Passion, Purpose, and Expiration Dates
A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
A Letter from the Editor
When the moment arrives and you know that your passion doesn’t align with your purpose, it’s time to move on.
One of the great blessings that God offers to all of His children is the opportunity to choose what we want to do in life. Some may aspire to be a doctor, nurse, actor/actress, musician, teacher, dancer, etc. Whatever our hearts desire, God allows us to decide. With this freedom, I believe that God doesn’t expect us to leave Him out totally. If it’s from God, then in order to sustain it, a connection must be sustained.
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?
The purpose of an expiration date is to let us know when something has gone bad or has become useless. Who wants to eat food that has expired? We are not supposed to drive cars with an expired driver’s license, so why would we want to show up for an assignment that has passed us by? It doesn’t make sense. Whether it’s a person, place, or thing, or even an airplane, it deserves the best from whoever is in a position to provide it.
Lately, I have noticed that a lack of compassion exists in many places. In the hospitality industry, the healthcare industry, the travel industry, and even at church, people seem to be so disinterested in the feelings of others. Of course, we can come up with a lot of reasons and excuses as to why, again, I believe that it’s due to an expiration date. If the thrill is gone, then the door becomes open to all of the bad habits to walk in.
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.
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 want to encourage everyone who may read this message to always approach what we are called to with love and excellence. Self-reflection is also something that can help us learn where we are in our calling and assignments. The reasons why we started don’t change; what changes is what happens along the journey, and when the moment arrives where our interests are dull and reasoning has evaporated, that’s when we should walk away. Too many people are depending on receiving the best versions of themselves, and that version may even be connected to their livelihood and survival.
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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
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
L. Watson
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Terry L Watson Publisher
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Huntsville, AL
The 2025 Homecoming Affair AAMU Alumni Association, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
August is Black Business Month
Huntsville Metro Black COC
Birmingham, AL
Huami Magazine On The Road City of Birmingham
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It is time to celebrate those who help make our communities better. The Huami Magazine Community Awards Gala happened in Charlotte. Charlotte, NC
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She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one beautiful baby. Her name is Mina Alyssa Kennedy
Vujee Vegan Opens Up Nikia Lightfoot
Phiffany & Co. Phiffany Porter
BWE Next 2025 Merry Green
New Jerusalem Cathedral
Kevin A. Williams
The 2025 Homecoming Affair - Hosted by the AAMU Alumni Association, Inc.
Information obtained from online event post
The 2025 Homecoming Alumni Affair: The AAMU Alumni Association Inc. invites you to come Party with a Purpose and help us celebrate AAMU’s 150th Anniversary! For the 3rd year in a row, this will be the Premier AAMU Alumni Event. The event will take place on October 10th, 2025, at Stovehouse, located at 3414 Governors Drive Southwest, in Huntsville. Doors open at 8:30pm CST
What to Expect:
Largest Indoor/Outdoor Event Venue in HSV, Two Dj’s, Live Band, Multiple Bars, Large Patio with Open Seating, Cigar Vendor, Food Trucks, and Large Paved Parking with Security Onsite. You will enjoy sounds by DJ Nakidfine and Element XI with BigTim da DJ spinning during band breaks that will definitely set the tone for the homecoming weekend. Proceeds from this “Party with a Purpose” will support Alabama A&M University! So tell a friend to tell a friend, and Grab your tickets now.
All AAMU and MVSU Alumni are welcome! h
Huntsville Metro Black Chamber of Commmerce
August is Black Business Month
Information
obtained from www.hsvblackchamber.org
The history of Black Business Month can be traced back to the year 2004 when engineering entrepreneur Frederick E. Jordan partnered with John William Templeton, the president and executive editor of the scholarly publishing company eAccess Corp. They initiated this annual reflection and recognition event with the intention of driving the policy agenda that affects the 2.6 million African-American businesses. The main focus was to highlight and empower Black business owners all over the country, particularly in light of the unique challenges faced by minority business owners. This initiative stemmed from Jordan’s own personal experience of struggling to gain financial backing and funding when he started his own firm in San Francisco back in 1969.
The history of African American businesses is largely an untold story in American history. After the end of slavery, African Americans were finally free to fully capitalize on their skills, capital, and investments for themselves. The success of businesses within the Black community played a significant role in providing financial resources and leadership for the Civil Rights movement in the twentieth century. Notable figures like A. G. Gaston, a multi-millionaire businessman, played essential roles in advancing the movement in Birmingham.
At the Fourth Atlanta Conference in 1898, conference convener Dr. William E.B. DuBois proposed strategies necessary for the growth of Black businesses. Two of these tenets are readily within our reach, but they seem elusive in actual application. The first is the notion that Black individuals would support Black businesses, even if it meant some financial disadvantage, such as paying slightly more. The second is that Black churches, schools, and newspapers would actively promote Black business. One can only imagine where our communities might be today if we had consistently followed these principles for the past 120+ years. h
CourtneyGreen
This Is It by CG
By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Courtney Greeen
Courtney Green has called North Alabama home since 2016. Courtney is a devoted Christian, an entrepreneur, and a mother to Khloe, a vibrant little girl. Additionally, Courtney is an ambitious go-getter who believes in living life out loud and on purpose.
Originally from Salina, Kansas, Courtney graduated from Athens State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She followed that feat with a Master’s in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management with a concentration in Information Systems. Despite navigating personal traumas and health battles—including being diagnosed with systemic Lupus in 2018, Courtney chose to lead with faith, resilience, and purpose. Her journey is rooted in perseverance, and she uses every experience to fuel her passion for empowering others.
Today, Courtney serves as a full-fledged entrepreneur. Her brand, This Is It by CG, offers stylish, affordable, and expressive fashion jewelry through live sales, pop-up events, and personalized style curation. Every piece is intended to complement her client’s personality and elevate their confidence without breaking the bank. In addition to jewelry, Courtney provides writing services, including resume building, brand storytelling, and custom content for entrepreneurs looking to find their voice and show up boldly in the digital space. She also leads faith-based empowerment initiatives through her involvement with Surviving Sisterhood. There, she advocates for healing and community among women who’ve experienced trauma, illness, or life transitions.
This Is It by CG began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Courtney shares, “I initially started selling jewelry wholesale and reselling it online to help a friend rank up in her organization. What started as a supportive gesture quickly turned into a meaningful venture. I realized the women around me were earning consistent income and enjoying the freedom it provided. I hopped on the train, and before I knew it, I was making an extra $400 a month from going live, attending vendor events, and carrying my “bling bag” everywhere I went.”
As Courtney shares, she is a woman of faith, and stands on the precision and reliability of God’s timing. She adds, “This business came at a time when I was just entering remission from Lupus, and it helped me step out of the shadows. It gave me the confidence to show up again, publicly and purposefully. What started as a side hustle turned into a healing ministry, allowing me to reconnect with people, serve women, and rediscover my voice.”
“This business came at a time when I was just entering remission from Lupus, and it helped me step out of the shadows. It gave me the confidence to show up again, publicly and purposefully.”
Courtney’s daughter, Khloe, wears the crown of being her mother’s greatest inspiration. Courtney says that every decision she makes is rooted in giving Khloe an example of resilience, purpose, and power. Courtney also finds inspiration in the women she has met through Surviving Sisterhood—survivors, warriors, mothers, and believers who continue to show up every day despite life’s challenges. “These women have taught me that your story has value, your voice matters, and your pain can birth purpose.”
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Courtney shares it’s the opportunity to uplift women in both style and spirit. “Whether it’s helping someone find the perfect accessory or crafting a resume that lands them their dream job, I get to be a part of someone’s “next step.” My brand is not just about jewelry or words—it’s about transformation. Seeing women light up when they feel beautiful or confident again is what keeps me going,” she says.
As her brand has grown, Courtney has faced a few obstacles and challenges. One she says is balancing health, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. She adds that living with Lupus means there are days her body tells her to rest, yet her schedule tells her to go. Courtney also deals with self-doubt, burnout, and the weight of wearing many hats. She shares she has learned how to manage such challenges by prioritizing grace over grind. “Faith is the ultimate anchor. I lean into prayer, scripture, and spiritual accountability to keep going even when it gets hard. It’s not what’s on me, it’s God working in and through me. I’ve also created systems that allow me to automate parts of my business and give myself permission to rest when needed. My community has also been essential, and having support from other women in business, especially in the Surviving Sisterhood circle, has helped me stay encouraged and aligned,” she says.
Courtney offers some advice to others who may follow in a path in entrepreneurship similar to hers. She says, “Start with what you have and where you are—progress over perfection. You don’t need everything figured out to take the first step. You must be willing to learn, stay adaptable, and surround yourself with people who stretch your vision. Most importantly, don’t hide behind your pain, but instead, use it. Your story can heal others and open doors you never imagined.”
Courtney has plans to expand This Is It by CG into a full-faith lifestyle brand, combining jewelry, writing services, speaking engagements, and digital products that are designed to empower women from the inside out. She’s also working on releasing a leadership memoir that documents her journey of healing, identity, and purpose. Through Surviving Sisterhood, she’ll continue creating safe spaces for women to gather, grow, and thrive. h
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Takes Place Vujee Vegan
By
On May 15, 2025, the day arrived for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Vujee Vegan. Nikia Lightfoot has prepared for this big day for quite some time, and the anticipation from her clientele only added more excitement. For the past few years, Nikia has maintained her brand and built her company one day at a time, and one client at a time. In the community of Huntsville, where vegan options are becoming more available, Vujee Vegan has established itself as one of, if not the best.
Present at the ceremony were Nikia’s parents, her sisters, and members of the Vujee Vegan team. Dr. Daniel Wims, President of Alabama A&M University was also there, along with Jamal Ali, Vice-President of Alabama A&M University (Marketing, Communication, and Advancement), Richard Crunkleton, Founder of The Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group & Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees Member, Lady Michelle Watkins, District 1 City Council, and Antoinette Hawthorne Huntsville Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.
While Nikia had prepared for the occasion, she understood that her efforts would be on full display. “ Planning and cooking were the easy part. I was extremely nervous because I set the bar high. I wanted to create a warm and welcoming space for my community, and that was so important to me. My intention is for Vujee Vegan to always feel like home for my clients. I’m so excited about my new brick-and-mortar. My childhood dream, at 12 years old, is now my reality. Dreams really do come true. Our official opening felt like a family reunion, and there was so much love, laughter, support, music, dancing, and of course, good food. It’s safe to say that our expectations were exceeded,” she says.
Pictured with Nikia is Dr. Daniel Wims, President of Alabama A&M University
Terry L. Watson
Photos provided by Nikia Lightfoot
In addition to her existing menu, Nikia has added some new tasty selections, just in time for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. These are Philly Egg Rolls, Chickpea “Chick’n” Salad, V-Mac Burger, Jr. V-Mac Burger, Seasoned Okra, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Jamaican Vegetable Patties.
Recently, Nikia met with an out-of-town elected official who appears to have a strong interest in bringing Vujee Vegan to his city. “We will do our due diligence and research to ensure expanding makes sense. In the meantime, I’m still basking in the afterglow of my first brick-and-mortar, and I’m open to all possibilities,” Nikia says.
Pictured with Nikia and employees of Vujee Vegan are (from left to right) are Lady Michelle Watkins, District 1 City Council, Jamal Ali Vice-President of Alabama A&M University, and Antoinette Hawthorne Huntsville Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
Huami Magazine On The Road
April 2025
Merry Green
Love. Legacy. Legendary
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Merry Green
For the last 30 years, Merry Green of Chicago, IL, has dedicated her life to helping and serving others. She is the founder and visionary of the Black Women’s Expo, an annual event that draws thousands of black women and others to Chicago with the sole purpose of empowerment. This year, on Friday, August 1st through Sunday, August 3rd, McCormick Place in Chicago will serve as the host venue for thousands of women from around the United States. This year’s performers include Raheem Devaughn and Marvin Sapp. There will also be a Youth Summit, a fashion show, and seminars featuring Budgetnista, Tiffany Aliche, Sexual Health Expert Ashley Cobb, Community and Sexual Wellness Strategist, Dr. Hareder McDowell, and much more.
In 1993, then named “An Expo for Today’s Black Woman,” the Black Women’s Expo (BWe) was primarily focused on providing an annual event where small businesses and major corporations alike could showcase their products and services to African American consumers in the Chicagoland area. Over the years, BWe, also known as BWe NEXT, has blossomed into an event where Black women and their families can be educated, entertained, and emboldened. The three-day-long exposition is comprised of small and large activations that address the needs of Black women and their families via topical seminars and general sessions presented by subject matter experts, themed pavilions, an Exhibitor’s Marketplace, and corporate activations.
As the nation’s longest-running, intergenerational exposition for Black women and their families, BWe is proud to cultivate a space where ideas are shared, solutions are discussed, entrepreneurs gain insights on growing their businesses, and corporate brands speak directly to brand-loyal consumers.
A native of Nashville, TN, Merry is a mother, entrepreneur, event planner, and in a lot of ways, an activist. She moved to Rochester, NY, at a young age. In Rochester, Merry’s journey began fighting television and radio stations that weren’t hiring blacks. Seeing an injustice take place, she put her gloves on. Her fight would ultimately open doors of opportunity in these industries for Merry. Those experiences would also pave the way to event planning, forming an event planning company.
In Rochester, Merry worked for an ABC affiliate, and in her early thirties, she moved to Chicago, where she began working for NBC in television. Shortly thereafter, she was invited to work in radio, which included promotional and marketing opportunities and event and Expo planning, leading to the creation of her own event planning company. “I didn’t study anything in particular. I was just moved around and that is how I arrived at where I am at now,” Merry says.
In 1995, Merry approached her bosses at the radio station where she worked with the idea of producing an event that focused on African American Women, which made up 60% of the station’s listeners at the time. She put together a team of women that comprised community and health organizations, as well as sponsors and advertisers of the radio station. They began at McCormick’s Place, one of the biggest convention centers in the United States, and have been there ever since.
In the past, the three-day event has drawn attendees and vendors to Chicago from around the United States, including Atlanta, Ohio, New York, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and more. The Black Women’s Expo is the nation’s longest-running and respected women’s expo. For a period of time, the expo was held in other cities, including Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta, and Biloxi (Mississippi), but Chicago remains its true home. Last year, Merry applied for and was awarded a tourism grant, which allowed her to market and promote the expo in other markets. Their marketing efforts were successful as they saw attendees present from the markets they advertised in.
It’s obvious that Merry is living in her purpose. Even more, the words “community” and “serve” are synonymous with her name. Merry says, “I have always been concerned about the treatment, needs, and concerns of African American women. The Expo was built around that, to create a platform centered around those concerns, which would allow us to showcase our products and services, and have a place to discuss issues that were happening in our communities. As a Black woman, I am committed to the fight for Black women. Even as others try to erase our history or forget what we have created, I will never stop because being a Black woman will never change. Our fight will and must continue,” Merry shares.
When asked what she loves most about her work, Merry says it’s seeing things come together. “The planning of this year’s expo has been a whirlwind of emotions as I reminisce on the thousands of women who have come through our doors, launching and showcasing their businesses as exhibitors while realizing their dreams. I close my eyes and think of icons Oprah, Winnie Mandela and Maya Angelou, and countless entertainers who embraced our vision through their presence at the Black Women’s Expo over the past three decades. Recently, during a staff meeting, I shared with my team that execution starts now. No more ideas, no more creativity. Especially for those who are working with us for the first time, now it’s time to pull it all together and execute on all levels. Seeing a line at 10:00 am on Friday morning when the doors open makes it all worth it. Seeing generations of women in attendance, teenagers, young children, and even seniors. It’s amazing and really touches my heart to see entire families of women in attendance,” she says.
While she has produced the event for the last 30 years, Merry has always tried to maintain a low profile and asserts that actions are always intended for the benefit of others. She also states that this year’s event has a lot of meaning for her. “It took this year to fully understand the impact the Expo has on my community. I’ve had a chance to process the support of countless supporters over the years, all of whom make the event possible. As we faced hurdles, including the loss of funding due to our determination not to be inclusive, we persevered. The reason we have the Expo is that we were not included,” she says.
Being able to produce an event, consistently, year after year, is a testament to who Merry Green is and her determination and commitment to help others. The community of Chicago appreciates her. The country appreciates her, and Black Women are greatly empowered because of her obedience to what she has been called to do. “If anyone had predicted my journey of producing the Black Women’s Expo would last this long — a venerable institution marking a three-decade milestone — I likely would not have believed them. However, poised to celebrate our 30th anniversary as the nation’s largest and longest-running Expo for Black women, I remain immensely grateful for this journey, for every milepost of our story, and chapters yet to be written,” Merry says.
Looking forward, Merry plans to continue to do what God has called her to do, which is to be a pillar and valuable resource for her community and other communities around the country. In addition to the BWE Next, Merry and her team have also established a non-profit entity titled the “Black Women’s Entrepreneurial Fund” to support women who aspire to start and grow their businesses and follow their dreams. With the funds creation, the legacy of the Black Women’s Expo will live on for generations, which aligns perfectly with their theme, “The Legacy Continues.” Merry adds, “Whether as an exhibitor, sponsor, presenter, performer or attendee, I hope you will come and experience this monumental event produced by Black women, for Black women.”
Charlotte, NC
Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography
2025 Huami Magazine Community Awards Honorees
Business Leaders Honorees
Community Leaders Honorees
Dr.KevinWilliams MotherFlorenceWilliams
50 Years of God’s Grace New Jerusalem Cathedral 1975-2025
By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography
While most may believe that it all started in 1975, the foundation of New Jerusalem was well in the making long before. To be honest, the stars were aligned and in full beam on the streets of Philadelphia way back when. There was a young fellow who went by the name of Frank. Ambitious, confident, and modest in some ways, Frank possessed promise and purpose, and as time would reveal, through obedience and by faith, he would leave a lasting impact on the world. Fast forward to 2025, and Frank’s presence and persona are as resounding as they ever were.
Florence Plummer Williams, also known as Mother Williams, recalls when the late Bishop Frank Williams visited his father in Philadelphia. She lived across the street from Bishop Williams’ father, and a connection was made, and life began to move fast for the young couple. In 1963, Frank moved to Greensboro, NC. After proposing to Florence, she came to Greensboro, NC. When Florence moved to NC, they got married a month after sharing their nuptials in April. Florence was pregnant in May, and Bishop was called to Pastor in June at Mount Zion Baptist Church, which was on Bingham Street at the time. “It was a small wooden church with an outside baptismal pool. We had a small membership of about 50 or 60 people. We stayed there for about five years. Through fundraising efforts, the church relocated from Bingham Street to Spencer Street. At some point, my husband was called to do something different. We decided to start our own ministry, and New Jerusalem Cathedral began in the YWCA building on the corner of Pearson Street and Murrow Boulevard. That was in 1975. We stayed there until a building became available. That happened when New Light Baptist Church, now located on Willow Road, changed its location. We purchased their previous location on McConnell Road and remained there for several years. Due to the city of Greensboro’s expansion, we were forced to relocate from that location. We then rented space at the Greensboro Coliseum until our eventual location at 1606 Phillips Avenue became available,” Mother Williams shares.
When speaking of her late husband, Mother Williams’ smile is very generous. She lost her husband in 1998 and remains unmarried today. As she describes their union, it becomes evident that she understood her purpose then and remains fully committed to it now. “God had blessed my husband with an amazing gift. That became apparent to me very early. I wasn’t raised in the church and meeting him was a whole new world for me. We dated in Philly, and he asked me if I would marry him. Of course, I was young and in love, and I told him I would go wherever you go. After the first month, I was pregnant with my first son, Michael. We were a young couple, and many of our members were a lot older than we were, and they were very supportive and helped me and Bishop Williams along our journey,” she says.
New Jerusalem Cathedral (1975-2025)
September 14, 1975
New Jerusalem Baptist Church - (Pearson Street YWCA)
Church name changed to New Jerusalem Cathedral
New Jerusalem Churches of Sound Doctrine
New Jerusalem Cathedral - Greensboro, NC (Mother Church)
November 1984
January 26, 1998 1992 2005 2024
July 6th, 2025 1977 1983
Purchased building sold by New Light Baptist Church 1860 McConnell Road - Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Coliseum Town Hall Auditorium
New Jerusalem Cathedral Moved 1606 Phillips Avenue - Greensboro, NC
Monument of Praise Ministries Began High Point, NC
Bishop Frank Williams called home to be with God
New Jerusalem Moved 1822 Sharpe Road - Greensboro, NC
Frank and Florence Conference & Sports Center Opened 1824 Sharpe Road - Greensboro, NC
Dr. Kevin A. Williams became King of Development of Adukrom, Ghana
Monument of Praise Ministries - High Point, NC
Church of Redemption - High Point, NC
New Jerusalem Cathedral West - Winston Salem, NC
Hope Church International - Durham, NC
Refuge Temple Bridging The Gap - Clinton, NC
Amazing Grace International Church - East London, South Africa
Embassy of Faith Worldwide - Nairobi, Kenya
Grace & Priase Kingdom Assembly
Harmony Community Church
Greater Fellowship Worship Center
Greater Connectors Church of Sound Doctrine
Phillips Avenue Annex - Greensboro, NC
Sharpe Road Location - Greensboro, NC
Monument of Praise Ministries - High Point, NC
The Frank and Florence Williams Conference & Sports Center
The young Bishop Frank Williams was a very busy minister. In addition to leading the members of New Jerusalem, he served in many other capacities. Mother Williams shares that Bishop Frank Williams had a lot of energy and a remarkable vision. He gleaned insights from the various places he visited, and he knew exactly what he wanted to do. Reverend Williams organized the Poor People’s March here in Greensboro, NC, and a March on Washington that impacted the disenfranchised. He also caused laws to change. Because of Bishop Williams, the Privileged Communication Law was established. During that time, Protestant pastors were required to testify in court about things shared with them in confidence, while Catholic priests were not. Due to Bishop Williams efforts in changing this law, Protestant pastors are now also protected from having to testify. The Mayor also instituted Frank Williams Day.
“On our first service at New Jerusalem, we had almost 150 people who joined the church that Sunday. Some of our present members from then are still members now, supporting our ministry in some capacity, she says.
While building their ministry, there was a keen set of eyes always focused on whatever his father was doing. The young Kevin Williams is a true “daddy’s boy”. He loved his late father with his whole heart, and whatever he saw his dad do, he wanted to do the same. Dr. Kevin A. Williams credits his father with shaping and molding him into the person he is today. At the young age of four, Dr. Williams was called to preach, but his father wouldn’t allow him to preach. “His father’s response was how would you tell anyone about life, and you do not know anything yourself?” At the age of 10, he gave his life to Christ, an experience that his mother describes as emotional and equally inspiring. Dr. Williams preached his initial sermon at the age of 15, and the rest is history.
Dr. Williams recalls the experience of giving his trial sermon. “Before then, I was my father’s drummer. I was only 15, and I hadn’t spent much time in the pulpit. I was terrified. There were three of us scheduled to give our trial sermon that day, and I had to go first. The church was packed out with many of my father’s friends. I did ok, and for four years, I wasn’t a great preacher. My father told me that I would never become a great preacher until I lose my first love for a new love. My first love was drumming. I was great at it. I had to break up with my girlfriend (drums) in order to pursue this relationship. Preaching is not just a calling, it’s a relationship,” he says.
Dr. Kevin Williams graduated from Southeast High School in Greensboro, NC. He later attended Shaw University (satellite campus) in High Point, NC, the Overcoming School of Religion in South Carolina, and the Institute of Christian Works in Seattle, WA. He also worked in the patient accounting department at Cone Hospital in Greensboro. He would later work at John Hancock Insurance (later bought out by Unicare).
In 1998, Bishop Frank Williams was called home to be with the Lord. Before his passing, he had suffered from several health ailments, including a massive stroke. That ordeal left him disabled on his right side and affected his speech. Yet, he remained defiant and continued to attend church and preach to the best of his ability. As Bishop Williams’ health declined, his ministry was adversely impacted. “We lost members, and as a result, we struggled to pay many of the church bills. Yet, we were determined to make it. I sold plates of food and did whatever we could to make it, and God saw us through,” she says.
Pictured above and below if Bishop Frank Williams
Pictured above is Mother Florence and Bishop Frank Williams
Dr. Kevin A. Williams
“My father told me that you are a good preacher, but you can also be versatile in any environment. If you are stuck in one style, you are not a good preacher; you should be able to go into an environment where no one knows the Bible at all, and shift your style to grip them.”
In 1992, Dr. Williams, along with Mother Williams, began a new ministry, Monument of Praise Ministries. Leading his ministry, Dr. Williams served in dual roles: Senior Pastor of Monument of Praise in High Point, NC, and Vice Bishop of New Jerusalem alongside his father. As one can imagine, he maintained a fairly hectic schedule, traveling between the two churches and preaching two sermons on any given Sunday, all while working at Unicare full-time. After losing his father, Dr. Williams took the role as Senior Pastor of New Jerusalem Cathedral on Phillips Avenue and became the pastor of both ministries. In 2005, they moved to a newly constructed location on Sharpe Road in Greensboro. Under his leadership, the ministry continued to flourish, and membership increased. In 2024, they moved into the newest location, the Frank and Florence Williams Conference & Sports Center. This remarkable edifice is multifunctional and can seat up to 2500 people.
New Jerusalem Cathedral is a nondenominational, multi-cultural, independent church whose primary mission is to pursue evangelism as structured in the book of Acts in order to help resolve homelessness, first in Guilford County, and then in the uttermost parts of the world. The church has grown and expanded over the years, but its purpose has remained steadfast: to exalt God, to edify the Body of Christ, and to evangelize the world.
Losing his father left a void in Dr. Williams’ life. That was his best friend, his mentor, his pastor. He taught Kevin how to fish, how to play chess, and other intricate things for a man to know, and made sure he took care of his mom. “My father died on Monday, January 26, 1998. He was funeralized the following Saturday. I preached his funeral at Power House of Deliverance Church. I had a small recorder, and it held a recording of my father reading a scripture. I played the recording and then proceeded to preach. I stood in my father’s pulpit the next day, and I have been in it ever since. My father was a great man of vision, and he was 30 years before his time. Many of the things that are happening today, my father was talking about in 1982 and 1983. Because of what he shared with me, I have already been prepared for this moment, and he is still fathering me because I still hear his voice,” he says.
Without question, Dr. Kevin Williams loves his parents, and fulfilling their legacy is his most important priority. “My responsibility is to cover and protect my mom and make sure she is honored as co-founder of everything that we have done. When I do ministry, I do it based on everything my parents have taught me to do. This is my family’s legacy and livelihood. My job is to protect my family,” Dr. Williams says.
While Dr. Williams is walking in the image of his mother and father, he also credits a few other ministers for having a profound impact and lasting impression on his life and ministry. These include Bishop Noel Jones, Willie James Campbell, Caesar Clark, CL Franklin, and Jasper Williams. “My father told me that you are a good preacher, but you can also be versatile in any environment. If you are stuck in one style, you are not a good preacher; you should be able to go into an environment where no one knows the Bible at all and shift your style to grip them. The scripture says that “I became all things to all men for the saving of some,” he says.
The future for Dr. Kevin Williams and Mother Williams looks very bright. Today, Dr. Williams celebrates 41 years of preaching sound doctrine. In September, New Jerusalem Cathedral will celebrate 50 Years of Ministry. Earlier this month, Dr. Williams traveled to the continent of Africa and was crowned as King by a King in Ghana. Under his leadership, New Jerusalem Cathedral, Monument of Praise, and The Church of Sound Doctrine continue to soar. Why? It is because Dr. Williams is a man with great vision and determination.
Additionally, Dr. Williams has been focused on doing things differently from his father. One in particular is structure. “I call it “Christian Etiquette Structure”. My father did not allow women to wear pants in the sanctuary. If he came back right now, he
would get me. I have learned and accepted there are certain things you will have to advance in if you are to stay relevant in this culture,” he shares. “My journey has really been a walk of faith. One of the scariest things is that we don’t have enough visionaries. Our assignment is to challenge the mindsets of this generation and to help them know the true Savior of the world. We should also focus on reaching more people and preparing them for the coming of the Lord and for what is happening next.
In closing, Dr. Williams continues to express his appreciation for the privilege of serving the members of his ministry. He is also grateful for having his mother present to see him do what he does. “In my own way, I believe that with my mother seeing what I do, my father can see it also. Her smile is coupled with my father’s. If she says that is good, then I believe I am being a good carrier of the Williams’ family legacy,” he says. h
Phiffany & Co.
By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Corrie Wilson
It’s not how you start, but how you finish.
For North Little Rock, AR, native and resident, Phiffany Porter, that adage is resounding and of great significance. As the owner and face of Phiffany & Co., Phiffany has made quite a name for herself in the real estate industry. She’s young and ambitious, and those qualities have fueled her fire. Yet, there is so much more that drives her passion, but at her core, Phiffany is answering a call of purpose planted into her as a young child.
“My life began with humble beginnings,” Phiffany shares. “I grew up in the East Gate Public Housing community. It was me, my mother, uncles, and cousins, all housed in a two-bedroom duplex. We stayed there until my grandmother purchased her first house, which was also a two-bedroom. While we may have been classified as a low-income family, it never felt like it, because there was so much love around. Of course, while at school, I noticed that some of the other kids had things that I didn’t, but still, I never felt like I was missing out. Living with my grandmother, Phyllis Porter, I absorbed many of her qualities. While my mother, Lucianna was there, I was really a “granny’s baby”. Sitting under her and watching the shows she watched on television, I learned a whole lot, including how to cook.”
Phiffany is a graduate of Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, AR. After high school, Phiffany tried several different careers, but entrepreneurship was always in her heart. Soon she moved to San Antonio, TX, and enrolled in Real Estate School. She would make her way back to North Little Rock and continue her studies in Real Estate, and eventually obtain her license to be a realtor. Phiffany also attended Shorter College and graduated with an Associates Degree in Arts and Science in 2017.
Interestingly enough, Phiffany didn’t immediately jump into real estate full-time after obtaining her license. She continued to work for the federal government, but realized that life was very stagnant and she wanted more. After giving birth to her daughter, she jumped into real estate full-time, and her impact was immediately recognized. “In my first year of being a realtor, I volumed half a million dollars in sales in only six months. My first full year 3.5 million dollars. I tell people all of the time that it was nothing but God. I used to tell my grandmother all of the time that I would make my first million before I am thirty-five. Sadly, while I was pregnant, I lost my grandmother. I never really grieved her, and now she is my purpose. I told her what I was going to do, and I want to fulfill that affirmation,” Phiffany says. Fulfilling that promise appears to have been an easy task, as Phiffany has accomplished multimillion-dollar sales each year since beginning in 2021.
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Phiffany shares it’s the opportunity to help families. “I love to see people’s dreams come true. I feel like every client I have helped has become a part of my family. Every transaction has taught me something. I love to help others see their dreams come true. As African Americans, we don’t always get the opportunity to purchase property. When I purchased my first home, I also built my first home. It was a custom build as well. That was a major feat for me, and is an experience that I want to share and make possible for others,” she says.
In her quest to help and serve others, Phiffany has been blessed with memories she shares that will last a lifetime. “My first sale is my most memorable sale. It was a listing in Maumelle, AR. I was so nervous. I had to sell myself and let my client know that I was the right person to help them sell their property. I was ready and I had a plan. I had my pitch prepared, as well as the comparative market analysis, and my client stopped me from talking mid-sentence and told me they believed that I would do everything that I said I would,” she says. Phiffany would go on to sell her client’s home $30,000 over value. That experience, she says, was very scary, but it equipped her with a new level of confidence. “I cried like a baby after closing because I was very proud of myself.”
Being raised by her grandmother, it’s quite understandable that she is the one who has impacted her life the most. Phiffany says she is the person who molded her and shaped her as a God-fearing woman. “My grandmother always told me that I must be a lady first in everything that I do. When I walk into a room, I want others to feel my presence. That is something that my grandmother taught me. She moved that way. She left her grace in every room that she stepped into. I am a hustler at heart, and I hustle with grace and purpose. My grandmother taught me that, too. That is her legacy, and I want to ensure that her legacy continues.”
In my first year of being a realtor, I volumed half a million dollars in sales in only six months. My first full year 3.5 million dollars. I tell people all of the time that it was nothing but God.”
Phiffany also credits her son, Kobe, and daughter, Khori, with impacting her life, and has already involved them in her business. Her son, who is 13, sits in construction meetings with her, which exposes him to the inner workings of business. “I want my kids to see firsthand what confidence looks like and learn what it takes to succeed from my perspective. I don’t want just to tell them, I allow for them to see it firsthand,” she says.
In the field of real estate, there are some challenges that Phiffany has faced. One that she happily admits is getting out of her own way. She adds, “I wasn’t confident in the beginning. I knew I had the skills and the ability, but I wasn’t very confident. Where I come from, I have never seen someone doing what I do. Still today, I am scared because I have so many people looking at me. My kids are watching me, and family and friends that I grew up with are watching me. I don’t want to let them down.”
While there have been challenges, Phiffany says that she appreciates the way things have happened. She also states there isn’t much that she would change, other than not listening to the words and advice of non-believers. Over the course of her career, her strength and confidence have grown because of her faith in God and her belief in His purpose for her life.
In addition to being a realtor and managing her own company, Phiffany & Co., she owns a construction company ERA Development. Phiffany is also a member of the highly successful realtor team with Plush Homes and has her hands involved in a few other things, including serving as a Client Relations Manager for Bisutomodo Entertainment.
For others who may follow a path in life similar to hers, Phiffany offers some sound advice. “You can do whatever you set your heart to, but make sure that it’s your passion, because if it’s your passion, it doesn’t feel like work. I love what I do; the real estate, the music industry, and construction development. I love them all. Things are going to change, but you must be open to that. You have to hustle every day and always have faith,” she says.
Phiffany has accomplished a lot in her young life. Looking ahead, her goals are to do even more, much of which involves helping others. “I want to develop neighborhoods and communities for minorities to live luxuriously but at an affordable cost. I want to be an all-around powerhouse to help people, all people. I grew up with no stability, and I didn’t get my first bed to sleep in until I moved out on my own after graduating from high school. I want to provide those opportunities to others who may be in a similar situation,” Phiffany shares. Using her life’s experiences, Phiffany has plans to publish her first book, There is Purpose with Pain, which is scheduled to be released in 2026.
Mina Alyssa Kennedy
The daughter of Christopher and MacKenzie Kennedy
