Huami Magazine Triad July/August 2021 by Terry Watson

Sisterhood, Business, & Faith

Celebrating30 Years ofMinistry

Pastor Michael Thomas

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Dr.

Understanding The Power of Your Influence

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About

It!

A Letter From The Editor

A Letter from the Editor

Now that I am many years settled into fatherhood, I sometimes reminisce on those precious moments when my son was only a baby. Though small and quite fragile, I wanted to make him tough and brawn, selfishly hoping that he would live out the hopes and dreams that I had for my life. That is what dads do, or at least I think they do. My son would eventually grow up right before my eyes to be a very grown man, which I am quite proud of. Still, I reminded of his dependence on me and his mother for everything while he was a child and our responsibility to understand and provide for his needs.

A Letter from the Editor

What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?

As a baby and not yet able to form words, my son cried and made other baby sounds when he wanted to let us know he was hungry. When his diaper was wet, he didn’t say [dad, I am wet]; instead, he cried. It was my duty to determine his need and translate the information he was trying to share. Thank God I was able to, and my son was fed and cared for. Though I can only imagine how difficult it would have been for him had I ignored his cries or was unable to understand them.

As adults and not babies, our methods of communicating our pains, wants, and needs aren’t generally boggled into a baby’s cry. However, it doesn’t mean that we are not crying. When we become prideful and shamed, it can be difficult to express what is truly hurting us, which causes us to internalize these issues and not let them out.

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.

When God blesses His children to be a well or source for others, it often comes with some form of influence. With influence, there is power and the ability to impact someone’s life. Not understanding the power of your influence is just as careless as someone who is driving a car at 100 miles per hour with their eyes closed.

The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.

Influence attracts the interest of others. Because influence is often associated with power, it oftentimes attracts weakness. What I am trying to share; If someone is treating you wrong you feel like you are being “hated on”, it might mean that person is actually crying out and cannot convey what’s hurting them. As Christians, we can’t ignore these cries. We should listen with our hearts and seek God’s instruction on how to respond.

Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

If you are in a position of influence, fill yourself with the love of God on a daily basis. I was able to determine what my son’s needs were only because I loved him. God’s love gives us power and the ability to understand the cries and pains of others.

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Terry L. Watson

Keesha & Larissa

Sisterhood, Business, & Faith

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

Brandon Thomas Insurance Services

Brandon Thomas

A Different Stroke of Art

Lorria Grant-Eubanks

Sunflower Queen

Toi Cage

ChildhoodLost Entertainment

Steve Gardner & Kaleik Hayes

Tifanie Rudd She is still impacting her community, and God continues to make it happen for her.

SCLC-NC

Change is happening with the SCLC-North Carolina. Meet the newest members.

Cutest Baby Photo He is a real cutey. Introducing Asher Grady.

30 Years of Ministry Pastor Michael Thomas

Greensboro’s Chief of Police Brian James

Super Food for Super Kids Trina Pratt

Standing On The Rock Pastor Todd Curry

Brandon Thomas Insurance Services, LLC

By Terry Watson

One of the primary responsibilities we have as adults is to ensure a succeeding plan is left intact at the time of our demise. The purpose of this plan of action, or what is often called final wishes, is to execute our last wishes and ensure there are no financial burdens for others to absorb. Brandon Thomas has firmly planted himself in the soil of future preparedness with his company, Brandon Thomas Insurance Services.

Brandon was born and raised in Austin, TX. After attempting a run at the college route and working meaningless jobs, he learned at the age of 22 that entrepreneurship was the way for him. “When I first jumped into entrepreneurship, I had my hand in a lot of things. Yet experience taught me that if I focus on one thing at a time, I have a better chance of being sustainable,” he says. Utilizing his advice led Brandon to pursue a career as an insurance provider, one that has lasted for almost four years. “I began in 2018, working for a financial services network marketing organization. After about a year there, I realized that I did not like their business model. I wanted something I had control and ownership over, so I decided to start my own brokerage,” he says.

Brandon Thomas Insurance Services is a life and health insurance brokerage that educates its clients on the importance of avoiding financial distress due to life-changing circumstances such as death, disability, or financial hardship. Many of the products offered by Brandon include life insurance, final expense, and health insurance for families and individuals, but specifically, he provides both term and permanent life insurance for seniors, adults, and children. He also offers services for business owners and benefits for their employees, such as group insurance and key person life insurance.

Brandon shares what he loves most about his work: providing life insurance for our clients and knowing that I am playing a small but integral role in making sure the next generation inherits a legacy. “I enjoy being a person of interest on the subject of life insurance when it comes to educating the community,” he says.

Brandon shares his primary inspiration is financial freedom, providing for himself and his family. He wants to make sure his mother retires soon and ensure that he passes something on to his children that they can pass on to their children’s children.

His advice to anyone chasing a dream is to change your mindset. “I’ve been around poor people, I’ve been around rich people....the only difference is the mindset. Change the way you view the world, and focus on how you can be the best person you can be in the world. You must always strive to be a victor and never a victim,” he shares.

Moving forward, Brandon has plans to build his brokerage firm up and give more opportunities to people who look like him, and help as many people as possible with their services. He also has other ideas that involve venturing into other industries but shares that he’s taking things one step at a time. To learn more about Brand Thomas Insurance Services, please visit their website.

Brandon Thomas Insurance Services LLC

Brandon Thomas - CEO/Owner

512-549-6123

www.bthomasinsurance.com

Photos by Brandon Thomas h

Sisterhood, Business, & Faith &

By Tonya Dixon

by Katrena Wize Artrography

Sisters, Larissa Gilmer and Keesha Sinclair are successful entrepreneurs, growing and expanding their businesses, meeting the needs of customers and planning for the future. The two have separate businesses, but their family bond and strong entrepreneurial spirits keep them connected and producing great products for an increasingly supportive and expanding clientele in the customized product and services industries.

Entrepreneurship is far from new to them. It’s a way of life; one they have been exposed to since they were born.

“We come from a family of entrepreneurs,” said Gilmer. “It was only natural for us to do the same.”

“I believe it’s just instinct. It’s just in us. Our dad currently owns and operates R&B Janitorial, and Lawn Care Services. Our mom ran a lucrative daycare for many years,” said Sinclair. “Their hustle was always inspiring.”

Gilmer – the younger of the two – is the owner of Elle Accessories and More, selling and designing hand-crafted, custom earrings, pin-back buttons (the kind often worn on jean jackets, backpacks, and other pop style items), Jibbitz (the cool accessories worn on Crocs shoes) and custom branded items for businesses. She’s been growing her business since 2012, but over the last few years, Gilmer has really tapped into her specialty and honed her craft.

“A lot of what I do is cultural-based. For example, I have a Black Excellence collection which include croc jibbitz, custom pins, button earrings and stickers. It’s all based on black culture surrounding HBCUs, sororities/ fraternities, and popular culture tag sayings in the black community,” said Gilmer. “I can do customized buttons and earrings and more for customers. It’s all specific to what they want.”

Photos

What started as a hobby and sporadic opportunities to earn extra money has become a true labor of love. “I do a lot of custom branding items for my clients who want to market their businesses with custom logo pins, button earrings, and stickers,” she says. Gilmers options are limitless. It’s specific to what her clients want.

“I think we are all in a space that we are striving to create multiple streams of income. And that’s fine, but it’s more than that. My products resonate with me and hopefully my customers,” she said. “When I saw the interest of people; I was prompted to take it to another level.”

“At first, I didn’t know my business worth, but that was because I was looking at it like it was a hobby. Someone once told me as long as I looked at it like a hobby that’s all it was going to be. Once I started putting time into the business and allowing it to be big on paper and in practice then it would be big to everyone else as well.” Gilmer says that sentiment has not only been true, but it has been one of the guiding forces and principles in her entrepreneurship arsenal.

Older sister and entrepreneur veteran of the two, Sinclair owns and operates Kreat’ N Stitches, a customized product business Specializing in custom apparel, embroidered designs, t-shirts, etc.

“I have always love the idea of creating and I love to craft in my spare time,” says Sinclair. “Years before my current business, I created gumball machines made from flower pots. I also made fleece tie blankets and personalized them by hand. Many of the things I do now evolved over time.”

Sinclair was bitten by the entrepreneurship bug many years ago in elementary school. Her business model may have changed somewhat, but her passion never waned.

“I was the candy girl in school. I sold candy out of my bookbag,” she said. “During the summer, my parents allowed me to sell candy from our patio to the neighborhood.”

“I’ve always had side jobs. I want to create generational wealth for my family. I don’t want to live paycheck to paycheck. More importantly, I love what I do and take pride in what I do. I love to create something and see that the customer is proud of it too. I get joy when I get emails, texts or phone calls after an item is received. That’s satisfaction. It’s a little piece of me and Kreat’ N Stitches spread all over the world. I love that. I want people to enjoy it as much as I enjoy making it.”

Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Gilmer and Sinclair followed similar paths. Both graduated from Fayetteville State University, are members of the same sorority – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and ultimately became Career Technical Education teachers in the Guilford County School System. Their connection is strong. They admit they are fiercely protective of one another and support each other’s endeavors.

“We work well together. We often find we can improve the client experience and meet their needs by collaborating,” said Gilmer. Customers might go to Keesha for a shirt, but they will come to me for earrings to match or to design and place a logo on the earrings.” She says they learn together, improving their individual businesses as well as their collaborations.

“When customers come to shop with us, we want them to leave feeling good about their experience and excited about a product they love.”

“I love seeing how we grow together, as well as individuals in our businesses. We are able to feed off each other,” said Sinclair. “Our collective efforts allow us to provide fantastic products, services, and a solid business model for the community.”

After purchasing her first embroidery machine and developing her products and production system, Sinclair spent years working from her kitchen table, then her home office before making the move to a separate facility on West Friendly Ave., in Greensboro, N.C.

A great deal of the clients that she serves also patronize Gilmer. They could be considered an entrepreneurial one-two punch, where customers can get all their items designed and personalized in one convenient stop. Additionally, they host and attend pop-up shops. Not only do they support one another, but they often provide the space and opportunity for other business owners to highlight and sell their goods.

“Larissa and I have a lot of success, but especially when we host holiday pop-up shops or when we set up at other shops,” said Sinclair. “Eventually we even started inviting friends that had businesses to do pop-ups with us.”

“When people come to the shop, we want them to leave feeling good about their experience at Kreat’ N Stitches and excited about their products. To accomplish this, we intentionally create a positive atmosphere. One summer I initiated “Feel Good Fridays.” When, customers come in, they feel a sense of excitement about their experience and leave feeling good! We hope to share that same experience with our customers this summer as well as everytime they shop with us,” they shared.

The sisters both stress the source of their success. “Before every Pop Up Shop we pray with our vendors, and we ask for God’s wisdom and guidance. We pray that our customers will receive whatever they need, whether it be products, a smile, a hug, or even an encouraging word. We are not just selling products, I consider it ministry and a gift that God has given us,” Sinclair shares.

Gilmer and Sinclair often point their success and foundation back to their parents’ example of strong entrepreneurial leadership, family commitment, and love.

Production Credits

Clothing/Shoot Stylist: Jatcie Williams

Keesha’s Hair: Tonieka Michelle

Keesha’s Makeup: Darlene Mitchell

Larissa’s Hair: Chelsi Majette

Larissa’s Makeup: Pretty GirlGang

Continued on the next page

“It’s a family affair,” said Gilmer. “Our parents have been married 43 years.” They are inspired beyond words by their parents and appreciate the many lessons they have been taught as they look to do the same within their own families.

Gilmer and Sinclair are always looking for ways to grow and expand. Although the circumstances were certainly not ideal, the pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity. “We’re always looking for ways to expand and stand out. When the pandemic started, the shop closed for seven months. I couldn’t open the doors. So, I switched up the model a bit and started creating embroidered masks,” said Sinclair. “You have to go with the times and what’s needed and what’s in. We’re always trying to be cutting edge.”

Whether it’s Black History Month, Christmas, New Year’s, a customer’s birthday or maybe it’s not a special day at all, Sinclair and Gilmer can provide custom items that meet the need. For example, they have the “Black Vibes Only” collection – sweatshirts, earrings, buttons, t-shirts, just name it.

Recently, Sinclair has expanded her shop location with more square footage to display products and meet the growing needs of customers. Additionally, she’s looking toward establishing an entrepreneurship camp for children in the future. She wants to invest and instill the same ideals and foundation of business savvy and acumen in them that she gained from her parents.

Like any business, certainly, the point of Elle Accessories and More and Kreat’ N Stitches is to make a profit, but for Gilmer and Sinclair, it’s also about family and positively impacting the life of someone else. To them, it’s not just a pair of earrings or just an embroidered shirt. It’s making and selling a product with love that will bring joy and satisfaction to someone else.

To learn more about Elle Accessories and More, and Kreat’ N Stitches, please visit their websites, social media pages, or contact them directly. h

Dr.

By Ayana Bryant

By Santana B Photography

A woman of many talents and titles, Dr. Trina Pratt wears them all well. She is addressed as professor and also CEO. However, the most essential title she has is that of mom.

For nearly ten years, Pratt dabbled with the idea of launching her very own line of organic baby food. Last year that small idea became a big reality.

Little Chéngers LLC was launched in December 2020 as a subscription service for organic baby food. The company’s motto is “Super Foods for Super Kids”. The line includes eight different flavors options: blueberry spinach, banana strawberry, mango, sweet potato, sweet potato with apple ginger, sweet potato apple and ginger, applesauce, and applesauce with ginger and cinnamon. The subscription offers plans of two or three meals per day by weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly packages. Meals can be purchased individually as well. The premium food selection that Little Chéngers offers is explicitly tailored to enhance a baby’s developmental milestones.

Pratt is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Temple University, and most recently, The University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she received her Ph.D. in Kinesiology, concentrating in Community Youth Sports Development 2019. After becoming a new mom in 2010 to Ché, Pratt’s life changed forever. With her son as the main focus of her life, she became very conscious of his needs, mainly growing and developing.

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As the time came for Che’ to start eating solid foods, Pratt says that she headed to the grocery store and purchased a very popular line of baby food like any other new mother. “When I returned home and tried to feed it to Ché, he rejected it. My son normally had a healthy appetite, but I had never seen him do this before, pushing away a spoon full of food,” she says. Initially, she continued to take the advice of others and kept trying to feed it to Che’, hoping that he would eventually begin to like it; but that didn’t go so well.

Pratt became concerned about her sons’ reaction to the newly introduced baby food. She shares he would eat other things like baby cereal and drink his milk just fine, but he wasn’t a fan of the baby food. Next, she decided to taste the baby food for herself, and after one spoonful, she knew why Che’ didn’t want to eat it. “It was horrible. The food tasted terrible, and I, too, had a difficult time eating it. I knew I had to do something about this,” she says.

Pratt then decided to do some research of her own and began discussing food options with some other moms. She wasn’t able to find many mothers who made their children’s food at home, as she knew for busy single mothers like herself, it was easier to pick some up from the grocery store.

Running out of resources, she turned to her family for help, consulting with her grandmother, mother, and aunts for some sound advice. “As a child, it was my greatgrandmother who fed me mostly and showed my mother how to take different foods and cut them up very fine, making it suitable for me to eat as a baby. It made sense for me to come back to those who fed me,” she says. It proved to be the right decision for Pratt.

Continued onpage 20

Mango

Apple Sauce with Ginger and Cinnamon

Sweet Potato, Apple & Cinnamon

Along with the help of her family and the research she conducted, Pratt became better equipped to cater to her son’s needs. She learned about different additives and ingredients that could assist with things like brain development and overall health. From there, Pratt developed a routine. “Every Friday, after work, I would purchase fresh groceries. On Saturdays, I would go into the kitchen, sit Ché in his stroller, turn on some music, and begin experimenting with new recipes for him to taste, all while learning the things he liked and disliked,” she says. Pratt’s version of research and development was pretty successful, and her son’s eating habits improved as he developed a surprising liking for baby food, his mothers’ batch of baby food.

As she got better at creating new foods for Ché, Pratt came up with the great idea of Little Chéngers. That was in 2010, and Pratt’s life, career, and schoolwork wouldn’t allow time for it, so she put the idea on hold. However, ten years later, as fate would have it, a phone conversation with her mother changed everything. “Ché was about to turn ten, and I remember being on the phone with my mother and she said to me “You’ve been talking about this baby food business for over ten years, when are you going to do it?” That was all I needed to get started,” says Pratt.

Pratt says that her son is one of her biggest inspirations. She also credits the work that she has done serving the youth has also impacted her tremendously. From her college students to the children she helped while working as the Executive Director for The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Gastonia, she truly enjoys seeing their development and growth throughout her time with them.

Pratt’s hope is for Little Chéngers to continue growing and thrive toward success. Despite some of the challenges she has faced, her goal is to expand and market her products nationally and globally, connecting with consumers that may not necessarily look like her. The Little Chéngers brand is for all baby’s, and she hopes to ensure that parents have access to it. “Moving forward, I have no plans of slowing down. I want to be the change I see in the world,” she says. h

“As a child, it was my great-grandmother who fed me mostly and showed my mother how to take different foods and cut them up very fine, making it suitable for me to eat as a baby. It made sense for me to come back to those who fed me.”

SCLC NC State Chapter Change Is Happening

By Terry L. Watson

From the conception of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, North Carolina has lead by example of what it means to be a freedom fighter. Dr. Golden Frinks served as the first president of the state organization. He was instrumental in integrating several Jim Crowe organizations and commercial sites.

Dr. Frink’s was the national Field Secretary for the national office, answering directly to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the founder of the national SCLC in New Orleans, LA, in 1957. Dr. Frink’s held this position until Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. He then concentrated on the development of freedom in his home state of North Carolina. Benny Rountree was his right-hand person doing the movement of the late ’60s and beyond , until Frink’s death in 2004.

Bennie Rountree has been a national board member for the last 20 years. In 2010, the SCLC-NC was created to address the needs of the citizens of North Carolina.

Rountree is a Pitt County Civil Rights leader. Rountree’s start as a community leader began as a teenager on a Pitt County farm, where he tried to get blacks to understand their history to empower them. After Rountree learned of Martin Luther King, Jr., he joined the Southern Christian Leadership Organization (SCLC) in 1957. During his career, Rountree met and worked closely with Martin Luther King, Jr., and Dr. Frinks. By 1970, Rountree had risen to become the President of the Pitt County Chapter of the SCLC and later,

Photos by TMF Photography

Bennie Rountree SCLC-NC President 2004-2021

Reverend Michael Sparks

SCLC-NC President

“Our goal is to address many of the issues that are affecting the Black communities today. Our primary focus moving forward are health disparities and voting suppression. We will come from a non-volient approach and seek to partner with other organizations and systems who share similar interest.”

Rev. Michael Sparks

state President of the organization. Before Rountree grew to become President of the Pitt County branch of the SCLC, he had been vice-president under the leadership of George Garrett, the older brother of D.D. Garrett, leader of Pitt County’s NAACP.

Since 2010, SCLC-NC has worked to address discrimination, the criminal justice system, and voter suppression, just to mention a few. The majority of financial support has come from the community and the generous support of other sources that possess a desire for justice and equality. SCLC-NC has partnered with the North Carolina NAACP, the faith-based community, and other organizations with similar goals and objectives.

On June 18, 2021, Reverend Michael Sparks was installed as the President of the SCLC-NC, replacing the retiring Bennie Roundtree.

Sparks has been a resident of North Carolina since 2000, moving here from his native home of Houston, TX. While in Houston, he met his wife of 24 years, Charlene Sparks, a traveling nurse. He shares the magic happened, and the bells rung, confirming that she was the one God had prepared just for him. Charlene headed back home to North Carolina with her husband-to-be. Today, today they share 3 wonderful daughters and 2 grand children and are faithful members of Love and Faith Christian Fellowship in Greensboro, NC, growing under the leadership of Pastor Michael Thomas.

As the new head for the SCLC-NC, Sparks says his goal is to reinterate the plan set forth by Dr. King. “Our goal is to address many of the issues that are affecting the Black communities today. Our primary focus moving forward are health disparities and voting suppression. We will come from a non-volient approach and seek to partner with other organizations and systems who share similar interest,” he shares.

Sparks is an entrepreneur at heart. He owns several businesses while enjoying a lengthy career as an airplane technician for American Airlines.

Dr. William A. Merritt serves as the Field Secretary for the SCLC-NC. He is a native of Washington, D.C., and currently resides in Burlington, NC.

He shares his primary objective with the SCLC-NC is to assist with opening additional chapters within the states of NC. There are currently three chapters; Greenville, Roanoke Rapids, and Greensboro. “I believe there is so much that still needs to be done to address the problems in the Black communities. We are ready and willing to put in the work, along with others, to make a change and impact,” he says.

Also sworn into the position of State Event Coordinator was Denise Little. She will be responsible for assisting the SCLCNC with fundraising events to support the State initiatives. Denise will lead and coordinate the future for effectiveness and justice for voters rights.

The SCLC-NC has partnered with the Women With Vision Inc. organization to bring education and awareness to the health issues that are affecting not only the members of the SCLC-NC, but also the Black community as a whole. Led by Charlene Sparks, Women of Vision Inc.’s mission is to empower women to embrace abundant living through the impartation of knowledge, the strengthening of faith, and the birthing of vision.

Dr. William A. Merritt

SCLC-NC State Field Secetary

Rev. Michael Sparks was sworn in as the new President of SCLC-NC on June 18, 2021

Denise Little was Sworn in as the North Carolina State Event Planner. She ‘s also the acting Secretary until vacancy is fulfilled.

Sparks shares her goal is to partner with SCLC-NC and conduct health events around the state of North Carolina that will address the health concerns of African Americans. One recent event held by Women With Vision and sponsored by SCLC-NC was held on June 19, 2021, in Greensboro at the Salvation Army Events Center. “With our events, we want to focus on educating our attendees about high blood pressure management, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes management, chronic pain, and medication management,” she shares. “We are in an opioid crisis right now. People are in their homes and overdosing on their medicine at alarming rates, partially due to their inability to manage their prescribed medicines. I believe that with proper education, we will save lives.”

Moving forward, the SCLC-NC is excited about the opportunities to bring change and restoration to the Black communities throughout North Carolina. For anyone interested in being a part of or interested in learning more about the programs and services available, please visit their website.

Michael and Charlene Sparks Women With Vision Inc.

Greensboro Police Department

By Ellen Richardson

The 23rd chief of the Greensboro Police Department Brian James, is a perfect picture of following the Yellow Brick Road of Success. Born in Northeast Greensboro, James was raised in the realm of responsibility by both his mother as well as his hard-working grandparents. Beginning a life of “doing his part to help his family” by mowing lawns at the early age of 9-years-old, it wouldn’t be long before the future chief would find his next level of accountability.

“I played football, ran track, and even worked at a grocery store while attending high school at Paige High School,” said James. “I did all this while keeping good grades, which I believe taught me the focus and duty that I needed to eventually become a successful member of the Greensboro Police Department. In fact, I owe a lot of what I learned from being a disciplined athlete/student to where I am today.”

Despite being recruited by college scouts, for his athletic abilities, the man who would use the fortitude that he was given at an early age would use this to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina A&T State University. “The funny thing is that when I began my college career, I was not even considering being a police officer, but I knew that I wanted to do something that positively impacted the community. This is why I began to pursue a career in law enforcement,” James stated.

Although he would have to begin this career as a detention officer for the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, the future police chief would receive the opportunity to continue his path toward success as a police officer for the Greensboro Police Department in 1996. After serving as an accomplished officer for the 72nd PBIC, James quickly worked his way up the ladder serving as a corporal and even a sergeant. In 2006, the young man who would continue to focus on doing anything that it took to serve his community obtained his Master of Business Administration degree from Pfeiffer University.

“In the past, you would have been hard-pressed to find anybody in law enforcement with a graduate degree, but the expectation around education has definitely increased over the years,” said James. “Knowing this, I decided that if I wanted to help the Greensboro Police Department run successfully far into the future, I needed to continue to learn more about the business side of running a municipal department. The MBA program gave me the ability to look at this side of police work on a deeper level.”

Along with both an undergraduate and graduate degree, James also became a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Administrative Officer’s Management program at North Carolina State University, and the Senior Management Institute for Police. Each assisted the destined police chief in taking on added responsibility.

Photos by TMF Photography

Regardless of his success, James has also had to deal with numerous challenges. The most challenging of these times came during his first year as Greensboro’s Chief of Police. Following his swearing-in ceremony in February 2020, the Corona Virus brought communities everywhere, including Greensboro, NC, to its knees. After this, a national movement would begin following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“The lifeblood of our department is having positive relationships with the Greensboro community, and when the virus hit, we were asking officers to have as little contact with others as possible, to keep them both safe and healthy,” said James. “Leading up to the protests, we really had been, in a large way, disconnected from this community. Managing these protests daily made this a bit more challenging. We wanted to allow people to exercise their First Amendment rights all while keeping some order. It was difficult, despite most of these protests being peaceful, there were arrests, boarded-up windows, and vandalism — all things the pandemic amplified.”

James’s first challenging year as chief was also amplified by the record-setting 60 homicides in 2020, which were largely due to gang activity, drugs, and domestic disputes. While many in his position might pass fault towards others beneath him, this inspiring leader decided to put all his efforts towards listening to his community to find a solution to improve.

“Following the height of the pandemic, we had patrol officers in many neighborhoods go out and knock on doors. This allowed our officers and our neighbors an opportunity to get to know one another, all while giving our neighbors a chance to voice their concerns,” said James. “This program, along with bringing back some of our community outreach events like neighborhood cookouts, have received a positive response, and we plan to include this program far into the future.”

Understanding that communication is the key to healing has also inspired James to give birth to new programs. The first of these involves hiring a Department Resource Coordinator, who assists officers out in the field to find the appropriate organizations and companies to aid both individuals and families in their given neighborhoods with issues such as domestic violence, gainful employment, food insecurity, etc.

“Earlier this year, the Greensboro Police Department also implemented the Behavioral Health Response Team where we have mental health clinicians riding along with police officers when a mental health call comes in,” James enthusiastically stated. “Along with being on the scene with the individual in need, this clinician is also responsible for following-up with the person involved to try to get them connected with the healthcare that they need, which we are hoping will lower the number of repeat calls that we have of this nature.”

Stating that his overarching goal is to “make decisions that will be both life and community changing”, James said that he is also doing everything he can to teach officers to “humanize” each person they encounter. “I try to make them realize that each Greensboro resident who may need our assistance is not just a call. They are human, and we are making important decisions that could impact their lives forever.”

Sunflower Queen

By Dorjae McClammey

by Toi Cage

Let me tell you about Toi Cage. She is the owner of Sunflower Queen, a Natural Yoni care line located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With the help of her amazing daughters, she produces terrific Yoni products for women. Toni describes Yoni care as a dedication to women’s health and womb care, and the process of detoxing ones’ womb and vaginal area, ridding it of toxins that might cause odors and infections.

Growing up, Toi tended to overhear conversations about how women and men felt about their private areas. So while studying at the University of Notre Dame, she and a friend worked to find the perfect combination of herbs and plants to make them feel healthy and beautiful. Once she saw the results it gave her, Toi was inspired to turn it into a business and help other women feel beautiful inside and out, just like it did for her.

Sunflower Queen offers many products such as plant-based yoni detox

pearls, vegan rose oil, steaming seats and stools, detox herbs, womb detox tea, yoni soaps, yoni gowns, and yoni pops. She also produces vegan yoni tightening gel, a yoni refresher spray, and a foaming wash is in the works. She also provides one-on-one yoni steaming sessions that can be performed in the privacy of her client’s home or in her office.

Toi says what she loves most about her company is providing products for women who embrace their sexual health and wellness. She also enjoys having open conversations that educate women and men about vaginal health. She shares, “Yoni care is not an offensive thing, it’s self-care.”

Like most small business owners, some challenges presented themselves while she was getting her business started. Toi decided to start selling her products during the Corona Virus pandemic; she was prepared to jump-start her business a couple of months before it hit and then had to stop everything. From having grand openings in stores to over 20 events over four months to push her product out, she had her hands full. All of the contracts she had obtained were now null and void, and the money she spent had to be returned. She was just about ready to give up when the opportunity arose to partner with Black Business Enterprises, which was able to help her receive great exposure for her business. From there, she turned things up a notch and changed her approach to doing business. She began providing informational sessions at vendor events, promoting her products and natural yoni care in general. To her astonishment, Toi was even invited to showcase her products at company events. Things were starting to look a lot better for this aspiring entrepreneur.

Sunflower Queen has become very accomplished and has been nominated for a few awards, such as the New Black Business of the Year award and Customer Service of the Year award. By her third month in business, she had already hit 13,000 dollars in sales and celebrated by partnering with a Doula, delivering prenatal yoni care packages to women in her community. Toi has even had the mayor of Minneapolis inquire about products for his wife.

Her testimony proves that Toi Cage is a true hardworking hero.

“I started as a 15-year-old mother, and it wasn’t until my daughter entered college and started her own business that I decided to move forward and stop being scared. I think that’s what pushed me. I am happy to have a friend that was already dabbling in chemistry. Once my daughter told me ‘mom you’ve taken care of everybody for so long, why don’t you have your own business?’ I thought about it. I’ve taken care of my family, survived divorce, and felt like I couldn’t let her down. When I finally started selling my products, she was my biggest cheerleader,” she says.

The future for Sunflower Queen is filled with amazing opportunities. Toi has received an offer to open up space in the Mall of America in Minneapolis, but she is going a step further by finding her own storefront location. So keep an eye out for all of the new products and services she has planned. The partnership with a full-time Doula should produce even more exciting products that will roll out to hospitals, ob-gyn, and wherever prenatal care is sold.

Until then, all Sunflower Queen’s products are available online, in-store at Storehouse Grocer in St. Paul Minnesota, and the Wellness Lounge in Uptown Minneapolis. To learn more about Toi and Sunflower Queen, please visit their website.

Photos

son of Jessica and Justyn Grady

St. Peter, The Rock, Inc.

By Teyah Glenn

Todd Curry, also known as “Pastor T”, is a leader in the body of Christ. He is also a prolific teacher, community activist, and award-winning producer and songwriter.

For the past five years, he has shepherded the flock of St. Peter, The Rock, Inc., a ministry located in the Eastwood Community of Pinehurst, North Carolina. His message can be described as flourishing, as Pastor T aims to spread his “Kingdom Minded” philosophy to everyone, both young and old. As fate would have it, St. Peter, The Rock is the same church his father, Bishop C.L. Curry, preached to and served for several years.

Pastor Curry is the youngest of three children. He was born to Gretchel Curry and the late Bishop C.L. Curry in Grand Forks, North Dakota. “Growing up in the church, I was reared in fear and admonition,” he says. He remained faithful as he worked as an Associate Minister, Minister of Music, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, and Choir Director, up under the tutelage of his father for 28 years. “Church is all I knew. I loved music from the very beginning. I started out playing the guitar that my father bought me and eventually learned how to play the organ and the keyboard,” Curry said.

Curry shares that he learned early in his faith walk that “You can be anointed but not appointed and need to sit back and learn.” Curry did just that, and when the time was right, his father, Bishop C.L. Curry, saw something in his son and gave him his blessing to go forth in full-time ministry.

While many pastors to pass away while being in office, that wasn’t the case for Curry’s father. The late Bishop worked tirelessly to serve God. While Curry would lead the ministry on Sundays, his father would be sitting in the congregation watching him proudly as he delivered the sermon to the church, encouraging him to spread the word to God’s people. “I thought my father was completely stopping, but he would still come to church every single Sunday, and every Monday, we would have our talks. He never once tried to tell me how to run the church. He was always sitting back proud,” Curry explained.

Curry and his wife of 26 years, April, affectionately known as Lady A, have always had a heart for ministry and outreach. They have taken in numerous youth under their training and have justly opened their hearts to serve the lives of their ‘special needs’ children, which led them to open up Curry’s Haven, LLP in 2008. Curry’s Haven is a six-time nationally accredited organization set up to train, support, house, and serve special needs children and adults. They also regularly reach out to help behavioral and troubled youth, who are also a part of their organization.

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Photos by Still Shots Photography

Curry’s passion for the unsaved and less fortunate has transformed into the outreach ministry, TLC Unlimited, Inc. With TLC Unlimited, Inc., they can serve individuals who need clothing and food and help get them back on their feet with job placement, schooling, and shelter.

Along with withholding many titles in the church and the community, Pastor T is the lead singer of his musical group, Todd Curry and FOCUS, which is under the umbrella of TLC Unlimited. The nationally acclaimed, award-winning group has won several national awards and even appeared on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel for their Sunday morning showing. Out of 42 groups of every music genre across the country, they were one of two gospel groups selected by the State Department of the United States and allowed to audition for the Rhythm Road Project at the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. FOCUS was also chosen as one of the nation’s top 10 groups by judges with the Gospel Music Channel and American Heart Association.

Ministry and music go hand in hand for Curry. His freshman project, “It’s All Good” along with his sophomore project, “Quit Playin Church”, was released by his own record company, TLC Unlimited, Inc., and received National Digital distribution with Trevano/Ingrooves/ Universal Music Groups. Their albums were available for purchase at stores including Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, and Barnes & Noble, to name a few. Their music can be heard on Sirius Radio, Pandora, and many other streaming services and stations across the nation.

Curry has recorded with the ministries of St. Peter, The Rock, Inc. The ministries include the Choir, Children/Youth Choir, Men’s Chorus, Praise and Worship teams, and a new young group of sisters called “Lyric”. His recent project is entitled “Standing on The Rock”. The

album made the Billboard top 25 Gospel Album Chart and the Gospel Music Association Top 25 Chart showcasing the top albums in the country. This phenomenal project has also qualified for the First Ballot of the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards in four categories and made the Nominee Finalists Roster for The Stellar Awards for Traditional Choir of the Year. Only four nominees were chosen: The Chicago Mass Choir, Rev. Luther Barnes, Ricky Dillard, and Pastor Curry and the ministry choir.

Eventually, Curry hopes to bring the choir sound in gospel music back to the church, one song at a time. In the meantime, he plans to allow God to continue to order his steps and lead the way. A few of these steps directed Curry back to school and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). In honor of his father, he was granted an opportunity to walk across the stage and finish college with a 3.91 GPA in May of this year. To God be the glory!

St. Peter, The Rock Inc. 192 Esther Road - West End, NC 910-295-0936 - www.therockstpeter.com h

TifanieRudd God Did It Again

By Ellen Richardson

Photos by Santana B Photography

When you sit down and think about your career path, can you honestly say that you love what you do? Maybe you are someone who fell on hard times, which led to a criminal record. As a result, you are probably having a difficult time finding a good job. If either of these statements make you stop and think, then you have come to the right place. Allow us to introduce you to your fairy godmother – Tifanie Rudd. The Chief Executive Officer of M8D 2 Rise, Inc. uses her God-given gift and passion to restore and build the lives and self-esteem of individuals who have challenges in gaining competitive employment.

Before becoming a real-life hero for many in her community, this Guilford County native learned what was required to survive at a young age. “My work ethic is something I inherited from both of my parents. They taught me the importance of working hard. They both became entrepreneurs after years of struggle,” said Rudd. “To say that the struggle was real is an understatement.”

Watching her mom work so hard would eventually give rise to this self-professed people lover’s desire to help those in need. While this yearning began with a career in the nursing field, it would not be long before Rudd’s life plan changed. “I was on the job for about a year before I experienced what so many do in the world of advanced careers – envy and hatred for early success,” said the born philanthropist. Despite receiving awards, like employee of the month, Rudd lost her job and, in its place, was given a feeling that many of us might be familiar with – that feeling of losing a purpose. While this often takes many people down, this is where Rudd’s new life would begin.

“I have to admit that I did a lot of crying, but before long, I decided that I was done crying Fand ready to make my next career move,” said Rudd. After going back to school at Guilford Technical Community College, in 2004, Rudd began to see a crossroads turn into her new path. “After going back to school, I decided to get a degree in Psychology, and before long I was given the opportunity to participate in an internship program. The funny story about this assignment was that I was sent to a company that I really did not want to work for,” she says.

Like many confusing assignments that God may send to us, Rudd began to see the purpose for where her Heavenly Father sent her within a few weeks of this assignment. “The assignment was to work with people

with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities, and I did everything that I could to get out of this type of work, but this didn’t happen, and before long, I realized why,” said Rudd. “During my time helping these people, I began to find my niche or my calling – to serve the underserved.”

As she began to learn the importance of “learning to love people right where they are” and how to become a voice for the voiceless, Rudd said that she could feel her spiritual pathway open right before her. This road would not only keep her working with a company that she was not even sure she wanted to intern for but would also lead to a bachelor’s degree in Ministry, in 2013 and a master’s degree in Christian Counseling, in 2015, from Grace Christian College. During this time of rising from the ashes, Rudd also had a new life-altering experience that led her to where she is today.

“I lost my brother,” said a saddened Rudd. “My brother struggled with crime in his life, and he was trying to get out of the streets. He was trying to stop getting into trouble with the law. He strongly desired change, however, due to his criminal history, he struggled to sustain a livable income, and his employment opportunities were very slim. He passed before having an opportunity at a second chance.” Despite losing her brother before helping him find his new path, the woman who was gifted with a spirit to serve began to use her latest loss to develop her own company.

Formed in 2011, M8D 2 Rise, Inc. is a supportive employment agency in which individuals with life barriers are assisted with gaining and maintaining competitive employment as well as God’s purpose for their lives. They currently serve multiple counties in North Carolina, including Guilford, Rockingham, and Alamance. They will soon begin serving Mecklenburg county. “God is doing it again,” Rudd says.

What exactly does this acronym mean? “M is for the Milestones in life, the number 8 is for the new beginnings that we receive each day, the D is for Determination and what should we all be determined to do? TO RISE against all that comes against us and tries to stop us from us from tapping into our inner strength,” said the woman who has risen above all that has tried to stop her from her God given purpose. “When we tap into our inner strength and into the support that is around us, the sky is the limit. I started to do this by helping a gentleman who reminded me a lot of my brother. Unfortunately, this young guy served 12 years in federal prison and just wanted a second chance.” Before long, Rudd’s newest company, which started in a garage, was helping people all over this community realize that no barrier is too big to use the power inside of you to rise above the circumstances to become all that God has created you to be.

According to Rudd, she has continued to become a successful boss lady in a man’s world due to the strength that God has given her as well as two inspirational mentors that never let her give up. “I have been blessed to have two incredible mentors. The first being Rev. Odell Cleveland who has continued to remind me to ‘fly

higher when people throw attacks at you because people cannot get to an eagle’. The second is Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells, who always says ‘not to tell people where you tie your goat’ because when people know how to get to you, they will use this information against you.”

As her efforts to help others rise above all that tries to hold them back, Rudd has continued to expand this company to include services like life coaching and even a women’s ministry called M8d 4 H.E.R. Ministry. This born people person is also publishing her first book that is meant to help women learn that they can persevere above everything. The self-published novel entitled When the Tree Moves, will be released to the public in August.

Rudd is a mother of three amazing children and blessed to have five beautiful grandchildren. She is also a certified spiritual life coach and the founder and executive directive for the nonprofit M8d 2 Rise Eagles. She has been commissioned as Chair on the Status of Women Board (Women And Violence), and several other boards in Greensboro. h

Michael Thomas Pastor

Love and Faith Christian Fellowship Celebrating 30 Years of Ministry

By Ellen Richardson

Photos by Howard Gaither

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48 KJV)

God has called so many special children to share the love of Jesus Christ with the world and one such beloved messenger is Love & Faith Christian Fellowship’s founder Pastor Michael Thomas. Born in Mt. Gilead, NC, this spiritual mentor has grown this area church from his family’s living room in Greensboro, NC to two church locations, with more than 3,000 members, in only 30 years. How? You might ask, has this ministry/church continued to grow despite economic downturns and even a worldwide pandemic? “I have always been more interested in growing people vs. growing a church,” Thomas explains. “Where some churches will do anything to increase their numbers, I have only been interested in helping children of God to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Much like the familiar story of David being anointed king, in 1 Samuel 16, this chosen lamb of God received a calling to be a spiritual leader at the tender age of 10-years-old, despite coming from a family of six brothers and sisters who could have easily been the chosen one. “As a child, my parents required all seven of us to attend church. One Sunday the mother of the church laid hands on me and told me ‘Son, the Lord is telling me that one day you are going to pastor a very large church,” said Thomas. “After this, I knew that I was called into ministry and that I was called by God to be a pastor.”

Just like the humble shepherd who was called to be the future king of Israel, this future pastor, would begin his career outside of the church. In fact, right after high school, Thomas joined the United States Air Force where he would be transferred from his small town in Montgomery County to Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Despite this calling not coming to realization right away, the chosen man of God would not let the small start stop him from pursuing the dream that his Heavenly Father had put on his heart. “As soon as I arrived in San Antonio, I started to attend a small church of about 100 members. During my time of attending and volunteering there, I witnessed the church grow from 100 to well over 2,000 members,” exclaimed Thomas. “During this time, I learned a lot by watching, listening, and paying close attention to how the leaders of this church shared the love of Jesus with others.”

The Ministry Where Jesus Christ Is Lord and the People Are Loved

“As a child, my parents required all seven of us to attend church. One Sunday the mother of the church laid hands on me and told me ‘Son, the Lord is telling me that one day you are going to pastor a very large church.”

While attending this church, Thomas would not only learn how to become a successful pastor but would also meet his future wife. Shortly after the two were married, Pastor Thomas would be led by the Holy Spirit to return home to North Carolina. “After about 14 or 15 years I felt a strong leading from the Holy Spirit to move to Greensboro, NC to start a church from the ground up,” said Thomas.

Like many great spiritual leaders, Thomas and his family would start their new mission from a small beginning. “In 1990, we started an area Bible study, and this would eventually grow to Love & Faith Christian Fellowship,” he stated. Despite this church’s humble beginning, in less than a year this church grew from services in the Thomas home to services in a meeting room at a local hotel and eventually to the Carolina Theatre in downtown Greensboro. In less than 10 years, the church whose mission is to effectively develop spiritual leaders grew into its new brick and mortar location on Blackberry Road, in Greensboro, NC.

As a result of following his calling of becoming a loving pastor, Love & Faith has grown from three members to over 3,000 over the last 30 years, and two locations in both Greensboro and on Cinema Drive, in Kernersville, NC. “Along with seeing growth, we have also seen God’s hand of prosperity in this ministry,” stated Thomas.

The blessing that Pastor Thomas speaks about involves he and his church family operating both church campus locations without debt. “In 2017, God gave us the ability to pay off the debt owed for the church location in Greensboro, and the most incredible gift that He has also given this ministry is the ability to pay off the Kernersville location during the pandemic of 2020, which was a surprise to myself, our congregation and especially to our bankers,” said an elated Thomas.

As this area ministry continues to grow in its success, what is this man of God’s plan for the future of Love & Faith Christian Fellowship? “The truth is I have never had any goals for this church or ministry outside of growing people,” said Thomas. “I believe that all of God’s people are called to become disciples that help bring people from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity, and I get so much joy from helping someone in this way. I also believe that staying on this path will cause further growth for this ministry/church far into the future.”

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Thomas’s discipleship focus has also led to the launching of Good Shepherds Fellowship International, which is a mentoring program for non-denominational pastors that teach them how to lead their flock using nine spiritual principles. “I started this program with a handful of area pastors and now we have pastors from 16 nations who are each learning how to become effective in their call to be good shepherds after the heart of God along with building strong and healthy churches to carry out the great commission for Christ,” he stated. “The best part of this program is we are able to teach these pastors free of charge, which is based on one of the spiritual principles that we teach – God’s will to provide for all of our needs.”

Along with this program as well as the 80+ ministries offered through this church; Love & Faith Christian Fellowship also began Eagles Nest Bible College. Created in 2002, the program whose goal is to effectively develop spiritual leaders by exemplifying God’s love and faith through teaching His Word and Christian fellowship has now become an accredited university under the Worldwide Accrediting Commission and is continuing to grow in popularity throughout the world. “This program has grown so much over the last several years that God has even made it possible to establish Bible colleges all over the world,” said Thomas.

Just as God promised us, in the world you will have tribulation (John 16:33), and both Pastor Thomas and his church have not been exempted from this. “You really don’t have a relationship with God if you don’t go through some difficulties,” said Thomas. “Like many churches, we have had members come and members go throughout the years. Although it is difficult to let these people walk away, I have learned to love these people when they come and love them when they go. We have also dealt with making mistakes in trying to disciple people and have also come across challenges in building our church locations. Despite these challenges, God has shown us how to grow through each difficulty and has worked each one for His and our good.”

As Pastor Michael Thomas and his congregation continue to celebrate their 30th anniversary, we thank them for their service to the Triad area as well as all over the world and we look forward to hearing more about Love & Faith Christian Fellowship and its fearless leader far into the future.

Steve Gardner & Kaleik Hayes

ChildHoodLost Entertainment Group

By Gamal Williams - Photos by ChildhoodLost Entertainment Group

Steve Gardner was one of the lucky ones growing up in South Philadelphia. At age six, his mother fell ill, yet Steve wasn’t swept up into the foster care system, another Black child endlessly waiting for a rescue that rarely comes. Family members, including the mother of his half-brother, Kaliek Hayes, stepped in and raised him. Kaliek’s mother, Regina, offered a safe environment to a child that wasn’t her own. Again, Steve was lucky.

Though young, the kindness bestowed upon him instilled a protective, nurturing spirit in Steve. “Growing up, I always tried to look out for my younger brothers and siblings. Be that caretaker. I always tried to put myself in their position, whether it was forced upon me or willingly, I always felt it was important to be that rock for my brothers and sisters.”

Kaliek looked up to his big brother. “Steve was always just…” he pauses, trying to gather the words to adequately express his heart, “…he was just that rock. He always looked after me. I remember he would take me with him to his job. I was like 10 and he was 15. It didn’t matter, he always looked out for me.” Steve explains he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t on the streets. So, I kept him with me pretty much everywhere I went.” All of that changed when Steve was 17, Kaliek was 12. A boy from the neighborhood brought a gun to the basketball court they were playing on.

“None of us thought the gun was real, it looked fake,” recalls Kaliek. “We thought it was a starter pistol,” continues Steve. “So, I asked to see the gun, another kid had it, and he fired the gun.”

The bullet struck a dear friend of Steve and Kaliek’s, entering the back of his skull and exiting his cheek. The boys watched in horror as their friend died in front of them. “All I could think was ‘I don’t ever want to be in that position again.’ I don’t own a gun, haven’t touched a gun, and this was over thirty something years ago.” Steve says somberly. “It still affects us to this day, it changed us. We went on different paths; me the straight and narrow; Kaliek a more seedy one.”

For Kaliek, the trauma, and the inability to express how he felt, started a cycle of self-destruction. “He was a good friend of mine, like, he was someone I could just talk to, ya’ know? After that, and everything that happened after, I just didn’t respect anyone. I was a good kid up until then. I went from doing good in school, making sure the house was clean before my mother got home, to carrying a gun and running the streets. Something just snapped for me.”

Kaliek became one of the many children swept up into the trappings of the streets, his childhood lost due to unaddressed trauma. At age 16, his mother put him out when she discovered drugs in their home. By age 18, he was a father of three and in federal prison on drug related charges. Prison is supposed to provide rehabilitation, yet Kaliek found something different; an unexpected mentor presented itself. “I met man in prison. He had a lot of time, but he was so positive. He humbled me, made see things differently. I would write Steve and tell him that when I came home, we needed to do something ‘cause I didn’t want to come back to prison.”

Kaliek began writing, telling not only his experiences, but those of friends and acquaintances, humanizing children that looked and sounded and lived like he did. He presented his collection of writings to Steve, who became inspired and began contributing to the stories. When it was done, the brothers released their literary work, a book titled “ChildHood Lost.”

“We had no way to advertise it though. We took the book to a brother we knew, Bilal Islam. He was writing and directing plays and he loved it,” states Steve. With Bilal’s help, ChildHood Lost the book, became ChildHood Lost the play. “We write plays about kids, for kids, and talk to the real things they go through,” Kaliek states.

According to www.childhoodlostentgroup.com, the ChildHoodLost Entertainment Group has a simple mission, “to passionately using theater to showcase art with a purpose as both an intervention and preventative tool.” ChildHoodLost takes a different approach to the medium of theater. Violence, promiscuity, substance abuse, trauma, and crime are just some of the topics their 14 plays have addressed since debuting in 2012. The play “LEGACY: A Story of Boys that Moved Men” took a unique approach

on Black History, telling the tale of a man that falls asleep only to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Garvey, and Malcolm X as teenagers. “After the Eulogy” depicts a support group for parents, trying to cope with the loss of their children after gun violence. “The -N- Word” fostered constructive dialogue about racism.

Theater isn’t the only way ChildHoodLost engages with Philadelphia’s youth. Chess Chat, a program where children meet with mentors at the Urban Art Gallery in West Philadelphia (as well as online) to play chess. Chess Chat’s motto? In life, as in chess, forethought wins. “It’s more than just chess. We actually talk with the kids while we play. Talk to them about whatever is on their minds,” Steve proudly explains.

It’s a simple, yet powerful concept, harkening to a saying often used in the Black community; Each one, teach one. Steve and Kaliek have used theater and chess as a vehicle to not only reach and teach children, but to set the example for adults as well. As a January 16th, 2020 ChildHoodLost Foundation Facebook post states “If you want to change our city, start with grabbing up ONE youngin’ and teach them All You Know!” Steve and Kaliek don’t need the lights or the cameras. They have taken action!

Lorria Grant-Eubanks A Different Stroke of Art

By Arielle Kilgore

Photos by Lorria Grant-Eubanks

Everyone has a passion, but a few people get to turn it into a career. For Little Rock, AR resident Lorria Grant-Eubanks, the magic happened for her.

She is the owner of A Different Stroke of Art located in JFK North Little Rock, AR. Her studio arranges different art sessions for people who are seeking to find a passion within themselves.

A Different Stroke of Art offers silk scarf painting, summer camps for children, sip-n-paints, and art kits on the go. Other classes include pottery, private lessons, and handmade decorated face masks. Their products and services are available throughout the United States and even internationally.

During Lorria’s summer camps, she would host art classes and allow students to explore on field trips. Her groups would take the city bus and travel to museums or other historical places, searching to find the meaning of art. When Covid-19 shut down some of the exhibits, she provided yoga or social circles to help young adults express and educate themselves.

How did it all begin for Lorria? “I remember drawing and sketching as early as age two. I was really blessed with the opportunity of having parents who allowed me to follow my passion for art,” she shares.

In college, she majored in Speech Pathology and Ideology with a minor in studio art. “The bug hit me and I thought, “Oh my God,” I can do poetry. I can do this, and I can do that,” Grant-Eubanks exclaimed as she relived her college epiphany. However, she chose only the journey of speech pathology and continued her work at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science. Ironically, art would resurface and play an exciting role in her field of study. “While working with patients with severe brain damage, the only way to get patients to remember certain things was to draw,” she says.

Lorria eventually went back to school to get her Master’s in Art and taught students for over a decade. From her in-home art studio with 20-25 children, to her space on JFK North Little Rock of 60 people, Lorria has found a way to teach kids and adults to express themselves through art. Her reason for teaching, she shares its her natural love of people. “People inspire me. Just to be able to talk to an individual, find out who they are, and where they came from really motivates me. Seeing people enjoy art inspires me.” Her students and clients come back for her inviting presence as a free spirit and loving person, not just to draw.

Lorria passion goes beyond her business. She says that art is something that everyone can do, engaging the community to come together. It also provides a form of therapy. She desires to teach art to young adults or seniors with mental disabilities. In her previous line of work, art helped patients express or communicate.

All in all, A Different Stroke of Art serves as a safe space and open service for Lorria’s customers. Nevertheless, she wants everyone to know that her space is for those who need it. Her logo, an African American painter in overalls, and a paintbrush behind her back are just that. In light of this, she sees the challenge and misconception that it may bring to have a wider audience. The studios’ goal is for people to love and for every person to experience the joy of painting no matter who you are. “The paintbrush doesn’t decide who gets to create the picture. It just wants an artist to use them.”

As for her plans for the next year, Lorria hopes to expand her business. Expansion is not only her goal, but a dream she shared with a friend. “My friend suffered from mental illness, and was not able to carry out the dream with me. However, I’m going to do it for the both of us,” she says.

Once approved of a government grant, she would be able to place different services in bigger, better rooms. She could also move her program, “Artistically Speaking,” in a space by itself to cater to more kids.

Just like “Artistically Speaking,” there are other community services that Lorria participates in. Pulaski County youth services partake in an afterschool art program taught by her. She transferred to online classes during the pandemic and eventually made free kits to-go for the whole county. She also works with URL Children’s International afterschool art program. As a collaborative piece with her husband, they would have a night of music and painting. As her students served the guest, the public could listen to jazz and paint their art kit provided to them. The following year, she created Valentine’s Day baskets for couples in the pandemic.

“It just brings me joy to see how the Lord has opened up so many doors for me, allowing me to share what I love with the world.”

Skin and Body Care

Common Conditions We Treat Of Skin offers a full line of medical skin care products for all skin types and colors as well as for benign skin conditions.

Atopic Dermatitis, Acne, Aging Skin, Alopecia, Brown Spots, Cellulitis and Skin Abscess, Fungal Nail Infection, Hives, Poison Oak/Ivy, Psoriasis, Shingles, Tinea Versicolor, and Warts

Weight Loss Management

984.377.7300 www.ofskinandwellness.com

With the rise of Social Entrepreneurs

Phyllis Bridges, local High Point Historian can see her next level on the horizon.

With the rise of Social Entrepreneurs Phyllis Bridges, local High Point Historian can next level on the horizon. Yalik's Art and Cultural Movement is beginning its evolution bring inner city history, culture and art under one roof.

Yalik’s Art and Cultural Movement is beginning its evolution to bring inner city history, culture and art under one roof.

To find out how you can be a part of the movement Contact Phyllis Bridges pbridgesa@gmail.com