Huami Magazine Arkansas May/June 2021 by Terry Watson

ARKANSAS

May/June 2021 Volume 1 Issue 5 FREE

Arkansas - May/June 2021

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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

Awards, Alignment There Are Accolades, No If, Ands,and Or Buts About It! A Letter from the Editor

A Letter From The Editor

A Letter from the Editor Sometimes I reflect on where I have come from in life. With each What if tomorrow didn’tdifferent arrive? All of one youranother, plans, hopes reflection, the feelings are always from and it and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. if good makes good sense for them to be. There are peaks andWhat valleys; everything thatvalleys, you decided to bad put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes moments during the and even ones when I thought things happened? would be reason to save a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have ano street to park ifcoaster ride should have been There great. I guess you can describe iton. as for aWhat roller day, and you could someone theuntil trouble of making that never ends. everything that youspare decided to put off tomorrow never

promises. What your last happened? Thereif would be opportunity no reason toseemingly save for aexpired rainy

I am theand second child in a family six, withoftwo additional today? What wouldspare you do? day, you youngest could someone theoftrouble making big sisters. With What this arrangement, the amount of stories toexpired share are promises. if your last opportunity seemingly plentiful. Even more, the steps that I’ve taken have painted its own I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. today? What would you do? picture, validating my individuality and uniqueness, and eventually Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm revealing what purposed for. islike a saying “what you believer inI am knowing that GodThere wouldn’t put ondon’t me I’ve been told that I often seem I do anything too much. know,Honestly, can’t hurt you”. For me, learning what God has destined for my life that I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would I feelhandle. like I amI not doing enough I’mlife a firm and not responding according to His desire is sort of an opposite parallel be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I to that adage, meaning once I learned who I was supposed to be, every haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would act of disobedience that followed has been painful.

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is aifblessing that to what everyone. A challenge be I chose to sitisn’t idle afforded and accept it presented to me. I to mefound is an adventure. What is the In worst that can opportunity happen? have that to be very boring. my opinion, I have taken part of a lot of things in life. I have been acknowledged If aI do nothing, and if I try I in don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI fail, isn’t afforded everyone. A challenge for some, and for some I have not, andto my dusty collection one might something new about certificates, myself. yourcan pride and in meplaques, is an adventure. What is Relinquish theand worst that happen? find ato few trophies, awards. Though, I haven’t return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn received many accolades, yet I know they’re coming. I confess that I once something newI about myself. Relinquish your items pride just anddon’t in believed they would, am now at a place where those The best advice ever given to me happened when someone return acquire life. do it for me. I realized such symbols of merit have only provided short told of meenthusiasm, to make myand tomorrow happen doing so If I moments any mental recordtoday. of themInare fleeting. I have pressed my way through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice ever to happened. me happened when have no memory, then it’s likegiven it never hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between told to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so But when I slowed down and allowed mylife life to aget into alignment God blesses me and what can burden me with Iwhat have pressed my waywith through doors with key that only with what God purposed for me, everything that I gavebetween value to as well. I has compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference before, I used asblesses a foundation to stand on tolife obtain that which never when tocan be quiet, because what God me with and what burden mewill with lose its value; and that is God’s favor. I realized that when God blesses may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowingsomeone when to be confident and me, the sensations are unending, and the benefits open doors I can with being arrogant. when to bewill quiet, because have open on my own. When I walk with God, andmay thatget means allowing someone it confused God to lead me, every desire, want, and need appears to just fall Make youarrogant. tomorrow in place. with being happen today, but most I have learned that awards and importantly make it count. Make you tomorrow accolades are good but being in Life is but a whisper and happen today, alignment with God hasbut waymost more value. wegives mustus put ourselves in a lot importantly make What God will last,itacount. whole position to hear what it is us. Life isanything but a whisper andgives longer than the world telling us.put we must ourselves in athing He promises not to keep any good to hear from us,position and all we have what to do it is is trust in telling us. Him. For me, being loved by God is the

L. Watson purest form Terry of an award and accolade, and one the world will never be able to Editor/Founder duplicate or Terry measure up to. L. Watson

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CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2021

ARKANSAS

Dr. Michele Wright 14

Helping Others Is Her Mission

On The Cover

She is Ready To Listen Tenethrea Buffington

Giving Back In Winston Salem

Alpha Alpha Gamma PSI

VendMe Co.

Alvin D. Ford

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Chasity Boone

Also Featured

Dr. Erika Hendrix Her vision is to provide sight to others. Checkout Lady E Specs. Greensboro, NC

Lora McClain Muhammad She is known as the Coloring Book Queen. Learn more about her journey. Gary, IN

Arkansas - May/June 2021

Secquoyah Lacy It’s all about the hair. Learn more about the face and founder of SuesyCoilCare Milwaukee, WI

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28 5

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Licensed Professional Counselor and Mindset Coach

Elevate your thinking, Elevate your life By Ellen Richardson Photos by Seawards Dawson

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer – Psalm 19:14 (English Standard Version). Ever since she was a child growing up in Bearden, AR Tenethrea Buffington knew that she wanted to help people. While this desire would once upon a time begin to lead this Lover of God and His people towards a law degree, the current professional counselor quickly found the path that her Heavenly Father had for her while in college. “I originally went to college with a dream and a vision to become an attorney,” said the bubbly Mrs. Buffington. “The funny thing is it didn’t take long for me to realize that was not what I really wanted to do with my life.” While taking a different trajectory so early in their college career can leave some students spiraling out, this would not be the case for this born communicator. Instead Tenethrea would find her calling after taking both a psychology and communications course her freshman year. “During this time, I fell in love with the whole concept of helping people learn how to communicate effectively and talking through things,” shared this born people person.

As she continued to follow her passion, Tenethrea would obtain her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, in 2002, and would move quickly to pursue her Master of Science in Counseling, in 2005, from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. After also obtaining a postgraduate certificate in marriage and family therapy from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock this deeply caring, nonjudgmental woman would begin to see her career as a Licensed Professional Counselor take shape. During this time, the Christ centered woman also began to pursue a career in ministry. “While in college I started working with kids at a church called Fellowship of Champions, in Fayetteville, AR, where I became a Youth Minister for their Victory Zone program. During this time, I began to learn how to become a mentor and counselor to the younger generation, which was instrumental in my becoming a counselor for families and even couples who often have children of this age,” said Tenethrea. Along with developing a passion for teaching and counseling others, the young woman from a little town in Arkansas developed another dream – to become an actress. “When I was a child and all the way up into my adult years, I had a secret dream to act, and it was during my time working inside this church that my pastor seemed to give this dream the spark that it needed after calling me a star!” exclaimed the artist now known as Tenethrea Buffington. “I actually started this dream through a small film that was filmed in Arkansas, called The Phone in the Attic, in 2014 and this eventually led to my next big life decision.” As she continued to pursue her latest passion, the newly divorced mother of a 3-year-old would decide to start a new life in Atlanta, GA. Despite moving to pursue a new dream/career in acting, which included taking some acting classes,

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obtaining an agent, starring in a PSA for an area nonprofit, being featured on some print work for the Atlanta Transit system and even seeing her daughter Brielle land an acting role in an Amazon Prime movie called Mixed Emotions Vol. 2, Tenethrea never strayed far from her goal of helping people through therapy. In fact, along with chasing her newest acting dream Tenethrea also gave life to a new business that gives Christian women a fresh start and perspective in Christ. “915 Enterprises is based upon a six-week online course that I developed called W.O.R.T.H, which is centered around my book called Who Told You That? Both this study guide and course focus on topics like identifying unhealthy limiting beliefs, forgiveness, recognizing your talents and goal setting, learning how to see yourself in a healthy place, building confidence and so much more,” said the woman whose own goal it is to set God’s daughters free from what holds them back. Along with this course, Tenethrea also offers one on one counseling and life coaching for women who are ready to overcome feelings of anxiety, poor self-esteem, anger, relationship issues, communication problems, overcoming a negative identity and even moving past feeling stuck in a certain area of life. “For so long, even in religion, women have been viewed as those who need to stand to the side, be quiet and play nice no matter what their feelings or thoughts may be. I don’t believe that is why God created women to be here on this earth,” stated this purpose lead woman. “Instead, He has a plan and a positive message for each one of us to share and I just want every woman to know that. This is in despite of something that they may have gone through in their past or is going through in the present. As a woman, who has had my own life journey, that has included its own hardships, I know how to relate to these women, and I feel like this is what God has called me to do.”

“For so long, even in religion, women have been viewed as those who need to stand to the side, be quiet and play nice no matter what their feelings or thoughts may be. I don’t believe that is why God created women to be here on this earth.”

Along with counseling, encouraging and motivating women through her business, this experienced therapist also offers cognitive behavioral therapy to women, men and children through Lifestance Health as well as couples therapy through Atlanta Couple Therapy. “I really connect with women, but I also enjoy helping anyone who needs to work through something,” said Tenethrea. “The truth is, we all need to do our own soul work and we often get lost in being there for other people and bury what is going on inside of ourselves. Therefore, I make it my goal as well as my advice for anyone out there who wants to be a good person, and who may want to be someone that reaches out to others, to talk with someone like me to work through their issues before bleeding on others.” To learn more about Tenethrea Buffington visit her website.

Tenethrea Buffington

To schedule an appointment with Tenethrea, please send an email to tenethrea@gmail.com or visit www.tenethreabuffington.com

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Nations of Women Change Makers 2021 Global Leadership Award Recipient

By Ayana Bryant Photos by Dr. Michele Wright

Who is Dr. Michele Wright. The best way to describe her is to say that she is loving and has a special place in her heart to serve others. She is also an engineer, best-selling author, former CEO of the American Red Cross, entrepreneur, and Executive Director for National Cystic Fibrosis for African Americans. This is a businesswoman who has continuously strived for success and pushes herself to new heights. A native of Tuskegee, Alabama now based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Wright is continuing to build her legacy and uplift younger generations while doing so. A graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering Dr. Wright decided to continue her education post-graduation. Receiving her master’s in engineering management and industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute becoming the first African American full-time student to earn this degree. She then went on to earn her doctorate from the University of Arkansas in public policy with a double specialization in health and leadership policy. Raised by two loving parents Dr. Wright was always taught to work hard and push herself to be successful. Her father, being the provider of the household is the one who encouraged her to become an engineer and inspired her to always strive for greatness. Today he still works at Tuskegee University helping students in the biology department get into medical school. Her mother also played an integral role in her upbringing, nurturing her and her siblings and making sure that they all did what they needed to do to reach their full potential. Both working in synergy to raise her is what she says has made her into the successful person she is today.

“The biggest challenge that I have faced in my career is being taken seriously and valued as an African American female and moreover as an African American female leader ........You know the saying take lemons and make lemonade? I took my lemons and grew a lemon farm.”

Dr. Wright values the impact of service within her community, her engineering background is what inspires her to support underrepresented students in the STEM field. She serves as the President and board chair of the Milton Pitts Crenshaw Aviation Training Academy which aids young people in looking for opportunities to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industry. She is also a board member of the Arkansas Mentoring and Networking Association which is another nonprofit organization that helps to promote opportunities for underrepresented STEM students in the state of Arkansas. Dr. Wright has started a very important business, My Water Buddy Inc. and foundation. The mission of My Water Buddy is to promote the benefits of drinking water to children and their families for a more fulfilling quality of life through a healthy body. The vision of this company is what inspired her to author and create her very own children’s book The Water Tales: Life Lessons from My Water Buddy and Family. Along with this book Dr. Wright launched a podcast which won the 2021 Accolade Global Film competition award. Alongside her husband she has also started the National Organization of African Americans with Cystic Fibrosis which was established in 2019. Along with success comes challenges and downfalls and Dr. Wright has had her fair share. “The biggest challenge that I have faced in my career is being taken seriously and valued as an African American female and moreover as an African American female leader,” she says. Overall, she still believes in embracing what comes because the struggles that we endure will always present bigger and better opportunities. “You know the saying take lemons and make lemonade? I took my lemons and grew a lemon farm.” When asked who or what has impacted her life the most, her immediate response was her relationship with God. She also feels that everyone around her has collectively impacted her life like pieces to a puzzle. Her parents instilled her with training, values, and beliefs that she feels has transformed her into the woman she is today. She also recognizes the influence and support of her husband. The last 20 plus years of their marriage has provided her with balance and a partner to “pick up the baton”. “Without the support of my husband I wouldn’t be the wife and mature woman of God that I am today,” she shares. In the future she is looking forward to continuing her growth and becoming overall wiser, better, and stronger. Ultimately, she says that she looks forward to making an impact in the lives of others. Her mission in life is to make a difference in the world that will not simply last for today but for generations to come. Dr. Wright believes in the significance of paying it forward h and says that is what she was put here to do.

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Alvin Ford VendMe Co.

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By Ellen Richardson Photos by Alvin Ford

Let’s be honest. Who didn’t love candy and snacks when they were growing up? Certainly not Huami Magazine’s very own real-world candy man, Alvin Ford. The owner of Detroit, MI’s own VendMe Co. vending machine company hails from a long line of entrepreneurs that never relied on other business owners to help them find success in the work world. Beginning with his great great grandmother and grandmother; who owned their own herbal tonic business; as well as his grandfather; who owned a line of small businesses including a couple of bars, a party store and served as a landlord for a couple of rental properties, Alvin Ford knew that he wanted to start his own business that would both lead to success and would make others lives better. This desire led to the birth of Metro Detroit’s premier vending company that supplies candy, healthy snacks and beverages to businesses throughout this growing area. “Seeing my grandparents operate successful businesses while I was growing up inspired me to do the same, so I decided to start selling candy,” said Ford. “I would start out by buying a box of candy and selling individual packages in barber shops, to my family and friends and even classmates as early as middle school.” After continuing his successful candy selling business all the way through high school, Ford would eventually find himself moving into the vending machine business. “I actually stopped selling candy for a little while but was led back in the direction of food sales while I was in college obtaining a business degree. This is where I started learning all about opportunities in the vending machine industry,” he shared. Before long, this born to be tasty treat vendor was investing in vending machines with more than just candy. “When I started setting up vending machines in the Metro Detroit area, I knew that I wanted to provide a product that would do more than just cure a sweet tooth. I also wanted to supply local businesses with machines that offer a wide variety of healthy and traditional foods to choose from,” said Ford.

“Seeing my grandparents operate successful businesses while I was growing up inspired me to do the same, so I decided to start selling candy.”

From one vending machine to two, Ford would eventually give birth to his dream of owning his own small business. Now, just six months after starting VendMe Co., which offers sleek new vending equipment with a full line of healthy and traditional snacks, the newest member of the Ford entrepreneur family is quickly making a name for himself with area businesses, hotels/motels and even a nationally known chain of retail appliance and electronics stores. “It is funny because this business almost started off as a lemonade stand when I was a kid, but after deciding to sell what I love, which was candy, it morphed into something that I love doing now!” exclaimed Ford. “Who would have thought that selling snacks at the barbershop as a kid, then out of my locker in middle school and even out of my backpack in high school would have turned into a vending machine company with contracts and national clients? God amazes me more and more as time goes on.” Arkansas - May/June 2021

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Along with becoming one of the newest small business success stories in his home city of Detroit, MI, Ford and his company are also doing their part to give back to others within his community. “Part of this company’s mission is to help others who are interested in starting their own vending machine business,” said Ford. “When I started this business, I knew that I wanted to be the kind of inspirational mentor that my grandparents and even my parents, were to me, so we also provide both mentorship and training for those who are interested in starting their own vending machine business. In fact, I often assist people in setting up locations and even help them get the proper machines for these businesses to get them started.” Along with giving birth to his own vending machine franchise, this business oriented young man is currently serving as a Business Analyst for the Nation’s No. 1 Wholesale Mortgage Lender - United Wholesale Mortgage Company and is preparing to graduate with his Master of Business Administration from The University of Detroit Mercy. After which, Ford will be joining the world’s largest e-commerce retail giant, Amazon, as an area manager. “It is kind of cool that I will be working at Amazon and running the vending machine company simultaneously because I believe that one day these companies can someday work together to grow worldwide,” stated Ford. You would think that a man with both a full and part-time job as well as completing a master’s degree would be satisfied with just focusing on himself and his career. If that were true, we would not be talking about Alvin Ford. Along with a heart for providing tasty treats and owning his own business, this real-life candy man also has a passion for leading others to the restoration power of Jesus Christ. “I know that I have a lot going on in my life, but I also know how important it is to follow a calling that I received when I was a young man - helping others find Christ,” said Ford. After starting this journey by becoming a minister at his family’s small church, Ford would eventually decide that he wanted to share the good news of Jesus Christ with more people. This desire would lead him to yet another mentor - Bishop Clarence Langston. As this successful, yet humble businessman would begin his tutelage under the Founder and Senior Pastor of Word in Action Christian Center he would continue to rise through the ranks to become a well-known minister at the famed Detroit church. As he continues to walk this road of success, Ford has just one suggestion for those who are walking a similar path. “No matter what your dream or calling is, do it scared and have faith that God will make a way,” said Ford. “Be sure to also invest in yourself by finding the right people and knowledge to help you get down the road further and faster than you could ever imagine.”

www.VendMeCo.com 844-836-3669 20

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To learn more about Alvin Ford visit his website.

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Dr.Erika Hendrix Exclusive Specs for Men and Women By Ayana Bryant Photos by Jarvis Harris Photography Photos by Still Shots Photography

Lady E Specs is the newest signature brand of eyewear to emerge out of Greensboro, NC. Dr. Erika Hendrix, a Greensboro native and minister, developed this eyewear line to provide her community with colorful and daring frames to fit any occasion. After surviving three strokes that impaired her ability to wear contacts, Dr. Hendrix grew interest in wearing unique glasses that fit her personality eventually leading to the birth of Lady E Specs. During her 20’s, Dr. Hendrix enjoyed wearing simple reading glasses but as the years passed her eyes became weaker and she eventually needed prescription glasses. She opted to wear contacts instead, and thoroughly enjoyed wearing them but after suffering a stroke she began to experience chronic dryness in her eyes. This made it impossible for her to continue wearing contacts. However, now it allowed her the opportunity to truly invest in the eyewear that she now wears. She utilized this opportunity to be more expressive in the eyewear that she chose and began purchasing her frames from a local eyewear entrepreneur J. Franklin (IG: @j.franklin_woodyou). Dr. Hendrix fell in love with his designs, even more she liked that she was able to customize all her glasses. She would have him engrave “Lady E” into every pair of frames that she purchased so that they would be personalized specifically to her. After frequently purchasing frames and becoming more acquainted with J. Franklin and his company, she learned that he also worked as an eyewear manufacturer. One day he suggested that she should start her own eyewear line because of her distinct taste and many connections through her work and ministry.

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Arkansas - May/June 2021

After taking some time to consider the idea Dr. Hendrix was convinced and decided to move forward with the new opportunity. The name came to her quickly as she remembered that “Lady E” was engraved into each of her frames, so Lady E Specs seemed to be the most fitting. The time to develop the eyewear line took from October 2020 to February 2021 which is when the company initially launched. Due to the pandemic, Dr. Hendrix moved forward with a virtual launch, proving to be a smart decision because of the influx of online shopping taking place during the lockdown. The line launched featuring eight stylish designs in acetate and wooden materials. Dr. Hendrix’s eyewear features customization for each of the Divine 9 fraternities and sororities as well as a featured “Aggie Blue” frame to celebrate her HBCU alma mater, North Carolina A&T State University located in Greensboro, NC. All but two of Lady E Specs designs are unisex, so there are selections for any and everyone. The average cost for a pair of acetate frames from Lady E Specs will range from $95-$110 and the custom wooden frames begin at $250. Lady E Specs also accepts FSA and HSA flex spending funds from your employer as a form of payment. The next launch is scheduled to debut in June of 2021 and will feature a selection for kids. Dr. Hendrix is an allaround businesswoman serving her community in the role of executive pastor of her church, Overcoming Deliverance Center, running multiple businesses including a mental health agency, a group home, a juice bar, and Lady E Specs, as well as publishing a book! When asked what inspires her as an entrepreneur, she says that she finds inspiration in the response that she gets from those she has impacted. Effortlessly, she represents the true definition of a humble servant, as she enjoys helping people and seeing them transform into a better version of themselves. Maintaining a close-knit group of friends is something she values and finds inspiration in. “Coming from a household with being the only girl among all boy siblings, my three best friends who I consider to be my sisters, have impacted my life and career the most. These are friends hold me accountable, encourage me, and guide me. They keep me in check. They tell me things I need to hear like, ‘No Erika I do not think that is a good idea Sis”. They really push me to always continue moving forward,” she shares. Arkansas - May/June 2021

Photo by Still Shots Photography

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“

Coming from a household with being the only girl among all boy siblings, my three best friends who I consider to be my sisters, have impacted my life and career the most. These are friends hold me accountable, encourage me, and guide me.

The only thing Dr. Hendrix says that she would change about her eyewear business is wishing that she would have done it sooner! “I’ll be 50 in two years so I can only imagine where it would be if I would’ve done this in my 20’s. But everything is in God’s timing” says Dr. Hendrix. The sky’s the limit for Lady E Specs. Dr. Hendrix plans to further her brand to new heights and share her vision around the world. Some of her future plans include launching a line dedicated to senior citizens and expanding into jewelry and apparel. She is currently working with local vendors to have Lady E Specs sold wholesale as well as online through her website. h

Photo by Still Shots Photography

shop@ladyespecs.com www.ladyespecs.com 336-303-9814 FB-LadyE_Specs IG-lady_especs 26

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Suesy Coils Care 28

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Suesy Coils Care

It’s all about the hair; healthy and beautiful hair. Secquoyah Lacy, also known as SuesyCoils, is a 24-year-old Micro-Influencer and entrepreneur that resides in Milwaukee, WI. Secquoyah was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, IL, and is the middle child of four. Being a business owner, it is hard to believe that she was once a shy, reserved, independent, and protective young person. She shares, as a young girl growing up, I was known for my hair. However, I didn’t realize the true beauty and confidence that accompanied it.” Even with compliments and admiration for her hair, Secquoyah experienced doubt and even hatred at times. She describes it as a love-hate relationship. “I would never wear it in its natural state, though my father encouraged me to and embrace the kinks and coils. Still, I never would. I honestly thought he was crazy. I always feared that it would appear short or ugly, or nappy,” she says. Secquoyah’s viewpoint completely changed as a college student at Illinois State University. There she studied Sociology and due to the lack of attention, care, and resources, the way she saw and handled her hair changed. At Illinois State University she didn’t have her mom to take her to hair appointments every two weeks. She didn’t have a proper diet, nor was she educated on how to keep her hair healthy. She experienced severe hair breakage and allergic reactions to mainstream products. Once she realized the source of the issues she had with her hair, she took matters into her own hands and became a self-described “research queen”. “This is where I fell in love with all things natural. The overload of information about essential oils, herbs, meditation, reflection, and how they can help heal the body sparked a sense of intrigue within me. I found myself constantly sharing tips, remedies, and products I made with things around me. My initial thought was why not get on YouTube and help to inform and inspire others. I knew I wasn’t the only one who lacked the proper information about hair care. I wanted to help everyone I possibly could, and so this is how SuesyCoils was born, with the intention to share my knowledge about hair, and share natural ways to take care of your body,” she says. The SuesyCoilsCare is a truly diverse line of hair care products and includes the basic essentials for taking care of your hair. There is the Coil Crack™️ Hair System, the Coil King Collection, the SuesyCoilsCare Bonnet, SuesyCoilsCare Skin, and various Coil accessories. The Coil Crack™️ System consists of Shampoo bars, Conditioner, Hair Growth Oil, Edge Control, and Twisting Cream. The products

in the Coil Crack™️ Hair System are infused with fenugreek, rosemary and other natural ingredients that are designed to relieve dry/ itchy scalp, promote hair growth, stimulate, and repair damaged hair follicles, and rebuild and strengthen hair shafts, thus making detangling easier all while leaving your hair strands moisturized. Secquoyah says “after just one wash, you’ll be addicted. My two best-sellers are the Coil Crack™️ Hair Growth Oil- RollerBall and the SuesyCoilsCare bonnet.” She shares The Coil Crack™️ Hair Growth Oil- RollerBall stimulates hair growth, moisturizes hair and scalp, may prevent hair loss and breakage, treats dandruff, treats premature graying, kills bacteria on the scalp, and improves scalp health. It is infused with fenugreek, rosemary, lemon, peppermint, tea tree, and lavender. The RollerBall bottle is good for braids (of any kind), short beards, edges, bald spots, and traveling. The massaging from the roller ball helps stimulate growth as well. This application will not leave your fingers oily. The SuesyCoilsCare Bonnet has a satin thick wide stretchy band, good for laying edges. It is big enough to secure braids and will stay on your head all night. So, no more waking up with your hair all over your head. It’s soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. The SuesyCoilsCare Bonnet has even been worn by celebrity influencer, Dream Doll.

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So how did Secquoyah get started. She shares she launched SuesyCoilsCare in May 2019, right after graduating from Illinois State University. “SuesyCoilsCare literally fell into my lap. It was not my intention to start a business or sell products at all. I solely made products for myself and planned to create tutorials to share with the world on YouTube. Yet, friends and family would request products and encourage me to sell them,” she says. But she hadn’t made the connection yet. Graduation came and she had no idea of what she could do that would bring in reasonable finances. However, something was happening in her dreams while she was sleeping. She shares, “I saw my logo, product labels, recipe ideas and so much more all in my sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I had dreams and had to wake up and write down the ideas that naturally flowed to me. Soon I started to breathe, live, and dream all things SuesyCoilsCare I knew it was what I was supposed to do. It was my purpose.” Being an entrepreneur, Secquoyah has faced some challenges. One has been scammers who are not playing fair in the world of business. She counters their efforts by carefully researching potential business-related transactions prior to sending any money out. She is also challenged running a business in itself and understands that it takes a lot of courage and confidence to keep pushing forward. And she is doing that very well.

www.suesycoilscare.com

She says what she loves most about her business is the chance to help other people fall in love with their hair and gain self-confidence. She also loves the opportunity she has to inspire and encourage others who look like her. “The fact that I can inspire others, truly inspires me because I know I have so many people watching and rooting for me. I can’t wait until I am in position to help other young women pursue their dreams as well. I am also inspired by my father who passed away in January 2019. From day one, he encouraged me to embrace my naturalness and look how far it has gotten me. I am very appreciative of the way my life panned out, but I wish I could have him here on this journey with me. He is my inspiration, and I keep going with that hope that I am making him proud,” she shares. Her advice to anyone who is thinking about starting a business such as hers is to try every single idea. “Make sure you test and trust your products before putting them out. You should always be 100% confident in whatever product or service you offer. Know what you’re talking about and be confident. Always be willing to learn and share what you know. When you put good in the world, good returns back to you,” she says. Moving forward, Secquoyah plans to launch SuesyCoilsCare Skin, which will be a product line of various skin care products, face bars, sugar scrubs, face masks, and more. She will also launch the Kiddie Coils Collection, a product line for children. She is also coming out with a specialty hair oil line that targets a specific problem. These oils will be released accompanied with educational information to further her initiative to be transparent about what’s in her products. h To learn more about SuesyCoilsCare, please visit her website.

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Arkansas - May/June 2021

By Jalessa Rogers Photos by Lora McClain-Muhammad

Growing up as a black child in America, there is and will always be a need for positive black representation. Author Lora McClain-Muhammad has found the perfect way to show that. She has created coloring books that are the perfect representation for young African American boys and girls to learn and become comfortable in their own skin. Born and raised in Gary, IN, this former Fortune 500 sales and marketing manager did not dream of becoming an author. Her journey is what she describes in her own words as something that “God kept nudging her to do.” It all began shortly after graduating from high school. The path she chose was one similar to as one that a lot of members of her family took, entering the corporate world. Instead of attending college, she decided to take an opportunity presented to her. First she took a test, gained a company’s interest with her gift of gab, and would eventually become a sales and marketing manager, enjoying a career that would span for almost 30 years. Although she was very occupied with corporate America, she was still able to further her education and attend Park College while in her thirties. These were modest steps that would soon connect the dots of her career as an author. “Becoming an author was a surprise journey for me and nothing that I even envisioned. However, when my granddaughter was born, I was given a vision to write a coloring book. Representation matters and I wanted my granddaughter to see a book that looks like her,” stated McClain-Muhammad. After

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“I found my purpose and my calling doing these books. I’m happier and I feel freer than I’ve ever been. Nothing is better than seeing the smile on the little children’s faces during book signings or hearing them say ‘hey that looks like me....” being given this vision, she went on to create the “I Need You to Know” series with the first coloring book being titled “I Need You to Know the ABCs of Black Girl Magic” with her granddaughter as the cover image. Her second coloring book is titled I Need “You to Know the ABCs of a Young Kings Greatness” with another one that followed titled, “I Need You to Know #You Matter”. Despite the naysayers that tried to discourage her from this journey she was able to sell over 30,000 books and depicted members of her family as the images throughout her collection. For Lora, it was all about finding her purpose in life. “I found my purpose and my calling doing these books. I’m happier and I feel freer than I’ve ever been. Nothing is better than seeing the smile on the little children’s faces during book signings or hearing them say ‘hey that looks like me” because they genuinely love the book,” she expressed. Since the world changed because of COVID-19, she has not been able to do in person book signings. However, she found a safe way to continue to tour and reach a broader audience. “I came up with a virtual book tour, along with five other African American women authors. We were able to reach children a lot further, virtually than in person. During these times of social injustice and unrest, I think that it’s a timely piece to show that representation does matter to our kids. Even more, they need to see themselves depicted beautifully. We address these issues with the release of “I Need You to Know...#You Matter,” explained McClainMuhammad. Lora is an indie author, and will be celebrating her two year book anniversary this May. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and BAM. h

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Lora McClain-Muhammad www.coloringbookqueen.com 219-616-8180

Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority, Inc. By Arielle Kilgore Photos by AAGPCS

Sisterhood is one of the strongest bonds a person can have. Nonetheless, Regina Strickland knew the importance of this when helping to grow her fellow sorority. Regina Strickland is the Director of Communication for the Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority, Inc. located in Winston Salem, NC. The sorority is a Christian-based society that helps uplift young ladies and women and gives the feel for eternal sisterhood and community service. The Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority uses the dove as a symbol of being a messenger for Jesus Christ. Following the emblem is a chain that represents the forever bond of sisterhood and pearls for elegance. The last piece, the cloth, represents what God has done and in remembrance of his sacrifice. Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority, Inc. was founded on April 20, 2011, with its first chapter being in Chester, SC. There they inducted the “12 disciples” who would become their first members. Other chapters followed in Atlanta with the Alpha Kappa Chapter in 2012 and others to open up in North Carolina as well. Their recent chapter began in Charlotte, NC with the Nu Sigma

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Rho Chapter in January 2019. In the end, the chapter has inducted over 200 members and opened non-profits and mega-chapters across the nation. The programs to recruit begin as early as middle school and high school. These early scouts are called the Gamma Pearls. These pearls continue until they can pledge with the other women in the chapter. “It is through Christ that you are going to make it regardless of what comes your way. So, I think it is important to us to grab a hold of these young ladies in middle school as we do and to let them know who Christ is and how he can help you along the way,” Strickland shares. In these programs, young ladies are taught about Christ, building blocks of life, and other values women should care about and move forth in life. “Our purpose is to bring together Christian women in a Christ-centered sisterhood to enjoy spiritual fellowship and accountability and other social activities.”

“There is always Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority Inc. and our presence in the community outreach. That’s what I would like to be known for. Our sound and footprints throughout the nation, I have prayed about it and that will be our legacy.” As the Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority Inc. celebrates its 10 years, Regina Strickland embraces the real impact of the sorority in its fullness. “Just to feel their spirit. Just to give them hugs and of course, we got to be careful. Just to get the hugs and the elbow punches and all of it, that right there was just unspeakable joy. That’s the type of comradery we have. It’s almost like oh my gosh! I have a long-lost sister that I finally get to meet,” Strickland says. Strickland continues with her founder Vivian Sanders to change their community and plant themselves in other states. For more information and further events, you may visit the organizatios website. h

The sorority helps to give a choice to women that do not want to compromise their values as a result of pledging to other common organizations. In this sense, various women can commit themselves wholeheartedly and feel their presence makes a difference like community service efforts and teaching younger ladies the ways of Christ and womanhood. Each organization is giving a community project and to make one scholarship or multiple scholarships for young women. “Currently, we have given 19 scholarships to young ladies in the York and Chester counties from 2015-2020,” explained Vivian Sanders, the founder of Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority. Most of their outreach includes feeding the community and collecting money for their formal galas to help students go to college or pay for books that they might need. Other services include blood and food drives and helping food banks where their chapters are located. The sorority was built from the ground up only having their own money and resources to finance themselves. However, that is not the best thing about the sorority according to Regina Strickland. “Our spiritual sisterhood, our foundation. Our foundation is the word of God. Without that, we would just crumble,” says Strickland. Being in the community and being with other members that share your same ideas give the organization a different perspective. Most importantly, women can be a part of the organization starting at 18-years old with or without degrees. The Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority is about gathering different backgrounds from all walks of life and being together. Alpha Alpha Gamma Psi Christian Sorority Inc. continues to push forth their legacy within the community and grow in numbers as they attract new members.

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