Huami Magazine Denver May/June 2022 by Terry Watson

Shalonda

We May Wish, But God Has A Plan

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

Letter From The Editor

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?

Modern technology, such as the internet and smart devices, has changed the way consumers shop for everyday necessities. Everything from groceries to televisions, tires, medications, and patio furniture can be purchased directly from a smartphone or computer. Foot traffic in stores has been greatly reduced, and the Covid 19 pandemic may have played a big role in that also. Anyhow, many retailers have adjusted how they make their products accessible in order for them to survive.

As a child, I remember the huge department store catalogs that would come in the mail every year, usually around the Christmas holiday season. I would look at them and prepare my list of items that I wanted before submitting it to my mama. Sometimes I got most of what I wanted, but not always. Still, looking through the catalog and believing that I would get them was very exciting for me. Unfortunately, the catalogs are long gone now and have been replaced by digital ones. Awwwe, technology.

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.

I compare those childhood catalog surfing moments to some experiences I have as an adult. I have often tried to plan out my life by creating a wish list for various stages without the assistance of a department store catalog. I have made plans for various things and experiences and made plans on how to acquire and accomplish them. Those plans were submitted to God, and I’m always amazed at what I receive from God in response.

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.

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See, I have learned that even though I make plans, God has the final say. What I think is good for me, God knows what is truly best for me. Even in my lowest moments, God has already prepared a path to higher ground for me. And even when I choose to follow my own way, He redirects.

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 strive to live a better life, a life that is connected to God through obedience and grasping a better understanding of what He desires for me. I admit that I don’t have all the answers, and sometimes I make mistakes. It’s good to know that even when I get off track in life, God’s love never changes.

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

the editor by

at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to

M-Powerment Solutions LLC

He is on a mission to educate the youth about the importance of financial literacy. Huntsville, AL

With the release of his new hit single, this talented musician is quickly moving in his lane. Learn more about his journey. Detroit, MI

She has partnered with community leaders to bring awareness to issues that affect Black Americans. Greensboro, NC

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby Marrel Gravely Foushee

Adorn Medical Spa Sherri Hull

Inke Co.

Success

Gibson

Delvin Sullivan

Semaje Collier

Dr. Schenita Randolph

Whitney Morgan M-Powerment Solutions LLC

By Terry L. Watson

He is young, black, and making moves in the Kansas City, MO, business district. He is the owner and founder of M-Powerment Solutions LLC, an experienced financial literacy company that focuses on credit restoration and helping individuals become debt-free. They also help businesses establish business credit and funding options. Their award-winning services have assisted in removing all types of derogatory items such as bankruptcies and medical bills from their client’s credit files. To be clear, M-Powement Solutions LLC gets the job done.

At just 34 years old, Whitney Morgan has seen a lot. While he presently resides in Kansas City, he has also lived in Atlanta, GA, Port Townsend, WA, and his native home of Minneapolis, MN. He has a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a masters degree in Urban Planning from the University of Kansas. His background involves Transportation Planning, City Development, and Small Business Advocacy, and he’s held many leadership positions and volunteered just as well. His volunteering efforts include Kappa Alpha Psi, Freedom Schools, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, Finance and College Ministry Leader with Faith City Christian Center, and Black Student Union.

What separates M-Powement Solutions LLC from other companies that provide similar services? Whitney says it’s their commitment to providing quality service at a very affordable cost. “We also have various products to help our clients build positive credit in their name, such as our secure credit card with cashback rewards. We also have the Credit My Rent program that adds all positive rent payments to their credit report, and we partner with various credit builder companies like Self, Credit Strong, Grow Credit, and more. Our goal is to provide our clients with excellent solutions to address their financial struggles,” he says.

Photos Provided by Whitney Morgan

“Experience

Some of the additional tools offered by Whitney and his team are Credit Restoration Will, Trust, and Power of Attorney, and Budgeting/Debt Payoff Education. There is also a Smart Credit Monitoring App that allows users to view all three credit scores, and Merchant Services that offer payment processing systems for businesses. Additionally, they offer a Youth Financial Literacy Scholarship and Educational Program, Rocket Lawyer Services, Student Loan Assistance, Mobile Telehealth Services, and Business Credit Business Funding.

The decision to launch M-Powement Solutions LLC happened in June 2020, during the Covid 19 pandemic, Whitney shares. “My wife and I struggled with bad credit caused by debt consolidation. That debt was built because my wife was laid off multiple times, and I was repeatedly passed up for promotions I qualified for. This caused a lot of stress in our marriage and ironically served as a learning experience. We decided to educate other families about the importance of having good credit and the opportunities that come with it.”

Whitney says what he loves most about his business is being able to help people buy brand new houses and new cars, find funding for their business, and increase their financial literacy. “We are breaking generational curses,” he says.

Waking up every day knowing that he has a gift that can help a lot of people and then putting his gift into action is what pushes him. He also credits his father and grandfather for being great examples of what a man should be. “I was raised by a single father. He has instilled loving and caring principles in me and showed me how to work hard and provide for my family. He told me ever since I could remember that I could be anything I wanted to be and often called me Mr. President as a child. My grandfather taught me how to fish. He also showed me what a consummate professional and respectable Christian man looks like. He has been married to my grandmother for over 50 years. He has held multiple civic positions and joined a fraternity. My grandfather is an architect and has designed buildings all across the country. He’s been retired for over 20 years and wakes up every day and does what he wants,” Whitney says.

Whitney offers the following advice for those who may follow in his footsteps. “Experience is the best teacher. Knowledge is not power; applied knowledge is. If knowledge by itself were power, most librarians would be millionaires.”

As life continues to happen for Whitney, he plans to use his products and services to help people across the country. There are also plans to expand.

To learn more about Whitney Morgan and M-Powerment Solutions LLC, please contact them directly or visit their website.

Germany Inke & Co. GermanyInke

By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

Germany Inke I is a woman of many talents. In addition to running the Terra Strong Foundation and being an entrepreneur whose business is to help others launch their dreams, Germany is a poet, painter, art therapy teacher, and photographer. She does all of this while dealing with stage five kidney disease.

Germany has always moved at the speed of sound, knowing precisely what she wanted early in life. At sixteen, she forwent the high school experience, took the GED, and went straight to college. Germany earned her Bachelor of Arts in photography, then went back to get a Bachelor of Science in psychology at the University of Phoenix. Germany intends to go back to school and get a master’s degree in psychology.

“I guess you could say I’m a professional student. I will never get tired of gaining knowledge. There is so much more to learn and know.”

Germany self-identifies as a giver. Just about every business endeavor Ms. Inke has made has been birthed out of a desire to help and serve the needs of others. “I love helping people achieve their goals. My business assists people who are just starting in business by giving them guidance and mentorship. I help them navigate the confusing steps of starting a business and provide them with all the information and resources needed to get a successful business up and running.”

There is a kind of fearlessness about Ms. Inke that is rarely seen but desperately needed if you plan to strike out on your own. “You have to be willing to fail. You have to be ready to make mistakes with the understanding that your dreams don’t die there.” Germany explains. There was a time when Germany believed that her life was set. She was preparing for what should have been the best year of her life when the unthinkable happened. Germany’s mother, Terah Longmire, died of lung cancer.

“It wasn’t just losing my mother to cancer, but it was what we as a family went through. There was so much we didn’t know or understand about caring for someone who was in the final stages of life. There were people to tell us about the technical and clinical parts, but there was no real emotional support. Not to mention financial help.” Germany shared. “It was difficult enough to cope with the idea that my siblings and I were losing this amazing woman, but we weren’t all able to be there during her final moments due to issues with transportation, work, and things like that. Death is a reality for us all, but having those last precious moments with our loved ones helps bring closure and peace to the living.” From this experience, The Terah Syrong Foundation, named after her mother, was born.

The Terah Strong Foundation’s mission is to provide emotional support to the families of those who are in their final moments. “If losing my mother has taught me anything, it’s that we have to mourn.” Through family counseling and art therapy Germany’s foundation is doing just that. Over the years, Germany has worked to be a source of support and inspiration to anyone who needs her. As a single mother of two, now adult children, and a grandmother to one, Ms. Inke finds herself constantly on the go. So, when she was diagnosed with stage five of chronic kidney disease, known as end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure, in 2021, she felt like her faith was being tested in a big way.

“I was like, ‘Really, God? With all that I’m doing and carrying, now this?’” Despite it all, Germany still found it easy to laugh about.

After so many years of helping others, Germany realized that she hadn’t taken good care of herself. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of twenty-one, Germany knew her health was important, but trying to be all things to all people took its toll.

“I had a stroke at forty and a heart attack at forty-one. I suffered from different health issues all of my life, but because of lack of information and being underinsured, I couldn’t see that all of my symptoms resulted from a larger problem. Being your own boss is great, but it does have its drawbacks. One of which is having proper health insurance.”

At forty-three, Germany is taking a different approach to life and her well-being. She is learning how to balance the demands of her family, her business, her dreams, and herself. “I’ve been pouring out to others so long that I never realized I wasn’t taking time to care for myself or receive from others. I had to stop and stock of my life and what I needed and what I wanted.”

In her search to find out what the next chapter of her life would look like, Germany encountered at a casual gathering with Wade Copper. “My chance encounter with Wade was one of those weird things where you meet this stranger you have no familiarity with, but their honesty is jarring because as much as you don’t want to believe it, you know it’s true,” she explained. “He held nothing back, and it shocked me at first, but it was just what I needed to hear.”

Germany was caught in the trap of peoplepleasing. You know the one. We wear the mask and smile despite how we feel or what we are going through. We say, yes, of course, it’s no problem. When we really want to say, are you insane? Can’t you see I’m struggling too? Germany learned that you could help others but make sure you put your life jacket on first.

“After years of saying I was fine, I am learning that it’s okay not to be okay. Some days I’m great and ready to go. Others, I’m fatigued, and my entire body hurts. Being honest about what I’m dealing with is a big part of dealing with my illness. The other is finding a comfortable place to heal and recover.”

Germany was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up between there and Atlanta, Georgia. Her business, Germany Inke & Co., the foundation, and her Podcast are all mobile, so Germany decided after years of living in North Carolina that it was time to find a place where she could work and heal.

“My friendship with Wade has had a huge effect on me. He helped me see who I was versus who I thought I was. Wade’s energy was refreshing. I learned through our friendship that I was missing peace and calmness. I needed a quiet place so I could think. Free from the social demands and external voices.”

Germany found it when she visited Williamsport, Pennsylvania. A town with about 28,000 residents, Williamsport was utterly different from anything Germany had experienced and seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.

“I felt it instantly, and I knew that was where I needed to be. So, I made preparations to move. I took a job that was again completely different for me because I’ve always been my own boss, but I love it. It allows me to continue to pursue my passion. I have a fresh start where I can continue to explore the person I am becoming without the mask.”

Dealing with stage five chronic kidney failure is a challenge for Germany, but with her new perspective, she is more hopeful than ever. “This move is all about my health, both mental and physical. I am taking a holistic approach to my kidney disease, and it seems to be working for now. The balance and peace that I have found have come at a high price, but it’s the tool that God has used to make me better. I will never stop being Germany the entrepreneur, advocate and support for families as they prepare to say goodbye to those they love and all-around friend to the fledgling business person. The only difference is I’m putting myself first. That way, I can be at my best in the many roles I am honored and blessed to work in.” h

SherriHull

Adorn Women’s Clinic & Medspa

By Ellen Richardson

With skin being the largest organ on the human body, it makes perfectly good sense for it to require a lot of care and attention. For many women, having to deal with various skin ailments can be challenging. Ailments and conditions such as hyperpigmentation, rosacea, alopecia, melasma, vitiligo, confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CARP), DPN, and cystic acne. Fortunately, there is someone who has dedicated their career to healing and caring for others’ skin.

Sherri Hull is a Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), based in Scottsdale, AZ. While she may have begun her medical career in a high-risk Labor/ Delivery unit, her true passion for women’s skincare and beauty concerns led her to the creation of Adorn Women’s Clinic & Medspa, LLC.

Adorn Women’s Clinic & Medspa, LLC offers many injectable services. These services are designed to relax moderately to severe wrinkles. She also provides micro-needling that removes the appearance of acne, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. There are facials and peels that lift pigment, remove sun damage, alleviate acne and scarring, and fight fine lines and wrinkles. Along with skincare, Adorn also offers weight loss/health services such as vitamin and fat burner injections, energy-boosting B12 vitamin shots, and immunity-boosting injections.

Photos Provided by Sherri Hull

“I am overwhelmed with joy when I see a woman regain her confidence after being serviced at my spa. It makes it all worth it.”

Sherri shares that she really enjoys what she does. “I have always been interested in helping women feel more confident and beautiful. So much so that I almost did not go into the medical field. Instead, I was going to pursue a career in fashion merchandising. At the time, I had a couple of friends who were pursuing a career in nursing, and as they began to tell me about the benefits of this career, I knew this was the direction that I should take,” she says.

Sherri says her goal is to provide an elite experience that promotes health, refines beauty, and renews wellness internally and externally. She laughs at the thought of her medical career not beginning in the aesthetics field. “In 2007, a few years after Botox was FDA approved, I took my first course on Botox, dermal fillers, laser, and chemical peels. I fell in love with this niche and quickly became licensed as an esthetician,” she says.

After starting the process, Sherri quickly realized that for her new medical dreams to take shape, it would require taking a leap of faith. “At the start, my husband and I were living in California, but when the Covid 19 pandemic hit, we knew that we needed to make a change to start our small business. We decided to return to Arizona,” she shares.

While California is beautiful and full of people looking for beauty regiments, Sherri says state laws make owning a business like hers a bit challenging. “Knowing that we could start a business in a state that my children now live in, and a place that is entrepreneurial friendly made Scottsdale an easy decision for us,” Sherri said.

Today, Sherri’s new aesthetic clinic is making a difference in women’s lives throughout Scottsdale. “I am so honored to address the aesthetic and wellness needs of women in this area. I am overwhelmed with joy when I see a woman regain her confidence after being serviced at my spa. It makes it all worth it.”

To find out more about Adorn Women’s Clinic & Medspa, please visit their website.

Dr. Shmeka Gibson Innate Success Corp

www.innatesuccess.com

Photos Provided By Jamaal E. Photogrphy and Carolyn Castillo

Dr. Shmeka Gibson is an author, international speaker, business owner, and college professor. Shmeka is the founder and CEO of Innate Success Corp. Innate Success Corp. provides various business options, tools, and resources needed to develop business owners, organize business practices, enhance individual leader traits, and promote potential business leaders.

Innate Success Core, which is one of our fivesubsidiary businesses, provides contract services to organizations in need of organizational infrastructure development and program management, research, and application to funding opportunities and data analytics. Another popular business under the Innate Success model is I.S. Cares which houses the Mentorship Program.

Innate Success Corp. partners with Dress for Success Memphis to implement the “Successful Women in Business” Mentorship Program. The program utilizes the Changing the Mindset Concept© developed by Innate Success that implements a framework to help women in business and entrepreneurship. Innate Success developed and launched the program as a pilot in Fall 2020, and with the help of Dress for Success Memphis, the program flourished and now has an organizational home. The program’s goal is to help small businesses develop or enhance effective and sustainable business practices. The program participants were not required to have an established business, but if they had the time, desire and commitment, the program would help them achieve their goal of entrepreneurship. The 6-month business mentorship program offers intensive business, legal and financial consulting and resources to help businesses upskill and upscale their business.

This program is offered to start-up, grassroots, and small business owners with an operating budget of less than $250,000 annually. Presently, this program has helped over 46 African American business leaders and raised over $75,000 in grant funding to support the work. The goal is to help these businesses create an organizational infrastructure and enhance stability to upscale the economy and communities.

The Wealthy Child

“I am a Change Agent on the path to create a culture of wealth for the next generation”

By Terry L. Watson

Provided by Ronald Pollard

Delvin Sullivan is a Dave Ramsey-certified Financial Coach who believes that “The earlier money can make sense to a child, the better chance they have at being financially responsible adults.”

A native of Huntsville, AL, Delvin is the author of The Wealthy Child, a book designed to teach youth about money and the world’s economic process. As someone who grew up in public housing, Delvin’s passion always led him to mentoring youth and posing as a positive role model for kids, particularly young men.

Using the basic principles of wealth, he published his book to level the playing field and offer all children the opportunity to become wealthy through knowledge. Some of the topics discussed in the Wealthy Child production are budgeting, banking, investing, credit, income, and assets. “I am introducing children to the basics of financial literacy in a fun and engaging way and teaching kids about the importance of earning, saving, and spending responsibly. My goal is to ensure they understand the importance of earning, saving, and spending responsibly,” Delvin says.

In addition to being an author, personal finance coach, and entrepreneur, Delvin is also a US Army veteran and recipient of the Unsung Hero Award. He holds degrees from Alabama A&M University and Murray State University. He is married to Felichia, and they have two children, Tierra and Jordan, along with three grandchildren.

Delvin shares, “I began teaching at the Sparkman Homes Boys and Girls Club in 2017, and decided to develop a book and workbook that would give the students something they could take home with them.”

The vision for The Wealthy Child is connected to Delvins awareness of the many challenges that youth face, especially within his community. “Studies show 80% of crimes that send people to prison have something to do with money. I want to change that narrative by teaching children how to earn, save, grow, and respect the dollar at an early age,” he says.

He shares that he loves being able to change the course of a child’s life by ensuring he or she is financially literate. He is also inspired by youth development and making a difference in his community.

Growing up in similar situations that many of the young individuals he’s helping are, Delving feels that he has a sincere responsibility to create realistic opportunities for them. “I made it to where I am because of the men placed in my life at the Boys and Girls Club. It was Ugene

Phillips, Cedric Wherry, and Tyrone Langford. They would preach, “if you want to be an eagle, don’t hang around turkey’s”. That kept me from becoming a product of my environment,” Delvin says.

Delvin’s future goal is to continue to change the lives of millions of children by introducing them to the world’s economic process. To learn more about The Wealthy Child, please visit their website.

Photos

The HEEAT Research Lab

By Ellen Richardson

Over the last few years, there has been a heightened awareness of the health inequities that exist in the African American/Black community as well as the impact that racism has on health outcomes. These inequities and racism, however, are not new and have shown to have a profound and negative impact on Black Americans. A group of advocates throughout the Triad and the Research Triangle areas of North Carolina are addressing health disparities through equity, engagement, advocacy, and trust. Led by Nurse Scientist and researcher Dr. Schenita Randolph, The HEEAT Research Lab is committed to finding solutions and ensuring the improved health of the Black community, specifically in the areas of sexual health and HIV.

“The addressing Health Disparities through Engagement, Equity, Advocacy, and Trust Research (HEEAT) Lab was established alongside fellow researchers, nurses and clinicians, entrepreneurs, and community members dedicated to addressing health inequities within the Black community,” said Randolph.

“We highlight the significant role of Fathers in promoting adolescent male sexual health, while recognizing the impact that experiences of racism and discrimination have had and continue to have on Black males health and health outcomes.” Randolph also shared that the Centers for Disease Control has identified racism as a serious threat to the public’s health.

As a nurse for over 25 years, Randolph has always had a heart for educating young Black males and females, primarily due to the disparities in health, specifically for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. “Before working on the academic side of healthcare, I was a public health nurse. I saw young males and females coming in for HIV and other sexual health screenings. I also understand as a Black woman how race and gender discrimination impacts health care delivery and outcomes,” she said. “Witnessing all of this, I made it my mission to do what I can to address health inequities within our community through education, research, and advocacy.”

Randolph partners with trusted community members, such as barbershop and beauty salon owners, to provide the education and resources necessary to promote health in the community. The HEEAT lab has developed an intervention called UPDOs (Using PrEP, Doing it for Ourselves) Protective Styles. UPDOs Protective Styles is a salon-based intervention developed in partnership with researchers and the

“We are partnering with the community to develop and implement culturally and socially relevant interventions that will promote health particularly for Black women and Black male adolescents and young adults.”

Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

community to promote awareness, knowledge, and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black women living in the United States south. Black women in the US make up 12 percent of the population but account for 60 percent of new HIV cases among women. PrEP is a pill that, if taken daily, reduces the risk of one contracting HIV. It has been proven to be 99% percent effective. However, less than one percent of Black women who are eligible for this preventative measure actually use it. The HEEAT Lab just wants women to be aware and knowledgeable so they can make informed decisions about their own health. UPDOs takes a comprehensive approach and addresses overall health of Black women in the US, including HIV, cardiovascular disease, and intimate partner violence.

This salon-based intervention has partnered with salon owner Tamica Campbell Hughes of Kotur Kutz in Greensboro, NC. Hughes offers awareness and education for area African American women about PrEP or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Educating trusted partners like Tamica Hughes about these and other women’s health issues such as cardiovascular disease and intimate partner violence, can have a widespread community impact.

According to Hughes, her salon’s partnership with Randolph and The HEEAT Research Lab has been life-changing. “Partnership with this social research lab offers knowledge that will help stylists and their clients provide support for improving women’s health. The truth is that by reaching one woman, you can change the world. Getting the knowledge is the first step to protecting you and your body, and this is a great life-altering message for stylists to share with women throughout the community,” Hughes shared.

Thanks to other available social, behavioral programs like The Talk, Randolph and her partners are assisting parents in having the necessary tools to support and guide young Black male youth in their sexual health and understand the impacts of racism on health behaviors and outcomes. “This web-based application includes podcasts that feature perspectives from fathers, videos that showcase the importance of seeking racial equality, as well as other valuable content that helps start the conversations between fathers and sons. We also encourage mothers to leverage this information to help them build healthy relationships with their sons and provide resources to help their sons make healthy sexual health decisions,” Randolph says. Partners for The TALK include Gene Blackmon, Barber and Owner of Prestige Barber College in Greensboro, NC, and Akili Hester, Barber and Owner of Black Wall Street Barbershop in Durham, NC.

The HEEAT Research Lab: UPDOs Program Development Team

Pictured from left to right are Dr. Ragan Johnson, Co-Investigator, Dr. Schenita Randolph, Director and Principal Investigator, Allison Johnson, Clinical Research Coordinator, Crystal Taylor, Executive Producer for UPDOs, Tamica Campbell Hughes, Community Partner and Stylists, and Corrina Dunn, Community Partner and Stylists. Other members of the HEEAT Lab not pictured include Gene Blackmon, Barber and Owner Prestige Barber College, Akili Hester, Barber and Owner of Black Wall Street Barbershop, Aaron Lyle Jr., CEO Black Fly on the Wall, Dr. Harvey Hinton, Terrance Pleasants, Davon Washington, Dr. Cherie Conley, Dr. Selena Monk, Candice Lewis, and Kelvis Tann.

Randolph describes herself as a “Nurse Scientist who genuinely cares about her work having a real-world impact in the community.” When asked what lies in the future for the HEEAT, Randolph has a clear response. “As a researcher in academia, it is important for us to test our interventions to evaluate if they have the intended outcomes for which they were created, so we are now recruiting women to test the UPDOs intervention site.”

Without any question, Randolph and The HEEAT Lab are doing their part to improve the health of Black Americans. Please visit their website for more information.

Nobody But You, God SEMAJE

By Dorjea’ McClammey

Now, reader, you will want to remember this name, Semaje. The 29-year-old breakout singer hails from Detroit, Michigan. As the middle child of three, Semaje’s parents made sure he and his brothers Demarcyon and Noah never missed a day of church. He has carried those values throughout his life, and the only time he did not make it to church was when the Covid 19 pandemic hit.

Semaje Collier describes his style as contemporary, pop, urban and funky. “I am bringing a new urban inspirational sound to the music industry,” he says.

Growing up in the church helped Semaje develop his talent. First, he started in the church choir and then sang with the praise team. On his own time, he would spend hours listening to and studying the sounds of J.Moss, James Moore, Mary Mary, Usher, Karen Clark, Daryl Coley and Michael Jackson being two of my biggest influences.

Daryl Coley’s vocal abilities inspired Semaje, and it’s quite noticeable their voices sound similar.

“I was amazed by Coley’s riffs and runs and the amount of conviction and presence he gave when he sang,” he shares. As for Michael Jackson, he was amazed by his ability to take risks and start trends. He shares, “Michael was confident in what he did and kept doing it regardless of what others thought about him. I am moved by Michael’s unadulterated ability to captivate audiences. I am inspired by Michael Jackson vocal ability, his distinctive tone, one of a kind vibrato. The way he layered and stacked his background vocals on his records is completely insane. I see so much of myself in Michael.”

His journey as a musician has been nothing short of a blessing. He tried out for the gospel singing contest “Sunday Best,” and although he made it to the judging round, he did not make it all the way. “I got a little discouraged and asked God what He was trying to tell me? I realized it was not in God’s plans for me, but I didn’t allow that experience to discourage me. I kept singing, ministering, and putting out music covers,” he says.

Photos Provided by Semaje

Things began to change for the better for Semaje. One day, he was blessed with the opportunity to work with Fred Jerkins, who has also worked with Dark Child to produce hits for artists Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Brandy, and more. Fred featured Semaje as the lead vocalist on his song “Reason of Praise” which, of course, landed at the number four position on the Billboard charts. Semaje described the moment as surreal. “Seeing all the different plaques on the wall for songs such as Lose My Breath, Deja VU, the Boy Is Mine, and Michael Jackson’s Rock My World; I couldn’t believe that I was in the studio working with the same legendary producer that worked with Beyonce and Micheal Jackson and Now I am working with him, this is a dream! I grew up saying I wanted to work with the Dark Child squad,” Semaje shares with excitement.

After that experience, things kept rolling for Semaje. One day during the pandemic, the accomplished gospel artist, Deitrick Haddon called and told him to get on the social media platform Clubhouse, and play some of his covers. He played his cover of “All I Do” by Stevie Wonder, and everyone went crazy. Semaje says in no time, his inbox became full of messages from producers and artists wanting to work with him. Soon he was speaking with Tyscot Records, known for their artists such as PJ Morton, John P. Kee, and Anthony Brown. After talking for about two to three months, they offered him a partnership deal. They worked together to put out his cover to Bill Withers Lovely Day, which debuted at the number nine position on the Billboard Charts. He has continued to work with Tyscot Records alongside Anesha Birchett, who has experience with artists Beyonce, Justin Bieber, H.E.R., Mary Mary and more, but now she’s stepping into a new role as Executive Producer of his upcoming debut album. “My sound, my creativity, vocal ability and interpretation of music has changed

“I desire to share with the world that no matter what the circumstances are, nobody is exempt from living a good life. We all have gotten it wrong but we serve a God who can make us right.”

since working with the gamechanger Anesha, I can’t imagine doing this without her,” says Semaje. Semaje has finally found his distinctive lane and sound with iconic producer Shajuan Andrews from Brooklyn, New York. “He’s the fresh new sound that was missing in music, he’ll be listed as one of the greatest of all times,” says Semaje. The three of them are working together to produce Semaje’s debut album, including his latest single, You written by Jamel Smith which debuted April 22nd and landed in Top 20 Billboard Charts..

Semaje loves being able to change the world through his music. “I desire to tell people that no matter what they have done in life, no matter how many mistakes they have made, we serve a God who makes us right,” he says. “Nobody is exempt from living a good life through God.”

Now we know about his musical inspirations, but Semaje says his family is his biggest inspiration. “My father, mother and big brother demarcyon and grandmothers have played a huge part in making me the person I am today, mainly by setting such highexamples to live up to,” he says. Semaje is currently attending Oakland University in Rochester Hills, earning his bachelor’s degree in human resources in public relations. He has recently welcomed his nephew, Denver James, into the world. “ The greatest thing that’s happen in 2022 is my nephew, says Semaje”

You can expect a lot from Semaje in the near future. This will include albums, tours, and radio appearances. He is also working on receiving more endorsements, including being featured in commercials, “I want to bring more faith to television and tell the world about Jesus,” he says.

His advice to others who may have a passion or a dream such as his is clear and concise. “Never adjust your life to what makes sense to another individual as long as you continue to follow the voice of God. Doing that way, you can’t go wrong.”

To learn more about Semaje, check out his Instagram @isemaje and on Facebook and Twitter at Semaje Collier. You can also find his music on all platforms.