We asked Felicia King, better known as 1stLady Felicia K., “How do you think The Sterile Process Survivors Scholarship, which gives back to survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence, will impact them?”
“I feel it gives a person a sense of purpose. I have firsthand experience with several people who have endured violent situations. When you’re constantly made to feel belittled, you start to feel worthless. The Sterile Process Survivors Scholarship can help establish worth. For a survivor, entering into an opportunity like this will allow them to stand a little taller and feel proud.”
EvenRights is focused on eliminating negative stereotypes and promoting creativity, optimism, and equality. How do you feel promoting creativity and optimism is important for our younger generation?
”I feel it’s very important because there’s are so many diffeeent genres now a days , his/hers , and you wanna target everybody and give everyone a chance to speak. We gotta have that, so we can give everyone a voice. We are in a dangerous time, people are trying to take a women’s rights and what they do with their body’s and things of that nature”.
For over 15 years now, EvenRights has aimed to gather people for interviews and publications who may not otherwise have a platform but have valuable perspectives to share with the community. What do you look for when selecting guests for your show? “I wanna give voices to the people who don’t necessarily have a large voice . I want that hard worker, regardless of the race of the genders. I want somebody who has a story to tell. The gems in the background, for the ones who people may not know” .
What is a format in which we can help women of color? “Sharing space your space is sharing your knowledge. Everyone brings something to the table.”
What steps do you take to adapt to challenges or changes during a project?
“You have to find your people. Everyone wants to be commercial, and that’s fine, but I tailor what I do while staying true to myself. That’s my ‘lottery ticket.’ I’ve had people try to conform or change me, but the challenge is staying authentic. The biggest hurdle is executing your goal while still being you. We all have an audience, and there’s a big demand for what you uniquely offer. I want to speak like I’m talking to a friend at the kitchen table—that’s something that can’t be replaced."
In times like these, it’s important for our community to embrace authenticity. Mental health is at an all-time high, and we need to be creative with genuine intentions, pushing ourselves to be great. Our nation is in pain, and it’s not just about who we elect for president—it’s about self-awareness and recognizing our individual values in life. What are some of your personal values, Felicia?
Being authentic and relatable . I don’t feel like I should have to choose my guest based of what someone else feels.
Things get crazy—temptations and distractions pop up when you’re locked in and focused. It’s about accepting challenges as they come, not dwelling on the problem but focusing on the solution. How do you feel about exploiting the negative in stories versus highlighting the positive? We all know there’s adversity, but shouldn’t the focus be on the solutions and overcoming those trials?
"I make sure my team—Director: Marcus Jackson Sr., Producer: Marlicia Coleman, and Production Assistants: Imani and Laura Noellen Rick Stewart Graphics and Travis Stewart Tri cast Operator—and I research the subjects thoroughly. I don’t want guests to dwell in the darkness. I choose not to talk about ‘the tea.’ Be intentional about finding the light in every dark story.”
How can we strengthen school curriculums with more life skills and strategies?
“There should be financial literacy and credit classes for students as early as the 4th grade. We need to start teaching them young. We need to educate them on equity. There are so many young millionaires who lose their wealth simply because they don’t know how to manage it. It’s about survival and creating generational wealth.”
Would you support the bill to eliminate private prisons?
“Oh no I don’t support private prisons at all”.
We often see our mistakes in hindsight, and we tend to use them as teaching moments for the next generation. If you could have done three things differently, earlier, or better while building your brand, what would they be?
“I would have started earlier, but I had a family first. I went to college for what I do, but I circled back. I would have started earlier to empower other young girls of color, to inspire them in the media world. I would have stayed in L.A. a little longer. I feel like my brand would have been more useful in Sacramento, but maybe I wasn’t as mentally prepared as I thought.”
As you enter your second year of hosting your TV show, 1st Lady K’s Point of View, sometimes people can’t spark that creative interest they don’t realize they have. How hard is it for you to stay creative, and what would you say to someone experiencing the same struggle? “It’s not hard for me because I know times change, and I’m constantly focused on reinventing myself. The balance is in being creative in a way that others can relate to. One thing that helps me is not focusing on the 10 people who don’t like it, but on the 30 who do.”
Do you think educational tutorials on equality, creativity, and optimism could help police officers make better decisions?
“Yes, I do, and I believe it starts at the top. Everyone should be part of that. Police should lead by example. Too often, you see police escalate situations instead of helping to de-escalate.”
The tobacco industry is often criticized in commercials, but do people truly have a choice when it comes to smoking, or are external factors pushing them toward addiction? “I think it’s less about the advertising and more about the cost. Back in the day, cigarette packs were $3, and now they’re closer to $15. It’s about accountability. One of the main reasons I quit smoking was that I hated the smell. If they dropped the price back down to $3, we’d definitely see a spike in sales.”
Felicia King's passion for empowering others and her commitment to creating meaningful change shines through in every aspect of her work. With a focus on authenticity and giving a platform to those who might not otherwise be heard, she continues to inspire and uplift communities. As we look ahead, her unwavering dedication to positive impact will no doubt leave a lasting legacy.
Legacy's are not only passed down, legacy's are earned. It's on Laron & Lashae to maintain the Valley Home Construction Legacy. To continue the morals and principles that Ed Lane has mentored Laron all last year of 2023. There's hurdles and growing pains that will occur, but only when you give up is when you truly fail. Anabel Velasquez, has taken on the role of PR for the Bailey's. Through various Non profits Anabel has shifted the two newly general building contractors, into multiple communities of powerful non profit networks such as Drive 4 Impact Celebrity Golf Classic, Are They Abusive, Placer Justice Foundation,
Justice Advocates Battling Exploitation & Lies (JABEL) Allowing relationships to flourish for the Bailey's and helping provide capitol for the purchase of Valley Home Construction. What type of morals and principles has Ed passed down for his legacy to continue for decades to come ? What makes this legacy so amazing?
Since 1997, Valley home constrcution has been incorporated and constantly impacted the community with beautiful home remodles.
EvenRights asked Ed Lane, What does creativity and optimism mean to you?
Creativity and optimism, creativity is thinking outside of the box. Making something happen that most people wouldn’t be able to see. So in my field i walk into homes and I come up with ideas, or I’m doing a flip house, or I’m doing a custom home. I look at it as maybe we can knock this wall out here or maybe put the shower over there or change the location of the refrigerator. So I would say that is my definition of creativity, and optimism is being as positive about any situation that you can run across. So there’s been lots of design, thought changes and what is in 10 years ago is not in now so.. Kind of staying in the loop of what people like. I see 4 to 5 people a day I have a pretty good idea, of what the masses like so when I’m doing a flip house, for instance, I’m putting things in for the masses, because I don’t know who’s going to buy it and I’m able to see through that and be able to design in and put it together for lots of people.
With legacy comes new growth and new bussines and develpment. Many new remodel inquiries have begun to align for the young couple. However the only way for any new lead to be profitable to take care of the client like family. Keeping people who believe in doing right by people at all times even when no one is looking. Paying attention to what people are attracted to, not to take advantage of them but to better meet their needs is very important.
Having a starigic mind is also very important to maintain a legacy. When in need to change with the times, can you shift gears and be innovative.
We asked Ed what are some of the things that you think about when ever you'er doing a house flip, since it's such a random crowd, there's potential for anyone to buy it so what are some things that you think about .
Well for instance on a house that I just flipped, in El Dorado Hills, they had 4 bedrooms, they had their kitchen blocked off by a dining room, living room had a patio slider that went out through different walls and I was able to think through the scenario of eliminating one of the patio sliders, making the kitchen that much bigger, taking a wall out between the dining room and the kitchen, and opening that area up and I eliminated one of the bedrooms which created a master bathroom. The bed room was originally very small, then making the other bathroom up to date. Knowing what people like is a huge benefit.
I know that people buy kitchens and bathrooms so when i design the kitchen for the masses I put it together with the thought of most people like to have x y or z.
If your going to maintain a family, if yoyou'reoing maintain your dream job, especially if you plan to maintain a legacy. You will absolutly need a plan. It's good to have a family routine to where your able to funtion as one unit.
It will go as such for operating a company in a multi billion dollar industry. Ed would always jokingly mention to Laron that "we create our own destiny and have a license to print money. However without a plan none of that maters because you are more likely to fail" .
EvenRights asked Ed to share an example of when careful planning played a role in the success of a project.
Every single one! that is the key point of doing a successful project. If you don’t have a plan, you have nothing. That's my motto, if you don’t have a plan whether it is a good plan or a bad plan, you have to have a plan. An example is every single job that we do, we have a system of going through the customers brain figuring out which tile selection they want, their cabinetry their countertops, their shower valves. Without planning ahead of time it’s about 90% going to fail.
The smallest pebble's make the biggest ripples, understanding small chages can cause big issues is key to understanding how to prevent them. However in this industry of construction, things can change in a heart beat. Evenrights eliminates negative stereotypes and promotes creativity, equality and optimism. we all often go through times that make us stronger . You learn from your mistakes and grow to learn and avoid roadblocks when you are determine to be successful.
Ed, What steps do you take to adapt to challenges or changes that may come up during a project ?
It’s alway a moving target. In construction we have guys that would get sick, or maybe products that would not come in when it is supposed to. So changing gears is something that iv instealed in Laron. For instance if a tile that they have selected is out of stock or it is not going to be producing out, then we will look at some other sources, Try to find something that is going to be as similar as possible, and move through that. There is no perfect science to it but it is a matter of crossing that bridge and making sure that you have everything lined up.
Our youth will fold without the understanding the importance of optimism and creativity in changing the way you think. Ed How do you feel creativity and optimism is important to promote to our generation?
It is extremely important, I go through life with a positive attitude. Even when things are going in a negative way we got to look at the positive somehow. So, it is extremely important for our generation coming up. I have 5 kids that are from 28 down to 12. I have a pretty good understanding of trying to guide the future in a direction thats going to be positive and productive. And live in today’s society
Ed What are some of your core values?
My core values are treat someone how you want to be treated, be kind, make sure that someones negativity doesn’t spill onto you & live life in a positive way.
Residental and commercial remodeling has been Laron's bread and butter as project managed Valley Home Constrcution all year of 2023. With Ed Lane sponsoring Laron for his General Contractors License the Bailey's plan to expand in the Bay area , Home base Walnut Creek, CA, Keeping the current operation in the Sacramento region. Following the Bay area Eventually Las Angles will be next.
Ed, What are a few things you would say to homeowners to encourage them to remodel their existing houses instead of buying new ones.
A lot of my customers are already doing it because they like the neighborhood, schooling houses and etc. So instead of going out and relocating your entire world. You can upgrade the home that you live in. That is one of our tags, improving your life by improving your home. I have customers that tell me all the time that they wake up to their new spa bathrooms and take a shower and it starts their day off great. Or they have their new kitchen, they feel like it’s a gourmet kitchen and they can, being proud of what they live. Home ownership, they either have pride in it or they don’t and typically you can see that walking up to their front door.
Organization is one a strong point for any business
Co construct app. Something that is so huge is safe to say is a secrete weapon if used correctly.
Any selection that we get get approved it through co construct, helps solidify on what the client likes and limits back and forth confusion. Acting as an insurance agent. Selection's that client decided on are confirmed by the client.
There are so many positives that comes with co construction. Scheduling jobs and so much more!
Cognitive scope can fluctuate over various time frames and is shaped by surroundings or intentional efforts. The beauty in this mental process lies in treating it as a creative instrument for exploring perspectives.
Ray Bans: If it didn't go exactly as planned, that doesn't mean that your plan isn’t good. It means that you may have to find a different approach.
Ray Bans, musician, owner of Bans Bundles and manager of Foreign Family Clothing, finds herself in a balanced state where she senses when to focus, and when to expand her attention. This feeling allows her purpose to ripple through all that she does.
Ray Bans: Every action we take must have a purpose, whether it’s to help others or achieve our goals. When you try to do things by yourself, you are going to be limited to how much you can do. Everyone has a life outside of their business. Whether it’s children, work, whatever it is, you literally can only do so much as one individual.
I feel like what helps me be able to be organized, a lot involves a team. Everyone has their own roles in exactly what they do, and then when someone cannot attend or help with something, there is a person for each person that helps pick up the slack for those days. I feel like that has a lot to do with it.
How do you feel creativity and optimism is important to promote to our generation?
Ray Bans: I believe creativity and optimism are essential for longevity. I feel like you need both to keep both. Everything is in a constant state of change, and we have to adapt with the times. It’s like what we do with our business. If we do not continuously adapt to how things are going, we may find ourselves falling behind. So both, creativity and optimism are highly important.
Ray Bans speaks about how she went from nursing school to obtaining her degree in liberal studies. During Liberal Arts School, she watched a women’s history film that motivated her. Then eventually opened The Foreign Family Clothing Store with her family.
Ray Bans: I went to college for nursing after high school but I started to deviate from my academic path once I got into the business side of things with my family. We fully committed to our clothing business, which played a big part in my decision to take a break from school.
We successfully opened 4 store locations, my favorite was our Foreign Family Clothing Store in Fairfield. It was spacious and allowed us to do more than sell clothes. Being able to see everything that you have done, all of your hard work pay off, it exposed us to what we were capable of.
I felt like I spent a lot of time at school so last year I decided to go back to finish, I switched my major to liberal studies. Close to the time for me to graduate, I watched a women's history film. The film showcased a diverse range of rich and successful women, the showed a variety of rich women, there was only one black woman featured. Her success served as a source of motivation for me.
It is impressive how you all were able to transition from one Foreign Family Clothing Store location to the next, despite the closure of certain places. That had to take a certain level of thought.
Ray Bans: Between my team and me, we had around 4 to 5 long meetings to discuss the decision of closing our Foreign Family location in Fairfield. Each person had to provide valid reasons as to why we should or shouldn't close that clothing store. In these meetings, no one person’s opinion is above another. By the end of the meetings, we all seemed to be on the same page.
I realized that perception plays a role in how we interpret things. Some of us took the decision to heart because that first Foreign Family store in Fairfield was our baby, that’s what we started with. However, we had to consider the reasons behind our initial decision. Holding onto a store without a clear purpose doesn’t make sense.
On the other hand, not having that store opened up new opportunities to everyone to explore different business ventures. We all just had to start as a family. So I feel like it was a brighter side to it so instead of us looking at it, i feel like it opened up our eyes more. Looking at it this way, I’m proud that we closed the location and started a better business.
Optic flow is how we perceive people or objects in motion as we ourselves move. Ray Bans and her family gained insight by observing movement patterns during certain times when making decisions about store front locations.
Ray Bans: When selecting a store location, it takes effort. We thoroughly examine potential sites for about a month, including weekdays and weekends. Especially the weekdays, to make sure the foot traffic is consistent. You won’t know how a location would do without staking it out first. It could be fine one day in the area that your store is located and then the rest of the days it could be terrible. Foot traffic and location is how we figure out how to move forward.
How does your brand promote equality?
Ray Bans: We usually organize a series of shows called Soulful Sundays. We hosted these at our previous location in Fairfield, California, situated within a mall. Our store, at the time, had a huge area in the back that we transformed into a stage. These shows, known as Soulful Sundays, provided a platform for upcoming artists to perform with me and my family. The artists would perform alongside myself and my brother, Foreign Glizzy.
We took on the responsibility of funding the event. Artists would message us to let us know that they wanted to perform. We carefully selected around 10-11 artists to be a part of the show. Soulful Sundays gives us a chance to hear music from upcoming artists, even collaborate with them. This was a way for us to give back to the community. Since people would come to watch the performances, it benefited both the artists and our business. It worked out on both ends.
In music, have you experienced a moment that sparked an idea for a song bar?
Ray Bans: Absolutely. Situations I've encountered, possessions I have or plan to get, personal goals have all put me in a creative space to write lyrics. My music is diverse, including my "Do What I Want" album, which features Hip Hop tracks, as well as some R&B music and even more upbeat songs that I collaborated on with Even Rights.
During our interview with Ray Bans, she spoke about songwriting. On several occasions she was able to broaden and narrow her cognitive scope during the creative process.
Ray Bans: Sometimes I would start writing, or I would get an idea without having a beat yet. After I write it down I would see if I could come up with a couple more bars. In the recording studio, I would blend in something that I wrote previously with something that I just created.
How were the names "Foreign Family" and "Ray Bans" created?
Ray Bans: The name "Foreign Family" was not specifically created by us, but rather by people from our hometown who knew us. We all owned foreign cars for as long as I can remember, and they started referring to us as "Foreign Family" due to our shared connection with these cars and the fact that we are family.
As for my musician name, "Ray Bans," it came from my family nickname, "Ray Ray," and them saying I had money or "bands" on me. My family would often joke about holding some of my money.
