May/June 2025
Whitehurst
That is How It’s Suppose to Happen
A Letter From The Editor
It seems like only yesterday. The year was 2023, and hundreds of individuals arrived at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Greensboro, NC. The anticipation of the first Huami Magazine Community Awards Gala had run its course, and by Friday evening, the time had arrived. As I reminisce about that glamorous evening, I can’t help but think of the kindness and support of everyone who helped make that event successful. It wasn’t just one individual; it was the acts of many who shared their gifts, talents, and resources to honor our community leaders for their great works.
A Letter from the Editor
What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?
While designing and planning the Awards Gala of 2023, which began many months before June 2023, everything that mattered on that evening was for everything to be in its appointed place. That was the beauty of it all: having so many people do great work behind the scenes for the benefit of honoring others. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, yet I was sure that we were in the right place, at the right time, and for all the right reasons: To honor someone.
I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.
Of course, I enjoyed the full ambiance of the evening. I enjoyed putting on my tuxedo and being in the company of a lot of Black Excellence. I enjoyed the wondrous sounds of the live band, as well as the informative information delivered by each speaker. However, most importantly, I loved seeing everyone come into place and enjoy a vision God had shared with me many moons before.
As we prepare for the Huami Magazine Community Gala Awards for 2025, the same feelings come to mind from 2023. Everyone is very excited. We have many honorees from many parts of the country traveling to Charlotte, NC. We have some amazing speakers, an incredible lineup of information and entertainment, and most of all, Black Excellence will be on full display.
The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.
I truly thank God for all He continues to do in our communities. I am grateful that He has made provisions for this event. It is impossible to do this without God’s grace and the support of so many sponsors and caring individuals. I ask myself why I take on such daunting tasks daily. I think the answer is that God has called for me to do it. While it can be stressful at times, I love it. All of it, and I am looking forward to the next one. Did I just say that?
Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.
Terry L. Watson
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Terry L. Watson Publisher
On The Cover
B.A. Counseling & Consulting
Bria Whitehurst
Grenville, SC
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. M. Keith McDaniel, Sr.
Charlotte, NC
Time for A Celebration
Huami Magazine Community Awards
07 14
Learn more about Audretta Hall’s Quest for Health. Her journey has been amazing.. Greensboro, NC
She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one beautiful baby. Her name is Demi Noel Martin.
The HEEAT Research Lab Dr. Schenita Randolph
Luxe The Salon Suite
Alysha Johnson
SSOM Productions LLC Zerek L. Baker Sr.
Doing God’s Work Kaliah Ballon
Rev. Dr. M. Keith McDaniel, Sr.
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
Informat ion and photos obtained from online at www.mmbcsc.org
Dynamic, relevant, uplifting and innovative are some of the words often used to describe the ministry of Dr. M. Keith McDaniel Sr. A passionate preacher and teacher of the gospel, He currently serves as the pastor of the 1,700-member Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church located in Spartanburg, SC. Dr. McDaniel’s ministry distinctively promotes reconciliation and redemption in such a way that lives are transformed by the power and mercy found in God’s word.
Since his calling by God to Macedonia over 1,100 souls have joined this congregation. The parking lot was expanded as well as early morning worship services were implemented to facilitate the growth of Macedonia. New ministries and worship opportunities have been added to the programming of the church to include the Vision Committee, Youth Rites of Passage, Women of Purpose, Ministry Month, Men of Vision, Security Ministry, Young Adult choir, and Word of Wednesdays. In 2015 Dr. McDaniel introduced a vision given by God for facility expansion called, The Nehemiah Project. This $2.8 million project included additional classes for Christian Education, A Family Life Center, new parking and a state-of-theart welcome center and commercial kitchen.
Dr. McDaniel is an honor graduate of Shaw University where he majored in Religion and Philosophy and minored in business management. He continued graduate and post graduate studies at Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC and at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio receiving a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree respectively. In 2007 Pastor McDaniel was invited to Harvard University to participate in a program that focused on economic development and community revitalization. With his role as an adjunct professor of African American Religious Studies at USC Upstate and an author of three books; Live Your Kingdom Life Now: A Theological Guide To Living By Choice Not By Chance, If God Be For Us: Pastoral Reflections of Faith and Family Concerning the Black Church and Til The War Is Won How A Reading of Psalm 27 Kept Me Encouraged in Times of Uncertainty.
Dr. McDaniel’s ministry expands beyond the pulpit. In 2014, the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. recognized Dr. McDaniel’s work in the community by awarding him the “Man of the Year” award, and in 2022, he was also awarded “Citizen of the Year” by the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He is a founding member for the Spartanburg Village Network where he served as board chair. He also served as a board member to Urban League of the Upstate, United Way of the Piedmont and ReGenesis Community Development Corporation. He is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. In 2018 Dr. McDaniel was
recognized as a Community Empowerment Champion by the Spartanburg branch of the NAACP for his efforts of leading and speaking toward issues of social change and community reconciliation. In 2019 Dr. McDaniel was awarded the Clergy Men of the Year award during the 2019 Black Excellence Gala held in Spartanburg SC and he currently serves as the moderator of the Spartanburg County Baptist Association.
A native of Winston Salem, N.C. he is a man who loves God and his family. He is the son of Reverend Silas and Branelsia Kay Hart. He is married to Latron McDaniel. He is the proud father of four beautiful children Marceo Keith Jr., Madison, Savion, and Kensley. And the proud Pop-Pop to Greyson, Aliviyah, and Amour. His favorite scripture is Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
DPH Highlights Work of EMS Personnel During National EMS Week
Informat ion and photos obtained from online source at www.dph.sc.gov
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is proud to spotlight the state’s emergency medical services (EMS) professionals during National EMS Week. Every day, EMS professionals help save lives and safeguard the health, safety and well-being of their communities.
Across the state, 304 EMS agencies and more than 14,000 emergency personnel – including first responders, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics – stay at the ready to provide critical care to patients when needed and to respond to severe weather or other disasters. In 2024, EMS agencies across the state took is 1,663,790 calls.
DPH’s EMS and Trauma Section helps develop and monitor statewide EMS protocols, designates trauma centers, and certifies EMTs and paramedics. DPH works closely with the South Carolina EMS Association (SCEMSA) and local government agencies to manage their county- or city-wide EMS services.
“Providing oversight and support to the EMS community is vital to maintaining public health,” said Jon Jones, DPH EMS & Trauma Section Director. “The ability for EMS professionals to deliver prompt, life-saving care directly impacts the well-being of our communities.”
An EMS system involves a highly coordinated response for emergency medical care that relies on teamwork and communication between multiple people and agencies.
Wednesday is dedicated as EMS for Children (EMSC) Day, providing an opportunity to thank EMS clinicians for their dedication to meeting children’s unique health needs. DPH oversees the South Carolina EMS for Children (SCEMSC) program, which promotes the special treatment needs of pediatric patients into the state’s EMS and hospital systems through the “Peds Ready Recognition” Program.
“Eliminating gaps, supporting high-quality resources and raising overall standards in pediatric emergency care improves outcomes for families,” said Sable Land, EMS for Children Program Coordinator. “We encourage EMS agencies to be Peds Ready to ensure that SC children receive safe and effective prehospital care. Being Peds Ready gives an agency and its providers the extra support they need to adequately address the unique medical care that children need.”
EMS agencies can receive the “Peds Ready Recognition” by demonstrating a commitment to excellence in pediatric emergency care and better health outcomes for pediatric patients. In South Carolina, there are 17 Peds Ready EMS agencies.
Agencies applying for Peds Ready Recognition must be able to show, on top of meeting the minimum standards set forth in the regulations, that their agency has:
Designated a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC), Acquired additional pediatric patient supplies, Adopted a safe transport policy, Received an additional six hours of annual pediatric training per year, Evaluated 100 percent of completed pediatric cases as quality assurance, Passed a quality assurance review with 100%, And participated in at least one outreach activity annually within their community.
The Peds Ready program is completely voluntary and does not affect agency licensure. Agencies are encouraged to apply once they have met the Peds Ready requirements. Once the application is received, DPH’s SCEMSC completes a site visit and upon completion, makes the recommendation to an Advisory Council for agency recognition.
Anyone interested in pursuing a career as an EMT or paramedic is encouraged to contact their local EMS office to learn more. To learn more about EMS in South Carolina, visit DPH’s EMS and Trauma webpage or the SCEMSA website at scemsa.org.
Whitehurst Bria B.A. Counseling & Consulting
By Terry L. Watson
Bria Whitehurst is a Southern Belle who was born and raised in South Carolina. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a believer in Christ, and she leans on her faith daily. In addition to fashion, fitness, and travel, Bria also has a passion for brunch. She says, “If there’s a brunch involved? Count me in!”
Professionally, Bria has worked as a licensed clinical social worker, having 11 years of experience across the field. This includes supporting unhoused communities and at-risk youth to advocating for mental health and maternal wellness. Bria obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She is licensed in both South Carolina and North Carolina and has her eyes set on obtaining licensure in Connecticut.
Presently, Bria is the owner of B.A. Counseling & Consulting. She describes her brand as being rooted in lifestyle, love, fulfillment, and empowerment. “It’s more than a practice, it’s a movement,” she says. “It’s about helping people, especially Black women build lives they don’t need to escape from. Lives that feel soft, secure, and aligned.”
Bria’s journey started in 2018 when she worked as an intern in an inpatient behavioral hospital. From there, she worked as a psychiatric social worker in an emergency department, moved into maternal health, and eventually stepped into the world of telehealth. Each step she says taught her something powerful, which she now utilizes when serving clients on their own healing journeys.
Bria shares that B.A. Counseling & Consulting is where clinical excellence meets cultural connection. “I weave in therapeutic skill with real-life tools and affirmations so people walk away not only feeling seen, but equipped. Whether you’re starting your healing journey or seeking that next level of selfunderstanding, this brand is here to empower you. I offer individual therapy for adults navigating anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health, life transitions, low self-esteem, boundary-setting, and more. I also provide diagnostic assessments for community mental health agencies. Whether it’s personal growth or professional collaboration,I’m here to help folks grow, heal, and breathe easier,” she says.
Through Bria’s virtual mental health practice, she supports adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, perinatal and maternal mental health, low self-worth, and boundary-setting. However, at the core, she offers space. “Space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with who you are and who you’re becoming,” she states. Bria also provides diagnostic assessments for community mental health agencies.
Photos Provided by Bria Whitehurst
Bria shares her testimony is all about obedience and trust. “I didn’t always know exactly what the path would look like, but I kept walking, one step at a time, and led by faith. I’ve been the helper who also needed help, the strong friend who had to learn to rest, and the woman who realized that healing isn’t a destination, it’s a lifestyle. God didn’t just call me to hold space for others; He called me to be a light, too, and I honor that every day. I love watching people realize: “Wait, I’ve had this power in me all along.” That moment when someone feels more confident, more grounded, more themselves. That’s why I do this. Helping people manage life’s stressors and walk in their truth—that’s the magic,” she says.
Even more, Bria expresses her love and concern for Black women. She adds, “I admire the way we show up, share resources, uplift each other, and create space even when no one gave us any. We carry so much, yet we still create joy, rest, and community.” For the most part, Bria is inspired by Black people. “Our resilience, our culture, our ability to rise, even when the odds are stacked, but especially Black women.” Bria also shares her life has been shaped by networking, conferences, sisterhood, and by the clients she serves. “Each one has taught me something I didn’t know I needed.”
As a therapist, Bria holds space for so many people and says that it’s easy to carry their pain with her, even after the session ends. That can be challenging. She manages this by staying grounded in her faith, exercising reguralry, giving herself permission to pause and refill. Bria also surrounds herself with love, family, friends, and moments that remind her that she is human.
What does the future look like for Bria and her practice? It definitely involves expansion. Bria is planning to grow B.A. Counseling & Consulting by offering clinical supervision to future therapists, booking more speaking engagements, and continuing to elevate the conversation around Black mental health. She is also a visionary and says that one of her biggest dreams is to be a guest therapist on talk shows, documentaries, or panel discussions. “I want to bring therapeutic insight to wider audiences and help normalize mental health care in everyday conversations. Therapy deserves a seat at every table, including on your screen,” she says. h
Audretta Hall
My Quest To Gain Health
Photos and Information
Provided by Audretta Hall
The Quest to Gain Health is a never-ending journey that started for me when I was just 10 years of age. By the age of 10, I had chocolate fudge barred my way to a pot belly, flabby arms, and 140 plus pounds. This is when I went on my first diet. I must say I had some knowledge of affective weight loss because I started with exercise. I remember placing brooms on the floor of our basement home in the shape of a square. Then I turned on the “Go you Chicken Fat Go” song on the record player that I had gotten the Christmas of 1975. I ran around and around that square until I was panting and sweating like a young piglet. I lost a lot that spring….15 lbs. and any desire to exercise ever again.
As the years went on, I gained the weight back. The first 10 came back when I started my cycle. The next was gained over the years so slowly…. like dipping a candle…so I barely even noticed.
I do remember mentally noting certain weight Milestones: Graduating from High School at the age of 18 and the weight of 208 Getting Married at 24 and the scale registering 224 Getting Divorced at 31 and ballooning up to 284!
That last mark scared me into action because 284 sounded too much like THREE HUNDRED POUNDS. And, to add insult to injury, my blood pressure had gone up, my Cholesterol was sky high, and my neck had turned BLACK from eating so much sugar it was damaging my liver. (Note: Anything Happening in your liver shows up on your skin—YIKES!)
The visual evidence of liver damage fueled the fire to gain knowledge. I began to study every diet, eating habit, and exercise hack imaginable, including a few spiritual ones as well. (I literally put the Bible in the Kitchen and read scriptures each time I entered for a snack---one of the most powerful health hacks I had used to date because I dropped 10 lbs. in a matter of days! I guess knowing that God was watching because I had invited him into the meal space made me make better food choices?!!)
The more I studied (googling ingredients on weight loss products that were safe and actually worked), the more information I USED, and the more weight I lost. My blood pressure went from 133/95 to 115/80. My Cholesterol went from 248 to less than 180, and my ‘good’ cholesterol level was higher than that of my bad Cholesterol. And I lost close to 100 lbs. over a period of seven years. Slow and steady really worked for me because I have managed to keep most of the weight off and have made it to the year of my 60th birthday on ZERO medication!
Being on Zero Medication was a Goal I set for myself in 2006. Being retired and spending money on medication sounded like a backward way of living. I wanted to ensure that when I had time to do what I wanted and money to spend, that time and money would be spent on VACATION, not medication!
19 years, trial, error, and weight Loss and health success later, I can share with you what the weight loss industry does not want you to know in a few (I have about 15) key, life-changing bullet points:
FIGHT Inflammation---not Fat:
Why fight inflammation? Inflammation TELLS your body to store and make Fat. Sugar is the highest inflammatory thing you can put in your body. Dark Green vegetables, Extra Virgin olive oil, garlic, onions, ginger and turmeric are just a few of the foods and spices that FIGHT inflammation in the body. Vitamins A, E, D, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. If you don’t have good Fat in your diet (Olive oil, Coconut Oil, butter) your body cannot adequately absorb the nutrients.
Gut Health:
Meat, cheese, Alcohol, bread---The breaking down of these items causes the body to poke holes in the lining of the intestine. Fortunately, the lining of the intestine replaces itself every 15 to 21 days. So just go for 2 to 3 weeks without eating cheese, meat, alcohol, and bread. Eat lots of green veggies, make soups with bone broth, and add extra virgin olive oil with as many things as you can. High Fiber foods increase the positive microbiome in your gut. Eating fermented foods like Kombucha, Kimchi, Pickles, Sauerkraut, and Kiefer Milk, and Yogurt will help with positive flora in your system. Improved gut health has been shown to improve mood, diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, and acid reflux! Improve your gut improve your LIFE.
Blood Health:
Your blood is the life source of the body. It brings the organs oxygen and nutrients and takes away waste products. Build your blood and build a better body. Dark green veggies and dark red juices (tart cherry, pomegranate, beet, and prune juice, to name a few) are also available. Low Sodium V8 juice and coconut water also help with the level of water in the blood.
Deep Restorative Sleep:
Deep sleep is when the body heals itself. Oxygen is what helps to put the body into deeper sleep. While laying in bed, concentrate on taking deep breaths---in through the nose and out through the mouth—Repeating breath work 30 to 60 times usually works for me. Sleep in the room at a cooler temperature—65 degrees. If you sleep on your side, sleep on your left side because your liver is on the right side, and its nightly function is to filter the blood in the body. Laying on the right side may interrupt this cleansing process.
Move Daily:
A GOOD stretch early in the morning, a 30-minute walk, and 20 minutes of dancing around the house were better than the gym that I WASN’T going to. Circulation is KEY because fat stores where there is a blockage and a lack of circulation. Now that I know that muscles burn more Fat, I spend more time doing push-ups and squats to stay toned and burn more calories.
Count Nutrients---Keep
Calories in Mind— Reduce Chemical Intake
Your body needs certain nutrients to stay healthy. This point was driven home to me when I counseled a young lady who was 5’7”, a buck twenty-five, and had cholesterol readings well over 300! She didn’t eat that many calories, so she was skinny….but what she ate was off the chart. French fries, chicken nuggets, and a HUGE sweet tea. Again, their caloric intake was low, but the lack of green, fruit, and lean protein—NUTRIENTS---had her Cholesterol through the roof!
What to Count?
Protein, Fiber, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium. Reduce the amount of chemicals introduced into the body because chemicals cause irritation, and irritation causes swelling. They tell your body to store and make fat! I went on a diet and only ate things that had five ingredients or less. I lost weight so fast people thought I was on crack! Seriously!
With my Cholesterol in check, blood pressure, and weight down, I now teach all that I learned over the years and have helped countless thousands of pounds, reducing and eliminating medication and feeling better about themselves.
I became a certified nutritional counselor along the way. I am not a Doctor, so please, if you are under a physician’s care, consult with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness regimen. Again, Health and Wellness is a journey. Start with that in mind. It is a minute-by-minute, mealby-meal choice and choices!
Getting healthy can be hard; being unhealthy can be hard. I chose the healthy hard and continue to choose the healthy hard daily!
Thank you for reading this article in its entirety. I listed six of the 15 things that the weight loss industry does not want you to know. If you like the other nine, please just email me. Be sure to put “The Other 9” in the subject line.
Email Address: audretta515@gmail.com
To get free downloadable e-books visit www.linktree.com/Audrettas411
www.facebook.com/transformationaudrettas411 h
Audretta Hall
Certified Nutritional Counselor Healthy Lifestyle Advocate
Audretta’s 411
www.intstagram.com/Audrettas411
Our Upstate Honorees
AlyshaJOHNSON
LUXE The Salon Suites LUXE The Academy
“CEO,
Beauty Mogul, Mastermind”
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Corrie Wilson
There is so much more to Alysha Johnson than styling hair. While her professional styling skills have taken her to heights and opened doors in her life that she never imagined possible, the North Little Rock, AR, native and businesswoman continues to use her platform to serve others.
Alysha was raised in North Little Rock and has called “The Rock” home her entire life. She comes from a family of five and is the mother of an eight-year-old daughter, an aspiring entrepreneur. She is also raising her brother whose mother passed away.
For most of her life, Alysha has always loved to style hair. “My mother taught me how to braid hair when I was seven years old. From there, I would do everyone’s hair around me. My mother wanted me to go to college as she stated that hairstylists didn’t make money,” Alysha says. After graduating from North Little Rock High School in 2008, she attended The University of Central Arkansas to study Business Administration for two years. While in college, Alysha never lost her passion and love for styling hair. “I was doing hair in my dorms when I got out of my classes. I would eventually let my advisor know that my interest was to style hair. She connected me with someone who was an instructor at Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School. I enrolled there and loved every minute of it. That was in 2010, and I haven’t looked back.”
Alysha attempted to return to college as she didn’t want to appear as a college dropout but found it impossible to juggle the responsibilities of growing her business and being a college student at the same time. She would eventually work inside someone else’s salon for about six years. She says that her goal was to have her own salon, and in 2016, that goal became a reality. “My first salon was an open floor plan. The experience was enjoyable, and it taught me a lot, but it wasn’t as profitable as I thought it would be. It wasn’t producing like I wanted it to. Then, the Covid pandemic arrived, and I realized that my clients needed more privacy. I installed curtains in my salon with an open floor plan, and my clients and other stylists enjoyed that. Soon, I began looking for another location to convert into salon suites. I found one and created 10 salon suites, and that is when my business became more profitable,” she says.
After opening her first salon suite location, Luxe The Salon Suites, Alysha saw a demand for a more personalized experience. Three years passed, and she grew her location into 20 suites in downtown North Little Rock, which encompasses 5000 square feet. Within a few months, all 20 suites were occupied, and Alysha says there is a waiting list for nearly 20 people.
Alysha is a “Boss” and it’s very safe to speak that. “I love being in the position that I am in. It feels amazing,” she says. Not only does she focus on providing the best locations for professionals to work and run their businesses, her goal has also been to educate and provide financial literacy and teach other stylists how to manage their money and businesses. She has done this with her product, LUXE The Academy. LUXE The Academy is an online school for continued education in the beauty industry. With courses like Road Map to 6 Figures, they crack the code on how to add structure and ultimately gain financial freedom behind the chair. They also help their clients access money to grow their businesses as well. Alysha shares, “I understand the aspirations and ambitions of beauty professionals looking to thrive in their careers. I also recognize that realizing your dreams often requires knowledge and financial support. That’s why Luxe the Academy proudly extends its commitment by offering business funding solutions tailored to the unique needs of beauty professionals.” With Luxe the Academy Funding, Alysha’s clients gain access to up to $100,000 in funding and capital to foster business growth without depleting their personal funds.
Alysha shares that she loves many things about her business. “I love the transformations that take place in my styling chair. Some of my clients suffer from hair loss and Alopecia. I appreciate the opportunities to help other women regain their confidence,” she says. That is from the service side of her business. As a salon owner and the creator of Luxe The Academy, Alysha enjoys being able to offer her clients and other stylists a luxurious experience. “Aesthetics are everything, especially for women. Our location makes my team and I want to come to work and perform to higher capabilities as a stylist. I appreciate the opportunities to help other stylists develop exit strategies out of our profession. I am helping them to plan for their futures, which is something that is not often talked about as hairstylists.”
As successful as she has become, Alysha says it couldn’t have happened without the love and support of family and friends. “My mother has always been everything a mother and woman should be to me. Becoming a mother has been the most life-changing experience I’ve had. All the things my parents taught me and realizing they could only take me so far based on what they knew only heightened my obsession to learn more. I want to create a legacy for my daughter. I am ensuring that she will have one by creating business opportunities for her to manage and own. I want to leave something other than money and debt for my daughter. It’s deeper than leaving money. I want to be a solution to a problem. I want to leave something that her kids and their kids will enjoy. I have been told that if what you are doing only benefits you, it’s too small. What we do should be benefiting and helping others. I want to be a vessel and allow things to flow through me and not stop with me.”
Inside of the Luxe The Salon Suites, Alysha offers more than just professional styling services. There is a beauty supply store that offers a wide variety of products and supplies that stylists who work there will need. For Alysha’s daughter, Journee, there is a vending machine that she manages and runs. “The vending machine is 100% my daughter’s. She makes her own money and it’s being invested for her future,” Alysha says. Additionally, hair extensions and other products are available online and in her store. From the sound of it, there are many streams of income flowing through and around Alysha.
While there are many things that have been happening in Alysha’s life, both personal and business, there isn’t much she would change. “I lost my brother a few years ago, and that was a very traumatic experience for me. That was the hardest thing that I have ever been through. Besides that, all of the other things that I have faced, I believe that I needed. The ups and downs, the failures and roadblocks, I needed all of that to help me become the woman that I am today,” she says.
Looking ahead, Alysha is looking to open an additional salon suite location. Her focus is to take Luxe The Academy to new heights. Most recently, she has developed a Salon Suite Master Course, Mastering The Salon Suite Business: The Blueprint, which includes a step by step plan to create your very own salon suite business with little to no experience at all.
In closing, Alysha continues to express her gratitude and appreciation for what life has offered her. “When I think about Harriett Tubman and how she led so many people to freedom and how her efforts helped to provide me an opportunity to dream, I do not take it lightly. I am grateful to be the answer to my ancestor’s wildest dreams and let them know their work was not done in vain.”
If you are in North Little Rock, stop by Luxe The Salon Suites and Luxe The Academy to enjoy The Luxe Experience: The Best Luxury Suites, Hair Extensions, and Beauty Professionals.
SSOM Productions, LLC
SSOM Productions, LLC’s nucleus was formed nearly three decades ago and began as a musical collaboration of musicians/songwriters. Two talented remnants of a larger group became a songwriting duo that continued to produce and create music after the band ceased to exist. Those two were: pianist, composer, songwriter Stanley (Stan) Stubbs and drummer, vocalist and lyricist Zerek (Zeke) Baker. After many years of creating various genres of music for themselves and many others, their friendship was solidified and eventually broadened into other arenas like business and theater.
Stan and Zerek are both natives of Chicago’s westside community, where being in a local band during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s was like a common rite of passage; every other guy you knew was in one. Much like the famed Minneapolis club scene that spawned the likes of “Prince”, “The Time” and so many others, Chicago had a similar network of musicians and performers that circulated amongst local venues of entertainment. Their paths would eventually cross and unite in the form of a Christian-based group put together by a mutual friend.
Over time, they discovered a knack for songwriting and an intense love for studio recording that carried on after the group dissolved. They continued to co-write and produce for themselves and others as opportunities arose which forged their partnership and sharpened their skills as a production team. They both have produced offspring that possess the “music gene”.
Information and Photos Provided by SSOM Productions, LLC
Stan has a son and two daughters (James, Jazmine and Diamond). Both daughters have proven to be gifted vocalists and songwriters like their dad. Jazmine leans toward the neo-soul genre and daughter Diamond is solidly of the Christian music arena where she has written, recorded and released music all on her own, that has achieved highly-touted reviews for her unique and creative style and flavor.
Stan is the visionary “idea-guy” who is never at a loss for a solution to virtually any obstacle or operational hiccup, is also the frontman and connection-maker for the team. Dubbed “the guy with the Golden Rolodex”, Stan has formed a niche-service for his ability to put people together and add value to the endeavors of all parties involved. His many creative giftings revealed a talent for playwriting and theater production as well as stage direction. A Grammy and Stellar award nominee, he has written, performed and produced (with and for) many well-known artists in the gospel and R&B industry. Stephanie Mills, The Dells, R. Kelly, Barry Manilow, Adlan Cruz, Tyrone Dickerson, Tye Tribbett and Lady Tramaine Hawkins, just to name a few. He was commissioned to produce two songs for the motion pictures “How Ya Like Me Now” directed by Darryl Roberts and one song for “Low Down Dirty Shame”, directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans. In the gospel arena he produced Lonnie Hunter and The Voices of St. Mark’s debut album, “Hold Me”, for which he wrote the title song.
Stan’s theater credits include a fabulous musical tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington. He wrote, produced and directed the play “Ellington! The Musical: From Bebop to Hip Hop”. It is a story that infuses some of the classic hits by “The Duke” with modern Hip Hop music, where he artfully melds the music into a story revolving around
Stanley Stubbs
Executive Producer & Playright
the lives of an inner-city, African American family and their challenges to guide their children along the right paths in life. He has recently constructed a more modern version of the play, renaming it “Jazzizop” and forming a collaboration with an actual descendant of the Duke’s family tree, “Trace Ellington”. Trace is a musician and songwriter also. They have plans to re-launch the production in the near future.
Stan is also highly sought after for his teaching and instructional capabilities, providing several workshops and tutorials each year in different aspects of the industry. Having a sincere desire to enrich the lives of our youth, Stan has also founded the Lynn-Marcel Arts Academy, NFP, a Performing Arts School for the youth, which currently provides service as a vendor, teaching music instruction for several Chicago Public Schools as an after-school program. He has been teaching for over 20 years in both the public and private school sectors.
Zerek L. Baker Sr. Chief Operations Officer
Zeke has an entire family that is in some way active in the entertainment industry. Considering that his spouse of 40 years (Patrice) is an actor, voice-over artist, professional makeup artist, and image consultant, it was highly likely that their kids might fall somewhere near the “entertainment tree,” so to speak. Their daughter (Alleece) has an amazing voice and is an experienced vocalist and worship leader. Having performed and recorded with several well-known gospel artists and in her earlier days released a project of her own entitled “Overcomer”, she has decided recently to try her hand in the theatrical arena and has made quite a splash in the YouTube space by posting several videos of herself performing covers of famous show tunes. Their second child (Zerek Jr.) has received his dad’s ear for music and developed into a professional audio technician and studio engineer. He’s become a specialist in the area of streaming and mixing sound for live-streaming performances.
Stan works seamlessly in tandem with Zeke, who’s skills as lyricist and songwriter quite naturally morphed into book writing and has seen him author and publish two books thus far. The first: “Porn-aholic! Expose the Secret and Save Your Life”: and the newly released, “The Thief Cometh Not… But By You”, are both available on Amazon.
Zeke is known to be a bit less vocal but one who likes to get straight to the point, not beating around the bushes when expressing his thoughts. This attitude is clearly reflected in his writing style and subject matter. As for SSOM, Zeke is more of the “hands-on, nuts & bolts” type of guy. He helps to bring process and skeletal structure to the big visions that continuously erupt from the mind of Stan. He often provides the “administrative” functions for the organization, being responsible for most of the promotional, regulatory or documentary materials needed within the company. He acts as a sounding board for Stan and one who can be trusted to be non-judgmental or critical when those ideas come forth but to offer an alternative perspective that brings a balance to the weighing of new ideas.
Over the many years of their partnership and new ventures into uncharted waters for the duo, their whatever-it-takes attitude has seen them wear every hat necessary, from set-building to website building. They are often so in-sync, it’s been remarked that “you two appear to share the same brain”. The duo has proved extremely effective and has maintained an inertia that keeps them moving forward into greater and greater opportunities, both in business and the entertainment industry. Opportunities are now on the brink of spreading internationally… stay tuned.
The new and expanded edition of SSOM Productions, LLC (which stands for Se7en Shades Of Man) has incorporated a powerhouse husband and wife team of creatives: Director, Darren Lamont Merrills and his beautiful and dynamic bride, Dr. Donna Price Merrills. Darren Lamont is a multifaceted entertainment professional whose dynamic career spans over four decades in modeling, acting, music, and theatrical direction. Currently serving as the Director of the acclaimed musical production Se7en Shades of Man, Lamont brings a wealth of experience and artistic vision to the stage.
Lamont’s theatrical repertoire includes compelling performances in productions such as Black Nativity, David Richmond, and Fences, where his portrayals have captivated audiences and critics alike. Transitioning seamlessly into directing, he helmed the national tour of A Date with Destiny, a stage play that featured Jo Marie Payton, renowned for her role as the mother in the hit TV show Family Matters. His directorial excellence extends to other notable works, including The Vision, The Lost Shepherd, and The Talented Tenth, among others. In the realm of the film, Lamont showcased his versatility by producing and starring in Seeing Faith: When Life Throws You Curves, a movie that intertwines themes of resilience and hope, reflecting his commitment to storytelling that resonates at a profound level.
Lamont’s journey in the entertainment industry began at nineteen years old. In the late 1980s, he established himself as a prominent model and actor. He has been represented by esteemed agencies such as Locke Model Management, Marilyn Model Management, A-Plus Talent, Jennifer’s Talent, and L’Agence. His modeling portfolio includes national campaigns for brands like Anheuser-Busch, Citibank, Lee Jeans, and Van Heusen.
Transitioning seamlessly into acting, Lamont’s film credits encompass roles in Miracle on 34th Street (1994 remake), Losing Isaiah (1995), and She’s Got Game (1998). His versatility extends to the stage, with performances in productions such as The Owl Killer, David Richmond, Black Nativity, The Amen Corner, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and The Trial of The Big Bad Wolf.
In addition to his on-screen and stage work, Lamont has appeared in industrial projects for McDonald’s, Milwaukee Electric, Ericsson, and American Express and commercials for Belk and Frank Myers Auto.
A talented percussionist and tenor singer, Lamont has collaborated with various rock, R&B, and faith-based bands. His musical expertise enriches his theatrical endeavors, particularly as Director of Se7en Shades of Man, where he integrates his diverse talents to create compelling performances.
Darren Lamont Merrills
Director
Lamont holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Professional Theatre from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (1996– 2000). His commitment to continuous growth is evident through private training in acting techniques, personal development, runway modeling, character movement, film and commercial acting, and vocal performance.
Darren Lamont continues to thrive in the “Lifestyles” modeling sector, where his authentic charisma and seasoned presence resonate deeply with audiences. This genre allows him to portray relatable, everyday scenarios, showcasing his versatility and genuine connection with viewers. His ongoing engagement in lifestyle modeling not only underscores his adaptability but also reinforces his enduring appeal in the industry.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Darren embraces a rich tapestry of personal interests that fuel his creativity and well-being. An avid traveler, he finds inspiration in exploring diverse cultures and landscapes, which often inform his artistic pursuits. Horseback riding offers him a sense of freedom and connection with nature, while baseball reflects his appreciation for teamwork and discipline. His passion for shopping and fashion keeps him attuned to emerging trends, enhancing his work as a men’s fashion stylist. Cooking serves as both a creative outlet and a means of expressing love, allowing him to craft meals that bring joy to family and friends.
Dr. Donna Price Merrills is the Executive Director of Marketing, S.S.O.M. Productions. She is also the Talent Development Strategist, and Empowerment Advocate. Donna is a visionary leader and powerhouse marketing strategist serving as the Executive Director of Marketing for the highly anticipated stage production “Se7en Shades of Man” and the S.S.O.M. Productions Tour of the Carolinas. In this role, she brings her decades of experience in public relations, workforce development, and community engagement to the performing arts arena—merging creativity with strategy to amplify the reach and impact of this transformational musical experience.
A proud native of North Carolina, Dr. Merrills holds a B.A. in Public Relations from North Carolina A&T State University, a Master of Science in Adult Education with a concentration in Training and Development, and an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Education from Metropolitan Christian University. Her professional journey has spanned the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors, with leadership roles in education, marketing, project management, and leadership development. She currently serves as a Senior Talent Development Consultant with Forsyth County Government, where she coaches leaders and facilitates workforce training initiatives.
Dr. Merrills is also the founder of L.I.V.E. Life Coaching and Real Artistic Talent Consulting, both of which reflect her passion for helping individuals unlock their potential through empowerment, lifelong learning, and creative expression. Her professional mission. “Connecting the Pieces of Empowerment”—guides her work, whether in government, education, or the arts.
A featured author in the Amazon bestselling anthology Pink Grenades, Dr. Merrills is no stranger to the stage or the spotlight. She has delivered impactful keynotes and training sessions at conferences, universities, and community forums across the country. She is also deeply rooted in civic engagement, serving in leadership roles with organizations such as the National Women of Achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Top Ladies of Distinction.
In this latest endeavor, she joins forces with her husband, Director Darren Lamont Merrills (DL Merrills), to bring Se7en Shades of Man to audiences throughout the Carolinas—an experience that is sure to inspire, provoke, and resonate.
Dr. Donna Price Merrills
Executive Director of Marketing h
“Whether in the boardroom or on stage, I believe in connecting the pieces of empowerment—one individual at a time.”
Dr. Donna Price Merrills
The H.E.E.A.T Research Lab
Centering Black Women’s Health, Research, and Community Power
By Terry L. Watson
Since 2015, The HEEAT Research Lab (addressing Health Disparities through Engagement, Equity, Advocacy, and Trust) has conducted research to address the health disparities that exist in the African American community, specifically in the areas of sexual health and HIV.
The HEEAT Lab consists of an interdisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and community members who are dedicated to addressing health disparities through equity, engagement, advocacy, and trust. Led by Founding Director, Dr. Schenita Randolph, Nurse Scientist, their work has been intentional about normalizing conversations about racial discrimination, racial socialization, racial identity, stigma, and distrust, as these have a major impact on health outcomes of Black communities. The lab uses a system that fosters bidirectional partnership with trusted community members, such as barbershops and beauty salon owners, to co-create education and resources necessary to lower health disparities.
Since 2015, they have co-designed with the community culturally and socially relevant interventions to address the HIV epidemic in the Black community. Most recently, the HEEAT Lab obtained a multi-million dollar federal grant that will allow them to continue their mission in North Carolina. As a part of this grant, the HEEAT Lab was able to hire a Clinical Research Coordinator, Niasha Fray, MA, MSPH, to lead the implementation of the grant, which aims to raise awareness about PrEP uptake among Black Women.
Niasha is a North Carolina native with over 20 years of experience in health equity, community engagement, and HIV/AIDS research. She holds two master’s degrees—one in psychology and one in public health—and is also the CEO of Niasha Fray Consulting LLC and host of the podcast Questions You Didn’t Ask. For her, joining the HEEAT Lab is not a new direction, but a continuation of her mission to put people at the center of systems change. Niasha’s work is guided by both her professional experience and her personal passion.
She has worked on national health studies, written reports for Congress, and created her podcast to help more people understand health equity.
In her role, Niasha manages the entire UPDOs study. She works with salon owners and stylists, helps recruit participants, and ensures the study follows all the rules required by the grant and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). These rules are in place to protect the rights and safety of the people who take part in the study and to make sure the research is done in an ethical and responsible way. She also helps train the team, keeps track of data, and makes sure the voices of Black women are heard and respected throughout the project.
“The rules we follow aren’t just paperwork—they’re there to make sure we’re protecting people and doing research the right way,” Niasha explains.
A clinical trial is a type of research study where scientists test new ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat health problems. In these studies, people volunteer to try out a health-related approach—like a new medicine, treatment, or educational program—to see how well it works. Clinical trials follow strict rules to make sure participants are safe and treated fairly. These rules are reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which helps protect the rights and wellbeing of everyone involved.
Naisha Fray, MA, MSPH
Photos Provided by Jason Prince
Dr. Ragan Johnson
The UPDOs Protective Styles Clinical Trial is one of these studies. It is designed to help Black women learn about and access PrEP, a medicine that can prevent HIV. Starting in fall 2025, the study will begin outreach to 32 hair salons across North Carolina, with the goal of reaching 1,000 Black women. The trial will continue through fall 2029. By using trusted community spaces like salons, the project aims to make it easier for women to get information and support in a place where they already feel comfortable.
Participation from Black women in this kind of research is extremely important. Studies show that Black women are more likely to be affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections than women of other races. Yet, they are often underrepresented in research studies that are supposed to help them. When Black women are included in clinical trials, the results are more accurate and the solutions are more likely to work for their communities.
The UPDOs project is designed with this in mind. It doesn’t just study Black women—it centers their voices, experiences, and leadership. By participating in this trial, Black women will help shape a future where HIV prevention is more effective, more inclusive, and more accessible for everyone.
One of the unique contributions that the HEEAT Lab brings to this work is the leadership of Black women in this research. Their lived experiences and expertise are a gift to this work. Dr. Ragan Johnson is an Associate Clinical Professor at Duke University School of Nursing and CoInvestigator on the grant. She earned a DNP with a public health concentration in 2012 and a MS in Nursing in 2005, both from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. She received her BS in nursing from Tennessee State University in 2001. Her nursing and advanced practice nursing career has focused on improving health equity and caring for patients from underserved communities. Through educational interventions, she has developed nurse practitioner educational innovations that prepare students and nurse practitioner preceptors for caring for patients from marginalized communities.
Dr. Johnson says, “It is important that we contribute to health equity in research and understanding what the community needs. But it is equally important that we merge culture and arts to share the information with the community as well. That’s how The Science of Soul was born.”
In March of 2025, The HEEAT Research Lab produced the Science of Soul event in Raleigh, NC. The mission of the event focused on advancing health equity for Black women and communities through culture, arts, and science. Led by Dr. Randolph and Ragan Johnson, The Science of Soul was a two-day event that brought researchers, clinicians, and community advocates together to focus on the communities they lead. The combination of culture, arts, and science is well documented. Storytelling in the Black Community pre-dates the Transatlantic Slave trade and is a powerful medium for sharing information, community mobilizing, and resistance. Through powerful storytelling, intentional calls to action, and visual and musical art, The Science of Soul is an agent of change. The event offered TedX-style talks, panel discussions, a luncheon, and a live performance by R&B star Raheem DeVaughn.
In June of this year, The HEEAT Research Lab will serve as the Presenting Sponsor for the Huami Magazine Community Awards Gala. This event will take place in Charlotte, NC, and Dr. Schenita Randolph will be one of the Guest Speakers.
Dr. Schenita D. Randolph is an Associate Professor at Duke University School of Nursing and Founding Director of the HEEAT Lab. A registered nurse for over 25 years, Dr. Randolph is advancing nursing science by using community partnerships to address the health inequities among Black Families living in the United States south. Her work has received national attention in the popular media and has been supported by public and private funders. She has publications in numerous journals including the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association that highlight population health and community engagement in education and research. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing which represent nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia. She is a proud HBCU graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University. Dr. Randolph is dedicated to partnering with the community to develop culturally and socially relevant interventions that will advance health equity and improve health outcomes for minoritized communities. She is also committed to mentoring and supporting the next generation of nurse leaders and scientists.
“It is one of my core values to make sure that the community is engaged in our work throughout to dissemination. HUAMI magazine has been a great partner for sharing our work with the community and for learning about the work of other leaders and advocates,” says Dr. Randolph.
Producing events such as The Science of Soul and partnering with Huami Magazine are actions that the HEEAT Research Lab will continue to do.
Looking ahead, Dr. Randolph and her team will continue to build business models that will sustain and grow their work beyond grant funding. They will continue to seek partnerships with creative agencies and other individuals such as Tivi Jones and Crystal Taylor. “Tivi and Crystal have been amazing partners in this work. Their creative development of our UPDOs entertainment series has allowed women to see themselves in the messaging around HIV prevention and PrEP.“ Our plan is to integrate HIV prevention efforts not only in clinic settings but also into culture and integrate them with other health-related topics and social determinants of health,” Dr. Randolph says. “This includes entertainment, social media, beauty salons, and everyday spaces.”
Dr. Randolph reiterates the importance and significance of everyone’s collaborative effort to ensure the success of their work. She says, “I want everyone to get involved, spread the word, and consider participating in clinical trials.” To learn more about The HEEAT Research Lab, please visit their website.
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Dr. Schenita Randolph
Demi Noel Martin
The daughter of Jasmin Richardson & Danny Martin
Sean Dwayne Dogan Long Branch Baptist Church
Reverend Richard Sean Dwayne Dogan has provided pastoral leadership to Long Branch Baptist Church for over 20 years. He is a 1998 graduate of Clemson University and attended Shaw School of Divinity. Pastor Dogan is also a graduate of The Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Initiative. He is married to Satreva Dogan. They have 3 daughters; Ramiah, Nishea and Terri.
have any questions, please contact
Pastor Dogan has initiated feeding programs and has worked diligently to bring the message of wellness to the community. He has also led the church in supporting youth employment through community gardening.
Pastor Sean Dogan serves or has served on the following Boards: GHS Board of Trustees, United Way Board of Trustees, SHARE Board of Directors, Greenville Forward Board of Directors, LiveWell Greenville Leadership Team, Senior Action Board of Trustees, Generations Group Board of Directors, Pendleton Place for Children and Families Board of Directors, Public Education Partners Board of Directors, Civitan, UNCF Upstate and N.A.A.C.P.
He is listed as one of the best and brightest under 35 by Greenville Business Magazine.
or
Recreation Director Willie Stewart at wstewart@mauldinrecreation.com.
