For I can do things through Christ which strengtheneths me. (Philippians 4:13)
Cleveland, Ohio isn’t just a major U.S. city that is widely known for having thrust LeBron James on the global map.
REMEMBERING KORTEZ — In 2014, Pamela L. Smith’s Jonesboro, Arkansas-based Arky’s World organization was officially formed, whereby she has become greatly inspired to create a legacy in her son’s memory.
For Pamela L. Smith, it is a city that she undoubtedly will hold dear to her heart for the rest of her life.
All because of Kortez.
“He was from Arkansas. His friends simply called him Arky,” Smith, during an exclusive interview with Making Headline News this week, said of her beloved son, whose life was cut short in Cleveland in December 2013 as a result of senseless gun violence.
Kortez was just 18, murdered on the streets of Cleveland, robbed of his young, promising life — with so much living ahead of him.
In honor of her son, Smith and her family deemed it essential to establish a nonprofit organization in his honor.
In 2014, Smith’s Jonesboro, Arkansas-based Arky’s World organization was officially formed, whereby she has become greatly inspired to create a legacy in her son’s memory.
A tumultuous, heartbreaking occurrence that changed the overall landscape of the lives of Smith and her family, Smith — an accomplished licensed evangelist — was determined to keep Kortez’s memories alive by way of putting on display what she described as “a positive legacy out of a negative situation.”
GONE TOO SOON — Kortez was just 18, murdered on the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, robbed of his life with so much living ahead of him.
“She knew that what the devil meant for bad, God would turn it around for good, because she had faith, loved, and believed in Him,” said a spokesperson for Smith’s notable 501c3 organization in a detailed description at http://arkysworld.org.
Interestingly, Arky’s World, by all accounts, is widely known for offering grief counseling, as well as prayer and other forms of support, particularly for grieving families who lost relatives to senseless violence.
In September 2017, for instance Smith established Arky’s Spoken Scents, which offered an assorted of beautifully designed candles that can be purchased at http://arkysworld.org.
“I get to comfort and inspire others to know that they don’t have to allow their pain to be their end,” said Smith, explaining the purpose for her nonprofit. “Once they push through the pain, they will find a greater purpose. You can always turn a tragedy into a positive as long as you turn to God for help and guidance.”
For Smith, who’s garnered valiant support from her husband, Pastor Nathaniel Smith Jr. of The Tabernacle Of Love Ministries in nearby Hayti, Missouri, she has gone to great lengths to turn an unfavorable chapter in her life to one that essentially would advance the kingdom in ways unimaginable.
In September 2017, for instance Smith established Arky’s Spoken Scents, which offered an assorted of beautifully designed candles that can be purchased at http://arkysworld.org.
PAYING IT FORWARD — Arky’s World, by all accounts, is widely known for offering grief counseling, as well as prayer and other forms of support, particularly for grieving families who lost relatives to senseless violence.
Proceeds will go to the Smith’s Arky’s World and other events related to the nonprofit organization.
“Many have reached out to me from all across the United States for inspiration, prayer, or to even place candle orders,” said Smith whom, every Sunday, is known for leading and teaching her church’s Discipleship Class.
As for upcoming public appearances, during which Smith will further promote her nonprofit and tell of her life-changing testimony, she will be on hand at Blytheville High School on June 23rd as a vendor for the Family of Faith Conference hosted by the Women of Worth Global Outreach Ministries.
In addition, she said plans will be underway in the foreseeable future to write a book about the events surrounding her son’s untimely death.
FAMILY FOCUS — For Smith, whose garnered valiant support from her husband, Pastor Nathaniel Smith Jr. of The Tabernacle Of Love Ministries in Blytheville, she has gone to great lengths to turn an unfavorable chapter in her life to one that essentially would advance the kingdom in ways unimaginable.
“She would also let the world know that through all of your hurt and pain, God still heals and delivers…that you can find comfort, love, and strength through Christ if you put him first,” said a spokesperson for Arky’s World, an organization that caters to people of all ages around the country.
Smith also unveiled her Arky’s World Foundation, which assists parents who have loss a child/children to violence. And just recently, she and her staff started a summer feeding program, during which they will give kids and teens free meals and offer healthy eating habits.
Also, Smith announced the startup of the Arky’s World after school enrichment program that will begin this upcoming school year, whereby it will provide children a safe place to attend with someone they can trust, all the while providing mentoring, tutoring, and spiritual guidance.
MORE WORK TO DO ON BEHALF OF KORTEZ — Smith also unveiled her Arky’s World Foundation, which assists parents who have loss a child/children to violence. And just recently, she and her staff started a summer feeding program, during which they will give kids and teens free meals and offer healthy eating habits.
“And our homemade candles and melts can satisfy all walks of life being the only candle with a spoken word,” Smith said.
A spoken word that much to the delight of the buyers, will greatly inspire them to help turn a hurtful situation into a rather spirited one.
With God, their Helper, leading the way.
For more information about Pamela L. Smith’s Arky’s World or to schedule her for a speaking engagement, call 870.600.1553 or email her at: myarky95@gmail.com. Also, connect with Arky’s World via social media at: https://www.facebook.com/Arkysworld/
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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In honor of her son, Smith and her family deemed it essential to establish a nonprofit organization in his honor.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
