Jan./Feb. 2021
I’m A Boss, Coach, and Cancer Conqueror
Huami Magazine Celebrates Black History Month
Make 2021 Your Best Year Yet!
A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
Well, we can finally put the year of 2020 to rest. I am grateful for what last year presented. Every test and each challenge served its purpose in my life.
A Letter from the Editor
As it states in the book of Psalms in the bible, chapter 119: it was good that I was afflicted. I will add to that message and share that my afflictions have made me appreciate being alive in 2021.
What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage every listener to make this year your best one yet. Let go of the baggage that you have been carrying around for all too long. Unnecessary baggage has the ability to adversely affect our futures. What is the use in starting fresh and new, if we continue to share our lives with things that don’t add value, things that depress us, and the things that want to remind of who we used to be and who we are trying to move away from. This may involve people, material things, and even some parts about ourselves that you instinctively know doesn’t belong. It is not a part of who we are becoming.
I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.
In this new year, let’s do the unthinkable. If you have been setting on a dream, why not give that dream some life and work towards making it become more than just a dream. Bring it to life.
Clean up your mess. In my home, one of the ugliest sights for me is a sink full of dirty dishes. God expects for his children to operate in excellence. If you have any unfinished business, try cleaning it up. For me personally,, I am not going to attempt to try and clean my mess up all in one day. I know It will take some time. I also understand that it will never become complete without an effort on my part.
The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.
Finally, in this new year I have decided to forgive. It starts with forgiving myself for all of my self inflicted problems. Instead of blaming others, I have decided to hold my own self accountable. “Terry, I am sorry. I should have known better. I promise to love myself unconditionally and without reservations for the rest of my life.” I owe it to myself to do so.
Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.
I will also forgive others who have been a problem for me in my life. Allowing their infractions to occupy space in my life will only rob me of the opportunity to live. Letting go of the hurt and pain will add years to your life. It’s 2021 and there is a whole world to conquer. Open your heart to what God is doing in your life and have your best year yet!
Terry
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
L. Watson
huami.atlanta@gmail.com
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The Cover
I’m A Boss, Coach, and Cancer Conqueror
By Terry L. Watson
Stacy Bryant, also known as Coach Stacy, is the founder of The Icu Coaching Academy, The Stiletto Bosses Network™ and The Free Hope Foundation for Domestic Violence. She is the host of Candid Conversation with Coach Stacy on 108 Praise Radio. Her coaching specialties are focused on transformation, mindset, and manifestation. Another business she owns is Clean Tax & Credit Repair Service, where she assists her clients with becoming financially stable and efficient.
Stacy has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her MBA. Additionally, Coach Stacy is a Master Life Coach Trainer and Best-Selling Author. She is the author of Building Self-Confidence and the Her Story Series. Coach Stacy is also the co-author of best seller, “Will Win” with Brian Tracy.
Coach Stacy lives a life that is rooted in winning and overcoming. For starters, she is a “Cancer Conqueror”. It really doesn’t matter what is thrown at her, she is determined to win. “I have walked the road of an overcomer my entire life. Because of this, I am dedicated to helping others rise above their circumstances. My mission is to encourage and empower others to explore and find who they are, inside and out. By doing so, I believe they will be able to create the life they’ve always dreamed of,” she says.
Coach Stacy is a retired Veteran of the United States Army. Presently, she devotes her life to empowering others. “My goal is to assist and empower people all over the world by instilling and expressing confidence in themselves. This involves helping them with their finances, relationships, entrepreneurship, health, faith, and life,” she says.
“As a personal coach I work with a wide range of clients and offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual. In a supportive atmosphere, I help clients attain the professional and personal growth they’re striving for. I offer sessions, both in-person and over on the phone. The process begins with an initial assessment to clearly define my clients short and long term goals. This may involve everything from communication skills to personal acceptance. I will use these goals as a foundation to create a strategy for attaining their objectives,” she says.
Some of the services offered by Coach Stacy are Personal Growth, Professional Development, Relationship Coaching, Communication Skills, Confidence & Personal Power, Inner Peace, Achieving Balance, Health & Weight Issues, and Organization & Productivity.
Photos by Stacy Bryant
“Life coaching can take you above and beyond your own personal limitations. More often than not, people try to achieve their greatest potential, but don’t even realize what stands in their way. A personal Coach can offer an unbiased and objective perspective and can help you realize your patterns and habits. Most people experience that they are more efficient when working with a Professional Life Coach and that this provides the opportunity for them to better realize their potential. Life coaching can make your dreams attainable and will give you support and encouragement along the way.,” she says.
The books that she’s authored, “Her Story 2” shares her testimony of overcoming domestic abuse.” My Pink Stilettos” gives a synopsis of her life to a current state. “Audacity to Shine” shares her testimony of fighting cervical cancer. “I am Enough” shares her testimony of narcissistic abuse recovery. She is currently authoring “Broken Crayons Still Color” where she shares how a life filled with brokenness has allowed her to show others that they can still color. She says, “After a life filled with shame, guilt, hurt, and traumatic experiences, I still color, brightly!”
Coach Stacy offers some advice to others who may find themselves in similar situations that she faced. “Do not stop at start. When I first started my business, I hit instant success. I was young, and not ready. I did not take the time to learn the tools that I really needed to run an effective business. But I kept moving,” she says. “I would not be where I am if it were not for the journey. The journey gave me experience. The journey gave me wisdom. Most of all, the journey gave me resilience.”
Moving forward, her plans are to expand her personal development academy. By doing so, she will be able to empower, heal, and shift mindsets to souls all over the planet. “Seeing the light bulb go off in someone and watching them embrace healing is the most amazing thing I can witness,” she says. To learn more about the services offered by Coach Stacy, please visit her website.
By Terry L. Watson
Timothy M. Joe I Love Art......Really
first-grade teacher saw his picture when someone else realized that he was quite the artist. Those words started him on a journey that has lasted a lifetime.
Naturally, Timothy has a love for art. “I love listening to the testimonies of my clients on what a painting means to them. I also love the commissioned art I receive. Commission is usually for a parent or memorial for a loved one. One example of a commission I did was for a painting of a white flower in the afternoon sunlight. My client picked this particular flower with her grandmother until her passing. Those are the paintings that stick with me for many years,” he says.
How does he do it? When artist Timothy M. Joe begins working on a blank canvas, that’s exactly what it is. A blank canvas. However, when he puts his tools down for the last time, the results are breath taking. It might can make someone to believe there is magic in his hands, or something magical happening with his brushes.
Timothy is a self-taught artist who raised in the rural town of Greensboro, Alabama. He is also a third-generation black angus farmer. He also holds a mechanical engineer degree of which he obtained from the University of Alabama. “People are intrigued that I am both a professional artist and an engineer,” he says. He now lives in Huntsville, Alabama with his wife and two children.
Officially, the name of his business is Timothy M. Joe Fine Art. “I produce Original artwork in oil, soft pastels, and watercolor,” he says. “I am Online Art Instructor, and I also sell commissioned art.”
Timothy shares that art is more than a hobby for him, it’s his calling. “I see beauty in common places. Everyday things that usually would not get a second glance can become beautiful works of art. There is a message in every scene, whether it is a location, personal belonging, or building. I like to capture these scenes and put them on canvas. I paint to show my appreciation of what God created and share what He put in my heart. I am compelled to create art that has a soul. The soul holds our emotions and memories.,” he says.
For Timothy, art is what gives him purpose and provides an outlet to express himself. “There are so many beautiful subjects that should have a place on my canvas or any other painting surface. My mission is to capture these hidden treasures before time erases them completely. I am compelled to show the younger generation of how life was and raise appreciation of what is often overlooked,” he says.
Timothy’s love for art started when he was just four years old. He would sit in his families living room with crayons all over the floor, coloring on brown paper grocery bags. It wasn’t until his
Timothy can see art in almost anything. He says that he is mostly inspired by the narrative in every scene that he paints. “Whether it comes in the form of an abandoned home that’s falling apart, family heirlooms, or landscape, I am able to make a connection. My role is to remain receptive and be ready to take a quick reference picture or sketch it in my art journal,” he says. “I love learning the history about my subject and gain the appreciation that helps me create meaningful art. Creating a beautiful painting is nice but painting the same scene with an understanding of the history is what I am after. I believe the backstory of my subject is just as important as the color I choose to paint.”
Understandably, art itself has impacted Timothy’s career as well. “The reception at my first solo art exhibit had the biggest impact to my art career. I created a body of work of historical landmarks near my hometown. Hearing all the backstories from the town people was amazing. These are the kind of experiences that keep me energized to make more art,” he says.
For other artists, or anyone who is headed on a similar journey that Timothy has, he offers some advice to you. “Find your artistic voice. There is an art style unique to every artist and there is a corresponding audience your work is meant for. Paint only what moves you, and always make that your top propriety, not money. You should also be visible. Don’t let fear stop you from making appearances at art shows. Trades shows offer a unique and greatly beneficial experience and discussing your art with strangers is a tremendous way to grow in your craft,” he says.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way artist maneuver in the art world, Timothy has pivoted and found new ways to stay relevant and busy. One way is conducting more online workshops. “I am at the point in my career where I have accumulated enough knowledge to share with artist of all skill levels. I want to help them avoid some mistakes I made and coach them to be the best artist they can be,” he shares.
To learn more about Timothy M. Joe, please visit his website.
Photos by Timothy M. Joe
By Tonya Dixon
Ask Wendy Poteat what Say Yes Guilford is about, and she can quickly recite the mission and purpose of the community-centered, educational nonprofit - Say Yes Guilford is committed to providing access to support services and scholarships designed to prepare Guilford County Schools’ students for success in college, career, and life.
Moreover, as president and chief executive officer of Say Yes Guilford (SYG), she has a focused passion to not only see the organization flourish, but more importantly, to see Guilford County students and even those of the entire State of North Carolina flourish educationally and ultimately professionally.
“I know that we are Say Yes Guilford, but I believe what we are building in Guilford County would be of such benefit to the smaller counties that surround us I would love for us to be able to extend outreach in different counties,” said Poteat. “I think something like this is so needed especially in rural areas where students graduate and don’t have the opportunity or resources to go to college.”
“I would love to see us working in that direction, talking to those municipalities and being able to help smaller areas create industry. It is clear that workforce development is predicated on a foundation of education.”
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Photos by JLG Photography
Say Yes Guilford is an individual non-profit. It was established in Guilford County in 2015 – one of the first Say Yes organizations in the Southeast United States. All others are in the northern region of the country.
In order to be chosen as a Say Yes community, Guilford County directors had to spend significant time and energy fundraising to establish the endowment that would be used for student development and scholarships. Through continued community support, the program will be able to continue serving students and extend its annual distribution amount.
While SYG is growing and looking toward eventual expansion, Poteat and staff are doing the necessary work to make sure the organization flourishes and has the ability to help the most students possible.
Currently, SYG partners with every public college and university in North Carolina and more than 100 private institutions around the country to offer scholarships to Guilford County Schools’ graduates. The organization’s endowment has provided for numerous students and, with continued support will impact the primary, secondary and post-secondary education of many more.
Say Yes Guilford Staff
Front Row left to right: Warché Downing, Wendy Poteat. Back Row Left to Right: Amanda Rosemann, Elizabeth Paul, Alexis Moore, Brandi Kennedy, Board Chairperson, Alice Moore, Tammy Alt, TaJuana Robinson, Rosemary Plybon
From 2016-2020 SYG has awarded $7,396,600 in tuition awards, $1,953,317 in Choice Grants, and $845,550 in Opportunity Grants for a total of $10,195,467 paid directly to GCS students. Through private compact scholarships, $18,326,076 has been awarded to GCS students whose household income is less than $75,000 per year. The total leverage from 2016-2020 is $28,521,543.
SYG utilizes numerous equitable wrap-around student support services that embrace differences and eliminate barriers to educational opportunities. While it is known for scholarship distribution, the organization ultimately provides resources that equip students from Kindergarten to career and every stage in between including early literacy skills training, book giveaways, free SAT and ACT prep classes and community engagement opportunities.
Poteat says making sure to properly serve the organization’s community was the first matter she addressed when she started working with the program in 2019. Equity was a major factor.
“When I first began, one of the first things that I looked at were the different components of the program, including scholarship and support services,” she said. “I realized the schools we partnered with were Title I schools. It was evident that we had to be intentional about the support services we were offering and make sure that we were offering what kids needed, had adequate access and ensured they met eligibility requirements.”
Tammy Alt, M.Ed SYG Navigator & Project Manager
Alexis Moore SYG Navigator & Project Associate
Brandi Kennedy, M.Ed Asst. Dir. of Student Outreach & Postsecondary Access
Elizabeth Paul, JD Vice President of Donor Impact
Amanda Rosemann Chief Impact Officer
Warché Downing, M.Ed Senior Director of Data & Postsecondary Success
Rosemary Plybon Director of Communications
TaJuana Robinson Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Leading the organization was a naturally progressive step for Poteat, who has proven expertise in public policy, politics and education. It was a position she didn’t seek, but it was a role she knew was perfect to take. Her journey to Say Yes is impressive, but not one she ever envisioned she would take.
“My passion has always been education. Growing up I knew I would go to college. I wanted to be a lawyer. I knew this was where I wanted to be, but my journey to get here was unconventional,” she said.
“I knew I couldn’t push them to go to college and finish, if I didn’t finish college...... I didn’t want to be that parent that was telling my kids to do something that I wasn’t able to do.”
A native of Sweet Gum – a very small town in Caswell County, North Carolina – Poteat initially studied economics at North Carolina A&T State University. She was a Chancellor’s Scholar and held a full scholarship. However, despite her opportunity and desire for education, many unforeseen obstacles and tragedy derailed her efforts.
“I lost my parents in a murder-suicide my freshman year in college. Then my sophomore year I had a child. I eventually completed three years at A&T, but then I didn’t have the money to continue,” she said. “I wasn’t focused. Really, I was just broken. I needed to heal and figure my life out.”
Poteat spent the next several years working in the restaurant industry, but she knew she had to finish her degree. Not only was it imperative for her professional growth, but she believed she had to set an example for her children.
“I knew I couldn’t push them to go to college and finish, if I didn’t finish college,” she said. “I didn’t want to be that parent that was telling my kids to do something that I wasn’t able to do. So, I quit my job and went back to school. I graduated from Guilford College in 2010. I originally started college in 1991. It took me that long to finally finish and obtain my degree.” Her path may have been unorthodox, but it turned out to be the best route for her to take. After graduating, she took a coordinator-level position with Greensboro Partnership which is now the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Between 2006 and 2010 she consistently moved through the ranks and ultimately became manager of government affairs. That position provided her the opportunity to become a registered lobbyist, making way for continued opportunities.
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“Being registered as a lobbyist with that position really pushed me into lobbying work. I went from that role to a private organization health and human services agency in Raleigh. I gained corporate and foundation work at the same time.” Said Poteat. “It wasn’t just another opportunity. I always say I have been on God’s journey. There’s no way that I could have formulated this myself.”
She eventually accepted a position with the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce as director of government Affairs. Again, her lobbying experience was significantly vital to the role.
“I remember one of my mentors told me, ‘you’ll know it’s time to do something different when the things that you are not lobbying for are the things that keep you up at night,’” said Poteat. “At the time, the city of Charlotte was adopting the HB2 Law, better known as the “Bathroom Bill. It was controversial and it was keeping me up at night because my brother is part of the LGBTQ+ community and I felt so terrible that I couldn’t do something with my platform to help him. That’s when I switched jobs. I went to the United Way. I was actually doing work similar to what I’m doing now.”
Before she knew it, another opportunity was presented. It was Say Yes Guilford, but it wasn’t a move that she was terribly interested in pursuing. Unfortunately, the organization’s reputation was in need of repair. However, the position would provide the opportunity for Poteat to work in a community where she lived.
“My youngest son told me it would be cool if I could help the kids that he went to school with. It means a lot to me because I live in this community and I’m able to help these students,” she said. “I was in the nail salon and a little girl walked up to me. She said, ‘you’re the Say Yes lady. You guys gave me $2,500 to go to school last year.’ It means a lot to me that I can impact the people and place where I actually live.”
Poteat says in addition to helping students in her own community, she sees the hard and diligent work of her co-workers and knows they are just as committed to the success of the organization and students.
“The staff are truly the boots on the ground. They take the strategic plans and turn them into tangible work for our students and families. The work is tedious and requires a lot of dedicated people to make it happen, but it’s tremendously rewarding,” she said. We receive a great deal of support from committee and board members and community advocates giving constructive feedback and cheers.
Community support and participation is a key element to SYG’s success. Poteat says there is a message and request for philanthropic support, but it’s not eclipsed by the need for the community to understand, support and utilize the variety of support services provided.
“I see us being able to build out what we’re doing in a way that we’re serving all students. We have on average 5,000 students in a senior class every year. Statistically, only about 55% of the students that graduate will end up enrolled in college in the fall immediately after high school. I want us to be able to impact every senior class in some way. Even if they don’t get scholarship money from Say Yes, I want them to take the SAT prep class. I want them to gain some sort of educational weapon. I want us to be able to say that every kid that graduated from Guilford County Schools had access to something that Say Yes was offering and were positively touched by the program,” said Poteat.
“I really feel like we have built a sellable product. When I came, there were some things that Say Yes was still trying to figure out. We had to go out and build relationships and gain credibility as the organization that did the things that we said we were going to do.”
With the onset of COVID-19, the SYG staff and organization were able to pivot to virtual options still making over 7,000 interactions with students and families during the first year of county-wide support service offerings, which was almost a 200 percent increase over the previous year.
The overarching goal is to ensure that students that need the most are offered the most support. Philanthropic supporters and donors are critical to the success of Say Yes Guilford and the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission, create equitable opportunities for the next generation of leaders and build an educated workforce for Guilford County and beyond. h
Wendy Poteat President and CEO
Gamal Williams
Fin: A Story of Love and Hope
By Dr. Marrissa Dick - Photos by Gwendolyn Wilson
Becoming an author can be a massive undertaking but it is certainly worth the effort if you want to achieve creative fulfillment while touching the emotions, hearts, and minds of others through writing. Some people feel the unction more readily than others to express their emotions and thoughts openly while others may be more introverted with their emotions and thoughts and could quite possibly replaying scenes over in their mind. How creative is that? If you believe there’s a story inside of you then you should let it out.
Meet Gamal C. Williams, a native of Brooklyn, New York, a father of four, and a retired 20-year Naval Senior Chief Officer hailing from Hampton Rhodes, Virginia. On November 29, 2020 Gamal released his first novel entitled, Fin: A Story of Love and Hope.
Remember we spoke earlier about scenes being replayed over in their mind? Well Gamal’s novel was created through dreaming.
According to Gamal, “First, let me explain how I came up with the name, Fin. Fin is actually short for Finely. One thing we do in the military is shorten last names. For example, my last name is Williams, but everybody calls me, Will. So, this whole thing started because of a dream I kept having. I had this same dream four or five times a week for about three or four weeks. In this dream I am working in a convenience store and as I’m taking the trash out in the back somebody comes in and tries to rob the store. The cops intervene and somehow, I accidently get shot. Each time I had this dream I would wake up in a panic. After a while I realized I was dreaming. Then finally one night I woke up at two o’clock in the morning and I grabbed my laptop and just started writing. I wrote the first ten or twelve pages of the book and sent it to my publisher, Sasha Ridley. After she read it, she encouraged me to finish this story. So, I started thinking if I’m going to finish this story then I am going to have to figure out how did this person get here, and how do I write this scene, so it was the dream that actually got me into writing. I never grew up saying I wanted to be an author it was never anything like that. I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer until I started writing Fin. I loved it immediately. I enjoyed seeing the characters come to life. Every waking moment I had I would be thinking about this story.”
Talking about making your dreams come true. Gamal literally wrote his dream into existence. How many of you have dreams and you don’t know why it continues to reoccur? Who knows perhaps your dreams are speaking to warn you or they could be speaking to you to create a novel. Either way, your dreams can be looked at as gifts and we already understand that your ‘gifts will make room for you’ - - Gamal’s did.
When writing your book an author should have a particular audience in mind because having a base to connect with is important. For Gamal’s target audience are adolescent black males, specifically.
He shares, “The main group would be young adolescent black males because they need help with learning how to communicate with one another and they need to learn how to show love and affection toward one another without negativity being associated with their actions. Today there’s not as much condemnation associated with telling another black male who is your close friend that you love him, but when I was growing up that’s not something we did outside of the family. I grew up in Brooklyn and saying those words to another man is something that was frowned upon. You were looked at as being soft or weak. You couldn’t show any other type of emotions other than being tough or being street wise. So, this is a good seaway to the three main characters in Fin: A Story of Love and Hope. There’s Fin, the protagonist, and he’s the son of Command Master Chief. Then there’s a guy, Justin, who is the son of a former police officer, and the other guy is Chris, who goes by the name, Stacks, well, Stacks father is really a gangster. So, these guys from three completely different worlds end up becoming friends and they find out that they have way more in common than they thought they did. And even though they don’t overtly say ‘I love you’ it’s apparent through their actions the love they have for one another.”
As a black male, Gamal understands the social anxieties and depressions that both pre-adolescent and post-teens experience. Some of his experiences can be found in Fin.
He shares, “You know as a young male nobody teaches you how to deal with anxiety and depression or even how to deal with your anger. Those things just aren’t discussed in the black community. Instead of talking about it openly we are more likely to go to church
and pray it away. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with church. What I am saying is that sometimes you need to go to somebody and talk about your feelings and say hey I need help. Communication is important and that is also apparent in the book. All three characters have their fathers in their lives, but their level of communication just isn’t where it needs to be.” Communication is simply the act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another. It is Gamal’s earnest desire for his readers to pick up golden nuggets while reading his novel and implement those nuggets in their lives.
Though the book is fiction there are some elements of truth imbedded in the fabric of the story line. “There are elements in the book that do pull from my life. I think you can say this of any author who is writing a book that there are certain elements to the characters that they get from within themselves or people around you. There has to be some point of reference to understand what anger looks like or what a loving person looks like. There are definitely influences from my family and friends and people I have served with, but I wouldn’t say that there is any one character that’s a specific person. No, there isn’t.”
It took Gamal the better part of five weeks to type out his first rough draft. Along the way he would send chapters to his publisher who would provide him motivation to continue forward. He says, “I just got the raw version of the story out. I didn’t think about spelling, punctuations, sentence structure or grammar. All I did was write and send pieces of it to Sasha to read and she motivated me to keep going. Once I got the full story out then I went back and started doing rewrites and expanding on the story, the characters, and the scenes. So, from beginning to end I would say it took me six months to finish the book.”
Gamal is aware that the pandemic has caused a huge disruption in the world, but he has been able to make good use of this time by bonding with his children and working on his next book Jump which has been coauthored by his 12-year-old son, Gabriel. According to Gamal, “I created Jump just for him. He would say, ‘daddy what if he did this or that’ and I would give it some thought so I told him when I do the rewrite, I’m going to put that in there and add his name to the book as my coauthor and he just smiled.” See what our children can help us do when we communicate.
Support is always important in our endeavors and Gamal is grateful for Rae Legacy Publishing. He admits, “I like Sasha’s company because it’s small enough to where I can have that personal touch. She and my cousin Brian helped me a lot with editing. Sasha has really been a champion for this book, and she has also gotten me interviews and set up all my social media platforms. I believe in her and I like the fact that I can pick up my telephone and just call my publisher and talk to her about what my thoughts are or simply about what’s going on in my life. Rae Legacy Publishing is really the driving force behind getting the book out there so, no, I don’t have any regrets with going with her company at all”
Many of you could be asking yourselves why you should go out and purchase this book. Gamal explains it this way, “The book is a great story. It’s a gripping tale of three young boys who form an unlikely friendship and soon discover that despite their differences, they have more in common than they realized. When 14-year-old Fin meets Stacks and Justin, he never thought their union would be bonded in love, friendship, joy, and pain. When an unexpected tragedy occurs, the young men’s bond is put to the test. A test of friendship, loyalty, family, and love. For one of them, their choices
“You know as a young male nobody teaches you how to deal with anxiety and depression or even how to deal with your anger. Those things just aren’t discussed in the black community. Instead of talking about it openly we are more likely to go to church and pray it away. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with church. What I am saying is that sometimes you need to go to somebody and talk about your feelings and say hey I need help.”
Gamal Williams
would shape his life, mold him into the man he had to become, and pushes him to the edge of death itself. The book has been heralded as “evocative,” “thought-provoking,” “heart-warming,” and “gut-wrenching.” Fin never allows you a moment to catch your breath. You’ll think you know everything, then Fin spins you in a direction you never saw coming.”
The book also shows the complexities of love on multiple levels. For instance, there is a romantic love between Fin and his girlfriend Cory; there is the love between his grandparents; and there is the love that father and son show one another.
Fin: A Story of Love and Hope is a book that transcends nationalities and genders; it is relatable enough to spark the interest of everyone who reads it.
Gamal shares, “I hope the book sparks conversations that families need to have when it comes to sharing information. There is a generational divide where the older generations don’t share with the younger generation what they’ve experienced in their lives or even thigs about their health. If they would share those struggles the youth could gain so much from their grandparents, parents, aunts or uncles experiences. I’ve been guilty of it too - - not sharing information with my daughter or sons that could have prevented them from messing up. Again, it’s been my experience that we just don’t share information until it’s too late. We should have these difficult conversations early. I hope this book can spark that level of conversation so adolescents can begin to make better decisions. I hope this book sparks life changing conversations and deliberate actions of correction. You know I was at my local library doing the photo shoot for this book and the director came out and asked where she could purchase the book so it could be displayed in the local author section. I happily gave them the copy I had. When I was growing up on my way home from school me and my friends would stop at the library every day to do our homework then we would read for hours. To know that some young man will be able to go into the library and see a book that looks like him on the shelf and be able to resonate with the emotions going on in the book is so rewarding for me. If a young kid can see themselves in one of those characters, then I am happy. That’s a blessing right there. I just hope people would give it a chance and pick it up and enjoy it.”
You can purchase this newly released book on amazon.com in both paperback, and in Kindle and Nook. You can also visit Gamal William’s website at www.authorgamalilliams.com which will usher you to all the links to purchase this new and inspiring novel.
By Dr. Marrissa Dick
Throughout our lifetime, most people have heard the saying, “there’s nothing new under the sun”. Well, that biblical quote actually comes from Ecclesiastes 1:9 and it simply means there is nothing in the world that has not already happened, been seen, or been done. All of our experiences good or bad are testimonies that can help others navigate their lives more efficiently and effectively. Another thing that’s not new under the sun are candles. They have been used for centuries for religious purposes, ceremonies, prayers, and relaxation techniques. Spirituality speaking, candles are also a representation of Jesus Christ - - The Eternal Light of the world. Candles can also be symbolic of passion and they can create a euphoric environment for the mind, body, and soul.
Meet Cassandra Durham, owner and operator of Black Girl Candle Company. Her candles are fashioned with a purpose. She shares, “I started Black Girl Candle Company because I felt like Black women needed something of their own. You know Black women do a lot of work, but they rarely get the recognition they deserve. It was important for me to create something for Black women that speaks to our needs. For me, Black Girl Candle Company is a way to empower, equip, and strengthen other women by letting them know that they can achieve anything they set their minds to and know that their lives have meaning. I want Black women to know that they aren’t dreaming alone. They aren’t walking by faith alone even though the enemy will tell you that you’re alone believe me when I tell you that you are not by yourself. God and Black Girl Candle Company are here supporting you.”
Cassandra understands scented candles can be purchased at any store, but she also knows that those candles are not poured with an anointing and purpose in mind.
According to Cassandra, “My candles are different because we start with love. I am of the belief that whatever it is inside of you is going to come out. So, if there is hate and bitterness inside of you then that’s what’s going to be evident in everything you do and it’s going to be evident in everything you touch. I am a believer; I have submitted my life unto God. I believe that love is in me so that’s what I exhibit. Love is exhibited in everything I touch. It’s exhibited in the way that I show up and present myself, but most importantly love is exhibited in the candles I pour. When I pour my candles, my focus is creating something especially for you that gives you moments of peace and clarity. You know so many things in our lives are tied to aromas and scents. If you go into a restaurant and smell a particular dish, you are like oh my God this reminds me of my grandma house. Now if we keep it 100, I like men who smell good! I don’t know maybe it’s just me but even an unattractive man who smells good, talks good, and he’s on point then a brother may have a chance for
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Photos by Still Shots Photography
a dinner date! I’ve turned my head on more than one occasion at an unattractive dude just because he smelled good! There’s power in scents. I want to create products for women who are stressed out so when they light one of my candles, they will experience moments of emotional peace and regain clarity in their mind. It’s hard being a black woman because we have to be ten million things to ten million different people and we hardly get the chance to be what we need to be to ourselves. We know what we want, and we recognize that we’re tired, but we will put ourselves on the back burner and keep on pushing knowing nobody is pouring back into us. So, when you get a Black Girl Candle that’s your signal to step back from your life for a minute. The kids are going to be alright for a half hour; the husbands going to fine; the house isn’t going to fall apart.”
We should all take time out and exhale so when life happens, we do not feel as though our backs are up against the wall. When our emotions are not centered, and our thoughts are unclear it becomes difficult to make rational decisions. Black Girl Candle Company was created for women to take time out for themselves so they can rejuvenate their mind, body, and soul. “I believe that women just need an opportunity to sit down somewhere and take a moment. I often ask women when was the last time you took some time out for you with no distractions? I’m not surprised when they respond, ‘I don’t remember,’ especially with all that comes with this pandemic like virtual schooling and maybe relationship, employment, and housing issues too. You could run yourself crazy and then what?”
As women many of us revolve around a continuous cycle of taking care of everyone else’s needs while neglecting your own. Cassandra Durham believes in self-care, “One of my goals in life is to empower women. Everything I do is centered around that purpose. You know when I was growing up there used to be this commercial for Motel 6 that said, ‘We’ll leave the light on for you.’ That mantra right there is my purpose. As long as I am on this earth, I plan to leave a light on for my sisters now whether you come or not is up to you, but that light is going to be on. There’s not much that I haven’t experienced in my life. I’ve experienced molestation; I’ve experienced being addicted to crack and all that comes with that life; I’ve gone through a divorce, and I’ve experienced the death of a child. I lost my daughter to a house fire and that alone made me want to commit suicide, but I made it through all of that. So, if I made it so can you. Women can stand on my shoulders and I will help carry them to where they need to go.” Cassandra has come to recognize that God has appointed her to be her sister’s keeper and it is a calling she accepts and embraces wholeheartedly.
When you think of the word, keeper, one could see a person who manages or looks after something. For Cassandra that something is Black women. As she recalls, “I remember when I got my undergraduate degree from NC A&T State University. I was really struggling. I had kicked my crack habit; I had gotten married and I was raising kids, but I still had a lot of ciaos in my life. I remember saying to God if I can get across this stage, I promise you I will bring 50,000 of my sisters with me if they follow me and that’s what I have been doing ever since I walked across that stage. I’ve been adding to that number in many ways. I can help a woman return to school. I can also help her with spiritual advice because I continued my education, so I also have my master’s degree in theology. So, if I am not physically with you my candles can be because they are personally made by me. In fact, all of my scents are customed made. Like, Make Him Jealous. That fragrance is a kind of heavy masculine scent. You know when your man has been acting crazy and been gone all night and comes back home, he’s wondering whose been inside of his house. Well, it’s not a man it’s a candle but if he had Continued on the next page
“I remember when I got my undergraduate degree from NC A&T State University. I was really struggling..... I remember saying to God if I can get across this stage, I promise you I will bring 50,000 of my sisters with me if they follow me. And that’s what I have been doing ever since I walked across that stage.”
been home, he would know that. And then there’s Make Him Eat It which is a play on words because I am also a writer, too. When I first started mixing that candle I would it pass around to a lot of people and I would ask them what does this smell like or what’s your reaction and most people said, ‘gosh this makes my mouth water or man I want to eat this,’ so hence, Make Him Eat It. Then I have Grey Sweatpants which is a deep wood masculine scent, and Honey Bourbon Sunrise. Now that candle right there makes me think of that high school senior trip to the beach and all that debauchery going on or that girl’s road trip and then you’re taking that walk of shame back to your room well maybe that was just me! Then we have Spa Day Candle. Now that scent ministers to me. It makes me a better person. You know after a long day and I have been stressed out I go home and light my Spa Day candle and whatever stress I have this candle just levels me out. It’s truly calming. It’s like the Spirit of the Lord walked into the room. It may sound cliché but whenever God enters, He brings everything He is with Him and that includes love, joy, and peace,” she says.
Unless you have lived a charmed life all of your days then you know that having peace is priceless and that is one of the reasons why Black Girl Candle Company has created specialty gift boxes for all occasions. “We do multiple gift boxes for different reasons. We offer the Gift of Rest Box which is really our Mental Health Box. Then we have a Get-Well Box which is for people who have been sick or who have been under the weather. We have a Happy Birthday Queen Box, and we’re getting ready to launch our Happy Birthday King Box. We also have a Big Girl Box. Now that box has a little bit of everything, we offer in it and we also include a custom candle called Sunday Morning which was created specifically for that gift box. I really wanted to give people a fall candle, so we offer our Christmas Morning candle. I tell people if you are not in the mood for the holidays by the time you get through burning our fall candles in your house honey, you’re going to be dancing to the Jackson Five and reminiscing of the days at your grandma’s house! I understand the importance of scent because candles really do set the vibe of your space and their smells evoke memories. Candles can make a room feel cozy it just depends on the vibe you’re going for and I just believe we can set the tone of any space,” she says.
Cassandra also offers other selections of candles such as Apple and Bourbon, Birthday Cake, Cranberry Dream, Headache B Gone, The Power Within, and Spa Day.
Black Girl Candle Company believes in “pouring” into the lives of other women. Every month they gift a box to a woman who is experiencing difficulty. Much like Dorcas also known as Tabitha in Acts 9:36-42, Cassandra is known for her good works and generosity. She shares “People will write me all the time and say my aunt, or my sister is going through can you send her something? I do a lot of gifting because this is what I know - - if I take care of Gods business, then He’ll take care of mine. Women will write me and express how depressed or sick they were, but when they received that black box
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from us, they felt better knowing that somebody was thinking about them. You know the enemy has tricked so many people into believing that they are suffering alone, and they are the only person going through something but that’s not true. You are not the only one whose been cheated on, been lied to, or been abused. You’re not alone because you have 300 sisters that are praying for you, fighting for you, and interceding on your behalf. Just because you don’t see us that doesn’t mean we are not undergirding you through prayer - - we are.” Tabitha had a well-deserved reputation as an almsgiver, a philanthropist, someone whose generosity made a difference in her community. We can consider Cassandra as your modern-day Dorcas.
So how are these candles made and what makes them so unique? Well, it’s the way they have been “poured” with a purpose. Cassandra shares, “The foundation of my candles starts with love then I add the wax, the scent, the wick, and pour it inside of the jar. I have help with the packaging but when it comes to pouring, I do that by myself. I don’t let anyone pour except me because while I’m pouring, I’m also praying. There are days when I have the music loud and I’m in here hollering and crying and then sometimes it’s silence but it’s always me and the Lord. It’s a private thing I don’t expose that piece of my life to the world. Every other part of my life is an open book.” h
Heaven Scent Cleaning Company
By Terry L. Watson
One of the first steps to a new start, is to start from a clean plate.
Tasha Renee Ratcliffe of Indianapolis, IN is the owner of Heaven Scent Cleaning company. Launched in 2019, she offers various services that include Basic Cleaning, Covid-19 Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, and Eco-Friendly Cleaning (using all-Natural Products). She also offers specials to her clients who are senior citizens.
Tasha is a daughter, sister, and friend to many. She describes herself as an overcomer. She is also a strong, and motivated woman who is a devout lover of God who willingly opens her heart to others.
Professionally, Tasha is the CEO of her company, as well as a Life Coach, Mentor, Community Leader, and Minister.
“From Trauma To Triumph. I say this often because it gives me so much motivation. No matter what I’ve gone through in life, I know I can make it because God has a plan for me,” she says.
It’s obvious Tasha gets her strength by way of her relationship with God! “I strive to be my very best every day, even when obstacles hit home,” she says. One of those such obstacles happened nearly two years ago with the passing of her late husband, Robert Lee Ratcliffe Jr. “Losing my husband was very tragic, scary, and it was unexpected. I felt hurt, traumatized, left out, unsure, and sad. I was hopeless. How could God only give me three years with such a loving, faithful, educated, and Godfearing man? How could I begin to start over? This question hunted me down daily. I prayed every day that God would provide for me, and that He would give me strength to press forth in life,” she shares.
Photos by Timothy M. Joe Continued
Tasha’s circumstances changed; she says the moment when she decided to go to grief therapy. “My therapist saved my life! Getting in a positive headspace blessed me. From that point, I knew it was time to start over, finally,” she says.
Though that period of her life was difficult, Tasha found a new joy in life as a brand ambassador and CEO of several companies she launched. These are Heaven Scent Cleaning Company, the Be You Movement, Pressed Youth Center, and Legacy Boutique that is scheduled to launch in Spring of 2021.
The foundation of Heaven Scent Cleaning
“I’ve always loved cleaning, so I thought why not get paid for it. By doing so I would be able to supply jobs for others, and grow into a multimillion-dollar company.”
Company began from a Vision Book that Tasha and her late husband created. “I’ve always loved cleaning, so I thought why not get paid for it. By doing so I would be able to supply jobs for others, and grow into a multimillion-dollar company,” she says. Her business grew from small residential clients to large commercial and Small Business, and even religious arenas.
Being a business owner provides Tasha with some benefits. “I like the flexibility and the freedom of creating new ideas. I am also grateful that I can supply jobs for others, she says. “Though every part of this process isn’t easy. I am faced with various challenges such as finding quality staffing and funding through small business loans. The is the blessing that God has given me, and I will not complain. I am inspired by my late husband and I am determined to succeed.”
As the future unravels, Tasha points to her five-year goal. “I want to expand and create more jobs within my company. I also hope to take part in more training so that I can provide more products and services.
Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis
By Terry L. Watson
His purpose is to make someone else’s life better. LaDell Beamon is the CEO of Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis.
Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to wholistic community rehabilitation through its groundbreaking innovative formula for community development. It provides positive outlets for youth of all ages and young adults through singing, dancing, art, acting, motivational speaking, screen writing, and modeling.
The impact and impression of HTH speaks for itself. HTH has help to improve academic performance and standardized test scores, help to improve school attendance rates, graduation rates, and post-secondary attendance, develop college and career goals and workforce readiness, help to build self-esteem and self-awareness, reduce bullying and violence amongst youth, decrease discipline referrals, encourage leadership, teamwork, and community involvement, assist with developing character and taught life skills that have helped students succeed in school and beyond, and help to reduce poverty and welfare dependence.
Photos by Ernest Fields
LaDell states, “If we can positively influence our young people to think before they make decisions, get out of gangs, avoid outcomes that result from peer pressure, stay away from drugs and alcohol, steer away from weapons and other mass destruction, then we have just saved someone’s life and helped them be the dynamic person they were created to be.”
While working hand in hand with the community of Memphis, particularly the churches, ministry principles are incorporated into their efforts and serve as a baseline for reaching others.
Being a native Memphian, LaDell skillsets include screenwriting, filmmaking, and that of a composer, director, producer, and youth advocate. LaDell was born into a single parent home in which he was raised by his mother and grandmother. After seeing the lives of several youth being affected by the media, he decided to use his talents of being a musician, writer, actor, producer, director, and minister of the Gospel to become a catalyst for change through the arts. He has worked on several projects and serviced over 400,000 youth with the powerful anti-social deviance tour, The Wake Up Tour. LaDell is also the co-creator of Wake Up Tour Evolution Comic Book Series in which he doubles as the Super Powered Hero “Wake”. This work has added author to his list of many titles, and he still shows no signs of slowing down with a new book series entitled, “Hood Fables”.
LaDell has worked with various celebrities such as Master P, Lil Romeo, Day 26, Vivica A. Fox, Gospel Legend John P. Kee, Ginuwine, Tank, Lil P-Nut, Trevor Jackson, Sammie, Jacob Latimore, Tiny, Robert Townsend, Michael Jai White, Taimak, Adolpho Shabbadoo Quiones, and comic book creator Martheus Wade.
His newly developed passion is to complete the new youth and family facility, fittingly called the Hero Empowerment Center that will house the first fully functional 4D Theater in Memphis, and a Museum of Heroes dedicated to Urban, Modern, Fictional and Non-Fictional Heroes. The Hero Empowerment Center will be the light on the Hill.
The Memphis community is extremely fortunate to have a jewel like LaDell. His efforts and dedication will continue to have a lasting impact on thousands of lives for many years to come.
To learn more about LaDell and HTH, please visit their website. h
Little Learners Academy LLC
By
Terry L. Watson
For Kendra McKinney, it all begins with a genuine love for children. As the owner of Little Learners Academy, she is helping to shape and mold the lives of her young students into phenomenal individuals.
A native of Belton, S.C., Kendra holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of South Carolina Upstate, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
“I love everything about what I do. I love the opportunity that I have to witness children learn and grow. I also love the look on parent’s faces when they see their child accomplish goals,” she says.
Located in Maudlin, SC, Little Learner Academy operates under a simple Christian based philosophy that’s based on the elements of student success. Little Learners Academy understands that there are several different learning methods, which may hinder levels of achievement in a traditional academic setting. They offer activities and individual attention to ensure all students achieve academic success and positively build self-esteem. “The students are taught to thrive spiritually, emotionally, and academically,” Kendra says.
The system of Little Learner Academy is a multifaceted approach to education, including a spread of academic courses, plus a variety of extra-curricular activities and enrichment programs. Small class sizes enhance the academic experience, and their graduates will be educated spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially. Furthermore, Kendra shares her students will be motivated to go out into the world to duplicate what they’ve learned and pursue their purpose in life.
Kendra’s educational journey began in 2013. ‘I was a teacher at the SC School for the Deaf and Blind when the decision was made to transition out of the public school system. As a parent of a special needs child and other children, who needed childcare and attended the public school system, I decided to begin an in-home daycare. I had a vision that would allow parents to be comfortable with dropping their children off in a home like environment, where they would grow and learn safely,” she says.
The vision was large, but the start was very small, Kendra shares. “I began at my home in the Blue Ridge Area of Greer, S.C., with seven children which grew to more than 14. I gave myself a two-year window to transition into a center or return to work. I knew that was not in God’s plan or my plan,” Kendra says.
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“I love everything about what I do. I love the opportunity that I have to witness children learn and grow. I also love the look on parent’s faces when they see their child accomplish goals.”
Photos by Bernard Smith Photography
She continued to press on. In 2015, doors would eventually open for Kendra at a new location, 102 Pinecrest Drive in Mauldin, S.C., and Little Learners Academy LLC was born.
That building had a capacity to accommodate 58 students and six teachers, and that number was reached within nine months. Kendra says they found themselves searching for another location. “Growth, understanding, and pruning happened at 102 Pinecrest Drive but in 2019, we were introduced to another location at 437 W. Butler Road. We grew to 8,000 square feet, as opposed to 2500 at our previous location. God had yet again shown His favor and proven to me I was indeed walking in purpose,” Kendra says.
After nine months of renovation, Little Learners Academy moved into their new location in January 2020. Their enrollment grew to 75 children and then came the Corona Virus pandemic. They closed their doors by choice for a period in March 25, until April 27, 2020.
Kendra shares their faith didn’t allow them to miss a beat. “We currently are not back at the number of 75 enrolled students, but we have exceeded that mark and are at 98. We have also applied to become an independent private school,” she says.
Presently, Little Learner Academy has 45 school age children enrolled, and are successfully completing virtual schooling each day. They also have two clinical therapists on site that offer individual, group, and family sessions along with play therapy for children to develop socially. There is also a coach that teaches Mindful Kids through meditation.
Little Learner Academy also offers Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy through Tri County Therapy. In 2021, they will begin a Home school Co-op.
Though the road hasn’t always been easy, Kendra says she wouldn’t change anything about her journey. “Everything has purpose. Everything that has happened was to sharpen me for my next step into my destiny,” she says.
The future appears to be very bright for Kendra McKinney and Little Learners Academy. “This is not a job it’s my calling, and I’m walking in purpose. I am inspired every day, knowing that God is going to reveal another part of my vision. My plans are to have an accredited independent private school that serves all children. I also hope to franchise Little Learners Academy LLC. I have a special place in my journey for children with special needs and I want to incorporate them in all areas including education and childcare. This is my testimony. Believe, have faith, run toward your destiny, pray for purpose, and live life on purpose,” she says.
Pictured with Kendra is her husband Marquee.
Arkansas State Independent Living Council
By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Denaro Cook
If there is a situation where something needs to get done, she is the person to call. She is a mother, grandmother, professional woman of faith who has dedicated her life to serving and helping others in her community, the state and throughout the country. Her life is built around social activism.
Dr. FranSha’’ Anderson of Little Rock, AR was born and raised in Batesville, which is the oldest existing city in the state of Arkansas. She learned the importance of being a servant and helping others at an early age. Though her biological father died when she was the age of four, she was raised by her mother Ella, and stepfather, the late Cleveland Barnett.
Dr. Anderson and her family are members of St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas under the leadership of Dr. Phillip Pointer Sr. where she serves as a Kingdom Kids children’s church teacher, and involved in both the outreach and deaf ministry.
For the past 22 years, Little Rock has been home for Dr. Anderson. Relocating to Little Rock was necessary for her daughters to receive the education that they needed to thrive as children with hearing loss. They became students at the only deaf school in the state; Arkansas School for the Deaf (ASD). Today, she is the caregiver for her adult daughter with a developmental disability, and to her mother who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Raising her two daughters, who are both individuals that are hard of hearing with the eldest also having a developmental disability, provided the
platform to not only be their advocate, but also provide the energy to advocate and help other individuals with disabilities. “When you walk in excellence and treat people the way you want to be treated, you don’t ask the Lord to lighten the load, you ask Him to give you a strong back to carry the load with a pure heart. When my daughters were young, there were not a lot of resources for individuals who were deaf, let alone those with developmental disabilities. I had to dig and ask questions. If I didn’t ask or pry, I was not provided the information,” she stated.
Today her daughters are adults and life has changed in a lot of ways for Dr. Anderson. “I started over raising children at 48 years old. Almost seven years ago in July 2014, Dr. Anderson received a phone call from a cousin who had fallen on hard times and needed someone to step up to foster her very young children. This cousin did not have too many family members to ask. “I did not say let me think about it, I ask “what do I need to do?” said Dr. Anderson. Her cousin provided her information as to who to contact at the local Department of Human Services office (DHS). Not once in her life had she ever thought about fostering, let alone adopting children. On August 8th, 2014 a bouncy baby boy who was 4 months old and a beautiful little girl who was 2 arrived at the Anderson home. It is then that the journey to the Little Rock School district began. Her son Chas who is now 6 is in the 1st grade and her daughter Chloe who is 9 is in the 3rd grade.
“I am now 54 and had it not been for my faith in God, I couldn’t have done it. My past does not dictate my future; however, it has given me a sense of urgency to do better. Raising my now adult daughters and raising my precious new additions to the family provides such joy. Blessings do come through the strangest situations. When I was born, God knew what I would become. Although my path had detours at times, I always found my way back on track because God never left me. Putting God first in my family, my career and all my relationships, has provided me a sturdy foundation to withstand any storm,” Anderson stated.
Her extensive background in disability services, including experiences in advocacy, training, policy research and interpretation has afforded the opportunity to be a strong pillar in the community providing outreach and education to individuals with disabilities and the aging population in Arkansas. She is also fluent in American Sign Language with it being the language of her adult daughters.
Dr. Anderson graduated from Batesville High School in 1984, and later graduated Summa Cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received her MBA from Harding University. She is an ordained licensed minister and has a doctorate in Divinity. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Organization and Leadership.
Currently Dr. Anderson is the Executive Director for the Arkansas State Independent Living Council (Arkansas SILC). Her tenure began in 2012. She is the first African American to serve as the Executive Director of the Arkansas SILC in its twenty-six years of existence. “We exist so that our state can receive certain funding,” said Anderson.
She was the lead author for the State Plan for Independent Living for Arkansas just last year. The three year approved plan was 1 of only 6 that received full approval in September 2020 from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Community Living’s Office of Independent Living Programs. The other forty nine (49) states received a provisional approval of their plans that was due by December 31, 2020.
“The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is the blue print for independent living services in Arkansas. I’m very proud to be on the team to make a difference in Arkansas for individuals with disabilities”, said Anderson.
Dr. Anderson shares that she is most thankful for her mentor and friend, Wanda Hamilton who was part of the interview team when she was hired at the Arkansas SILC. Ms. Hamilton is now an Emeritus board member of the SILC. Dr. Anderson stated that Hamilton has provided a lot of guidance to her. She described Ms. Hamilton as a walking encyclopedia when it comes to history in the Little Rock area.
“I‘ve gone through a few things to be able to withstand all that has been thrown my way. Although my path was crooked at times, it has always been made straight because God has never left me. Putting God first in my family, my career and all my relationships, has provided me a sturdy foundation to withstand any storm.”
Arkansas SILC Board of Directors and youth self-advocates with Dr. Anderson at the unveiling of the new SILC logo
Dr. Fransha’ Anderson and Emeritus board member Wanda Hamilton sharing SILC memories.
Dr. Anderson is also thankful to Annie McDaniel Abrams. “I’ve sat on her couch a few times over the years to listen and receive guidance related to leading an organization.”
Dr. Anderson stated that being the Marketing Director and Co-Director of Corporate Compliance at Pathfinder before becoming the Executive Director at the Arkansas SILC, helped lay a foundation and develop relationships that have been lasting. Under the leadership of the late Mike McCreight, she spearheaded the 40th anniversary celebration for Pathfinder in 2011. Events were held across the state at different Pathfinder facilities and the grand finale was held at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion and netted over $30,000. The funds raised from the event enabled Pathfinder to break ground on an accessible playground for the preschool located in Jacksonville, AR. The relationships that were established back then have helped Dr. Anderson continue to be a mover and a shaker in the community. “Some of those same people and business relationships established then, supported me when I recently ran for the Little Rock School Board in 2020. On November 3, general election day, I received 40% percent of the vote between 4 candidates, but did not prevail in the runoff on December 1st,” she says.
Though she wasn’t elected to the school board, Dr. Anderson said she will continue to advocate for better education for students and increasing teachers’ salaries so that the district can recruit and retain the “best of the best” teachers. Having children in the Little Rock School district keeps Dr. Anderson very busy as a parent and student advocate. Anderson is also the grandmother of two grandsons who will transition to the LRSD in the near future.
Dr. Anderson is also an Adjunct Professor for Webster University where she teaches Human Resources Management and MBA courses. She has an extensive background in servant leadership which includes her passion for disability services, non-profit management, human resources management just to name a few. She is certified in Human Resource Management, and Marketing and Executive Leadership. Her Non-Profit Management experience in government affairs includes substantial knowledge in charitable giving related to financial viability and sustainability. She has provided a solid foundation in transparency related to the vision of the Arkansas SILC in which she oversees and the constituents that are served.
Dr. Anderson is most proud of spearheading and leading the “Day at the Capitol” for individuals with disabilities that started in 2013. It continues to be a highlight for individuals to learn about the political process and know their voting rights. Dr. Anderson led the first Youth Caucus event held at the state Capitol. High Schools including, J.A. Fair, Hall High School, McClellan, Arkansas School for the Deaf and Arkansas School for the Blind have participated in mock elections using real voting machines.
The SILC’s day at the State Capitol has become extremely popular. It is the largest grass roots event held in the state of Arkansas for people with disabilities. Special guest speakers have been former Governor Mike Beebe, 2015 Mrs. Arkansas International Adrian Smith, Governor Asa Hutchinson, Lt. Governor Tim Griffin, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, legislators, and many self-advocates. Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas has also been a guest speaker for the SILC. Due to the pandemic, it was held virtually with special guest U.S. Senator John Boozman. “Although the pandemic caused things to shift, we have been innovative and creative in our ways to advocate and bring about awareness for independent living,” Dr. Anderson says.
A variety of topics have been presented at the “Day at the Capitol”. From equal access, transportation, housing, voting rights and racism, there is no limit to empowering individuals with disabilities.
Dr. Anderson and the Arkansas State Independent Living Council (ARSILC) received a Congressional Record of Honor from U.S. Senator John Boozman for their efforts in promoting and celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) thirtieth anniversary which took place in July 2020.
The Arkansas SILC Board of Directors are very pleased with the work that Anderson is doing. From signature events to the day to day operations of the SILC that include financial accountability and transparency, Dr.
Anderson works tirelessly to establish relationships with other grass roots organizations, private businesses, HBCU’s, universities, schools districts, residential facilities and individuals to promote independent living for all individuals in Arkansas living with a disability. In 2018, she hosted the second Circle of Service award recognition ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion. It was a luncheon that could only seat 210. There were 197 people in attendance for the event. The Governor and First Lady greeted the guest as the entered in. Governor Asa Hutchinson was also the lunch speaker. The event not only recognized individuals for their work to break down barriers the block people with disabilities from being independent but it recognizes those that are self-advocates and who don’t mind speaking up for their own rights and the rights of others living with a disability. Dr. Anderson’s work speaks volume in the community. The funds raised from that event helped to send two self-advocates and their caregivers to Washington D.C. to represent Arkansas at the National conference that year. Dr. Anderson and the board are planning a virtual Circle of Service event that will take place later in 2021.
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Dr. Anderson states it’s the chance to help people live productive lives. From educating and promoting independent living for individuals with disabilities at SILC, to providing a foundation for her students at Webster to be the next business owners or CEO’s. “My most enjoyable time and part of my job is having the events at the capitol. Seeing the smiles and the joy that come from all the individuals with disabilities and their families that participate in these events gives me a warm feeling inside,” she says. There have been times that she personally made sacrifices for others to succeed. “In the end, I know that it is not for my glory, but for His glory.”
One might ask where she finds the energy and drive to do what she does, yet Dr. Anderson appears to be only getting started. “If there is no test, there is no testimony. My mother’s cancer journey, fostering and adopting my newest family members, having two children born deaf and one with developmental disabilities is my testimony. I am victorious because of my faith and my service to others. I believe in treating others the way that I want to be treated. My inspiration and motivation come from the fact of being a servant leader. Having a family who supports me and loves me is an important factor. When I am gone, I want people to remember me by the acts of kindness and the things that I did to help. I am very motivated when someone calls the office, and we can provide them with a resource or information that they had no clue existed.”
Dr. Anderson is very active professionally in various organizations, boards and councils. She is a member of Central Arkansas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated serving as the Social Action Chairperson, President of Little Rock Metro Area Branch of National Association of University Women, member of the TSA Disability and Medical Condition Coalition, member of Little Rock NAACP, National Council on Negro Women, Arkansas PTA, Tri-Chairperson of the National Council on Independent Living Civic Engagement and Voting Rights Committee and National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Board of Directors Region 6 Representative just to name a few.
As the future unfolds, one thing for sure is that Dr. Anderson will be actively involved in her community and serving others. “I’ve been protected against many things because of my faith in the Lord. Every relationship has a reason. The bridges I have crossed are still standing. Now there may be a few individuals that think otherwise only because they wanted something that was given to me by the Lord. You cannot expect to be successful or accomplish something that is not done under the covenant of God,” she stated.
If you know Dr. FranSha Anderson, you know a champion. You know someone who loves the Lord, her family, her profession. You know someone who will give you her last. You know someone who truly emulates advocacy for the people. Her setbacks became her comebacks. Dr. Anderson is truly the epitome of what a servant leader looks like.
Dr. FranSha’ Anderson is available to speak at any event or facilitate any workshop pertaining to independent living in the state of Arkansas.
BF Configurations
By Laci Ollison
by Michael Duncan
Building and establishing a legacy is something that many strive to do. It is also something that Brian Flewellen is extremely familiar with. Not just in persevering his own legacy but being able to live out the legacy of his late grandmother as well.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Brian is the founder and owner of BF Configurations. The company specializes in TV mounting, home theater setups, picture hanging, equipment relocation, and computer repair.
“We’ve been in business a little over seven years,” said Brian. “We currently operate in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, and we’re branching out to San Antonio soon.”
Although Brian is now a successful entrepreneur, he actually gained the inspiration to start the business from a manager at one of his previous job.
“When I worked for another company as a corporate sales trainer, I was installing security systems for employees. One day my director at the time said, ‘man you should start your own business.’”
Brian disagreed and felt that starting a business was not the right decision for him.
“I said no. I will never start my own business. I’m making money as a corporate trainer. I’m not about to leave what I’m doing to go start a business.” But his manager gave him advice that stuck with him.
“He told me to remember that I’m black and I’m always replaceable in corporate America.” Brian still wasn’t convinced that he had a need to start a business. “I said they’ll never let me go. I’m black and the only sales trainer in the building.
However, one year later, Brian was let go from his job. His manager, who was also let go from the company, offered Brian a job at a new company and gave him the opportunity to work on his skillset and perfect his craft.
“The second company that I worked for does the exact same thing that I do; they specialize in TV mounting and home theater setup. He put me in a position to really perfect my craft. And once I perfected my craft, he pretty much pushed me over the edge and said go swim.”
That was when Brian took the leap into entrepreneurship. From there he jumped out and ran and never looked back. Now, BF Configurations has grown and Brian has been able to scale to multiple cities in multiple states.
“While at the first company, I trained a guy that lived in Atlanta. About a year and a half after I got laid off, he got laid off. He reached out to me and asked if I had any work because he heard that I was starting a business. He asked did I have any work in Atlanta,” Brian says.
At this time, Brian had not considered expanding to Atlanta. “I said I didn’t really have anything. But I always knew that my Grandmother, my Aunt, and my Dad had a connection in Atlanta. So, I had a good resource there so I kind of ran with that.”
But the expansion into a new market was not an easy process. “In the midst of going to Atlanta, there were a few times where I considered closing the doors because it was hard. I was managing Dallas and then trying to manage Atlanta. But I had to let go and I had to trust and know that Rodney was going to run the location,” he shared.
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Photos
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to service customers with such a focus and desire that our services will make the home improvement and installation process enjoyable, exciting, and most importantly successful for everyone
Core Values
And now, BF Configurations is celebrating three years of operating in the Atlanta area. Brian says that most of his clientele come from social media. They pull about 60% of their clients from social media, and 30% are from referrals.
His goal for 2021 is to improve the relationship he has with his current clients by checking in and performing customer satisfaction surveys. “In 2021, we’re really going to focus on putting the client first. We’re going to be making phone calls to our clients, to learn if there is anything that we could have done better, what can we improve on, so we can learn and grow tenfold,” he says.
Brian shared that the hardest part of entrepreneurship has been the fear of failure. “The fear of failure involves not knowing if I’m going to get a phone call today, or if the lights are still going to be cut on tomorrow,” he says.
In order to overcome his fears, Brian said there were some things that he had to sacrifice. “I motivate myself. But as a business owner, what you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. When I’m working, I’m working 110%. I’m giving it my all,” he shared.
Those sacrifices, however, have paid off and are evident in the success of his business. It has also allowed him to reinvest back into his business. “My biggest accomplishment has been purchasing three trucks in one year,” Brian said.
The business owner wants to encourage other entrepreneurs to not be afraid to fail. “Les Brown said something like when you fall, and it’s not a matter of if you fall because you will fall. But when you fall, fall on your back because you can look up. And when you look up, you can get up. And when you get up you can look around and see the mistakes you made and understand how to not make those same mistakes again,” Brian said.
Yet, Brian also pushes business owners to go after what they want. His biggest jewel that he shares with anyone is to follow your dream, and to not stop until it is fulfilled. As he has pursued his own dreams, Brian owes much of his success to his late grandmother, Mary Flewellen. “My grandmother opened a beauty salon 51 years ago, Flewellen’s Hair Salon. It was the first black beauty salon south of Dallas. She told me coming up as a kid, if I don’t go to college, go get a trade,” he says. His grandmother’s dream was for him to be a barber, just like his father was. But Brian refused. He told her there was no way he would be a barber but promised her to figure things out.
Brian shares how he learned from his father the importance of preserving legacy. “My dad told me when I was a kid to protect my last name, because my last name has value. But me being a kid, I didn’t really understand the name Flewellen and the value of Flewellen. But after I started my business, I realized how much weight the name held. I have encountered people who trust me because of my last name, and because they knew my Grandmother and knew that she did good business. My business is now flourishing because of the relationships that my grandmother and father created,” he says.
If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and in need of tv mounting services, please contact Brian Flewellen and BF Configurations, and allow his team to serve you.
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