Huami Magazine Memphis January/February 2020

MEMPHIS

Jan./Feb. 2020 Vol. 2 Issue 3 FREE

VEnhancing anessa Terry Education Memphis - January/February 2020

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

Don’t Just Talk About It, Be About It

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

A Letter Fromfrom Thethe Editor A Letter Editor

we never allow ourselves to experience the things that AIfLetter from the Editor

we imagine, are notdidn’t really arrive? living our according to What if we tomorrow Alllives of your plans, hopes what God purposed us for.

To achieve the impossible requires and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if fortitude determination.

You must be willing tonever let go everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow Whatand if tomorrow didn’t arrive?

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That is the promises. your last opportunity seemingly expired moment of which athat dream grows its wings and flight. I I’ve been told I often seem like I do tootakes much. today?

What would you do? might say that I would like to lose 40 pounds of body Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a weight firm this year, but iftold I never do anything that getting me believer in knowing that God seem wouldn’t put on me I’ve been that I often likerelates I do anything tootomuch. that couldn’t handle.

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A challenge something new about myself.

Relinquish your pride and in Inme 2020, I have decidedWhat not to a lotthat of resolutions. to is an adventure. is make the worst can happen? return acquire life.

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Instead, I believe that if I Relinquish attempt toyour live apride moreand positive The best advice ever given toroom me happened when someone return acquire life. lifestyle, there will be little or no for negativity.

In terms mepositive, to makethe mythings tomorrow today. InI doing so to oftold being that happen seem impossible am going I have pressed way given through doors with a key that only The best advice ever to me happened when someone approach with a my possible mindset.

Doors that may look closed, hope provided.

I have also learned the difference between told me to make my tomorrow happen today.

In doing so I am going to knock on them anyway with expectation. They blesses and what cana burden with Iwhat have pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key thatme only have toGod open. as well.

I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided.

I have learned the to difference between when tocan be quiet, what God blesses me action with and what life burden me with The most important that we can make thisbecause year someone may get it confused as well.

I compare it to knowing when to be confident andto requires no action at all. To get to where we are dreaming with arrogant. to be quiet,that because go, we must allow God to lead us.when Life being has proven the someone may get it confused navigational system created by tomorrow arrogant. man with is Make fullbeing of you flaws and will all happen today, most too often lead us tobut a dead end. make count.

Make you and tomorrow If weimportantly just sit still beitpatient, Life isGod but a whisper and happen today, butfor most and trust to work us, we mustthat putmake ourselves in awill it count. everyimportantly dream we ever had position to hear what it is Life is but a whisper and become a reality. telling us. we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is All that matters is what God has telling planned forus. our lives. If we dream it and giveTerry it backL.toWatson God, we are then livingEditor/Founder a truly a purposed life.

www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief

Terry L. Watson www.huamimagazine.com Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Editor In Chief

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Memphis - January/February 2020

CONTENTS

JAN./FEB. 2020

MEMPHIS

Tanika Dean 08

Tanika Dean & Co.

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On The Cover

Enhancing Education Vanessa Terry

It’s Music To My Ears

Cameron Tillman

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The Black Man Can

Brain M. Frame

BPolished Beauty Supply

Frankesha Watkins

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Also Featured

Deanna Smith Meet the face of Exclusive One Realty, LLC. Charlotte, NC

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Sasha A. Ridley Life Coach and Entrepreneur Meet the face behind Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises, LLC

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Memphis - January/February 2020

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

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Vanessa Terry

By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Vanessa Terry

Vanessa Terry of Richmond, Va. is a dynamic businesswoman who enjoys sharing her knowledge and wisdom with her community and abroad. She is an entrepreneur who owns several businesses in Richmond and the surrounding areas, and still finds a balance between family and work. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York and born to immigrant parents. She learned at an early age the value of hard work and endurance. She is also someone who values building productive relationships with individuals and organizations, all with the intention of impacting the world for a better good.

Vanessa is also the founder of Enhancing Education, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It began in 2012 in Richmond, Virginia with the mission of providing supplemental supplies and materials to schools and students. Her organization also interacts directly with teachers and students to provide additional services such as food, and clothing to the families of students. Enhancing Education holds community events to teach, engage, and encourage residents to positively interact with businesses, organizations and community leaders.

“I started Enhancing Education in 2012 when I realized I could make a difference in the school systems to help but an end to the school to prison pipeline. Many schools are underfunded and lack the resources needed to provide an adequate education. In addition, many of the students attending these schools are coming from poverty-stricken environments with greater needs that if met would allow the student to positively perform in the classroom,” she shares.

Vanessa is driven by the positive difference Enhancing Education is making in the lives of others. “Every time I can provide a service or item, or just give a hug to one of these precious babies, it makes what I do worth every second,” she shares.

Vanessa also provides business and life coaching online and notary/signing agent training through an online training platform, Notary2Notary.

Like most entrepreneurs, Vanessa faces several challenges. One of the main challenges she shares is learning the ever-changing technology and marketing systems. “I am a firm believer in that for any business to be successful, it must master the marketing systems and current technology tools available. This is not something that is just learned once, as it changes consistently and one must stay abreast of the changes and adapt their business model to not only keep up with the competition, but to stay ahead dominate their field,” she says.

Vanessa says her children inspire her the most. “They are my ‘why’ when I am exhausted and need to stay up and finish working on a project. I work to provide them with a life of opportunity and options that I was not afforded as a young child. For example, if my children decide to go to college, they will learn how to apply for scholarships, but I also desire to have the capacity to pay for their college tuition to prevent the common hamstringing burden of student loan debt. I am inspired most to give my children options in life.”

Everything Vanessa has endured and every person she has met has added another piece to this puzzle she calls “life”. “My journey is valuable and unique to me, although it has had its up and downs, I wouldn’t change anything except maybe if I could go back and know everything that I know now, when I was 18 years old,” she says. h

www.enhancingedu.org

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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Katrina Wize Artrophogy Tanika Dean is as humble as they come and her ultimate goal is to help others as often as she can. She is a visionary who understands the everyday struggles of juggling multiple responsibilities. For years she has managed to operate two child care facilities, serve as co-auxiliary instructor of Golden Delight for NC A&T marching band, serve her local community in various ways, mentor emerging entrepreneurs, and pose a role model for young girls learning dance through her performing arts studio, Twirling Divas.

Twirling Divas allows its students to take a variety of movement classes, including tumbling, liturgical dance, hip hop, flag/ ribbon/baton twirling and a host of other skills and activities for one price. Over the years, her dance company has accumulated an enormous number of items left over from the countless shows she has produced since her studio doors opened almost a decade ago. Soon, they’ll be utilized in wonderful ways.

Dean has lived a life of giving; finding it more rewarding to give than to receive.

She has worked to help many individuals overcome struggles in a quest to reach their full potential. She believes that meeting a need is more than just giving or doing; it’s about serving others with compassion, dignity, and doing so with reasonable rates so that the majority can participate.

These principles are the basis for which each organization Dean owns operates.

Affordable, high quality services with compassion at every level. This year, Trendy Dancewear, a new business venture of Dean’s will carry out her business philosophy.

“I make a lot of the students’ costumes and I purchase extra material, extra shoes, tights, leotards, and everything they need.

So, I have a whole stockroom full of items,” Dean explains. In years past, she would either donate the items to another studio or sell them at an extremely low price so that parents weren’t forced to spend so much out of pocket.

With the abundance of items and her innovative mind, it makes perfect sense to put them all to good use. Beginning in January, Dean will open the doors to her motion-wear boutique, Trendy Dancewear, serving those who participate in dance, cheer, and gymnastics and would like to purchase costumes at a lower cost. She will also offer studios the opportunity to order brand new costumes, leotards, tights, dance shoes, and hair accessories at wholesale, with little mark-up, a much different practice than many other retail stores. Sometimes the cost of these items alone have left students unable to participate. Dean doesn’t want that to be the issues for any students in the performing arts.

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In the past, Dean has assisted parents when they want to trade costumes with each other since they tend to get minimal use out of them. Now, Trendy Dancewear will host an official ‘Swap Meet’ where parents can trade items of different sizes and styles for what they currently need.

“It’s about giving back and helping the community,” says Dean. “My goal isn’t to make a huge profit off of this. And what money I do make will be invested right back into the students,” she says.

As a parent, herself, she knows how important it is to find quality and affordable goods and services. Her daughter, a third-year college student majoring in history and political science and minoring in leadership, grew up in the dance studio, and her son, who started at the Educational Playtime Too Inc. as in infant, is so familiar with it that he can operate it just about as smoothly as his mother can. Don’t be surprised if you find him taking orders when the store opens or sorting merchandise when it’s delivered.

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Trendy Dancewear will also offer onsite custom printing and design and custom embroidery services. Because Dean is such an advocate of entrepreneurship and a mentor to so many, this is another path she’s helping pave for a business owner to offer their clients a service that can be difficult to find. These two services will not only be offered to her customers but will be available to anyone who needs it. YOUnique Designs and Deans Custom Apparel will be available within Trendy Dancewear also.

To prepare for her grand opening, Dean and her team have been feverishly reconstructing the workroom and designing the boutique from floor to ceiling. She has proudly obtained all necessary licensing and is putting the finishing touches on her website and social media site for online ordering.

Her parents have volunteered to run the store during its Saturday-only hours. When asked about her passion for helping others find their happy, the former dancer doesn’t hesitate in explaining who her main influences were.

“As a kid, there was a man who resided on the eastside of Greensboro named Mr. Bright. He ran a program called AYD where he offered dance, step team, baton twirling, dirt bike racing, and all types of things. It kept the kids together and out of trouble. And then my passion for children, I learned over the years, came from my great-grandmother who had an in-home daycare on Benbow Road. She used to keep the children of professors who worked at A&T.” So, Dean has impressively filled the shoes of those who unknowingly mentored her through the years and continues to blaze a trail that others can follow.

The pages would be endless if this story mentioned all that Tanika Dean does for her friends, family, and even strangers who are referred to her. From the weddings to the baby showers that she lends her time, resources, and talent to, God h notices. And when you’re blessed by the most high, you take pride in quietly blessing others.

Tanika Dean & Co. 336.587.7269 www.tanikadean.com 13

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By Crystal Kelly Photos by Cameron Tillman Cameron J. Tillman (Cam) is a young and talented jazz and gospel musician. He has recently relocated to Atlanta, GA. He was born on May 15, 2005, in Hartford, CT. He is the only child to his single mother, Crystal Kelly.

As a young child Cam has enjoyed music. At church he would sing and play on the drums. At the age of four he received a trombone as a birthday gift. He was encouraged to learn to play the trombone because it is one of the instruments featured on the brass shout bands at his church, The United House of Prayer for All People. Cameron reluctantly did not want to play the trombone because he felt that it was too hard to pick up and learn and he could not get the hang of it.

He decided to learn to play the snare drum instead because he picked it up faster than the trombone.

By the age of six, Cameron asked his mom if he could take lessons to play the saxophone. She declined because he already had a trombone that he never used and he refused to learn how to play it. Plus, she did not want to spend the extra money on another instrument if he was not going to actually learn how to play it. She decided to make him a deal; she said, “if you learn how to play your trombone first, then you can switch to another instrument.” Cameron decided to dedicate himself to learning how to play his trombone. He became determined to play it just enough to satisfy his mother so that he could switch to the saxophone.

As he began getting better playing his horn, he decided to join his elementary school band at John F. Kennedy Elementary in Windsor, CT, in addition he continued to play with the brass band at church.

Cameron began to learn how to read music as well. He got really good at playing his trombone. He got so comfortable playing his trombone that he did not want to put it down. When he got to middle school he joined the school orchestra band and decided to audition for the jazz band as well.

Cameron became one of only four 6th graders on the school’s jazz band. This was his first time being exposed to the world of jazz. He instantly fell in love with the genre of music. He started to listen to all kinds of jazz music and learning about the musicians. Cameron became really close with his band director who took him under his wing and really introduced him to all kinds of jazz musicians and music.

He became known as a Jazz Cat! He had adult mentors that would talk about music and jazz with him each week. Cameron became a consistent featured soloist to perform during several concerts and performances.

in band for playing his trombone and for his character. At Charter Oak, they gifted him with new Yamaha trombone. It was stated that he was gifted the horn due to character. He is such a respectable young man and he always volunteers to help others with learning how to play their instrument. Since moving to Atlanta in June of 2019, Cam has performed with the Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra at Georgia State University. He made 1st Chair at his school, North Cobb High School’s concert band and is a member of their marching band as well; all while continuing to play on the brass band and marching band at his church.

Cameron has not thought about playing the saxophone since he has learned how to play his trombone. He also plays other instruments, but his trombone is where his heart is. He plays with such passion and enjoyment. He loves the trombone and is hardly ever seen without it. h

Cameron eventually learned about a music program at Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford, CT. They have a brass band called the Funky Dawgz Community Brass Jazz Band. He again decided to join this band in addition to the bands at school and the band at church. Cam’s mother advised him that he was already a member of three bands and taking on another was going to be a lot. He promised not to let his grades fall and that he would be responsible for keeping up with all the work he needed to put in, and he did just that.

Cameron has such a love for playing his trombone. He has quickly advanced in the bands he plays in at church and even played in the orchestra band at church in Washington D.C at a Memorial Day event hosting thousands of people. He has won three full scholarships three years in a row to an elite jazz camp, Litchfield Jazz Camp in CT. He was recognized as June’s student of the month in 2017, at www. spreadmusicnow.org. At school, he has been awarded student honors

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Frankesha Watkins

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Frankesha Watkins Frankesha Watkins of Dallas, TX is a woman of God. She is also a go-getter and life learner who has chosen a career as an entrepreneur.

In so many words, she describes herself as a black woman who is trying to serve in an industry that is not dominated by African Americans, the haircare industry.

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

This wasn’t Frankesha’s first attempt at entrepreneurship. The name of her first company Polished Careers helped people with resumes, job offers and salary negotiations. That same approach was carried over to BPolished Beauty Supply. “People come to the beauty supply store to be polished. Whatever the occasion, interview, date, or whatever the case,” she says. “I apply the same level of attention to them as I did with Polished Careers.”

BPolished opened its doors to the Dallas/Fort Worth community on January 17, 2019. offers a variety of beauty care products. “We pride ourselves in carrying a lot of niche and black owned haircare brands.

We also have Crotched Hair, Braids, Wigs, Bundles. We carry a lot of the items that most beauty supply stores have, and many items they may not have,” she shares.

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

What makes BPolished standout amongst their competitors is their commitment to addressing their client’s needs. “We are very big on providing good customer service and providing solutions to our customers. If a customer has an issue with dry hair, we are going to help you with that. If a customer has an issue with growth, we will offer advice and recommend products that will address that,” she says.

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

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

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

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

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

6407 S. Cooper Street - Suite 135 Arlington, TX 76001 www.bpolishedbeautysupply.com 17

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

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Sasha Ridley

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

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

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

“Realizing and owning the role I played in each and every situation allowed me to be able to connect and be of value to others”.

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

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

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

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

Sasha began working as an Executive Assistant with a non profit organization. After two years there, she went on to work as an Telecommunications Officer with the area police department, a move that spanned four years. Due to a family illness, she terminated her employment with the police department and jumped into full-time entrepreneurship so that she would have more flexibility. Both opportunities played a role in helping her to launch Heart to Heart Consulting, and helped her with establishing client relationships. “Working with many different companies over the years I began to see things that challenged my morals. I knew I had to fully invest in Heart to Heart and give the people something different. I also realized that starting a business was a big investment and required a lot of trust. Clients come to me because they trust that I will offer them solutions, and that is what Heart to Heart Consulting is all about. From my heart to yours,” Sasha explains.

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

When the opportunity came to implement life coaching into her business, Sasha knew she had to be strategic and intentional about it. “It was important that I mastered the areas in which I was trying to advise someone else on.

Vulnerability and being able to communicate with yourself is vital. You can’t expect to have an honest and authentic exchange with anyone if you are hiding from your own face in the mirror,” she says.

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

www.SashaARidley.com www.HeartToHeartConsultingLLC.com FB & IG: @SasahARidley FB & IG: @HeartToHeartConsultingVA 757-556-6856

Ironically, Sasha finds inspiration through many of the adversities she has faced. She is also inspired by her daughter. “When I was at some of the lowest and scariest moments of my life she was my beacon of light. We all want to leave a legacy behind as parents and our greatest legacy will be our children. My drive is to create a life that she wont have to recover from. As a single mom it is important to me that she knows that no matter who or what may come that I will always be in her corner,” she says.

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

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Kaison Priest MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

The son of Natosha Priest Photo by Natosha Priest

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

Memphis - January/February 2020

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Information and Photos Provided By Stephanie Williams Eyebrow expert/serial entrepreneur, and founder, Stephanie Williams, created BrowZnAround Eyebrow Studio + Spa to be a different kind of esthetics experience. It was her dream to create the luxury atmosphere of a spa while keeping her services affordable and accessible. BrowZnAround is changing the game for brow sculpting and permanent cosmetics in the Triangle.

With more than 16 years of experience in the industry, Stephanie is a licensed esthetician by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Arts, and is also a Board Certified Esthetician in Bloodborne Pathogens (OSHA) and Micropigmentation. She has trained extensively in advanced permanent makeup techniques with internationally renowned instructor, Terry Lively, at the Esthetics Academy of South Texas, along with having worked in the salon of Hollywood brows guru, Anastasia Soare, founder of the popular makeup brand Anastasia Beverly Hills.

BrowZnAround offers a comprehensive menu of services with care and expertise provided by licensed estheticians with specialized training in shaping beautiful, natural eyebrows. With over 10 years of proven success, BrowZnAround has gained brand recognition among a clientele of diverse women and men who are looking for luxury, affordable beauty services.

With over thirteen years of industry experience, Stephanie has built her reputation as a skilled, detailed professional that exceeds expectations and creates a memorable service experience for her guests. Permanent makeup is a highly specialized practice requiring an astute eye for color, dexterity, and mastery of the art. Stephanie has performed well over 1,000 procedures making her an extremely skilled expert in her craft. Her work has been featured on the television show, My Carolina Today, ABC 11, Sheen Magazine and various publications, and at several events.

Beyond the studio, Stephanie is frequently involved in community organizations that nurture the creativity of other young professionals, along with organizations that support causes that are near and dear to her such as breast cancer awareness, alopecia, and epilepsy.

Epilepsy is especially close to her heart as her oldest son lives with epilepsy. Stephanie is also the founder of her own non-profit organization, BrowZn Around 4 A Cure. This organization sponsors a yearly Pink Ribbon Fundraiser to raise funds to support a local organization that fights breast cancer and raises awareness.

BrowzN’ Around

Triangle Town Center 5959 Triangle Town Boulevard Raleigh, NC 919-449-2447 browznaroundeyebrowstudio

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Brandon M. Frame #theblackmancan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.theblackmancan.org

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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood

Deanna Smith Sellstate Exclusive Realty, LLC Exclusive Title Agency, LLC

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Memphis - January/February 2020

By Dawn Caithen Thorton Photos by Todd Youngblood For 16 years Deanna Smith served the state of New York as a Corrections Officer with the Department of Corrections. She also owned and operated not one, but two childcare facilities along with mothering full time.

When she was presented with the opportunity to become a Federal Agent in 2002, she jumped at the chance and relocated her family to Charlotte for the job. Shortly after settling in the Queen City, she missed interacting with the precious children she taught, so she worked part-time at a childcare facility. She also decided to become a foster parent to make an even greater impact, eventually adopting two infant girls. Suddenly the mom of six was stretched to her limit and her full time job gave her an ultimatum.

“They told me I could choose my job or choose my children. And I chose my children,” Deanna says confidently.

Since the Buffalo, NY native had a background in childcare, the natural thing to do was to transition full time at the childcare facility so she wouldn’t miss a beat raising her own. She quickly rose to Assistant Director and, for some time, was quite content. She was back in her element loving on the little ones and spending time with her two youngest children who attended the facility where she worked. But as much as she enjoyed seeing tiny smiling faces everyday, going home to four children (her oldest two no longer lived in the home) proved to be a larger job than she bargained for.

At the suggestion of her husband, she took some time off to figure out what her next move should be. On her first try, she wasn’t completely sold on the idea of real estate. But she did like helping people achieve their dream of homeownership. She threw her hat back into the ring, took classes, and obtained her real estate license. In 2013, Exclusive Realty, Inc. was born and Smith hasn’t slowed down since.

In January 2018, Smith made the decision to buy into the Sellstate Realty franchise, and now she’s doing business as Sellstate Exclusive Realty, LLC. The addition has afforded Smith to empower her team of agents to serve their clients effectively and efficiently. Her agents are able to utilize Sellstate’s Customer Relationship Management system (CRM), that tracks clients’ interests to better fit them with properties they may be interested in. A popular feature of the system is the opportunity to create distribution lists that allows them to keep their clients in the know by sending newsletters packed with industry information.

“They told me I could choose my job or choose my children. And I chose my children.”

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Aviance Levy Staff

Cordelia Hayden Real Estate Agent

Jessica Scott Real Estate Agent

Larrishea White Real Estate Agent

Deanna Smith Real Estate Agent

Etta Harrison Staff

Dexter Desir Real Estate Agent

Felecia Armstrong Real Estate Agent

Genetta Gray Real Estate Agent

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Agents not pictured: Kia Caughten and Jason Brown Memphis - January/February 2020

Now Smith wants to share her new undertaking, Exclusive Title Agency, LLC., a company that researches property titles to ensure there are no liens, judgements, or other discrepancies prior to purchase. “I always move how God wants me to, and he just put this on me,” Smith explains. Simply put, she felt it was something she was led to do.

The title search arena is such a complicated domain that not many people want to tackle. That makes Smith one of the few black owned agencies in the United States. “It’s very risky. If you don’t educate yourself and don’t know what you’re doing, you can get sued,” says Smith. You must be licensed to offer the service and have an exclusive relationship with an insurance company that trusts you. There are no classes to take, so self-preparation is paramount prior to sitting for the state examination.

The addition of these new branches of Exclusive Realty signifies that Smith is mapping out her future and that of her family and employees. She plans to train her team on how to initiate title searches so they can eventually obtain their licenses manage their own businesses. “My goal is to build generational wealth for myself and help my employees do the same.”

Smith is also currently searching for the right piece of land in Charlotte to construct a building to house her businesses under one roof.

The border of uptown Charlotte would be ideal, but she’s keeping her options open.

The property will also be home to her nonprofit, Homeowners Pursuing Education. She created this project to teach people how to save and manage their money, understand their finances, and not fall victim to scammers and big businesses. Recently, Smith and others took to the streets of Charlotte and knocked on doors to enlighten homeowners who live in attractive areas subject to gentrification. In January, she plans to invite community leaders to aid her in presenting a seminar focusing on affordable housing, financial literacy, and teaching basic budgeting skills to local residents.

Since changing career paths, Smith has made it her mission to create jobs and educate those less knowledgeable about their finances so they can attain the American dream. Serving one client at a time, she is slowly growing her empire, creating generational wealth, and uplifting her community. h

Deanna Smith Exclusive Title, LLC 2026 Ayrsly Blvd. - Charlotte, NC 28273 704-907-3422

www.exclusiverealtyone.com www.exclusivetitleagency.com 31

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