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Don’t Just Talk About It, Be About It A Letter From The Editor

There Are If, Ands, Or Buts About If we never allowNo ourselves to experience the things that It!

we imagine, we are not really living our lives according to what God purposed us for. To achieve the impossible requires A Letterand fromdetermination. the Editor fortitude You must also be willing to let go of somethings that you previously thought was a part of you.

Letting go also means that we are growing in the direction that What if our destiny is tomorrow pointed. didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything thatayou decided put off until tomorrow never A dream is just dream until to action is applied.

That is the happened?

There would be no reason to save for a rainy moment of which a dream grows its wings and takes flight. I day,say andthat youI could the trouble of making might wouldspare like tosomeone lose 40 pounds of body weight promises.

What if your last opportunity seemingly expired this year, but if I never do anything that relates to getting me today?

What would youdoing do? is talking to myself. To lose 40 to that goal, then all I am pounds of body weight would require for me to change the I’ve been told thattoI often seem likedevelop I do tooanmuch. way I eat, I would have exercise, and attitude of Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm someone who wants to be 40 pounds lighter. It would require believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me for me to apply action to my goal or dream. that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be2020, if I chose to decided sit idle and what it of presented to me. I In I have notaccept to make a lot resolutions. foundmany that to boring.

In my opportunity To have be honest of be thevery ones that I set lastopinion, year, I didn’t is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone.

A challenge reach. Instead, I believe that if I attempt to live a more positive to me there is an adventure. the worst that can happen? lifestyle, will be littleWhat or noisroom for negativity.

In terms If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn of being positive, the things that seem impossible I am going to something new about myself.

Relinquish your pride and in approach with a possible mindset. Doors that may look closed, return acquire life.

I am going to knock on them anyway with expectation. They have to open.

The best advice ever given to me happened when someone toldmost me toimportant make my action tomorrow In doing The thathappen we can today. make this year so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that onlyto requires no action at all. To get to where we are dreaming provided.

I have between go,hope we must allow God toalso leadlearned us. Lifethe hasdifference proven that the what God blesses me withnavigational and what lifesystem can burden meby with created as well. I compare it to knowing be confident and man iswhen full ofto flaws and will all when to be quiet, because too often lead us to a dead end. someone it confused If we just sit stillmay andget be patient, with being arrogant. and trust God to work for us, every dream that we ever had will you tomorrow becomeMake a reality. happen today, but most importantly make it count.

All that matters is what God has Life is but a whisper and planned for our lives. If we dream we must put ourselves in a it and give it back to God, we are position to hear what it is then living a truly a purposed life. telling us.

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

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Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2020

On The Cover

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

CONTENTS

JAN./FEB. 2020

DALLAS/FORT WORTH

Lauren Danielle 14

SOul Divine Wellness

On The Cover

BPolished Beauty Supply Frankesha Watkins

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Best Smile Dental

Dr. Anbec DeShields-Mayes

Jonnika Nickohl Collection

Jonnika Wilson

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Sydney Prather

M.A.D.E

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Also Featured

Brandon M. Frame He has dedicated his life to building of lives of other young black men.

Atlanta, GA

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Sasha A. Ridley Allow her to provide some sound consulting skills.

Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises Chesapeake, Va.

Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2020

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Kasion Priest He is the cutest, and has been selected as Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby.

HuamiMagazine.com

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HuamiMagazine.com

Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2020

Frankesha Watkins

By Terry L. Watson Photos by BPolished

Frankesha Watkins of Dallas, TX is a woman of God. She is also a go-getter and life learner who has chosen a career as an entrepreneur. In so many words, she describes herself as a black woman who is trying to serve in an industry that is not dominated by African Americans, the haircare industry.

Frankesha is also a corporate professional with a background in human resources. After taking a leap of faith, she decided to open her very own business. BPolished Beauty Supply Store is in the heart of Arlington, TX. “Our mission is to provide an array of hair care and beauty items, expertise in healthy hair care, and professionalism to each and every customer ensuring a pleasurable, and paramount beauty experience,” she says.

This wasn’t Frankesha’s first attempt at entrepreneurship. The name of her first company Polished Careers helped people with resumes, job offers and salary negotiations. That same approach was carried over to BPolished Beauty Supply.

“People come to the beauty supply store to be polished. Whatever the occasion, interview, date, or whatever the case,” she says. “I apply the same level of attention to them as I did with Polished Careers.”

BPolished opened its doors to the Dallas/ Fort Worth community on January 17, 2019. offers a variety of beauty care products. “We pride ourselves in carrying a lot of niche and black owned haircare brands. We also have Crotched Hair, Braids, Wigs, Bundles. We carry a lot of the items that most beauty supply stores have, and many items they may not have,” she shares.

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It makes a lot of sense for Frankesha to own a beauty supply store. “I always had a love of hair care, specifically black hair care, and even had an idea to open a beauty supply store but never pursued it. I actually thought that I would have my own brand of hair care products. I started researching and participated in a few seminars before opening my store,” she says.

What makes BPolished standout amongst their competitors is their commitment to addressing their client’s needs. “We are very big on providing good customer service and providing solutions to our customers.

If a customer has an issue with dry hair, we are going to help you with that. If a customer has an issue with growth, we will offer advice and recommend products that will address that,” she says.

Some of the challenges that Frankesha faces are the fact there are not many Black owned beauty supply stores. Another one is pricing.

Because she doesn’t typically purchase her products in bulk, that usually impacts our prices. A lot of their clients are usually searching for a specific brand, and BPolished works hard to have them available.

She inspired by being a black owned beauty supply store. Many of her clients often share how they are encouraged by seeing an African American owned beauty supply store. She is inspired by those who continue to support her business. “My family and friends, other businesses, and even some individuals have helped me along my journey.

I couldn’t have made it here without their support,” she says.

6407 S. Cooper Street - Suite 135 Arlington, TX 76001 www.bpolishedbeautysupply.com 8

Frankesha says her journey has been good.

“Everything has happened the way it was supposed to. We are steadily growing and adding inventory. We are trying to be the one stop shop for beauty supplies in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. I encourage others who may be on a similar journey to not give up. You have to continue to make the plan and work the plan until you reach your end goal,” she says. h

Dr. Anbec

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Still Shots Photography At some point, most children are posed with the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” And most children change their minds weekly, sometimes daily. Dr. Anbec DeShield-Mayes knew she wanted to be in the healthcare field, but she wasn’t sure which specialty she wanted to pursue.

She loves children, so during college at UNC-Chapel Hill, she heavily leaned towards pediatrics, until she was introduced to dentistry through an allied health field course. That same year she shadowed an Oral Surgeon faculty member and when she returned to Greensboro, she also shadowed another dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry. To her surprise, she loved it!

“It melded healthcare with working with children and also art, which is another love of mine. I got everything all in one,” says Dr. DeShield-Mayes.

In 2005 she graduated from Chapel Hill with degrees in Chemistry and African Studies. In the fall of that same year, she began dental school at Chapel Hill and graduated from the school of dentistry in 2009 with a doctorate of dental surgery.

Upon graduation from dental school, she worked under a mentor in Greensboro with plans to take over the practice after his retirement. She also commuted to a second practice on the weekends in Southern Pines and Troy, NC. As her one year anniversary neared at the Greensboro practice, the owner decided he wasn’t ready to retire. That meant the new dentist had some decisions to make.

She thought long and hard about her next move and believed that Southern Pines was where she needed to be. In 2010, she bought a house and relocated. FirstHealth Dental Care Centers, a non-profit practice that provides dental care to underserved children, was her home for the next seven years. “I planned to live there for awhile and even obtained my master’s degree in public administration from UNC-Pembroke, in hopes of one day helping with management of the program, but then plans changed,” she explained.

Dr. DeShield-Mayes couldn’t abandon her desire to be an entrepreneur. She wanted her own practice. But she didn’t want to just serve children, she wanted to treat the entire family.

“I remember in dental school I provided an older patient with dentures. On the day of his post-op visit he dressed up, got his hair cut. He even shaved his beard because he wanted people to see his teeth.” At that moment, she knew this is why this profession chose her. She remembers it as one of her best days.

The remembrance of this feeling caused the Greensboro natives wheels to start turning. She was ready to put her plans in motion and open her own practice. She understood it would be difficult, considering she was working full time at FirstHealth, but was determined to accomplish this goal.

On a drive home to Greensboro one weekend, DeShieldMayes happened to pass by a new-construction building. Her first thought was, ‘This is a perfect location for a dental practice.’

She mentioned her idea to a classmate and the classmate referred her to a consultant who could assist her with the project. As the months passed, DeShield-Mayes decreased her workload in Southern Pines and increased them in Greensboro.

“I planned to live there for awhile and even obtained my master’s degree in public administration from UNC-Pembroke, in hopes of one day helping with management of the program, but then plans changed.”

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In September, 2015, she opened Best Smile Dental with office hours only on Friday and Saturday. For the next year, she gradually added days to the schedule until the practice was open five days a week. Even when she was faced with a health crisis in 2016, her colleagues rallied around and worked in her practice while she recovered.

“This is how God works. I had classmates that helped me and worked in my place. Dr. Scott Vines, who has a practice in Reidsville, would come on his days off and work. They all filled in for me so my practice didn’t have to close,” DeShield-Mayes explains. Opening her practice and keeping it afloat was a mountain she learned to climb. After all, there are no other dentists in her family to ask for advice.

She is a first generation American and the first entrepreneur.

The dedicated dentist was born and raised in NC, but her roots run deep in Liberia, West Africa, as both parents were forced to flee the country after the 1980 coup. Her father was a former professor at N.C. A&T before his passing in 1997 and her mother is a retired elementary school teacher. Both clearly valued education and passed that ideal on to their daughter. Prior to earning her master’s degree, she visited Liberia on a missions trip in 2010, with a group that taught medical assisting students how to extract simple teeth. On the cusp of the Ebola outbreak of 2014, she returned with her mother and distributed personal hygiene products to patients in the local hospitals.

“In the countries I’ve visited, people have walked miles and miles to receive the services that we offer.

It’s not just the cosmetics of it, but your teeth can tell you a lot about your overall health. “Educating people makes you feel like you are actually being of service to them, long after they leave your office.”

Now DeShield-Mayes, the newly elected NC Dental Society 3rd District President, is a newlywed that is still growing her business with the support and creativity of her husband, Kendrick Mayes, who acts as her Marketing and Community Engagement Director. Her unwavering staff also help make long days in the office more bearable.

In January, Dr. DeShield-Mayes will embark on a new venture by offering her patients FirstFit, a technique that provides veneers and bridges in half the time. In March she will participate in a free dental clinic, in conjunction with NC Dental Society Foundation MOM (Missions of Mercy) organization, at High Point First Baptist Church, for adults in need of cleanings, extractions, fillings, and other procedures. Visit https://www. ncdental.org/for-the-public/ncdsf-mom for more information.

1307 Lees Chapel Road Greensboro, NC 27455 336-288-0012 www.bestsmiledental.com 12

Serving her community is what Dr. Anbec DeShield-Mayes does best. She regularly volunteers her time, resources, and expertise so that others can live a healthier, more purposeful life. And she takes pride knowing that she has made a difference, no matter the size. h

Pictured with Dr. Anbec DeShield-Mayes is her husband, Kendrick.

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M.A.D.E.

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Autumn Prather

Autumn Page Prather understands that motherhood is the hardest job on the planet, yet is the most rewarding.

Moreover, this mother knows that leaving a legacy to her children is the single most important thing she can do to ensure that her pedigree continues to thrive and survive.

She is the co-founder and CEO of (M.A.D.E.) The Mother & Daughter Experience , a 501 (c) 3 organization that promotes the sacred bonds between mothers and daughters, so that relationships are enhanced now and for generations to come.

M.A.D.E sponsors, hosts and/or participates in events and activities that help foster the sacred bond between mothers and daughters.

The program offers tailored workshops, seminars, summits and retreats on a variety of themes including but not limited to self-worth, leadership and team-building skills. M.A.D.E is available to professional keynote speakers for formal and informal events centered around women and girl’s empowerment. M.A.D.E hosts an annual Mother/Daughter Breakfast to celebrate mothers, grandmothers, god-mothers, step-mothers and the village who all play important roles in the rearing of our daughters.

The Mother & Daughter Experience was founded in response to a 10 year journey of wanting to do something to honor Autumn’s late mother, Mrs. Linda Marie Everett who passed away April 24, 2009. “In January 2019, as I was lying in bed recovering from a difficult surgery, and I had an epiphany. I wanted an opportunity to share how my daughter and I created a unique bond through love, wisdom, and understanding. I wanted a chance to showcase that kind of bond with her because my mother and I shared that uniqueness as well. I declared that generational curses and dysfunction would stop with us and we would encourage others to look for their unique bond and create their own mantra for a better future. I called my daughter, who was 19 years old at that time, and told her about my idea and titled her the Executive Director,” she says.

A passionate leader with over 24 years of professional experience in the financial and insurance sectors, Autumn is a 1997 Cum Laude graduate of Tennessee State University and brandishes a degree in Business Administration. She was initiated into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, in 1995 and is a 1998 charter member of Upsilon Psi Omega Chapter. She has been employed at UBS Financial Services, Inc. for 15 years and is currently a Senior Business Analyst in the Investment Bank division.

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Autumn’s daughter, Sydnei Page Everett is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Mother & Daughter Experience.

She is currently enrolled at Tennessee State University an is majoring in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in the Honors College, a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success and apart of the Student Government Association, Student Union Board of Governors. Sydnei is the former President of the Top Teens of America, Nashville chapter.

She is also involved with The Positivity Board and Undergraduate Students National Dental Association (USNDA). In her spare time, she enjoys being a middle school cheer coach, motivational speaking, traveling, service to the community and mentoring young girls.

The recipients of the services that (M.A.D.E.) offers are women and girls of all ages, races and ethnicity. “If you are a woman who is a mother-figure to a young girl and/or you had a hand in helping to raise her, our services are for you. If you are a teacher, coach, sponsor or administrator who wants to improve mother and daughter relationships, so that the quality of life for girls in your care is enhanced, our services are for you. If you are an organization that wants to partner together to bring awareness to the community for greater impact, our services are for you,” says Autumn.

Autumn shares she absolutely loves tapping into an area that a lot of people tend to shy away from. The mother/daughter relationship is extremely complex and it’s not easy to navigate.

“Our relationship is not perfect at all. But, we are intentional about making sure that love is in action, that wisdom is heard and respected and that understanding is felt. I love that we are impacting generations of women and girls, mothers and future mothers and are encouraging mothers to be the role model for their daughters. Healthy relationships are so very important and we believe that the mother/daughter bond sets the stage for every subsequent relationship in a girl’s life - whether romantic or platonic. My mother and her grandmother is the catalyst behind our non-profit and I love that most of all,” she says.

As with any nonprofit organization, they rely heavily on donations from the general public. Along with their services, they have also established The Mrs. Linda M. Everett Arts Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund awards monies to those who desire to obtain a degree in the Fine Arts, as Autumn’s mother was an avid proponent for the arts as a dance instructor and sound engineer. They also look to help with any arts related activities for children. Having their 501(c)(3) designation is certainly a plus, however funding has been a big challenge.

Autumn shares her mother has definitely impacted her life the most. “She instilled an impeccable work ethic in me, to be graceful and authentic at all times and to simply live life on my own terms,” she says.

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Moving forward, their plan is to continue to get the word out about The Mother & Daughter Experience, its mission and purpose. “We hope to seek out opportunities to share space with other mother and daughter duos to ignite those sacred bonds. We also plan to promote our 2nd Annual Mother/ Daughter Breakfast Affair coming up in June 2020. It will be titled ‘Generational Gemstones’. We are actively seeking sponsorship at this time. Additionally, we endeavor to endow the memorial scholarship so that we can begin awarding funds to deserving students,” she says. h

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Sasha A. Ridley Heart To Heart Consulting Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Sasha Ridley Sasha A. Ridley of Chesapeake, VA is a devoted mother, multifaceted business woman, purpose pusher, and creative thinker. She is also extremely empathetic.

By the sounds of it, Sasha lives a pretty simple life. She loves meeting and connecting with new people from all backgrounds and vantage points. Even more, she believes the best way to view life is from the perspective of another person.

Her desire to be a life coach had been a long time passion. She studied psychology at Virginia Union University and was always deeply intrigued by the cognitive development and thought process of a person and how it impacts behavior.

When the opportunity came to implement life coaching into her business, Sasha knew she had to be strategic and intentional about it. “It was important that I mastered the areas in which I was trying to advise someone else on. Vulnerability and being able to communicate with yourself is vital. You can’t expect to have an honest and authentic exchange with anyone if you are hiding from your own face in the mirror,” she says.

Life hasn’t always been easy for Sasha but she has proven and battle tested. She has faced being homeless three times within the last four years, all while battling depression and anxiety. “I felt as if I didn’t belong. I have adjusted by learning how to shift my focus and to slow myself down and reconnect with my faith. Searching for the lesson in the situations rather than focus more on trying to move on to the next survival shift was the game changer which helped me to become the change agent in my own life,” she shares. “Realizing and owning the role I played in each and every situation allowed me to be able to connect and be of value to others”.

Within her circle of friends and family, Sasha is the one everyone seeks for questions and advice. Even though she may be the youngest in most cases, she is still the go to and describes herself as the “baby in charge”.

Currently she operates as a certified Relationship Life Coach with Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises and Heart To Heart Consulting. Coach Sasha works with those who are looking to overcome debilitating fears in regards to vulnerability, communication and adversities that may limit one’s ability to establish personal and professional relationships. She is also a transformation speaker and author, and has published her first book, The Relational Mindset How to Heal and Build Healthy Relationships, which is a take action memoir.

“Writing my memoir offered me freedom and healing. The book has also helped others take a closer look at their life and the toxic things they are allowing or have allowed in past relationships. Furthermore, being able to speak on these topics and my mirror confidence method allows me to take my one on one coaching model into a group atmosphere,” she shares.

Sasha has over eight years of management, customer relations, coaching, marketing, and development experience; skills that she utilizes to assist her with Heart to Heart Consulting. “I am committed to serving those individuals who are ready to put forth action to uncover their who, why, and how and shift their mindset of lack and self-sabotage in order to start their business,” she says. “It is my ultimate desire to equip today’s business owners with the tools and strategies to realize their financial worth, and help them with building an unmatched brand and to dominate their market. I want to help others find their purpose as a person outside of their brand.”

Sasha began working as an Executive Assistant with a non profit organization. After two years there, she went on to work as an Telecommunications Officer with the area police department, a move that spanned four years. Due to a family illness, she terminated her employment with the police department and jumped into full-time entrepreneurship so that she would have more flexibility. Both opportunities played a role in helping her to launch Heart to Heart Consulting, and helped her with establishing client relationships.

“Working with many different companies over the years I began to see things that challenged my morals. I knew I had to fully invest in Heart to Heart and give the people something different. I also realized that starting a business was a big investment and required a lot of trust.

Clients chose me because they trust that I will offer them solutions, and that is what Heart to Heart Consulting is all about. From my heart to yours,” Sasha explains.

She finds the most joy as a Life Coach when her clients experience “the light bulb moment”. “A client called me once and was so excited about being able to use a method I used and taught them. When my clients are able to stand in their boldness and implement the practical tools and strategies they have learned in sessions with me, makes it all worth it,” she says.

Ironically, Sasha finds inspiration through many of the adversities she has faced. She is also inspired by her daughter. “When I was at some of the lowest and scariest moments of my life she was my beacon of light.

We all want to leave a legacy behind as parents and our greatest legacy will be our children. My drive is to create a life that she wont have to recover from. As a single mom it is important to me that she knows that no matter who or what may come that I will always be in her corner,” she says.

She is also deeply inspired by watching others succeed despite the obstacles that are thrown at them. “Life can sometimes be tricky but mastering the odds is the ultimate magic trick,” she says. h

www.HeartToHeartConsultingLLC.com 19

Jonnika Nickohl Collection 20

By Junious Smith Photos by Apollo Wonex A leap of faith, flair for style and a desire to advocate the diversity of women in the workforce, propelled Jonnika Wilson into entrepreneurship.

On November 11, 2019, Wilson launched The Jonnika Nickohl Collection, a hair accessory line she created as a way of expression for the everyday women to look and feel their best. The Spartanburg, South Carolina native who currently resides in Duncan, S.C. says the initial reviews have been positive.

Wilson has showcased plenty of innovation over the years, having graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, S.C where she studied dance. With over 20 years of dance training, Wilson continues to pursue her passion by teaching in local dance studios and creating choreography in the upstate. Wilson extended her education and now holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of South Carolina Upstate and a Masters degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Strayer University.

“My desire for the arts and business has molded me into the professional woman I am today. I believe that your passion comes from your heart which is not enforced but embraced,” she says.

While having a hand in numerous avenues, a decision to go natural in 2009 planted the first seeds of Wilson’s desire toward her collection.

“From college to the start of my professional career, I always thought straight hair was considered the only way to look professional, move up in your career and fit in,” she says. With the desire to try something new with her strands, Wilson went for a drastic change. “I wanted to go natural, which at the time was not the trend as you see today. So, I did the bigchop and embraced my new identity and journey.”

A missed job opportunity a few years later emboldened Wilson into wanting to put something together.

“I applied for a business developer position, which included four interviews. The final interview was between myself and an external associate. The director over the area said, “we want you to work in this position - we know you’re a great employee and well qualified – and we’re pretty much set on offering you the position, but I do have one question: what are you going to do with your hair?”

“My hair is naturally curly, defined, and as most would say good hair – I didn’t see anything wrong with it.”

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Brandon M. Frame #theblackmancan

By Crystal Kelly Photos by Brandon Frame Morehouse College graduate, Brandon M. Frame, is a man that is motivated by M.K. Asante’s quote, “Once you make an observation you have an obligation.”

While attending Morehouse College Frame observed that there was a need for mentorship for young boys of color attending middle school.

He created a youth males mentorship group called Voice. He led this group and fostered the educational growth of young boys of color while attending college. This group met once a week and focused on fostering and building positive self-identity of young men boys of color.

When asked why he chose Morehouse, he simply replied, “I wanted to attend a college that is designed to created Black male leaders.”

Almost as if written destiny, Brandon’s life has always been on a path to be a leader and trailblazer for boys and men of color. Born and raised in Hartford, CT and the eldest to his five siblings you might say that Brandon has a natural tendency to care and look out for others. After graduating Morehouse College, he began teaching and coaching at a private school in MA. There he became a mentor to his students. Frame realized that he had an impact on the younger generation and became a male figure that young men looked up to.

Growing up most of his life without his father, he had to learn certain things about becoming a man on his own. One thing he learned was how common it is for other young men of color to be without their fathers. Brandon wanted to create a place for young men of color to express themselves and be able to see positive images of other males of color.

Often the media will paint only one kind of image for men of color and more times than not, that image has a negative tone to it. In 2010, Brandon created a blog called #theblackmancan to congratulate, educate, and inspire young boys and men of color. The blog set up a platform

“I wanted to attend a college that is designed to created Black male leaders.”

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for boys and men of color to express themselves and share positive life stories. Using social media as a place for these young boys and men of color to have a voice and show the world positive images, this blog experienced tremendous growth over the next few years. He also used Instagram to post positive pictures of Black men getting married, smiling, playing with their children, and more.

In 2013, Brandon decided to take this movement to the next level and wrote a guided journal entitled, Define Yourself: Redefine the World. The journal was used as a tool in his educational institute. He combined personal stories of the stories on the blog, positive images shown online via social media platforms of men of color, and education to continue to spread the message that #theblackmancan.

Since its inception, Brandon began to be recognized and awarded for his movement. Some of the notable awards include, Boston Globe magazine cover, Jet magazine’s Men of Honor, BET Honors: Next in Class Awards, and the MLK award from Morehouse College.

Throughout the decade he launched his own YouTube tv series “Building Minds Forever” which lasted for two years and hosted over 150 guests. He created 1000 T.I.E.S (Transforming Identities 2 Empower Society), the Blackmancan Institute which is now called ‘Building a Better Brother’ Summit. Over 7,000 young men have attended since its inception in 2013 and is headed to the Bahamas in 2020 for its first international summit.

He is the Creative Visionary for several innovative events and platforms which include, #FallingBlackinLove Power Couple Brunch, #BlackManWinningWednesdays featuring young boys of color recognizing successful men of color, and #BlackMenMondays. These hashtag shows can be found on YouTube. In 2019, He co-authored his first children’s book entitled, My First Tie. This young man has a God given path to lead and pave the way for other boys and men of color to succeed and be seen as the kings they are made to be.

Brandon is definitely a man that lives to fulfill his obligation to provide a positive platform for boys and men of color. He is a young Black Man that most certainly can! h

www.theblackmancan.org

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Another female associate included in the interview quickly objected saying that she did not see a problem with her hairstyle or texture and proceeded to imply and that the most important factor was that she is most qualified for the position, but the director refused to budge saying it was not his thing.

“He felt the look wasn’t as approachable for others. Ultimately, I didn’t get the position - someone was hired externally - and that planted a seed for me,” she says.

In 2016, Wilson started working on what would become her initial staple.

“At that time, I only had one design in mind,” Wilson said. “I had an old headband - I took the stitching out, extended it, and placed it on my head which pulled up my curls creating a pin-up style. People started asking me where I got it saying it looked professional and was something they would wear to work.

With such positive feedback, I started thinking of expanding this design to a collection of hair pieces for women to wear in any occasion.”

A trip to New York a year later helped Wilson put the plan into place.

“I took a lot of creative and business advice from a close friend who is a fashion designer - business owner and we started thinking of ideas and the best concept for my hair pieces,” Wilson said. “What makes my collection so unique is that each design is named after a family member or close friend. I love my family and friends, and this is the best way to hold them all close to me on this journey.”

Although she was very confident about her designs and concept, she struggled with a fear of rejection from previous experiences. She was able to overcome her doubts due to a strong support system. “I am blessed to have good people around me especially my mother who has prayed and supported me during this process. I design headbands, headwraps and turbans for the everyday woman. I want women to exude confidence and style in any scene whether it’s in the office, at an event or in the gym. The pieces are made from a slinky fabric which gives a sheen sophisticated look while providing the best comfort and flexibility for all-day wear,” she shared.

Wilson has some plans in the future. She would like to expand her collection by creating more pieces each season and build her audience from online sales to storefront and in major department stores. She would also like to use her professional career in Human Resources along with the Jonnika Nickohl Collection to counsel others. “Through my personal experience of rejection and seclusion as a professional, I want to close the gap and bring to light the importance and positive impact of diversity in the workplace, education and personal lifestyle,” she says.

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“I am excited about this business, the brand and my future.

All I have to do now is place my feet in the right direction and trust God in the process.” h

Kaison Priest MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

The son of Natosha Priest Photo by Natosha Priest

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

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