunity shouldn’t die just because it came through the wrong door. So here is my question. If you work with business owners, what is the one request your clients regularly bring to you that falls outside of what you actually provide? That is the conversation I want to have. Feel free to comment below or message me directly. Rodney Thomas Strategic Partnerships & Referral Network Manager ABC SOLUTIONS [email protected]