Huami Magazine Richmond November/December 2018

RICHMOND

®

Nov./Dec. 2018 Vol. 1 Issue 8 FREE

Sean Powell

Ronald Smith

Engage The Foundation

DJ Ronnie Ron

Cristelle C. Brown Consulting Richmond - Nov./Dec. 2018

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

Open Your Eyes To See What You’re Missing

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

A Letter From The Editor

A Letter from the Editor

When nothing else seems to make sense, I will find A Letter from the Editor What if tomorrow didn’t arrive?

All offers. of yourI plans, encouragement in the little things that life firmly hopes and that dreams wouldn’t havefor a street to park believe all things happen a reason.

Withon. theWhat good,ifwe are everything able to easily embrace it, and yet with the bad sometimes that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes we and have to dig deep towould find the endure it.

However, happened?

There beastrength no reason to save a rainy dreams wouldn’t have street totopark on. for What if witheverything all things we should try to find the hand of God working. day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making that you decided to put off until tomorrow never promises. What your last happened?

Thereif would be opportunity no reason toseemingly save for aexpired rainy There has to be a message in my mess.

Life can sometimes today?

What would you do? day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making be painful.

It may even seem hard and burdensome at times. promises.

What if your last opportunity seemingly expired Though when things are atI often their don’t I’ve been told that seemdifficult like I dopoints, too much. today?

What would you do? most allow yourselfIto belike deceived into believing thisand is allI’m that life Honestly, feel I am not doing enough a firm has believer to I’ve offer. we willthat only hang long enough, then inIf knowing that Godaround wouldn’t put anything onwill me been told I often seem like I do too much. the Honestly, purpose of the fight reveal itself. that I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would I feelhandle. like I amI not doing enough I’mlife a firm be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I Buried deeply in the storm clouds of my life has been haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle.

I sometimes wonder how life would freedom.

Thereto has also deliverance, and is aifblessing that afforded to what everyone.

A challenge be I chose sitisn’t idlebeen and accept itseparation, presented to me. I newhave If I to had the process in the tobeginnings. mefound is an adventure.

What is the worst thatthrown can opportunity happen? that beaborted very boring.

In my and opinion, towel at the first sign of turbulence, I may not have received If aI do nothing, if I try to I don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI fail, isn’tand afforded everyone.

A challenge these things.

If God didn’t love me, I may not have been something new about myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure.

What is Relinquish the worst that happen? granted grace and life. given a second chance to get it right. return acquire If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in In hindsight, I’ve learned that the pain had to happen in order The best advice return acquire life.ever given to me happened when someone for me appreciate the joy. I had to be denied some things so told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so that I would appreciate what I already had. I had to be knocked I have pressed myever way given through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice to me happened when down and even knocked out so I would know what it felt like hope provided.

I have also learned the difference between told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so to get my butt whooped. I’ve had to suffer and watch my love blesses and what cana burden with Iwhat haveGod pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key thatme only ones suffer so that God could show me just how strong I am. as well.

I compare it to knowing when to be confident and provided.

I have also learnedthe thesame difference between I’vehope had to make mistakes, sometimes ones over and whenlife tocan be quiet, because what God blesses me with and what burden me with over, just to get the message. God knows how hard my head is. may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowingsomeone when to be confident and withlearned being when to bearrogant. quiet,the because The most important thing that I have from trials someone may get it confused of life is to open my eyes. There is Make you tomorrow being no waywith possible toarrogant. win a battle if happen today, you go through it with but yourmost eyes importantly make it count.

Make you tomorrow closed. Don’t allow yourself to Life is but a whisper and happen butthings, most be distracted bytoday, the little we must be putthere. ourselves in a importantly make itInstead, count. they will always position to hear what it is Life is but a whisper and focus your eyes on what you think telling us.what we must put ourselves in a can’t happen or you believe position to hear what it is is impossible, and you may see this telling us. continues. is where your life

www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief

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

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On The Cover

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CONTENTS

NOV./DEC. 2018

RICHMOND

Big Ben’s Desserts

Ben Hall

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On The Cover

Cristelle Brown C. Brown Consulting

Dj Ronnie Ron

Ronald Smith

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The Car Chronicles

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Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

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Jameliah Young Mitchell

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Paisley Royal Paul

Also Featured

Tonya Bryant She has a heart that is made to care for others.

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Sean Powell He is committed to building up his community

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Richmond - Nov./Dec. 2018

Cable Dickerson Learn more about this author who has butterfly dreams.

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Cristelle C. Brown Consulting 6

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Sherria Thompson

ichmond, VA resident Cristelle Brown is an advocate for mentoring in all capacities. She takes pride in nurturing and supporting the brilliant minds of those in underrepresented communities.

Cristelle is also a person of kindness and optimism who finds joy in seeing a smile on the face of others. “It costs you nothing to be kind. I take pride in loving those close to me just a little bit harder each day and being kind to those I happen to cross paths with. I also take pride in serving as a vision of hope for those around me. I make a point to find the good in every situation. I believe there’s always a silver lining and a lesson to learn,” she says.

Cristelle is the voice and energy behind C. Brown Career Coaching. The products and services offered by C. Brown Career Coaching are designed to build up and prepare their clients for greatness. Many of these services include resume writing and editing, personal statement consultation, interview coaching, mobile notary services, workshop facilitation and more.

As an undergraduate student, Cristelle says friends and colleagues would always seek her for assistance with their resumes, cover letters, and ongoing job hunts. “I enjoyed helping them feel more confident about how they presented themselves to potential employers,’” she says. After graduating, the requests continued to come in, so she decided to do some research on what a career coaching business may look like. She found that there was a need for affordable career coaching services within and outside of her immediate community.

“During the summer of 2016, I jumped at the opportunity to fill that void. By doing so, I’ve been able to work with clients of all professional backgrounds from across the country. It was the best decision I could have ever made.”

Her experiences in higher education and nonprofit management have provided Cristelle with a unique set of skills and interests. She’s had the pleasure of helping her clients develop career plans and accomplish both short- and long-term goals. “I take pride in knowing that I played a part in making them feel more confident as they took the next step in their journeys,” she says.

Cristelle’s life has been shaped in large part by the influence of her mother. “She has been the only constant I’ve had as I learned to navigate this crazy world. Without her, I don’t know where I’d be.,” says Cristelle. She also gives a lot of credit to Roderick Dadzie and Kelli Lemon, supervisors from position(s) she held with the New Student Orientation Program at her undergraduate alma mater. “They put me in positions that allowed me to grow as a leader, and those experiences have essentially molded me into the professional that I am today.”

In the future, Cristelle plans to grow her business to serve more professionals nationwide. By the end of 2019, she hopes to have an established clientele in all 50 states. “I’m always accepting new clients and look forward to exploring the endless possibilities that await them,” she says. To learn more about what Cristelle and C. Brown Career Coaching has to offer, please contact them by phone, or visit their website.

www.cbcareercoach.com (804) 482-0835 7

Ben Hall

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex While many may know Ben Hall for his football and athletic accomplishments, there is more to this caring and gentle soul, His broad stature may make it hard for one to believe that he embodies the patience to own and operate a dessert and sweets shop. Yet he does.

Ben Hall is passionate about everything that happens in his life. He is passionate about God and helping people. Whatever that he puts his hands on, he strives to make it the best it can be and take it to the highest level. He is a giving and caring person who finds joy in seeing others winning. He is a native Wellford, SC. At a very early age he began to make a name for himself on the football field with the Wellford Redskins.

He then shined Byrnes at High School as a standout tight end. It became obvious that he was purposed to play the sport at a higher level. His next stop was Clemson University and later on to the NFL, where he played for several teams including the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans, before playing in a European team, the Amsterdam Admirals.

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After football, Ben found himself back at home in South Carolina. He landed a job at Sam’s Club and quickly moved up the ranks to supervisor. He later moved on to other opportunities, but soon realized there was something more he could be doing. “God had spoken to my heart. I knew that I could be doing more to give back to my community. The same community that gave so much to me. When I was in high school, so many teachers, coaches, and others poured into me, and helped me to become and outstanding football player and land a scholarship to play at Clemson.

I realized that it was my duty to do the same for others,” he says.

Ben began praying and meditating on the word of God, seeking answers as to the next step and direction he should take. He wanted to be an entrepreneur. He had no clue as to what to do. However, one day he made a dish of banana pudding for some of his coworkers. One person in particular told Ben that it was the best banana pudding he had ever tasted.

Ben knew at that point it was time for him to step out on faith and start his business.

In the beginning he was selling enough banana pudding to pay his light bill and car note. He was struggling, and he knew that he needed more.

Soon people began to ask if he could make more dishes and sweets such as cakes. He began to teach himself how to bake, one day at a time. He would sell them to barbershops and hair salons and everyone fell in love with his sweets. He began to apply the same work ethic he had as an athlete to his new-found business.

In 2015, when he first tried to open a location in Inman, SC, to sell his sweets, things didn’t go as planned. He eventually had to close. He began to make his goods in his home. He would soon be featured on the cover of Spartanburg magazine, and the response went so well that Ben’s customer base grew very fast. He then decided to open a second a location in Lyman in August of this year.

Now, the word is out. He has added a full ice cream bar to the menu, and the name of the business has evolved to Big Ben’s Desserts and Ice Cream. Some of the best-selling items are his “Famous Banana Pudding”, strawberry cakes and cupcakes, and key lime cake.

Ben is proving that by faith in God, and with hard work anything is possible. If you are in the Spartanburg area, please stop and allow Ben to satisfy your sweet tooth. h

Big Ben’s Desserts and Ice Cream 297 Spartanburg Hwy, Lyman, SC (864) 485-2001 Richmond - Nov./Dec. 2018

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Ronald Smith 10

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by JLG Photography

R

onald Smith, aka DJ Ronnie Ron of Hip Hop Praise was once a familiar voice on the radio. For 10 years, he served the listeners in the Triad area of North Carolina at 1510 AM Big WEAL Gospel every morning, from (6:00 am – 10:00 am) Monday – Friday, and (11:00 am) on Saturday’s for Hip Hop Praise.

I’m currently seeking Gospel Artist and Talents to work with. Please contact me for more information.

Ron’s radio career has expanded over 25 years. He started in radio producing Christian Hip Hop shows in Orlando, FL, where he is a native of. His journey has taken him to North Carolina and Virginia. He currently resides in Hampton Roads, Va. “North Carolina was good to me. I met a lot of wonderful people and consider the Triad my second home,” he says.

Ron has been married to Saundra Smith for the past 17 years. Sandra received her Masters in education from NC A&T State University. Together they are the Godparents to six wonderful kids.

Presently, Ron is deejaying weddings and has two syndicated shows that can be heard online called “Hip Hop Praise and Grown Folk Gospel Radio”. Listeners can hear Grown Folk Gospel on NC A&T’s radio station, WNAA 90.1 every Wednesday, at 5:00 pm. Ron is also a program director for www.247praiseradio.com.

Tired of attending gospel events that were “so routine”, Ron formulated the company R & S Entertainment in 2010, with the motto “Entertainment That Promotes Inner-Changement” through Radio, Television and events as well as DJ service. “We want to show that Christianity is meant to be enjoyed, not endured and is also something that will cause you to want to change for the better,” Ron says. Their past resume includes The Apple Store, The Lyrical Coffee House, Kingdom Music at Club Heaven in Greensboro. At any R & S Entertainment event, listeners will not get a church service, but rather a quality show without compromise, that also represents Christ.

Now in Virginia, Ron is continuing what he was doing in North Carolina, and that is putting on events like gospel skate nights in Virginia Beach. He is also in the process of starting a Christian Night Club in Hampton. “The goal is to create a platform and provide opportunities of fellowship, while presenting Christ through non-traditional methods, and also give artist exposure for their ministries,” he says. h

DJ Ronnie Ron 336-858-8365 ronnieron2k@gmail.com www.straightministryheat.com

Follow Ron on Social Media

@ronnieron2k

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Jameliah Pastor

Young-Mitchell

By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Todd Youngblood There are many accounts in the Bible where Jesus was criticized by the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes for performing miracles during the Sabbath. There are also accounts of the Apostles being openly rebuked because they neglected to keep with the “traditions” of the elders by not ceremonially washing their hands to purify themselves from Gentile contamination before partaking in a meal. In Matthew 15:3, Jesus asked these groups of men why they “transgressed the commandment of God” by their “tradition.” This question has been problematic for biblical scholars for many centuries. The chief question remains, “how do you judge between the commandment of God and mere ‘tradition?’” If you ask Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell, she will be the first to tell you that her ministries, The Car Chronicles Movement (CCM) and Unity Church Charlotte, are anything but traditional. In fact, it is her raw and “untraditional” delivery of the Word of God that has attracted a body of Christian believers whom have expanded both her Facebook presence and has caused her to seek larger accommodations for her brick and mortar church located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In recent years, the Body of Christ has been plagued with various heart-wrenching scandals carried out by prominent leaders. These accusations have caused some to turn away from the house of worship. These are the sheep whom Pastor Young-Mitchell says God has called her to lead. She views her online ministry as the “shepherds hook.” She shares, “I’m Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell, but you can call me MJ all my friends do. I am the pastor of Unity Church in Charlotte, NC and I’m also the Founder and Pastor of The Car Chronicles Movement on Facebook. What’s so great about my online ministry is that I’m able to pastor those sheep who no longer desire to visit a brick and mortar church for whatever reason, but they still have a desire to be a part of the Body of Christ. The Car Chronicles Movement is really making an impact on people all around the world because of the way God instructed me to deliver His Word.

He said, ‘You’re an end-time pastor with an on-time word,’ so that already makes me very different. God has graced me with the gift of transparency, which many other pastors don’t have. Some people may say that I have a little bit of an edge and tradition frowns upon that, but this is who God has called me to be and I’m honored to be His obedient servant. You know you can’t always follow tradition, because when you do that you lose those from other generations who don’t understand that way of life. Jesus even teaches you that in Matthew 15:3. You can’t put God in a box and this millennial generation is a prime example of that. One thing about me and my members, especially those who attend Unity Church in Charlotte, NC, is that we’re very different and somewhat edgy. I do things there like hire a DJ who will come in and play gospel house music. Some traditionalists wouldn’t understand that and in fact would frown upon it, but that gets them in the doors and we worship God as a unified body in the spirit of unity and love.”

So how is it that this native Brooklyn, New Yorker, stilettoswearing, Bible-toting woman have the capability of possessing such a powerful anointing? How is it that she appeals to the global masses on social media when she had a father who didn’t nurture her; instead, prophesied damnation over her life by telling her that she would never amount to anything? I believe the traditional preverbal phrase would be - - “But God.” As a Prophetess, Pastor Young-Mitchell knows that people not only frown upon her preaching style, they also frown upon her nontraditional appearance, but she doesn’t allow any of it to Continued on the next page

affect her style. “God knew what I looked like when He chose me with all this hair, make-up, heels, nail polish, and personality. He chose me. It wasn’t the other way around.

Who would intentionally do this unless God called you to it?

You know this whole Facebook movement started one day when the Lord told me to pull my car over in Atlanta, Georgia when I was on my way to work. He told me that between the hours of 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. that a serious yoke breaking anointing is going to fall between that hour and it was going to be like being at the Pool of Bethesda, but this stirring would happen on Facebook during that hour. He told me that I would do this daily and I’ve been obedient to His Word. So, since I’ve been doing this for a couple of years, I’ve seen yokes breaking; and I’ve seen lives changing. The Car Chronicles has moved across the nation. I mean literally one broadcast can start with 4,000 people and by the time the hour is up that number has increased to 12,000 people.

You know social media really gives us the ability to reach the masses.”

Her passion for preaching and teaching the Word of God doesn’t stop there. She is also passionate about helping women rediscover who God has ordained them to be. She shares, “I’m very passionate about domestic violence because I watched my mother go through it and I went through it. I want to stop women from getting into those types of relationships and help the ones who believe that they’re stuck get out of those situations. I get invigorated when I see other women being recharged by the Word of God. If God can use Mary Magdalene to preach the Gospel, then these women can do it too. They don’t have to come out of an oppressive situation and still feel like they’re a victim. I know this is the reason that God gave me this book, The Death of The Angry Black Woman. Yes, it’s different, but then again so am I. The Lord gave me this book; He told me to write it.

It’s like a trance came over me, and when I came out of it, I saw all the pages and I said, I didn’t write this, and God said, ‘No you didn’t; I wrote it.’” Pastor Young-Mitchell shared that the book has become a best-seller in its category for mental health. She says that the book is already doing “great things in the earth” and it provides the revelation that both women and men need so they can learn to love themselves and have healthy relationships. “This book is a seed that I’ve planted in the Body of Christ so now it’s up to the harvesters to ‘pick’ up their copy of The Death of The Angry Black Woman, so they can reap the benefits of what God is saying and apply it to their daily lives.”

Pastor Young-Mitchell is a believer in applying God’s Word in her life and knows all too well how the pages in her book can affect change. She shares, “I’m not talking anything I don’t know about. I’m a divorcee. I have two beautiful children, Dylan and Hunter Davis and I am remarried to Calvin W. Mitchell. Even in this marriage there was a level of hardship because of how I came in it. I came with daddy issues and I had an aggressive nature. Well, he didn’t know how to deal with those types of issues. What I have come to understand is that when you have an aggressive woman, she works well not necessarily with a passive man, but with a patient man. So, I entered marriage already aggressive because of what I saw in my household growing up and two aggressive people make for an explosive relationship. So, my attitude was always you won’t pee on me and tell me it’s raining - - that ain’t gonna fly. That’s how I was and I’m not afraid to say or admit that.”

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“

I’m very passionate about domestic violence, because I watched my mother go through it and I went through it.

I want to stop women from getting into those types of relationships and help the ones who believe that they’re stuck get out of those situations. I get invigorated when I see other women being recharged by the Word of God.

“

Purchase Your Copy of The Death of the Angry Black Woman at www.amazon.com

See Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell live at Unity Church of Charlotte Unity Church of Charlotte 2818 Queen City Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 Follow Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell and The Car Chronicles Movement Daily from 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Facebook: Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell www.carchroniclesmovement.org

One of the reasons the doors of Unity Church, Charlotte NC are expanding is because Pastor Young-Mitchell isn’t afraid to speak her truth. To the traditionalist, her delivery of the Word is jaw-dropping, but her members much prefer to call them “Mic-dropping Moments.”

According to Pastor Young-Mitchell, “I do something that’s called the mic-dropping moment. That’s when I break the Word of God down and they can’t believe I said it the way I said it. Most traditional or religious people don’t agree with the way I deliver the Message, but my members just say, ‘oh, she just dropped the mic!’ In truth I drop microphones all the time because I’m going to say the stuff that other pastors are too afraid or too religious to say, because they’re afraid of losing members. You know I don’t even teach from the King James Bible because most people don’t even understand it. The Word of God shouldn’t be confusing, so I use the Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) because the translation is very simple. Anybody can understand it.” h

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Sean Powell EngageThe Foundation of Richmond,Va.

“There are foundational roots, such as fatherhood, family separation and childhood development. These things are tarnished in many communities, so we have to engage into that foundational level of what’s missing in our community in order to develop and rebuild it.”

Information By Sean Powell Photo by Sean Powell

Sean Powell is a graduate of the VCU School of Business and founded Engage the Foundation in 2011. He is also the face of Engage The Foundation. Engage The Foundation is a community-based organization that connects college students and encourages them to work with families and kids on campus and in the neighborhood. Two of its main goals are developing successive generations who understand their purpose and identity and reducing the costs of government assistance needed by unstable families. Engage has spurred growth in communities by holding fundraisers, development programs, workforce programs and other special events.

Initially, Engage focused on male development and fatherhood through its Male Development Boyhood to Manhood — Rites of Passage program in collaboration with the National Partnership for Community Leadership, and its “Raising Real Fathers” program that included a collaborative “Boot Camp for New Dads.” Community members noted its success and wanted more outreach. A female development section, “Believe In Love Like It’s Everything,” was added to the organization’s curriculum shortly after. Powell realized creative possibilities were endless.

Sean stresses the importance of Engage’s college-to-career pipeline, a workforce program that increases the rate at which college students find a job after graduating through industry training, certifications and direct work experience as interns.

Powell interned at the Virginia Department of Health during his senior year at VCU. There, he organized two big community mobilization events focused on educating men about fatherhood. About 850 people attended the events, which included fatherhood experts, mental health experts, authors of books on fatherhood, and other officials representing organizations from all over the East Coast. His success generating publicity for the events gave him the confidence that he could do the same for something close to his heart. That was Engage’s defining moment, Powell said.

Powell built Engage, the Foundation to help underprivileged communities build on basic developmental principles. “There are foundational roots, such as fatherhood, family separation and childhood development,” he said. “These things are tarnished in many communities, so we have to engage into that foundational level of what’s missing in our community in order to develop and rebuild it.”

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Engage The Foundation www.engagethefoundation.org

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Brandi Myers Photography For some women, in regard to fashion, your attire is complete until everything has been addressed. This means from head to toe, and front to back. Durham, N.C. native Ebony Jackson has launched a business that provides products and accessories that are designed to make her clients feel fashionably complete.

Ebony describes herself as a believer, wife, mom, sister, and entrepreneur. She says, “I am just a little black girl with a vision. I’ve come from humbled beginnings, and I have remained humbled. I’m just out here living my blessed life!”

Her company, Eye Believe Eyewear is a trendy and affordable online shopping boutique for lovers of eyewear. By faith, she started her business in July 2016 and it has since grown to provide accessories such as jewelry and handbags. “The idea of becoming an entrepreneur had come to my mind several years ago. Initially, I wanted to produce my own line of Christian tee shirts for young adults and children. I have always loved sunglasses and thought I should market them to everyone; men, women and kids. When I began to research the idea, I found there was a large market already for this, so I waited and put my dreams on hold,” she says. However, she would revisit the idea later.

Ebony’s faith would not allow her to rest, knowing there was something she had to complete. “One day while in service, I heard my pastor preaching on Habakkuk 2:2 which says, “write the vision and make it plain”. That day I went home and wrote my vision out. I planned from start to finish and gave myself goals as well. I had a vision of how I wanted my website to look. With the help of my husband we made it happen,” Ebony explains. “A lot of research went into the beginning stage to make sure I was doing everything correct from a business stand point and also asking other entrepreneurs questions on direction. The name I chose relates to a person having faith. Having faith sometimes requires us to believe in something we can’t see. We sometimes say, ‘I believe.’ That is the meaning of Eye Believe Eyewear.”

Ebony offers sunglasses (colored or tinted frames) as well as eyewear (clear frames). She has a section for women, men and kids. She also has handbags, brooches, and jewelry including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She carries a line of bracelets that she refers to as “conversation pieces” that includes bangles, and charm bracelets with bible scriptures.

She also has an “exclusive” section on her website of one of a kinds pieces that are designed to help her clients to stand out amongst the rest.

Coming from such a tough start, Ebony allows her past to inspire her. “I want a better life for myself and my children. If my children can see me living out at least one of my dreams, then I have made a difference. I tell my son all the time that he can be anything he wants to be, and the sky is the limit,” she states. h

Ebony Jackson Eye Believe Eyewear www.eyebelieveeyewear.com Richmond - Nov./Dec. 2018

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TONY A BRYANT Better Care for Better Living 18

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By Toya Moore Photos by Apollo Wonex At the age of 20 years old, Tonya Bryant found herself in the role of a caretaker. It was second nature to her. She says she has always taken care of people, and when her grandparents got sick, something shifted. High blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia are the illnesses that plagued her grandparents for the next few years and Tonya was there the entire time to make sure they were taken care of.

Surprisingly, taking care of her family wasn’t the start of her journey. Her journey began in the IT field. Tonya was two years into her computer technology degree program when she decided to change her life and career path. She began studying nursing and hasn’t looked back. Tonya always knew she wanted to be a voice in medical care and in education, so in 2004 she became a Licensed Practical Nurse.

In 2006 she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) and began working in long term care as the Director of Nursing. She later became licensed as an Dual Healthcare Administrator and Trauma nurse. As a matter of fact, she is still a trauma nurse, working PRN for GHS and providing services as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. But back in 2009, she was working 12 hour shifts as a trauma nurse and realized that something was missing in the work she did every day. “I wanted to focus my energy on caring for people because it seemed as if the care was not there for those who needed it the most.

Not just medical care, but personal care with a personal touch.

People needed her. To address that need, in 2010 she started her own Home Health Care company, Optimum Health Care.

For a while, she worked 12 hour shifts and grew her business, providing a very personal and familial touch to all of her clients and their families.

While growing her business she realized that it was hard to find qualified candidates that not only were technically trained, but also able to provide the standard and level of training she needed for her clients. That’s when she decided to become a trainer and create the talent pool that she was looking for. In 2014, she opened her school, Legacy Active Day. Legacy trains CNAs, Medical technicians, phlebotomists and EKG techs.

She has four instructors (not including herself) that provide classroom/curriculum-based training and hands on personalized training.

Tonya’s goal with starting the school was to be a solid foundation on which students can start their careers or continue their training in the medical field. She also wanted to make sure there was never a need for qualified candidates to take care of people when they are facing medical issues. The school is a success here in the upstate training 50 to 60 students a year.

Because of her approach to healthcare and how well trained her students are, Tonya is also a strategy and development consultant for other home healthcare companies. At any given time, she has five or six companies that she provides training, direction and guidance to. When others want to know how to be successful with their home healthcare practice or with their businesses, they call Tonya.

Amidst all the training and consulting and caring for those with needs, Tonya realized that may of her clients needed consistent affordable transportation. She was not able to find what she wanted in a transportation partner, so in 2015 she established a transportation leg of her company to help her continue to provide wrap around services for those she served.

It seemed like whenever there was a need to be addressed, or a problem that needed to be solved, instead of complaining about it, or waiting for someone else to do something, Tonya decided she was the “someone else”, and that she needed to do something to solve it. What she has done is working well.

Home health care is a big industry in the Upstate. When

asked what sets her apart from other home health companies, Tonya says there are several things that she balances and juggles to maintain success. Her faith and belief in God are the main thing, and her dedication to her family takes a close second. Her husband Phillip has been her biggest supporter, taking care of the majority of the of the transportation, scheduling and logistical needs for the businesses. Most importantly, Phillip fills in the gap when there are family concerns that need to be addressed with the kids. She manages to find time in the evenings and weekends to be a mom and a wife.

When she is in her professional role, what sets her apart from other companies is the type of training she provides her students, and the type of care she gives her clients. She says that her relationship with other caregivers and business owners is also a big factor. She doesn’t see other Home Health care companies or other schools as competitors. She often refers client out to someone else because she does not want to hinder a person’s wellbeing, especially when it comes to respite care. But at the end of the day, for Tonya her bottom line is not dollars and cents.

Her bottom line is people and care. Her mission is to build a better stronger h community in health care, that will in turn build a better community overall.

Optimum Home Health 622A Old Easley Highway Greenville SC 29611 864-552-1114 www.optimumhealthcaresc.com www.legacyactiveday.com 19

Sherria Thompson What My Shirt Say

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Sherria Thompson Nashville, TN native Sherria Thompson is a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She is a proud Tennessee State University graduate and a natural born creative who is compassionate and has a long-time desire to connect with people.

Since she could remember, Sherria has wanted to be an entrepreneur. She started her first business in elementary school by selling treats and candy to her classmates, and kids in the neighborhood where she lived. Little did she know at that time, but her aspirations would grow into something more.

“Learning excites me. It keeps me innovative and ahead of the curve. I am also athlete, so that naturally I am competitive. I compete to be the highest expression of myself, and to be even better than ever I imagined. I have high expectations and willing to put in the hard work to achieving my goals,” she says.

Her career started in the music industry, branding artist and events in 2007. While in college at the University of Memphis and later the Art Institute of Nashville, she started coordinating concerts and artist showcases. She oversaw everything from artist appearances, studio sessions, photo shoots, press release, marketing/promotions, and digital online presence. From the beginning, it was obvious that her capabilities to create extraordinary productions would lead to an enduring career.

Now, Sherria is a full-time brand manager for a variety of brands, including “What My Shirt Say”. It is an online collection of creative statement tees, and complete t-shirt line. Their designs let the shirt to do the talking because Sherria says that attitudes are meant to be worn. “Everyone needs a dope go-to black statement piece in their wardrobe. Our mission is to align attitudes and fashion with our mixed collection of bold statements and word play. Fashion is a direct reflection of who you are. Be it. Own it.

Wear it.”

Sherria has been a Freelance Marketer and Brand Manager for over eight years. Quality presentations are essential in servicing her clients and branding projects. How it looks, sounds and makes consumers feel is all a part of maintaining brand consistency. She is obsessed with creating the ultimate brand experiences for her clients and their consumers. “I help entrepreneurs apply strategy to their hustle with realistic goals in mind. My approach to building brands is way beyond a logo, it’s the entire brand persona. How someone feels about your brand is based off every encounter, from beginning to end. Branding is the overall experience...period.

It’s my job to create an experience worth remembering. I enjoy analyzing the target audience to determine how and what will resonate with them. My overall goal is to establish solid brands and connect with their audience to increases the number of jobs and opportunities in our community,” she says.

Sherria offers brand management, event coordination, and brand consulting with her company JAS Studios, LLC. Their services combine creative strategy, innovative design, and detailed logistics to successfully managed influential events and every detail between. Its products include printed collateral such as brochures, media kits, presentation folders, and audio/visual digital presentations.

She finds inspiration in her life’s’ experiences. “From childhood, I always wanted better for myself, and I want the same for twin boys. During my Junior year in college in 2013, we lost their father when they were only three years old. This tragedy brought me to a reality that I never prepared for and made me better. I’m extremely studious. I can be found reading and participating in various conferences and training courses. I study women like Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, and Michelle Obama. For my daily inspirations, I’m extremely blessed to have an amazing business partner, Jessica Coleman to bounce ideas around and keep me motivated even during the most difficult times,” she says.

Moving forward, Sherria plans to continue her career with her long-time business partner, Jessica Coleman, and JAS Studios, LLC. After eight years of servicing startup businesses and entrepreneurs alike, this transition is a breath of fresh air and full circle to where she started. She will also be introducing new apparel and services including brand consulting with her What My Shirt Say brand.

To learn more about Sherria Thompson and her brands, please visit their website.

www.whatmyshirtsay.com 21

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Cable Nissan

Author Cable Dickerson describes herself as a woman determined to show love, honor, respect and appreciation to her creator with her life. She is also very expressive and openly displays with the world, every talent and gift placed inside her. Those close to her would say Cable is charismatic, innovative, supportive, and unstoppable.

She is also a natural go-getter and United States Army Veteran who quickly rose with her ranks to Private (E-0) to Sergeant (E-5) in just three years. She has also received her Cosmetology License, Medical Assistant License, and written and produced two stage plays. If that wasn’t enough, she has also found the time to act in multiple productions, speak at conferences, write two books all while embracing the best gift of all ― motherhood.

Cable began writing poems as a child for fun. She also has a love for acting. While searching for play auditions one day, she was unable to find anything. So, she decided to write her own play and one thing led to another, and here she is today, an author and much more.

One of the books she’s written “Love Me the Right Way” tell a story of love. It has a section dedicated to singles and one for couples. “I believe as a single person, you must love yourself first and not put the responsibility onto others to complete and validate you” she says. For couples, the book gives reminders of what the Bible instructs in regards marriage. It has testimonies from couples and a romantic feature that shares ideas on how to keep the love alive in their marriage. She recently released her second book, “Freeing My Butterfly” which is about teaching individuals how to transform into the best they can be. Cable says, “When I think of transformation, I reflect on that of what a caterpillar goes through.

It not only transforms outwardly, but its abilities change as well. It goes from crawling and only seeing things at a certain level to flying and seeing things from a higher perspective once it transforms into a butterfly. It has a whole new life that began in the egg, waiting to see and experience this thing called life. As a caterpillar, it ate a lot. If we compare our lives to that, we eat a lot as well. We must in order to grow. We all have felt like the caterpillar at some point. The next stage is the hardest. For humans, no matter how hurt we are, we would rather be around someone instead of being alone. This phase is the cocoon stage. It may look peaceful on the outside, but it is a lot happening on the inside. The outside cannot be disturbed, or the metamorphosis might not take place. We must get alone and away from negative things, so we can focus on our healing and the transformation. There is no point of trying to heal and get negative things out of our heart when it keeps getting deposited. The last stage is becoming the ‘Beautiful Butterfly’. When you see a butterfly, you think of freedom. I pray this book will not only help others to see their true outer beauty, but also help them release the best in them, including abilities never known. I pray is that others will find freedom, peace, and joy from reading this book.”

“I love to act, perform, dance, and hang with my family. I have a heart for women and children. As an author and a person, I am very honest and straightforward. My passion is to help women see the greatness within themselves,” she says. “One of my purposes in life is to bring good news to people. That’s why I work so hard. My goal is help individuals in despair find a way out of their situation. This means helping the homeless, the hopeless, and those who need to be loved.

I am a person who smiles bigger when I see someone else smile.”

Cable wants everyone to live freely, and not be bound by hurt, pain and bitterness. As an author, her works are intended to shed light on some of the pain that others, and even herself has experienced in life.

“This project is so important to me because it is my life and that’s why it is more than a book, it is a movement,” she says.

Cable is currently working on retreats, a touring workshop and other products. There is also the “Freeing My Butterfly Healing Baskets” which Includes a blanket (to wrap yourself up in love), a pillow (to hold on to, hug or even punch when you angry in the process), tissue (to wipe your eyes in the sad times), a book, a pen and some chocolate (cause that always makes a girl feel better). The Basket will be available to purchase November 20th, 2018. Individuals can also make their own personalized basket by adding any of Cable’s products separately. Tour dates for the “Freeing My Butterfly Monologue” will be released in December.

Moving forward, Cable says she plans on making “Freeing My Butterfly” a national movement. “There are ladies all over that need to know there worth,” she says. She is also opening a travel agency business called “Travel Free Butterfly”.

Instagram and Facebook @ Cable Nissan Email: dickerson@gmail.com

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Are You Prepared For The Final Event of Life.......Death Information Provided By Loretta Jo Shaw Photos by Loretta Jo Shaw

People plan and prepare for most events that occur in their lives, yet few prepare for the final event of life... death.

No matter if a death is sudden, or something that was a long time coming, the loss of a loved one makes others feel emotionally overwhelmed. When loved ones are in a heightened emotional state, even the most basic decisions can seem staggering. By Pre-planning and Pre-arranging, pain can be lessened and peace of mind can come to those left behind.

Final Wishes has been designed and developed to help spare individuals and their families the added burden, both emotionally and financially, of having to make death decisions/arrangements without the knowledge of the deceased person’s final wishes.

We want to give peace of mind to loved ones or friends, who are left behind, by assisting individuals and families in pre-planning their final wishes and ensuring that their final wishes are written, documented, and shared.

Loretta Jo Shaw

Owner & Consultant of Final Wishes

Important Questions That Need To Be Answered Who will speak for you if you are not able to speak for yourself?

Who will determine what kind of care you will have at the end of life?

What kind of funeral or memorial service do you want?

How will your finances and possessions be handled?

How will your estate be distributed?

By pre-planning and pre-arranging , “YOU” can make your Final Wishes known before you die.

Loretta Jo Shaw, Owner & Consultant of Final Wishes, was a leader/facilitator of the GriefShare Ministry at Love & Faith Christian Fellowship in Greensboro, NC from 2007-2016. She has coordinated annual workshops on Will, Funeral and Insurance Planning as part of her duties and responsibilities in the GriefShare Ministry. Loretta is a retired professional, having worked 43 years in Non-Profit and Public/Government Human Service Agencies. She has a BA Degree in Community Services and is currently enrolled in extended studies with the Stafford Career Institute with emphasis in Funeral Education Program. She was married for thirty-one years and has been a widow since 2006. h

“One of the greatest things you can do to help others is not just to share and give what you have, but to help them discover what they have within themselves to help themselves.”

Rita Zahara

Final Wishes www.finalwishes.net 336-617-4777 lorshaw50@gmail.com

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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Pharenheit Photography

Life has a habit of creating unthinkable bends and flows. One day it delivers wonderful things and you’re surrounded by amazing people, and in a split-second these same things can change unexpectedly.

When you’re experiencing this turmoil as you hit double digits, it sometimes can leave lasting trauma that can take years to unravel.

Jennifer Martin-Scarborough remembers exactly when her world was turned upside down. It was at the age of 10. “I always knew I looked a little different than most people in my family. I was much darker than they were. But since my mom is part Indian, I figured that’s where it (her complexion) came from,” she explains. One day, while home with her father, who was recovering from a heart attack, she casually answered the ringing telephone. On the other end was her grandmother, who was upset about something that Jennifer can’t recall. The heartless woman on the other end simply blurted out ― the person who she thought was her sister, gave her life. Jennifer dropped the phone and began to cry uncontrollably. The man she knew as her father embraced her, called her mother, and told her she needed to come home, now.

It was finally explained, that the woman Jennifer always called, ‘Mom’, was her biological grandmother. The man she knew as her father, was her grandmother’s husband (no biological relation), and the girl she thought was her sister, was actually the person who birthed her. “My biological mother was 16 when she had me. So her mother, who I’ve always called ‘mom’, adopted me and raised me as her own child.” The woman who revealed this family secret over the phone was her biological great-grandmother. It would be another three years before her biological mother revealed who her father was, in a moment of drunkenness.

“My mom was very protective of me. She wouldn’t let just anyone babysit me or be around me.” Perhaps her mother knew the facts surrounding her own birth could break her. And for some time, it did.

The confused child began to act out at school, hung with the wrong crowd, and gave her mother hell. She was fighting relentless internal demons. Finding out that she was biracial, that her dad was an older black man whose family lived in the same neighborhood, and being rejected by both blacks and whites, left her questioning everything she ever knew. As a result, her self-esteem suffered and she had no idea what to do with herself. By the grace of God things would begin to workout in her favor.

After high school, Jennifer and her best friend dreamed of owning their own salons. They even came up with a name for it: Bayos & Co. (a combination of their nicknames Babyg’rl and YoYo). In 2000, Jennifer enrolled in the Vance-Granville Cosmetology program and completed it a year early due to her apprenticeship at a full-service salon. For several years, she worked between Graham, Burlington, and Durham. In 2006, she hosted her first hair show. Presently, she attempts to host one annually, schedule permitting.

“I like to find different types of models for my shows. I want to motivate everyone to feel beautiful and to feel good about themselves,” says Jennifer. Her previous identity battle gave her the idea to be inclusive to all colors, shapes, and physical features.

One evening in 2012, Jennifer woke up in the middle of the night with a vision. Within minutes she had penned five pages of the type of salon and business she wanted. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to finance her vision at that moment, but several months later was blessed by a client with the exact dollar amount she needed to secure a location. When she received her tax refund, she invested it in equipment and tools. She tapped her God brother to do the renovations, and he poured himself into creating an entirely new space for her new venture.

“I like to find different types of models for my shows. I want to motivate everyone to feel beautiful and to feel good about themselves.”

Jennifer Continued on the next page

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The year before, she received a devastating blow that almost caused her to abandon her dream; Her beloved mother passed away, leaving Jennifer empty and lost. “She gave me everything I could’ve ever asked for,” she reminisces with an unsteady tone. But instead of giving up, she brushed herself off and fueled her ideas with the immense grief she felt. She was determined to become a business owner, just as her mother had been. She owned several restaurants over the years and even employed Jennifer’s biological father while he was serving a prison sentence (she was unaware that he had dated and impregnated her daughter at the time.)

The salon flourished and allowed her to finally find her voice and build her own confidence. She attended NC Central University for Business Marketing and Communications, which helped her navigate through details some business owners may not understand.

In 2017, Jennifer was dealt another unfortunate hand when both biological parents, her brother, and Godmother all passed away within months of each other. She was mentally and emotionally drained and couldn’t imagine running a large business full time. The dedicated wife and mother of two decided to downsize her salon, Image Ensemble, Inc. and reduce her workload, not wanting to let her customers down.

She moved into a smaller space, brought one stylist with her. She currently enjoys a slightly less stressful lifestyle.

Jennifer specializes in color and cutting, but can usually create any look her clients desire. She also travels for special events such as weddings, birthdays, and any occasion that requires a hairstyle, make up, and even nails. At times, she’ll rent booth space in another city just to service long-time clients in those areas.

She believes in hard work and has vowed not to let the hard balls knock her down. With a village of support, including her husband, children, childhood best friends, and her clients that are like family, Jennifer has beat the odds and continues to win. h

Jennifer believes in hard work and has vowed not to let the hard balls knock her down. With a village of support, including her husband, children, childhood best friends, and her clients that are like family, Jennifer has beat the odds and continues to win.

1601 E. Geer st. Ste. G, Durham, North Carolina 27705 336-260-5740 28

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huami MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Paisley Royal Paul The daughter of Faith Royal-Paul Photo provided by Faith Royal-Paul

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

Richmond, VA

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