Huami Magazine Raleigh-Durham May/June 2017

RALEIGH-DURHAM

May/June 2017 Volume 1 Issue 11 FREE

William Winters

Curtis Lyons

Hair Signatures Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

1

919-475-3931 or 919-810-8413

2

www.jj-catering.com

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

3

Who Or What is Navigating You There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

A Letter From The Editor

As aAChristian, I have access to the best and most reliable navigational Letter from the Editor tool available; God. Similar in many ways to the navigational system of a car, yet uniquely different because He created everything and that makes His way the bestifanyhow.

It isdidn’t a gift that GodAll has all tohopes utilize for What tomorrow arrive? ofgiven your us plans, direction in life. All that we have to do is ask.

and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never Quite often I have found myself lost or out of place. There have been happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy moments when I was deeply involved with somethings, yet I didn’t have day, and youthere, couldmore spareless someone trouble of making a clue on how I got on howthe I would get back.

It didn’t promises.

What if your last opportunity seemingly expired take too long for me to realize the reasons for which I was there. It was today? you because I didn’tWhat take would the time to do? share my thoughts and dreams with God initially. Instead I made plans and went on my way. That method never told that I often seem like I do too much. works andI’ve onlybeen makes God laugh.

Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in time knowing Godplans wouldn’t put and anything on me There was one whenthat I made to travel get away.

I was couldn’t I sometimes would excitedthat andIshared myhandle. enthusiasm with a fewwonder others.how I gotlife all packed up, hit be theifroad and to when I arrived, almostwhat immediately, problems began I chose sit idle and accept it presented to me.

I to settle in. One thing another, it seemed that I had toopportunity deal with have found thatafter to be very boring.

In my opinion, this issue that issue.

The trip was sotofrustrating I began to look is aand blessing that isn’t afforded everyone.that A challenge forward returning home. totome is an adventure.

What is the worst that can happen?

If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn I didn’t know then butabout my problems well before I hadand left in home. something new myself. began Relinquish your pride I failedreturn to ask God for favor and covering while I traveled.

I failed to seek acquire life.

Him for guidance in regards to my trip. As a result of doing so, it seemed that with every turn that I made a problem was there waiting for me.

The best advice ever given to me happened when someone Nothing went right.

told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only God spoke to me, telling me that I was operating out of order. I hadn’t hopetoprovided.

I haveI he also learned difference between asked God lead me where wanted methe to go.

I thought I was the what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with of captain of my ship, but it turned out that I never had control. Because as well. I compare it to knowing when be confident Gods grace andtomercy, I made itand home when to be quiet, because without harm. I learned a valuable someone get it confused lesson on that trip.may God showed me that with being arrogant.

He has a plan for my life, a plan devised well before I even existed. If I intended on receiving theyou blesses and rewards Make tomorrow that Hehappen has for me, I must today, butseek mostHim first.

importantly make it count.

Whatever dream or plan and will never Lifeyou is but a whisper amountwe to anything you don’tin use must putifourselves a the navigational tool that God has made position to hear what it is available to you. telling us.If you are not following His plan and path, then you are running in circles. God always provides us with the best direction.

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder Terry L. Watson

4

4

www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief

Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Writers

Tonya Dixon Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Jeuron Dove Photographers Perfect Lenz Photography Todd Youngblood Photography

Shaw Photography Group Still Shots Photography

Howard Gaither Photography Who Shotya Photography Layout

Mykel Media Company Linda Bennett

mykelmedia@yahoo.com huami.triangle@gmail.com (336) 340-7844 (336)340-7844

HUAMI MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2017 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

On The Cover

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

HuamiMagazine.com Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017 HuamiMagazine.com November/December 2014 Want To Advertise? Call (336)340-7844

CONTENTS

Stephanie Carver

26

May/June

2017

12

Curtis Lyons

William Winters

18

Also Inside Cutest Baby Contest

Levi Harris Kingdom Building

Eric Lee Ministries Still Standing

Johnny Davis

27

6

Donna Peace

Asa Fleming

28 16

20

Sweetz Styllz

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

28

Dwayne Collins

HuamiMagazine.com

24 5

Hair Signatures 6

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

This Is What Grace Looks Like

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jerry Barbry

D

onna Peace has been in the business of styling hair beautiful as a licensed cosmetologist for over 22 years.

Known for her short and Sassy Style expertise, Donna is the owner of Hairsignatures, a salon located in Raleigh North Carolina.

Born in Alexandria Virginia, Donna was raised in Norlina, N.C. She is the daughter of Shirley and Robert Peace Sr. and the mother of three children, Rashard, Jazmyme and Kori.

She attended Vance Granville Community College and received a degree in Cosmetology. She has won numerous accolades for her creativity in hair throughout her career. She is a Hair Styling Coach and doesn’t mind taking on the role of helping other fellow stylist bring their hairstyling game to a polished look. She is also a educator and a woman of God. Hairsignatures offers various services such as Shampoo and Styles, Relaxers, Coloring, Weaves and other Signature services. “Hair has been my passion from a very young age. I would style family members, classmates and friends hair which helped me learn how to master my craft,” she says.

Donna first started working in a local salon in her hometown of Norlina, then decided to take her career to another level and move to Raleigh. She worked in several salons in Raleigh and then later opened her own salon, Hairsignatures.

“Hair has been my passion from a very young age.

I would style family members, classmates and friends hair which helped me learn how to master Continued on the next page my craft.”

Continued on the next page

Continued on the next page

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017 Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com HuamiMagazine.com HuamiMagazine.com

77

“Making my clients look and feel their best is my personal bonus to being in the Beauty Industry. When a woman gets her hair done, her confidence is at its highest.

So being able to make my clients feel good from the inside out brings my heart joy. I love putting smiles on my clients faces,” says Donna. “I feel that my purpose in life is to uplift others. Whether it be with a hairstyle or words of encouragement.”

There is a lot more that takes place within the walls of a hair salon. Besides interesting conversations and laughter, there are moments where many individuals bond and comfort each other. Because of some of her life experiences, Donna says she is sensitive to healing the matters of the heart. That’s why it is so important for her to be a listening ear and encourager to her clients.

Donna says her mother has been the greatest influence in her life. She was her biggest cheerleader and always encouraged her to put God first and never give up on what she wanted to do in life.

Carolyn Marshall Covington impacted her career. “She was my first example of a successfull salon and business owner,” says Donna. When she first moved to Raleigh, Carolyn gave Donna her first job at her salon, Inflights, which was a very popular salon in Raleigh. She later became Donna’s mentor and helped to shape her into eventually being a business owner as well.

“Making my clients look and feel their best is my personal bonus to being in the Beauty Industry.

When a woman gets her hair done, her confidence is at its highest.”

Dr. Jeffery Chapman Sr. of Raleigh North Christian Center is credited with influencing Donna’s spiritual life. “Hearing him preach the word of God has kept me motivated and determined. A sermon he preached “How Bad Do You Want To See Change” rang in my ear daily. Change is definitely on the horizon for me and the vision is clear as to what my next level is,” she says.

Her future plans are to open a new salon with a new and vibrant styling team that will help to duplicate her talent. While she shares some of her trade secrets, Donna believes they will be well prepared. “We will cater to the needs of women far and near. Where they can enjoy an atmosphere of style, class and inspiration. Habakkuk 2:2-3. h

h h

88

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Hair Signatures Salon 6512 Six Forks Rd. Suite 603 Raleigh, NC 27609 919-771-7765 hairsignatures2@yahoo.com Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

9

Curtis Lyons A Keeper of Time

10

HuamiMagazine.com HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - July/August - 2016 Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jerry Barbry

A

s hectic as life can be for some to get as much accomplished in a 24 hour day, the constant traverse is time and learning how to get the most out of it.

Curtis Lyons, a Durham resident and Horologists adopted a craft for timekeeping and spends many days building, repairing and restoring timepieces.

He was brought up in the country and was always interested in wheels, gears and anything that stored power. The 7th child of 11, of which also had two other adopted boys, Lyons says he knew he was different from all the rest of his siblings. “I wanted change,” he says. He attended Roxboro High School before it was integrated. After high school he attended college.

The name of North Carolina Central University had just been change from North Carolina College, and in the fall semester of 1969-1970, he enrolled.

“I probably would not have gone to college had it not been for the counselors who pushed me to do so. I had a busy working career, yet all of the time, my interest in clocks grew,” says Lyons.

Lyons says he was introduced to the craft of Horology by a representative for Ridgeway Clock Company. He would go all around North Carolina, fixing Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks. As he was amazed from these encounters, Lyons says his interest grew as well. “I enjoyed breathing life into something mechanical and making things tick and finding reasons why a clock stops. I was also intrigued at how a gear meshing with another gear can control power,” he says.

“I probably would not have gone to college had it not been for the counselors who pushed me to do so. I had a busy working career and all the time, my intrest in clocks grew”.

He learned about The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, a school that teaches others how to fix clocks. He inquired and was invited to visit the school in Columbia, Pennsylvania. “I liked what they were doing and went downstairs and signed up 1999,” he says.

He is inspired by Arthur Finn (Dr. Clock), an instructor from clock school. He would bring Lyon into his clock shop and go over everything before each class. He always made sure he noticed and understood any problem with a clock. Lyons says he valued Finn’s insight and the relationship that lasted for 10 years, even after school was over.

When Lyons isn’t working his craft, he attends Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church and studies under Pastor Clyde Glass. He also sings with the Male Chorus and serves as an assistant treasure for the Usher Board. If you are in need of his services please call him and learn more about his services. h

Lyons Clock Repair 919-225-1194 lciscoathome@aol.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

11

Perfect Harmony Graphic & Sound 12

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jerry Barbry

W

hen looking for high quality and personal service, Perfect Harmony Graphics & Sound is your one stop shop. They offer the best in graphic design, event planning and live sound production. Their rates are competitive with no hidden fees. Some of her products include Flyers, Banners, Obituaries, Weddings, Graduation Celebrations, and more. She is committed to helping her clients acheive the best experience possible.

Stephanie Carver is the brains and muscles behind PHGS. The business began ten years ago by word or mouth while she was volunteering to help a few people she knew. “I thought I was just helping friends,but one thing led to another and now we are a full fledged business. I love being able to personalize each design and each event to fit the needs and vision for each client,” she says.

Carver is a native of Roxboro, N.C., and graduated from Person Senior High School. She furthered her education at Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. She is the daughter of Bruce and Marie Lyons, and Terry Harris. She is also a mother of two beautiful children, KatLynn Alyssa and Harmoni Joi. In addition to being a business owner, she is also an ordained elder at Faith Assembly Christian Center, (The New Church) located in Durham, N.C., and serves under the leadership of Apostle Mary D. McKenzie. She loves ministry in the market place and going out into the hedges and the highways to reconcile the lost back to Christ. She is also campaigning to raise the high school drop out age and being tried as an adult from 16 to 18. She has collected over 5000 signatures on a petition for this cause over the past two years She is a domestic violence and rape survivor as well as community advocate for date rape and domestic violence, and works vigourously to help bring an end to dumpster babies.

All over the world there are women that deliver babies and throw them in dumpsters instead of dealing with the shame they feel. Carver says some women have been raped, abused and others are teenagers that simply are ashamed of their parents, guardians, or their community finding out their secret.

There are countless stories of mothers abandoning unwanted newborn babies in dumpsters, trash cans, roadways and porches.

Most people are not aware of the safe haven laws that allow mothers to leave their unwanted babies in locations such as hospitals, churches, police departments, fire departments, and health departments, without being charged with a crime.

Carver states that presently all 50 states have safe haven laws.

Once the child is surrendered, they move forward to find a home for the child by adoption. “I speak to our community to help erase the negative thinking concerning adoption,” she says.

Be on the lookout for the release of Carver’s two books that will be released in June 2017, Born To Embrace Adversity and Triumph, and After the Altar and Before the Pulpit.

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Perfect Harmony Graphic & Sound www.phgstoday.net phgstoday@gmail.com (919) 313-4685 (919) 724-5926 Stephanie Carver highly recommends Amazing Grace Adoptions & Orphan Care 9203-101 Baileywick Road Raleigh, NC 27615 (919)301-8642 1(855)219-8588 HuamiMagazine.com

13

L

Information and Pictures by London Olivia Gerald

ondon Olivia Gerald is an outstanding fashion designer, model and actress who loves sewing, music, dancing and of course shopping. At nine years old, this young entrepreneur is making an impact across the globe. London has always had a leadership mind-set impressed by her parents.

In early 2015, during a trip to purchase doll clothes for her American Girl Doll, she was looking for unique and fun garments at an affordable price. This style and price conscious young lady decided that she would design her own clothes and also make matching outfits for herself. As a result, LONDON OLIVIA DESIGNS was born.

Her inspiring quote “Little girls with dreams become women with vision” holds true. This talented young lady made her debut appearance at the “Ignite Your Passion Womens Conference” in Charlotte, N.C. She is now mentored by “Away From The Chair” CEO. Her upcoming major runway shows (Walk Fashion Show and Pitch Black Runway Show in Atlanta). h

14

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Eric Lee Ministries

Minister Eric Kinley Lee, Jr. is a native of Clinton, N.C., and the son of Reverend Eric K. Lee, Sr. and Wanda Lee. He became the happiest man in the world when he married Susan L. Lee. He was saved at the tender age of fourteen and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at the age of sixteen.

Eric has ministered in song since the age of six. His walk of life hasn’t been easy, as he has had several struggles including rejection, self-esteem and acceptance. He has devoted his life to serving and mentoring others that have had the same struggles as he did. He currently serves as the Praise and Worship Leader and Minister at Abundant Life Christian Center COGIC under the auspices of Bishop Stenneth E. Powell, Sr. and First Lady Beverly A. Powell. While serving he has learned the value and importance of worship as a lifestyle. He has been favored to the share the stage with such gospel greats as Ivan Powell, Sr., Earnest Pugh, James Fortune, Crystal Aikin, Phillip Bryant, Fred Hammond, Byron Cage, Marcus Cole, Shirley Caesar, Ricky Dillard, Pastor Charles Jenkins and Kurt Carr.

What is your testimony?

It is one of redemption, freedom and deliverance. Growing up in a Christian home, where your father is a minister and your mother, it was firmly understood that I had to represent my family in a positive light. While I was in my hometown, I did so well, which means that my mother and father had a pretty tight grip on me. However when I went away to college in 2003, I realized that the grip was finally loosened.

I began to involve myself in a lifestyle that would defame my family and tarnish my reputation. On top of that, there were some issues of my past that contributed to this lifestyle that I had chosen. To make a long story short, I saw God’s hand one night when I was held at gun point. I saw the bullets in the gun and every attempt to kill me had failed.

From then I made a vow to God that I would help others that struggled with what I had experienced.

What’s the vision for your ministry To reach the lost through the compassion that Jesus showed in the Word of God. To compel men, women, boys and girls, people of every race and creed to worship God unpretentiously. To draw a nation back to the face and the heart of God. To also bridge the gap between the church and the world, witnessing that as Christians we can bring Jesus to the world and change the world through our music, our words, our deeds and our goals. h

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Eric Lee Ministries 103 Abercrombie Rd Wake Forest, North Carolina (919) 247-4606 HuamiMagazine.com

15

Mr. GroomRoom 16 16

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

W

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jerry Barbry

illiam Winters is an optimist who believes in second chances.

He is also a dreamer who goes after his dreams. One dream that he chased until its fruition was owning his very own business, Mr. GroomRoom Barbershop in Raleigh, N.C. Winters grew up in a household with three brothers, his mother and step father who stepped in and filled a void left by his father. He attended North Carolina Central University and majored in Business Management.

Afterwards, he joined the U.S. Navy and moved to Washington D.C. and served as an administrative secretary for a Admiral stationed at Fort Myers and The Pentagon.

He later moved back to Raleigh, N.C. and obtained employment at North Carolina State University at their Telecommunications Department. That stint lasted for two years before he moved on to a position at United Bank Card as an Account Executive. His responsibilities included handling new accounts.

While at UBC, Winters says he realized that he wanted to do more with his life. “I used to cut hair on the side because I didn’t want to go to any barbershops. I started cutting my own hair. I got good at it and friends asked me to cut their hair. I loved what I did because it put smiles on faces of my friends and they bragged about it to their friends,” he says.

His skills caught the eye of the barbershop owner at Picasso Cuts, formerly located on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh.

He convinced Winters to enroll in barber school at Sherri’ls University. He enrolled but later attended Park West Barber School. This is where he met Sherod Holloway who was the Director, Dennis Horne and Eric West who served as instructors. Winters says they taught him everything he did not know about barbering.

Continued on the next page

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017 2017 Raleigh/Durham - May/June

HuamiMagazine.com HuamiMagazine.com

17

The first Barbershop he worked at was Before and After Barbershop. After being there for two years, he decided it was time to branch out on his own and the reality of Mr. GroomRoom Barbershop was born.

Mr. GroomRoom Barbershop is a shop that concentrates on all aspects of men’s grooming from simple haircuts to dyeing of hair to the trending mohawks worn by many today. They also specialize in some female styles of which Winters says are starting to diversify due to their technique of cutting and styling. “Mr. GroomRoom is bringing back the art of style in the dress code department while we concentrate on grooming our clients with finesse and precision. That’s why we wear bowties as the dress code,” he says. “We have a laid back environment with Jazz playing so you can relax while getting properly groomed.”

“Mr. GroomRoom Barbershop actually started in the classroom at Parkwest Barber School. We had to divide into groups and come up with a concept of a barbershop with square footage and a business plan.

I actually used my concept from the classroom and made it a reality,” says Winters.

He shared the concept with his brother, Gary Hooker, who is an investor and business partner. It started out in a small suite and it has now grown to where it is today. One of his fellow classmates, Rossano Harris saw his vision and made the decision to come along with Winters and has remained ever since.

Their client base is growing on a daily basis and they are expecting to expand soon. All of this is due to their vision of respecting their clients and giving them the service that they expect and want. “We listen to our clients and what they don’t get from other shops, we fill that void,” says Winters.

18 18

2 N. Pettigrew Street - Raleigh, NC 27610 919-410-0114

HuamiMagazine.com

In the future, Winters says he would like for the Mr. GroomRoom name to be as big as Great Clips and Sports Clips, and be an asked about entity across this state and maybe soon after, across the country. “I want future clients to experience what our current clients are experiencing. Most men today only relax and go to sleep when they sit down only when they are somewhere comfortable. I want Mr. GroomRoom Barbershop to be one of those places,” he says. h

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Continued on the next page Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

19

Asa Fleming

Determined To Make A Difference

20

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jerry Barbry

A and selling process.

sa Fleming is a REALTOR® and proud member of Allen Tate Realtors® RaleighGlenwood. Described as the ultimate professional in regards to real estate transactions, Fleming’s negotiating style, knowledge, and experience is utilized to the fullest extent while he educates and guides others through the home buying

He is an active member of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® (RRAR) and the North Carolina REALTORS®, where he has served on multiple committees. He served as the President of RRAR in 2013 and was a member of the 2014 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Leadership Academy class. Fleming is currently serving as the 2017 Chair of the NAR Leadership Academy Advisory Group.

A graduate of NC State University, Fleming worked at New York Hospital after college. When New York Hospital merged with Columbia Presbyterian Hospital to become New York Presbyterian Hospital, Fleming realized that he did not want to be part of another merger and began to explore other career options. He was fortunate to get a limousine ride with the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer who mentioned three places where Fleming should move if he wanted to get into real estate: Phoenix, Arizona, Washington D.C., and the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina. That was in 1999, and he moved back to North Carolina in 2001.

“I started my real estate career in Queens, New York by selling property in Ocala, Florida. It was the best job ever, and I loved being there. It is the reason why I am in real estate today,” Fleming states. He began working in real estate on a part-time basis and would work nights and weekends. “Every weekend we would fly down to Ocala and show the properties on Saturday, write up the contracts on Sunday, and then fly back Sunday night to New York.”

“I chose this business because I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny. I love the schedule flexibility as well as being able to meet and help people from all walks of life. It has been a blessing to be there for my parents, children, and my wife when they needed me the most,” he says.

Being that he was home-schooled by his mother until he was 14 years old, outside of God, Fleming says his parents have impacted his life the most. They instilled a belief and faith in God that has enabled him to make it thus far. He is also inspired by the leaders he has worked with in the real estate industry.

“I chose this business because I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny. I love the schedule flexibility as well as being able to meet and help people from all walks of life.”

The flexibility of his schedule also gives Fleming the opportunity to be involved and engaged with his community. In his spare time he is active in a variety of organizations, serving on the Boards of Directors for Marbles Kids Museum, The Carying Place, Southeast Raleigh Promise, and Rebuilding Together® of the Triangle, where he is currently serving as the Chair.

Additionally, Fleming is a founding board member of Central Wake High School.

In the future, he plans to continue staying involved and engaged with the community and his industry. “I am honored to be currently running to serve as the 2018 President-Elect of the North Carolina Realtors®. I plan to mentor as many people that I can in this industry, and show them that you don’t necessarily have to be a mega producer or high profile agent to make it in this industry. You have to get involved as you only can keep what you give away, and you have to breathe out in order to breathe in to stay alive”. h

Asa Fleming, Broker, REALTOR®, SFR, AHWD Allen Tate Realtors®

“By engaging with and being involved in the associations, I have been able to learn from some of the leaders in my industry that are in the trenches doing this business, fighting for private property rights, home ownership, and our industry as a whole.”

Fleming believes that the decision to get involved and engage with his peers and the leaders of his industry at the local, state, and national associations, had the greatest impact on his career.

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

3201 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101 Raleigh, NC 27612 919-454-6480 www.AsaFleming.com HuamiMagazine.com

21

huami

Cutest Baby M A G A Z I N E

Levi Harris

The son of Ashlee L. Harris Photo provided by Ashlee L. Harris To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to mykelmedia@yahoo.com 22

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Letters

Angel Fire

Deja Vu Desires

Cousins

Them Eve’s Daughters

Marrissa’s Nubian Romance Novels Get Your Copies Today www.nubianromance.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

23

Dwayne Collins

24

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Todd Youngblood

W

hen it comes to men’s fashion, there is one person who knows something about it. Dwayne Collins is the proprietor of The Sartorial Servant, a wardrobe consultation service for men based out of Charlotte. His services include consultation in relation to wardrobe, presentations, and workshops concerning men’s dress. He also offers made to measure apparel, suits, blazers, trousers, sport coats, dress shirts, sport shirts, neckties, bow ties, pocket squares and hosiery for men.

Dwayne Collins is a native of Fayetteville, N.C., but moved to Charlotte in 1976. He attended public schools in the Queen City and after graduating from Garinger High School, he later attended Johnson C. Smith University and obtained a bachelor of arts degree in English. After college, he worked for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system and dabbled a little in the banking industry.

Additionally, he was able to find time to work in retail at Brooks Brothers, Dillard’s, and Ralph Lauren. It was during these experiences when he noticed a void in how most men had not been properly educated on the difference of dressing fashionably, and dressing well. “Dressing fashionably changes from season to season, dressing well is timeless,” Collins says.

Soon after his experiences in retail, Collins decided to make a career change and, Sartorial Servant Wardrobe Consulting Firm was born.

“We educate men on dressing well. When a man dresses well, it builds his confidence,” he says. Collins also possesses over twenty years of expertise in the area and is held in high regard amongst many in the respective field. He has been featured in The Charlotte Observer Style File, which highlights the most stylish men and women in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a former men’s style columnist for Pride Magazine online, The County News Newspaper, and Q City Metro’s online magazine.

“Dressing fashionably changes from season to season, dressing well is timeless. We educate men on dressing well. When a man dresses well, it builds his confidence.”

Dwayne Collins

Continued on the next page

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

25

Collins has served as Chairperson of The Black Political Caucus of Charlotte Mecklenburg, and President of The Charlotte Mecklenburg N.A.A.C.P. In 2000, Collins was recognized as one of Charlotte, North Carolina’s most influential black men by Community Pride Magazine.

The typical client for Collins is a man who has a sincere desire to dress well, and is willing to be educated on the principles of dressing well. “I choose wardrobe consulting as a career to be of service to men. I don’t feel that my job is complete until each client feels as good as they look, and have an understanding on what happened to get them to this point,” he says. “I have failed if I only dress someone and they are unable to repeat the process after leaving my firm”.

While assisting in the transformation of men from fashion delinquents, into arbiters of men’s style, Collins is also paying homage to those who helped and inspired him. “My great uncle, Charles Williams was the first man I saw that dressed elegantly.

I wanted to dress just like him. My good friend, Leonard Gresham, Jr. is an elegant dresser and style mentor to me,” he says. He also considers musician, Louis Armstrong to be one of the best dressed men in the history of the world.

Moving forward, Collins plans to continue to spread the ‘Sartorial Gospel’ to the ends of the earth. This also means creating clothing and ensembles that will move men forward in their goals, aspirations, and dreams. h

“Clothing is one of the most universal yet overlooked forms of communication. One’s attire projects a sense of one’s self esteem, savvy, priorities, and state of mind.”

Alan Flusser

Men’s Style Guru

Photos provided by O.G. Collins Media

The Sartorial Servant Wardrobe Consulting Firm 704-777-4313 dwaynecollins088@gmail.com 26

“I started reading a draft of his book last night. It was so captivating that I found myself immersed into it. I couldn’t stop reading it.”

Najah Rosebure

“The story promotes so much hope, determination and vigilance, inspiring us to overcome obstacles!”

Paulette Counts

Author

Johnnie Davis

Meet Johnnie Davis - His story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome the most insurmountable odds. With faith, mental toughness and sound personal development principles his story, along with the concepts he teaches in this book, will help you transform your thinking in order to develop habits necessary to achieve a winning mindset.

It’s also a love story of how a loving wife stood in the gap while facing death and helped her husband return to his greatness. Her passion, strength and love is undoubtedly the perfect example of unwavering faith and unconditional love. With this book, you will learn how to apply all of these life principles to our own journey of personal and spiritual growth to help you become the best version of you.

Johnnie Davis is a world renowned business, wealth and health strategist helping others win at life by teaching them how to transform their minds and utilize their resources to achieve success. He is a Rutgers University School of Business graduate with a B.S. degree in Marketing. He entered the direct sales industry in 1996 and retired from corporate America at the age of 31.

He is an inspirational speaker and mentor to thousands across the world. He is married to his beloved Rachel Davis and they reside in Charlotte, NC. Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

27

Shana Montague Sweetz Stylzz 28

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

S

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jerry Barbry hana Montague (Sweetz) is a story within herself. She is the mother of two beautiful children, David Ray and Egypt Micah. More than anything she is a hard worker who is determined to find her place and purpose in life.

Montague has seen both sides of the tracks, and seems to have found her way back to the side that allows her to be who she wants to be. She is artsy and equally outspoken. These qualities help to make her a well sought after stylist in Raleigh, N.C. She is a native of Raleigh and attended Garner Senior High School.

While in school, life seemed to come hard for Montague. She ran away from home with another friend who would be murdered. These were the type of troubles that would surround her as a youth. She was incarcerated several times as a teen. Those experiences became a repeating pattern for her as it appeared that there was no way out and with little hope to spare.

“I was dancer at a very young age. I was a hustler and I traveled throughout the state. Through all of this, I found myself empty and unhappy. I knew I had a gift but I wasn’t using it the right way,” she says.

At the age of 21, Montague decided she wanted more out of life.

She broke her ties with the correctional system and entered the DRC Program (Daily Reporting Center) and eventually obtained her GED in three months. She received an Associates Degree in Science, and also received an Associates Degree in Cosmetology from Wake Technical Community College.

Montague has been styling hair all of her life. She was raised in a hair salon by her mother, aunts and cousins. Once she got her degree, the door was opened for her to utilize her gifts and talents professionally. “While in school I was very competitive. I won several competitions including a Fantasy Hair Battle. These accomplishments helped me to realize my wild and creative sides in terms of styling hair,” she says.

While going through the ropes of growing as a stylist, Montague was mentored by Janice Jackson Hubert, owner of Royal Essence Beauty Salon in Raleigh. She inspired her and taught her about the industry. “She pushed me and told me move, no matter what I was going through. She continued to pour into me, even after I left her salon”.

What Montague loves most about her profession is that it allows her to connect with her clients. “We are not only providing a service to our clients, we are also listening to them and providing comfort as well. A stylist, I mean a really good and serious stylist knows this,” she says.

In the future, Montague hopes to continue to be self employed as a stylist. She also wants to travel as a platform stylist. She hopes to poor back into her community and be a positive example to those who may be experiencing some of the things she did while growing up. “The best advice I can give someone is to use your gift or you might lose your gift. There is nothing wrong with being different,” she says. h

Sweeyz Stylzz sweetzstylzz@gmail.com 919-537-1220 Raleigh/Durham Raleigh/Durham- -May/June May/June2017 2017

HuamiMagazine.com HuamiMagazine.com

29 29

www.thelooprdtees.com

30

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017

HuamiMagazine.com

31

Owner & Stylist

-Alopecia Specialist -Hair Loss -Thinning Hair -Non Surgical Hair Replacement -Restoring Confidence -Private Rooms - Free Consultations www.invisilacefrontwigs.com

1029 Dresser Ct. Dorchester Village Raleigh, NC 27609 919- 521-4864 32

HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - May/June 2017