Huami Magazine Indianapolis November/December 2020

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Nov./Dec. 2020 Volume 1 Issue 1 FREE

Indianapolis - Nov./Dec. 2020

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

Doors Open, and Doors Will Close There Will Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It! A Letter Editor A Letter Fromfrom Thethe Editor A Letter from the Editor

To say the ifyear of 2020didn’t has been overwhelming would be an What tomorrow arrive?

All of your plans, hopes understatement.

For as long I can remember, and dreams wouldn’t haveas a street to park on. there Whathas if always beeneverything some mystique etched in my mind about the year 2020. that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive?

All of your plans, hopes What will happen?

What won’t happen?

By now, I believe happened?

There would beano reason to save a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have street to park on. for What if that everyone hasyou their own version of put what year has turned out day, and could someone thethe trouble of making everything that youspare decided to off until tomorrow never to be.

I am hoping that 2021 will a much better promises.

What if would your last opportunity expired happened?

There be nohave reason toseemingly save for aoutcome. rainy today? wouldspare you do? day, andWhat you could someone the trouble of making With the onset ofifCovid 19, it’s my interpretation many promises.

What your last opportunity seeminglythat expired I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. today? people mayWhat havewould taken you the do? eventual pandemic for granted. All I feel like am not doing I’m a firm of a Honestly, sudden, and out ofI nowhere, theenough way weand go about our daily believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me I’veinterrupted. been told that I often seem like because I do too much. lives was Can’t go to church of the dangers that I couldn’t handle. sometimes wonderand how would Honestly, I feel like I amISchools not doing I’mlife a firm associated with the virus. areenough closed, businesses have be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to believer knowing that Godeven wouldn’t anything onme. me I been closedin and in some cases, shutput down permanently. haveI found that to bewear very In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t I sometimes wonder howcovering life wouldto Everywhere I go, Ihandle. must aboring. mask or protective is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone.

A challenge be ifthat I chose sitinfected idle and or accept whatinfect it presented to else. me. I ensure I do to get possibly someone to me is an adventure.

What is the worst that can happen? have found that to be very boring.

In my opinion, opportunity Then a new word was even invented as a result of our new way If aI do nothing, if I try I don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI fail, isn’tand afforded to everyone.

Achanged. challenge of living; social distancing.

Oh, how things have something new about myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure.

What is Relinquish the worst that happen? return acquire life.

If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn Even with all of the discourse and confusion, God has something new His about myself.

Relinquish yoursome pridethings and in have continued to show might and power.

While The best advice return acquire life.ever given to me happened when someone been taken away, He has replaced them with even greater ones. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so With the new normal, many business owners including myself I have pressed myever way given through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice to me happened when have been forced to develop new ways of how business is done. hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between told to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so As awhat result, ourblesses businesses have flourished and becomeme even and what cana burden with I haveGod pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key that only more All that am left withwhen to think but between God.and asdynamic. well.

I compare itIto knowing beis,confident hope provided.

I have also learned the to difference whenlife tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what burdenbecause me with I’m excited about what God is preparing for everyone in may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowingsomeone when to be confident and 2021. While we are closing out the when year, we must continue to be with being to bearrogant. quiet, because mindful of all of the things that Godsomeone didn’t allow and may to gethappen, it confused appreciate what He has.

What Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being I continue to learn when happen today, is but mostGod takesimportantly some away, He always make it count.

Make things you tomorrow replaces them with even greater Life is but a whisper and happen today, but most things. one door closes, we When must put ourselves in a importantly make it count. another one will open.

Knowing position to hear what it Life is but a whisper andis telling us.put this,we wemust must stayourselves encouraged in a and continue to pursue purpose. position to hearour what it is Moretelling than us. anything, we must Terry L. Watson always trust God.

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Indianapolis - Nov./Dec. 2020

CONTENTS

NOV./DEC. 2020

INDIANAPOLIS

Speak Life Coaching

Coach William Huff

On The Cover

Miss Indiana University Alexandria Ford

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Savanah Bleu Handbags

Rita Hinton

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T.T.E. Rentals

Torcha’ Berryhill

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Russell (Russ) Pennix

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Also Featured

Dmitri King He is lighting things up in the ATL. Meet the owner and founder of D King Electric.

Atlanta, GA

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Stephanie Carver Through her own hurt and pain, she has developed a program to help other.

Raleigh, NC

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Indianapolis - Nov./Dec. 2020

Sereena Key Do you have a sweet tooth?

Well she can help. Meet the owner of Any Day Desserts, LLC. Grand Prairie, TX HuamiMagazine.com

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Indianapolis - Nov./Dec. 2020

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Kristen Wray Photography If ‘Just Do It’ was a person, Alexandria Ford would be the poster child. Ford is the reigning Miss Indiana University And will quite possibly go on to compete in the Miss Indiana pageant that feeds into the Miss America competition.

It’s unbelievable that Ford did not grow up on the pageant circuit. She participated in a small scholarship pageant as a senior in high school that focused on networking, confidence building, and tips for success in college. She proudly took home the first runner-up accolade but didn’t enter another pageant until her mother encouraged her while in college.

“My mom wanted me to do Miss IU for a while and since I was a senior, it was my last chance.

Even though I didn’t have that much experience, it was really easy to understand the information to compete,” says Ford.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she spent time consulting with her sorority sister, who had previously earned the crown, to ensure she was competition ready. The most important aspect of the pageant is your social impact initiative and Ford was passionate created Female Empowerment; A Seat at the Table.

“It was all about empowering women, especially women of color. Because with my own experiences as a minority in business, it’s very important to instill that confidence especially at a young age.”

The queen thought of the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington and envisioned an after-school program for elementary school students. She planned to implement a mentorship and workshop opportunity to help girls learn about different careers. “Though they live in a college town, many of them never thought about attending college,” says Ford. The program would match the mentee with a mentor in the career field they wanted to explore. The senior presented her idea to the organization and they were excited to execute it.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic surfaced, and the program was postponed. She hopes to reignite it this fall.

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“ “ Another significant category in pageants is talent. What do you do when you don’t necessarily have a traditional talent? You tap into your intellect and find the best part of you to showcase. Ford decided to display her public speaking skills with her own Ted Talk. She used her minute and a half time limit to discuss her female empowerment initiative.

Since winning the crown, Ford has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economic Consulting and International Business. She admits that economics isn’t her favorite, but it was very much needed to pursue a career in management consulting concentrating on Strategy and Operations. She had the ‘Just Do It’ mentality and she did just that. “Most people ask what my major means and it’s basically helping big businesses with strategic goals that they have. It involves modeling different market scenarios.”

Soon the graduate will be relocating to Chicago to work for Deloitte Consulting, with whom she interned for previously. Being a woman of color in an industry dominated by white males is challenging, but Ford has charged herself with changing the tides once she gets to work on the recruiting team. Her main goal is to help create an environment that more minorities would want to be a part of.

After serving as Miss Indiana University, Ford plans to continue her efforts while working in Chicago. She was recently accepted at the Wharton School of Business’ Advance Access Program at the University of Pennsylvania, where she will pursue an MBA, after working for 2-4 years. Her idea is to continue her mentorship with an organization with the same interests. “Hopefully I can help other young girls reach what they want to do in their life.” If she has Alexandria Ford on her team, she’ll be well on her way. h

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LifeLine Unified LLC

Empowering Victims To Survivors

By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Still Shots Photography We are all faced with situations that seemingly will overwhelm and defeat us. We ask God, “Why is this happening to me?” Remember, when life seems out of control that what the devil means for evil Jesus will turn around for good. If you are in the midst of an evil attack by the enemy, realize that the matter is not over yet. If you keep your eyes on the Lord, He will turn the situation around to your good.

Impossible?

At some point in our lives, we will all be faced with situations that will overwhelm us and often leave us feeling defeated in our lives.

Some experiences are so tragic we may even cry out and ask God if He has forsaken us. It is not that He has turned a blind eye; instead, He intends for the experience to be used for His glory. Much like Stephanie Carver’s “Joseph experience” two decades ago which left her feeling emotionally and mentally thwarted and physically bruised. “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” ~ Genesis 50:20 ~NKJ. Stephanie could use this verse as her mantra because through the domestic violence and the sexual assault she suffered she surely wondered, “Why me, Lord?” Now she understands that her mission is far greater than her personal life experience.

Instead of turning from God she listened to His voice and used her experience to educate and empower others who found themselves in similar situations and prevents them from going to that sunken place.

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Much like Joseph, Stephanie has been rewarded for pressing past her pain. At age 47, Carver is a single mom now living her best life with her lifelong friend and now business partner, Lamont Bradsher, coowner and managing partner ofCenterStage In The City. Bradsher’s strength and support have been immeasurable as she empowers any community within the United States with LifeLine Unified, LLC. This organization was established in 2016 to assist women with “safe” survival plans that aide in escaping emotional, mental, and physical abusive relationships.

According to Carver, “It’s common for people to wonder why people don’t just leave abusive relationships. Well, that’s much easier said than done. LifeLine understands that everybody’s “why” is different. In all actuality, most relationships become more volatile when the person who is being abused decides to leave. We don’t judge why people remain in toxic relationships. We’re here to make sure that when they are ready to leave, they can do it in a safe way. We treat each person and their situation on an individual basis because we understand that every situation is different and so are our Safe Survival Plans.

We don’t rush our clients into a decision, but we are here for them when they are ready because “safety” is our number one priority.”

Stephanie is adamant that planning is key to survival. According to Wikipedia, planning is the process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal.

It is the first and foremost activity to achieve desired results. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan, such as psychological aspects that require conceptual skills. This definition is a staple in her organization.

“There’s a right way to leave a toxic environment so you don’t lose your life.

You need to have a plan and that’s just one of the things we do here is help develop successful escape plans. Another program LifeLine Unified offers is called Saving Unborn Children. Clients who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault or molestation can come to us for assistance.

Our organization counsels’ women and provides resources to them so they can have that child and leave it in our care instead of tossing that child into the Continued on the next page

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“There’s a right way to leave a toxic environment so you don’t lose your life. You need to have a plan and that’s just one of the things we do here is help develop successful escape plans.” dumpster or leaving that child in a public restroom on the floor, on an abandoned porch or in a ditch. All over the world women are fighting through the shame of rape, molestation or teenagers who become pregnant because they have given into peer pressure.

That child is a reminder of what happened to them or even what they willingly participated in but cannot handle the repercussion of their action. Instead of dealing with that shame many will have that child, but they will throw that baby away like it’s garbage and those precious babies are not garbage. People need to know that there is another alternative and LifeLine is that alternative.

In addition to our Safe Survival Plans and our Saving Unborn Children program, we also offer a program called, Abstinence Until Marriage or as we like to call it - - ATM. Now this program has a mentor associated with it. Each person receives an “ATM” card that has their name and a vision scripture on the front. On the back of the card is the name and number of a person you can call should you find yourself in a situation where you are about to give in to a moment of passion. I know that this is not a popular topic because if we talk about it, we have to be about it. I strongly advocate for abstinence until marriage, so nobody has to have the experience of having an abortion.”

Stephanie works hand-in-hand with local abortion clinics when patients decide abortion is not the right choice. She does this because she knows that there are thousands of loving families waiting to receive infants in their homes so they can live the life God has ordained for them.

Unfortunately, in 2020, North Carolina has recorded 29,500 abortions to date and numbers continue to rise. The good thing overall is that the United States abortion rate is steadily decreasing from its’ 862,360 recorded in 2017. LifeLineUnified would like to see the rate of adoption rise worldwide. Carver shares, “It is important that the youth understand how their actions can affect their lives. They struggle with “puppy love” and they have sex far to early without understanding the complexities associated with sex like soul ties. If we want our youth to stand, the adults must stand up and have these conversations.” Carver states over 80% of her clients would have had a different outcome if the couple would have practiced abstinence.

Abstinence or Celibacy affords couples the opportunity of getting to know one another intimately. Intimacy is so much greater than sex. Teenagers and even some adults do not understand that. Celebrities like Russel Wilson and Ciara, Devon Franklin and Megan Goode, Tim Tebow and Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters just to name a few, lived a life of abstinence before marriage.

Why give your body to someone that has no intention of marrying you. You’re setting yourself up for pain, heart ache, depression and these crazy fatal attraction breakups that lead to death! My dream is that we as a community learn to be proactive on the front end before the problem, instead of finding solutions after the problem. Self-love is real and you should want to save yourself for the person God wants you to spend the rest of your life with. Here at LifeLine we promote self-love and abstinence so that our clients can see themselves in their future experiencing healthy relationships on all levels. I believe in living and teaching by example. My life, and my relationship with God, and personal relationships with others are examples. I don’t sit in the seat of judgement on anyone’s personal beliefs. I provide these services because I know firsthand that there is a need for them. Someone tossed me a “LifeLine” and let me tell you that I am grateful for it because now I have the opportunity to pay it forward.” h

Stephanie Carver Certified Community Advocate LifeLine Unified LLC Life Line Unified. Empowering Victims To Survivors.

Call or Text 919-791-5546 anytime day or night.

All calls and text are confidential.

All services are FREE! Choose Life!

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Indianapolis - Nov./Dec. 2020

Russell (Russ) Pennix

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

The son of Crystal Adkins-Pennix and Rufus Pennix

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

Torcha Berryhill T.T.E. RENTALS

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by T.T.E. Rentals Are you planning an event in the DFW area, there is someone who can help you organize it.

Torcha’ Berryhill of Dallas, TX is the owner of T.T.E. Rentals (Tents, Tables, and Etc.) Her company is a black woman owned business that provides local and affordable party essentials to the DFW area. These items include tables, chairs, tents, bounce houses, and more.

Torcha’ describes herself as a work in progress. Her greatest gift she shares is being a single mother and showing her children that faith without works is dead.

T.T.E. Rentals is a stable and constantly growing business. It actually started when Torcha’ began purchasing tables and chairs about two years ago. When the moment came for her to add more diverse products to her business, she did some research on what she wanted to offer, and played around with a few different names.

In June of this year, she took a leap of faith by creating a flyer for her business with a price list and posted it on her social media pages. “I didn’t expect for it to take off as fast as it has, but I am so excited and blessed for the opportunity to be able to service the DFW metroplex,” she says.

682-310-7891 www.tterentals.com

As a business owner, Torcha’ has enjoyed some benefits of entrepreneurship. There are some things that she really loves about it as well. One of them is being able to service people and helping them enjoy some of the most memorable moments in their lives. She has also faced her share of challenges in business. “Has it been a smooth road? Not at all. I have lost a few friends, and I’ve had some sleepless nights and had some empty stomachs. Most of the challenges and stresses come from doubting myself and becoming overwhelmed from the doubt I’ve created,” she shares. “It’s a work in progress though. I’m coming up on my fifth month in business and I am truly learning from my mistakes.”

The reasons for her drive are understandably, her children. “My inspiration comes from my children. They give me the drive and motivation to push forward with anything. They are always so supportive and happy to see me doing business. I catch them passing out my flyers and telling people about my business,” she says.

Moving forward, T0rcha’ has plans to expand her inventory so that T.T.E. Rentals can be capable of servicing more clients, and even bigger events that may take place in the DFW Metroplex. Her advice to others who may follow in footsteps is to hang in there and do not give up. “If it is truly your passion, you should not allow yourself to be discouraged by what other people are doing.

They don’t have you. I never thought I would be actually doing what I said I would be doing, and be successful at it, but I am,” she says. h

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Any Day Desserts, LLC

By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Erica Ms. Precious McGee and DPhotography817 There is something about a good slice of cake. If it’s sweet, then it’s good. Yet, if it’s made with love and compassion, then it’s probably delicious. That is exactly what Sereena Key of Any Day Desserts, LLC is doing in Grand Prairie, TX.

Sereena says that Any Day Desserts are homemade sweet treats that people love, and will fall in love with after that first bite. “This happens because I make it all with love. I take something that can be bought in stores and make it myself. Things like cake flour, buttermilk, caramel sauce, fruit toppings, honey, pie crust, caster sugar, and frosting are all homemade by me. Because I take the time to make these items homemade makes a big difference in taste. Currently I operate a home-based business for now and only take local orders from customers that can pick them up. I do offer delivery for orders that are $15 and up, and within 15 miles from my address for a flat fee. Anything over 15 miles would be a little more in pricing. I also have desserts for vegans and for diabetics,” she says.

How did Any Day Desserts, LLC begin? “I love finding new things to discover about myself. One thing that I just discovered is my passion for baking. This is something that I do without hesitation, and I enjoy everything about it,” she says. The idea to bake came almost out of nowhere, as Sereena explains. “I was in bed on the night of November 19, 2019. I was thinking about my life and the direction I wanted to go in. I was a ‘jack of all trades’ kind of a person and remembered the time I made a homemade pecan pie, with a homemade crust. I took a picture of it and I decided to post it in a Facebook group, Detroiters In Dallas (DID). The very next day I started to get a lot of orders in. I could not believe the amount of support I received. It was a breath of fresh air. By Thanksgiving and Christmas, I had orders coming in from all parts of Facebook, and I knew then that I needed to take my idea to the next level,” she says.

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Sereena is best described as someone who is very kind, loving, and understanding. She was born in Nyack, New York and raised in Spring Valley, New York. Along with her mother and two older siblings, she relocated to Detroit, MI. Over the next few years she moved back and forth between New York and Detroit, and she considers them both to be home. At the age of 18, she moved to Atterbury, IN for school. By the age of 22, she made the decision to move to move to Minnesota for school at Hubert H. Humphery Job corps. “I found my place and a life for myself there. After a year, I left Hubert H. Humphery with my GED, CNA license, and Business Technology certificate and decided to stay in Minnesota to live. It was rocky in the beginning, yet Minnesota became my home for 14 years after making friends, and finding love,” she says. However, she found herself in a repetitive cycle, and doing the same thing, year after year. It appeared that all life had to offer me was work, pay bills, so that I could keep a roof over my head. “After having love break my heart, I decided It was time for me to get off that hamster wheel, and so I decided to move to Texas.”

Sereena had never been to Texas. Still she made the decision to move there. She wanted to become a home owner. “Moving to Texas by myself wasn’t the plan but I do believe it was God’s plan. I always say everything happens for a reason,” she says. Her decision to move was confirmed after receiving a job offer at a hospital in Texas in 2018. She knew that it was time to stop holding herself in Minnesota, and after speaking with God, she began putting things in motion to make the move. “For the month of November, I worked my butt off and sold everything. I packed up my car and on December 8th, 2018, along with a good friend, I drove 15 hours to Texas,” she says. Now at the age of 37, Sereena is a independent black woman with tons of ambition, determination, and drive.

The idea of turning her passion into a business still had not been decided for Sereena. After the holidays in 2019, she went back to her normal routine of working as a rehabilitation technician for Pate rehabilitation center. She didn’t focus on baking again until May 2020, as a result of being quarantined due to the Covid 19 pandemic. “Having to stay inside offered me the best opportunity to jump back into baking.

I focused more on making desserts and finding new cakes to make. Though I was happy with baking, I wasn’t sure about making this a full time job for myself,” she says.

During the first week of August in 2019, Sereena took a little getaway to a ranch. There was nothing there but animals and peace. This experience provided her time to think freely on life and what she really wanted and what made her happy. She determined that baking was her passion, so when she got back home she took the first steps on taking her passion to the next level. On September 23rd 2020, Any Day Desserts, LLC was born.

“What I love must about my business Is when someone shares they cannot believe what they are tasting. To be able to make someone’s day with my desserts, makes me happy. When you have a customer tip you because they believe what they just tasted is worth more then what they paid for, brings me joy. To have my customers text me back 20 minutes or even three days later to let me know how much they enjoyed it, makes it all worth it,” she says.

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Sereena is inspired by the positive energy from the citizens of Texas. “Seeing so many black owned businesses here has inspired me.

Witnessing the love and support that we give each other In our community made me look at things differently. I have never seen anything like it before. Seeing people grind and hustle for their own business, for a better life and living made me want to be a part of it. It made me jump off of that hamster wheel. I have always been that person that has worked day in and day out, the one that always pulled doubles.

I’ve had job as a CNA, working with environmental service, working on a cruise ship, and as a rehab tech. I’ve had my fair share of jobs just like I have had my fair share of ups and downs. Having God introduced into my life at the age of nine saved me. At times I question why things was happening to me at such a young age. Why put me through the horrible things, but each Sunday I when I went to the Kingdom Hall, it was like He was speaking to me. He kept me alive. If I didn’t have God in my life at that time, I truly believe that I would not be here.

There was a time where I would cry when I talked about the things that I have been through at such a young age, and now I can talk about it with power in my voice,” she says.

The future looks very bright for Any Day Desserts, LLC. Sereena says her goal is to include shipping with her services, and to open her own bakery by the summer of 2021. “My overall dream is to have my own pie crust in all stores so when the holidays roll around, or just for any day, you can go and pick one up. Some people may think that’s reaching too far but I don’t. I believe that we must reach as far as you can and believe in yourself always. You should never give up on yourself. If you have the will, ambition, motivation, and a plan, I say go for it. Get off that hamster wheel and push yourself to the max. I have been blessed with this talent and I plan on making Any Day Desserts for years to come,” she says. h

Any Day Desserts, LLC

“Everything Homemade” 1450 N. Hwy 360 - Building 11 Grand Prairie, TX 75050 817-808-3734 www.anydaydesserts.com www.any-day-desserts.square.site 24

Indianapolis - Nov./Dec. 2020

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D KING ELECTRIC

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton - Photos by Khi Visualz

The trajectory of your life is usually determined by the decisions you make for yourself and the odds that may be stacked against you despite those decisions. Unsurprisingly, black men tend to face these odds at a larger rate than any other ethnic category.

In high school, in Greensboro, NC, Dmitri King was traveling down the wrong path. He was hanging out with friends late at night, taking the family car without permission, and eventually ran into trouble that he couldn’t escape. After he graduated, not much changed. Things got worse even. He and his stepfather weren’t getting along due to his constant mischief and eventually he was kicked out of the house. A close friend and his family took him in and for years it seemed his life was turning around…until he got arrested and thrown in jail.

While spending time behind bars, King received a phone call from a close cousin that would change his life more than he could’ve ever imagined.

“My cousin came and bailed me out and asked me was I ready to leave Greensboro, NC now. I knew I couldn’t keep doing what I was doing. So not only did he pay my bail, but he paid to rent a moving truck, packed up all my stuff and brought me and my son down to Buford, GA put us up, and put me to work that week,” King explains. He is beyond grateful to his cousin and freely admits that he could never repay him for giving him the career he currently has and a new lease on life almost two decades ago. Perhaps he’s reimbursing him by following in his cousin’s footsteps and being a successful businessman.

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King’s cousin owned an independent electrical business and taught him almost everything he knew at the time. The New Jersey native absorbed as much knowledge as he could and moved on to another company where he worked alongside seasoned electricians who poured into him. Years later he transitioned to another cousin’s business, expanding his knowledge base even further.

“I learned on three different levels and learned three different ways to run a business. They were all so smart and took their time to teach me everything about wiring and lighting and all of that,” says King.

In 2010 King felt he’d had enough hands on experience to branch out and start a business of his own. He became a Certified Electrician and opened DKing Electric, LLC under the parent company Metro Atlanta Electrical, LLC. It wasn’t easy for me, but it wasn’t that difficult because I had support.”

When one of his former employers changed directions to focus solely on commercial contracts, he referred two of his biggest residential clients to King because of his talent and the level of trust in his work.

King met several more loyal clients who gave excellent references so it wasn’t long before his clientele began to grow. Popular nightclub owners, restaurant owners, and new construction home builders all across the area came calling and then connected him with others. Soon he had more clients than he could handle. That push only made him work harder, hire more workers, and make more money.

The once troubled kid perfected his craft and is proud that he can wire an entire home by himself from ‘top to bottom’.

Fortunately, he’s so busy with inspections, contracts, and clients that he doesn’t have time to do that anymore. He hires professionals whose work is just as thorough as his, so he can trust them to do a job when he’s not there. He’s currently training another cousin to one day take the rein or at the least, be his backup.

“You’re only as good as the people you hire so I make sure I employ smart people who know what they’re doing.”

A typical day for King consists of driving from city to city, managing projects and the variety of work that has to be done on each job. “The biggest part of my day, really, is going to a [home improvement] store several times! Easy. There isn’t a day when I’m not there at least twice. Sometimes five or six times in a day.

So much that I should purchase stock!” he laughed.

As busy as it is and as intricate as it can be, King can’t imagine where he would be without DKing Electric, LLC. It’s like the heart of his family. His wife lends her time to the business by handling the bookkeeping and much of the paperwork and he manages the field. His 24 year old son helps out from time to time but has his sights set on entertainment for now. His bonus-daughter watches from afar.

“You’re only as good as the people you hire so I make sure I employ smart people who know what they’re doing.”

The life-saving cousins King embarked on this journey with have now expanded to being builders and restaurant owners, and he is itching to do the same. Don’t be surprised to soon see Dmitri King’s name on something bigger and better around the Atlanta area. Whatever it is, it will be lit. Literally. h Indianapolis - Nov./Dec. 2020

D King Electric 678-791-3314 www.dkingelectric.com HuamiMagazine.com

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Rita Hinton

By Terry L. Watson Photos by David Gort Modeling by Troinesha M. Webb There are some things that you do not mess with when it comes to lady. The most important one to remember; don’t mess around with her purse, pocketbook, or handbag.

Rita Hinton of Dallas, TX has embraced this notion and made a business out of it.

She is the CEO of Savanah Bleu, a retailer that specializes in designer style handbags without the designer price tag. She is quick to point out that she doesn’t sell any kind of “brand name” handbag. “My styles are big brands, and have the same quality. I specialize in vegan leather, faux leather, and genuine leather,” she says.

Rita can be best described as someone who is dynamic and determined. She is the middle child of Ray and Dorothy Hall and was born in Dallas, TX in April of 1969 and raised in a small town in West Texas. She has always been ambitious and independent in her thinking. At the age of 50, she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Small Business from the University of Pheonix.

Rita shares that she is a hard worker who has decided to work hard for myself. Her entrepreneurial experience began with her selling jewelry. “I love jewelry, accessories, and fashion. When I dressed up, women would always ask me where I purchased my jewelry, or my handbag, and sometimes even my attire. One day I was sitting at a restaurant eating lunch, and a young lady approached me and asked where did I purchased my earrings. I couldn’t remember because I had them for quite a while.

However, she asked to purchase them right off of my ears. And so it began,” she says.

Savanah Bleu Handbags was launched in 2009. Rita began by first dipping her hand in selling costume jewelry. She then added handbags and soon it became her bestselling product. She shares what has helped her business more than anything are the prices. “I’ve always told myself that I would not put a price on a bag that I myself could not afford. I firmly believe that every woman should be able to afford a nice quality handbag. Therefore, my prices are for all incomes and my target group are women that want to look good, stylish, and classy.”

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There are a few key factors that help to make Savanah Bleu successful. Rita shares that two of the key ingredients are superb products and great customer service.

“Handbags are my thing and I love selling them. I believe that you must love what you do, and equally love what you sell.

You must also love your customers, even on the bad days. I believe in providing my customers with quality. Savanah Bleu offers quality, all the time. Quality merchandise, quality prices, and quality customer service.”

Rita has also been successful because she is committed to meeting the needs of her clients. “I’ve worked in customer service for more than 20 years, and throughout the years I have learned that customers love to be pampered and appreciated. Although my business is an online business, I am available at any time. My clients have full access to me, 24 hours a day. Even if it’s just to say hello, I am there. I maintain a personable relationship with all my clients which has proven to work well. I have the best customers this industry offers,” she says.

Though Rita finds inspiration in many things, she says her mother inspires her the most. “She passed away in 2014, but before then she instilled in me to always do well, be good to people, and to always put family first. The next person would be my father. He taught me to always be myself.

He told me that even if I try to be or act like someone else, not everyone will like you.

It’s best to just be you and let the chips fall where they may when it comes to others and their opinions of you,” she says. She lost her father on Valentine’s Day of this year, and with both of her parents gone, she has pushed herself to take my business to the next level and to live life to the fullest.

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Like most businesses, Savanah Bleu has faced its share of challenges. The biggest one Rita shares is consistency.

“I’ve learned I will not make money every day, and sometimes not even every week.

Still, I cannot let that discourage me from continuing with growing my business.

There are times that I make absolutely nothing, and the next week I can’t keep stock or restock fast enough. I have learned that working for yourself is not easy. I understand that one must put in just as much effort and time into owning a business as you would working for someone else. It is a constant perpetuation of time, effort, and research,” she says.

“I had a great experience with Savanah Bleu. I asked about a purse that was out of stock, but they happened to have one left. I ordered it Saturday and received it Monday. It’s just as beautiful as the picture on the website. I can’t wait to show it off. I’m very happy with my purchase and will definitely be back. Don’t think about it ladies, get the bag!”

Customer Review In the future, Rita plans to continue to build Savanah Bleu into a reputable company. She is currently working on her men’s line, Savanahbleu4him, which will offer men’s jewelry and accessories. It is scheduled to launch in November 2020.

Savanah Bleu

www.savanahbleu.com (469) 509-5982 savanahbleu@yahoo.com

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She also offers some advice to others who may follow in her footsteps in regards to entrepreneurship and business. “Follow your dreams. Even if you must keep starting over, never give up on you. Nothing happens overnight and anything you want, you must want to work to get it. Nothing will be given to you which makes obtaining it all the better. Good luck and you can do it!”

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Coach

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Maya Todd William Huff, aka Coach William Huff is the co-founder of Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching. Along with his wife Promises, they focus on providing Total Life Coaching services that address concerns within individuals reaching their goals mentally, physically, financially, socially, and professionally. Their life coaching packages include services and products such as direct one-on-one coaching (via phone or virtually) sessions, personal Speak Life Journal, customized plans, copies of Speak Life Literature, gifted Speak Life Swag Bags, special discounts within programs, and certificates of completion.

The dynamic duo officially started Speak Life in March 2020. “I have been life coaching since 2004. As an educator and athletic coach, I found myself coaching young kids, both middle and high school, and some adults in making real life decisions for the best positive result possible,” he shares.

Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching host a number of influential in-house programs such as FIME (First Impressions Mean Everything) Business Marketing Solutions, a graphic designs and production program offering services such as customized logos, business cards, flyers, business plans/proposals, websites, book publishing, and more. They also offer We Are One (1) Investment Group, a financial coaching program offering services to build financial wealth portfolios. The portfolios include a confidential financial plan, education towards debt elimination, income protection, legal services, insurances, investments, real estate, and income opportunities.

There is the My Health Matters, serves as an accountability program offering health tips, virtual workout groups, health coaching, and more.

Coach Huff first and foremost is a child of God. He is a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend, and citizen. He is a reflection of amazing parenting that installed respect, humility, morals, and comedy. His mother, Phyllis Huff, and father, Charles Huff raised him to be a family man who is dedicated to leaving a legacy for future generations. He is an educator that aides and assists young coachable minds with maturing into their goals and dreams. His coaching arm has grown to that of athletics coach, a Certified Life, Business, Entrepreneurship, Financial, Marriage, and Family Coach.

Coach Huff is loyal, honest, humble, genuine, real, and a servant at heart. His love for people is paramount in his quest to answering his call. “I’m a Black King and a billionaire in the making. I choose to uplift and encourage my brothers to step into their kingship and live their destiny. I am who God says I am. I am Coach William Huff,” he says.

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What keeps the wheels turning in Coach Huffs’ life one might ask? He is quick to credit his wife and business partner, Promises.

“My wife, hands down. I wish everyone could see what she means to my life. God blessed me with the perfect wife. She is truly my diamond, my jewel, and my rock, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. She speaks life into the king in me and handles me as a King should be handled by his Queen. She is the best part of me. She is priceless. Without her, there is no telling where I would be,” he says. He also acknowledges his mother, Phyllis Huff for playing a huge role in his life. “She was my very first super hero. She taught me how to endure, stay humble, keep moving, and be clutch for my family and those around me,” he says. Currently, his mother isn’t in good health and a portion of their proceeds are going towards research in establishing a cure for Dementia and Alzheimer’s. His father he says, taught him to stand as his own man, and to protect and defend his wife and kids. “He taught me to stand up for what I believe in, and to always treat others with love, respect, and care. Through all the ups and downs of my life, whether we agreed or disagreed, he has always been a father to me and for me. I love you mom and dad,” he shares.

The opportunities that his career offers are very rewarding, Coach Huff says. He loves the fact that he’s stepping and operating in what God wanted and instructed him to do. “I’m able to witness clients’ transformations to living a better them. I enjoy the simplicity of our operations. We do not offer employment or job openings. Instead, we offer entrepreneurship and partnership opportunities. In this manner, as we assist others grow their business, our business grows as well,” he says.

“I’m a Black King and a billionaire in the making.

I choose to uplift and encourage my brothers to step into their kingship and live their destiny. I am who God says I am. I am Coach William Huff.”

There are many great things that are happening in the future for Speak Life Mentorship and Life Coaching. They are launching a new virtual talk show to showcase new businesses today. The show is entitled “Whatcha GOT”. This platform will serve as a resource for new businesses to market, promote, and advertise their business as a guest on the show, an advertisement slots in their commercial segments, or both. It is a partnership to increase the awareness of their clients businesses, promote their growith, and as they grow, so will Speak Life. They are also producing another virtual talk show entitled “Let’s Talk Tuesdays”. This show serves as a platform for us adults to have real discussions about their everyday issues ranging in topics of dealing with procrastination, marriages built on true friendship, women, men, single mothers, single fathers, responsibilities, being black in America, and more.

They also have a reality show in the making to be tied to their ‘My Health Matters’ program. The show will be an opportunity to build a community of people who struggle with weight loss, and who are willing to work together to hold each other accountable in order to build a more health cautious population. Lastly, Coach Huff has coauthored a book with his wife, “You Were Built For This”. His second book is scheduled to be released in early 2021. h

Coach William Huff Certified Life, Business, Entrepreneurial, Marriage, and Family Coach Speak Life Mentorship and Life Coaching 662-477-7351 www.speaklifemc.org 36

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Diamond Ayala

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Diamond Ayala

It is all about the Diamond Ayala Universe.

Diamond Ayala was born and raised in New York City.

She was adopted at the age of six. At a young age she was diagnosed with ADHD, and a result of this she was placed in a special education setting. Little did the doctors know, but Diamond was very smart, and was honestly being abused at home. Through the years, Diamond battled depression and suicidal thoughts.

When Diamond Ayala went to the eighth grade, a wonderful teacher noticed her brains rather than her behavior. That was the day that she began her journey to success.

Diamond is now a mother, entrepreneur, life coach, and motivational speaker. She is also the owner of Diamond Ayala Universe, Ceo of Butterflyskylashes, and the Assistant Director Of Maleeya Inc. She launched Diamond Ayala Universe in 2017, and Butterflyskylashes in 2020. Her primary focus with the Diamond Ayala Universe brand is that of an author. She has published a book that is currently available on Amazon titled, How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy At Any Age. She also has a Youtube channel that offers weekly morning posts for motivation. Some other services offered there are exposure for business owners and up and coming entrepreneurs.

Butterflysky Lashes is a new business where Diamond will sell products for adults and children. These include natural looking lashes, and natural hair products. “All kings and queens can benefit from Diamond Ayala Universe,” she says. “With all that we have to offer, many queens and princess will be able to benefit from our natural product line of lashes and hair.”

As a business owner, Diamond says she loves the opportunity it provides her to give kings and queens around the world the confidence to feel good and happy, but mostly change their way of thinking, and life as well. She finds inspiration in God and herself. “My ancestors, along with my daughter and my significant other, and those who support me. I am grateful for them all. I thank my significant other for looking me in my eyes in 2017 and telling me that I am more than someone who will work for someone else.” She also credits Chef Carlos Brown for helping her with business ideas.

Diamond shares that her success in business has been possible mainly due to her ability to stand apart. “I don’t offer anything that I have never experienced. Diamond Ayala Universe goal is to motivate and help men, women, and children live the life they want to live. In addition to the YouTube videos, books, and music she offers, there are also one on one sessions for weight loss, healing, pregnancy tips, fashion, and skin care.

Though her business is still fairly new, Diamond is already forecasting a few ideas for the future. “My plans are to continue helping millions of Kings and Queens around the world with morning motivation and more. There will be a lot more of mommy and me merchandise and music available as well, she shares.

There are also plans for a release date for Butterflyskylases and its products in the near future. h

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