About Us

The “Mass Appeal Media Network” consists of the following talents:

• Prof. Wayne Hodges MBA, Editor-in-Chief – whodges@massappealnews.com
• Crystal Booker, Public Relations Manager – cbooker@massappealnews.com
• Stacey Mebane B.A., Fashion Editor – smebane@massappealnews.com
• Charles Rouse III MBA, Sports Editor – crouse@massappealnews.com
• Nashay Davis LMSW, Religious Editor – shayzblest@yahoo.com
• J.J. Smith, Author of “The Joy of Dating…” – info@jjsmithonline.com
• Kimberly Kelly-Rolfe, B.S., Financial Planning – kkelly-rolfe@fwg.com
• Dana Carroll, B.A., Sex & Relationships – dcarroll@massappealnews.com
• Jenne Laytham, B.A., Books & Publications – jlaytham@basehorlibrary.org
• Alonzo Washington, Crime Fighter, Artist – omega7toys@aol.com
• Sean Hill, Diva of Comedy, Actress – seanhillentertainment@yahoo.com
• April Raleigh, Domestic Diva, Cooking – araleigh@massappealnews.com
• Malcolm Nash, B.A., “Hawk Talk” & Sports – mnash@massappealnews.com
• Prof. Geoffrey Heathcock MBA, Classic Rock ‘n Roll – geoff811@hotmail.com
• Dr. Sonya Willis, Equity & Education – dr.sonyawillis@yahoo.com
• L.J Hodges, Teen Writer, Video Games – jhodges@massappealnews.com

Introducing special guest columnist Rita Watson, MPH from Yale – www.ritawatson.com

Call us at 913.233.6425. Or send mail to: Mass Appeal News, P.O. Box 2461, Mission KS, 66201

***CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE MASS APPEAL CHATROOM***

Some interesting facts about the authors:

J.J. Smith (a.k.a. Dating Diva) is a Dating and Relationship Expert, Author, Radio Host, Life Coach and Corporate Executive. J.J. is also the host of “Real Talk with JJ and The Fellas,” a radio show that provides advice to single women looking for real answers on love, dating, sex and relationships. J.J has appeared on NBC, FOX, NewsChannel8, Glamour Magazine, Ladies Home Journal. the Jamie Foxx Show, Montel Williams Show, Michael Baisden Show, HOT97, KISS 98.7 and many others. J.J. is also the Dating and Relationship Columnist for Black Star News. J.J.’s engaging personality, and no-holds barred dating books offer sometimes controversial guidance that has been grabbing readers and listeners, both men and women alike, and keeping them coming back for more! J.J. articles can be viewed 24/7 inside the “J.J. and the Fellas” category. To view her demo reel and media clips, please visit www.jjsmithonline.com

Rita Esposito Watson, an incurable romantic, is a writer, editor, and policy specialist.  In addition to her syndicated blog, she writes daily as the Love and Marriage Examiner and does a monthly column for the Sunday editorial pages of the Providence Journal, Relationship Columns. Rita has been a guest on numerous radio and television programs, including two appearances on the NBC Today Show. Rita’s career began at The New York Times as a medical writer.  Today her columns on love, marriage, and sex often refer back to thoughts from the medical community.

Rita is an associate fellow at Yale University’s Ezra Stiles College. While still at the New York Times, she attended Yale where she received her MPH from the School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and remained at Yale as a public policy advocate for children and families. She was spokesperson for child care legislation and became Director of  Policy and Education working on family-centered treatment for chemically-dependent mothers. Rita was one of the architects of landmark state legislation that provided for childcare services at treatment centers and a continuum of care model that was adapted nationally.

Designer of The TACT® Strategies, Rita has taught decision-making and coping skills to men and women in business in high stress positions — as well as to parents.  These are discussed in several of her books. Her strategies for living peacefully can be found in A Serenity Journal: 52 Weeks of Prayer and Gratitude.

Crystal Booker, a distinguished member of the Kansas City Film Critic’s Circle, is a single mom of two beautiful children. She is also the film critic of Kansas City’s Magic 107.3 FM. In addition to her movie reviews, Crystal serves as both a photographer and consultant. She was recently awarded the outstanding distinction of “expert author” at Ezine Articles.com. She is also a contributing writer to I Love Black Movies.com. Crystal has been writing for over 20 years. Her movie reviews, and other works of art, will certainly entertain and educate you. Life is a journey. Why not travel it with Crystal? To catch her film critiques at Magic 107.3, click here. You can hear Crystal’s radio show on the media player below. Also, check out “Crystal on the scene” by clicking here.

Alonzo Washington, the Kansas City Crimefighter, has been active in the Metropolitan community for over 3 decades. Washington has appeared on several television shows; most notably CNN. And he’s usually at crime scenes to assist law enforcement officials and identify bodies. To view updated reports from Alonzo, click here. For a Diabetes, Health & Safety report featuring Washington’s nationally acclaimed comic book hero Omega Man, click here. For crimefighting tips and more, visit Omega7.com. To view his MySpace page, click here. Washington welcomes your comments at omega7toys@aol.com.

Charles (Chip) F. Rouse III is a former senior corporate communications executive with more than 35 years of experience in protecting and projecting corporate and product reputations, leading change management initiatives and managing corporate conversations with key constituencies.  He was vice-president of communications & philanthropy and chief communications officer for sanofi-aventis and Aventis Pharmaceuticals, two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.  A native of the Kansas City area, Rouse is a journalist by training and in practice.  He loves to read and write, shoot landscape and architectural photography and has a passion for sports and sports journalism.

Chip’s diverse background includes time as on-air radio and TV talent, as a daily newspaper reporter, and as editor-in-chief of a national trade publication serving the motion picture industry.  Rouse is a graduate of the University of Kansas and has an MBA from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo.  He and his wife, Susan, have been married 36 years and have a married daughter and two granddaughters. Chip’s articles can be viewed 24/7 inside “Mass Sports.” To view his submissions via the Examiner, click here.

Dana Carroll has a B.A. in English from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is a sex and relationships expert for Examiner.com and the Bobby Keys radio show at iseecolorradio.com. Dana also works as a fiction writer, actress and model. She has appeared in several films including “Around, Fetch and Jade Phantom.” As a native of Kansas City, Kansas, Dana is dedicated to the betterment of her hometown offering advice to men and women who are searching for love. Dana is one of the few people that still believe in love at first sight, soul mates and true love. Her expertise comes from experience, research, experiments and good old trial and error. Dana’s advice, though unconventional at times, relates to the plight of men and women, single and attached. To view her most recent articles, visit “Dana’s Love Chronicles” by clicking here. For a peek at Dana’s movie clips, click here.

Malcolm Nash, a University of Kansas alum and former basketball player, studied the game of hoops under future Hall-of-Fame coach Roy Williams. “Big Nash,” a member of KU’s Final Four team in 1991, played alongside the likes of Adonis Jordan, Rex Walters, Mark Randall, “Downtown” Terry Brown, Steve Woodberry, Richard Scott and Alonzo Jamison. Nash brings a wealth of college basketball experience. And you can view his analysis titled “Hawk Talk” 24/7 inside “Mass Sports.”

Jenne Reed Laytham, a St. Mary graduate, is the Assistant Director of Basehor Public Library. She is also a fellow member of our alumni book club; comprised mostly of St. Mary graduates and students. Jenne’s book reviews cover a wide range of topics in a genre list which include fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies, etc. For the latest book reviews, visit “Read This!” by clicking here.

Stacey Mebane, a psychology graduate from St. Mary University, has a strong passion for the latest fashion. Stacey is also an advocate of proper health and nutrition. In addition to offering health & beauty tips, Stacey is involved in several community awareness projects in Kansas City; including ‘Project CLIMB.’ She also serves as our entertainment and gossip columnist. For the latest news in health and beauty, visit “Stacey’s Fashion” by clicking here.

Sean Hill, a comedian, actress and entertainer, is the founder and president of Sean Hill Entertainment. A New Jack in the comedy industry, Sean has performed on stage with such entertainment heavyweights as Bruh Man, Cocoa Brown, Shawn Harris, Bobby Valentino, Urban Mystic, Jon B and vocalist LaTosha Scott (formerly of R&B group Xscape). In addition to comedy shows, Sean has performed in several theatrical dramas and plays.

This includes stage appearances in “Saved but not Delivered” (written by actress Andre Frisby), “Murder by Revolver” (written by actress/comedian Patrician Smith) and “Addicted 2 Love” with Nu Image Productions. Recently, Sean has appeared in several movies in a list that includes “A Comic’s Hustle, Tender, Happy 85th Birthday Grandpa, The Barbershop Chronicles and Burger the Kid.” To learn more about Sean Hill Entertainment, click here. To view Sean’s articles, visit the “Mass Comedy” category.

April Raleigh is a Kansas City, Kansas native residing in Blue Springs, Missouri.  She is attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) as an education major with an emphasis on language arts. April’s passion for creative writing and desire to teach others has inspired her to become both a teacher and author.  Her professional background includes over twelve years experience supporting executive level professionals in business development and sales/marketing areas. This experience has afforded April the opportunity to use her creativity and writing skills to create and distribute marketing collaterals on various levels.

One of the highlights of April’s exciting writing career involves the publication of a health and safety brochure titled “What is Domestic Violence?” The brochure, which was created for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, was published when April was an employee with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City Kan. as part of a domestic abuse grant project. April’s authoring goal is to share her personal experiences on a level that intrigues readers while introducing new things. April’s articles can be viewed inside “April’s Recipes for Dating.” Also, you can follow April on Twitter by clicking here.

Geoffrey Heathcock, a scholar and adjunct professor of 30 years, once performed on stage with the legendary “Wolfman Jack.” Heathcock also spent over a quarter century formulating financial and strategic plans for such prestigious companies as Bechtel and Black & Veatch. To get a heaping helping of “Professor Rock,” click here.

Elder Nashay Davis is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kansas.  From her childhood, born and raised in the church and saved at the age of 9, the Holy Spirit has worked through her in the form of dreams, prophecy, teaching, singing, counseling, and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to men, women, boys, and girls of all ages and backgrounds.  As a mother, daughter, friend, counselor, and spiritual guide, she wears many hats and plays many roles in God’s world.  With the encouragement of her family, this dynamic young woman brings a unique flavor of energy and life to every situation she experiences.  She was licensed as a Minister of the Gospel in December of 2007 and ordained to Christian Ministry in March 2010.  Minister Nashay is a worshiper from the heart and her style of ministry is sprinkled with prophetic singing and life-giving exhortation.

Elder Nashay is a Licensed Master Social Worker, has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology, is a certified Substance Abuse Professional, and up and coming business owner. Her mission and purpose in this life is to “assist others in LEAPING over obstacles to obtain their fullest potential”.  She seeks to break beyond the bondage of tradition to ignite the souls of people from all walks of life toward faith in Jesus Christ, challenging them to “Live Boldly” for Him.  As the Holy Spirit as her guide, this young woman of God plans to do just that in order to further the Kingdom of God all over the world.  This prophetess of God has been blessed with two awesome children, Kendraya and Nalijah, and a very close-knit family of supporters. Nashay is the founder of Kansas City’s Bold Life Outreach Commission. She’s also an advocate of community development and longtime board member of Project CLIMB.

Dr. Sonya Willis continues to carry on her strong family tradition as an advocate for both equal educational opportunities and youth prosperity. Dr. Willis is a veteran educator of the public school system. And she has taught a wide curriculum of subjects in both the Kansas City Kansas and Shawnee Mission School Districts.

Kimberly Kelly-Rolfe is a Financial Advisor and Owner/Manager of Kelly Rolfe Financial Services (KRFS) which specializes in personal financial management and strategic investments.  She’s responsible for providing sound financial advice and managing client assets, specifically those of investors, small businesses and 401k plans.

Kimberly brings to the table a broad range of financial experience and knowledge.  She began working in the financial services industry in 1998 as a sales assistant for Financial West Group.  There she received securities and investment training and took over the financial training program causing the program to experience the most success in its history.

Shortly after, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and moved into management performing accounting, budgeting, financial & programs management.  With her love of the financial services industry, she began Kelly Rolfe Financial Services, providing financial planning, tax preparation and accounting.

You can catch Kimberly on the radio airwaves every Saturday morning at 9am on Fayetteville, North Carolina’s Soul 104.5 co-hosting the financial IQ segment with radio host DL Rogers. The shows are available for download at www.frugalwealthbuilders.com. Today, Kimberly resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband of 16 years and two beautiful children. Her articles can be viewed inside the “Dollars & Cents” category.