Charlotte PinC - Making Charlotte Beautiful

Letter from the Publisher

Charlotte has been welcoming Black women excellence for years. We even ranked number one among cities in America for women-owned business development in the 2018 American Express Report. Charlotte’s nickname, Queen City, has taken on a whole new meaning in recent years. This month we’re looking at how Charlotte has welcomed Women of Color business ownership, and how our contributions pave the way for Queen City greatness.

Charlotte PinC had the pleasure of working with six women who

are Queens in their own right. We brought together six Queens, who had never met. for a photoshoot. They connected, shared stories, discovered things in common, and made new friends.

Who are these women? They are creative souls, mothers, business owners and so much more. Each of these women brings something very unique to the fabric of Charlotte. Check out the profiles of these awesome women and see how their unique fabulousness is Making Charlotte Beautiful.

Lynn Leary, Publisher

Lynn Leary

DOING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Nonprofit orginizations have a strong impact on the communities they serve. They provide a way for people to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action. Charlotte has its fair share of nonprofit organizations that serve the community in a variety of different ways. Charlotte PinC reached out to four local nonprofits that were either founded by or are managed by Women of Color. Check out these amazing women and see how they are fostering civic engagement, leadership, driving economic growth, and strengthening the fabric of Charlotte.

Home 4 Me

Donna Lee Reed, Founder of Home4Me, was raised in foster care. Now, she’s helping children aging out of foster care prepare for life on their own. Home4Me is “A Voice for Teens in Foster Care” taking the concerns of homelessness and preparing youth and young adults to transition to a healthy successful lifestyle.

Website: www.home4me.org

Stiletto Boss University

Founded by social entrepreneur Jania Massey in 2015, Stiletto Boss University’s (SBU) goal is to connect young women to opportunities within business, building up young women’s social capital, all while creating the next generation of community leaders.

Website: www.stilettobossuniversity.com

The Academy of Goal Achievers

The Academy of Goal Achievers works to provide college & career readiness activities, mentorship and career coaching for the most marginalized communities here in Charlotte. The Academy focuses on the 2 generational model, providing growth opportunities for the parents of the students they serve.

Website: www.taogainc.org

The RISE Project of the Carolinas

The RISE Project serves individuals with mental health disorders, provides transitional housing to male veterans, and offers HIV Case Management, all with a focus on the minority population. The organization’s annual World AIDS Day Program (Dec.1) has been a staple program in the Charlotte community to educate others about HIV and prevention.

Website: www.facebook.com/The-RISE-Project-of-theCarolinas-182566472496754

ROLL BOUNCE WITH ROLLIN’ CLT

By Kristen Ware

Roll Bounce with Rollin’ CLT Rink & Lounge, Charlotte’s first outdoor roller rink that features a top of the line skating and lounge experience for families, couples, and young adults! Since the opening of the rink, Rollin’ has made quite the buzz all over the Queen City! This roller rink has outdoor skating, food trucks, drinks, an adult lounge, a hookah lounge, and so much more!

Rollin’ CLT began when three ladies, Kendria, Brandi, and Sh’Niqua came together and connected over the idea of a brick and mortar skating rink in September 2020. Flash forward to September 2021, when the trio turned their dreams to reality. launching the first Black Woman owned skating rink in the Charlotte area.

Charlotte PinC had the chance to speak with one of the Co-Owners, Brandi Fox to learn more about Rollin’ and what they have in store for the future.

“The Grand opening was everything

we asked for and more. We sold out of all four of our sessions. It was exciting for us because whenever you go into a new concept or a new market, you never know what the outcome will be,” said Brandi.

“For us to be able to introduce this new concept and be able to sell out every session, it made us feel good and let us know that we are on the right track of our vision of having a Brick and Mortar Lounge.”

The idea of a brick and mortar roller rink doesn’t stop there with these three ladies. When asked about the future of Rollin’ Clt, Kendira, Brandi, and Sh’Niqua said they have a lot in store.

“We definitely want to expand (Rollin’) everywhere. We want to have a Rollin’ Atlanta, Rollin’ Orlando; we want to bring the concept nationwide and hopefully worldwide if we have the opportunity to.”

CHARLOTTE PINC TAILGATE

Charlotte PinC hosted our first tailgate on Sunday, October 10, 2021, for the Charlotte Panthers game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. The Panther’s may not have delivered a win that day, but the Charlotte PinC team certainly did. Attended by fifty plus friends, family, and supporters there was a little something to enjoy for everyone. Grill Master Carl Pringle served up ribs, chicken, burgers and hot dogs that were a crowd favorite, but when topped with his famous Flip Flop sauce where an even bigger hit with the crowd.

Courtney McKenzie of Courtly Crafted (@ courtlycrafted) served as the mixologist creating refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a signature PinC Panter cocktail, created special created for the event. The sweet potato pie, spiced pound case and Charleson Cheweys provided by Gechee Bakes (@GeecheeBakes) where gone in 60 seconds. DJ Bryce Lessane, “Bryce the Don” kept everyone moving with a mix of old school and new school music. There were raffles, giveaways and even a cornhole tournament.

Small Business Spotlight:

Britney Teamer of Just Add Wine Boards

Q. What is Just Add Wine Boards?

“I focus on making charcuterie boards and grazing boards to specifically pair with different types of wine. Basically, it is like a grown-up Lunchables but at an elevated level. So different meats and cheeses also with seasonal fruits, some sweet treats in there and we do custom boards as well so if there’s like a party theme or color theme that people want to match up to what we can do that. And then we also handle some catering events, grazing tables, individual charcuterie boxes or cones for larger parties for weddings and things like that.”

Q.In three words how would you describe the core of your business? “I would say “Artistry” because it’s all about making the food look like something that is edible and an art form. “Sourcing” because I definitely focus on local sourcing and supporting other small businesses in the area. “Elevation” because I try to take it up a notch not just your classic charcuterie board, and the different themes and things like that.”

Q.What was your “Why” when starting Just Add Wine Boards? “My family moved here [Charlotte] from Charleston about a year ago. I was pregnant with my son. After I had him, I was looking for a new passion to dive into. I was also going back to school for my wine certification in that I kind of wanted to mix food and wine out of the full-service restaurant side of the industry. That’s where Just Add Wine Boards was kind of created.

Q.You are a mom and work full-time, how do you balance your various other roles?

“It depends on the day, some days I can keep the kids happy and in a good mood and I can be really productive at home and get things done. Some days they’re wreaking havoc and I have to stop every five seconds, so there’s definitely a balance. I love my days when the kids are in school where I can get a lot of things done. But I also try to do what I can from home so I can also spend time with them. As a mom and a business owner I think it’s definitely important to find that balance between family and work and also just ask for help. There are days where my husband has to help me out or my family.”

Q. “What do you wish to see for black business owners?

“Just success. I think over the past year there’s been a very big push to support black owned businesses. But I want it to get to a point where people are choosing the businesses because they are the best of the best and not just because they’re following a trend.”

Q.Where do you see Just Add Wine Boards heading?

“I’m hoping to see a storefront open up soon. My husband and I want to open up a wine and paint studio where we’d also feature the boards and have fun events like live music and things like that. The goal is hopefully in the next few years to open up a storefront like that.”

The White Wine Lover

The Pride Board

Britney Teamer

Business Is Booming Despite COVID

By Tyjuana Wilson

There’s no doubt COVID-19 sparked a tidal wave of changes in the way we attend school, attend work, and focus on our households. What you might be surprised to see is another pandemic-related turn of events: the entrepreneurial emergence of Black women business ownership.

According to the Center for American Progress, Black women are the driving force in America’s 2021 entrepreneurship explosion. They are responsible for launching six times more businesses than other Americans, and they’re creating 1.4 million jobs as a result of our determination.

Furthermore, Harvard Business Review released a report this year sharing that in the U.S., “17% of Black women are in the process of starting or running new businesses, compared to just 10% of white women, and 15% of white men.”

From soap making, to social media management, our sisters’ tenacity

during such an unprecedented time is shaping the way the United States looks at small business ownership, one sale at a time.

For example, Durham-based The Good Bar Soapery was founded in November of 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic -- when many brick-and-mortar companies were forced to cease operations. Kelly Edwards launched The Good Bar after learning how olive oil, coconut oil, and essential oils complemented her skin in a way no other soap has done before. She gifted her soaps, made from self-designed formulas to family and friends before realizing the potential to make an impact in the marketplace.

That idea to bring The Good Bar to life could not have happened at a better time. The pandemic compelled many to reconsider how they want to earn an income. Those who once worked in an office realize they enjoy working from home because it allows for greater flexibility to pursue dreams of entrepreneurship. By the time employers had begun requesting that employees return to the workplace, contracts, gigs, consultancies, and small-business startup opportunities became ideal options for Black women.

In addition to the pandemic, 2020’s racial justice movement prompted more shoppers to support businesses run by people of color. Social media shares of marches for George Floyd and others have prompted shoppers to take action by supporting Black businesses like never before. When millions of social media users declared to their family and friends that Black lives matter, a commitment to support Black-owned businesses emerged. This encourages Black women to turn their hobbies into a business that has the potential to succeed.

However, minorities still see disparities when it comes to supporting their newly-formed ventures. Access to money remains a key barrier for Black women-owned businesses, preventing them from taking advantage of important possibilities or, in some circumstances, simply getting off the ground. Black women are typically at a disadvantage due to a history of a lack of generational wealth, compared to our white counterparts. We also have less options for mentorship and training, which means there is less social capital. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2016 Small Business Credit Survey, Black-owned businesses are less likely than white-owned enterprises to secure financing approval and are more likely to default.

Working Out Post COVID

By Kelly Bryant

Many active adults are finding that working out after recovering from COVID-19 is more difficult than expected. Check out these suggestions to help get you back to your pre-COVID exercise routines in a safe, healthy way.

When can I exercise?

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 but are not experiencing symptoms, you can do workouts at your home. Do not go to the gym while you are on quarantine. If you begin to feel symptoms, stop exercising. You should not engage in any exercise until you have been symptom free for at least 7 days. For the first 2 weeks of exercise after COVID, stick with low intensity movement. This may include things like gardening, walking, or gentle yoga. You should be able to hold a conversation without difficulty breathing during light intensity exercise.

Am I ready for more intensity?

Once you can complete daily tasks and go for casual walks without feeling winded, you can start easing back into a workout routine. As you begin to ramp up the intensity of your workouts, begin with intervals of exercise followed by blocks of recovery. For example, you might run/jog for 5-10 minutes and rest or walk for the same time duration. As you become more comfortable, you can add intervals into your workout, and eventually, shorten your rest periods. Beginning your workout with stretches and deep

breathing (focus on expanding your chest and lungs) can help with returning to your pre-covid lung capacity during exercise. Don’t forget to listen to your body’s signals. Stop exercising if you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, abnormal heartbeats, lightheadedness, or other symptoms. Do not assume you feel this way because you are “out of shape”. Check with your doctor to make sure these symptoms do not indicate a health issue. If you do not feel recovered at both 1 hour after and a day after exercise, scale back the intensity or duration of your workouts. Anticipate that full recovery to your previous activity level may take longer than expected. Rather than setting “deadlines” for your body to perform to your previous standards, practice gratitude for being able to move and exercise at any level.

Leverage Technology to Track Recovery and Predict COVID

Consider using wearable technology to track biometric indicators. Although fitness trackers do not replace the need to consult with your doctor, they can allow you to track metrics such as your average heart rate and

your blood pressue. This gives you real-time data to check your progress in addition to your overall health. One wearable, the Whoop band, is being studied for it’s role in being able to predict COVID-19 based on changes in respiratory rate before the user starts to exhibit symptoms. Their paper Analyzing Changes in Respiratory Rate to Predict the Risk of COVID-19 Infection has been peer reviewed and published in the journal PLOS ONE. Similarly, Scripps Research and Duke University are conducting research on the effectiveness of other wearable devices to predict COVID. If you use a smartwatch of fitness tracker (whether you have had COVID-19 or not), consider adding your data to these projects:

• DETECT project by Scripps Research https://detect.scripps. edu/

• Duke University COVIDentidy Study https://covidentify.covid19. duke.edu/

When Life Hands you Grapes

By Rebecca Leathers and Paige Leary

There’s a saying that says, ”Wine gives wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and happiness to life”, and for 2 Black Women-owned businesses in Charlotte, the imagination hasn’t stopped flowing.

Just a short ride away from Uptown Charlotte, is the town Davidson, North Carolina. Its here that you’ll find Davidson Wine Co., the town’s first ‘Urban Winery’, founded and owned by an African-American woman, 38-yearold Lindsey Williams’. Though North Carolina hasn’t always been

home, the Ohio native has found her place here in the Queen City, and she’s here to stay. The entrepreneur’s story starts nearly a decade before opening Davidson Wine Co, when on a trip to beautiful Italy, the wine capital itself. Williams was on a tour of Tuscany visiting Italy’s breathtaking vineyards when she first truly experienced the allure of a good wine. It was after her trip when she decided she wanted to create a space where people could fall in love with wine the way she did. “I really fell in love with the art of making wine”, she shares with Charlotte PinC. Davidson Wine Co. is meant to be a symbol of what you could expect from European vineyards, without having to leave the city. Located on Depot Street, otherwise known as Davidson’s historic business district, the historic home for the winery creates a warm and cozy atmosphere for all its visitors.

Accessibility is one of Davidson Wine Co’s. core values. Not only does the bistro offer wines within everyone’s budget, they offer over 50 different wines to choose from, some even locally made. Popular wines like Merlots, Cabarets, and Chardonnays, are made within the urban winery. Harder-to-find wines such as Barolos, Gewurztraminers, Pinotages, Petit Verdot and Ports are also made internally. Grapes are sourced globally from the best grape growing regions in the world like California, Italy, France, New Zealand, Chile and Germany. Not to mention, you can also design your own custom label to place on that perfect bottle of wine you purchase for someone special. It’s the little things that make visiting Davidson Wine Co. such a phenomenal experience. Be sure to visit Williams and Davidson Wine Co. for your next wine down time!

A Savage X Fenty Storefront

Could Be Coming To A City Near You

Watch out Angels, the bad girl is coming to town! According to Business Insider, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie brand has plans to open physical stores in the US as soon as next year, putting them in direct competition with Victoria’s Secret.

According to Business Insider, Rihana’s Savage x Fenty brand has tested pop up stores in the past, with overwhelming success. The physical store will be dedicated to potential customers who’d like to try on garments before they buy. In an interview with Bloomberg, Savage Fenty’s chief marketing and design officer Christiane Pendarvis, said that you’ll “absolutely see some stores in 2022” in the US, without specifying where. The brand would also consider stores

in Europe in the future, she said. It’s no secret that Victoria’s Secret has seen a huge fall off of customers and supporters in recent years. In 2018, viewership of their famed fashion show had plummeted to its lowest views ever. Falling from over 10 million viewers in 2010 to just over 3 million in 2018.

The culture of “selling the fantasy” just isn’t what consumers are looking for anymore. The tall, thin, astonishingly beautiful supermodel has been replaced by brands like Savage X Fenty, who highlight real women, with real bodies that come in all shapes and sizes. The proof is seen in their campaigns, partnerships, and fashion shows that are available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Photo provided by Rihanna on Instagram @badgalriri

Rosalia Torres-Weiner

Red Calaca Studio

Charlotte – it is full of beautiful greenery, extravagant scenery, and is a melting pot of people from different walks of life. Here, you can almost find a church on every corner and well-maintained baseball fields that families flock to for leisure. The Queen City is a lively place known for its charm, and that is exactly what drew in artist and activist Rosalia Torres-Weiner of Red Calaca Studio. Born in Mexico City, Mexico and formerly of Los Angeles, Rosalia felt she had found something special when her husband’s company relocated them to Charlotte.

Rosalia dreamed of being an artist as a little girl. Though she did follow her passion over the years, she hadn’t truly found her calling. Flash forward to 2011, when Rosalia rebranded from an artist, to an “artivist,” moving from commercial art to activism.

Rosalia noticed two things when she moved to Charlotte: the city lacked vibrant, colorful artworks, and deportations were wreaking havoc on the Latino community. Through her favorite medium, public art, Rosalia decided that her artworks would shed light on immigration, social justice, and family separations.

Her passion eventually led to the creation of the “KITE Project,” where Rosalia invited children orphaned by deportations into her studio.

Website: www.RedCalacaStudio.com

IG and Facebook: Redcalacastudio

“The idea was to create a kite and tell their stories on a piece of paper, glue it on the kite and fly it. It was a way to say, ‘you’re going to be okay, let it go”says Rosalia. In addition to assisting the children Rosalia saw this as a way to educate the community on the impact of the deportations and its impact on the children.

Thoug h an influential Charlottean Artist, Rosalia faced her fair share struggles finding her fit here. Initially, she did not feel welcomed in the art community, and recalls being told that her “aura was very colorful, that [she] needed to be moved to a place like New Mexico, San Francisco.”

Lucky for us, she didn’t listen. Today you may see Rosalie driving around the Charlotte area in her art truck that proudly claims, “art is not only in museums.” Ironically enough however, Some of Rosalia’s art is in museums, and all throughout the city.

It is important to her that she not only makes use of bold colors in her

pieces, but that she truly captures the struggles, achievements, and stories of those in the Latino community.

Rosalia has called the QC home for the past 26 years. She has seen the growth of the Charlotte art community as a whole but is most proud of the growth in the Latino community. She is proud to have made her mark here and plans to keep capturing stories using paint and brushes for years to come.

Diamond Sonnier

Diamond Sonnier started Created Resilient Custom Creations and Event Planning as a passion project, but it has since “ballooned” into something much bigger. People frequently ask her where she got the name for her company, and she loves to tell them it’s a culmination of who she already is. She is a creator and a creative –and her name is Diamond, the most resilient rock on the planet. Not only that, the products she makes are both customized and resilient, so the name was a natural fit.

Diamond was born in small town Fayetville, but after attending UNC Charlotte for school, she fell in love with city life. There was something about the skyscrapers, the commute, the walk to work, and the vibrancy of the city that made her eager to call Charlotte home.

Website: www.CreatedResilient.com

Social Media: CreatedResilient

Phone: (704)-586-9951

She has always been a natural gogetter, so it didn’t come as a surprise when she started running her event business alongside her full-time job. The skills she has learned in her 9-5 career have helped make her an even better entrepreneur. And while she thoroughly enjoys her work in IT, her event business lets her show off her creative side.

A natural-born storyteller, Diamond took a tragedy and made something positive out of it. After the death of George Floyd, while in the midst of a pandemic, Diamond created and sold masks that read, “No Justice, No Peace.” The masks were a hit. Shortly there after, a new idea blossomed.

Diamond knew she wanted to help others tell their stories as, and what better way to do so than crafting unforgettable experiences? Now, she creates beautiful balloon installations that are eye-catching, completely customizable, and get everyone talking about the event.

She didn’t get into event installations for herself, she got into them to help others be successful in curating an something that spoke to others. She not only cares about how people feel, she wants her clients to be completely satisfied with the end product, and she repeatedly goes the extra mile to make that happen.

Niecy Quildon

Silk E Studios

Nicey Quildron is a third-generation hairstylist who recently moved to Charlotte during the COVID-19 pandemic. With no knowledge of the Charlotte area, she packed up her life and followed her passion down to the Queen City.

Although styling hair has been in her family for a long time, Nicey didn’t always believe that was her calling. She has a degree in psychology and sociology, and spent many years working as a mental health professional. She enjoyed that job because she truly likes listening to and helping others, but something was missing.

She realized she could still care for and help people in other ways, and she thought about her own past and the powerful women who helped make her what she is today. Nicey’s grandmother was a hairstylist and

Email: silk.eystudios@gmail.com

IG: silk_e.studios

Booking site: silkestudios.schedulista.com

salon owner. She also was a master cosmetologist who sat on the state board in Washington D.C.

Her mother did hair for many years, and upon graduating high school, Nicey also became a cosmetologist. After taking a few life detours, she found herself back in the salon, doing what she loved most – helping women feel beautiful about themselves. Nicey lets her clients see who she really is when they come in to visit her salon. Not only is she compassionate and understanding, she’s timely and considerate. She also likes to have fun with her clients, but she knows how to keep it real.

As a Black Woman and a single mom, Nicey has found that there is a shared experience among women. She believes women share a special bond, and while her clients are coming in to get their hair done, they’re also talking about their lives, their families, their struggles, and their goals and dreams. She gets so much fulfillment out of being a part of their stories, and making sure they leave the salon looking and feeling better than when they came in.

Nicey focuses on natural hair, and she looks forward to turning your style into a masterpiece. Call or text to book your appointment at 980.202.2533. You can also find her on Facebook or Instagram @silk_e. studios or email her at silk.eystudios@ gmail.com.

Luxurious Leisure CLT and vendor MTD Event Decor LLC are both Black-owned businesses. More particularly, they are businesses run by Black women.

Website: www.Luxuriousleisureclt.com

Email: Luxuriousleisureclt@gmail.com

IG and Facebook: LuxPixCLT

A Picnic in the Park

by comfortable seating with lots of cushions. Games, flatware, wine glasses and even disinfectant wipes were all included in the two-hour session. Wine toppers and food coverings were provided so that guests could enjoy their drinks and food without the company of pesky flies.

If you’re looking for intimate time with a partner, or a fun time with friends, Luxurious Leisure CLT could be your go-to! You may have seen those TikToks showing off enticing picnics that are picture-perfect; people with charcuterie boards and fancy decor, sitting somewhere scenic and amazing. Now you can do the same here in Charlotte at a place of your choosing! If you would like to be treated like a queen, have a family game night, rekindle love or celebrate a special occasion, Charlotte native, Artesia Staten can make it happen.

On July 16, Andee Easter spent her 25th birthday with friends in Romare Bearden Park. She had a picnic that featured beautiful balloon decorations and place settings, accompanied

Artesia partnered Misti Dae with MTD Event Decor LLC, to acquire the most beautiful display of blue, cream and gold balloons. She also provided a delicious assortment of sandwiches and a small, pre-packaged charcuterie board from The Culture Shop CLT.

Artesia launched her business in May 2021. When asked why she started a luxury picnic business, she said, “I started the business from a place of love. I’ve always been attracted to a beautiful love story - whether it’s with your spouse, partner, girlfriends, family, or with yourself. We all need the space to experience our story. Picnics are an American pastime for gathering. I wanted to bring that back to families in a more personable way… with a hint of luxury!” If you ask her what makes something “luxury,” she will tell you that it’s “having someone else do all the work so you can just show up and enjoy ‘being in love.’” Her motto: Love Life More Luxuriously.

Real Life Mermaids

The heat of summer may be gone, but what would one usually see on a nice, warm day? Pools, lakes, and beaches filled to the brim with swimmers and dippers, but what do those folks usually have in common?

In the 20’s and 30’s, America was in the middle of what we call a “pool boom”. Large leisurely pools were popping up across the country, some for men swimmers only, others for women. Eventually, those gender divided pools merged, and huge influxes of white Americans were now able to swim together. But what about Black and colored people? During this Jim Crow era, African American swimmers were battling degrading racial stereotypes still felt today. White pool go-ers thought African Americans to be dirty, and did not want to share pools with them. When pools finally allowed both genders to swim together, white men were worried sick about having Black men near their white women. So much so, that they would pour acid into pools where Black people swam, beat Black swimmers with pipes, or even throw large rocks at them (“Where Are All the Black Swimmers”). Flash forward to now, where “Karen’s” and their husband’s police black swimmers, antagonize us, and create hostile environments for

African Americans just wanting to beat the heat.

Nadine Ford knows the racist history of swimming, and has made a career of empowering, and restoring the confidence of Black swimmers. Meet the Mahogany Mermaids.

The Mahogany Mermaids are a U.S. Masters Swimming team in Charlotte, N.C. with 80 members, almost all of whom are Black women. (Several men—usually brothers or husbands of members—have joined, too.) The head coach is none other than Ford, the original Mahogany Mermaid, who went on to earn several coaching certifications. For some Mahogany Mermaids, it’s an introduction to the sport. The swim team is one of the first safe spaces for Black women swimmers in Charlotte. Tara Johnson-Drayton, a Mahogany Mermaid, said she had never heard of an African American swimming group for adults. “So when I heard of the Mahogany Mermaids I was like, I want to be a part of that,” she said

Drayton’s mother, grandmother, and siblings never learned to swim, causing her to delay her own learning. Now, that fear of the water has been replaced with joy. At the age of 49, she learned to swim and is now a competitive swimmer.

During practice, Ford walks the deck, giving her swimmers stroke advice and tips. She is helping beginners do something they might have never thought possible: swim with grace and ease, and enjoy their time in the water, and while the Mermaids credit Ford for their success, the coach says it’s not about her.

“It’s about them,” Ford says. “That’s one of the reasons they keep coming is they know they have it in them. They just need somebody to pull it out. That’s what I do.”

“How often do you see this? You don’t ever see Black women swimming in a pool together,” said experienced swimmer and Mahogany Mermaid, Nashira Waldron. A swimmer all her life, Waldron credits Ford for creating a safe atmosphere for African American women. “It’s never too late to learn to swim,” Ford says Learn more about the Mahogany Mermaids at www.mahoganymermaids.com

Taylar Lea

Lea Aesthetics

“So don’t give up. Keep going and just know that whatever you’re doing, it’s going to be bigger than you and better than you could have ever imagined.”

Remember when you were younger, planning out your life? What was your dream job? Well, cue Taylar Lea of Lea Aestethics Studio. She has always been passionate about skincare, self-love in the form of a good manicure, and getting her hair done. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that she would be able to take her love for all these things and turn it into her everyday job.

Born and raised here in Charlotte, Taylar knew from an early age that when she finished school, she would start her own business. Her mother has owned businesses since Taylar was in grade school, reaffirming the notion that she, too, could own a business one day. Once she was introduced to esthetics, it was a nobrainer for her about what she wanted that business to be.

Taylar started her business within the confines of her home, and now, she is giving the city that raised her a makeover in her own brick-andmortar shop in SouthPark. Being a Woman of Color in Charlotte, doing the work she does, and getting recognition for it, has been the most honoring part of her journey.

“[I] want to show that we can do it. If it wasn’t for the people before me, I wouldn’t have known that it was possible for me. It’s important for women who look like me, who are my age, [to] continue to create paths

for the people behind us and doing it where we’re from.”

Since opening her business, Taylar’s biggest dream is to have a solid clientele that she can service longterm. In her mind, having a space that gives women the opportunity to have their own businesses flourish and support other service providers, under the same roof, is her biggest goal.

“The word aesthetics with an ‘A’ means ‘the beauty of.’ Everyone always says my last name wrong. When I get married, it’ll go away.” Thus, she decided to include her maiden name in her business, so that its legacy will continue. “I decided that this was going to be my forever business when I quit my job last year and didn’t have one. So, it had to stick. “

Being a young, first time business owner, Taylar has learned how to tackle the word “entrepreneur” from all sides. She is her own bookkeeper, receptionist, technician, customer service… and the list goes on.

Her advice to other young entrepreneurs out there is to do the research, do the work, have a plan, and go for it. Knowing that it won’t be easy is imperative. “So don’t give up. Keep going and just know that whatever you’re doing, it’s going to be bigger than you and better than you

You can find Lea Aesthetics on Instagram at @Lea.Aesthetics_, shoot her a text at (704) 800-0597, or visit her website, leaaestheticsstudio.com.

Alexis Vinique Realtor

“[Skyla] is my biggest supporter, my biggest motivator. So, she sees mommy doing it and she knows what’s right for her in the future.”

In this market, it can be hard to find a realtor who isn’t pushing sales on you just to make their next, big commission check. Realtors that put you first, have integrity, and are dedicated to helping you make such a big investment – and with a clear conscience – can be far and few. However, if you’re looking for a licensed realtor who has these qualities (and then some) in North or South Carolina, look no further than Alexis Vinique.

A Plymouth, North Carolina native turned Charlottean, Alexis made her move to the Queen City to grow her business and network. Being from the country and not ready to jump to a larger-scale city, Charlotte felt like a happy medium that had proven

itself to be a great place for black entrepreneurs to make a name for themselves.

Alexis is full of personality and is an epitome of the phrase “started from the bottom, now we are here,” as her first real estate sale was a land only deal that netted her a commission of $19. It didn’t quite give her a full tank of gas, but it laid the foundation for her deeper understanding of land deals. That first commission not only excited her, but it led her to more land deals with larger commissions. Selling that land was key for continual growth and what’s to come for her business.

She is in the process of building her custom home business and has amalgamated all that she has learned into her extensive repertoire – a repertoire that she hopes instills a mark on her daughter. “[She’s] my biggest supporter, my biggest motivator. So, she sees mommy doing it and she knows what’s right for her in the future.” Alexis is a firm believe that representation has and will always matter, so she is doing her as a Woman of Color leaving her mark on Charlotte.

Christina Tinsley

Curls by Christina

A graduate of North Carolina A&T, Christina was born in Texas and raised in Ohio. During the pandemic, she had to move her client-based business when her husband took a job in Charlotte. Since then, she has been bringing happiness and healthy hair education to all that have the honor of sitting in her chair.

Not only is she a wife, mother of four, and entrepreneur but she is also a woman of color that has been in the beauty industry since 2004 - before natural hair was trending.

“I am happy that I’m finally seeing more diversity and inclusion from the bigger name hair brands trying to teach all stylists how to do all hair types, as well as coming out with products and techniques geared towards a bigger range of hair textures.”

Sometimes, it’s not about being the newest to step onto the scene - it is more important to be the truest! If anyone understands this, it’s Christina Tinsley - the owner of Curls by Christina Studio.

She, herself, has taken the steps to provide quality services and products that ease the hassle of the everyday nuances - like hair detangling. If you ask Christina, she will tell you that detangling is an imperative and necessary part of keeping your hair healthy. “Proper detangling can make the process go a lot faster as well as prevent breakage which leads to length retention, that’s what the people really want!“ And the results are pure joy, as Christina helps clients to learn, love, and discover what natural hair can do.

For her, it goes deeper beyond just learning about hair, but also how we communicate about hair. Holding a special place in her heart for mothers with younger children, she cultivates a safe space for teaching clients that styling difficult hair shouldn’t coincide with negative speech. Rather, our youth should be taught from a young age that hair contributes to your individuality. “Healthy hair is ‘good hair’.”

And this simple idea rings still true today. She has more than just expertise about natural hair and curls in her repertoire; she knows how to color hair too. Let’s just say that being natural for almost 15 years forces you to go with the flow of the industry and Christina isn’t new to this. Since high school, she has been doing hair

in some capacity and her friends were her first clients. “With hair, it’s just always something that I’ve done that doesn’t really feel like work. So I guess I really didn’t have a choice but to start my business because people wanted me to do their hair. Easy money.”

Christina recognizes that as we move away from European standards of beauty, it doesn’t matter the length or texture of your hair. What matters is that when you feel like you look good, you actually do feel good about yourself.

To Be Missing... and Not White

In 2020 alone, almost 100,000 black girls were reported missing. But do you remember seeing any national campaigns to find them? In September, America was gripped by the disappearance of 22 year old Gabby Petito. People across the country were looking, watching, and hoping for the young lady’s safe return. In addition to having the media’s attention, a considerable amount of time, money, and resources were used to help find Petito, and eventually her body. Women of color across the United States saw an overall spike in disappearances in 2020. So, why aren’t those cases hardly ever publicised?

Petito’s story unfortunately has a familiar feel to it. A pretty, upper middle class, suburban white woman gone missing, and perhaps at the hands of her spouse or boyfriend. This narrative and coverage has been repeated so much throughout mainstream media that it now has its own name. “Missing white woman syndrome.” The phrase, coined by news anchor Gwen Ifill, describes how affluent white women tend to receive disproportionate media coverage when they go missing. There is no question that Petitio and other victims deserve justice. However, missing Black, Hipanic, Indegiounous, Indian,

and Asian women deserve the same resources that are made available to missing White women. But how do we get there? That answer could lie within the police department.

A 2020 study in the academic journal Journalism Practice, concluded that the police, not media, were typically the deciding factors in determining which missing persons cases got media attention, and which didn’t. According to the LA Times, the study interviewed publishers, editors, news directors, reporters, and law enforcement officers in California and New York about how missingpersons cases are handled in the press. A New York journalist wanting to remain anonymous, explains their policy on reporting missing women. “Our policy is, if it doesn’t come from the police, we’re not gonna put it on.” Historically, Black girls in particular are often classified as runaways rather than missing persons; shifting the focus from public safety to personal responsibility. One New York law enforcement official told the researchers “I don’t want to put so many kids on the news that the public will be like, ‘Oh, it’s just another runaway.’ So I decide who to put on the news and not to put on the news.” (need help tying these together)

In order to help find and advocate for missing women of color, we must start amplifying the voices that are already leading the plight. Journalist and activist Erika Marie Rivers launched Our Black Girls in 2018. The website is dedicated to telling the often-untold stories of Black girls and women who have gone missing or, in some cases, were found dead under mysterious circumstances. Rivers isn’t the only one trying to highlight these cases. Two Black women founded the Black and Missing Foundation in 2008 to bring attention to the thousands of Black people who go missing every day in the U.S. And podcasts like Crime Noir, Black Girl Gone and Black Girl Missing are working tirelessly to honor these stories as well. The same outlets aren’t available within other minority groups.

When conducting research for this article it was learned that there is not a single website dedicated to the national disappearances of Hispanic, Indegenous, Indian, or Asian women as they’re often miscatogorized, or compiled into generic “non white” or “white” categories. With no way to centralize information, minority women and their stories are slipping through the cracks.

Our missing women of color still need and deserve our help. It was the work of social media that ultimately led to the discovery of Gabby Petitio’s body. There is power in uploading, sharing, and connecting with one another for a common goal. Although women of color are not given the national attention they deserve now, there’s work we all can be doing right now to

change that, and to help find our girls. Share information, join search parties, support organizations like “Our Black Girls”, and “Black and Missing”, talk to your children about abduction, and child safety. Let’s do our part to advocate for those who aren’t advocated for. For ourselves, and one another.

Five13 Studio

Five13 Studio is a high-flying, glamorous boutique that offers a unique collection of styles.

During our store visits we encourage shoppers to put away their fashion inhibitions and step outside of their style box. We create an atmosphere where each customer can tap into their inner fashionista and leave feeling like they’re is ready to walk the runway!

LEXI MAXI SHIRT

JILL KNIT MIDI DRESS

ANNE

SNOH RUCHED MIDI DRESS

TEESHA FLORAL MAXI DRESS & SHANI RAFFIA EARRINGS & BELEVEDERE CLUTCH

RONCHI MIDI DRESS

KENYA MAXI SHIRT & STELLE BEADED FRINGE EARRINGS

TUELLE MAXI DRESS

SOLANA RUFFLE DRESS & KARO BEADED CLUTCH

Beyond Charlotte with Petula Skeete

by Staff Writer

She was tall, with dark skin, and never felt like she was the “it” girl or the “in” girl. But she knew she wanted to work in the beauty industry, despite feeling alone and out of place.

But that longing for fitting in took Petula on an incredible journey. When she was a young girl, Petula’s family immigrated from Nevis, a small Caribbean island to the United States. She grew up in the Bronx, and there were many times that she wondered if she’d every leave New York. She wanted to, but she didn’t know if that dream was possible.

Her dream of working in the beauty industry became a reality, and so did her dream of seeing the world. Petula worked hard in her career, and that hard work paid off when one day she was asked to assist with the Glam Squad for Robin Roberts, the host of ABCs Good Morning

America. That opportunity paid off big time, as it opened some incredible doors in her life.

Petula got into the beauty industry to feel beautiful, and in hopes that someone else would tell her she was beautiful. Now she knows she is beautiful, and she spends her days making other people feel that way, too. The best part of her journey is that it brought her an understanding of who she is. She was beautiful and she belonged all along.

If Petula had 3 pieces of advice to share with you, they would be:

Be a Motivator

Every Monday she does a Motivation Monday on her Facebook and Instagram to help get people in the right mindset for their week. She’s learned that when preparation meets opportunity, you have

success – and you never know when opportunity will come knocking. Keep people around you who keep you motivated and keep you on your A game.

Trust In God

God has been faithful in her journey, and Petula finds herself speaking with The Almighty on a regular basis. Even when things don’t go according to plan, she has faith knowing that they are going to work out, sometimes in ways better than she could have ever imagined.

Know Your Hair!

To know your hair is to know yourself. If you know what your hair wants to do, you spend a lot less time fighting it, and a lot less time stressing over it. Your hair isn’t doing anything wrong, but the more you refuse to listen to, the more trouble it’s going to give you. Take time to learn your hair and build a healthy relationship with it – and of course, find a stylist who can help you get there as well!