Huami Magazine Raleigh/Durham Sept./Oct. 2018

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Sept./Oct. 2018 Volume 2 Issue 7 FREE

Patricia Clement Shuntae Goodjoine

Carolyn Crews Author

Surviving It All

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CONTENTS

There Is Purpose In Your Storms

SEPT./OCT. 2018

RALEIGH/DURHAM

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

A Letter From The Editor

Hawaii is a prime destination for tourist and vacationers. Made up of six unique islands, it is known for its abundant beaches, white A Letter from the Editor sands, colorful landscapes, and beautiful weather. Hawaii is also richly embedded in cultures, which are complimented by delicious foods and traditions that date back hundreds of years.

What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if Recently I learned that unlike other tropical islands and beaches, everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never Hawaii isn’t subjected as often to hurricanes and other tropical happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy storms. I found that to be quite interesting, especially because day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The conditions are promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired similar or just as other locations like Miami, Florida or the coasts of today?

What you do?

North Carolina, butwould the storms seem to stay away. And then life

happened.

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much.

Honestly, I feelinlike I amvolcanos not doing enough and I’m a firmfiery, Earlier this year Hawaii began to erupt, spitting believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything hit lava hundreds of feet into the atmosphere. The streetson ofme this that I couldn’t handle.

I sometimes wonder how life would once peaceful place began to crack and buckle from the lava fires if I flowing chose tobeneath sit idle and accept what it presented me. I thatbe were them.

The calmness had been to interrupted have found that to be very boring.

In my opinion, opportunity and it appeared to me that Hawaii was in its own kind of storm. is a of blessing that everyone.

A disturbance challenge Instead pouring rainisn’t andafforded 100 milestoper winds, the to me is an adventure.

What is the worst that can happen? came from below.

If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself.was Relinquish your pride in What had happened in Hawaii, something that I seeand happens life.loves me enough to allow me to enjoy peace. in myreturn life asacquire well. God He blesses me with an abundance and gives me an opportunity to Theblessings best advice given to meto happened when someone enjoy His andever showcase them others. Still, God shows told me to make my tomorrow happen today.

In doing so his love by allowing me to experience pain.

I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. havepath alsooflearned the difference Though I may be inI the a storm, I don’t alwaysbetween get wet. what GodAnd blesses methe with andwhen what the life can burden me with That’s mercy. during times storms do hit me, I can’tascomplain because itGod has spared me before and He promises well. I compare to knowing when to be confident and to restore anything lost. That’s grace. when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused Through everyarrogant. storm and every with being trial, I have learned there is a purpose in my pain.

There also some pains Make youare tomorrow that I must endure justbut as most well. These happen today, occurrences must happen.

Without importantly make it count. them, Life my life would be nothing is but a whisper and more than a fantasy or fairy tale, we must put ourselves in aand uselessposition to thosetowho God has hear what itwritten is in pages of my telling us.life. My storm is merely a formality, and my story is someone else’s door to deliverance.

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Terry L. Watson 4

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From Hood To Good

Divine Designs By Randi

Randi Blakeney

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Terry L Watson Publisher www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Writer Dawn C. Thornton Terry L. Watson Dr. Marrissa Dick Writer Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Terry L. Watson Writer Writers

Clear WaterTonya Images Dixon Terry L. Watson Ashleigh Crawley Alana Allen JLG Photography Tamara Smith Jeuron Apollo Wonex Dove

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On The Cover

She is Surviving It All Carolyn Crews

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Mykel MediaUs Company Keep Up With on Facebook Linda Bennett Huami Magazine for Raleigh/Durham

A Group For Followers and

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Stormi Harmon

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Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

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Also Featured

mykelmedia@yahoo.com Supporters of Huami Magazine (336) 340-7844 HUAMI MAGAZINE is published bimonthly 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 Email or Telephone terry.editor@yahoo.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to 336-340-7844 Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2018 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

The Shepherds Watch Shuntae Goodjoine of Greenville has his own organization.

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Pure Keys Products Kiana Manson of Richmond is all about Natural Beauty.

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Eman The Profezzor There is something cool about this Gospel Artist

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On The Cover

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Raleigh/Durham - Sept./Oct. 2018

November/December 2014

Patricia Clement

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By Toya Moore Photos by J Humble Photography

“I shot my dad….and my husband shot me.”

That’s not the kind of thing one would expect to ordinarily hear.

However, that’s exactly what Carolyn Crews message has been for quite some time.

She is a published author who has used life experiences, both good and bad to write a story of sorts in her first work titled, “I Shot My Dad”. The book was released in April of 2016, and within the pages, Carolyn talks about shooting her father. She shares, “Telling my story was therapeutic for me. It was healing, and it was freeing.” “I found that when I told my story, I was not only freeing myself, but my story was freeing to others. When I get in front of people to talk about domestic violence, I have notes written and an idea of what I think I want to say, but every time I end up speaking from my heart.”

Carolyn’s book is a story that is all too common, and focused on domestic violence, healing, and forgiveness. Her story begins by painting the picture of a child who grew up with an abusive father.

Her father would beat her mom, pull out his gun and threaten to shoot her and her siblings. She said that sort of horror was normal in their household. Talking about her childhood comes easily but her tone speaks volumes to the challenges they faced as children.

“I want people to understand that when they are being abused, they are not the only ones. There is always someone else. I also want us to think about how domestic violence will affect the next generation. When a child watches their mother go through it, the experience does something to them,” she expresses.

Carolyn Crews Author

Surviving It All

Carolyn talks openly about wanting to protect her mother from the abuse. Whenever she attempted to, her father would begin to beat her as well. She thought it happened because she looked so much like her mother. Often times children step in to protect their mother, and that changes the family dynamic as well as the impact it has on the kids. She states that children begin seeing the abused parent as helpless, and they will begin to take on a parenting or protective role. This can be very unhealthy and lead to very damaging behaviors. It also leads to the children putting themselves in harm’s way, like she did.

At the young age of 17, her life changed even more. Carolyn received a call from her younger brother, telling that her dad was beating her mom yet again. Carolyn knew that her twin brother had a gun in his car. She went and got her brother’s gun and went into her childhood home to get her mother out. They made it to the car, but then Carolyn’s dad started shooting. Carolyn ducked behind a car door and pulled out her brothers’ gun. She shot back.

“My dad fired his gun five times. I fired once, and it hit him. He fell to the ground,” she recalls. Other details from that day can be found in her book.

“Telling my story was therapeutic for me. It was healing, and it was freeing. I found that when I told my story, I was not only freeing myself, but my story was freeing to others.”

Continued on the next page

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What were the odds that Carolyn would be on the other end of a similar situation many years later? What were the odds that she would get married and her husband would also be abusive? She says, “Abuse is generational and familial. Generational trauma is not something we talk about in the black community, but there are so many facets that need to be discussed openly. When a child sees his or her parent being abused, it’s very common that the child will grow up to either become the abuser or attract an abuser as their partner.” Carolyn gravitated towards an abuser, even though she told herself it wouldn’t happen to her. When Carolyn finally built up the nerve to tell her abusive husband she was leaving, he pulled out his gun and he shot her. “I suffered major injuries after being shot but I was determined to get better, and to make sure that what happened to me did not happen to anyone else.” Carolyn chose to seek the help of a Professional Therapist to help her work through the trauma of domestic violence. Her second book which details that event is due to be released in January 2019.

In addition to her being an author, she is a distributor and ambassador for Damsel in Defense, a company that teaches women how to defend themselves through education and products that can be used in self-defense. She travels around the country speaking about domestic violence and telling her story. “I want to put a face to domestic violence, but more importantly I want to put a stop to it.” She is also a board member for the organization, Called to Peace Ministries. This nonprofit provides practical assistance to individuals who are affected by domestic violence.

They train helpers and professionals in resources, support, and referral. They also train clergy and church leaders to not view abuse as a marital issue, and not to counsel those being abused to stay in that relationship. Carolyn believes that type of training is unheard of based on what she calls ‘church culture’. “It’s a big shift for the black church and its culture to view it that way.

It is important that we teach pastors how to manage, counsel, and protect victims. It could be, and unfortunately has been the difference between life and death for so many women,” she says.

God created her to be a ray of hope and help for many who have also suffered at the hands of an abuser. By her acts of love and kindness to others, she hopes to bring an end to domestic violence.

“My goal is to save the next generation,” she shares. h

To purchase a copy of “I Shot My Dad” please visit www.amazon.com

“

The most significant thing that Carolyn has been able to accomplish since enduring her life changing moment of being shot, is forgiveness. She has forgiven her husband and her father for their abuse. “I forgave my ex-husband for what he did, but I told him that he would never be allowed to be a part of my life. I forgave them so that I could move on and be who God created me to be. Just because I forgave him doesn’t mean that he could take up space in my world. You must be able to forgive,” she states.

Carolyn’s dad, however was able to take up space in her world.

Literally. She forgave her father, and at one point allowed him to live with her for about nine months. Her father has since passed away, but she says forgiving her father and her ex-husband is what allowed her to be able to mentor other women and guide them through their difficult experiences.

By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Marion Woodhouse Remember bouncing to the rhythm of the Double-dutch rope until you knew the exact time to jump inside the rope? Do you remember jumping to the Double-dutch song 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 1 up, 23456789, 2 up 23456789, 3 up 23456789, 4 up 23456789, until you couldn’t jump anymore or the people who were turning arms got tired? How about even learning to jump double orange? Now if you could jump double orange then you were really doing something! Meet, Patricia Clement, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JumpStarz, LLC also known as JumpStarz Jump Rope Lessons, whose mission is to use the fun and exciting sport of Double-dutch to build confidence, improve cardiovascular health and nutrition, while empowering youth to set and reach goals.

As a child Patricia jumped double-dutch on the concrete streets of Brooklyn for fun. In 1997 Patricia moved from Brooklyn, East New York to Petersburg, Virginia. She instantly became aware that her love of doubledutch was not common in her new state of residency because she didn’t see little girls jumping rope in the streets like she did while growing up. That seemed so odd and it bothered her. “I mean double-dutch was everything when I was growing up, playing outside.” Though jumping rope kept Patricia busy it didn’t exactly shield her from the elements that come with growing up in a fast paced, high crime, and low income neighborhood.

In fact, she was introduced to things that lead her to become a juvenile delinquent. Though the kid in her loved double-dutch her new fast-paced life style was anything but a game.

PatriciaClement From Hood To Good

She recalls, “At the age of 12 I took my first drink in the neighborhood with the older kids. By the time I was 14 I was dating drug dealers, carrying guns, and packaging and transporting those drugs for them. Things just kept getting worst for me. When I turned 15 I was expelled from high school and when I was 16 I went to Job Corp in Maryland.” Patricia enjoyed working with her hands and took up carpentry as a trade while in Job Corp. Coincidently, she was the first woman to complete the program. In hindsight this was a sign that she was going to be the first to accomplish many things in her genealogy. She recalls, “At Job Corp, I worked on learning my trade for one week then I attended school the next week which I hated. I disliked school so much that when it was time to go I would pretend to be sick and I would make all kinds of excuses just so I wouldn’t have to go.” Eventually, Patricia left Job Corp, but was unable to get a job because she didn’t have a high school diploma so she went back to doing what she knew how to do - - hustling in the streets. After giving birth to her son, Malique, reality finally hit her that if she continued hustling she would end up in jail or even worse, losing her life. “I knew I would have to make a lifestyle change especially since I wanted my son to have a better life so I went back to school and obtained my GED at the age of 20. With that I was able to get a job as a security guard at the airport. I worked there for a few years then some of my coworkers began talking about jobs opening in Virginia at detention centers. I dreamed of leaving New York and starting a new life somewhere else. My family and friends thought I was crazy because they couldn’t believe that I was going to relocate to a place where I didn’t have any family, but I just knew that I needed a change. So, I moved to Petersburg, VA. It wasn’t easy either. Though I was able to get a job with Sussex 1 State Prison I had to live in low income housing for about a year. While working at Sussex for about eight months, I discovered I was really good at shooting firearms. In 1998 I became employed at Riverside Regional Jail assigned to the transportation unit, where I transported inmates to court and appointments. I liked being out in the public, so I decided to become a Police Officer. When my family and friends back home heard that I was in training nobody could believe it especially after knowing about my former way of life. You know I’ve always heard that saying, “God protects babies and fools,” well I was both. So, I completed the police academy, spent a few years as a beat officer, then became the community policing officer. I worked well with the community, because I was a product of the same type of community I was serving. The streets were all I knew. When I came across troubled young girls, I wanted to save them so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes I did growing up. So I became a Big Sister for the Big Brother Big Sister program in Richmond, VA. After 20 years of Law Enforcement, I decided to take an early retirement and JUMPED into full-time entrepreneurship.

I obtained my business license in 2012, but I couldn’t fully commit to JumpStarz because I worked full-time as a Police Officer.”

Continued on the next page

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Patricia is a believer that God will supply all of your needs because He sent her help with JumpStarz when she needed it the most. According to Patricia, “If it wasn’t for Ahtavia Greer, I may not be where I am today. When I started JumpStarz, I only had one person helping me so it was very hard. You know sometimes I had to teach classes by myself because other people would ignore my phone calls or just not show up. Even though I couldn’t afford to pay Ahtavia, in the beginning, her love for the sport and her belief in me is what I’ll never forget. When I first envisioned JumpStarz I knew it would grow because it was something we needed in our communities. It’s fun and it helps to build confidence for both children and adults. It also draws positive attention to children and it allows them to learn something new. JumpStarz is special to me because I’ve taken something that I have enjoyed all my life and turned it into a positive business. When you’re doing something you love, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Patricia is happy that she has created a legacy for both her son, who is in the Air Force, and her 10-year old daughter, who is currently in training to learn the business. She is overjoyed that she has given them a ‘JumpStarz’ in life. Not only does she employ her children she also feels good about the fact that can give back to her Virginia community by employing its’ residents.

Currently she has 20 staff members and is looking to hire more.

Patricia encourages everyone she meets to pursue their passion especially because it has worked out for her. “It doesn’t matter what it is. It could be doing hair or baking cookies. It could be making lotion. I just want kids and adults to know that you can do anything you want to do, and you don’t always have to work for someone else. You know I went from one class a week at Petersburg YMCA to past/current to having multiple contracts with the County of Henrico, City of Richmond, County of Chesterfield, Richmond Public Schools, Fort Lee Military Base, Richmond Preparatory, St. Michaels Episcopal School, 21st Century Learning, Poplar Springs Hospital, Next Up RVA and many other viable organizations. If all of this happened for me because I followed my passion then I believe it can happen for others, too.” JumpStarz, provides demonstrations and lessons for afterschool programs, birthday parties, community events, family reunions, summer camps, corporate team building and youth programs. JumpStarz has been featured in various news media articles and is highly reputable in Central Virginia.

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“JumpStarz is special to me because I’ve taken something that I have enjoyed all my life and turned it into a positive business. When you’re doing something you love, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Who would have ever guessed that this girl from the hood, whose biggest life goal at one time was to get a Section 8 housing voucher, who started out as a statistic would defy the odds of societal success by getting married to the love of her life, building their dream home, and launching a successful business.

Who would have ever guessed that her love of jumping doubledutch would impact so many others lives in such a positive way.

Who could have ever imagined that her love of a game would inspire and promote self-love and inspiration in so many children and enhance teambuilding skills within organizations. Patricia believes that, “People should do what makes them happy. I believe if you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way, not and excuse.” Patricia believes everyone should have multiple streams of income. Aside from JumpStarz, Patricia is also a reseller, she buys truckloads of furniture and resells the items to her 2400 member Facebook group. She sells on EBay and has extreme couponing experience. She has received so many inquires about her ‘Hustling’ that she was inspired to launch a program called ‘Help Me Hustle” where she will be teaching everyday people on the art of earning extra income by doing things they love to do. h

The Jump Starz Jump Rope Lessons www.thejumpstarz.com info@thejumpstarz.com Help Me Hustle - helpmehustle2@gmail.com 13

Available On All Digital Platforms Spotify & Apple Music - Follow me on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @Emanthaprofezzor

Eman Tha Profezzor Eman Tha Profezzor, experimental Gospel artist emerging from Johnston County (JoCo), North Carolina. Unable to be contained in a traditional genre, the “experimental” Gospel genre was crafted in the reason that there was no other suitable category.

This multi talented musical man of God; starting from age 2, when he discovered his curious attraction to pitch and rhythm, tapping and racking on pots and pans, which persuaded his parents to get him his first drum kit at age three, resulting in his growing skill as a drummer from 5 years of age.

Having joined the choir at his home church, playing the drums, he revealed a passion for other instruments as well. While in High School he started realizing that all his talent had gotten to a point that he could start producing music on his own using the Music production software FruityLoops 3, which he had received from a friend. After producing and writing several pieces of music he decided to enter the 2002 talent show at West Johnston High School, taking the show with 3 of his friends, who formed their group in a day. After advancing his gift, he went on to enter The Next Gospel Star Talent Search in 2004 with a close friend, forming The Disciplez; placing in the top 10 finalist, they concluded the competition in achieving runner-up.

After his group The Disciplez went after different endeavors in their lives in 2006, Eman put out his first album “I Mean Business: Crunk Worship”. He played an array of gigs in Churches and venues in the greater North Carolina vicinity - Making his first appearance, performing his song “Get Up” on a Local Raleigh television station RN10 on the show Beyond Gifted with Koyah Rivers and his first radio appearance on 750AM interviewed by Bobby Parker, of the Bobby Parker Show, where they played 2 of his singles “Get up” and “In God we Trust” - leading to him producing the music for The Bobby Parker Shows introduction in 2006; all gaining him more exposure and shows.

When he began realizing he was becoming more of a Gospel artist; desiring to perfect his craft, having the mind to be professional; he enrolled in Living Arts College, formerly The School of Communication Arts; Taking classes in Audio design and Audio Engineering: While attending college, Eman began improving the development of his skills, he also began developing his 2nd album, having acquired the new knowledge and skill through his schooling - as E3 Productions (Entertainment, with the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost - his music production company) was also underway, when he met a few friends in college along with his cousin having likeminds for ministry, who believe the good news of Jesus Christ. He and all of his friends, who also being artists, started producing and writing music, which took them to bigger platforms for shows, travelling to many churches and venues.

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Before finishing his Sophomore album “Salvation Motivation: The Story” Eman was blessed with the opportunity to intern with Loreal Shampoo, doing a background track for a 2007 television ad. While preparing for fall graduation he entered his graphic design for E3 Productions, winning the gallery exhibit for logos. Graduating September 2007, he received the Digital Audio Merit Award - leaving with an outstanding GPA of 4.0. In 2008 Eman released his sophomore album “Salvation Motivation: The Story”, bringing him to playing shows in multiple college universities and in many states, such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Atlanta Georgia, Missouri, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Cozumel Mexico, New Jersey and Washington DC. With Salvation Motivation, the song “Blow Out” received so much buzz that it was brought on the Coco Brothers Show 103.9 The light, NC on Play it or Fade it for 3 nights consecutively, and while touring in South Carolina he was picked up to do an interview, with the Bad Boy Radio Brian Seabrook WJNI 106.3 FM, SC - while touring, his song “Changed Man” ended up taking a spot at #3 on Drive at 5, later earning a place at #2, then having its finale at #1 for the day over Kirk Franklin. Meanwhile also achieving the artist spotlight at WKNC 88.1fm at NC State University.

Within three years after the release of Salvation Motivation, Tha Profezzor was blessed to gain fellowship and share stages with the likes of Papa San, Rawsrvnt, Jeff Majors, Warren Barfield, Marcus D. Wiley of the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, Grammy nominated Cynthia Jones, Grammy nominated Canton Jones, Grammy nominated Mali Music, Grammy/Dove/ Stellar/Soul Train award winning Israel Houghton.

After his previous accomplishments, being discovered by a long time friend and mentor for his dynamic gift in poetic writing; he was given a grand opportunity to partake in a revolutionary idea for invoking youth to inspiration and encouragement in their gifts for the Kingdom of God; the stage was set for his heart for the Gospel to be shed through the art of Spoken Word, at the Church of God of Prophecy International Assembly in Louisville Kentucky held in the Kentucky International Convention Center. The artistic piece he presented is known as “My Powerful People”, viewed by over 500k streaming and in person - Empowering listeners to unchain their God given gifts and seek their purpose in the calling of the Lord.

huami MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Kaydence Jeffries The daughter of Da’Quan and Sharhonda Jeffries Photo provided by Da’Quan Jeffries

To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com

Founded at the top of 2015, Introducing a new flavor to the mix in the ministry of Eman Tha Profezzor, with plans for outreach and youth camps to accompany the silky sound of Eman, as he brings to the world his heart for the Gospel and the winning of souls for the Heavenly Kingdom of God. The world has yet to see what Tha Profezzor shall presents to you by the grace of God in the adventures of the NERD UP Music Group LLC. h

HuamiMagazine.com 15

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton -- Photos by Todd Youngblood Randi Blakeney is a self-proclaimed ‘super girly girl’. If you’ve ever laid eyes on the 5 footer, you can tell that she enjoys all things that will enhance inner beauty but showcase it on the outside. Over the years, she has had a reputation for putting fierce outfits together or having a banging hairstyle that no one else could pull off. She excels at pairing bold ideas with simple ones, no matter the object. To add more fuel to the fashion fire, in recent years, she has perfected her crafting game and created her own line of jewelry dubbed Divine Designs by Randi.

She shares that she’s always had side hustles, but the Greensboro native somehow fell in love with accessories and started creating neck pieces just for herself. “Jewelry always catches my eye when I’m out, so I would see something that I liked then buy the materials to make it myself,” says Randi.

While on maternity leave with her second son in 2007, she was up late one night for his feeding, and caught a glimpse of older women making jewelry. That gave her the confidence to try and make a few more items for herself. “I went and bought a couple cheap jewelry-making kits to just see what I could come up with.” Soon after, her friends and family took notice and requested their own personal pieces. The more pieces she made the more orders she received. It didn’t take long for her to realize she could turn it into a business. By December of that same year, she had made enough items to launch Divine Designs by Randi and had an official launch party in downtown Charlotte.

The best part of creating her gorgeous pieces, is that she truly enjoys it. “It relaxes me. When I first started, I had two small children, so it was my outlet. And it’s something that doesn’t take me away from home too often.” If you have a hobby that allows you to make money, you’ve truly found a winner.

While Randi worked on her masterpieces in the wee hours of the morning, the N.C. A&T graduate held many different roles in Corporate America, the most recent one, a project manager at a major bank in Charlotte. She dreamed of one day committing herself full-time to her passion and this spring God said it was time to make the move. After months of preparation, she and her husband of 15 years, agreed. She left her position in February of 2018 and has never been happier. She’s grateful to finally have the opportunity to grow her business and even venture into new territory. She recently created a men’s collection and has plans for a children’s collection.

Currently, the line of chunky statement pieces are in three boutique stores. Happy Kat Candles and Gifts in Concord Mills and a soon-to-be south Charlotte location, and Jewelry Unique in downtown Winston Salem. She plans to be in many more locations in the coming months. Randi often attends vendor shows and most recently sold over 200 items at a convention. Her popular neck candy ranges from approximately $30 to roughly $75 and can differ for custom pieces.

The busy mother of two hesitates as she talks about how long she’s been growing her business. She doesn’t realize that it’s a sign of perseverance and dedication, not failure.

I regularly converse with women who give up on their dreams or put them on hold because life has gotten in the way. Myself included. But Randi keeps on pushing, thinking of ways to be seen by promoting her business wherever she can. Next year she plans to attend her biggest event yet, a convention for Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., a sorority of which she is a proud member. (I joked that she needs to start making the pieces now, because she will absolutely sell out.) Yes, she’s partial to her favorite crimson and cream colors, but she is equally supportive of all Greek letter organizations and creates jewelry specifically utilizing their colors. She also specializes in wedding and bridesmaids pieces and loves to create one-of-a-kinds for each bridal party.

Randi makes a point to set high expectations for herself and has made a personal goal to place merchandise in larger boutiques across the south. When giving advice to budding entrepreneurs, she advises to focus on something you love. “What I do doesn’t even feel like work. Sometimes I can work on pieces until the sun comes up and not even realize it.”

With any venture, passion is number one. If you only like what you’re doing, grow to love it.

You’ll never want to give it up, even if it takes years to flourish. h

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G

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex reenville, South Carolina native, Stormi Harmon is the kind of person that is likely to leave a lifelong impression with almost everyone she meets.

She is a wife, mother, home school educator, Doula, Health Educator, Herbalist, Vaginal Steam Facilitator, and healer. She is also the founder and owner of Live 2 Serve, a beautiful umbrella of services and products for everyone.

As a Doula, she provides physical, emotional, and educational support to mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. In other words, she works with mothers to help them achieve their best birth.

She also offers Prenatal Nutrition, Birth Planning, Breast Feeding education, Postpartum Self Care Sessions, Postpartum Herbal Baths, custom blended Postpartum Vaginal Steams, Postpartum Healing Tinctures for afterbirth pains, Nourishing Meals, Amber Teething Jewelry, Organic Baby Powder, Cloth Diapering Sessions, Baby Wearing Sessions, and more.

Doula’s are not just for natural home births. Harmon provides care no matter where they choose to have their baby, whether it be in a hospital, birthing center, home, hallway, car, elevator; wherever they are, there she will be also. While many families are sometimes hesitant in investing in the services that a Doula offers, due to money and other reasons, there is so much scientific proof that says otherwise. “I rest in knowing that what I do is very valuable and historical. Black women were the original Doulas, or Granny Midwives. This is ingrained in us to do this work for our mothers. I just continue to share the benefits and let my work speak for itself,” she says.

When it comes to physical support, her focus is to assist her clients through various challenges during the child birthing experience.

These include breathing techniques, counter pressure, and many other comfort measures that allow Harmon to “hold space” for the birthing mother and growing family. “Emotionally, I help families feel supported by easing any concerns about their birthing experience and allowing the mother to surrender and listen to her body on this journey,” she says. “In regards to education, I connect families with evidence-based resources so they can ask great questions and always make informed decisions. Doing this allows me to serve as a bridge between families and health care providers, by encouraging them to be advocates for their care.”

Stormi Harmon

As a Health Educator, Harmon offers instruction through classes and teaching sessions, food demonstrations, Smoothie Pop-up Shops and more. Additionally, she has created a Smoothie eBook, loaded with over 275 plant-based recipes and educational tools.

With her Holistic Nutrition services, Harmon’s focus goes beyond food and seeks ways to serve the whole person. “I help you make realistic, sustainable changes in many aspects of your life. I help you get to the true heart of the matter that may have created the habits you are trying to break. Once that is done, if it even needs to be, we focus on what you consume and provide Nutrition and Herbal consultations for the entire family. This includes Herbal consultations, Pantry swaps- removing foods that are harmful and replacing them with better options, and sustainable changes. I also offer Herbal blends for optimal health which includes Butters for Eczema, joint pain, sleep disorders, muscle pains, and many other imbalances. My custom Herbal Vaginal Steams are designed for women with fibroids, conception issues, chronic infection, and more.

My custom herbal blends include Elderberry Syrup Kits, Parasite Cleanses, and Vaccine Detoxes.”

Harmon finds inspiration in her ability to take charge of her health without depending on someone else. She says, “we can do it if someone who truly cares about us will only show the way. I can’t help everyone but I can help anyone who trusts and allows me to help them heal themselves. As black women, the odds are truly against us when it comes to bringing forth life in this country. Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth or from postpartum. These numbers do not change merely due to economic or social statuses. It does not matter. Hiring a Doula causes these numbers to drop dramatically because you have someone in your corner fighting for you the whole time.” “There are times where birth work can be very exhausting. Birthing a child is very unpredictable.

A mother can be in labor for days and often times out of the loop with her family’s needs. Seeing a happy, healthy mama and baby makes it all worth it. It is my job to be there for them. They can count on that.”

Her support system includes her husband and her oldest daughter. “My husband encouraged me to take better care of myself. From there it grew beyond anything I could have ever imagined. My daughter turned my life upside down, but in a good way of course. I never wanted any other mother to experience what I went through. After researching, I knew becoming a Doula would be a perfect fit. If she was never given to me, I never would have done any birth work and would have never known how important and valuable the services I provide are,” she says.

To learn more about Live 2 Serve and Stormi Harmon, please contact her to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. h

Stormi Harmon - Live 2 Serve 864-901-5172 live2serve@gmail.com - www.live2serve.com

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jade Aponte’ here may be several ways to describe Kiana Manson. She is colorful, articulate, intelligent, and very ambitious. Yet, the most accurate description is that she is accomplished.

At just 25 years old, the Petersburg, VA native holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Norfolk State University and is currently employed full time as a Scientist II in Richmond. In 2016, she became an entrepreneur, launching her very own all-natural product line of skin care items with Pure Keys, LLC.

Ultra Moisturizing Body Butter

Kiana’s products are designed for both men and women. They include body washes, bar soaps, body scrubs, body butters, lotion bars, and lip balms. All of her products are handmade from all-natural, raw, organic, and pure ingredients, using no harmful chemicals, manufactured in the comfort of her home.

“Because I am a scientist, by default I began to grow curiosity about the ingredients of the products I use. Between 2015 and 2016, I started making soaps and lip balms for myself. My business began in the summer of 2017, after much trial and error with making products for my personal use. The results I experienced were great and I then decided to share them with others,” she said.

Kiana Manson Pure Keys, LLC

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Citrus Sugar Scrub

The response Kiana received was very encouraging. So much so that she kicked production into a higher gear to meet a growing demand from others who were interested in caring for their skin naturally. “I never thought that I would have my own business, let alone a business that would enhance the quality of lives of others. Also, nothing inspires me more than knowing I am capable of helping others overcome problems they may be dealing with their skin, whether it be eczema, acne, breakouts, and/or rashes,” Kiana expresses.

Starting a business was challenging for Kiana.

“Growing up I was told to graduate high school, go to college and major in something that will make you a lot of money. I had little to no exposure of entrepreneurship. I knew I had a product and service, but didn’t know where to go from there, and didn’t know what steps to take first or even how to get others interested,” she said. So, she began reading and researching and still admits it’s a constant learning process.

Sweet Orange and Honey Body Wash

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For most entrepreneurs, a stable and support system must be in place. For Kiana, she has leaned on her family every step of the way. They were there during college and during her most difficult moments of pursuing a Chemistry degree.

“My family never doubted me even when I doubted myself,” she says. When she created Pure Keys, LLC, her family were the first people to try her products. “They were completely honest with me about the products and their properties (feel, smell, consistency, etc.),” she said.

For others who may follow in her footsteps, Kiana offers a bit of advice. Try to be consistent and work hard. Don’t be afraid to learn from the mistakes you will make during the process. When you learn from your mistakes, it makes you a better business minded individual, and it will continue to help your business grow. Finally, always set goals to keep you on pace of your goal progression,” she says.

Currently, her overall plan is to continue to create and

Lemon Shae Lip Balm

Aloe Mint Bar Soap

“I never thought that I would have my own business let alone a business that is helping many people. Growing up I was always told to graduate high school, go to college and major in something that will make you a lot of money, graduate college, and start my career. In school I had little to no exposure of entrepreneurship. No one ever told me to work towards owning my own business. However, here I am today with Pure Keys, LLC that is helping and changing people skin.” develop all-natural products for both men and women.

Her short-term goal is to spread awareness about skin, and it being the largest organ in the human body and how important it is to take care of it on a daily basis. “With taking care of our skin, I hope to explain the importance of each of my products and why and how they should be used. My ultimate goal is to open my first store that will include all of my products in all varieties,” she says. h

Pure Keys, LLC www.purekeysproducts.com purekeys17@gmail.com Oatmeal Bar Soap

@PureKeysProducts

@PureKeys

Shuntae Goodjoine

A Modern Renaissance Man

By Toya Moore Photos by Apollo Wonex

iscipline. Dedication. Determination. From an early age Shuntae Goodjoine knew that these three words were the foundation for his success. With those three words in mind, he established Shepherds Watch as an official 501(c) 3 in 2014. The mission statement for Shepherds Watch is: Committed to enriching the lives of future leaders through the human and animal bond. Shun (as he is called by friends and family) began the organization as a way to start a movement in the lives of the boys and girls growing up in his community.

That movement is deeply rooted in the principles of Pet Education, responsible pet ownership and his true passion, Veterinary Medicine.

Shun began to learn everything he could about animals, especially dogs at a young age. He became known for his ability to take care of and train dogs. That was his informal education. The formal education began when he became a kennel assistant, and eventually a Veterinary Assistant.

During those years is when he began to call himself a Pet Enthusiast.

“It kept me out of a lot trouble. It gave me responsibility and discipline, because all I wanted to do was get home and take care of my dog and learn more about dogs. I guess you could also say there was a calmness in learning about animals. I think I found some type of healing when I was learning about and caring for those animals,” he says. After graduating from Southside High School, Shun went off to college and played basketball collegiately, and had aspirations of becoming a Veterinarian. He quickly lost interest in his studies. “I just didn’t fit in there. Although I’m not sure I knew it at the time, I think I was disenfranchised with the lack of culture. There was really nobody there that I could relate to.”

So, he left school, returned to the Upstate and began working for a veterinarian in the area. His informal education continued, but once again he did not feel as if that was where he was supposed to be and again walked away from veterinary medicine. He dabbled in the entertainment industry for a little bit, traveling and writing music. Shun then went into telecommunications work for a few years. He also worked part time for Greenville County with adults that have disabilities and special needs.

Currently Shun works as a shift leader in the automotive industry and coaches AAU and high school basketball. He is even an author, having selfpublished his own book called “Dawg Game”. No matter his profession, he has always owned and trained multiple dogs, and he has always taken the time to educate family, friends, and community about responsible pet ownership. Does he regret not finishing school to become a veterinarian?

“I am good with where I am right now,” he says. “But I do sometimes think back and wonder what if I had finished. I kind of feel like my lack of commitment to pursuing my goal to be a veterinarian drives me every day to help these kids pursue their goals. I do that with my program for the kids”.

The program that Shun has created with Shepherds Watch provides an outlet for any child. Any child between the ages of 6 and 16 can participate in the training that Shun provides with his dogs. He uses dogs to teach life lessons, responsibility, leadership and so much more. But why dogs?

“Because I feel a connection to dogs more so than any other animals. The intelligence, work ethic, and instinctual ability of the German Shepherd to guide and oversee is what inspired the name of my organization. The strength, loyalty, intelligence, and tenacity of the pit bull has inspired me to keep moving towards my goals. Just taking care of my personal dogs makes me want to do the best I can for them. That in turn makes me want

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to do what’s best for me. But it’s not about me anymore, it’s about the kids.

So, I guess the dogs motivate me to do what’s best for the kids.”

When the conversation shifted to talking about goals, Shun is very specific.

“I want to spark minds. I want to close the disproportionate gap between minorities and veterinary medicine. I want to advocate for those doing the right thing and do the best for the community.” His passion for animals and his commitment to youth are obvious with each word he speaks. “I want to partner with Tuskegee University and take kids there. I want to put kids through veterinary school. I want to relate people’s interaction with animals to their interactions in life. I just want to be a source of education and exposure for those that may not have it on their own or in their family.”

Shun is currently working with two community centers and an after-school program in Greenville so he can expand Shepherds Watch. His message of pet education, responsible pet ownership, and veterinary medicine needs to be heard. His method of teaching and developing youth is not traditional, but it works. His desire to serve youth is commendable and his love of animals is admirable. He is humble about the attention and accolades. When acknowledging all he has done, and the greatness that he is planning on doing, h he told me “I just want to find some good, that’s all.”

Shuntae Goodjoine - The Shepherds Watch www.shepherdswatch501c3.org - 864-614-1843 25

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