Huami Magazine Chicago Jan./Feb. 2022 by Terry Watson

Jan./Feb. 2022

Vol. 1 Issue 6

My Expectations and The Truth

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

A Letter from the Editor

I would have to say that I grew up poor by world standards. I never felt like it because my mother constantly poured unconditional love into my other siblings and me. Her love wouldn’t allow me to focus on what I didn’t have or anything I could be missing. However, as life happened, I realized that when compared to others, my experiences were more complex. Even still, I had the opportunity to overcome them.

A Letter from the Editor

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?

One of the most important things I learned from my upbringing is that the truth will always override my expectations. The very first car that I owned, I purchased for myself. It wasn’t a new vehicle, but it was mine. It had a few dents, and the tires didn’t match either. The heat or air conditioning didn’t work, and the exhaust pipe would shake like a leaf when I started the car, probably because it was being held in place by the wiring of a close hanger. With all of its imperfections, my car was a beauty in my sight, and I was very appreciative to own it.

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.

Though it seemed like I drove that car for all eternity, it only survived one year with me. I didn’t keep gas in the fuel tank, and I never changed the oil either. I drove it fast, and on cold mornings I didn’t allow it to warm up. Rarely did I bathe it or even provide it with routine or preventative maintenance, and before I knew it, my first and only method of transportation slowed down and shut off in the middle of the road.

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.

See, I expected my car to run forever, but the truth is I never did anything to ensure that it would. I expected my car to go when I needed it to but never considered my thoughtless and erratic treatment’s impact on it. I expected to ride forever, but the truth is I never invested in my cars’ future.

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’m saying that we will only get out of life what we put into it. How will we ever expect to know God if we never spend time with Him? My goal in life is to win. For this to happen, I must be willing to do what is necessary to win and align myself with what is true, which is God’s expectations.

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Terry L. Watson

mykelmedia@yahoo.com (336) 340-7844

HUAMI MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved

She Is Putting Ladies First Shajaunna Jordan

Attorney Justin Camper

Learn more about The 2Gethers Foundation. Dallas, TX 36

If you are in business, you will need a business lawyer. Learn more about his journey of becoming an attorney. Indianapolis, IN 10

Pensacola, FL

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby Railyn Kate

Th3 Block Develppment Alonzo Stallworth

In The Key Of Dance Studios Nykisha Banks

Community Hero Action Group

Nicole McGruder

Dr. Tiffany M. Gethers Her heart is to serve her commuity.

Tarolyn Street Meet the face and owner of Delectable Delights by Tarolyn. She is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

We Are Athletes, Not Tomboys

By Terry L. Watson

Provided By Shajaunna Jordan

Chicago native Shajaunna Jordan has her hands and mind all over the place. She is the owner of the first-ever female-focused sports agency in the world, Ladies 1st Sports Agency, LLC.

Ladies 1st Sports Agency, LLC provides women the opportunity to pursue their lifelong dream of playing professional sports. It also offers an Agent Training Course, which prepares a new generation of women’s sports agents with knowledge, critical thinking, ethics, and integrity in sports management.

Shajaunna is a former student-athlete and attended Simeon Vocational High School in Chicago. There, she played three sports, including Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball. She was also an Academic Scholar. After graduating from Simeon, she attended Northern Arizona University as a scholarship student-athlete. She also attended Marshalltown Community College and Texas A&M Corpus Christi. She brandishes four degrees (A.A.-Communications, B.A.- Sports Marketing, M.S.- Physical Education/Coaching, M.S. Sports Management) with a Certificate of Athletic Administration. Additionally, she has coached and taught at the elementary, high school, and collegiate levels.

Besides the Ladies 1st Sports Agency, Shajaunna has developed other projects such as Men2 Sports Management, The Independent Professional Women’s Basketball League, The Independent Professional Women’s Basketball League, and The Girls Become Women Sports Foundation. The IPWBL is the first of its kind, as Shajaunna is the first woman to own her a league, including all teams. It provides women the opportunity to compete for experience and exposure or to stay in the game. The league is made of three regions, Midwest (Chicago, Indiana, and Wisconsin), Deep South (Tennessee & Mississippi), and Southern (Texas).

Photos

Shajaunna shares the idea and concept began in Spring 2016 with her Professional Women’s Basketball Team pro team, The Chicago Breeze. “My Vice President, Angelina Williams, is a former WNBA Champion and played overseas professionally for over 15 years. Angelina, along with my sister Constance Jinks is why I started the agency. I knew I wanted to change that process for women and make sure they were understood as a woman first and an athlete second,” she says. In 2018, the Ladies 1st Sports Agency, LLC was officially formed.

Shajaunna credits her mother with having the most significant influence over her life. “My mother was my first example of hard work and taught me how to control my destiny,” she says. There is another woman who has helped to shape her life. “I thought I would never meet another woman like my mother, but I was wrong. My high school coach Chris Pruitt showed me how to be selfless, be a teammate, and work with diverse groups of people. Coach Pruitt is why I work for women in sports.”

Shajaunna admits that her journey hasn’t been easy. She has operated and funded her business without sponsors or donations for the past five years. All she had was a dream to help girls become women. There have been times when she wanted to walk away from the very thing she loved. Yet, she held on, and now others benefit from her commitment. “I have quit seven times in one day. I wanted to go back to being a regular person. Though I didn’t give up but instead stood solid in what I knew,” she says.

Thankfully, Shajaunna didn’t give up. Her son, Alvin, a 12-year-old student-athlete, owns one of the programs she developed, Men2 Sports Management. “He shows me every day that I did something right in my life. I made him the owner of Men2 Sports Management because I wanted to leave my son with a business, not debt,” she says. Shajaunna understands that his eyes are looking at her as he positions himself to be the carrier of her dreams.

Moving forward, Shajaunna plans to continue with her mission and vision for Ladies 1st Sports Agency, LLC. She also intends to help as many women as possible. “There will be more girls who will become women and show men that they are athletes and not tomboys!”

Please visit her website to learn more about Shajaunna Jordan and her programs.

The 2Gethers Foundation

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to start a nonprofit organization.... While I didn’t really understand what that meant when I was younger, I just knew that I wanted to help those in need.”

By Ellen Richardson

Photos by Micheal Duncan

While some people may dedicate their lives and careers to fame or riches, there are those who follow a path towards using their God-given talents and passions to help others succeed. This is the truest story of Dr. Tiffany Gethers. She is the president and co-founder of The 2Gethers Foundation. a dual state nonprofit organization serving the Dallas Fort Worth and Chicagoland areas, that is dedicated to empowering first-generation students in the attainment of a college degree and the achievement of academic and life excellence. She shares how she found her path towards helping others at an early age.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to start a nonprofit organization,” said Dr. Gethers. “While I didn’t really understand what that meant when I was younger, I just knew that I wanted to help those in need. As this passion grew, another interest also developed – a love for education. I often tell people that if there were something higher than a doctorate degree, my crazy self would have probably pursued it.”

As this lover of learning continued to pursue higher education, she would find out why God had given her such a fervent love for knowledge. “During my time as a doctoral student, I did a research study on the persistence and retention of firstyear, first-generation college students at Governors State University,” said Dr. Gethers. “As a first-generation college student, I was very interested in finding out what the retention rate was for college freshmen to continue to their sophomore or junior year.” After finding a considerable number of students were leaving college before obtaining a degree, Dr. Gethers decided to find a way to help improve these retention rates, particularly among at-risk student populations.

“I wanted to help because I saw myself in these students,” said Dr. Gethers. “As someone who had overcome many of the same barriers as many of these students do, I could relate to the challenges they were facing as well. I realized the dream that I had as a little girl would involve assuring at-risk first-generation students would have access to higher education and the resources to stay the course to obtain a college degree. In my first year of college, I found out that I was pregnant. I was 18 years old; in my first semester of college, I found out that I would be a mom. While I wanted to have children someday, I was just sure that this would crush my dreams. I always wanted to go to college, was finally here and now I have to decide if I am going to leave my dream behind.”

Although Dr. Gethers would walk away from a four-year university to become a young mother, this would not stop this lover of learning from pursuing higher education. “While I was living at home and was preparing to become a first-time mother, I still felt like I should be doing something to keep my dream alive,” she said. After enrolling in a local community college, the next challenge would come. “A few months into the first semester, my doctor put me on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy, so I would once again have to drop out of school.”

Despite these hurdles, following the birth of her daughter, Dr. Gethers would find herself back on track. “I had an angel in the form of my mother who quit her job so that I could go back to school,” she said. Although it would take six years and a few additional hurdles, Dr. Gethers would go on to achieve her dream of obtaining a college degree. “I couldn’t have done this without my mother, who decided that allowing me to pursue my dreams was more important than her pursuing her own.”

Along with support from her mother and other family members, Dr. Gethers also had help from other college professors who ensured that she had the necessary resources to finish and obtain her degree. “It was so wonderful to have this support, which is exactly what other students need.”

Dr. Gethers had a desire to pay it forward. She was well equipped with adequate education, including a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Roosevelt University and a Doctor of Education from Governors State University. She set her sights on achieving the dream that began when she was a young girl, and founded The 2Gethers Foundation in 2018 along with her husband, David.

David A. Gethers

Co-Founder and Vice President of Community Partnerships

David Gethers develops strategic community partnerships and networks that increases the reach and impact of The 2Gethers Foundation’s mission to empower first-generation students to attain a college degree. Additionally, he is a sought after mentor of youth and future leaders. Driven by his authentic love for people and passion for service, he is dedicated to providing guidance on decision-making, life preparation, and sharing his personal story of life transformation to develop and inspire others. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. and actively assists fellow veterans with overcoming specific barriers to ease their transition. This passion drives him to also direct The 2Gethers Foundation’s student veteran programs.

A native of Chicago, David earned a Bachelor’s of Arts from Governors State University in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters in Ministry Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University.

“Both my husband and I were first-generation college students. We both have a desire to see others like us pursue their dreams. Research shows that these students do not receive a lot of the support needed to go to college and ultimately stay there and obtain a degree. About 90 percent of low income first-generation college students do not graduate within the first six years of college, and many of these students do not even make it to the second year due to a lack of support and finances to finish. This is why we started this community rallying organization to surround these students with the support and to help develop our next generation of leaders,” Dr. Gethers states.

The 2Gethers Foundation provides several programs and services to enhance first-generation students’ academic, social, and career development such as scholarships for high school seniors, who will be the first in their families to attend college. To date they have awarded a total of $37,000 in scholarships. There is a mentorship program, free workshops and seminars on various topics for students and parents, as well as a mobile food pantries on college campuses.

“We also go as far as sending care packages to several of our students as food insecurity on college campuses is a huge problem,” said Dr. Gethers. “Last year, we also launched a mentorship and leadership development program called Defy The Odds, where high school and college students were paired with leaders across various industries to help them set and achieve their immediate goals as well as navigate through any challenges they were faced with. This gave students a look at a successful future and the opportunity to see why it is so important to give back to their community.”

Because of Dr. Gethers desire to help and serve others, many students who may have never had the opportunity to attend college will be able to. She is an excellent example of what hard work and determination look like.

Community Hero Action Group

By Arielle Kilgore

Photos Provided By Nicole McGruder

The phrase, “...it takes a village to raise a child,” stands true today in the life of Nicole McGruder. Most people don’t consider the foundation of that village, making sure it is sustainable and healthy for that child to grow. Nicole knew the importance of this and how her organization would be the roots of that village.

Nicole is the founder of The Community Hero Action Group. This non-profit organization educates the Black community about voting, health, and civic issues through community events such as online forums and town hall meetings. The organization also supplies resources and services to those in need.

Nicole says Community Hero is passionate about breaking the cycle of stagnancy in the African American community. The group is composed of well-trained and passionate individuals who work in underrepresented communities, especially the Black community, to close the void of progression where the community’s needs exist. “Our mission is to decrease the wealth and health disparities in the Black community utilizing education and strategic collaborations,to ensure we have a financially stronger and healthier Black community,” she says.

Nicole grew up in Philadelphia, PA but spent most of her childhood in California. Nonetheless, her adolescent years foreshadowed the various issues and topics she would be standing for. After high school, she lived in Ohio, attended Cleveland State University, and eventually graduated with a bachelor’s in English. Next, she received her Masters for Urban Planning Design and Development and relocated to Southern California. She then got engaged and moved back to Philadelphia to join her husband. This is where she says the real work would begin.

“My passion is health. If we are not healthy, really nothing else matters.”

Nicole has always desired to serve and help anyone she could. She shares her life of service began in the emergency room on the night shift at University Hospitals. When she moved to California, she was a department administrator at Kaiser, and facility administrator for Davita Kidney Care. When she moved back and got married she also worked for Davita and became caretaker for my mother-in-law. Her volunteer work has also involved her being a girl scout leader and serving on the board for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. Even as her life was being shaped, she knew there was still more to do.

She has served as the political action chair for the NAACP state conference of the 2020 election cycle, working on projects like voter registration, awareness campaigns, and advocating for civil unrest in communities. “It was the Golden Window. The first that ever happened in history that you could actually get your ballot, register to vote, and cast your ballot all in the same day if you wanted to,” she says. These opportunities and experiences led to the development of the Community Hero Action Group, a non-proft 510c3 focusing on community engagement and Community Hero Impact Alliance, a non-profit 501c4 which focuses on good government and advocacy.

“I didn’t realize how much I love community engagement until I started with all the work that I was doing in 2020.”

The Community Hero Action group always brought light into Nicole’s eyes. She recalls the energy that was present even in the early development stages. “From the special voting events that were held with the sounds of Public Enemy playing, to the voting rallies held for black communities. While traveling to polling stations to influence underrepresented communities to take action, to the educational forums conducted on health and living disparities of African Americans; There was always positive energy present. Even still, Nicole always thought, what more could she do to help advance her people.

Nicole has committed to not just talk about the improvement of her community. She is actively seeking and building tomorrow’s leaders. “It all starts with health. We die at a higher rate than our counterparts from diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. That’s not because our bodies are faulty. It is because of systemic inequities,” Nicole explains. She is seeking answers and resolutions for those directly affected by these ailments. This has included collaborating with the Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania to provide a scholarship fund for Black students that will assist them with taking and preparing medical exams and more.

For Nicole, she believes her work is never done. From seeing African Americans displaced on the streets living in tents, to helping young girls believe they can pursue a career as a judge, she knows that her work is more important than ever.

The PA Engage Day event held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Nicole says, gave the youth in her community a natural look into their futures. There was a youth mock court held with the Honorable Judge Nichols as a special guest. In the end, a student’s life was changed as she saw that she could be a judge as well.

In the future, Nicole would like to increase her organization’s presence and create attainable housing for poor African American communities. She also hopes to continue serving anyone who needs her help.

For more information about the Community Hero Action Group, please visit their website.

One Block At A Time

By Arielle Kilgore

Photos Provided by Alonzo Stallworth

In life, people often chase the one thing they want the most. That is purpose. For Detroit, MI, native Alonzo Stallworth realized his purpose from years of strife and struggle and ultimately found his way to better ground.

King Yadee is the name given to him by his community. Alonzo also describes himself as a builder, activist, creator, mentor, and child of God. Before he was anything, Alonzo was a lover and creator of music. Music moved and guided him and was a platform for expressing himself and his thoughts. Whatever was happening around Alonzo, music appeared to enhance it. While his passion for music grew, he would begin to see that his musical talents were not part of the plan that God had for him over time. God’s plan was for him to be a father, mentor, and advocate in his community.

Today, Alonzo has found a way to give back to the District 2 Detroit community by way of Th3 Block Develop LLC. His company specializes in home improvement and renovation and educating new homeowners about the homebuying process. Their projects include commercial and residential properites, and mulit unit dwelling. To date, Th3 Block Development has renovated alot of homes, and obtain ownership of a few as well. They also educate anyone interested in learning about home construction and renovation. Some of the other services they offer are construction management, construction, training, and construction planning.

Alonzo shares his company strives to deliver excellent workmanship every day. Their competitive fees and ability to provide outstanding results make their company stand out from others. “Since our founding, we’ve worked hard toward building and maintaining a stellar reputation,” he says. “We provide clients with a wide range of services to cover all their needs. No matter what the project might be, our team of professionals is ready to bring it to life.”

“Fortunately, I learned that being in the streets doesn’t mean you have to adopt a life of the streets. I didn’t get involved with drugs, gangs, or any other criminal activity, but instead, I enveloped myself with good people who say my worth and pushed me to be great.”

Alonzo Stallworth Founder Th3 Block Development

Th3 Block Development is rooted in the heart of the Detroit community. Many of its projects have taken place in Alonzo’s old neighborhood, which is directly tied to Alonzo’s purpose. “When I was a child, it was hard to find a good influence. After losing my parents when I was only five years old, and on my birthday, I became an orphan. I was unintentionally handed to the streets of Detroit. I witnessed homicides and suicides, and after losing my parents, it was hard for me to take the traditional in life. Fortunately, I learned that being in the streets doesn’t mean you have to adopt a life of the streets. I didn’t get involved with drugs, gangs, or any other criminal activity, but instead, I enveloped myself with good people who say my worth and pushed me to be great,” he shares.

He credits his uncle, who raised him since he was 12 years old with having a huge impact on his life. His uncle was an entrpernuer and go getter, and made sure that everyone in his family was taken care of. His uncle was also the first person who introduced him to contracting.

Around the time of his birthday in 2018, Stallworth had been receiving signs and messages from God about what he should be doing. This was around the same time the city was taking a turn due to the events that took place in 2008, which caused a lot of families to lose their homes. “We were on a downward spiral. Some blocks became vacant. The deaths and all the killings were adding up. I wanted to do my part to help. I was able to with entrepreneurship and following God’s word. I soon discovered I had the tools to save my city,” Enrolling in school to obtain his builder’s license was Alonzo’s next move.

After three months of an extraneous process, Alonzo was licensed and ready to work. He came back to his community and gathered some people to help rebuild homes. He targeted his family home first, which was torn down many years before. After rebuilding that home, he opened a house for people to change their lives and learn construction in 2019. Th3 Block Development, which started with just wanting to help the community, was beginning to make a difference. “When we first arrived, it was three abandoned houses on the corner. Today, all three houses are fixed up with families living inside them. If I could grab one house and rebuild it, I think I can make a change,” he said. Well, change has happened as Alonzo’s company has fixed and repaired most of the houses on his block and placed families in them.

Another part of his company is Th3 Stash House. This branch teaches troubled youth how to design clothes and produce music. He has also found time to mentor the next generation of builders.

Alonzo says he loves seeing things completed. “Now the kids can come outside and play basketball on the corner. The corners are clean, and there is no more trash on them. It inspires me to show people the light in a dark place. I work hard to provide a future for my kids and other kids in my community so that can the opportunity of a new beginning.

Alonzo also wants Th3 Block Development to be recognized as one that provides and cares for the wellbeing of its community. The opinions that others who may not live in Detroit varies Alonzo is aware that not all of them are good. He wants to change the narrative. Detroit gave him the grit, and now he can change it for the better since. “I am a diamond in the rough and Th3 Block Development is a company for the community. I am a product of the streets that became a gift to the world. I am Detroit,” he said.

As life continues to happen for Alonzo and Th3 Block Development, he plans to continue to rebuild his community and plant seeds of hope into the lives of others. “I pray to God that I never do anything to stop the growth of this good energy and purpose, God-driven journey that I’m on,” he says.

To learn more or volunteer with Th3 Block Development LLC, please visit their website.

In The Key of Dance Studio

Photography by Bricen

By Dorjea McClammey

New Orleans, LA native Nykisha Banks loves to dance. Dancing has been in her blood since she was three years old. She shares, “As a child, I was one of those kids who cried on stage. That didn’t sit too well with my instructor, and my mother was told not to bring me back to participate until I was ready.” That time didn’t come until she was age eight.

From there, Nykisha found her footing and continued to dance and flourish. She has danced in many productions, all the way to high school. After graduating, she worked with a dance company where she traveled, continued her training, performed, and ultimately became a dance instructor.

Today, Nykisha owns In the Key of Dance Studio based in Conyers, GA. She also has founded a nonprofit organization, In the Key of Dance Performing Arts Inc., and published a book, A Dancer’s Leap Into Accountability. Her book details her 22 plus years as a dancer and dance instructor. Nykisha teaches ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and musical theater dance with her studio. She also offers a thorough stretching and conditioning regime, starting at age three up to eighteen, and it’s available for some adult classes. She also takes every health and safety precaution to ensure a safe, covid-free environment for her students.

Nykisha’s success as a dance instructor and business owner is rooted in her ability to connect. She is very imaginative, loyal, and, most importantly, an effective communicator. Her success in the small things translates to everyone else’s success, while her goal as a business owner is to be prepared for whatever the day may present. Nykisha takes pride in being a very hands-on, proactive leader. Her loyalty has gained a lot of respect from both her students and parents. “I’m held accountable every day, all day. As a dance instructor and studio owner, I hold the parents accountable, especially when it comes to having their kids ready to perform,” she says.

Photos Provided by In

Key Of Dance Studio

Nykisha founded In The Key of Dance Studio in 2011. That was during a period when she was often hired to train girls and boys in various locations. She ran her company as such until the opportunity for a brick-and-mortar location presented itself. She holds registration twice a year, once in the fall, and another registration session in January immediately after the holiday season. That session is open until March. She also offers summer dance camps.

Nykisha has always found a way to give back, and it made sense for her to launch her nonprofit. In the Key of Dance Performing Arts Inc. sponsors children in need after a thorough interview process. “I am committed to nurturing my community by providing art enrichment through dance. With the nonprofit, our mission is to provide lifelong tools that will aid in building a disciplined lifestyle from a solid technical foundation. There are many ways to reach our youth; we just happen to do it through dance,” she says. Nykisha also partners with another nonprofit, SelfDiscovery: Pain, Positioning, & Purpose Inc. The mission for connecting with them is to promote mental wellness, and they also gifted Nkisha’s company with BuildA-Bears for each dancer that registers. All proceeds Nykisha receives from her book and donations go directly back into her nonprofit.

Nykisha’s gift speaks for itself. They have won several awards, including the World Dance Championship for a lyrical piece, and received The World Dance Championship Choreography award for that same production.

When asked what she loves most about her business, Nykisha shares, “I can do the creative work without push back or constraint.” As someone who used to work in corporate America for years, dance was always her place of escape. Now that she is a full-fledged studio owner, she can do the work that she desires.

Photography by Bricen

by Bricen

Photography

“I love teaching my young students major life values such as working independently or as a team, holding themselves and others accountable, and presenting themselves in front of others without any fear.”

Nykisha also values the impact she has on the lives of those she trains. “I love teaching my young students major life values such as working independently or as a team, holding themselves and others accountable, and presenting themselves in front of others without any fear. For me, it’s bigger than dance,” she says.

Nykisha says her inspiration comes from seeing her dancers grow as individuals. “Seeing them no longer calling their parents feeling upset or wanting to give up because they felt like their teacher was too hard on them shows growth to me,” she shares.

While Nykisha has enjoyed her journey, it has come with a few challenges. The Covid 19 pandemic has been one of them. After having to stop teaching & training as a result of the pandemic, Nykisha held a brick-and-mortar soft opening last June. She outfitted her facility with new mirrors, floors, ballet barres, fresh paint signs, and a sound system. She says, “It was a faith walk. I opened the doors knowing it was a possibility that no one would show up, but I had to try.” Her faith paid off as In The Key of Dance Studio has enjoyed constant growth, even during the pandemic.

As for what the future holds, Nykisha’s plans are very clear. “ I want to grow and produce bigger and more positive memorable experiences for my community,” she states. One thing is for sure; she will continue to dance her way into the lives of others for many years to come.

To learn more about In The Key of Dance Studios or purchase a copy of Nykisha’s book, A Dancer’s Leap Into Accountability, please visit their website. Her book is also available for purchase online at Amazon.

daughter of Raisha Mercer and Dexter Bozeman

Railyn Kate

By Terry L. Watson

It’s one thing to have a sweet tooth, but to have it satisfied is where the real pleasure comes in. If you happen to be in the Pensacola community of Florida, there is one company that is sure to meet your delight. That company is Delectable Delights by Tarolyn Inc., a home-based cottage bakery.

Delectable Delights offers both traditional and custom cakes, as well as a wide variety of treats. Owned and founded by Tarolyn Street, they can create anything for such occasions as baby showers, birthday parties, weddings, and more.

Tarolyn is the true definition of a savvy businesswoman. She launched her company with a determination to succeed and set an example to her children of what hard work will do for them. She has been married for 12 years to her husband, David, who she describes as her business partner, prayer warrior, best friend, and counselor. Together they shepherd a blended family of six children and seven Godchildren.

Tarolyn says the truth is she did not want to launch her business. “I enrolled into culinary arts school right out of high school, but I had so much going on in my life, including being homeless, that I did not finish. I would make cakes for family and friends, but I wasn’t interested in making cakes and treats full-time. My focus changed, and I enrolled in school to become a licensed massage therapist. I was running from my calling. I was scared. Scared of failure and scared of not being accepted. I was also scared of not knowing what to do. I had these emotions even after winning third place in the state of Florida VICA Commercial Baking and Pastries Competition. However, things changed one day when I heard God say, “I gave you a talent, so what are you going to do with it?” I told God if He’s pushing me out here, I know I have no choice but to move with His plan, and so I did,” she says.

Photos by Christopher Fails Sr.

On February 11, 2015, her company opened for business. Tarolyn says she was referred by her classmate, Shirley Johnson, to a customer who needed her services. Shirley was already familiar with Tarolyn’s sweet creations, and things took off once the connection was made. “From that weekend until this very day, I have soared beyond what I could ever have thought,” she says.

Tarolyn says what she loves most about her business is being able to touch the lives of others with something as simple as a cake or treat. “To be able to build relationships and bonds with people and see the looks on their faces when they see what my hands have created. Their faces light up with excitement. This makes it all worth it.”

With all that she has endured in life, Tarolyn continues to credit God with being her source and strength. “God is my biggest inspiration. Without Him, I’m absolutely nothing,” she shares. Tarolyn credits her husband and kids for pushing and motivating her to be the best every day. “On days when I need that extra push, they give it to me. They provide the drive and the confidence I need to go further.”

Additionally, she acknowledges Derric and Valiencia, a couple in her community who she says exemplifies what genuine love for community looks like. “I have seen them effortlessly care for the children on the dance team as if the members were their own kids. I’ve witnessed them take money out of their pockets to make sure no one is left behind,” she says.

For those who may be considering starting a business like Tarolyn, she offers the following advice. “Be confident in yourself and know your worth from the beginning. Even in knowing your worth, remain humble and learn something from every avenue of your life.”

As the future continues to look bright for her and Delectable Delights by Tarolyn, she hopes to become more involved in her community by giving back and serving. One way Tarolyn plans to accomplish this is to shine a light on more small businesses and help them grow and become more successful. That is what love looks like.

To learn more about Delectable Delights by Tarolyn, please visit them on Facebook, or contact them directly.

Justin Camper Law, LLC

By Terry L Watson

Photos Provided by Justin Camper

Attorney Justin Camper says his life’s mission is to be a “Champion of Purpose”. He believes God created everyone for a purpose to do something to make the world better.

Justin is known from his clients for being a genuine and passionate advocate, who goes above and beyond to provide the best results possible. He is a small business and trademark attorney located in Northwest Indiana. Justin completed his educational journer through Purdue University Northwest and obtained an undergraduate degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from Valparaiso University Law School.

Next, Justin began practicing law as a Lake County Prosecutor in Indiana. He worked in the Prosecutor Office for one and a half years before transtioning to several law firms ranging in the areas of business, criminal defense, civil litigation, and municipal law. He also briefly worked as an Administrative Law Judge for unemployment. Today, he works in his own practice, Justin Camper Law, LLC, which he started in August 2020. He also works with Stidham Legal, P.C. as a contract attorney assisting with criminal cases.

Within his practice, Justin says his main area of law is to provide small business legal services. These include, but are not limited to, LLC/nonprofit formation, contracts (drafting and reviewing), online legal protection, trademarks, copyrights, and business litigation.

Justin shares he knows the process of hiring an attorney is often accompanied with many questions, and that is why he firm works to ensure every clients understands the services they are being provided with. “The first step is for us to work with our clients and come up with a plan to get the results they need. Through our understanding of the law and your understanding of the circumstances, we will craft a path to success,” he says.

As an attorney, Justin shares he loves being able to help small business owners fulfill their dreams. “I am a small business owner, so I know what it is like to have a dream and vision of building a business. It gives me so much passion to help future entrepreneurs and current business owners protect and grow their business using legal strategies from my firm,” he says. “I’m inspired and motivated by small business owners who pursue an idea that helps change the lives of people. My vision is to live in a world where people can use their gifts and talents to create products and services that enable them to live in their God-given purpose.”

Justin shares he truly grateful for all that he has encountered as an attorney, including the many ups and dows. He also shares if he could change anything about his journey, he would have focused more on business law from law school and taken on opportunities that would have given him experience for the type of law he practices now.,” he says.

To anyone who is thinking of pursuing a career as an attorney, specifically business attorney, Justin offers some helpful advice. He says, “Fearlessly pursue your goal. If you want to be a small business attorney, do your best in law school and make great relationships with your colleagues, professors, lawyers, and businesses in your area.”

In the future, Justin hopes to eventually expand his law firm and focus on different practice areas such as real estate and entertainment law. He also would like to advocate for small businesses and nonprofits continually through the government. Additionally, he hopes to create and invest into his own small businesses and nonprofits that are designed to help transform people’s lives.

To learn more about Attorney Justin Camper, please contact him directly or visit his website.