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Jan./Feb. 2020 Vol. 2 Issue 3 FREE
Mother & Daughter Experience Nashville - January/February 2020
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In Loving Memory of Our Beautiful Mother And Grandmother
“Though 10 years have quickly passed Still, we can’t forget. For in the hearts that love her dearly Her memory lingers yet.”
We Love You! Waymond Sr. Waymond Jr. Autumn Frederick Sydnei Braylon 08/02/1947 - 04/24/2009
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It! There Are NoAbout If, Ands, Or About Buts About Don’t Just Talk It, Be It It! A Letter from the Editor
A Letter From The Editor A Letter from the Editor
If weWhat neverif allow ourselves experience tomorrow didn’ttoarrive? All of the yourthings plans,that hopes we imagine, we wouldn’t are not really ourto lives according and dreams haveliving a street park on. Whattoif what God purposed us for. To achieve the impossible requires everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes fortitude and determination. You must also be willing to let happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if go of somethings previously wastomorrow a part of you. day, and you could someone theuntil trouble of making everything that youspare decided to thought put off never Letting go alsoWhat means that last we the for direction promises. your opportunity seemingly happened? Thereif would beare no growing reason toin save aexpired rainythat our day, destiny isyou pointed. today? wouldspare you do? andWhat could someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired Atoday? dream is justtold a dream applied. is the I’ve been that I until often seem islike I do tooThat much. What would you do?action Honestly, I feelalike I amgrows not doing enough I’mflight. a firm I moment of which dream its wings andand takes believer in knowing that wouldn’t on me might say I would like toGod loseseem 40 pounds body weight I’vethat been told that I often like put I doofanything too much. that handle. I not sometimes wonder how would thisHonestly, year,I couldn’t but Iiffeel I never that relatesand to getting me like do I amanything doing enough I’mlife a firm be ifgoal, I chose toall sitI idle and accept whattoput itmyself. presented to to that am doing iswouldn’t talking To lose 40 I believer inthen knowing that God anything onme. me haveof to be very boring. for In my opportunity pounds bodythat weight would require meopinion, tohow change the that I found couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder life would isI aeat, that toand everyone. A challenge waybe I would have toafforded exercise, develop an attitude of I ifblessing I chose to sitisn’t idle and accept what it presented to me. to mefound is an wants adventure. What is the lighter. worst that can opportunity happen? someone who 40 pounds It would require have that totobebevery boring. In my opinion, If aI do nothing, I tryor I don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI fail, isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge for me to apply action toand myifgoal dream. something new about myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure. What is Relinquish the worst that happen? return acquire life. I do nothing, I fail, and I try I don’t, learn InIf 2020, I have decided notif to make a lotbut of instead resolutions. something new of about Relinquish your pride and in To be honest many the myself. ones that I set last year, I didn’t The best advice ever given to me happened when someone return acquire life. that if I attempt to live a more positive reach. Instead, I believe told me to make tomorrow happen today. In doing so lifestyle, there will bemy little or no room for negativity. In terms I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only Thepositive, best advice given me happened someone of being the ever things thatto seem impossiblewhen I am going to hopeme provided. Imy have also learned thethat difference between told to make tomorrow happen today. doing so approach with a possible mindset. Doors mayIn look closed, blesses me with and what life cana burden with have pressed myon way through doors with key thatme only I amIwhat goingGod to knock them anyway with expectation. They astowell. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between have open. when to be quiet, because what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with someone may getyear it confused as well. compare itaction to knowing when to be confident and The mostIimportant that we can make this with being arrogant. when we to be because requires no action at all. To get to where arequiet, dreaming to someone may get confused go, we must allow God to lead us. Life has proven thatit the Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being navigational system created by today, but most man is happen full of flaws and will all importantly make it count. Make you tomorrow too often lead us to a dead end. Lifesit is still but a whisper and happen today, butpatient, most If we just and be we must put ourselves importantly make it count. and trust God to work for us, in a position toawe hear what it is Life is but whisper and every dream that ever had will telling us. we must put ourselves in a become a reality. position to hear what it is us. is what God has All thattelling matters L. Watson planned forTerry our lives. If we dream it and give itEditor/Founder back to God, we are Terry Watsonlife. then living a truly aL.purposed
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Nashville - January/February 2020
CONTENTS
JAN./FEB. 2020
NASHVILLE
It ‘s Music To His Ears
Cameron Tillman
On The Cover
Mother & Daughter Experience M.A.D.E.
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Enhancing Education
Vanessa Terry
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BPolished Beauty Supply
Frankesha Watkins
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The Black Man Can
Brandon M. Frame
Also Featured
Lauren Danielle She is the face of Soul Divine Wellness & Creations
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Jevertus Burnett He is bringing a Black Wealth Seminar to the Upstate. Greenville, SC
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Nashville - January/February 2020
Kaison Priest He is the cutest, and has been selected as Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby.
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M.A.D.E. By Terry L. Watson Photos by Autumn Prather
Autumn Page Prather understands that motherhood is the hardest job on the planet, yet is the most rewarding. Moreover, this mother knows that leaving a legacy to her children is the single most important thing she can do to ensure that her pedigree continues to thrive and survive. She is the co-founder and CEO of (M.A.D.E.) The Mother & Daughter Experience , a 501 (c) 3 organization that promotes the sacred bonds between mothers and daughters, so that relationships are enhanced now and for generations to come. M.A.D.E sponsors, hosts and/or participates in events and activities that help foster the sacred bond between mothers and daughters. The program offers tailored workshops, seminars, summits and retreats on a variety of themes including but not limited to self-worth, leadership and team-building skills. M.A.D.E is available to professional keynote speakers for formal and informal events centered around women and girl’s empowerment. M.A.D.E hosts an annual Mother/Daughter Breakfast to celebrate mothers, grandmothers, god-mothers, step-mothers and the village who all play important roles in the rearing of our daughters. The Mother & Daughter Experience was founded in response to a 10 year journey of wanting to do something to honor Autumn’s late mother, Mrs. Linda Marie Everett who passed away April 24, 2009. “In January 2019, as I was lying in bed recovering from a difficult surgery, and I had an epiphany. I wanted an opportunity to share how my daughter and I created a unique bond through love, wisdom, and understanding. I wanted a chance to showcase that kind of bond with her because my mother and I shared that uniqueness as well. I declared that generational curses and dysfunction would stop with us and we would encourage others to look for their unique bond and create their own mantra for a better future. I called my daughter, who was 19 years old at that time, and told her about my idea and titled her the Executive Director,” she says. A passionate leader with over 24 years of professional experience in the financial and insurance sectors, Autumn is a 1997 Cum Laude graduate of Tennessee State University and brandishes a degree in Business Administration. She was initiated into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, in 1995 and is a 1998 charter member of Upsilon Psi Omega Chapter. She has been employed at UBS Financial Services, Inc. for 15 years and is currently a Senior Business Analyst in the Investment Bank division.
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Autumn’s daughter, Sydnei Page Everett is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Mother & Daughter Experience. She is currently enrolled at Tennessee State University an is majoring in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in the Honors College, a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success and apart of the Student Government Association, Student Union Board of Governors. Sydnei is the former President of the Top Teens of America, Nashville chapter. She is also involved with The Positivity Board and Undergraduate Students National Dental Association (USNDA). In her spare time, she enjoys being a middle school cheer coach, motivational speaking, traveling, service to the community and mentoring young girls. The recipients of the services that (M.A.D.E.) offers are women and girls of all ages, races and ethnicity. “If you are a woman who is a mother-figure to a young girl and/or you had a hand in helping to raise her, our services are for you. If you are a teacher, coach, sponsor or administrator who wants to improve mother and daughter relationships, so that the quality of life for girls in your care is enhanced, our services are for you. If you are an organization that wants to partner together to bring awareness to the community for greater impact, our services are for you,” says Autumn. Autumn shares she absolutely loves tapping into an area that a lot of people tend to shy away from. The mother/daughter relationship is extremely complex and it’s not easy to navigate. “Our relationship is not perfect at all. But, we are intentional about making sure that love is in action, that wisdom is heard and respected and that understanding is felt. I love that we are impacting generations of women and girls, mothers and future mothers and are encouraging mothers to be the role model for their daughters. Healthy relationships are so very important and we believe that the mother/daughter bond sets the stage for every subsequent relationship in a girl’s life - whether romantic or platonic. My mother and her grandmother is the catalyst behind our non-profit and I love that most of all,” she says. As with any nonprofit organization, they rely heavily on donations from the general public. Along with their services, they have also established The Mrs. Linda M. Everett Arts Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund awards monies to those who desire to obtain a degree in the Fine Arts, as Autumn’s mother was an avid proponent for the arts as a dance instructor and sound engineer. They also look to help with any arts related activities for children. Having their 501(c)(3) designation is certainly a plus, however funding has been a big challenge. Autumn shares her mother has definitely impacted her life the most. “She instilled an impeccable work ethic in me, to be graceful and authentic at all times and to simply live life on my own terms,” she says.
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Moving forward, their plan is to continue to get the word out about The Mother & Daughter Experience, its mission and purpose. “We hope to seek out opportunities to share space with other mother and daughter duos to ignite those sacred bonds. We also plan to promote our 2nd Annual Mother/ Daughter Breakfast Affair coming up in June 2020. It will be titled ‘Generational Gemstones’. We are actively seeking sponsorship at this time. Additionally, we endeavor to endow the memorial scholarship so that we can begin awarding funds to deserving students,” she says. h Nashville - January/February 2020
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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.enhancingeducations.org
Nashville - January/February 2020
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Brandon M. Frame #theblackmancan
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Nashville - January/February 2020
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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Nashville - January/February 2020
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SOulDIVINE Wellness & Creations 16
By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Lauren Danielle Lauren Danielle of Atlanta, Ga describes herself as divine love. She is a healer, teacher, supporter, friend, and free spirit. Yet, a combination of all of these are what makes up her business, SOulDIVINE Wellness & Creations. “I am passionate about the greater expansion of relationships, healing, and businesses in the black community,” she says. SOulDIVINE Wellness & Creations offers services and products dedicated to holistically supporting one’s journey to well-being. They are designed to elevate someone’s the mind-body-spirit. The therapy services they offer are Yoga, Reiki, Vibrational Sound Therapy, Vaginal Steaming, and Detox therapy. Their products available are copper wire jewelry, waistbeads, herbal pads, and smudgesticks. Originally from Virginia, the path taken for Lauren hasn’t always been pleasant. She shares that 2019 was a rough year for her. Not one to settle, she knew she had to do something about it and so in October 2019, she took a huge leap of faith and randomly moved to Atlanta with just her clothes, therapy tools, and her dream. It was the best decision she could have made. She says her business was birthed after her own personal journey to well-being. “I was on a path to a deep depression. I was so unhappy with my life. I was at rock bottom. I knew something had to change so I decided to do something about it and so I began my journey by going to yoga classes everyday. This practice allowed me to find myself and my life shifted for the better. I eventually realized I was operating in my purpose and needed to share this healing with others,” she says. Lauren has always had a heart of service and jumps at each opportunity to help others. “I love that I’m fulfilling my soul purpose,” she says. SOulDIVINE Wellness & Creations is sort a like a diamond in the rough, but Lauren is working diligently to making her brand more visible. This doesn’t come without challenges. “I feel as though, if you aren’t a person of high influence then you have to work ten times harder to make the value of what you do known,” she shares. “Finances are another challenge for me. When you don’t have the financial means to support you or your business, It can sometimes by discouraging. However, I believe my challenges are fuel for my greatness. Lauren says she is inspired mostly be people who are living in their true purpose. “What truly moves me is knowing the pleasures of life is available to us all. I encourage everyone to enjoy life to the fullest,” she says. She also credits her mother for being a constant source of support. “She has impacted my life in all aspects and has literally had my back since I began my journey, from the beginning, the middle, and now. I am excited about the opportunity to pour back into her as much as she poured into me.” Moving forward, Lauren plans to continue to seek opportunities to heal herself while supporting others. She is co-creating an event with MMM Fit Club titled, Atlanta Beads of Love: Re-Connecting The Dots of Black Love. It will take place on February 14th. “I would love to establish a brick and mortar in Atlanta and then across the nation. I plan to travel the world sharing this gift of what I call holisti-care, encouraging people to live healthier lives,” she says. h
www.iamlaurendanielle.com www.atlbeadsoflove.com
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Frankesha Watkins 18
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Nashville - January/February 2020
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 Continued on the next page www.bpolishedbeautysupply.com 19
The Black Business Connector 20
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Nashville - January/February 2020
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jevertus Burnett
Jervertus Burnett wanted to bring the summit back and make it better than ever. Burnett is the founder of The Black Wealth Summit, which will take place in two locations this year. Last year, more than 150 people came to the inaugural event, held in Spartansburg, S.C. In 2020, there will be two summits, the first from March 13-15 at Greenforest Baptist Church in Atlanta and the second at Spartansburg Community College April 3-4. Burnett, who graduated from Savannah State, works as a financial advisor by day, but also helps others at night which birthed the concept of the Black Wealth Summit. “During the day, I make sure I’m equipping clients with methods to move wealth efficiently and maintaining the integrity of their brand, elevating their profiles in the greater South Carolina committee,” Burnett said. “Off the clock, I want to make sure that people in the African-American and undeserved communities have some of those some resources.” Burnett was raised in Norwood, G.A. and credited his upbringing for implementing his work ethic. “I was raised by a single mom with four kids and she only brought home about $600 a month,” Burnett said. “I was heavily acquainted with the word ‘no,’ so at a young age my brother and I started working — raking leaves, cutting grass, doing anything we can to help around the house. “Every decision my older siblings did had my mom in mind. My brother had a basketball scholarship at Georgia Southern, but he left school and went to the military to send money home. My sister had a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta, but she worked full-time as well.” Growing up, Burnett said he wanted to get into the financial field. “I knew that money didn’t grow on trees, so I was inquisitive about it and wanted to learn everything I could,” Burnett said. “In the 10th grade, I was absolutely sure that was the field I wanted to go into — I didn’t know the different types of jobs, but I knew I wanted to be a part of one.”
“My sister and her husband used to teach financial literacy and I started sharing information to my peers,” Burnett said. “My roommates were the first ones who sat down and went through everything with me. During my senior year, I spent my Christmas holiday and Spring Break helping her — she was a consumer credit counselor with United Way — I was later certified as a financial literacy coach, and I focused on the opportunities she gave me. “After I graduated, I did more self-studies and I took a job at a school here at South Carolina, initially to coach basketball. Still, I was so passionate about business and the school didn’t have a program, so I wrote one out. The first year I taught health to the kids at the school, then the second year it was financial literacy. I thought that I would coach basketball in high school, then work to the college and NBA ranks before teaching finances, but God had a different plan for me to start so soon. I’ve been satisfied with everything that’s happened so far.” Burnett said The Black Wealth Summit will have plenty to offer. “On Friday night, we’ll haven the networking event, highlighted by vendors and sponsors, which will also give people the opportunity to learn about black businesses in the areas,” Burnett said. “On Saturday, it will be full of workshops and seminars with sessions such as how to create a family bank, tax codes, real estate investing and branding sessions. Eugene Mitchell will be the keynote speaker at both events—he’s the author of ‘Closing the Racial Wealth Gap: Seven Untold Rules for Black Prosperity and Legacy’ and has helped lead a charge inside the black community. “This summit is here to inspire entrepreneurs and team them up with people who have been there. If you have a vision and want it to come to life, it helps to have great examples to provide insight in an environment with an abundance of knowledge. We don’t want to be hoarders of that — instead, we want to be the epitome of lifting each other up as we strive for great achievements.” The cost for The Black Wealth Summit is $49.95. For additional information, go to The Black Wealth Summit on Facebook. h
Although Burnett learned plenty of lessons about money as a child and wanted to become a financial advisor, he didn’t set the best example starting out at Savannah State. “I messed up a lot of money,” Burnett said. “I was on a scholarship, but lost it due to horrible decisions. I bought a house and lost it, ran up credit cards, was homeless for a couple of weeks and my credit was messed up. It got to a point where my sister said ‘I’m concerned about you, but if you truly want my help you need to do something different.’ My Christmas gift from her my junior year of college was the ‘Crown Financial Ministries’ series and she told me I had to make better decisions with money if she was going to continue sending it to help me out. “It was a combination of hitting rock bottom and having someone who cared about me get in my grill and tell me to do better. This is why I tell people they don’t have to be ashamed about where they are, but they have to be disciplined to get out of the situation.” As Burnett cleaned up his act, he also shared information at his school.
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Kishka G ooden Kishmon Services 22
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Nashville - January/February 2020
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Kisha Gooden
Kishka Gooden of Richmond, Va. describes herself as a unique person. She is married and a mother of two children. She was born in Denver, Colorado and moved to North Carolina when she was three years old. She attended North Carolina Central University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. “Back then I had high hopes of becoming a Probation Officer but God had other plans for me,” she says. Later, she would receive her Master of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. Her husband is retired from the US. Navy and currently works as a Probation Officer. She is also very family oriented and was raised in a close knit family. “Everyone that knows me know that family is very important to me and I consider my close friends as family,” she says. Kishka loves giving back to the community and helping those in need. She pours this same love into her business, Kishmon Services, LLC. With her venture, she provides administrative support to other small businesses. She is also a Notary Public, Travel Agent, and completes photo inspections for Insurance Companies. She also has a blog called, The Diary of the Hustle Queen, where she interviews entrepreneurs on their transition from corporate America. She recently became the secretary for the Board of Directors for the 501(3) c nonprofit, United Vision. Kishmon Services began in accordance with Kisha’s lifestyle. “I have always been organized, so family and friends would come to me to help with travel or just random things needed. In 2013, I was looking for part-time work while my oldest was away for the summer. One day, I was on the phone with a friend who has a cleaning business and mentioned I was looking for work. He told me he needed someone to help with an administrative task and I jumped on the offer. I was able to make money from home and set my own schedule. At first I was not familiar with starting my own business so I just worked under my own name as a contractor for him. Then in 2015, I opened my first LLC and started marketing myself for more clients. I also started another business that focused on travel and was doing very well handling working full-time, family, and my businesses. In 2017, I got married and welcomed my second child and I stepped away from it all to focus on my growing family,” she says. On March, 8th, 2019 she decided to leave her job of over five years at the Insurance Company and work for herself. She started a new LLC and had a new vision and jumped with both feet in the water. “I initially started with all types of services but over time, I knew I couldn’t do it all, so I cut back and decided to stick with a few services,” she says. In 2019, she rented out her first rental property with the help of a management company. She called herself the “hustle queen” since she had so much going.
www.kishmonservices.com
Being an entrepreneur has its perks. “I love the freedom it has allowed me. When I was at my job, I suffered from anxiety and migraines. I decided to put myself and my health first. With the support of my husband, I was able to make that change in my life. I love being available for my family if they need something and spending lots of time with my busy, two year old as well. I am home everyday when my 12 year old comes from school and I can make dinner at a decent time. I can take off if needed and don’t have to report to anyone but myself,” she says. She is inspired by successful entrepreneurs that have come before her. “I love hearing stories of how they made it and it keeps me going. I am also inspired by my children. I want to teach them that there is more out there than working for someone else. I want to build a legacy for them that includes financial freedom and independence,” Kishka shares. h
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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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