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Essence Pugh A Touch of Essence Events Greenville/Spartanburg - March/April 2019

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

The Push, The Pull, and The Prize

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

A Letter From The Editor

A Letter from the Editor

In your lifetime, there will be moments when you will be

A Letter from the Editor required to push.

These moments happen when you get

4 4

4

What if tomorrow of your hopes behind your purpose, didn’t and it arrive? appearsAllthat it hasplans, stalled in and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on.

What if the middle of the road. You may want to move on to the everything thatyou youlack decided to put off until tomorrow never What tomorrow didn’t arrive?

All of your plans, hopes next step,ifbut the enthusiasm and momentum happened?

There would be no reason to save for a rainy and dreams have a street to parkyou on. have Whattoif muster needed to dowouldn’t so. During these moments day, and you could someone theuntil trouble of making everything that youspare decided to put off tomorrow never up the strength, lower your shoulders, breathe, and push! promises.

What if your last opportunity seemingly expired happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy You must push those things which appears to have died. today? wouldspare you do? day, andWhat you could someone the trouble of making However, you can’t let it die because of the significance promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired it has inbeen your future.

You must push the things which has I’ve that I often today?

Whattold would you do? seem like I do too much. carried youI feel but like is now gas. enough You have toI’m push that of Honestly, I amout notofdoing and a firm which havethat determined to be backon into believer in knowing that God seem wouldn’t put me I’veothers been told I often likevalueless, I do anything too much. brilliance.

You must also push yourself into a position of that I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would Honestly, I feelhandle. like I amI not doing enough I’mlife a firm effectiveness insit order to meet thewhat needs ofanything others who be if I chose to idle and accept it presented to believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put onme. me I depend on you to survive. haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle.

I sometimes wonder how life would is aifblessing that to what everyone.

A challenge be I chose to sitisn’t idle afforded and accept it presented to me. I youadventure. getto too ahead of yourself, you may realize toWhen mefound is an What is the worst that can happen? have that befar very boring.

In my opinion, opportunity that you have left someone behind.

It might have gotten If aI do nothing, if I try to I don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI fail, isn’tand afforded everyone.

A challenge lost in the nowis you realizethat thatcan youhappen? need something new aboutbut myself.

Relinquish your pride and in to me is anconfusion, adventure.

What the worst them.

You must reach behind and pull them to where return acquire life.

If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learnyou are.

Without them, you may not be able to reach the next something new about myself.

Relinquish your pride and in phase which God hasgiven prepared you, andwhen for them as The of best advice ever to mefor happened someone return acquire life. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so well.

I have pressed myever way given through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice to me happened when hope provided.

Imy have also the today. difference between told me toitmake tomorrow happen In doing so Believe or not, there is learned a prize waiting for you at the what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with I have pressed my way doors with a key that end your journey.

Afterthrough all of the excitement that lifeonly as well.

I compare it to knowing when to be confident hope provided.

I have also learned the difference between brings, fades away, and the music stops and the windsand whenlife tocan be quiet, because what aGod blesses metowith and what burden me with calm, prize awaits be redeemed by you.

The irony of someone may get it confused as well.

I compare it to knowing when to be confident and it all is your reward was uniquely prepared and promised with being arrogant. to be quiet, because well before your first steps werewhen planted on the road of life. someone may get it confused God promises to give each and Make you tomorrow with being arrogant. every one of us His very best. happen That is howtoday, muchbut he most loves us. importantly make it count.

Make you tomorrow Your decisions, both the good Life is but a whisper and happen today, butwill most ones and bad ones, play a we must putmake ourselves in a importantly it count. role as to when and how the position what it is Life is buttoa hear whisper and moment will happen. telling us.put ourselves in a we must position to hear what it is In the meantime, you must telling us. push your way through, pull Terry L. Watson that which has fallen behind, Editor/Founder and press on to redeem your Terry L. Watson prize that God promises.

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Greenville/Spartanburg - May/June 2019

CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2019

GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG

Life Seeds Coaching

DeAnna Morris

6

On The Cover

A Touch of Essence Events Essence Pugh

Fennell Adventures

Jiyah Fennell

10

14

The Making of A Soldier

Adriene Odom

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

D’Naria Howell

20

19

Also Featured

Rafaela Thomas She offers botox and beauty services for African Americans.

CaraBeautiful is located in Greensboro, NC

24

Dr. Erika Hendrix The is a path to recovery.

She lists 12 Steps on how.

From Greensboro, NC

9

Kevin Thornton The author and voice of Male Motivation

16

HuamiMagazine.com 5

Essence Pugh A Touch of Essence Events

6

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Hope Ballenger Photography Essence Pugh of Greenville, SC is known for having a sharp eye for detail. Her creativity coupled with a sincere passion lead her to start her own event planning and decor business, A Touch of Essence Event Decor.

A Touch of Essence Event decor specializes in event planning and décor including weddings, wedding day management, family reunions, corporate parties, birthday parties, baby showers and bridal showers. They are known as the one stop shop, and for offering exquisite event designs, and amazing customer service.

Essence, who is also a wife and mother, started planning events about 15 years ago. It all started with small family events like birthday parties, dinners, and trips. Five years later, she had the opportunity to plan the most special events in the world, the day she married her best friend, Daris. There were 250 guest, vendors, and all of the craziness that comes along with wedding planning. She loved it!

“Soon after the wedding, I had many people making comments like ‘that was the best wedding I have ever been to’ and ‘I can’t believe everything started on time,” she said. As a result of this event, she knew what she wanted to do and her business model was official.

For the past ten years, they have been dedicated to their clients and providing a unique personalized “WOW!” experience. They’ve received a event planning certification and frequently attended training seminars to keep up with the latest trends and to learn what’s best for their clients.

“I am most proud that I have the unique opportunity to help my clients create lasting memories. We have a five Star rating and our clients are always blown away with the finished product. I believe that it is critical for everyone to have the same opportunity to celebrate life and create lasting memories. More than likely if you have decided to do it yourself, or you are on the planning committee, are the cousin, sister, or friend that has raised your hand for this special task, you will not fully enjoy the event that you have planned,” she says.

“I am most proud that I have the unique opportunity to help my clients create lasting memories.

We have a five Star rating and our clients are always blown away with the finished product.”

Because Essence has produced many events, she has been able to establish relationships with her clients as well.

Essence own’s a venue is Simpsonville, S.C. There she can host intimate events for up to 80 guests. “We have formed a partnership with The Upper Room Downtown Greenville that offers our clients an all inclusive opportunity.

In addition we provide decor, planning, and support for personal and corporate events,” she says.

A Touch of Essence has a simple planning process which helps to ensure they can provide their clients a stress-free planning process. She shares, “when you select A Touch of Essence, you can trust that you are getting a unique wedding design with top-notch event vendors, and amazing event management.

“When I left corporate America, I had to lean on God and trust the process. When I didn’t know what to do, He gave me clear direction and made a promise He would send the people.”

Though she has met many designers ad planners, she finds her biggest source of inspiration in her husband and children. “The look in their eyes give me the push to be creative and feel like I can take on any challenge,” she says. Faith and Favor has truly been the biggest impact in my life.

Like all business, Essence has experienced a few bumps along the way. “When I left corporate America, I had to lean on God and trust the process. When I didn’t know what to do, He gave me clear direction and made a promise He would send the people. I have full confidence in God and He has never failed me,” she says.

A Touch of Essence Events

680 Fairview Road - Suite C Simpsonville, SC 28244 (864) 349-9935 www. atouchofessenceeventdecor.com 8

Essence remains grateful for her journey. She even has to adjust to traveling to Greenville after she moved to Georgia. That will all change after she returns to Greenville in June for good. h

Dr. Erika Hendrix The Road To Recovery

hendrixerika@gmail.com 336-587-8876 Life has a way of pressing us with questions. Many times, the questions do not line up with or destiny. What do you do when you can’t reconcile what you have lost or is broken, and how do you reflect on what you can’t see? We have two elements that is to reconcile and to reflect. Reconcile means to bring together and to reclaim means to retrieve or recover. I question do we know what it takes to recover without the necessary steps to reach it. David asked the Lord, “shall I pursue, shall I overtake?” The Lord’s response was “Purse for you shall (promise) overtake them without fail recover all.”

It’s in us to be recovery makers, in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. How can we recover when it looks like the life has a grip on us? Psychologist suggest that the Road of Recovery can be evident in the 12-step model that was designed to help those struggling with alcoholism to maintain sobriety, and for those recovering from addiction.

In order to recover you must be willing to walk through the steps. I love the comparison of how the Founders of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) identified that recovery can only take place if you deal with the issues at hand. So, you may be asking yourself the question why did I focus this article around the 12 step-program? The answer is that we live in a community and attend churches that are broken, and they do not know how to reconcile to a place of wholeness. God can take broken pieces and put them back together again.

The Apostle Paul states in Acts 27:41-44. Their purpose was to make it on dry land and in order to do that they had to jump ship. They did not abandon their mission they had to make some adjustments in order to survive. Survival is about adjustment when necessary. Those who where shipwrecked wanted to live, but they could not stay in the place they where in. The same philosophy goes for the 12-step program. You may be broken when you arrive, but if you stay the course you will end up on dry land.

Historically “Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the first twelve-step fellowship, was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, known to AA members as “Bill W.” and “Dr. Bob”, in Akron, Ohio. In 1946 they formally established the twelve traditions to help deal with the issues of how various groups could relate and function as membership grew. A singleness of purpose emerged as Tradition Five: “Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers”. The principles of AA have been used to form many numbers of other fellowships specifically designed for those recovering from various pathologies; each emphasizes recovery from the specific malady which brought the sufferer into the fellowship.”

Here are the 12 Steps as defined by Alcoholics Anonymous: 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol–that our lives had become unmanageable.

1. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings 8. Made a list of persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

The recovery process is more that steps it’s a life style change. Change is an inevitable process that we cannot stop and to be present in the moment you have to know how you arrived at the place you are in. God has a plan for your life and the Prophet Jeremiah gives hope in 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” I believe we need to create a conversation that will cause us to reflect on what we cannot see and proclaim I am recovering.

The mantra to reclaim is where I see the church needs to move toward.

We have seen how the Black Church has progressed, but it has been slow.

In Facts & Trends in Hope for a Dying Churches article published on January 16, 2018 the worlds systems change every four years and the church only changes every 20 years. The basic foundation of our faith is connected to change. It is our change or lack of change that connects us to our heritage.

As a people we have an innate resiliency that is part of our DNA. We have succumbed to many frailties that have affected our churches as well as our communities; but we are overcomers and world changers.

In conclusion we must admit our own vulnerability that we are powerless to ourselves. The power of God is greater than me. The 12-step program brings us to a place of awareness that my life is not my own and I have to place my life and my issues in God’s hands. The 12 steps program is about self-inventory and self-reflection. We are reminded of this same step of reflection in 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 as it relates to the Holy Communion. The text reveals for us that before we participate in this sacrament, we must examine ourselves, if you do not recognize his body that was broken for us, we run the risk of serious consequences; the same holds true with our steps of recovery is not about you, but its about living your best life.

I have written and released my first book, “Open Letter to the Black Church, Reclaiming Our Time.” The book is designed to create a dialogue about Recovery and Reclaiming. I believe with all intentionality that we can revive the black church and reposition ourselves as a pillar and as a city that is set on a hill.

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DeAnna Morris

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Photography by Lechelle

In life, we don’t always get to choose our paths. Many believe that our steps are ordered, by our creator, before we even travel through the birth canal that delivers us. Some will arrive at their destinations sooner than others and some will get derailed and turned around, get lost even. But make no mistake, your experiences throughout your journey will shape you into the person you were meant to be. And if you know DeAnna Morris, you know she has had one heck of a journey to arrive where she is today.

Growing up, DeAnna thoroughly enjoyed helping people and always knew that was her passion.

She had no idea in what capacity she would do this, but understood this was her calling. At age 13, DeAnna was diagnosed with leukemia (a form of cancer) and needed a bone marrow transplant.

The experience was so traumatic that being self-encouraging and pushing herself through the treatments made all the difference. “I had to keep telling myself I could do it. I can make it through this.” And she did. She made it through the treatments, was cured of cancer and was ready to encourage others with their struggles.

At 14, she was asked to speak to a high school health class about her experience as a cancer patient and survivor. When the speech was over, the students showed their appreciation and had so many questions that the nervous teen knew she had made an impact. That day was the catalyst to her motivational speaking career.

Continued on the next page

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Since she grew up in the church, motivating others wasn’t far-fetched at her young age. By her early 20’s, DeAnna was preaching, evangelizing, and serving in many other capacities. A few years later, she started a non-profit organization, where she provided resources to those facing depression and other mental battles just as she had previously.

“People don’t know that there are so many resources for them. If I couldn’t help the person, I always found someone who could.”

“ I had to keep telling myself I could do it.

I can make it through this.”

The year 2007 would prove to be a difficult one for DeAnna. She was ending her first marriage, preparing for a cornea transplant, and decided to pick up and move to Richmond, VA – a town she barely had a connection to.

It was an unorthodox decision, but it was necessary, to carry out God’s vision. In the years following her relocation, God’s plan manifested into creating her coaching firm, marrying the love of her life, Mercell Morris, and cultivating their joint venture, The Ministries Church. DeAnna and Mercell, also a pastor, married in 2009, two years prior to her

receiving her pastoral ordination in 2011. Now they’re partners in life and in Christ. In fact, as a married woman of the cloth, DeAnna takes pride in the role she plays in her husband’s life, but also honors the meaningful position she holds as a leader and mentor in the community. To support her beliefs and coaching methods, she published “My Husband’s Rib” in 2013 and “S.Q.U.A.D. Leadership Coaching Manual” in 2016. She is currently working on her third self-help book, due out next year.

Her biggest endeavor to date, however, is Life Seeds Coaching & Developing Firm. It incorporates DeAnna’s pastoring with her life coaching to elevate and expand her clients’ lives for the better. In addition to life coaching, she’s a certified behavioral coach, a certified marital coach, and a prayer coach with more than 20 years of coaching and mentoring experience. Naturally, her primary target is women and uplifting them, allowing them to ascend to where they want to be.

“I don’t want to inspire people, I want to have an impact on them,” DeAnna explains. The latter of the two is more meaningful to her, in that she feels it has more of a lasting impression. Under the Life Seeds umbrella, DeAnna has spearheaded a support group named S.I.P. (Sisters in Partnership) that was created as a safe space for women to talk openly and be vulnerable without being judged. She teaches that it is an injustice to one’s self to not recognize personal growth and live in cycle behaviors without expecting or desiring change. She also lives by those words.

The cancer survivor has created a safe space for countless people and fortunately her family continues to be hers. “My family is very close with each other.

I’m the oldest of five children, and the only girl,” says DeAnna. When she suffered a heart attack in 2017, it was discovered that she had kidney cancer, as she recovered in the hospital. Ten days later, one of her four brothers unexpectedly passed away. As devastating as it was, her family held each other up and supported her through more treatments. In the fall of 2018, DeAnna triumphed over triple bypass surgery. Once again, her family, especially her husband, was with her every step of the way.

DeAnna has dedicated the better part of her life proving the depths of her conviction by helping others feel whole, mentally. She continues to walk by faith in everything she does and attributes her success to God, the trials she has faced, and her nurturing family. Her parents, brothers, and husband have been her biggest fans throughout her journey of finding a place to plant her feet. h

DeAnna Morris Life Seeds Coaching & Developing Firm P.O. Box 5082 Midlothian, VA 23112 804-464-7815 www.lifeseedscdf.com 13

Jiyah

Fennell 14

HuamiMagazine.com

Greenville/Spartanburg - March/April 2019

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Antony Brown Photography Wimington, Delaware native Jiyah Fennell is a 15 year old author, entrepreneur, professional face painter, speaker, traveler, podcaster, and star of her family’s very own cartoon. She is also very outgoing and is somewhat an overachiever. “I don’t look at obstacles in my life as challenges. God puts those things there for a reason, so you can get where you need to be at the right time,” she says.

One of the books she has written, Journey Through Atlanta with Jiyah (that is also a part of the Choose Your Fennell Journey series) consist of places to go and things to do in Atlanta, Georgia and includes a guide in the back of the book. Her other book, Princess Jiyah’s Face Painting teaches character traits to children of all ages, and shows full faces that she has painted.

According to Jiyah, the best thing she has ever read is the Choose your Fennell Journey series. The series is unique, true, and authored by kids. “It’s amazing having a family of authors. We’re all supportive of each other and help out as much as we can,” she shares.

Jiyah began writing about two years ago. Then she was awarded the citizenship award at her 7th grade graduation.

That’s when I had the idea to teach every kid how to achieve a great character by learning positive traits. “I love inspiring people of all ages by helping them believe they can do anything. It doesn’t matter what your age is, go do it! It can be done. I began painting at the age of nine,” she says.

If she could change the world, she would do it by helping as many people as she could, and in anyway possible. “I want to make sure people grasp the concept of believing and achieving,” she says. “The best advice I can give someone is to put your faith in God and He will guide you in the right direction. It doesn’t matter what it is, God will work it out. My life is proof. This is one of the reasons I began writing my books, so that I could thank Him. When she is not writing or doing one of the many other things she is good at, Jiyah enjoys her time being a kid. She is inspired mostly by her mom and Ariana Grande. “My mom supports me in all I do, and I would love to meet Ariana someday,” she says. Still a little unsure of what she would like to be when she becomes an adult, she has a peaking interest in psychology or being an audiologist.

The Fenell Family Adventures book club offers a family membership, the Be Anything Club, for families.

Members get amazing perks including a free coloring book, publishing discounts, books mailed, travel discounts and more. Please subscribe to their YouTube channel ‘Fennell Adventures’ to see the launch of their full cartoon in May. h

Please visit their website to learn more about Fennell Adventures

www.fennelladventures.com

15

Kevin T hornton Author and Life Coach

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Kevin Thornton Kevin Thornton is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. There he obtained a BS in Health Administration. He also has a Master’s in Organizational Psychology from Argosy University. Additionally he is a life coach, holistic health coach, author, indoor cycling instructor and internet radio personality, and someone who understands his life purpose; To inspire, educate and empower others to create the healthiest versions of themselves mind, body and spirit. Kevin uses his platforms to change the narrative of how society and the media portray black men. “I want the world to know there are more men like me than what they see and hear on TV and radio,” he shared.

Kevin is the brains behind 1 on 1 Health Coaching (which offers 60 minute session of 1 on 1 coaching), 1 on 1 Life Coaching and Group Coaching. He also produces meal plans based on the assessment he conducts. He also offers (7, 14 and 30 day) Detox. “Detoxing is a way to cleanse the body of toxins while allowing the body a chance to heal.

Seven day detoxing is for someone looking to cleanse while lose a couple pounds. The 14 and 30 day detoxing is for people with medical conditions looking to create a change in their health. I also offers Juice Plus, vegan capsules with fruits, veggie and berries. These capsule should be taken daily as a supplement, and this product with help you reach the goal along with eating a healthy diet,” he said.

Kevin began life coaching in 2013 after he was coached

by Iylanla Vanzant and her team in 2011. During that process, he realized his life’s purpose and the need for mens coaching. “I believe the best life coaches are people who have been coached themselves. They are able to understand the process,” he shared. He became a health coach in 2015 after graduating from Integrated Institute of Nutrition. He was already a fitness instructor and I wanted to incorporate the holistic health coaching into his program. He began detoxing as soon as he graduated from school, knowing that most people tend to have between five and 30 pounds of feces in their systems, and because he . Once his system was aligned, he started offering the product from Juice Plus.

Kevin says he is inspired mostly by his father Sam Thornton. “He played a big part in my journey in holistic health and personal development. Growing up, he has always been into holistic living so he planted the seed in me. Seeing him at 77 years old and in great health without taking any medication motivates me daily to be my best self, and help others be their best self,” he says.

Kevin credits Iylanla Vanzant with giving him clarity of his purpose and teaching him how to be the vessel to help black men and all people become their best self. h

“I want the world to know there are more men like me than what they see and hear on TV and radio.”

If you are interested in purchasing a book, please use the PayPal link below

paypal.me/kev211 17

Kendra Diggs is a Greensboro native and author. Her book, His Masterpiece, was inspired by her very own life experiences. She is a domestic violence survivor and though she admits it can be frightening to tell share her stories, she understands they must be told. What makes her book unique is its rawness, uncut, and honest description of resilience and courage. “I’m the voice of many women who are silent and are afraid to share their scars of domestic violence, and losing their identity and abandonment. I just want to help people, especially women who have dealt with this, and maybe I can help save a life. I pray that people are inspired and blessed by this book and God is glorified,� she shares.

Kendra has started a movement called (#lovedoesnothurt) and has partnered with the Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation in Greensboro, North Carolina to help bring awareness of domestic violence in North Carolina and beyond.

Kendra Diggs HIS MASTERPIECE

Book Release Party - June 29, 2019

Information Provided By Kendra Diggs Photos by Luguzy Atkins

Exerpt from His Masterpiece

“How dare you compare me to him?” He screamed. We started to fight in the bathroom and his nail dug deep in my chest as he threw me in the shower. I got up with tears in my eyes and I tasted blood. “ I’m sorry. Please stop!” I pleaded. We were fighting until we got into our bedroom. “I’m my brother, you said?” He sneered and proceeded to throw me into the wall, which left a huge hole. I fell. He kicked me in my shins. “Please stop! I’m sorry, Please forgive me.” I cried as my body laid weak on the floor. He stopped and looked at me with disgust. He gathered his things and left. I just laid there and cried. My shoulder was throbbing. I can’t believe someone I loved would treat me this way. I must’ve deserved it. Tears started to roll down my face but I cleaned them up quickly.

When I arrived at Panera Bread I sat down at the table and waited for my client. When she walked in, I put on my fake smile. We sat and talked for an hour. My shoulder and my legs were on fire. After the meeting, I sat there for another hour or so. I was just quiet.

My ears started to ring again. I stared out into blank space. Tears flowing from my eyes. Maybe I should kill myself. This will get me out of my misery. With my eyes blurry from my tears, I looked outside, it was night time. I got up and walked back home.”

“My ears were still ringing, I was still in a daze as he held me. As he was talking, I still couldn’t hear the words but I saw his mouth move, I heard a voice say, “Take his life and take yours. You won’t have to deal with him or yourself anymore. Why go through this? Do it.” Then the voice left me. That voice shook me to the core. I looked into his eyes blankly. I saw this man who I thought was supposed to love, protect, and be there for me turn into a nightmare but I could forgive him again right? I breathed in and exhaled, “I forgive you and I love you, too.” He stood up, hugged me, and kissed me. He laid me back down and started to rub my shoulder. Then he laid down beside me. “We are going to be okay.” He reassured me. I nodded my head. “I know.” It was quiet for the rest of the evening. When he fell asleep, I got up and looked out the window. Our window sill had an alarm on it. It was 2am. I walked in the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked at my face, with heavy bags under my eyes, the scar from my chest, and my bruised up shoulder. I didn’t see myself. I didn’t see beauty. I didn’t see virtue. I saw a failure. I sat on the bathroom mat and I grabbed my head. I began to wail and cry. “There has to be more than life than this.” I said to myself. “I want to be free.”

To order your copy of His Masterpiece, please visit: www.thekweenexperience.com

Adriene Odom The Making Of A Soldier

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Smart Shot Photography

T

here is one word that can effectively describe who Adriene Odom is; survivor. Even more, she is a mother, author, and soldier. With all of these attributes, God has made her perfect and unique.

Adriene, who is originally from Yanceyville, North Carolina but, migrated along with her family to Virginia when she was about nine or ten years of age. For the most part, Virginia is home for her, but the path and roads traveled along her journey in life far exceeds the common wealth state.

“Becoming an author was something I never imagined for myself. The way I told my story bought me so much more strength and empowered me.,” she says.

In 2017, the aspiring author made the decision to share a sincere and precious part of her life in the pages of her book, The Making Of A Soldier. “This is my story of surviving so many obstacles which are similar to those that women have to face daily,” she shares.

Adriene says she had to rely solely on her faith in God to carry her from a state of brokenness as a teenage mother and single mother, to becoming a soldier in the United States Army, and now disabled veteran.

As a soldier, she did one tour to duty in Afghanistan during which time she began to realize who she was and her purpose for life.

“I was put here on earth to become a soldier, not just in the Army but, for women and men who are too afraid to speak out for themselves.

In my book I expose my darkest and most intimate secrets so that others would be inspired to tell their stories and be set free, no longer having to live in bondage,” she shares.

Adriene’s story opens the doors of her life to the its readers, and what lies behind them are pages of pain and triumph, as well as determination and self acceptance.

“I was put here on earth to become a soldier, not just in the Army but, for women and men who are too afraid to speak out for themselves.”

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“In my lifetime, I’ve faced homelessness, domestic abuse, rape, and divorce. My testimony is my story.”

“In my lifetime, I’ve faced homelessness, domestic abuse, rape, and divorce. My testimony is my story. The story of a teenage mother having her first child at 15 and then her second at 19. It is a story of becoming a high school drop out, and later joining the US Army, and eventually becoming a disabled veteran. It’s a story of me becoming an author, entrepreneur, and founder of Joshua’s Place, a nonprofit that helps to house, and advocate for homeless veterans,” she shares.

Adriene finds inspiration in being a mother to her four sons Gabriel (26), Joshua (21), Kaleb (12), and Aldarius (5).

Though now divorced, that experience alone caused a great deal of hurt and pain. “It was almost like grieving for my husband, except he wasn’t dead. The hurt that he caused me has given me the strength I needed to continue to be what others needed from me to survive,” she says. “I guess in so many ways it intensified my hunger and passion to continue to help others.” Throughout her book, Adriene shares similiar experiences, all of which lead to where she is today. And that is a winner.

Moving forward Adriene plans to continue to share her story through motivational speaking with the hopes of inspiring others to tell their stories. To purchase a copy of her book, The Making of A Soldier, please visit her website. h

To learn more about Adriene Odom, and to purchase a copy of The Making Of A Soldier, please visit www.themakingofasolndier.org

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Greenville/Spartanburg - March/April 2019

Greenville/Spartanburg - March/April 2019

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CaraBeautiful RafaelaThomas

By Yasmine Regester Photos by JLG Photography

Rafaela Thomas said her father always told her that education could take her anywhere she wanted to go. And he was right.

Her education helped her travel the world, become a high ranking officer in the Army, a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner and the owner of her own business, CaraBeautiful, a cosmetic dermatology salon in Greensboro.

Born in Panama, Thomas recalls her family moved to Brooklyn, New York when she was 10 years old and they didn’t speak any English. The seventh of eight children, she noted that her parents stressed the importance of education and the need for them to learn the language.

“I come from parents with third and fourth grade educations, but they instilled in us that it was necessary to get an education.

We all graduated from high school, and went on to be successful in our career paths. So when you come from such a strong family unit, it inspires you to strive for more,” said Thomas.

She first established her business in 2016, and in February 2019 she was ready to move CaraBeautiful into Sola Salon, Suite 110 in the Friendly Shopping Center on Pembroke Road.

“Coming here from another country, I learned that the world has so much to offer. All you have to do is strive hard and do the best you can. My father always said, ‘No matter what you end up doing in life, you do the best you can and you be the best at it.’ So that is how I’ve always lived my life,” said Thomas.

Thomas graduated from the High School of Fashion Industries in NYC, and joined the Navy in 1978, and worked as a dental hygienist and assistant. She explained how she noticed that a simple procedure, like applying braces, changed a person’s whole outlook about themselves.

“For me, teeth and smiles and faces have always been a part of medicine that I enjoyed. Seeing the smile on a patient’s face in reaction to the change they saw would make me so happy. I knew back then that I wanted to work with faces,” she said.

Instead of pursing dentistry, Thomas said her sister convinced her to attend school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1992. She enjoyed it so much, that she went on to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1994 with an associate degree from Miami Dade Community College. She continued with her education and received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1996 from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She also holds a dual Master’s degree in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and is accredited through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She became a Nurse Practitioner in 2004 and has been a long standing member of The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

At 59 years of age, Thomas is dubbing this next journey her ‘second chapter in life.’

“I come from parents with third and fourth grade educations, but they instilled in us that it was necessary to get an education. We all graduated from high school, and went on to be successful in our career paths.”

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“I’m calling this chapter two of my life. As I’m about to turn 60 years old, there’s nothing like being able to make people feel good with what you’re doing. I’ve spent my medical career treating inner health, everything that makes you feel good on the inside – but now I want to help people feel good about their outside.”

The name CaraBeautiful loosely translates to “beautiful face” in English, a nod to Thomas being bilingual. “In Spanish ‘cara’ means face and ‘beautiful,’well, it speaks for itself,” she said with a smile.

At CaraBeautiful, Thomas provides Botox and dermal fillers.

Each product requires a different procedure that is placed in different areas of the face, and both are temporary results. Thomas ensures she provides detailed information to each client about the procedures and what to expect. “It is very important that you are truthful of your medical history, as this is a medical procedure,” she added.

Pictured above: Frown Lines & Nasolabial Folds injections

“It’s important for me that I spend time educating the client when they come to see me. I like to explain the products, the techniques, and help them understand that everyone’s results will be different. And it’s important to me that they leave here satisfied.

That they’ve received the best care they can have,” she said.

CaraBeautiful also offers free consultations. Thomas takes appointments and walk-ins in her salon daily, from 9am – 7pm, and even makes house calls to accommodate her clients busy schedules.

She also welcomes groups or individuals for a session.

During her more than 18 years in the medical field, she has worked in emergency rooms, health clinics, and traveled to Arizona and California to help provide medical services to low income communities as a nurse practitioner. Her 27-year military career allowed her to take residence in Spain, Europe, Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina, where she worked at the naval hospital for seven years in Jacksonville. She now ranks as a Major in the US Army, and plans to retire soon. As a Reservist, she spends two weeks a year on active duty, and one weekend a month for training. Major Thomas was also called to duty during the Irag war.

Pictured above: Nasolabial Folds & Foredead Creases

When she is living as a civilian, she works as a nurse practitioner in preventative medicine, but is working on transitioning CaraBeautiful into her full-time passion, which is helping people, particularly women, feel good about themselves.

“I always advise women to invest in themselves. We can have a closet full of shoes and clothes, some of it we’ve only worn once, and then we throw it away. But we wear our faces every day. You don’t put that in the closet. That’s the difference in how we invest in ourselves,” said Thomas who shared that even she gets filler injections.

“It’s not just a matter of giving it out either,” said Thomas. “I’ve decided how I want to look. And I have no problem with that.”

Thomas sees a range of women in her practice, from 25 years of age, all the way to 75 years old. It all ranges based on a person’s needs. “As we age, we’re going to have changes. We lose volume in our face. We start to see lines and wrinkles form. We see the change in our faces and now we realize we can do something about it. I tell women all the time it’s not about looking younger, but to give a smoother, softer appearance. That’s what I intend to give them,” she said.

While about 75 percent of her clientele has been women, Thomas noted that she is slowly starting to encounter more male clients who are interested in facial treatments.

Pictured above: Injections for Crows Feet 26

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“It all comes down to education on the topic. People aren’t sure they can have that. Or they think that it’s not acceptable. Or they are worried about what other people will think. But there is a

Greenville/Spartanburg - March/April 2019

solution. Just like there is medicine for high blood pressure or diabetes, there’s a solution. And I want women to know that we don’t have to feel guilty about it,” Rafeala stated.

A woman of faith, Thomas shares how she woke up one morning and felt the spirit of God telling her to go pursue her dreams. “Faith is the basis of everything I do and the direction that I’m going with CaraBeautiful.”

In order to be a practicing aesthetician in North Carolina, one must be a medical professional and licensed by the state.

She has attended multiple training courses and received certifications in Aesthetics in Botox and Dermal Fillers from Empire Medical Training and Aesthetic Medical Educators Training (AMET). These instructions assist her with keeping up with the latest techniques and products.

She first started working with family and friends and said social media has been her biggest driver for new clients.

Thomas also contracts with salons and med spas who don’t offer Botox and dermal filler services. She said in the next few years she sees her business growing with a larger space, employees, and more availability for clients.

In addition to her career accomplishments, she is especially proud of her two daughters, Odessa Hancock, a small business owner, Lloyda Thomas, a teacher in Florida, and her granddaughter, Leslie Thomas. Her daughter, Odessa, designs the CaraBeautiful brochures and monitors the business web presence, under her company, Uprising, a digital marketing and consulting firm in the area. Thomas shared, “It’s important to me that we have this family unit. We are working together. I have a lot of strong family support, near and far and I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them. We don’t have to stop because there are always goals to achieve.”

Thomas is a member the American Business Women Association of Forsyth County, the American Med Spa Association, a lifetime member of the Montford Point Marine Association and frequently attends Word of Faith Christian Fellowship in McLeansville, N.C. “My greatest accomplishments have been serving this country, reaching the rank of a Major Medical Officer, being a nurse practitioner and finding my greatest passion in life, which is CaraBeautiful. Coming to CaraBeautiful is not work. It’s a passion to do what I do and I love it” said Thomas. h

CaraBeautiful Offers: Dermal Fillers Botox Injections Our focus areas:

Forehead Creases Marionette Lines (Smile Lines) Crow’s Feet & Nasolabial Folds Glabellar Lines (Frown Lines) Lip Fillers

Rafeala Thomas

Sola Salon Studios 704-A Pembroke Road Greensboro, North Carolina 27408 (910) 554-6856 www.carabeautiful.com Free Consultations - In Home Visits 27

! HD

You Still Deserve It

Information Provided By Applause! HD Photos by Todd Youngblood

Born and raised in the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois Safiya Nelson made the great reverse migration down south to attend the North Carolina Agricultural and State University. There, she studied Industrial and Systems Engineering and graduated in 2003. Since then she has been planted in the Queen City ever since.

Safiya later pursued her MBA, at which point it was confirmed in her heart of hearts that business would be her forte. Safiya has two teen-aged girls that are her inspiration and joy. Safiya sits on the Engage Me! Board of Directors at UNC-C for Minority in Engineering students. She mentors and has served as community outreach chair for several local non-profit organizations.

Safiya came onboard with Applause about two years ago with an agenda to bring new energy to the Applause! HD brand. Safiya focuses the majority of her attention on marketing and community involvement for the salon. She has been certified in the lash extension technique, Aromatouch Techinique (utilizing Doterra Essential Oils), V-Steam (vaginal steam) and V-Steam Instruction since joining the team. Her most recent certification took her to Los Angeles, CA to study Brow Microblading (a semi permanent eyebrow tattoo). “I am extremely enthusiastic about microblading because it gives me an opportunity to add more value to TEAM Applause!,” she says.

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Safiya also offers healing arts services at Alliance Wellness Centers in Concord, with massage and Reiki avaialeble as well. “For those who are not familiar with V-Steaming, it’s a self care routine for women that supports detoxifying, cleansing, and healing the reproductive system. It helps to reduce menstral symptoms, and tighten and rejuvenate the vagina. It is extremely relaxing and can be a spiritual practice for helping women to release old energy from their wombs from past relationships,” she shares.

Safiya has pioneered a podcast on iTunes and been a radio personality for Essential Soul with Safiya over recent years. She enjoys philanthropy, international missions, and volunteering in her community. She shares, “giving back is not an option for me. I naturally aligned with the vision for Applause! HD and was always supportive of women spiritually in healing through selfcare and prayer.”

A native of the “Queen City” Charlotte, Katossa Glover, alongside her husband Malik, founded and opened Applause!

Hair Designs July of 2014. The vision of Applause! was an outward display of her admiration of the authentic beauty and power in women. “As mothers, wives, career women, caregivers, and goal chasers, it’s important to be reminded that we deserve Applause!,” she shares. Katossa understands the journey of pursuing dreams in each of those roles. She and her husband have a blended love of seven sons.

The name Applause! HD, inspired by her Goddaughter’s dance recital in 2014, is to place a candlelight next to the powerhouse that is “woman”. The slogan, “Everyone Deserves Applause” speaks volumes to the vision of the brand. The salon has been graced with some of the most gifted stylists in the area, and values each of these remarkable women. In the same, their clients continue to be the genuine core of who they are in their community.

Katossa has a few loves of her life that have nurtured her commitment to community. First, is her introduction to faith by her grandmother at a very early age. “In retrospect, I attribute the Ram in me (Harding High School), my blue blood as a Bronco (Fayetteville State University), WOW (a vision I began for young women who actually inspire me still), and my sisterhood of BGR (Black Girls Run, which she serves as one of the Charlotte Ambassadors). Katossa shares these relationships as pivotal for her in crowning women through her work in the community and the Applause! brand. “It’s a brand of sisterhood,” she says.

Katossa Glover Owner & Founder

Team means everything. Katossa says the partnership established with Safiya Nelson builds upon the vision of Applause! to value the authenticity in amazing women. “We bring diverse elements of strength to the brand and we’re excited about where we’re going. Applause! is a brand servicing the Charlotte metro area and Lake Norman. We can’t wait to connect with more amazing “change agent” women exemplifying Applause! This connection is formulated by stylists, clients, community partners, and a networking platform of visionaries who believe in the power and authentic beauty of women,” Katossa said. h

Applause! Hair Designs 13127 Rosedale Hill Avenue Huntersville, NC 28078

www.applausehd.ecwid.com 704-274-5100 Now offering Affirming T- Shirts

Safiya Nelson

Owner/Microbrade Technician

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huami MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

D’Naria DaKari Howell The daughter of Akilah Parms and Devarus Denard Howell

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

Shanna Ashley V. Ray, MHA

www.wrightfootconsulting.com Wright Foot Consulting is a professional development consulting business that works closely with those entering the job market and those transitioning within. Whether you are changing your career or simply looking for new opportunities, We will provide comprehensive employment consulting and match your skills with employers in need.

Wright Foot Consulting was founded by Ashley V. Ray, MHA out of a need that she saw in the areas of job placement and recruitment. She noticed that too often, job seekers were either ill prepared or lacking the proper resume to advance in their desired job market.

They offer assistance in researching the market to help you find the right position for your skillset, helping to create and craft resumes, building a professional image, and preparing for potential interviews.

She is the published author of the self-help book, “What They Don’t Tell You About Personal Success,” which can be found on Amazon.com. This book will help you maneuver through life’s hardships to become the person you were meant to be. Make sure to check it out as you improve your personal success.

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