Huami Magazine for Charlotte March 2020

C H A R LOT T E

March/April 2020 Vol. 3 Issue 7 FREE

DESTINY

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God Wants To Know Your Location

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

A Letter From The Editor

The tougher the battle, the greater the reward. I have often had to remind myself of this, especially when the struggles and A Letter from the Editor pains in my life appear to have no end. Just as the pressure intensifies, I have learned that my determination should as well. if tomorrow didn’twhy arrive?

All of and yourwhat plans, I mustWhat remember the reason I started is hopes promised wouldn’t street to parkme on.double What for if my forand medreams at the finish line. have God ahas promised everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never trouble. happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and could spareI someone trouble of making Along myyou life’s journey, have beenthe presented with several promises.

What if your options and avenues.

I’velast hadopportunity to carefullyseemingly decide on expired which today?

What would youtodo? is the better path for me travel, because not every road is connected to my purposed destination. The effects of making I’ve been told that I often seem like I do much. the wrong move can slow up the promises oftoo God. Just as Honestly, I feelthe likeassistance I am not doing enough and system I’m a firm a person utilizes of a navigational for believer while in knowing thatinGod wouldn’t put anything directions traveling a vehicle, God expects foron meme to that the I couldn’t handle.system I sometimes wonder how life utilize navigational he created to direct me would back to be ensuring if I chose that to sitI idle accept what it presented to speed me. I Him, will and not encounter any unnecessary have found thatsystem to be very my opinion, opportunity bumps.

And that canboring. only be In accessed through prayer is awith blessing that isn’t afforded and conversations with God.to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen?

IfGod I doexpects nothing,for I fail, and if I His try Idirection don’t, but learn us to seek atinstead the start of our something new about myself.

Relinquish your pride and in days. He wants to provide direction for our lives all throughout return acquire life. the day, ensuring the steps and moves we take are in alignment with His plan. It can be a very risky experience when we make Thethat bestare advice ever given to me happened moves not God-planned.

Only

by God’swhen gracesomeone and told me to make my tomorrow happen today.

In doing so mercy do we survive our wrong decisions, and often we may I have pressed way through doors with a key that only encounter painfulmy lessons while we are off course. hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what Godlike blesses me with andwhere what life can me with It is not He doesn’t know I am at.burden However, by as well.

I compare it to knowing when to be confident andat checking in with God and making Him aware of my location when to be quiet, because all times such as sharing what I am someone may getfeeling, it confused thinking and how I am and with being arrogant. asking for His help, lets Him know that I am trusting His word.

Make you tomorrow happen most step God is fullytoday, awarebut of every importantly make it count. we take.

From the beginning and Life is but a whisper and the where we will end. Following we prepared must put is ourselves in a map He a lot easier position to hear what it is than traveling through life without telling us.to know your it. God wants

www.huamimagazine.com www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Publisher Terry L Watson

Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Dawn C. Thornton Writer Terry L. Watson Writers

Writer Junious Smith Dixon Writer Tonya Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Todd Youngblood Tamara Smith Photographer Jeuron Dove Photographer Lechele Trent-Jackson Apollo Wonex

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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 2020 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

location.

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder 4

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November/December 2014

On The Cover

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MARCH/APRIL 2020

CHARLOTTE EDITION

CONTENTS

He Has A Way WIth Words

Moody Black

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On The Cover

Destiny Payton Madonni Beauty Supply

Precious G.E.M.S

Devona Boone

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22

The Look Of A Overcome

Tiffany Draper

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Mariah Taylor

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Also Featured

Tyreik Summers There is magic in hands and his brush strokes.

Greensboro, NC

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Tushundra Owens This author and entrprenuer is determined to make things happen.

Huntsville, AL

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Charlotte - March/April 2020

Kenny Kindred Meet the face of TaylorMade Fitness of Hampton Roads, VA.

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DESTINY

Madonni Beauty Supply & Salon Suites

By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Destiny Payton Destiny Payton I am a woman of God who believes that any thing you believe and dream can be manifested into a reality. She thinks of herself as an innovator and person that will find a way and make one if necessary. In other words, she can be described as a pitbull in a skirt.

She has set her sights on being the premier African American owned beauty supplier in the country.

The Huntsville, AL resident is the owner of Madonni Beauty Supply and Salon Suites. “After five years and over 30 million dollars in sales for a fortune 500 company, and 15 years in real estate, I felt it was time to take my natural talent and skills to my community and create more opportunities. As the first every African American woman to rise to the ranks of senior management, it was my dream to be the first African American beauty supply and salon suite owner. I felt a strong desire to be of service to my lifelong passion outside of the real estate industry and into “All Things Beauty”. The time had come to be the creator of her own destiny and give to others as passionately as I’d given to my real estate career,” she says.

The inspiration for the beauty store derived from receiving a provisional patent with a then partner for developing a hair product. Upon shopping the product to distributors, Destiny shares it became apparent there was a lack of diversity and soon she realized there was a close circle that was hard to penetrate. In that moment she knew she would have to find a way, and that was ownership. After long days and nights working in the corporate world, finding quality products and the perfect location, the dream of the MaDonni Beauty brand had come to life. ​ Destiny shares how she is inspired by the opportunity she has to help others. “It’s nothing better than knowing you helped light a spark for someone to become the next business owner, or encouraging them to take a leap of faith for a new career or whatever desires they may have,” she says. On the flip side, Destiny finds inspiration in others such as Oprah Winfrey, Jim Rohn, Michelle Obama, Will Smith, Deepak Chopra, Courtney Adeleye, and Beyonce.

Some of the challenges she has faced but defiantly overcame are just being a woman of color dealing with male dominated industries and learning to persevere.

“Through it all, God has definitely been my constant strength. My father has also been there along with so many other women who have blessed me with knowledge along the way,” Destiny says.

She offers some advice for other business owners and entrepreneurs who are thinking about stepping our on their own. “Don’t give up, pick your battles, and most importantly keep God first!”

In the future she hopes to expand my beauty entity and continue to build her real estate portfolio. I plan to take over the world,” she says. h

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Kenny Kindred Taylor Made Fitness

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Kenny Kindred Lakenneth Kindred (a.k.a) Kenny is a down south Louisiana born kid raised in Franklin Virginia by Valaida Benton and Gary Benton. He is a 2001 graduate of Franklin High School.

As a child and while growing up, Kenny was always into sports. He played basketball, football, and ran track in high school. After Franklin, he attended Saint Paul’s College to run track to further his education. After three years he left to start working at Newport News Shipyard and received his Apprentice Degree.

“I worked there for nine years and soon realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do or see myself having as a career,” he shares. He soon left. While at the shipyard, he started coaching as an assistant Junior Varsity Basketball Coach at Franklin High School.

“Coaching and being around kids was like second nature to me.”

Kenny began coaching football and track in 2005. He currently coaches Football and Basketball at Franklin High School. He’s had the privilege of serving as a referee for 11 years with Virginia High School and five years with NCAA. Besides coaching, Kenny has been able to launch and operate TaylorMade Fitness, a training gym for youth all the way up to seniors. TaylorMade Fitness offers a wide variety of options from group sessions, one on one sessions, Individual/Private training, Meal Plans, Meal Prep, Skill and Agility Training, Mobile Training, and a Silver Sneaker Program. They also offer Group Sessions and Drop-In sessions, Weekly Planned Groups, Special Event Grouping. These sessions are friendly, high energy workouts in a team environment.

The Individual/Private Training offers a safe and effective exercise program. TaylorMade just for you and your anticipated result. Their Meal Plans/Meal Prep are customed made for a desired outcome for an individuals. Meal Prep is a TaylorMade prepared meal or meals that clients may purchase weekly.

Skill and Agility Training is often a great benefit for athletes looking to improve speed, power, coordination, and specific sports skills. Mobile Training is offered to those that may have limitations that do not allow them to make it to a traditional physical gym location.

While coaching football, Kenny started a little group called the “night crew” designed for those who seek to practice and workout at night. “It was a way to keep our eye on the young men while helping them become better athletes on the field. As time progressed, I fell in love with watching the body transform.

From there I decided to open a training facility in my area and

I started training people as a side hustle. My first client was my cousin and second client was Darneshia Jones. By word of mouth, my clientèle began to grow,” he shares.

Soon Kenny was informed about a Start Up Downtown Grant opportunity. He entered the competition and was blessed to win and receive a 20,000 grant to start a business in downtown Franklin.

Kenny says he loves being a business owner and the opportunity to help others. “I love to watch the body transform. I love meeting and engaging with a variety of people. I also love the impact that it has on the youth that I continue to work with and give a different option and outlet,” he says.

“My clients are what inspires me. Seeing someone that is tired of living an undesirable lifestyle and ready to move forward into becoming their best version of themselves.

Coaching kids has changed me for the best and keeps me in touch with the community. One of my coaches told me as a man, the only thing you have is your name, and I want my name to have made a positive impact on those that I encounter. You never know who is looking up to you or who is watching you. I know that daily my niece Kennedy sees me, and I want to leave an extraordinary legacy for her. Only two things are definite. The day you are born and the day you leave here. In the process, I hope to help and change as many lives as I can in a positive manner.”

In any new business, there are some hurdles to jump through and overcome. For Kenny and TaylorMade getting clients to come in the door was an initial one.

“In my case, people trusting me with their bodies and self-image is a big challenge. I’m a small gym in a town were there has never been anything besides the YMCA. I’m a first-time entrepreneur. We were told once you leave high school, go to college, the military, or get a job in my town that was International Papers. I can’t lie it was intimidating going into business not knowing the outcome. But I have had great support from family, friends and those supportive veteran business owners,” he says.

The blessing of being self employed is something Kenny cherishes. He also offers encouragement to other aspiring entrepreneurs. “If it’s something you are passionate about and love to do. You will put in more hours than you would working for someone else. When it’s your business, there is no clock out time and it will require some late nights and early mornings. There will be days when you feel like giving up and asking is it worth it.

Your circle of friends and family will get smaller and they won’t understand your will and drive. Immerse yourself around people that have done it before and are willing to help you. Know that there will be mistakes but surround yourself with those who will inform you and not look down on you. Stay true to yourself and your God given talent,” he says.

Trushunda Owens

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Tushundra Owens Tushundra Owens of Huntsville, AL describes herself as an imperfect woman who is striving to be the best she can be. “I’m a loving person. I love to laugh and goof off. I’m also head strong and I’m handy with my hands,” she says. “I love taking things apart and putting them back together. That’s the engineer in me.

Besides that I love to travel, read, listen to music, and write.”

Tushundra is always discovering different parts of herself, likes and dislikes, and what she is willing to compromise on and what not to compromise.

She utilizes all of her skill sets and talents to assist with running her bussiness, My Beautified.

My Beautified began in the Fall of 2018.

The idea to start her business came while she was writing and praying to God. “Honestly I was at place where I was battling low self esteem. As a result, I would study scriptures about confidence.

I would also read books. and search Youtube videos on low self esteem and confidence. There was one particular woman on Youtube, Lisa Nichols who talked about what she went through with her son and her son’s father. I remember her explaining this exercise where she intentionally looked herself in the mirror everyday and said something positive about herself. At first I thought, yeah right, what’s that going to do? I decided to try it. That was a hard for me to look at myself in the mirror and try to believe what I positively said about myself. As time passed it got easier. Through those affirmations, God gave me the idea of putting together a beautified event and that’s how My Beautified was formed and got started.

Tushundra says she strives to always be authentic as a business person and author. “Writing gives me the freedom to vent, express my feelings, and express my gratitude while being free from judgement. When I write it’s between me and God, unless He prompts me to share.

Writing in different seasons of my life. It

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“Her selflessness, strength, and work ethic always amazes me. I’m always fussing to her about slowing down and taking breaks. But nonetheless she amazes me.” took me possibly four years to complete my book. So in those four years my seasons changed. What I did differently in year one when I started writing, I did differently in year four. As my life changed over the course of those four years, the authenticy of my beliefs changed. I had to make sure that was known,” she says.

While God has impacted her life and career the most, she acknowledges her mom for being the driving force in her life.

“Her selflessness, strength, and work ethic always amazes me. I’m always fussing to her about slowing down and taking breaks. But nonetheless she amazes me.”

Tushundra offers some advice to those who may follow in your footsteps. “Be yourself. Only you are good at being you.

Set your own tone. Add your own twist to things. That’s when you create the most amazing and beautiful things.

Moving forward Tushundra has a few projects in the works. She has started designing her own journal. The design is complete and has to go through the publishing process. She is also coming up with ideas for the next Beautified event, which she anticipates will take place. h

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Moody Black I Manifest, I Inspire,

I Motivate

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Ian Curcio Aunt Norahs House Photography and John Gallager He is something like a homegrown talent that hails from Spartanburg, S.C. Moody Black is the face and founder of Moody Black Enterprises. He is also a TEDx performer that brings a whole lot more to the table. He is a national Award-Winning Poet and host, a Smart Arts Teaching Artist, Motivational Speaker, SpokenWord and Visual Artist, Actor/Voice Over Artist, Chess Instructor, Storyteller, and Comedian.

Moody Black has been a performing artist since the age of eleven. “I found a book on my mom’s shelf in the hallway of our house entitled “This Time Called Life” by Walter Rinder. It was about being young and free. The book spoke to me.

It allowed me to go back and appreciate the greats (Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, etc).

After that, I began writing more in school and entering contests. In junior high school, the students would ridicule me for reading out loud and sharing poems.

However, by high school poetry all sudden became cool. Guys would ask me to write poems for their girlfriends. That’s how I learned to enterprise. I would charge money to write poems. I felt like I had won in the end. And here I am now, doing poetry for a living,” he shares.

He has become a prominent force across the nation through his enthusiastic live shows and strong work ethic.

Currently residing in Greenville, S.C. Moody Black focus is to electrify audiences across the country with his original poems and energetic performances. Fusing a blend of Hip-Hop, Soul, and Poetry, the talented artist delivers a unique rhythmic message in which each new listener finds common ground.

Moody Black has performed at several elementary, junior and senior high schools, universities, and colleges. He is a Poetry Slam Master and Coach Poem with works published in Still Home (Book of Spartanburg Poets). He has been a featured artist at dozens of festivals including the Travelers Rest Arts Commission annual Arts Festival, North Charleston Arts Festival, Stone Soup Story Telling Festival in Woodruff, S.C., the Annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the Peace Day Festival in Charleston, S.C., the annual Chautaugua Festival, and the 3rd Annual Millican Festival in Sumter, S.C. Even more, Moody Black has opened for multi-platinum recording artists Trey Songz and Lyfe Jennings.

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Moody shares what she loves most about his chosen path is the ability to create for a living. “I get a rush when I perform, and people connect. Then, I love the grind. The whole process is exciting. It can be nail biting at times and somewhat nervewracking, but I love the result. I know the outcome is going to be positive,” he says.

“Life inspires me, every aspect of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Everything is my muse!” Moody says his biggest inspirations are his parents. “My father was a boxer, and my mom worked and was into theater. Everything they’ve been through (divorce, not accomplishing their dreams) somehow, they instilled in me to fight and create. Even though they’re from a different time where doing what I do is insanity to them, I continue to look at them for motivation. I want to take off from where they felt they couldn’t continue. I’m going to show them I can make it happen.”

Some of the challenges Moody has faced is filling up his calendar. “It’s a constant grind of having to knock on virtual doors.

Hoping to get booked to teach poetry in as many schools as I can is also challenging. The summertime is rough since school is out.

So, I spend a lot of time on the road touring which means a lot of time away from my family,” he says.

In the future, Moody has plans is to apply his arts integration across the globe. In addition, he wants to perform his art everywhere. He also hopes to finish his Hip-Hop project “Manifest”, a compilation of personal stories and inspiration and eventually establish a business where I can make money while I sleep. And not to mention his aspirations to serve as a professor at a university, teaching poetry.

Finally, Moody Black is a brand ambassador for Empire Limited (Men’s Consignment Store) in Greer, SC. He was recently nominated for “Best Male Model” and “Best Male Entrepreneur” for the South Carolina Music Awards. He was also nominated as the “Smart Arts Teacher of the Year” for the Smart Arts Program through the Metropolitan Arts Council of Greenville. h

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Tiffany Draper 20

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by TIffany Draper

Tiffany offers some advice to others who may have similar experiences, “Stay humble, and don’t quit! Quitting is not an option. God will never give you an assignment if He believed that you couldn’t handle it. Stay the course and most of all, trust God,” she says. h

Tiffany Draper of Huntsville, AL is not allowing any grass to grown under her feet. This young and beautiful lady embodies the absolute meaning of what ambitious means.

In business, and especially for those who are self-employed, it can be hard to get people to support you. Not having money or supporters can be tough for a business owner, however it’s during those tough moments, character is developed, and survival is dependent upon determination. This is what Tiffany Draper is all about.

She is an entrepreneur who is passionate about generational wealth and encouraging other black women. “As a survivor of many things, I want to reach as many women in the world and encourage them to love themselves and never give up on their life or dreams. I love people and I believe that God has called me to serve His people,” she says.

One of the businesses she owns is a women’s empowerment business, Tea With Tiffany. Tea With Tiffany is a platform she started to give women hope and to empower one another.

“In 2016, I remember waking by a mirror and not recognizing myself. As a result of this I decided to write about it publicly on Facebook. Women from all backgrounds started to follow and write me. It was a coming to terms with myself kind of moment.

I believe that you must bring your whole self to the table if you want to succeed in life, your personality, your sense of humor, and most importantly, your heart. All these elements help to build your character. And so, in that same year of 2016, God gave me a vision to launch Tea With Tiffany. I started out writing posts on Facebook and trying to grow my audience through social media. Writing became second nature to me and from there the blog was birthed,” she says.

Another business owned by Tiffany is the event center, Studio 53. Opened in November 2019, it is available to meet the needs of anyone in the Huntsville area. Their spacious facility is capable of being the host location of parties, special events, and much more.

As if Tiffany hadn’t enough on her plate, she has found time to author and publish her first book, But She Didn’t Quit Though.

“I wrote my very first book in September 2018. It’s basically an open letter to myself, apologizing to myself for how I mishandled myself. I was free from bondage after that,” Tiffany shares.

While there could several reasons as to why Tiffany pushes herself to do so much, it’s obvious she genuinely loves people and enjoys seeing them happy. Furthermore, she shares how the impact that her mother and kids have on her life, and the influence they have in her business. “My mom was a single parent and I remember promising myself that I would take care of her one day if I could. She sacrificed so much for my brother and I, and I knew I needed to be successful and show her that she had done a great job with us,” she says.

“As a survivor of many things, I want to reach as many women in the world and encourage them to love themselves and never give up on their life or dreams”. www.teawithtiffany.org

As a businesswoman, Tiffany draws strength from other people who have made it and reached back into their community. Like others, she hopes that will be her story as well.

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I Am A Hope Dealer

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Devona Boone Devona Boone of Hampton Roads, VA describes herself as a “Hope Dealer”. She is a country girl who is confident, powerful, anointed, caring, nurturing, and God fearing.

Besides being an author, she is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Precious G.E.M.S Inc. Her mission is to empower young girls by teaching them resilience, promote positive self- awareness, sisterhood, and the power that is within. “We know that girls who do not have positive role models and mentors are three times more likely to experience a myriad of emotional, physical, mental and spiritual delays and deficiencies. Our job is to empower the young ladies and show them the endless possibilities for their lives. Our Motto is, ‘Every young lady has a gift to offer the world,’” she says.

Devona founded her nonprofit organization at the age of 25.

As she began to empower young ladies, in return I empowered myself. Over the course of five years of telling them they can do anything and be anything they wanted, she realized she wasn’t fully living up to what she was preaching. “I knew I had a story to tell and I knew it could help many women, but I was fearful of not having enough to say to even be printed in a book. However, I pressed on and in 2018, I started to write a memoir. The entire process took me five months. During that time, I found my voice and courage to share my story in hopes to offer strength, healing, and hope to other women. I am a woman of grace and resilience. Many of life’s difficult moments has given me courage, strength, and healing.”

Precious G.E.M.S offers three programs. First is the My Life Foundation which promotes the importance of positive self-image and respect for self and others. It also prepares young girls to succeed by teaching them decision making and problem-solving skills and helps young ladies make independent life decisions to overcome past mistakes that altered their lives. Next is Community Service Learning. This tool provides young ladies with meaningful community service and incorporates instruction and reflection. It also teaches girls civic responsibility and the importance of strengthening their community. The third product is Natalie’s Closet. It provides clothing, shoes, accessories and outerwear and more to girls at discounted prices. The goal is to inspire girls to care about their appearance but also educates them on how to work with budgets to obtain the things they desire.

Devona’s book, “A Precious Gem: The Journey of My Shaping” is a direct compliment to her organization. It is her story, and her testimony of how she made it through some of the traumatizing times of her life from childhood to present day. “As an author, I found my voice. I found my strength.

I found a new purpose. Writing my story gave me a sense of freedom which made me fearless. I began to encourage,

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motivate, and inspire people by being transparent and sharing my life lessons. I became the me I always wanted to be,” she shared.

Devona says her mother, Eunice Boone is the reason she has such a passion for serving others. “At the age of 10 I witnessed my mom’s murder at the hands of her abusive boyfriend. That tragedy shaped my life in so many ways, and when I became an adult, I knew I had to make an impact with our young girls and women in order to create a change with the statistics of domestic violence,” she said. She also draws inspiration through obedience to God’s will for her life and through her mother’s death. “In my life I am intentional in making sure I am in alignment with what is purposed for me. I do not want my mother’s death to be in vain. Her life will leave a legacy.” h

Mariah Taylor

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

The daughter of D’lantia and Shoneka Taylor

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

Charlotte - March/April 2020

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Tyriek Summers Art Is Life For Me

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By Yasmine Regester - Photos by TMFPhotography Local painter and sketch artist, Tyreik Summers wants to create a strong connection in the community using art. As someone who has participated in and taught arts programs in the community, he wanted to find a way to give back to the community.

“I want to build a platform that brings a spotlight to local artist and give them a chance to showcase their talents. I want to bring more value to the art world in Greensboro through community projects, art shows, and pop up shops. I would also like to empower the local artists, and allow artists to grow and learn from each other,” Tyreik shares. In the future, Tyreik will be offering art classes for the youth and for adults at Studio 203 on Summit Avenue in Greensboro. Tyreik explains that he wants to take his own approach to instruction, making the classes more interactive. Youth classes will be offered to middle school/high school students and the adult classes are for college students and older. T yreik hopes to partner with community youth programs, churches and non-profits to engage art class participants.

“My main focus is to teach you effective techniques through demonstration. I don’t want to teach people to draw what I draw or to draw like me. I want to bring out the creativity in every student. I will Guide the artist as they improve their skills while giving them full control of every step in the process.”

Although he has taught arts classes before, this will be his first solo coordinated course, that will consist of multiple sessions. Tyreik says he feels strongly about sharing his story and passion for art with other people.

“Growth Starts once you leave your comfort zone. You have a right to embrace your passion. You’re your actions can change your situation. Everyone has a Story, I’m here to help you tell it,” says Tyreik.

Tyreik says he welcomes students of all levels into his classes, and the more diverse, the better. “Engaging with other artists and their styles provides different perspectives and gives more meaning to the whole movement. The different back stories, the different styles.

Even for me. I can’t draw everything. I’m always learning something new when it comes to art.”

Born and raised in Greensboro, N.C., the 26 year-old is fluent in various mediums such abstract, oil paints, watercolors, acrylic paints, graphite pencils, charcoal and pastels. Art always came natural to him, says Tyreik. Growing up, he would spend hours carefully studying the talent and drawings of his biggest inspiration –- his father.

“I was always inspired by my dad as a kid. I would watch him sketch. That inspired me to go that extra mile to really learn how to draw as well as he did,” says Tyreik. Although his father is not a professional artist, it was his father’s hobby -– a talent that he passed down to his son.

“I always had a creative mind, ideas constantly popping in my head and one day I pick up a pencil. Now I can’t stop, always challenging myself through different mediums, techniques and styles. I really just fell in love with it. It was very therapeutic to me. Something that starts as an idea in your head, then comes to life on paper, it’s an amazing sense of accomplishment,” says Tyreik. “I feel a sense of peace when I’m creating art. I feel free. It’s just my world.”

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The budding artist has also created various custom pieces from family portraits, landscapes, cartoons, sketches, and completed a wall mural at a Greensboro yoga studio.

“Portraits are special to me because they capture a moment in time. You can look back and reminisce on who was in the photo or why that portrait is special.”

He is also a student at Guilford Technical Community College studying Robotic Engineering. With his degree, he wants to design and build natural robotic appendages to aid in limb replacements. His goal is to design something that can be used all the time -- lightweight, waterproof and more importantly, affordable. “My vision for this is to allow someone to have the best quality of life they can have. And live a life without limitations despite losing a limb or being born without one,” says Tyreik.

The growing artist has big plans for his future. He wants to travel the world, immersing himself in art across the globe and painting wherever he goes. He explains that the world around him inspires him to create, as well as other artists and their different styles. He believes that the only way to get better is to work on your craft and not be afraid to explore unfamiliar genres of art. Tyreik notes that he is excited to take on new art techniques such as sculpture, mixed media, graphic art, screen printing and photography. He is also working on producing art tutorials for YouTube as well.

His art can be seen on Instagram @XTHECREATOR and on Facebook @Visionary Arts

“I really would love to be able to create my own art school that includes visual and performing arts. A program that would really provide aspiring artists the tools to get to the next level. I would love for everyone to experience the joy of art.”

Tyreik shares that the first piece of art he was really proud of was a black and white self-portrait sketch in his high school art class. It was an eye opening moment for him.

“The hardest thing you can draw is yourself. You have to really take inventory of yourself. It’s how you see yourself, mixed with how other people see you and all that you think you are or not or like or don’t like about yourself. It’s all wrapped up in there. And you have to take all that and put it into your drawing. I couldn’t change anything. I had to draw what I saw. You can’t lie.

All you can do is tell the truth,” he shares.

Tyreik says that art allows people to see the world in a different way. Sometimes what you think you see, isn’t really there. “Art shows us the what-ifs, the maybes, and the how comes, versus whether what is or isn’t. There’s more than two sides to every story.”

The list of artists he admires range from freelance artists from Instagram MikeysDrawings, IamtheartistIam, a pencil and comic book sketch artist, to notable famed artist, Bob Ross. h

Charlotte - March/April 2020

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Monica Johnson MARJ Consulting LLC

By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Trey Langston Monica Johnson, MA, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), of Atlanta, Georgia is a dynamic professional speaker, published author, lecturer and expert in mental health and leadership. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over 24 years, including working in a variety of executive leadership roles within state government and a variety of settings in private, for profit and non-profit organizations.

In addition, she’s a seasoned executive leader with a proven track record of success. Over the last couple of decades Monica has led several high-profile large-scale change initiatives, chaired several collaborations, and served as board members for a variety of governing boards. “I have had success creating and leading projects that others thought would fail and brought people together with different perspectives to work towards common goals to accomplish complex initiatives,” she says. “I am most passionate about developing and empowering women leaders and educating the community on mental health wellness; ultimately reducing the stigma associated with mental illness for healthier lives.”

In 2019, Monica wrote and independently published her first book, “Fab 30: Critical Leadership Lessons for Women” which focuses on providing the opportunity to bring women leaders forward to make lasting impact on our communities and ultimately the world. Her impeccable record reflects a deep determination to succeed. She has earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology (minor in Communications) from Kennesaw

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State University and a graduate degree in Professional Counseling/Psychology at Argosy University. She is a proud Alumnus of the Georgetown University Leadership Academy and a recipient of the Intensive Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenia Certification at the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Philadelphia.

Currently, Monica operates MARJ Consulting LLC in Atlanta. Her firm provides three primary services and products that include Women’s Leadership Development, which involves the Fab 30: Critical Leadership Lessons for Women book designed to reach larger audiences to serve as a reference guide on successfully navigating their leadership path. There is also the Fab 30 Women’s Leadership Masterclass, which is a live version of her book. It is conducted in an intimate class setting designed to bring the principles of the book to life through interactive discussion, exercises, and lecture.

The amazing experience helps to bring women leaders together, to be stronger, better, and empowered. The Masterclass is offered up to three times per year in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The third product is the Fab 30 Workshops for Businesses, a modified version of the Masterclass specifically tailored to corporations, nonprofits, public entities, community organizations, etc.

“Many organizations have women leadership groups or other similar names with the goal of uplifting and empowering their women workforce. I target these organizations to provide the workshops at their site locations,” she says.

superheroes that when empowered make magic happen. I began to think if I could use my experiences and lessons to help new leaders as well as seasoned leaders feel empowered to do more they would. I did not have any idea at the time that a plan and outline for a workshop would evolve into anything more.”

She completed the curriculum in a couple of months and started facilitating workshops from the curriculum. She learned quickly by talking and listening to more and more women that the information being shared was indeed inspiring and empowering women of different ages, races, nationality and experience levels.

Monica shares that she is inspired by different things, at different times. She is also inspired mostly by her dad, Joseph Saxby who is also a writer and lifelong coach and

Some additional products and services offered by MARJ Consulting LLC are Specialized Workshops & Keynote Speaking. With this, Monica can develop unique workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics related to leadership development and mental health wellness based on the needs of an organization.

These are usually co-ed, and broader than the Fab 30 series. Similarly, she also provides keynote speaking for conferences based on the needs of the organization.

Monica is also a Mental Health Expert and is available for speaking needs for organizations, special events, conferences, and any media outlet. Particular areas of interest as it relates to mental health wellness center around reducing the stigma of mental illness in the Black/ African-American community, reducing stigma of mental health overall, promoting mental health wellness for all ages, promotion of mental health wellness for women.

MARJ Consulting LLC began about three years ago as a result of Monica’s frustration about the lack of leadership that existed in our country. “That sentiment is not about just one person, but lots of people in high profile leadership roles that are supposed to lead but are not doing that. Instead of continuing to scream at the TV, or be irritated by strangers on social media, I decided to do something more productive,” she shares.

“Be the change you want to see. I started drafting the Fab 30 Critical Leadership Lessons for women as a workshop curriculum. That was my initial goal, develop the workshop and start talking to women. I started with women on purpose. I felt that often women fill the void of pretty much everything. We are everyday

captain for #teamMonica. “He pushes me to be better than I think I can be and when I reach the goal, he pushes for the next level. I recently saw the movie Harriet and was inspired by it. Ellen DeGeneres also inspires me. I love that she is relatable, lived in her truth at a time that was not convenient and came through it on top eventually.

But I am honestly inspired by everyday things around me. I see inspiration in hearing my kids talk to each other about how someone they know may have mental health issues, but it is not a joke and they are seriously talking about how the person should get help. I see inspiration in my husband who taps more and more into his natural leadership skills, owns his past mistakes, and is dedicated to being a good husband and father. I am inspired that years ago he said he didn’t think a woman could be president but now he thinks I could be,” she says. At least that would be progress. h

www.monicasjohnson.com

HuamiMagazine.com

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www.iamlaurendanielle.com

Deanna Smith 2026 Ayrsley Town Blvd Charlotte, NC 28273 Ph: 704-907-3422

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HuamiMagazine.com Charlotte - March/April 2020