Huami Magazine Triad Sept./Oct. 2018

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Sept./Oct. 2018 Vol. 5 Issue 10 FREE

Triad - Sept./Oct, 2018

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Triad - Sept./Oct. 2018

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

There Is Purpose In Your Storms

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

A Letter Fromfrom The Editor A Letter the Editor

Hawaii is from a prime for tourist and vacationers. Made A Letter the destination Editor if tomorrow arrive? of your plans, hopes up of sixWhat unique islands, it isdidn’t known for itsAll abundant beaches, white and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on.Hawaii Whatisifalso sands, colorful landscapes, and beautiful weather. that you decided toare putcomplimented off until tomorrow never richlyeverything embedded in cultures, which by delicious What if tomorrow didn’t arrive?

All of your plans, hopes happened?

There would be reason toof save for a rainy foods and traditions that date back hundreds years. and dreams wouldn’t have ano street to park on.

What if day, and you could someone theuntil trouble of making everything that youspare decided to put off tomorrow never Recently I learned that unlike tropical islands beaches, promises.

What if would your last opportunity happened?

There beother no reason toseemingly save forand aexpired rainy Hawaii isn’t asspare often to hurricanes and other tropical today?

What would you do? day, andsubjected you could someone the trouble of making storms.

I foundWhat that to quite because promises. if be your lastinteresting, opportunityespecially seemingly expired Hawaii sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The conditions I’ve been that I often today?

Whattold would you do? seem like I do too much. are similar or just as other Miami, Florida theacoasts Honestly, I feel likelocations I am notlike doing enough andorI’m firm of North Carolina, but the storms seem to stay away.

And then believer in knowing that God seem wouldn’t on life me I’ve been told that I often like put I do anything too much. happened. that I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would Honestly, 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 Earlier this year in Hawaii volcanos began to erupt, spitting haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle.

I sometimes wonder how life would fiery,be lava hundreds of feet into the atmosphere.

The streets ishit aifblessing that isn’t afforded to everyone.

A challenge I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I of this place began to crack and buckle from the to once mefound ispeaceful an adventure.

What is the worst that can happen? have that to be very boring.

In my opinion, opportunity lava is fires that were flowing beneath them.

The calmness had If aI do nothing, if I try to I don’t, but instead learn been blessing thatI fail, isn’tand afforded everyone.

A challenge interrupted it appeared to meisthat itshappen? own something new about myself.

Relinquish yourin pride andkind in to me isand an adventure.

What theHawaii worst was that can of storm.

Instead of pouring rain and 100 miles per winds, the return acquire life.

If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn disturbance came from below. something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in The best advice ever given to me happened when someone return acquire life.

What had happened in Hawaii, washappen something thatInI see happens told me to make my tomorrow today. doing so in myI have life aspressed well. God me enough to allow tothat enjoy peace. myloves way given through doors with ame key only The best advice ever to me happened when someone He blesses me with an abundance and gives me an opportunity to hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between told to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so enjoy His blessings and showcase them to others. Still, God shows blesses and what cana burden with Iwhat haveGod pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key thatme only his love by allowing me to experience pain. as well.

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

I have learned the to difference between whenlife tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what burdenbecause me with Though I may be in the path of a storm, I don’t always get wet. someone may get it confused as mercy. well. I And compare it the to knowing when be confident andI That’s during times when thetostorms do hit me, with being arrogant. when to be quiet, because can’t complain because God has spared me before and He promises someone maylost. getThat’s it confused to restore anything grace.

Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being happen today, butand most Through every storm every importantly make it Make you tomorrow trial, I have learned there iscount. a purpose Life isThere but aare whisper and pains happen today, but in my pain. alsomost some we must put ourselves a importantly make it count. that I must endure just as well.inThese position toa hear what it is Life is but whisper and occurrences must happen.

Without telling us. we must put ourselves in a them, my life would be nothing position to hear it is and more than a fantasy or what fairy tale, telling us. useless to those who God has written in pages of Terry my life.L. MyWatson storm is merely a formality, Editor/Founder and my story is someone L. Watson else’s doorTerry to deliverance.

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Triad - Sept./Oct. 2018

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

TerryWriters L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Tonya Dixon Editor Terry L Watson Terry L. WatsonPublisher Writers Alana Allen Tonya Dixon Jeuron Dove Writer Dawn C. Thornton Terry L. Watson Dr. Marrissa Dick Alana Allen Writer Photographers Terry L.Perfect Watson Photography Jeuron Dove Writer Lenz

Shaw Photography Group Photographers Still Shots Photography Tamara Smith Perfect Lenz Photography Todd Youngblood Photographer Who Shotya Photography Shaw Photography Group Ashleigh Crawley Photographer Still ShotsLayout Photography Apollo Wonex

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Comments concerning this publication written permission from the publisher prior to be Media submitted to the editorresponsibility by doing so. may Mykel doesn’t accept Email or Telephone E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com for statements made Email by individuals featured or terry.editor@yahoo.com advertisers. terry.editor@yahoo.com Comments concerning this publication or toto the editor by 336-340-7844 may be submitted Mykel Media Company, LLC E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com P.O. Box 20102 terry.editor@yahoo.com Greensboro, or toNC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE Mykel Media Company, LLC 2014 All Rights Reserved P.O. Box 20102 2018 All Rights Reserved Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved

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CONTENTS

SEPT/OCT 2018

TRIAD EDITION

aneW Consulting & Events

Wenalyn Glenn

On The Cover

Ready For A New Change Danny Rogers

Greenville/Spartanburg

Because She Is Beautiful Christiniafaith McCoy

TRIAD

Governor Roy Cooper Honors Rev. Gregory Drumwright

TRIAD

Proformance Pet Supply Antonio Duggins

TRIAD

Fall Festival For The Entire Family Love and Faith Christian Fellowship

GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG Credit Restoration and More!

Pretty Credit, LLC

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The Purdue Peace Project

Ron Luciano

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Divine Designs by Randi

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Randi Blakeney

Yaliks Modern Art

Phyllis Bridges

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Also Featured Syreeta Skinner

From Philly all the way to Greensboro. Styling is the name of her game.

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Stormi Harmon

Helping expectant mothers. A modern day Doula

38 Cutest Baby Photo Kaydence Jeffries

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Rev. Gregory B. Drumwright

The Office of Rev. Gregory B. Drumwright announces the conferring of the Old North State Award by Governor Roy Cooper for 20-plus years of public service as a Minister, youth advocate, and community leader since 1996. His administration has also appointed him to the State Youth Advisory Council Board and Commission. In 1996 a 15-year-old Greg Drumwright began his mission as a community organizer of teenage youth through the establishment of a musical delegation that would lead him and his Gospel band, The Magnificent Voices of Praise, to the White House to answer two invitations, in 1998 and 1999 as well network TV appearances and major stages such as the World Famous Apollo Theatre. Upon sharing the story of his early successes Drumwright has one regret, it was all before the social media boom. “We didn’t have camera phones, YouTube or Facebook back then, which would have definitely made a major impact upon the awareness of my public ministry because most people don’t realize what I’ve been doing for as long as 20 or more years.” His band, as large as 40 members at one time, was awarded and celebrated many times over for its positive directions for youth in his hometown of Burlington, NC. That was only the beginning of his impact.

Receives Award From Governor Cooper

While in college and upon accepting his call, Greg began ministering in pulpits, convention halls, coliseums, and stadiums both locally and abroad, impacting thousands of youth and young adults along the way. It is estimated that he has stood before more than 200,000 as a public speaker since the late 90’s and that number is growing each year. When asked about his travels and experiences Greg states, “I rarely broadcast what’s going on as its happening. The Governor’s office actually sent me the award earlier this year. I didn’t know what to do with it and someone said, ‘tell the world’! Since I didn’t grow up posting things to show the world, I still forget to do so even now. It sat on my desk for months.”

However, a mountain of newspaper clippings, VHS videos, and magazine articles from the 90’s and early 2000’s reveals a young man who is still young, establishing himself as a community leader and motivator of his peers for over 20 years. This year he celebrates 15 years as the Senior Minister of the Citadel Church & Campus Ministries, home to a 98% collegiate congregation. He also has stepped over into politics as the candidate for Guilford County School Board District 2. Drumwright is concerned that some may think the award is for political gain since it was announced during his campaign to which he shares that news of the honor came before he was asked to consider running. “Twenty years ago, last week, I got to Greensboro and I’ve been working in the community since. I am truly grateful for the recognition, but I have so much more to do” he stated.

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Greg, a native of Burlington, NC, is an alum of NC A&T State University Wake Forest University, where he established his leadership as Student Body President and leader of various organizations. As a candidate for School Board, he is no stranger to the field of education. Aside from his full-time clergy duties,

he has served as a former English and Mass Communications instructor in two public school systems. Before entering the public classroom, his career started at Barber-Scotia College during its period of record enrollment as the Director of Fine Arts. Thereafter, he continued as an English III instructor for Alamance Burlington Schools and eventually in the Greensboro Area Math & Science Academy at NC A&T State University. He then served as an Mass Communications instructor in the Guilford County School system.

He is currently a professor of Human Communications and Public speaking at High Point University. As a mentor to hundreds of collegiates at Citadel, Drumwright has been well-regarded as being an effective and relevant mentor to students as well as an advocate for arental involvement and educational leadership initiatives. His message of positive directions for youth has been heard across commencement stages from elementary schools to community colleges, as well as hundreds of pulpits, forums, and in the public square.

2016, he was led to take his singers to the front line, on day-three of the civil unrest that took place in the city of Charlotte, NC. For three hours, the group performed an acapella repertoire of inspirational music that resulted in what the National Guard and news media coined as being “Charlotte’s first night of peace” since protest and rioting had engulfed the city. A Google search of this report reveals that all national TV-news networks covered the choir’s demonstration in Charlotte though Rev. Drumwright recalls that only three people were assembled when they began. One video from a bystander was viewed nearly 300,000 times and shared more than 1,700 times on social media as the crowd grew to more than 1,000 onlookers.

Pastor Drumwright has organized statewide educational programs such as the NC Student Government Leadership Congress; a 3-day academic and governmental leadership initiative that attracted the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and nearly 300 students, educators, as well as local and national officials to the University of NC at Greensboro in 2012. Since then, he has mentored hundreds of high school and college students through various initiatives that he envisioned such as Weldon City Impact in Halifax, NC and Student Leadership Greensboro. The faith-based foundation that he leads, Citadel Foundation Group, has awarded nearly $10,000 in need-based and merit scholarships in the most recent years to students that demonstrate leadership at a young age.

Beyond the four walls of their church, the Citadel has facilitated transformational, community-based programs in Greensboro, having worked to bring young mothers from homelessness to happiness and partnering with Greensboro’s Police and City Government to sponsor programming that has lowered crime in urban communities, to name a few. Greg is still widely known as a Christian musician/performer extraordinaire. In September of

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Danny Rogers Elect

By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Still Shots Photography

Guilford County Sheriff

The team to Elect Danny Rogers for Guilford County Sheriff 2018 would like to thank everyone who came out to vote in support of his nomination for Guilford County Sheriff. They are prayerful everyone will show that same type of enthusiasm and loyalty in the November general election by casting their vote for Danny Rogers, again!

**The statements and opinions made are solely those of Danny Roger and not Huami Magazine or Mykel Media Company**

During this campaign Danny Rogers says his opponent, B.J. Barnes, has chosen to take the low road by crafting stories and of course dredging up his past. “Barnes should be reminded that nobody hasn’t regretted a decision they’ve made or a deed they have committed. If Barnes intends to run his campaign on the past, then he should know that I have acknowledged his past from the beginning and he is pressing toward the mark of a higher calling and that higher calling is to become the ‘New’ Sheriff of Guilford County,” says Danny.

Considering what Barnes posted on the Elect Danny Rogers for Sheriff 2018 Facebook page, Danny’s team would like to take this opportunity to clarify and correct some of the exaggerated statements. According to Danny, “When I read the comments B.J. Barnes wrote on my Facebook page, I was reminded of a saying, ‘A lie don’t care who tells it.’ First, Barnes was talking about an incident that happened under his leadership which involved an inmate escaping from his officer’s custody. It was stated that ‘an escape occurred, and the officers involved were punished’ but this “punishment” only consisted of the seven officers losing one day of pay.

Afterwards two officers resigned, one commander retired, and the other commander was promoted to head of the same facility where the inmate escaped from. Additionally, officers’ morale is being eroded because of favoritism while well deserving offices are being overlooked. As a former officer, I can understand feeling slighted when officers who were involved in the biggest breach of security in detention escapes were promoted. In my opinion this shows a blatant disregard of moral integrity. It is due to these types of incidents that PacerMonitor.com informed us that the taxpayers of Guilford County have been paying one of the highest priced law firms in the triad to defend B.J. Barnes in two federal employment lawsuits since December 2015. I’m sure those billable hours hold some validity.”

“Mr. Armstrong died due to negligence because the officers were not properly trained on securing an inmate in a restraint chair. This was not only concerning to me, but to WXII 12 News who covered the story and had grave concern about how Guilford County was paying for this negligence, too. Their reporter asked you specifically, “Why would you settle when people are going to say you did something wrong?” Barnes responded, “I mean it was settled. That’s what it came down to.” Danny

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

Continued on page 10

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says what the citizens of Guilford County should know is that the senseless death of Mr. Armstrong dying in the restraint chair cost them almost $1,000,000 dollars. “The only good thing that has come from this incident is the that the Use of Force Policy in the Detention Centers has now been updated. As the new Sheriff, I will operate with foresight, review all policy and procedures making sure that all of them are current, and institute mandatory training for all officers so these types of incidents will not occur under my leadership.”

Danny also states “I was aware of the Mr. Armstrong incident but now it has been brought to my attention that this type of behavior seems to be prevalent within the Sheriff’s Office. I was recently made aware that an inmate was brutally assaulted by a supervisor in the Greensboro Detention Center by a repeat offending officer. I do not understand how he could still be an employee when he abused an inmate so badly that the inmate had to later be transported to the hospital from the jail. The officer was not disciplined for this incident; instead, the officer was moved to another Guilford County facility to continue his employment. If it had been an officer under my leadership, he would have been relieved of his responsibilities pending an investigation and received counseling for his aggressive behavior. Meanwhile another officer did receive a reprimand for beating yet another inmate, but he was given approximately 10 days off without pay and three years’ probation. As Sheriff, I will not tolerate anyone brutally beating an inmate or citizen. My officers will receive the diversity training they need on a regular basis and they will all be well disciplined. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office job is to protect and serve the citizens inside and outside of our jails. As the new Sheriff, I will bring “A Positive Change for all Guilford County citizens” by being a Sheriff for all the people in every community.”

According to Danny, It is common knowledge that the second largest financial judgments against law enforcement agencies are due to pursuit collisions.

“I am glad to see that the Police High-Speed Pursuit Policy has finally been updated; however, it comes five lives too late. The tragic and fatal traffic accident that took the lives of five citizens due to a high-speed chase by an officer should have never happened. That officer should have used wisdom and deescalated the chase. There is one thing you wrote on my Facebook page that I do agree with and that is ‘everyone should exercise caution while driving.’ I am going to add, especially if they’re an officer whose job is to uphold the law. Again, these unfortunate deaths have the potential to cost the citizens of Guilford County millions of dollars.”

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

Danny states that he would like to inform the community that the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office can regain its proud reputation of integrity and plan for a better and safer future under my leadership. “As Sheriff, I plan to reinstitute the accreditation assessment which I believe will be a step in the right direction in bringing about positive change for the department,” he states. “Unfortunately, due to departmental budget cuts, the Sheriff’s Office elected to withdraw from the Association in 1996. Though I understand the logistics of a budget some items should not be cut because they help the Continued on page 12

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“As Sheriff, I will not tolerate anyone brutally beating an inmate or citizen. My officers will receive the diversity training they need on a regular basis and they will all be well disciplined. The Guilford County Sheriff ’s Office job is to protect and serve the community inside and outside our jails.”

“As the new Sheriff I will bring “A Positive Change for all Guilford County citizens” by being a Sheriff for all the people in every community.”

department to maintain its administrative and operational integrity. I believe that the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA) will help keep the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office transparent. As a private citizen, I surround myself with people who keep me accountable; I wouldn’t have it any other way with the citizens of Guilford County or my officers. The purpose of CALEA’s Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, primarily by maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence. The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model; once implemented, it will present the Sheriff’s Office, on a continuing basis, with a blueprint that promotes the efficient use of resources and improves service delivery regardless of the size, geographic location, or functional responsibilities of the agency.

This accreditation program provides public safety agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards which require an agency to develop a comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives.

This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals, while also providing direction to personnel. I firmly believe that reinstating CALEA into the fabric of the Sheriff’s Office will keep the department above board in all areas of its’ operation. Not being a part of this accrediting body leaves room for administrators to exercise the law under their own bias discretion. As your Sheriff, I vow to hold myself accountable to the citizens of Guilford County, CALEA, and my officers. I will also support all Guilford County Sheriff Officers with the tools they need to perform their duty for the citizens they are sworn to protect and serve. As Sheriff, I will ensure that the officers hired to serve and protect our community will always conduct themselves as professionals and be held accountable for their actions.

I believe in hiring a staff that is also representative of the communities we serve. It’s time to bring a fresh change to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office.”

“I look forward to you coming out with your family, friends, and neighbors and casting your vote for Danny Rogers, A Positive Change for all Guilford County Citizens.” h

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

Elect Danny Rogers For Guilford County Sheriff www.electdannyrogers.com Remember To Vote November 6th, 2018

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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood

Randi Blakeney is a self-proclaimed ‘super girly girl’.

If you’ve ever laid eyes on the 5 footer, you can tell that she enjoys all things that will enhance inner beauty but showcase it on the outside. Over the years, she has had a reputation for putting fierce outfits together or having a banging hairstyle that no one else could pull off. She excels at pairing bold ideas with simple ones, no matter the object. To add more fuel to the fashion fire, in recent years, she has perfected her crafting game and created her own line of jewelry dubbed Divine Designs by Randi.

She shares that she’s always had side hustles, but the Greensboro native somehow fell in love with accessories and started creating neck pieces just for herself. “Jewelry always catches my eye when I’m out, so I would see something that I liked then buy the materials to make it myself,” says Randi.

While on maternity leave with her second son in 2007, she was up late one night for his feeding, and caught a glimpse of older women making jewelry. That gave her the confidence to try and make a few more items for herself. “I went and bought a couple cheap jewelrymaking kits to just see what I could come up with.”

Soon after, her friends and family took notice and requested their own personal pieces. The more pieces she made the more orders she received. It didn’t take long for her to realize she could turn it into a business.

By December of that same year, she had made enough items to launch Divine Designs by Randi and had an official launch party in downtown Charlotte.

The best part of creating her gorgeous pieces, is that she truly enjoys it. “It relaxes me. When I first started, I had two small children, so it was my outlet. And it’s something that doesn’t take me away from home too often.” If you have a hobby that allows you to make money, you’ve truly found a winner.

While Randi worked on her masterpieces in the wee hours of the morning, the N.C. A&T graduate held many different roles in Corporate America, the most recent one, a project manager at a major bank in Charlotte. She dreamed of one day committing herself full-time to her passion and this spring God said it was time to make the move. After months of preparation, she and her husband of 15 years, agreed. She left her position in February of 2018 and has never been happier. She’s grateful to finally have the opportunity to grow her business and even venture into new territory. She recently created a men’s collection and has plans for a children’s collection.

Currently, the line of chunky statement pieces are in three boutique stores.

Happy Kat Candles and Gifts in Concord Mills and a soon-to-be south Charlotte location, and Jewelry Unique in downtown Winston Salem. She plans to be in many more locations in the coming months. Randi often attends vendor shows and most recently sold over 200 items at a convention. Her popular neck candy ranges from approximately $30 to roughly $75 and can differ for custom pieces.

The busy mother of two hesitates as she talks about how long she’s been growing her business. She doesn’t realize that it’s a sign of perseverance and dedication, not failure. I regularly converse with women who give up on their dreams or put them on hold because life has gotten in the way.

Myself included. But Randi keeps on pushing, thinking of ways to be seen by promoting her business wherever she can. Next year she plans to attend her biggest event yet, a convention for Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., a sorority of which she is a proud member. (I joked that she needs to start making the pieces now,

because she will absolutely sell out.) Yes, she’s partial to her favorite crimson and cream colors, but she is equally supportive of all Greek letter organizations and creates jewelry specifically utilizing their colors.

She also specializes in wedding and bridesmaids pieces and loves to create one-of-a-kinds for each bridal party.

Randi makes a point to set high expectations for herself and has made a personal goal to place merchandise in larger boutiques across the south. When giving advice to budding entrepreneurs, she advises to focus on something you love. “What I do doesn’t even feel like work.

Sometimes I can work on pieces until the sun comes up and not even realize it.”

With any venture, passion is number one. If you only like what you’re doing, grow to love it. You’ll never want to give it up, even if it takes years to flourish. h

Divine Designs By Randi

www.etsy.com/shop/divinedesignsbyrandi

704-763-6217

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Phyllis Bridges Yaliks Modern Art

By Terry L. Watson Photos by JLG Photography

H

uami Magazine is happy to welcome Phyllis Bridges as the new Representative for High Point, N.C. In her role, Phyllis will be able to assist businesses and individuals with learning more about Huami Magazine.

Phyllis has established herself as sound business person and possess a genuine concern for preserving the history and building a future for her community.

Most of all, Phyllis is a visionary. As CEO of Yaliks Modern Art in High Point, she has spear headed several projects that help to tell the story of the African American existence in High Point. She is community, as well as an entrepreneur, art enthusiast, former art gallery owner, local historian, artist, award winning documentarian and more.

Her current services include interior design, offering tours in our local community which uncover the lives of founders and ancestors of the town she calls home. It also involves visual installations and exhibits that unearth its historical past. “I am inquisitive by nature, so I am always searching for things. I study trends and find ways to solve problems that few want to engage in. Being named a “local historian” means I am willing to walk where few people dare to, back to the past and display my findings smack dab in the middle of the present,” she says.

At every level of what she does, building up the African American community is at the heart of her business practices. “African Americans need constant reminders to support and celebrate the successes and business ventures of our community,” Phyllis states.

Her future plans are to own and operate one of the most sought-after culture centers that will showcase the African American experience and the stories. This she hopes will help assist in her legacy, which will be celebrated by her grandchildren. Moving forward, Phyllis plans to remain relevant by continuing to h search, share, and discovering who she is.

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Triad - Sept./Oct. 2018

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Still Shots Photography When you’re the queen of many trades, there are endless possibilities for success.

Ambition runs high and giving up is never an option. If you’re from Hamlet, NC, a small town bordering northeast South Carolina, you can’t wait to showcase your talents in a small city with big town appeal, like Greensboro.

Wenalyn Glenn knows she has a creative mind. She always has. As a child, she would help her mother with her projects, alongside her older siblings. “My mom was like the town seamstress, church planner, decorator, and many other things. She made lots of people’s wedding dresses in the area,” Wenalyn remembers. Deceased for almost two decades, her mother’s talents still live within her.

She started her first event planning business in 2005 but decided to step away from it after the business didn’t move in the direction she had hoped. In 2011, she went to grad school to obtain her master’s degree in school administration and initially became a Language Arts teacher, later transitioning into technology. Currently Wenalyn is an Assistant Principal within Guilford County Schools.

Her dream of becoming a full-time event planner is on its way to being fulfilled in a few years. During maternity leave with her second child in 2014, Wenalyn wanted to revive the business she so loved, and revamp it with a new name, a new angle, and a renewed sense of confidence. It was only fitting that she called her venture “aneW Consulting and Events”. ‘aneW’ is also a play on her nickname, ‘Wena’ spelled backwards.

“If you call me Wena, you know me from home,” Wenalyn laughs.

The bulk of her venture is being the eyes and ears of a bride. From start to finish, she takes the couple’s vision and transforms it into everything they hoped it would be on their special day. To make her bridal services more prominent, Wenalyn earned her certification in bridal consulting this year. This also allows her customers to bestow a certain level of trust in her abilities.

“Sometimes I’ll ask them to give me a small budget and not tell them what it’s for. It’s always something cute and personal that I know they’ll love in the end.”

Continued on the next page

336.365.8632 www.aneWce.com

If being a school administrator and an entrepreneur doesn’t consume every minute of her day, I’m certain her 12-year tenure as a cheerleading coach for NC A&T State University, mother of two adorable boys, and wife to one supportive husband sure does. Not only is she one of the coaches for the HBCU squad, but she’s also responsible for their outward image. From head to toe, Wenalyn makes the decisions for the groups entire look.

“I’m only able to do all of this because of God. If it wasn’t meant for me to do, I couldn’t do it. It’s all because of Him.” Wenalyn toots the horn of her husband of five years as well as her oldest sons father, who she often refers her clients to for his handiwork.

Both men are integral parts of the success of ‘aneW’.

“I tease my oldest son’s father saying if I ever got my own show, he would have to come along too.” In a time where parents are feuding and traumatizing their children with custody battles and negative interactions with the other, these three are setting the example by successfully parenting a blended family.

When asked about the consulting part of her business, Wenalyn explains that it encompasses branding, web design, marketing, social media posts, and additional tasks tailored to her clients’ needs. “I can do it all,” Wenalyn confidently boasts.

She knows she’s good at what she does but she’s also a firm believer in her clients understanding the importance of having a realistic budget and sticking to it.

“Many times, they’ll give me ideas that they’ve seen on Instagram, but have a much smaller budget that won’t allow them to achieve the look they’re going for,” she says. But with a staff of six, she’s certain she can create a memorable event for any occasion because she loves the smile at the end.

“I’m only able to do all of this because of God. If it wasn’t meant for me to do, I couldn’t do it. It’s all because of Him.”

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She’s excited that she has her first same-sex wedding on the books and scheduled to have completed almost a dozen other weddings by the end of this year. Included in her event planning is the use of all her décor that she has accumulated over the years, and her list of items is extensive.

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“There isn’t much that I don’t have and I’m happy to use it all to achieve the vision,” she says.

Wenalyn has piled a lot of food on her plate but she jokes that her O(bsessive) C(ompulsive) D(isorder) helps keep it all organized. With the support of her family and God’s guidance, she continues to forge ahead. h

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Proformance Pet Supply 701 N. English St. - Greensboro, NC 27405 - 336- 482-5530 Proformance Pet Supply of Greensboro is hosting the One Big Fun Show Part 2 on October 13, 2018 at Aggie Park. Event organizer and store owner, Antonio Duggins says the main purpose of the show is to give his community a safe and enjoyable, family friendly event that also promotes Proformance Pet Supply. “We also like to give our fellow breeders and dog fanciers a platform to showcase their dogs and to be able to see local and long distance dogs in person” he says. “ I really enjoy producing the event because it involves my passion of dogs and my effort to give back to my community. Many of my customers always ask about dog shows and often are discouraged because other shows are so far away. What other way to show my appreciation than to bring the dog show to them. I have shown dogs for years I know how much joy it brings when attending a show.”

Some of the sponsors for the show are Victor Dog Food, Gold Canine Group LLC (LIQUID GOLD PRODUCTS), and Antonio, long time friend Bj Burkes, Godmother of Soul Restaurant, and family. .

Proformance Pet Supply provides healthy pet foods, supplements, collars, cages, business advertisements, and offer grooming. “We try to have the best prices on everything to help our customers save as much as possible. Our location is also very convenient and is located in the middle of Greensboro. We give back to our customers and take pride in being a source of advice concerning anything dog related,” Antonio says. h

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huami MAGAZINE

®

Cutest Baby

Kaydence Jeffries The daughter of Da’Quan and Sharhonda Jeffries Photo provided by Da’Quan Jeffries

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

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Because I Am Beautiful 24

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex The multi-talented Christiniafaith McCoy has been performing since the age of ten. She began competing in talent shows all over Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina and performed vocal pieces by various musicians including Jennifer Hudsons’ ‘One Night Only’. She has competed in pageants such as the one for Miss South Carolina, and became Miss Greater Carolina Teen in 2011. h

As it goes in show business, most talent doesn’t make it to the mainstream until it is discovered. This also happen in the case Christinia when local Greenville producer Randy Edmund saw her perform. Christinia says he liked what he saw and eventually introduced her to the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre and worked under the direction of the late Dwight Woods. Christinia played almost every lead role in each of his productions at the Peace Center. She was Dorothy in “The Wiz” when she was only 12. She played in “Dream Girls” as Diana Ross and the Supremes at the age of 15. Woods molded her into an amazing performer.

Believe it or not, Christinia was a very shy and timid child.

Though still humble, she wouldn’t put herself out front for people to notice her and hear her big voice. As she continued her singing career as a young performer, Christinia was introduced to Apollo Wonex, a professional photographer who saw something in her; that something would dramatically enhance her model career.

Christinia became Miss Richland County Teen in 2012. She was chosen to be the leading role in the play called “Speak Easy”. She became “Lula Mae Jones” in the making of the play and it was shown at the Peace Center in Greenville.

Once her tenure as Miss Richland County Teen concluded, she took a few years off from competing and pursued her talent show journey while performing for the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre. When she was 18, she graduated and became an alumnus of Phillis Wheatley. This feat allowed her to go back each year and help other young performers.

In 2015, Christinia was crowned as Miss Duncan. She competed for the chance to win Miss South Carolina. Though she didn’t win, that didn’t stop her performing journey but instead made her stronger and more determined to continue her career as a performer. Soon, she decided to leave the pageant world for a while and start her journey to doing something that she had been wanting to do since the age of sixteen years old. She finally started taking footsteps into the life of being a model.

Apollo Wonex became her dedicated photographer and manager and helped her become the woman she is today.

Christinia was first published in Level 63 magazine in 2017, and followed that with being featured on the cover of the second issue in the same year. Apollo assisted with getting her the opportunity to perform with ‘The Night Affair Band’ during the Fall For Greenville event. She recently competed in the Miss South Carolina pageant this past June as Miss Powdersville 2018, and she will hold that title until March 2019.

Christina says she always had this mindset of someday being more than just another girl who post selfies of herself on social media. “My life is on a new level and there is no turning back. I am only going further with what I am is passionate about and that is achieving and accomplishing more.

Follow Christiniafaith McCoy on Instragram h

@eternalmelaninn

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Sincere Automotive Center, LLC Honest, Friendly, Reliable, And Sincere

By Terry L. Watson - Photos by JLG Photography

Sincere Automotive Center, LLC is a family owned and operated, full service, five bay auto repair shop. Their focus and specialty are servicing both foreign and domestic vehicles, and light duty trucks for business and residential customers within Greensboro and the surrounding area.

By keeping the customer’s needs the number one priority, Sincere is able to offer the best automotive service possible. They are honest, friendly, reliable, and “sincere�. It all started with the vision and passion of one man, Celess Martin, Jr. Celess has always believed in going the extra mile by providing exceptional customer service, maintaining fair pricing, producing quality work all while educating his customers on how to stay safe on the road. With the help of Clarence Morehead, Jr. and Nella Jacsin-Becton, Sincere Automotive Center opened for business July 03, 2012, and has been growing ever since.

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“We offer a variety of services ranging from custom exhaust, oil changes, brake systems, engine light repair, North Carolina state inspections, suspension repair, axles, alignments, used and new tire installation, fleet maintenance services and much more. Whether you need computer diagnostics, planned maintenance inspections, or examination of your vehicle’s running conditions, we have you covered. We offer free nation-wide roadside assistance and discounts to students, teachers, senior citizens, military, government and state employees,” says Nella.

Celess lives by a simple motto: To much is given, much is required.

He is a native of Greensboro, NC. He has been in the automotive repair industry for over 20 years as a Lead Technician and has been the legs of Sincere Automotive Center for the past six. Under his leadership and expertise, Sincere Automotive Center has grown its customer base by over 3000 customers and several fleet accounts.

Celess has served in various management positions and has an educational background in Business Administration. Celess is engaged to Nella Jacsin-Becton and combined they have a total of nine children (Celess: Ashley Graham, Calvin Martin, Corey McNeal, & Marquise Martin. Nella: Creg Reed, Jr, Imiya Becton, Jade Becton, Jewelle Becton, Autumn Becton). There are also two grandchildren (Alexander Graham, Jr and Zaheir Reed). Other business ventures for Celess are script writing and producing, Certified Life Coach, and custom auto detail/restoration. Celess enjoys traveling and experiencing new places.

Another familiar face of Sincere Automotive is Clarence Morehead Jr. He is Co-Owner and Parts Inventory Manager. More than anything Clarence values the gift of waking up every day. Clarence is a native of Reidsville, NC and has been in the automotive industry since the young age of nine. Clarence has held previous management positions at both AutoZone and Kmart. Clarence is married to Peggy Morehead, a retired Guilford County School teacher’s assistant.

They both serve active roles as Deacon and Deaconess at White Oak Grove Baptist Church in Greensboro. They have one son, Rodney, a grandson, Corey, and great granddaughter, Zarah. When Clarence isn’t managing at Sincere, he might be found taking a nice cruise in his 1964 Chevy Nova.

Clarence H. Morehead, Jr. and Peggy Morehaed above

Nella Jasin-Becton and Celess Martin below

When you enter the waiting and customer service area at Sincere, you are greeted by the genuine kindness of Nella Jacsin-Becton, the Office Manager who oversees marketing and finance. She also serves as the service writer. Nella’s motto is the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi; Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

Nella who was born in Haiti, and raised in New York and New Jersey, was introduced to the automotive repair industry at the same time she committed to aid and support Celess and Clarence in starting Sincere Automotive Center July 2012. Nella, who is often referred to as “LaLa” simultaneously built a life and various businesses with Celess for the past 10 years. Her previous background in customer service, human resources, administrative assistance, finance, marketing, management, as well as training and development served appropriately in handling the business aspect of Sincere Automotive Center. “Learning and working in the automotive industry is a piece of cake compared to managing over 500 employees at Verizon Communications,” she says. “Aside from my many roles at Sincere, I stay busy with my children and completing my business degree. I also volunteer at several nonprofit organizations and run my other successful businesses as a motivational speaker and certified life coach at Super Hero Life Coach Group, empowering the lives of women as a beauty consultant with the famous pink cosmetic company Mary Kay.” Nella enjoys spending time with family, traveling, meditating, and reading h educational or self-help books on her spare time.

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PART THREE

By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Mykel Media Company

PURDUE PEACE PROJECT In this August/September issue of the Huami Magazine we will discuss the qualitative stories of the people who live inside of our community. We will utilize the theory of phenomenology to narrate their personal subjectivity as Black men and Black women who have survived traumatic experiences within their own communities at the hands of their own people. This type of research is known as qualitative research. This method of research provides a unique perspective for these volunteers’ experiences on multiple levels of narrative research. Patton (1985) explains that, “Qualitative research is an effort to understand situations in their uniqueness as part of a particular context and the interactions there. … What it means for the participants to be in that setting, what their lives are like, what’s going on for them, what their meanings are, what the world looks like in that particular setting” (as cited in Merriam, 2002, pg. 5). In knowing that narrative research is a “special case of life writing” (Smith, 1994, p. 288) these individuals can convey their life stories from their personal perspective. In sharing their voice who else can make sense of their world by critically reflecting and understanding their lived experiences.

Merriam (2002) shares this same posture of qualitative research. She says that when people share their stories as they perceive it shows, “how individuals construct and make sense of their world through their lived experiences” (p. 9). The goal of qualitative research is to fully describe a lived experience. It stresses that only those that have experienced phenomena can communicate them to the outside world” (Todres and Holloway, 2004). This is what the Purdue Peace Project (PPP) is looking for. They are soliciting your lived experiences within your own communities, so they can have a better understanding of exactly what you, the community, needs in order to live productive and safe lives inside of our own communities.

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One community worker bringing her voice and concerns to the table is Rev. Tina Ogundiran, Founder of Bridging The Gap Services of Greensboro. Tina shares, “You know I Co-Pastor Ever Changing Lives Ministry with my husband Pastor Moses Ogundiran and we saw a need for creating Bridging The Gap Services. It all started because people would literally walk off the street and come inside of our church asking for assistance. It could be a homeless person, a woman suffering from domestic violence or even a family that had been affected by a disaster. They were all in need of different things. Some needed shelter, some needed a hot meal, some needed clothing, others needed help with finding a job and others were escaping domestic violence situations.

Unfortunately, we can only serve a hot meal once a week. Every 3rd Saturday we provide clothing through our Kids Connect Clothes Closet. We also help with job referrals, provide housing assistance, and assist people with preparing to take the GED exam. What’s exciting is that we have also started a program called Single Parents Network. This program meets once a month with other community sponsors to provide family assistants and encouragement for single parents. We try our best to make sure that everyone who comes to us can take advantage of our services. We also make sure to inform the community of what we do here and also what other programs are out there that can help.

Many times, people don’t know that there is help available, so we really try to get the word out.”

Rev. Ogundiran is no stranger to the situations that knock on her door, she shares, “I am a survivor of domestic violence. I had heard about it. It was something that I read about. I never thought that woman would ever be me, but it was. Even when I was going through it I didn’t really understand what it was. Once I realized my reality I knew that I couldn’t live the rest of my life in that type of environment, but I just didn’t know how to leave or where to turn for help. Then finally I shared what I was going through, and I was able to receive help from my church and that lead me to learning about all of the other agencies out here that provide assistance. Once I began learning about the different programs available to me I began taking advantage of them, so I could pick myself up. It took some work, but with prayer and knowing that all things are possible through God I was able to recover and get my life back on track. This is what has motivated me to become an advocate for others who need help transitioning from their current oppressive way of life to a healthier one. This is what Bridging The Gap Services of Greensboro does. We get the word out to the community that there is help for them. If people don’t know that assistance is available, then they think they’re stuck in that sunken place and that’s not true. Unfortunately, what is true is that the violence in our communities is on the rise. It used to be that crime, domestic violence, and killings was something you just heard about, but it’s shifted so badly. Violence has increased from a fist fight to a stabbing or from a stabbing to a shooting.

Things are escalating out here fast. One of my prayers is that the Perdue Peace Project can help us have these conversations, so the violence can stop.

I know they have experience in this. Then we need facilities to house these people, so we can help them get back on their feet. The need is greater than the resources available to us. We need to be able to feed the people more than just once a week. We need to be able to clothe them, too. We need resource buildings where people can go for help during the “in between time.” We need shelters for women and children and the homeless where they’ll be safe.

We need the psychologists and counselors to work with these people while they are transitioning to a healthier station in life. You know you can’t remain in a shelter long before you have to leave. We need housing, psychologists, counselors, and mentors. We need to turn these food desserts into viable stores, so we can hire the people in our community. If you know your brother or your sister, you’ll be less likely to hurt one another. It doesn’t make any sense that almost every day a mother is burying her son, or he’s being sent to prison. That’s like a death, too. That responsibility falls on us. I believe we just need to get the information out there so people can know where to go and who they can turn to for help when the normal avenues turn them away because they don’t meet a certain criteria. I pray continuously that our resources increase so we don’t ever have to turn anyone away and people can really get the help that they need to live their best lives. I’m living proof that it can happen, and I want others to know it can happen for them, too.”

What happens when living proof is more real than you can fathom? What happens when the child that you thought you would be undergirding in ministry is taken away from you through a senseless act of violence? What happens when you know the voice of God and He’s whispering 2 Corinthians

Rev. Tina Ogundiran Founder of Bridging The Gap Services of Greensboro

5:8 ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord’ in your ear and you can feel it in your spirit? What do you do with that? Apostle Deborah White knows all too well how to handle it all. She shares, “I lost my 24-year old son, Reginald DeMarcus Wrenn to a senseless act of violence. He was murdered on November 4, 2012 right here in Greensboro, NC. From what I was told by an eye witness my son accidently backed into a car. The witness said DeMarcus got out of the car, apologized and told the man that he had insurance and he would take care of it, but the man told him that he didn’t want his insurance; instead, he wanted everything DeMarcus had. When my son turned to get his telephone to call the police the man shot him four times. The police found the man the next day. He was a repeat offender so that’s why he shot my son. He had warrants against him. You know a couple of weeks before my son was murdered I kept hearing God say, ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.’ I just kept hearing it in my ear and I could feel it in my spirit. I thought God was coming for me not my child. So, I told God I’m ready Lord but please give me time to get things straight for my daughters because they’re still young.

I knew DeMarcus would be okay because he was already grown Continued on page 30

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and so wise. I just wanted to make sure my children were going to be okay, but it wasn’t me He was talking about. He was talking about my son, my best friend. DeMarcus was my only son and he was so wise to be just 24-years old.” While grappling with her son’s senseless death she heard the Lord speaking to her again. He told her to start a ministry and name it The Reginald Center of Turn Around Restoration for Life and the Apostle was obedient. This Ministry caters to the community in a multiplicity of ways. Most recently Apostle White focused her efforts on the children. According to her, “There’s a lot of hurting families out here and I believe that a lot of the children on the streets come from broken homes because they don’t have anyone to look up to or even have anybody in the home, so they turn to the streets. I just finished doing my first drug prevention summer camp.

We held it from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for the parents who couldn’t afford a summer program for their children, but they still had to go to work. So, we took 100 of those children from the community and we provided them with breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We took them on field trips like swimming, skating, to the movies, and to the library. We

Apostle Deborah White The Reginald Center of Turn Around Restoration for Life

also had educational and real-life sessions on drugs, alcohol and life period.

We didn’t just have fun, but we wanted to educate them. Their parents really appreciated us because they knew their children were safe. I believe that going into these communities and being consistent with helping them is important.

I believe if we are consistent in our presence then a difference can be made. I don’t assume what the community needs. I go to the homes and speak with the parents and the children and find out what they need so I can help make a positive difference in their lives. If it’s transportation so they can get to work, then we work on that. If it’s job readiness or GED preparation, then we assist them with that. If it’s daycare and afterschool programs so the parents can work and know that their children are safe, then we do that too. The key here is consistency. What we need are the resources, so we can remain consistent in or efforts. We need the educational centers for afterschool programs. We need facilities in our community with qualified counselors and mental health workers so when the gang members are ready they have a way of transitioning mentally and emotionally. The community needs help. They need to trust that The Reginald Center of Turn Around Restoration for Life isn’t going anywhere.

I’m not going to be like the others who promise to help and leave in a couple of months. I intentionally moved my office from Meadowview over to Phillips Avenue, so I could be near the community where my son lost his life for no reason. I plan to let my son’s passion and ambition for life live by helping those gang members know there’s another way to live life. It’s never too late to turn your life around no matter what you’ve done or the mistakes you’ve made.

We’ve all made mistakes, and everyone can be forgiven. You know the young man who murdered my son was only sentenced to 15 years. We didn’t have a trial because the courts dropped his charges down to second degree murder. I believe they did that to save the taxpayers money. So, he agreed to it and all he will serve is 15 years for taking my son’s life. But I was able to speak with that young man and I could tell that somebody had dropped the ball with him.

I told him that my prayer for him is that he really receives Christ in his life. I’m not talking about that prison Christ or that jail house Christ. I’m talking about really receiving Jesus Christ in his life, so he can change his life. I asked him to educate himself while he was in jail and I asked him to use his time wisely so that when he does get out he can be a mentor and break the cycle of recidivism for some young boy. I really believe the ball was dropped even where he was concerned because if he had been educated or had somebody stable in his life I believe he would have turned out better. Then he wouldn’t have murdered my son.”

Apostle White believes that the Purdue Peace Project could be the assistance the community needs to help provide the educational programs and facilities needed so the children can have a safe place to go instead of the streets. She believes that the PPP can be that conduit for conversation so dialogue between the men and the young boys can be held so they understand that gangs have no place in the community or in their lives. She shares, “I really do believe that the older men in the community should come together and embrace these young men and turn them around before the streets get to them. The men in the community should be the role models. Once that trust has been gained then we need transitional housing for the men and women when they can get out of the gangs. Where are they going to go? They can’t go home because most likely their parent lives in a government assisted home and it’s a violation for a felon to be on the premises. Where are they going to go if their lucky enough to get out of the gang alive? What are they going to do with their lives? We must be proactive and have these programs in place to assist them before they get out. I believe the Purdue Peace Project can help us bring this to pass. I don’t want my son’s life to have been in vein. Everyday his voice speaks through the Center named in his honor. So, yes, he is preaching it’s just not the way I imagined he would be doing it. It’s his spirit touching the lives of the community we serve. Lives are being changed. The Word of God is going forth, one child, one woman, one man, one community at a time.” So, Apostle Deborah White may it be unto you and your family according to Psalm 72:17, “May his name (Reginald DeMarcus Wrenn) endure forever; May his name increase as long as the sun shines; And let men bless themselves by him; Let all nations call him blessed.” Selah.

In the spirit of consistency, which seems to be the resonating theme in this issue, Ron Luciano, Principal of David D. Jones Elementary School which also houses one of North Carolina’s premier Spanish Immersion Magnet Programs believes that, “Every child has the right to feel safe and grow in their academic environment and they also have the right to expect consistency. Consistency is the key to our student’s success. For the first time in nine years our students have met the North Carolina expected growth. For Jones Elementary to

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achieve that expected growth that means North Carolina looked at each individual grade level, where a child starts, and they figure a percentage of what it takes to show one year’s growth. Regardless of where you are academically you still have to grow from where you are. Our students met that growth and that’s something we can all be proud of. The teachers are proud and so are our students. I’m proud of the achievement because it says to me that the weekly planning our teachers do together is working. Where one teacher may be strong in one area then we have another teacher that’s proficient in another area and we come together and share those strengths.

When our students see our staff consistently helping and feeling good about one another then that behavior is modeled by our children. The first year, yes it was tough because it was a new administration and the children had become so accustomed to seeing new teachers and administrative leaders come and go all the time. So, the children became detached and behavior problems were prevalent. That’s not our issue anymore. Because of consistency in our personnel we have seen a 90% reduction in behavior consequences. It’s amazing because the students were literally asking the teachers ‘what are you doing back? My teacher last year didn’t come back.’ Children shouldn’t say that about their leadership. They couldn’t form attachments then because they didn’t trust that their environment was going to be the same, but they don’t have to be concerned about that anymore and they can form those necessary bonds and have that trust because we’re consistent.”

far beyond what they’d ever dreamed. We just have to create those moments of growth for them. One piece of growth to another piece of growth at a time.”

This issue has brought you real life stories of your brothers, your sisters, and your neighbors. It has shared with you stories about overcoming struggles, lives lost, and young aspirations. These stories are real experiences from the people who live it, breathe it, and work with it every day. What’s your story? Again, the Purdue Peace Project continues to solicit your narratives, so they can have a clear understanding of the communities need. They continue to ask how they can aid our community in sheading the violence and embracing a holistic way of living. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. eloquently stated, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” Aren’t you tired of the struggle? Aren’t you tired of burying and losing your sons and daughters to senseless violence? Aren’t you tired of just surviving?

Don’t you want to live the life that God promised you could obtain? h Stayed tuned for the next part of the Perdue Peace Project series.

Mr. Luciano believes in setting the moral tone. He shares, “As the leader of this school I have to set that vision and I have to set the moral tone. We are here for the children there’s nothing more important in this world than the children, period. So, if you’re teaching children, especially here, then that means you understand that too. I believe in celebrating our teachers just as much as we celebrate our children. I believe in celebrating you as an individual as well as a group. Because of that I believe it has helped people want to stay around because everybody wants to genuinely feel appreciated.

And, my staff knows that it’s okay if they don’t know everything. It’s a school we’re all learning. We have a good success rate with our teachers because we learn together, and I believe in creating a safe environment for not only our children to learn but for our staff to be unsuccessful at something, too. If you make a mistake it’s okay it’s not the end of the world. At that point it’s my responsibility to provide the resources and training so that mistake doesn’t continue and that makes a huge difference. You know every two years a survey comes out for the working conditions in our school and in 2016, 96.5% of our staff believed that their school is a safe place to work and to learn. That say’s a lot because we’re a big staff. It also tells me that we’re really a family and like family sometimes we don’t always get along but at the end of the day I believe we encompass respect, empathy and compassion for one another and our students.”

Mr. Luciano believes that the Purdue Peace Project can benefit the children by aiding the community in meeting, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. What that means is that human beings cannot progress to their full potential or realize self-actualization until their “basic” needs are met. He believes that PPP can provide the vans for transportation of food throughout the community and the facilities for afterschool programming. According to Mr. Luciano, “You know Mondays are tough sometimes for our children because it’s been an unsettling weekend and that’s not all the time, but you have to be ready for that. Even our teachers must be aware when a child comes back to us from the weekend or holiday and notices that somethings not right. It’s in building that relationship and that trust when a child allows you access to their emotions. Maybe it’s just an acknowledgement or a hug they need and then sometimes it’s much more. We are prepared for the more. We now have two professional counselors for our students. You know it’s my belief that I have a huge obligation in turning kids around before they become involved in things they can’t get out of before those major mistakes are made. I spent 10 years as an administrator in a middle school and it’s difficult to look at an eighth grader who is still a boy but must be a man at 14. It’s difficult to look him in the eye and know that he can’t read and that’s why he has behavior issues. I remember having one student who couldn’t write how he was feeling. How could that happen? All I could do was apologize for someone not catching him sooner. In coming to Jones, I recognized that this is “my sooner.” Now, I have the responsibility of 4-year old’s to 12-year old’s and there’s nothing we can’t accomplish here. Our students aren’t going to end up like that. They’re not going to slip through the cracks. They are going to have the ability to grow

Ron Luciano Principal of David D. Jones Elementary School

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A Dieu soit la gloire

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Roger D. King

When asked to describe herself, Syreeta Skinner is very modest in her response. “I’m a uniquely creative and talented woman”. The 39 year- old mother of one handsome son was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is one who has a zeal and passion for life and making the most out of it.

Her creative side was birthed as she developed an interest in fashion and beauty while attending Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School. She attended the Hair Design School in Greensboro, NC in 2012 and later graduated in 2013. She then decided to get her natural hair care license. Syreeta is also a “devacurl” coach and educator.

“When it comes to styling hair, I take a personal, holistic approach to meeting the needs of my clients. Still, I want to do more than my client’s hair. I build relationships through creatively styling and get to know my clients and who they are. Helping them maintain healthy hair, is a bonus,” she says.

Syreeta says her journey has come with a few ups and downs. “I worked in management at a company in Greensboro for almost 10 years. In 2012, I was let go. I then decided to pursue beauty school. In 2015, after getting my natural hair care license, I decided to pursue styling full time,” she says. Being an entrepreneur can be very challenging just as well. Syreeta says it can be a blessing and a curse. “When you are the owner, operator, manager, first employee, and first client, no one is going to be there to stand over you to make sure things get done. If you don’t do, it doesn’t get done. I had to change my mindset from working for a company to building my own. That was very difficult,” she says.

“As a new stylist most people did not want to give me a try. I did not have the clientele, but the skills were there. I remember packing up all my hair supplies out of my home, and being determined to find a salon to work in. I am thankful that I was able to cross paths with Kisha Davis of Elite Styles Salon. She gave me my first chance,” Syreeta says. “Beauty school does not prepare you for the salon. I struggled to build my clientele and meet my booth rental fees. Not wanting to create a lot of debt for myself, I decided to leave the salon and go back home to regroup. During that time, I learned of a local natural hair stylist, Shennan Scott, who was looking for an apprentice. I decided to reach out to her for mentoring and an opportunity of an apprenticeship. She looked at my work and invited me to work with her at Soul Flower naturals boutique. I found my voice as a stylist and I began to grow.”

Syreeta Skinner A Dieu soit la gloire (336) 907-2998

Syreeta says her sister, Shante Woody is the driving force behind her company and brand. Many days Syreeta wanted to quit and give up but having her sister’s encouragement kept her going. Outside of styling hair, Syreeta operates as a seamstress and an aspiring makeup artist.

She brings to life the images her clients have for themselves by making custom clothing, and with personalized hair and makeup services. h

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Love And Faith Christian Fellowship

Presents......

Fall Festival September 30, 2018

“If your Church ceased to exist would your community miss you?” This question is the driving force behind Senior Pastor Michael Thomas’ and the members of Love and Faith Christian Fellowship’s commitment to serving and giving back not only to its membership but also to the community at large. One way this happens is during the annual Love and Faith Fall Festival which attracts thousands of attendees. The general public, family and friends are invited to not only worship together but also enjoy free food, games and an outdoor gospel concert.

Linda Wilson, her husband Tyrone Wilson and their three children Jevon, Jaron and Shana attended the very first Fall Festival in 1992.

“I was touched by the display of love and compassion shown by Love and Faith “says, Linda Wilson. So much so that Linda Wilson and her family became members. They have been active members of Love and Faith ever since. The Wilsons are a good example of how a family can be reached with the Gospel by showing love and fellowship.

This year’s Love and Faith Christian Fellowship Fall Festival is Sunday, September 30th, 2018 and will take place on the Greensboro campus located at 4344 Blackberry Road. There will be one combined Morning Worship Service at 8:30 am, the dress is casual.

Immediately following Morning Worship on the church grounds everyone is invited to enjoy free food, games, and a gospel concert featuring Luther Barnes and The Restoration Worship Center Choir, Jonathon McReynolds, The High Point University Genesis Gospel Choir and The Love and Faith Christian Fellowship Mass Choir at The Love and Faith Christian Fellowship Fall Festival. The church motto is “Where Jesus Christ Is Lord and The people are loved.” h

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4344 Blackberry Road - Greensboro, NC 27406 - 336-632-0205 www.loveandfaith.org

Eman Tha Profezzor Eman Tha Profezzor, experimental Gospel artist emerging from Johnston County (JoCo), North Carolina. Unable to be contained in a traditional genre, the “experimental” Gospel genre was crafted in the reason that there was no other suitable category.

This multi talented musical man of God; starting from age 2, when he discovered his curious attraction to pitch and rhythm, tapping and racking on pots and pans, which persuaded his parents to get him his first drum kit at age three, resulting in his growing skill as a drummer from 5 years of age.

Having joined the choir at his home church, playing the drums, he revealed a passion for other instruments as well. While in High School he started realizing that all his talent had gotten to a point that he could start producing music on his own using the Music production software FruityLoops 3, which he had received from a friend. After producing and writing several pieces of music he decided to enter the 2002 talent show at West Johnston High School, taking the show with 3 of his friends, who formed their group in a day. After advancing his gift, he went on to enter The Next Gospel Star Talent Search in 2004 with a close friend, forming The Disciplez; placing in the top 10 finalist, they concluded the competition in achieving runner-up. After his group The Disciplez went after different endeavors in their lives in 2006, Eman put out his first album “I Mean Business: Crunk Worship”. He played an array of gigs in Churches and venues in the greater North Carolina vicinity - Making his first appearance, performing his song “Get Up” on a Local Raleigh television station RN10 on the show Beyond Gifted with Koyah Rivers and his first radio appearance on 750AM interviewed

by Bobby Parker, of the Bobby Parker Show, where they played 2 of his singles “Get up” and “In God we Trust” - leading to him producing the music for The Bobby Parker Shows introduction in 2006; all gaining him more exposure and shows.

When he began realizing he was becoming more of a Gospel artist; desiring to perfect his craft, having the mind to be professional; he enrolled in Living Arts College, formerly The School of Communication Arts; Taking classes in Audio design and Audio Engineering: While attending college, Eman began improving the development of his skills, he also began developing his 2nd album, having acquired the new knowledge and skill through his schooling - as E3 Productions (Entertainment, with the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost - his music production company) was also underway, when he met a few friends in college along with his cousin having like-minds for ministry, who believe the good news of Jesus Christ. He and all of his friends, who also being artists, started producing and writing music, which took them to bigger platforms for shows, travelling to many churches and venues.

Before finishing his Sophomore album “Salvation Motivation: The Story” Eman was blessed with the opportunity to intern with Loreal Shampoo, doing a background track for a 2007 television ad. While preparing for fall graduation he entered his graphic design for E3 Productions, winning the gallery exhibit for logos. Graduating September 2007, he received the Digital Audio Merit Award - leaving with an outstanding GPA of 4.0. In 2008 Eman released his sophomore album “Salvation Motivation: The Story”, bringing him to playing shows in multiple college universities and in many states, such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Atlanta Georgia, Missouri, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Cozumel Mexico, New Jersey and Washington DC. With Salvation Motivation, the song “Blow Out” received so much buzz that it was brought on the Coco Brothers Show 103.9 The light, NC on Play it or Fade it for 3 nights consecutively, and while touring in South Carolina he was picked up to do an interview, with the Bad Boy Radio Brian Seabrook WJNI 106.3 FM, SC - while touring, his song “Changed Man” ended up taking a spot at #3 on Drive at 5, later earning a place at #2, then having its finale at #1 for the day over Kirk Franklin. Meanwhile also achieving the artist spotlight at WKNC 88.1fm at NC State University.

Within three years after the release of Salvation Motivation, Tha Profezzor was blessed to gain fellowship and share stages with the likes of Papa San, Rawsrvnt, Jeff Majors, Warren Barfield, Marcus D. Wiley of the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, Grammy nominated Cynthia Jones, Grammy nominated Canton Jones, Grammy nominated Mali Music, Grammy/Dove/ Stellar/Soul Train award winning Israel Houghton.

After his previous accomplishments, being discovered by a long time friend and mentor for his dynamic gift in poetic writing; he was given a grand opportunity to partake in a revolutionary idea for invoking youth to inspiration and encouragement in their gifts for the Kingdom of God; the stage was set for his heart for the Gospel to be shed through the art of Spoken Word, at the Church of God of Prophecy International Assembly in Louisville Kentucky held in the Kentucky International Convention Center. The artistic piece he presented is known as “My Powerful People”, viewed by over 500k streaming and in person - Empowering listeners to unchain their God given gifts and seek their purpose in the calling of the Lord.

Founded at the top of 2015, Introducing a new flavor to the mix in the ministry of Eman Tha Profezzor, with plans for outreach and youth camps to accompany the silky sound of Eman, as he brings to the world his heart for the Gospel and the winning of souls for the Heavenly Kingdom of God. The world has yet to see what Tha Profezzor shall presents to you by the grace of God in the adventures of the NERD UP Music Group LLC. h

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Stormi Harmon

G

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex reenville, South Carolina native, Stormi Harmon is the kind of person that is likely to leave a lifelong impression with almost everyone she meets.

She is a wife, mother, home school educator, Doula, Health Educator, Herbalist, Vaginal Steam Facilitator, and healer. She is also the founder and owner of Live 2 Serve, a beautiful umbrella of services and products for everyone.

As a Doula, she provides physical, emotional, and educational support to mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. In other words, she works with mothers to help them achieve their best birth. She also offers Prenatal Nutrition, Birth Planning, Breast Feeding education, Postpartum Self Care Sessions, Postpartum Herbal Baths, custom blended Postpartum Vaginal Steams, Postpartum Healing Tinctures for afterbirth pains, Nourishing Meals, Amber Teething Jewelry, Organic Baby Powder, Cloth Diapering Sessions, Baby Wearing Sessions, and more.

Doula’s are not just for natural home births. Harmon provides care no matter where they choose to have their baby, whether it be in a hospital, birthing center, home, hallway, car, elevator; wherever they are, there she will be also. While many families are sometimes hesitant in investing in the services that a Doula offers, due to money and other reasons, there is so much scientific proof that says otherwise. “I rest in knowing that what I do is very valuable and historical. Black women were the original Doulas, or Granny Midwives.

This is ingrained in us to do this work for our mothers. I just continue to share the benefits and let my work speak for itself,” she says.

When it comes to physical support, her focus is to assist her clients through various challenges during the child birthing experience. These include breathing techniques, counter pressure, and many other comfort measures that allow Harmon to “hold space” for the birthing mother and growing family.

“Emotionally, I help families feel supported by easing any concerns about their birthing experience and allowing the mother to surrender and listen to her body on this journey,” she says. “In regards to education, I connect families with evidence-based resources so they can ask great questions and always make informed decisions. Doing this allows me to serve as a bridge between families and health care providers, by encouraging them to be advocates for their care.”

As a Health Educator, Harmon offers instruction through classes and teaching sessions, food demonstrations, Smoothie Pop-up Shops and more.

Additionally, she has created a Smoothie eBook, loaded with over 275 plantbased recipes and educational tools.

With her Holistic Nutrition services, Harmon’s focus goes beyond food and seeks ways to serve the whole person. “I help you make realistic, sustainable changes in many aspects of your life. I help you get to the true heart of the matter that may have created the habits you are trying to break. Once that is done, if it even needs to be, we focus on what you consume and provide Nutrition and Herbal consultations for the entire family. This includes Herbal consultations, Pantry swaps- removing foods that are harmful and replacing them with better options, and sustainable changes. I also offer Herbal blends for optimal health which includes Butters for Eczema, joint pain, sleep disorders, muscle pains, and many other imbalances. My custom Herbal Vaginal Steams are designed for women with fibroids, conception issues, chronic infection, and more. My custom herbal blends include Elderberry Syrup Kits, Parasite Cleanses, and Vaccine Detoxes.”

Harmon finds inspiration in her ability to take charge of her health without depending on someone else. She says, “we can do it if someone who truly cares about us will only show the way. I can’t help everyone but I can help anyone who trusts and allows me to help them heal themselves. As black women, the odds are truly against us when it comes to bringing forth life in this country. Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth or from postpartum. These numbers do not change merely due to economic or social statuses. It does not matter. Hiring a Doula causes these numbers to drop dramatically because you have someone in your corner fighting for you the

whole time.” “There are times where birth work can be very exhausting.

Birthing a child is very unpredictable. A mother can be in labor for days and often times out of the loop with her family’s needs. Seeing a happy, healthy mama and baby makes it all worth it. It is my job to be there for them. They can count on that.”

Her support system includes her husband and her oldest daughter. “My husband encouraged me to take better care of myself. From there it grew beyond anything I could have ever imagined. My daughter turned my life upside down, but in a good way of course. I never wanted any other mother to experience what I went through. After researching, I knew becoming a Doula would be a perfect fit. If she was never given to me, I never would have done any birth work and would have never known how important and valuable the services I provide are,” she says. h

Triad - Sept./Oct, 2018

Stormi Harmon - Live 2 Serve 864-901-5172 live2serve@gmail.com www.live2serve.com HuamiMagazine.com

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PRETTY CREDIT Consultants, LLC

By Dr. Marrissa Dick - Photos by Apollo Wonex

Have you had one or more financial misfortunes over the past several years? Have you made late payments because you were robbing Peter to pay Paul?

Were you irresponsible with a credit card in your youth? Or maybe you lost your employment and were unable to pay your bill(s). If you can answer yes to any of these questions understand that you’re certainly not alone. Plenty of people are concerned about their credit score and rightfully so because today’s economy operates on credit. If you want to rent an apartment, purchase a house or car, or even need a student loan to pay for college your credit worthiness is key to receiving that loan and even the amount of interest you will need to repay. The higher your credit score, the less likely lenders are apt to see you as a risk or liability. On the other hand, if you have challenges you may receive that loan with a higher interest rate or if your score is low, you may be denied credit because you are being viewed as unreliable and irresponsible. Sometimes having no credit at all can even put you at a disadvantage because you’re unable to get credit if you don’t have a credit history.

Having challenges with your credit doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re irresponsible; instead, it could have everything to do with “life” happening to you.

Meet Pretty Washington, a woman of relentless faith, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pretty Credit Consultants, LLC. Pretty Credit is a life line for those who are in need of credit restoration. This company understands that having a low credit score doesn’t run parallel to who you are as a person nor do they correlate derogatory remarks on your credit report with truth. “I became interested in this industry because I had some challenges with my own credit,” says Pretty. “I had to find out the hard way that the credit bureaus were not on my side. I didn’t realize that when I was writing my dispute letters that the information I was providing them with was being used against me. Fortunately, I met a friend who worked in the industry that pointed me in the right direction so I could study the laws for myself, and that’s what I began to do. I started with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and really educated myself on what my rights as a consumer actually are.” Pretty shares that most people don’t take the time to educate themselves on the laws, so they are not aware of what credit reporting agencies can and cannot do. Educating their clients on these laws is only a small part in helping their clientele to restore their credit.

Pretty is staunch when it comes to knowing what’s on your credit report because people can become victims of credit fraud without knowing it. She advises all consumers to check their credit because people are often unaware that they have fallen prey to identity theft until they apply for a loan for a house or a car and are denied credit because of unpaid charge cards and other major purchases on their credit report that may be reporting inaccurately. Pretty is no exception to this experience.

“It’s important that you check your credit report because a lot of times people are victims of fraud and identity theft and don’t even know it. I’m no different because it happened to me. My identity was stolen. This person opened accounts in my name and she got away with a lot of stuff. It was so bad that a warrant was issued for my arrest for all that debt. I had bounty hunters looking for me. I remember it like it was yesterday. My husband and I was just coming home from church when the bounty hunters knocked on our door. They were going to arrest me at church but while they were following us,

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they received a photograph of what the woman actually looked like and they realized it wasn’t me. So, when we got home from church they knocked on the door and explained everything. I had no clue that I was being followed or that my home was being staked out for three days. So, I went to the police station right here in Greenville, SC to clear my name. I had to complete a statement and go through a long process even though I was innocent. While I was down there, I had police officers telling me that they understood how I was feeling because they had their identities stolen too. It’s important for people to protect their personal information because there are thieves just waiting to steel your identity.

So of course, I didn’t like that experience, but it gave me a realistic view of how things really are. It forced me to have compassion, sympathy, and empathy for consumers. Pretty Credit doesn’t judge people by their credit score like a lot of other companies do. Instead of judging the consumer, we help them get back on track. Here at Pretty Credit, we understand that every situation is unique, and we treat it as such. I believe I had that real-life experience, so I can know what it feels like to fall victim to fraud. I mean real life bounty hunters came to my door with handcuffs and everything ready to pull me out of my home, away from my family, and take me to jail for something I didn’t do. If it wasn’t for that picture being sent at that very moment, I realize that things would have turned out much differently. Can’t nobody tell me that God isn’t real, and can’t nobody tell me that He’s not an on time God because He is.” Talk about having a testimony that can stand alongside of Daniel in the Lion’s Den and The Three Hebrew Boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being tossed inside of the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. They survived unharmed and vindicated and so did Pretty.

“It’s only my praise and faith in God that brought me through that,” she shares.

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” It is through Pretty’s experience that Pretty Credit understands that your credit history isn’t always what it looks like on paper; therefore, each clients situation is treated on an individualized basis. Additionally, they offer tailored programs that can aid their clients in achieving the desires of their heart while simultaneously working on credit restoration.

When talking about getting an understanding of how significant and essential good credit is even in the basic parts of your life Yusheeka Gray - Partner, CoCEO of Pretty Credit, and Credit Repair Business Trainer - understood this basic concept early on in her life. She shares, “I started my credit repair journey back in 2006. I was in my early 20’s, a young single mother, living in public housing, and depending on welfare. Even though I lived in public housing I still wanted to live in a single-family home that was income base driven but even that required me to have good credit. I also needed a car, so I could get back and forth to work. Everything I needed to improve my life at the time required me to have good credit. Because I was ignorant to what my rights were as a consumer I paid someone over $400 to work on my credit. I didn’t know that credit repair companies were governed by laws and that they weren’t allowed to take lump sums of money up front and so I ended up being scammed. They didn’t fix anything. That’s what motivated me to learn as much as I could about the laws. I also found myself a mentor, Mike Citron, who taught the Florida Bar Association all about credit. I figured if this person is teaching attorneys about credit then he’s somebody I needed to know. So, I invested in myself by attending his credit bootcamps. That’s where I learned the laws and how to ethically work on your credit. I learned so much that I was able to open my own business in 2008.

Though I was helping individual consumers, I realized that I had more business helping other credit business owners with their credit repair business so in 2011, I switched gears and started focusing more on coaching other credit repair business owners. During that time, I had met a friend through the industry and I started helping her grow her business. We took it from $100 thousand annually to over a million dollars in less than a year. Both my husband and I were working for her and the company was doing so well that she asked me to open an office in Columbia, South Carolina which I did. We moved our family from Ohio to South Carolina but within 9 months, she informed us that she was selling the business, and unfortunately the new owners didn’t want to keep the Columbia office. Can you imagine how we felt? We uprooted our five boys, purchased a home with a $2,300 mortgage, and we had two car notes. We went from $120,000 a year income to zero income within a months’ time. All of that, and turns out the company was never sold. That was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. But like Pretty, I have strong faith, so I prayed and then I did what I do best; I started my own business again. I started a virtual video training program that taught business owners how to properly dispute and be compliant, ethical, and moral while achieving good results for their clients. That’s so important and it’s also one of the things I really respect about Pretty Credit because we implement all of the legal and ethical statutes for consumers and we have the best credit restoration team on the planet. Our fees are affordable, and we don’t take advantage of clients.”

Continued on the next page

Yusheeka Gray

Pretty Washington

Britnie Thompson 41

Fortunately, Yusheeka and Pretty had met several years prior but it was Pretty who knew that they were somehow kindred spirits. Yusheeka recalls, “I was working with someone else the first time I met Pretty. I just shared some advice with her and she told me that we were going to be working together one day. So, I just listened to her thinking that’s not going to happen because I’m working with someone else. Now I totally understand when people say that God has a funny sense of humor because the next thing I know, that previous working relationship ended and here was Pretty again. She ended up taking my video training course. She told me that she prayed and asked God for direction and he literally sent her to my video. Honestly, I thought this lady was crazy for a little while because she found me at least three times and every time we met she would tell me that we’re going to be working together one day and I was like yeah ahuh okay.

But Pretty’s personality is just like her name and the more we spoke the more I connected with her and realized how beautiful a person she is and I became drawn to her like a magnet. So, the next thing I knew we were having dinner together and it was perfect; the chemistry was undeniable. Both our husbands me and her everything just clicked. So, it was during that dinner when we began talking about partnership and blending our talents. In September 2017 we decided we were going to just merge our companies together. It’s good because we all have our specialties. Mine is really business to business while Pretty’s is more consumer driven which makes us a one stop shop.”

Look at how God knitted this friendship in the spirit before it came to pass. Much like the friendship with Jonathan and David. 1 Samuel 18:1 reminds us that, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” This reflection on the meaning of friendship bears with its ideas of strong emotional attachment and loyalty. Not surprisingly, the term “friend” naturally became another name for believers or brothers and sisters in the Lord which Pretty and Yusheeka are indeed. Though it appeared the working relationship wasn’t going to come to pass Yusheeka says that she is so thankful that Pretty remained faithful and trusted the process. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) It suffices to say that they are both working in their purpose.

Pictured with Elliott Washington is his wife Pretty, Britnie Thompson, and Yusheeka Gray

Pretty Credit Consultants, LLC 2007 Woodruff Road Greenville, SC 29607 1-800-580-9549 (toll free) 864.580.6399 (local) www.prettycredit.com 42

HuamiMagazine.com

It takes a steady administrative hand to push that purpose locally and internationally. Meet Elliott C. Washington, Jr. the Chief Operations Officer of Pretty Credit. He’s the person who orchestrates the networking for their one stop shop. According to Elliott, “It’s my responsibility to expose what we do here. My wife, Pretty, works one-on-one with the consumers and Yusheeka implements her Business to Business piece. Joining forces naturally gave us a much broader company and allows us to offer greater services. Because we have Yusheeka we can now actually train other credit repair companies on how to operate a successful business from the time they turn their lights on until they turn them off. We also have a dispute resolution team that’s on a different level of success. The consumer and Professional Partners that we work with have seen significant growth because our dispute resolution team is professional and committed. We work with Professional Partners, so they don’t ever have to turn anyone away who wants to own a home or needs an automobile. I see what we do as departmental. You know it’s awesome when other professionals send their clients to us because they know we can work with that person or business to help them.

We help other business retain the clientele, thus helping them to bring in at least 50% – 70 % more annual income by partnering with us. We pride ourselves on bringing that added value to a business and we never charge them anything to partner with us while we do all the work. We help their clients get to the level that they need to be at so they can purchase those big-ticket items they desire. “ So why would someone use Pretty Credit Consultants instead of contacting one of those television commercial ads promising to “repair” your credit? Elliott explains, “We do a couple of things here at Pretty Credit that other companies just don’t do. First, we treat every single person who walks through our doors with respect because we believe that everybody deserves a second chance. If you’re trying to change your life for the better so you can have something, then we’re here to help you do that. Though we’re here to help both the blue- and white-collar worker we also provide structured programs to help the common man have the best life possible. That’s why we’re different.

We’re also different because we actually work on a consumer’s personal credit while simultaneously working with them and our developer to design a home for them from the ground up anywhere in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and no score is too low for our program. Other companies don’t offer or provide the same non-traditional services and programs in same capacity that we do, with the same great quality and at the same low prices. That’s why Pretty Credit is different. We are genuinely here to be a blessing. We’re going to hold our client’s hand, walk them through the process, and make sure that they get that credit score, so they can sign on h the dotted line.”

Triad - Sept./Oct. 2018

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Triad - Sept./Oct. 2018

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336-412-0012

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Get Your Tickets Today Fundraising Opportunities Call 336-708-1318

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@Sean Stimpson MrCutNLine

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