July/August 2025
Vol. 3 Issue 1
Passion, Purpose, and Expiration Dates
A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
A Letter from the Editor
When the moment arrives and you know that your passion doesn’t align with your purpose, it’s time to move on.
One of the great blessings that God offers to all of His children is the opportunity to choose what we want to do in life. Some may aspire to be a doctor, nurse, actor/actress, musician, teacher, dancer, etc. Whatever our hearts desire, God allows us to decide. With this freedom, I believe that God doesn’t expect us to leave Him out totally. If it’s from God, then in order to sustain it, a connection must be sustained.
What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?
The purpose of an expiration date is to let us know when something has gone bad or has become useless. Who wants to eat food that has expired? We are not supposed to drive cars with an expired driver’s license, so why would we want to show up for an assignment that has passed us by? It doesn’t make sense. Whether it’s a person, place, or thing, or even an airplane, it deserves the best from whoever is in a position to provide it.
I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me 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 something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.
Lately, I have noticed that a lack of compassion exists in many places. In the hospitality industry, the healthcare industry, the travel industry, and even at church, people seem to be so disinterested in the feelings of others. Of course, we can come up with a lot of reasons and excuses as to why, again, I believe that it’s due to an expiration date. If the thrill is gone, then the door becomes open to all of the bad habits to walk in.
The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.
I want to encourage everyone who may read this message to always approach what we are called to with love and excellence. Self-reflection is also something that can help us learn where we are in our calling and assignments. The reasons why we started don’t change; what changes is what happens along the journey, and when the moment arrives where our interests are dull and reasoning has evaporated, that’s when we should walk away. Too many people are depending on receiving the best versions of themselves, and that version may even be connected to their livelihood and survival.
General Inquiries
Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.
Terry L. Watson
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Tamara Smith
Terry L Watson Publisher
Dr. Marrissa Dick Writer
Terry L. Watson Writer
Monica Montgomery Writer
Ashleigh Crawley Photographer
Todd Youngblood Photographer
Snuggs Photography Photographer
Children’s Dental Zone/Trilogy Dr. Candace Wakefield
Little Rock, AR
Grants To Help Communities Arkansas Black Hall of Fame
Little Rock, AR
Annual Luncheon & Awards
Bridge 2 Success
It is time to celebrate those who help make our communities better. The Huami Magazine Community Awards Gala happened in Charlotte. Charlotte, NC
She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one beautiful baby. Her name is Mina Alyssa Kennedy
She Has A Heart to Design Tierra Henderson
Phiffany & Co. Phiffany Porter
The Griot Museum Dr. Lois Conley
New Jerusalem Cathedral
Kevin A. Williams
The Taste of Black St. Louis
September 12-14th. 2025
Taking place every 2nd weekend in September in downtown St. Louis, this three-day festival invites you to savor a delectable experience. Admission to Taste of Black St Louis is FREE, featuring a diverse array of foods, retail delights, and informational vendors from the Midwest and beyond.
Since its establishment in 2018 by founder Aisha James, Taste of Black St Louis has drawn over 250+ vendors and generated substantial sales for participants. Our mission is to curate a vibrant African American Food Festival, offering a communal space for cultural exchange, education, and the joyous exploration of food.
Recognized in September 2021 with a Proclamation from Mayor Tishaura Jones, designating the 2nd week of September as “Taste of Black St Louis weekend,” we’ve received resolutions and acknowledgments from the Missouri House of Representatives, State Representative Marlon Anderson, and, in 2023, the Board of Aldermen and Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. These recognitions underline Taste of Black St Louis as a cherished community staple and the perfect portal for small businesses into the hearts and tummies of our city year after year.
Taste of Black St. Louis 2024 will be held September 12th14th, 2025, 12:00PM - 9:00PM each day in Soldier’s Memorial Plaza, at Poelker & Kaufmann Park, 1315 Chestnut Street • St. Louis, MO 63103.
Information obtained from Taste of Black St. Louis Online
Lois D. Conley The Griot Museum
Information obtained from The Griout Museum of Black History
The Griot is the first cultural institution in St. Louis that is solely dedicated to revealing the broad scope of Black History and culture. Only the second of its kind in the country, The Griot Museum of Black History opened as The Black World History Wax Museum in February 1997. In 2009, we hit upon what seems to be the perfect name “The Griot (pronounced “GREE-OH”) Museum of Black History (“The Griot”). Our new name more accurately reflects what we do -- collect, preserve, interpret, and share the stories, culture, and history of Black people - particularly highlighting their regional connection to American history.
The core galleries of The Griot include life-size wax figures, other art, artifacts, and memorabilia to help interpret the stories of Black people who have contributed to our country’s development. Visitors can “meet” and learn about Carter G. Woodson, Josephine Baker, Dred and Harriet Scott, Elizabeth Keckley, William Wells Brown, James Milton Turner, Clark Terry, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Rev. Earl. E. Nance Sr., Miles Davis, Madame C.J. Walker, York, Percy Green, Macler Shepard, Chief Sherman George, and others.
The Griot’s interpretative program includes an authentic slave cabin, originally built on the Wright-Smith plantation in Jonesburg, Missouri. Visitors can solve puzzles, view documentary videos, and “board” a scale model section of a ship that replicates those used to transport Africans to America during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The Museum hosts national and local touring arts and humanities exhibits. Community education programs, artists’ gallery talks, and cultural celebrations enhance The Griot’s community outreach efforts.
Originally named The Black World History Wax Museum, the organization changed its name to The Griot Museum of Black History (“The Griot”) in 2009. In some West African countries, the Griot is responsible for collecting and preserving the history that is of value and relevance to the community. A “living repository” of oral tradition, the Griot is often seen as a societal leader who gathers and holds important events such as births, deaths, marriages, and cultural traditions. The trusted Griot often interprets or critiques events before presenting them to the village leaders. A historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, and/ or musician, the griot shares stories through a variety of formats. Likewise, The Griot Museum also collects, holds, preserves, and shares the stories, culture, and history of Black people.
Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that translates to “Go back and get it.” It also refers to the Bono Adinkra symbol, represented either with a stylized heart shape or by a bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward, carrying a precious egg in its mouth.
The Griot Museum of Black History was founded by Lois D. Conley, who also serves as President. Lois D. Conley has dedicated many years toward researching African-American history, with particular emphasis on the Underground Railroad and Westward Expansion. Conley was a consultant to the National Park Service’s study, which documented the trails of hundreds of enslaved Blacks who used it to secure their freedom via the Underground Railroad. She has also lectured across the nation at various schools, churches, and universities and has conducted tours to Black historic sites.
Conley consulted for the Royal Tropical Museum in Amsterdam for its exhibition on slavery. She has visited and studied museums in Mexico, Great Britain, Canada, and throughout the United States. Conley was a member of the Neighborhood Leadership Team for St. Louis’ 5th Ward Sustainable Neighborhood Project, has served on grant review panels for the Missouri Arts Council, St. Louis Regional Arts Commission, and United Way, and was a founding member of the St. Louis Mid-Size Arts Collaborative.
Conley has been honored by numerous organizations including the Missouri Humanities Council, Top Ladies of Distinction, the Harambee Institute, Elijah Lovejoy Society, National Council of Negro Women, the YWCA of Metropolitan St. Louis, the St. Louis Argus, St. Louis Gateway, Mound City Bar Association, Classic, Greater St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation, J.U.S.T.I.C.E., Grand Center, The Royal Vagabonds. She is a member of the 2006 class of Leadership St. Louis. Currently, Conley serves on the Advisory Committee for the Divided City Project, Center for the Humanities at Washington University; co-chairs the Fairgrounds/Grand Metro Link Station Working Group for the Brickline Greenway project, and is an organizing member of the Regional Justice Coalition (RJC-STL).
A graduate of Saint Louis University, Conley earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications and master’s degree in Education. She also earned a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis as an E. Desmond Lee Scholar.
Conley grew up in St. Louis’ Millcreek Neighborhood, graduated from Vashon High School, and is a life-long member of Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
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Dr. Candace Wakefield
The Children’s Dental Zone
By Terry L. Watson
Provided by
Dr. Candace Wakefield
Dr. Candace Wakefield is the founder and owner of Children’s Dental Zone | Trilogy, a pediatric dental practice. Located in Florissant, MO. Children’s Dental Zone has two offices all within the same location and is comprised of several Pediatric Dentists. Along with Candace T. Wakefield, DMD, there are Caroline L. Giles, DDS, Valerie N. Spivey, DMD, and Emily Elster, DMD.
Children’s Dental Zone | Trilogy opened in 2005. Its focus is to serve kids from the age of one to thirteen, while a separate space, Trilogy, caters to teens and young adults between the ages of 13 and 26. Some of the services offered at Candace’s private practice include traditional pediatric dental services, such as dental cleanings, fillings, cosmetic crowns, and extractions, as well as sedation dentistry through a partnership with Premier Dental Anesthesiology. They also offer Invisalign First, for children between the ages of 6 and 11, as well as Comprehensive Invisalign treatment for teens and young adults.
Additionally, they offer pain-free dental injections using a compassionate, electronic delivery system, laughing gas, and the innovative use of the Oculus VR headset, which allows patients to be distracted by visually calming scenery. “Dr. Candy” is a boardcertified pediatric dentist and a member of the College of Diplomates and various national, regional, and local dental organizations. Most importantly, she loves helping children, serving her community, and prides herself on having the unique ability to relate to kids. Candace is also passionate about helping children of all ages maintain a healthy and beautiful smile by establishing a positive attitude towards dentistry.
“While in dental school, I would read the dental articles in magazines and also doodle, and come up with designs and characteristics of what I wanted my practice to be.”
Photos
Candace’s trek in pediatric dentistry began while she was in dental school at SIU-SDM. Her (then) mentor encouraged her to complete a two-year residency program after dental school at Howard University. She did, and her vision was to return home and work with her mentor in St. Louis. Things would happen a little differently for Candace, and life steered her to open her own practice, which would be Children’s Dental Zone. “I always knew I would have my own practice. I had a vision of what I wanted my practice to be aesthetically. While in dental school, I would read dental articles in magazines and brainstorm ideas to come up with designs and characteristics of what I wanted my practice to be,” she says.
While attending the University of Missouri, Candace’s initial plan was to be a pediatrician. While working in a hospital setting as a clerk, she witnessed a child die and made the decision to look outside of medicine for a career, stating that the ordeal of seeing the child pass was a lot for her to handle. During that time, she was the president of the black pre-med club and attended a seminar for a pre-dental meeting being held on campus. While there, she met a representative from SIU dental school, which led to a change in her focus. “The representative shared some things that confirmed to me what God wanted for me to do all along. It was to be a dentist,” Candace says. Even more, Candace’s story is an honest representation of God’s love and how it comes full circle. The office where her practice is housed just happens to be the same dental office space where she went as a child patient!
Candace shares that Children’s Dental Zone operates with two slogans. One, “Where Your Child Comes First” and the other, “Where Every Appointment Is An Exceptional Experience”. Candace says, “We put the child first in every decision that we make. We also strive to provide our young patients with an experience, not just a dental appointment. From the time they walk in the door, from the artwork that is on the walls, the music that’s playing, the scents they smell when they walk in, and more - all with kids in mind. We just try to spoil them rotten and make their appointment like no other they will ever have.”
As mentioned, Candace graduated from the University of Missouri and earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine and her certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Howard University. She has been married to her husband, Denis Tita, for 11 years, and together they have one 10-yearold son, John-Pierre.
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Candace expounds on her love for people. “I love talking to people! Being a pediatric dentist can be an isolated field. However, kids just want to have fun, and so do I. That is why I chose Pediatric Dentistry.”
While Candace enjoys what she does, her journey has come with a few ups and downs. She says, “While in my freshman year of dental school, my mom fell ill and had to undergo emergency surgery. She was in the hospital for about three months. I was attending school from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and I would go visit my mom each night. That ordeal took a toll on my grades, and as a result, even though I wasn’t failing, I had to repeat my first year of dental school. I did, and the rest has been my best blessing. My testimony is never to let anyone tell you what you can’t do.” Candace continued to press her way through. At Howard University, she became the chief resident after her first year. In 2011, she was awarded Howard University’s College of Dentistry’s Most Distinguished Alumni.
Today, Candace has really enhanced her practice by offering Invisalign for kids and teens.. She has set her sights on the management aspect of her practice and is looking forward to doing things outside of clinical practice, such as speaking and conducting lectures. Of course, this would be after retirement. While there isn’t much she would change about the way things have happened for her, Candace shares that if she could, she would have stayed at Howard University for two more years after getting her Pediatric Dentistry Certificate and completed her Orthodontics Certificate. She also wishes she had gotten married and had a child earlier in her career.
To learn more about Dr. Candace Wakefield and Children’s Dental Zone, please visit their website.
Phiffany & Co.
By Terry L. Watson
It’s not how you start, but how you finish.
For North Little Rock, AR, native and resident, Phiffany Porter, that adage is resounding and of great significance. As the owner and face of Phiffany & Co., Phiffany has made quite a name for herself in the real estate industry. She’s young and ambitious, and those qualities have fueled her fire. Yet, there is so much more that drives her passion, but at her core, Phiffany is answering a call of purpose planted into her as a young child.
“My life began with humble beginnings,” Phiffany shares. “I grew up in the East Gate Public Housing community. It was me, my mother, uncles, and cousins, all housed in a two-bedroom duplex. We stayed there until my grandmother purchased her first house, which was also a two-bedroom. While we may have been classified as a low-income family, it never felt like it, because there was so much love around. Of course, while at school, I noticed that some of the other kids had things that I didn’t, but still, I never felt like I was missing out. Living with my grandmother, Phyllis Porter, I absorbed many of her qualities. While my mother, Lucianna was there, I was really a “granny’s baby”. Sitting under her and watching the shows she watched on television, I learned a whole lot, including how to cook.”
Photos Provided by Corrie Wilson
In my first year of being a realtor, I volumed half a million dollars in sales in only six months. My first full year 3.5 million dollars. I tell people all of the time that it was nothing but God.”
Phiffany is a graduate of Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, AR. After high school, Phiffany tried several different careers, but entrepreneurship was always in her heart. Soon she moved to San Antonio, TX, and enrolled in Real Estate School. She would make her way back to North Little Rock and continue her studies in Real Estate, and eventually obtain her license to be a realtor. Phiffany also attended Shorter College and graduated with an Associates Degree in Arts and Science in 2017.
Interestingly enough, Phiffany didn’t immediately jump into real estate full-time after obtaining her license. She continued to work for the federal government, but realized that life was very stagnant and she wanted more. After giving birth to her daughter, she jumped into real estate full-time, and her impact was immediately recognized. “In my first year of being a realtor, I volumed half a million dollars in sales in only six months. My first full year 3.5 million dollars. I tell people all of the time that it was nothing but God. I used to tell my grandmother all of the time that I would make my first million before I am thirty-five. Sadly, while I was pregnant, I lost my grandmother. I never really grieved her, and now she is my purpose. I told her what I was going to do, and I want to fulfill that affirmation,” Phiffany says. Fulfilling that promise appears to have been an easy task, as Phiffany has accomplished multimillion-dollar sales each year since beginning in 2021.
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Phiffany shares it’s the opportunity to help families. “I love to see people’s dreams come true. I feel like every client I have helped has become a part of my family. Every transaction has taught me something. I love to help others see their dreams come true. As African Americans, we don’t always get the opportunity to purchase property. When I purchased my first home, I also built my first home. It was a custom build as well. That was a major feat for me, and is an experience that I want to share and make possible for others,” she says.
In her quest to help and serve others, Phiffany has been blessed with memories she shares that will last a lifetime. “My first sale is my most memorable sale. It was a listing in Maumelle, AR. I was so nervous. I had to sell myself and let my client know that I was the right person to help them sell their property. I was ready and I had a plan. I had my pitch prepared, as well as the comparative market analysis, and my client stopped me from talking mid-sentence and told me they believed that I would do everything that I said I would,” she says. Phiffany would go on to sell her client’s home $30,000 over value. That experience, she says, was very scary, but it equipped her with a new level of confidence. “I cried like a baby after closing because I was very proud of myself.”
Being raised by her grandmother, it’s quite understandable that she is the one who has impacted her life the most. Phiffany says she is the person who molded her and shaped her as a God-fearing woman. “My grandmother always told me that I must be a lady first in everything that I do. When I walk into a room, I want others to feel my presence. That is something that my grandmother taught me. She moved that way. She left her grace in every room that she stepped into. I am a hustler at heart, and I hustle with grace and purpose. My grandmother taught me that, too. That is her legacy, and I want to ensure that her legacy continues.”
Phiffany also credits her son, Kobe, and daughter, Khori, with impacting her life, and has already involved them in her business. Her son, who is 13, sits in construction meetings with her, which exposes him to the inner workings of business. “I want my kids to see firsthand what confidence looks like and learn what it takes to succeed from my perspective. I don’t want just to tell them, I allow for them to see it firsthand,” she says.
In the field of real estate, there are some challenges that Phiffany has faced. One that she happily admits is getting out of her own way. She adds, “I wasn’t confident in the beginning. I knew I had the skills and the ability, but I wasn’t very confident. Where I come from, I have never seen someone doing what I do. Still today, I am scared because I have so many people looking at me. My kids are watching me, and family and friends that I grew up with are watching me. I don’t want to let them down.”
Pictured below is Phiffany’s mother, Lucianna, who is holding a young Phiffany, along with her grandmother, Phyllis.
Pictured on the opposite page along with Phiffany are her children, Khori and Kobe. h
Pictured above is Phiffany’s grandmother Phyllis.
While there have been challenges, Phiffany says that she appreciates the way things have happened. She also states there isn’t much that she would change, other than not listening to the words and advice of non-believers. Over the course of her career, her strength and confidence have grown because of her faith in God and her belief in His purpose for her life.
In addition to being a realtor and managing her own company, Phiffany & Co., she owns a construction company ERA Development. Phiffany is also a member of the highly successful realtor team with Plush Homes and has her hands involved in a few other things, including serving as a Client Relations Manager for Bisutomodo Entertainment.
For others who may follow a path in life similar to hers, Phiffany offers some sound advice. “You can do whatever you set your heart to, but make sure that it’s your passion, because if it’s your passion, it doesn’t feel like work. I love what I do; the real estate, the music industry, and construction development. I love them all. Things are going to change, but you must be open to that. You have to hustle every day and always have faith,” she says.
Phiffany has accomplished a lot in her young life. Looking ahead, her goals are to do even more, much of which involves helping others. “I want to develop neighborhoods and communities for minorities to live luxuriously but at an affordable cost. I want to be an all-around powerhouse to help people, all people. I grew up with no stability, and I didn’t get my first bed to sleep in until I moved out on my own after graduating from high school. I want to provide those opportunities to others who may be in a similar situation,” Phiffany shares. Using her life’s experiences, Phiffany has plans to publish her first book, There is Purpose with Pain, which is scheduled to be released in 2026.
Tierra Henderson
By Terry L. Watson
Tierra Henderson of Dallas, TX, is not the kind of person who waits for permission; she creates her own doors. In addition to being a passionate creative and a relentless go-getter, Tierra is a woman of faith, a proud mom, and grandmother of five.
Tierra was raised to believe in hard work and excellence. She has already earned her bachelor’s degree and is nearly finished with acquiring her master’s in Business Management. Additionally, Tierra is a Certified Meeting Professional with over 20 years of experience. “I am a visionary with a mind that rarely rests — always building, always imagining what could be better, bigger, or more beautiful. At my core, I am a builder — not just of businesses, but of people, moments, and possibilities. I also take pride in doing things well, and I am not a fan of mediocrity,” she says.
Tierra has also found her way to being a successful entrepreneur, and owns T. MCK Events, LLC, an event planning company that specializes in crafting luxury event experiences that leave lasting impressions. While she began her company professionally in 2020, Tierra has been planning since 2003—bringing people together with intention and elegance.
“What I love most about what I do is the opportunity to create moments that feel like magic. There’s nothing like watching someone’s vision come to life and knowing I had a hand in making it real,” she says. “I also love the feeling of success. There’s a deep sense of pride in knowing I can make things happen by my own ability— on my own terms. I care deeply about legacy, impact, and how people feel when they experience something I’ve touched.”
As she has built her brand and company, Tierra has leaned on a few people for support and guidance. She says, “At the beginning of my career, I was blessed with an incredible mentor—Ray Ferland, my general manager, who truly helped shape my business mindset and set the foundation for my success in hospitality. His leadership and guidance were instrumental in how I approach service, excellence, and professionalism to this day, and I’ll always be grateful.”
Photos Provided by Tierra Henderson
Like most entrepreneurs, Tierra has faced a few challenges along her journey, from funding hurdles to burnout and self-doubt. Still, she managed them by staying rooted in purpose, learning to rest and not quit, and remembering why she started. Through it all, Tierra says it’s the people who believed in her when she was still figuring things out, such as Ray Ferland. These are the ones she says who gave her the fuel to keep going, and their support reminded her that she was built for this journey.
In addition to event planning services, Tierra also offers custom print and design services, of which she says, bring visions to life. “Whether it’s wedding planners, business templates, or beautifully designed memorial keepsakes, my company can do it,” she says. “I’ve had the honor of orchestrating events around the world—from Munich, Germany; Rome, Italy; and Taipei, Taiwan, to cities across the U.S., including right here in Dallas and everywhere in between. These global experiences, paired with the opportunity to immerse myself in other cultures, have been invaluable—not just professionally, but personally.”
“What I love most about what I do is the opportunity to create moments that feel like magic. There’s nothing like watching someone’s vision come to life and knowing I had a hand in making it real.” h
Tierra offers some advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as to those who may follow a path similar to her own. She says, “Start officially. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Get legal, get legit, and get a mentor who’s already doing what you aspire to do.” Moving forward, Tierra plans to grow and scale her business. She also plans to launch her Mindset Coaching program and focus on creating space for women to rise boldly, lead confidently, and live without shrinking. In closing, Tierra shares, “This is more than business; this is personal. I’m not just building brands, I’m building a life that I’m proud of, and I’m just getting started.”
Meyakka V. Sturdivant Brand Development Consultant
Personally, everything I am today is a result of my memories of what it was like to not have it all as a “project kid,” yet still come out successful, beating the odds of being underserved and underprivileged. My single mother and grandparents raised me. In the early 80s to early 90s, I grew up in the Clara Cox housing projects on Park Street and Russell Avenue. It was during this time that my early childhood years began to develop, but not in a way that poverty would dictate the future of my life. We were not rich by far, yet I had a good childhood. Challenges seemed like the norm, but my mom and grandparents did their best to ensure WE made it together, with what we had. I made many friends, some of whom I remain very close to today. I attended the Boys and Girls Club, which was housed onsite at the center of our community, providing me with numerous life skills, tools, and resources that kept my mindset informed and educated.
All through middle school and high school, I read a multitude of books, participated in and engaged in spelling bees, debate society, and even walked in an all-girls fashion show facilitated through our home economics class. I was the young girl who was eager to be more than where I came from.
In my professional career, I found my way by being the little girl who loved talking on the telephone, and that led me to a 24year career in telecommunications, working for major corporations like BellSouth, better known as “Ma Bell,” and North State Communications, which is now Lumos Technology and Comcast Communications. Currently serving on the CAC-Citizens Advisory Council, NAACP High Point since 2022, Healthy Blue Community Advisor, and former YWCA-HP advisory board and former Score Mentor.
MS Consulting Solutions was founded in 2019, following my experience with what I call the “last call” of layoffs, which caused delay and instability in my life. Entrepreneurship was not something I sought; it became a part of my better plan to amplify what I had already been doing for major corporations for so many years. Bringing successful development plans to small business owners and not-for-profit organizations. In the latter years of my professional career, I learned that every investment in myself was about more than the money earned, but about the pathways out of poverty.
I was raised by faith-driven, Southern Baptist grandparents who believed in family and community first. Taking care of yourself, sowing good seeds, and making sure you give back. They were old-fashioned farmers, harvesting their own gardens, raising their own chickens with an eight-bay coup. Taking their produce from the garden to the community in need. Not realizing it back then, they taught you to build up with your own hands.
I have been an active resource, vessel, and community voice in the branding and business industry, forging my path to a better chance of thriving versus steadily adjusting to survive. Bringing creative designs, cultivating impressive brand solutions, and influencing the way things look and feel for business owners around the Triad and beyond. Advocating for inclusion in B2B contract opportunities, equal citizen rights in employment, resilience after incarceration with Back to Work training programs, uncommon leadership, and organizational empowerment through one-on-one coaching and training programs. If you don’t say one thing about me, know I’m going to motivate, empower, inform, and support the next woman in business and leadership. Most importantly, as a black woman in leadership myself, MeMe is gifted to help others win and maintain stability in their infrastructure. With over 27 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, technical support, coaching, and training, I am genuinely passionate about helping fellow women entrepreneurs obtain business independence by changing their professional mindset and attaining their desired entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Some of my true passions are civil rights affecting our black and brown people, fair policy and fair treatment for the underserved, inclusive education for children with developmental disabilities, and services and resources for our disabled and low-income individuals.
Mina Alyssa Kennedy
The daughter of Christopher and MacKenzie Kennedy
Dr.KevinWilliams MotherFlorenceWilliams
50 Years of God’s Grace New Jerusalem Cathedral 1975-2025
While most may believe that it all started in 1975, the foundation of New Jerusalem was well in the making long before. To be honest, the stars were aligned and in full beam on the streets of Philadelphia way back when. There was a young fellow who went by the name of Frank. Ambitious, confident, and modest in some ways, Frank possessed promise and purpose, and as time would reveal, through obedience and by faith, he would leave a lasting impact on the world. Fast forward to 2025, and Frank’s presence and persona are as resounding as they ever were.
Florence Plummer Williams, also known as Mother Williams, recalls when the late Bishop Frank Williams visited his father in Philadelphia. She lived across the street from Bishop Williams’ father, and a connection was made, and life began to move fast for the young couple. In 1963, Frank moved to Greensboro, NC. After proposing to Florence, she came to Greensboro, NC. When Florence moved to NC, they got married a month after sharing their nuptials in April. Florence was pregnant in May, and Bishop was called to Pastor in June at Mount Zion Baptist Church, which was on Bingham Street at the time. “It was a small wooden church with an outside baptismal pool. We had a small membership of about 50 or 60 people. We stayed there for about five years. Through fundraising efforts, the church relocated from Bingham Street to Spencer Street. At some point, my husband was called to do something different. We decided to start our own ministry, and New Jerusalem Cathedral began in the YWCA building on the corner of Pearson Street and Murrow Boulevard. That was in 1975. We stayed there until a building became available. That happened when New Light Baptist Church, now located on Willow Road, changed its location. We purchased their previous location on McConnell Road and remained there for several years. Due to the city of Greensboro’s expansion, we were forced to relocate from that location. We then rented space at the Greensboro Coliseum until our eventual location at 1606 Phillips Avenue became available,” Mother Williams shares.
When speaking of her late husband, Mother Williams’ smile is very generous. She lost her husband in 1998 and remains unmarried today. As she describes their union, it becomes evident that she understood her purpose then and remains fully committed to it now. “God had blessed my husband with an amazing gift. That became apparent to me very early. I wasn’t raised in the church and meeting him was a whole new world for me. We dated in Philly, and he asked me if I would marry him. Of course, I was young and in love, and I told him I would go wherever you go. After the first month, I was pregnant with my first son, Michael. We were a young couple, and many of our members were a lot older than we were, and they were very supportive and helped me and Bishop Williams along our journey,” she says.
New Jerusalem Cathedral (1975-2025)
September 14, 1975
New Jerusalem Baptist Church - (Pearson Street YWCA)
Church name changed to New Jerusalem Cathedral
New Jerusalem Churches of Sound Doctrine
New Jerusalem Cathedral - Greensboro, NC (Mother Church)
November 1984
January 26, 1998 1992 2005 2024
July 6th, 2025 1977 1983
Purchased building sold by New Light Baptist Church 1860 McConnell Road - Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Coliseum Town Hall Auditorium
New Jerusalem Cathedral Moved 1606 Phillips Avenue - Greensboro, NC
Monument of Praise Ministries Began High Point, NC
Bishop Frank Williams called home to be with God
New Jerusalem Moved 1822 Sharpe Road - Greensboro, NC
Frank and Florence Conference & Sports Center Opened 1824 Sharpe Road - Greensboro, NC
Dr. Kevin A. Williams became King of Development of Adukrom, Ghana
Monument of Praise Ministries - High Point, NC
Church of Redemption - High Point, NC
New Jerusalem Cathedral West - Winston Salem, NC
Hope Church International - Durham, NC
Refuge Temple Bridging The Gap - Clinton, NC
Amazing Grace International Church - East London, South Africa
Embassy of Faith Worldwide - Nairobi, Kenya
Grace & Priase Kingdom Assembly
Harmony Community Church
Greater Fellowship Worship Center
Greater Connectors Church of Sound Doctrine
Phillips Avenue Annex - Greensboro, NC
Sharpe Road Location - Greensboro, NC
Monument of Praise Ministries - High Point, NC
The Frank and Florence Williams Conference & Sports Center
The young Bishop Frank Williams was a very busy minister. In addition to leading the members of New Jerusalem, he served in many other capacities. Mother Williams shares that Bishop Frank Williams had a lot of energy and a remarkable vision. He gleaned insights from the various places he visited, and he knew exactly what he wanted to do. Reverend Williams organized the Poor People’s March here in Greensboro, NC, and a March on Washington that impacted the disenfranchised. He also caused laws to change. Because of Bishop Williams, the Privileged Communication Law was established. During that time, Protestant pastors were required to testify in court about things shared with them in confidence, while Catholic priests were not. Due to Bishop Williams efforts in changing this law, Protestant pastors are now also protected from having to testify. The Mayor also instituted Frank Williams Day.
“On our first service at New Jerusalem, we had almost 150 people who joined the church that Sunday. Some of our present members from then are still members now, supporting our ministry in some capacity, she says.
While building their ministry, there was a keen set of eyes always focused on whatever his father was doing. The young Kevin Williams is a true “daddy’s boy”. He loved his late father with his whole heart, and whatever he saw his dad do, he wanted to do the same. Dr. Kevin A. Williams credits his father with shaping and molding him into the person he is today. At the young age of four, Dr. Williams was called to preach, but his father wouldn’t allow him to preach. “His father’s response was how would you tell anyone about life, and you do not know anything yourself?” At the age of 10, he gave his life to Christ, an experience that his mother describes as emotional and equally inspiring. Dr. Williams preached his initial sermon at the age of 15, and the rest is history.
Dr. Williams recalls the experience of giving his trial sermon. “Before then, I was my father’s drummer. I was only 15, and I hadn’t spent much time in the pulpit. I was terrified. There were three of us scheduled to give our trial sermon that day, and I had to go first. The church was packed out with many of my father’s friends. I did ok, and for four years, I wasn’t a great preacher. My father told me that I would never become a great preacher until I lose my first love for a new love. My first love was drumming. I was great at it. I had to break up with my girlfriend (drums) in order to pursue this relationship. Preaching is not just a calling, it’s a relationship,” he says.
Dr. Kevin Williams graduated from Southeast High School in Greensboro, NC. He later attended Shaw University (satellite campus) in High Point, NC, the Overcoming School of Religion in South Carolina, and the Institute of Christian Works in Seattle, WA. He also worked in the patient accounting department at Cone Hospital in Greensboro. He would later work at John Hancock Insurance (later bought out by Unicare).
In 1998, Bishop Frank Williams was called home to be with the Lord. Before his passing, he had suffered from several health ailments, including a massive stroke. That ordeal left him disabled on his right side and affected his speech. Yet, he remained defiant and continued to attend church and preach to the best of his ability. As Bishop Williams’ health declined, his ministry was adversely impacted. “We lost members, and as a result, we struggled to pay many of the church bills. Yet, we were determined to make it. I sold plates of food and did whatever we could to make it, and God saw us through,” she says.
Pictured above and below if Bishop Frank Williams
Pictured above is Mother Florence and Bishop Frank Williams
Dr. Kevin A. Williams
“My father told me that you are a good preacher, but you can also be versatile in any environment. If you are stuck in one style, you are not a good preacher; you should be able to go into an environment where no one knows the Bible at all, and shift your style to grip them.”
In 1992, Dr. Williams, along with Mother Williams, began a new ministry, Monument of Praise Ministries. Leading his ministry, Dr. Williams served in dual roles: Senior Pastor of Monument of Praise in High Point, NC, and Vice Bishop of New Jerusalem alongside his father. As one can imagine, he maintained a fairly hectic schedule, traveling between the two churches and preaching two sermons on any given Sunday, all while working at Unicare full-time. After losing his father, Dr. Williams took the role as Senior Pastor of New Jerusalem Cathedral on Phillips Avenue and became the pastor of both ministries. In 2005, they moved to a newly constructed location on Sharpe Road in Greensboro. Under his leadership, the ministry continued to flourish, and membership increased. In 2024, they moved into the newest location, the Frank and Florence Williams Conference & Sports Center. This remarkable edifice is multifunctional and can seat up to 2500 people.
New Jerusalem Cathedral is a nondenominational, multi-cultural, independent church whose primary mission is to pursue evangelism as structured in the book of Acts in order to help resolve homelessness, first in Guilford County, and then in the uttermost parts of the world. The church has grown and expanded over the years, but its purpose has remained steadfast: to exalt God, to edify the Body of Christ, and to evangelize the world.
Losing his father left a void in Dr. Williams’ life. That was his best friend, his mentor, his pastor. He taught Kevin how to fish, how to play chess, and other intricate things for a man to know, and made sure he took care of his mom. “My father died on Monday, January 26, 1998. He was funeralized the following Saturday. I preached his funeral at Power House of Deliverance Church. I had a small recorder, and it held a recording of my father reading a scripture. I played the recording and then proceeded to preach. I stood in my father’s pulpit the next day, and I have been in it ever since. My father was a great man of vision, and he was 30 years before his time. Many of the things that are happening today, my father was talking about in 1982 and 1983. Because of what he shared with me, I have already been prepared for this moment, and he is still fathering me because I still hear his voice,” he says.
Without question, Dr. Kevin Williams loves his parents, and fulfilling their legacy is his most important priority. “My responsibility is to cover and protect my mom and make sure she is honored as co-founder of everything that we have done. When I do ministry, I do it based on everything my parents have taught me to do. This is my family’s legacy and livelihood. My job is to protect my family,” Dr. Williams says.
While Dr. Williams is walking in the image of his mother and father, he also credits a few other ministers for having a profound impact and lasting impression on his life and ministry. These include Bishop Noel Jones, Willie James Campbell, Caesar Clark, CL Franklin, and Jasper Williams. “My father told me that you are a good preacher, but you can also be versatile in any environment. If you are stuck in one style, you are not a good preacher; you should be able to go into an environment where no one knows the Bible at all and shift your style to grip them. The scripture says that “I became all things to all men for the saving of some,” he says.
The future for Dr. Kevin Williams and Mother Williams looks very bright. Today, Dr. Williams celebrates 41 years of preaching sound doctrine. In September, New Jerusalem Cathedral will celebrate 50 Years of Ministry. Earlier this month, Dr. Williams traveled to the continent of Africa and was crowned as King by a King in Ghana. Under his leadership, New Jerusalem Cathedral, Monument of Praise, and The Church of Sound Doctrine continue to soar. Why? It is because Dr. Williams is a man with great vision and determination.
Additionally, Dr. Williams has been focused on doing things differently from his father. One in particular is structure. “I call it “Christian Etiquette Structure”. My father did not allow women to wear pants in the sanctuary. If he came back right now, he
would get me. I have learned and accepted there are certain things you will have to advance in if you are to stay relevant in this culture,” he shares. “My journey has really been a walk of faith. One of the scariest things is that we don’t have enough visionaries. Our assignment is to challenge the mindsets of this generation and to help them know the true Savior of the world. We should also focus on reaching more people and preparing them for the coming of the Lord and for what is happening next.
In closing, Dr. Williams continues to express his appreciation for the privilege of serving the members of his ministry. He is also grateful for having his mother present to see him do what he does. “In my own way, I believe that with my mother seeing what I do, my father can see it also. Her smile is coupled with my father’s. If she says that is good, then I believe I am being a good carrier of the Williams’ family legacy,” he says. h
Charlotte, NC
Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography
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