Huami Magazine Memphis May/June 2021

MEMPHIS

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May/June 2021 Vol. 2 Issue 11 FREE

Promoting Black Male Excellence Memphis - May/June 2021

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Awards, and There AreAccolades, No If, Ands, OrAlignment Buts About It! There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

A Letter From The Editor

A Letter from theon Editor Sometimes I reflect where I have come from in life. With each reflection, the feelings are always different from one another, and it Lettersense from for the them Editorto be. There are peaks and valleys; good makesAgood What if tomorrow didn’t arrive?

All of yourI thought plans, hopes moments during the valleys, and even bad ones when things wouldn’t have street to park on.a roller Whatcoaster if shouldand havedreams been great.

I guess youa can describe it as ride everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What didn’t arrive?

All of your plans, hopes that never ends.if tomorrow

happened? would beano reason to save a rainy and dreams There wouldn’t have street to park on. for What if

I ameverything the second youngest childsomeone in atofamily of until six, with two additional day, and you could the trouble of making that youspare decided put off tomorrow never big sisters.

With this arrangement, the number of stories to share promises. What your last happened?

Thereif would be opportunity no reason toseemingly save for aexpired rainy is plentiful.

Even more, the steps I’ve taken painted their own today? would youthat do? day, andWhat you could spare someone thehave trouble of making picture, validating my individuality and uniqueness, and eventually promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired revealing what I am told purposed is alike saying you don’t I’ve been that Ifor. often seem I do“what too much. today?

What would you do?There know, Honestly, can’t hurt you”.

For Ime, what God has for my life I feel like am learning not doing enough anddestined I’m a firm and not responding according to His desire is sort of an opposite parallel believer in knowing that God seem wouldn’t on me I’ve been told that I often like put I do anything too much. to thatthat adage, meaning once I learned who I was supposed to be, every I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would Honestly, I feelhandle. like I amI not doing enough I’mlife a firm act of disobedience that followed has been painful.

be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I have found that to be very boring.

In my opinion, opportunity that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would I have taken part in a lot of things in life. I have been acknowledged is aifblessing that afforded to everyone.

A challenge be I chose to sitIisn’t idle it presented me.might I for some, and for some, haveand not,accept and in what my dusty collection,toone to me is an adventure.

What is the worst that can happen? haveplaques, found that to becertificates, very boring.

Inawards. my opinion, opportunity find a few trophies, and Though I haven’t If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone.

A challenge received many accolades, yet I know they’re coming. I confess that I once something new about youritems pride and in to me iswould, an adventure.

What is Relinquish the worst that can happen? believed they I am nowmyself. at a place where those just don’t return If Ime. do nothing, Isuch fail, symbols and if I try don’t, butonly instead learnshort do it for Iacquire realizedlife. of Imerit have provided something new about myself.

Relinquish and in If I moments of enthusiasm, and any mental record ofyour thempride is fleeting.

The best advice me happened when someone return acquire life. have no memory, then it’sever like itgiven nevertohappened. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so have myever way through doors a key that only ButIwhen Ipressed slowed down and allowed myhappened lifewith to get into alignment The best advice given to me when someone with what God hasmake purposed for me, everything that I gave value to hope provided.

Imy have also learned the today. difference between told me to tomorrow happen In doing so before,Iwhat Ihave used as a foundation to stand on to obtain that which will never God blesses and what cana burden with pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key thatme only lose itshope value; and that isI have God’s favor.

I realized that God blesses as well.

I compare it toalso knowing when bewhen confident and provided. learned the to difference between me, the sensations are unending, and the benefits will open doors I can whenlife tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what burdenbecause me with have open on my own.

When I walk with God, and that means allowing may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowingsomeone when to be confident and God to lead me, every desire, want, and need appears to just fall in place. with being when to bearrogant. quiet, because someone may get it confused I have learned that awards and Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being accolades are good but being in happen today, but most alignment with God has way more value. importantly make it count. you What God Make gives us willtomorrow last, a whole lot Life is but a whisper and happen today, most longer than anything thebut world gives us. we must put ourselves in thing a importantly make it count.

He promises not to keep any good position to hear what it is Life is but a whisper and from us, and all we have to do is trust in telling us.put must ourselves Him. Forwe me, being loved

by Godinis athe position to hear what it is purest form of an award and accolade, us. will never be able to and one telling the world duplicate or measure upWatson to.

Terry L.

www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief

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TerryWriters L. WatsonPublisher Terry L Watson

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CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2021

MEMPHIS

Victoria Sparks 19

V Marie and Company LLC

On The Cover

Mens Mentoring Program Innate Success Corp

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Patience Always Wins

Monica Hawthorne

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Community & Basketball

Corey Williams

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Malie Jordyn Neal

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Also Featured

Dr. Michele Wright Learn how she is giving back in her community.

Little Rock, AR

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Lora McClain-Muhammad She is known as the Coloring Book Queen.

Learn more about her.

Gary, IN

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Secquoyah Lacy Meet the face and founder of a new hair care line for those with Natural Hair.

Milwaukee, WI

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Promoting Black Male Excellence 6

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By Dorjae McClammey & Jalessa Rogers Photos by Jamaale Photography

Shmeka Gibson is the founder and CEO of Innate Success, a corporation focused on helping others enhance their business practices and personal/ professional skills set on a national and international level. Starting off as an LLC called S.G. Consulting and Data, Shmeka’s goal wasn’t for it to turn into what it has become today, but to just provide support to individuals that wanted to grow in their career or adherence to entrepreneurial efforts.

Now for some people, the start of COVID-19 was an eye opener and Shmeka was definitely one of them.

The pandemic helped her realize that there were plenty more businesses out there that mainly needed help gaining grant funding and building up their business.

As a result she rebranded S.G. Consulting and Data into Innate Success in order to successfully help with more entrepreneurs and small businesses. Innate Success currently works with about 10 to 20 small businesses through its mentorship program, which included the following businesses: QuickSwitch Movers, Chad Evans Entertainment, D2Gscreenshots, Martin Investment Group L.L.C., The Designz Plug, Jamaal E. Photography, Conrad’s Apparel, Beamin Klean Detailing, and Exquisite Shades.

Innate Success Corp also has five subsidiary businesses that fall under it, all having different programs and workshops designed specifically for each special type of entrepreneur. One of those businesses called I.S. Cares, houses two programs, Successful Women in Business and the Business Mentorship program.

“Our goal isn’t to just help you with your entrepreneurial efforts but to also hope you create a successful sustaining business that will last part three to five years.”

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Successful Women in Business and the Business Mentorship program work with individuals that are interested in advancing their business and career practices even more after the workshops and mentoring. All of the workshops are free with the Successful Women in Business program and they usually offer six to ten workshops a month. “Our goal isn’t to just help you with your entrepreneurial efforts but to also hope you create a successful sustaining business that will last part three to five years” said Shmeka.

The Business Mentorship program is offered to business owners looking to enhance their current business model or start one. Individuals do not always have to be a business owner to enter the program, as long as they have a vision, determination, and willingness to put in the work for those six months they are free to join the program. Now the business mentorship program is not free but it isn’t expensive

either. Starting at $600 for six months members will learn everything they need to know to be successful, sustainable business owners.

Over the past year African American business owners have struggled because of a global pandemic and what Shmeka developed as a one-time program became the program that has helped a lot of them survive and thrive.

Her original plan was to develop a mentorship program for nonprofits last year but the success of it grew the vision of a “one time program” to a mentorship and development program for African American lead businesses.

Imagine starting something small to help a few people out and it growing into a six figure business. Growth of African American businesses is something that is much needed and Shmeka completely created a formula to kick start and keep them going.

“The goal is to help as many businesses that we can be sustainable so we can continue to support the economy,” stated Shmeka. The growth of Innate Success gained attention and support from many people that were willing to donate money and time to guide the participants to success.

“Our goal as a company is to put out positive messaging and motivation to other African American males but also African American male youth so they can see that there are alternatives to being a successful business owner when you do it the right way,” stated Shmeka. A lot of small businesses have closed due to COVID-19. It was hard to build and run a successful business before April of 2020 but it’s twice as hard during a vulnerable climate. During this time it can be really hard to stay afloat but there are nine successful companies that are currently working with Innate Success. They have had access to mentorship, training and coaching to guide them to what they are today. Support, connections, growth, and the success of the male participants after they have completed this program have been major accomplishments so far and there are many more to come.

Mentorship and contracted services has been the bread and butter to developing successful business owners and preparing them to sustain their businesses during unimaginable circumstances.

There is a bright future ahead and many more future business owners that this program is waiting to give that guidance to their bright future. h

www.innatesuccess.com www.flowcode.com/page/innatesuccess

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Jourdan Martin

Martin Investment Group

The focus of my company is Stock Market Education For Beginner Investors. I began in 2019, after spending much of 2016-2018 helping people learn.

Being an African American business owner means that I am in a position to benefit other African Americans.

I love that my business allows me to be a positive boost to people.

I am inspired by my future self.

I would like for my legacy to be “Small people can bring large change”.

My plans for the future is to create a physical academy to connect with minority communities to bring growth.

jmartin@migcourses.com 601-260-3107 Instagram: Jourdanmartin3

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Kevin D. Tate Beaming Klean Detailing provides cleaning services and options for the Memphis community with the power of pressure washer machines and hands on skills, that aim to satisfy all customers.

Vehicle washing and waxing, concrete cleaning, exterior property cleaning which includes homes and businesses (personal, private, & commercial), and machinery cleaning are all apart of what Beaming Klean Detailing provides.

I’ve always loved washing my own car, especially when I was in my 20s. I used to get compliments from friends and neighbors about how clean my cars were but never thought to turn that into a business. Fast forward to 2012 - 2013, my financial woes started to weigh heavy on me and clocking in at a second job didn’t fit in my everyday life, so I went to what did! I started washing cars in my mother’s backyard after work from Thursday to Sunday weekly. Now that only lasted for about 1 year, and I’d drifted away from the idea of formally starting a legit business until 2020. I was furloughed from my job as a Logistics Coordinator and no one was hiring. I knew I couldn’t sit around for another year, waiting for someone else’s company to give me an opportunity so I took a leap of faith and went through the steps to legalize a business, MY BUSINESS, to build upon and grow with.

To be an African American owned business means that I’m changing the narrative that we ( African Americans), are excuse makers looking for handouts. It shows the ability to merge one’s ambitions, dreams, creativity, and ideas in a world where you start out underneath just based on race and gender alone.

It shows strength, courage, and intelligence to all people, especially the ones that look like me.

Beamin Klean Detailing I’m new to this, but I understand the gravity of being responsible for providing a service or filling a void that impacts others in a positive way. Having my name attached to a business makes me feel proud. I hope the hard work and strong ambition I have and put out grows even greater in my children as they see me.

The 7 kids that call me dad and uncle Kevin! I want them to see that they can and will be better than me someday. They are so smart and talented. As a business man and individual: Fair, strong, understanding, innovative, agile, caring, a doer, thinker, provider, involved, never give up but always strive for the best, and a friend that listens to others , believes in The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, and loves people.

To build from this opportunity, to grow and be creative, and teach others along the way.

tate.kevin10@yahoo.com 901-340-5204

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Stephen Anderson

Exquisite Shades

We specialize in giving customers the desired appearance, comfort and privacy with window film installation. We offer a high performance film which blocks harmful UV rays from the sun. We also have metalized film for those looking for higher reflection and longevity beyond five years.

We started installing window tint in 2002 to add to the appearance of our vehicles. As we completed our vehicles, our friends wished to have their car windows tinted as well. From this the word of mouth got around as we continued to satisfy the people who trusted us with their vehicles.

Being an African American owned business means the world to me.

I hear so much about how there is enough opportunities and good quality of service to indulge into a African American owned business. I look forward to the opportunity to reach back to the community and teach the youth how to use their hands and smarts to generate income for themselves.

I thrive on customer service. When I do well by the customer the look on the face and the expressions make it all worth the effort.

My family inspires me the most. They are counting on me to guide them and lead them. I want to showcase good judgement in my actions that make my family proud.

I would like for my legacy to be someone who thought of others as a business person and individual. Satisfying the customers satisfies me.

My plans for the future is to be able to employ others and teach others the skill of window film installation.

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Memphis - May/June 2021

Stephencanderson1984@yahoo.com 901-268-8245 Facebook: Stephen Anderson

John Odom

D2Gscreenshots

D2Gscreenshots is a t-shirt printing company that specializes in on demand printing of custom designs created by the customer. We also pride ourselves as being a Supply Chain Management company that will offer our direct to garment printing services along with wholesale packages for startup t-shirt companies and any other organizations who plan to market, promote, and distribute shirts and hoodies under their own brand. The complete printing process is 8- 10 minutes per shirt, regardless of the image or picture color usage and shades. This new printing technology allows us to produce high quality vibrant prints as well as an extremely fast turn around time. We provide the shirts or hoodies, we do not have a set up fee and there is not a minimum required to order. We can print 1 shirt or 1000 shirts.

I love the freedom that being a business owner allows. Not saying that it is all fun and games, but if scheduled correctly, fun and time to focus on your self and love ones can be factored into your daily life.

I got started January 2018, I was studying for my Master’s degree in Internet Security and we had an assignment to write a 25 page paper on a new technology of our choice. While researching the topic “new technology”, I stumbled up on a video showing a printer that actually works as a copy machine that prints directly to shirts and other garments. Since I already had several trial runs at being a business owner this concept sparked my interest and I almost immediately withdrew my savings and began the purchasing process. After a week of training I sold my first custom made shirt and the business has been evolving every since.

I take pride in being an African American owned business because of the efforts , dedication, and constant obstacles that have to be endured to be considered a success. Each satisfied customer is a testament that a dream can become a reality with knowledge, guidance and the right plan of action.

My family inspires me the most. I am a proud husband, father and grandfather. I am a big brother as well as the oldest grandchild on my mother and father’s side of the family ,which places me in the middle of our family structure between my siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. This position is a source of motivation because I feel obligated to lead my siblings and cousins by example while securing the future of family members older than myself.

In regards of my legacy, being a role model for the youth and making a positive impact on the lives of others is my way of giving back while creating a legacy.

My future plans consist of expanding my business into a franchise and to open an academy focusing on entrepreneurship in the garment printing industry.

D2Gscreenshots@gmail.com 901-279-0434 13

Leo Ethridge JamaalE. Photography offers a wide variety of photographic services, in Memphis and surrounding areas.

I began doing photography in my teens in 2002, as a hobby and an outlet to express myself. I continued with that and found a passion for it. I decided to make it a career and went to The Academy of Art University for it and receiving a BFA in photography. During my time there I began to feel more confident in my ability and started booking some jobs.

What does being an African American owned business to me? “It means a lot to me, for a lot of different reasons. Ownership is important. Not working for other people to make ends meet and working for yourself to build a legacy and create wealth for yourself is true liberation. Economics is a key to opening a lot of doors. I don’t want to make someone else rich, and have nothing to show for it. Yes my bills are paid but that isn’t enough for me. I want to inspire more black people to want and work for. We need more Black business owners to elevate as a people.

I want to break some barriers in my family, I want to set a precedent.

Show my future children that it can be done, because I did it, offer opportunities, I did not have, provide them the tools and mindset to surpass me and for their children to do the same. Show my nieces and nephews something to aspire to and provide something tangible to witness; something more than a generic “”You can be whatever you want to be.”” for the umpteenth time all from those who never reached any heights themselves.

Jamaal E. Photography this is something our community has began to believe. And saying that is not enough. I heard it growing up and all those people were in the same hood as me, working dead end jobs, but were old, and couldn’t show me how to achieve anything different than them. I will show not just tell them, I will provide tangibles, and I will offer a way out for them, the best I can.

Finally, I’d say it’s about honoring my ancestors. My great great grandfather was one of the only substantial land owning black sharecroppers in the state. He actually owned, acres and acres. He saved up and bought it himself. His son was left the land. During that time sharecropping had ceased. But he converted the land and had apple trees, Grapes, peaches, eggs, pecan trees, etc and was able to sale what the land produced and live well on it. after he passed my grandmother could not manage the land from where she lived, nor could her mother who was illl by that point. She was forced to sell the land for a very unfair price, but still enough to take care of her mother, herself, and her 5 kids for 15 years. My mom drove me down to Mississippi, once. Showed me that land. All the different, entire neighbor hoods that stand on it now, all the fields, the rail line that runs through it now... He did it back then, with all those odds against him. I have no excuse.

I’m going to build a new legacy.”

I love having my own; something that is mine. I work for myself, not someone else. I set my own hours and I see the fruits of my labor. I like not having to depend on someone else’s job for security. I can’t be laid off or fired. I choose what I do and am not told what I have to do. There is also Infinite upward movement.

I also like showing black male youth you can not only make it, but truly thrive, and in more ways than selling drugs, finessing, scheming, being a rapper, or playing ball. This is a notion that is pushed on us, as a people

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jamaale@jamaalephotography.com www.jamaalephotography.com 9014136755

Eric Cloy Conrad’s Apparel is a Black owned and operated clothing line that creates apparel with unique and empowering messaging that does the speaking for you. Our mission is to let the apparel do the speaking to inform the misinformed of the beauty of being BLACK. Conrad’s apparel offers clothing for adults, kids and lapel pins to pair with accessories.

“Conrad’s Apparel was officially formed in 2020, but the concept had been forming for a while. My uncle and I share the same middle name and would always joke about creating a business and calling it Conrad’s ______, so the name was already created without me putting much thought into it.

I’ve always been the type of person that spoke on the injustices and the mistreatment of people of color, and I wanted to create something that could reach people outside of my immediate circle that echoed the statements I would convey to others. So I came up with the idea to create apparel with powerful statements on them that can be worn by individuals that felt the same way I did, or be read by individuals that needed to be informed by certain statements.”

Conrad’s Apparel I also love having ownership in something I can call my own, and watching my business evolve into what I know it can become. Being your own boss and working towards your goals is much better than working for someone else and helping them achieve their goals.”

My family inspires me the most, and they have been my biggest supporters throughout this journey of entrepreneurship. I want to create a path for my family that will allow them to achieve their goals as well, and that plan helps keep me motivated as a business owner.

“As a business person I want my legacy show that I was someone that literally started from the bottom, and created a platform that formed successful businesses.

As an individual I want my legacy to somewhat coincide with my legacy as a business person, and show people that look like me that there isn’t a cap on their success. I want to help get rid of the notion that we as Black people can’t run and operate successful businesses.” My plans for the future is to continue to expand the Conrad Apparel brand and eventually open a store front.

It means a lot to be an African American owned business because not too many of us have businesses, and we’re a majority consumer based race.

One of the biggest things I take pride in is being one of the first individuals in my family that has a business, which I’m hoping will inspire the younger generation to do the same if owning a business is something they have the desire to do. I believe seeing someone else do something that has never been done can sometimes provide the courage to do so.

“The thing I love most about being a business owner is showing people close to me (and people that look like me) that owning a business is something we as a people can do. We as people can sometimes get discouraged because we’re unfamiliar with seeing people that look like us run a business, but it’s time that we change that narrative and begin creating successful businesses that will elevate our communities while recycling the Black dollar.

conradsapparel@gmail.com 615-955-2883 www.conradsapparel.com Instagram: @conradsapparel Facebook: Conrad’s Apparel

Cameron Jones

The Designz Plug

Video and photo editing, custom t-shirt design and printing, branded shirts/merchandise. I got started by editing my friends videos that I attend school with who are aspiring YouTubers.

For me this would make me very proud. My mom, uncle, grandparents, and great parents were all business owners. I have been taught that ownership and legacy is important. My mom also said that you should have money coming in more than one way. She also would say this would help me stay out her pockets, but don’t tell her I said that.

What I love most about being an entreprenuer is being able to make my own money and help others out. I am inspired by my mom and my Uncle Jamaal. I saw my mom make her own business. My uncle talked to me about how he wanted to expand his business and do some more things.

I am not really too sure about my legacy at this point. I just know that I want my business to be successful and grow.

In the future my plans are to have a building where people are working for me. I also want to build a self-serving option for my customers in the future.

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Memphis - May/June 2021

www.TheDesignzPlug.com cameron.jones@musowls.org asjones0611@gmail.com 901-489-8147 901-493-0691 Instagram: thedesignzplug cameron@thedesignzplug.com

Tavion Drain Local Moving to us is any move that originates in a state and lands in the same state within 100 miles from the starting point. During a local move movers quilt pad, tape, and shrink wrap everything. Movers carefully load and unload the truck then unwrap and place everything in its desired places.

We also provide Packing/Unpacking if you rather hire proffessional help than do it yourslef. Saving you and your family time and energy. We also offer Storage Services.

“I started QuickSwitch Movers Feburary 14,2021 . My passion for moving furniture stems from a job I held for about two years from 2017 until 2019. I was a driver for another company. I loved the interaction with customers, my personal success and the ability to connect with my peers. I believe every person rather, it be staff or customers, deserves to be happy, without a catch. I also witnessed the amount of money the company itself was making and figured I could make that money myself. I vowed to create a new breed of moving company, one where morality and authenticity is at the forefront of its values.”

QuikSwitch Movers I want to go down in the history books as a pioneer and a civil soldier in the fight against racism and systematic oppression against a certain group of people in the United States of America. I will amass wealth and power and use my influence to steer the racial climate in the United States of America.

My plans for the future are to keep the promises I’ve made to myself for people who look like me.

Being an African American business owner means setting an example. It means being what some people didn’t think you could be. It means putting in the work for not only your future and the future of you family but the future of your community and race! Being an African American business owner is just a smaller piece to the puzzle of freedom.

What I love most about being a business owner is the freedom and control I have over my time and life. I also enjoy being an inspiration for the youth and bringing happiness to people all over!

My inspiration is drawn from the conditions of people who look like me in this country. Each one teach one , as in I have to be better to make others better. I believe if I can do something better in life than I can help others who look like me do better and that ultimately will lead to us having equity in a country we built. With that equity we gain leverage in negotiations for our total and inevitable freedom in this country.

Quickswitchmoverstn@gmail.com 901-722-1701 Facebook: QuickSwitch Movers LLC Instagram: Quickswitchtn

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Chad Evans

Chad Evans Entertainment

“My business provides excellent, professional tutoring on the saxophone for all ages. Styles that are taught are Jazz, Classical, R&B and for some who just wants to play some of their favorite songs. I also teach improvisation for all instruments. You can learn via virtual video or have personalized lesson with me directly online. I also provide songs for leisure or entertainment for individuals. I also music for businesses: yoga class, spinning class, aerobics class. office empowerment sessions, jingles for businesses.

My jouney began while in my grade school years. I was a bit of a trouble maker so my Dad made me take up the saxophone in the 7th grade and that changed my life.

Being an African American owned business is important. It means a lot to have the knowledge that I have accumulated over the years, playing music and studying the music. One day I plan to go into the schools were African American students are who do not have access to a musician on my level and be able to mentor as many as I can. Music clases has almost been totally eradicated in schools where the population is Africn American. However, for me the highlite of my career would be to educate and encourage African American students to direct their attention to other forms of music besides rap and hip hop. My band director took us to see Count Basie and to see that was amazing.

What I love most about being a business owner is knowing that 100% of my effort is coming back to me. I am inspired mostly by Martial arts Discipline. My goal is for my music to be inspiring and helpful.

In the future my goal is to open an Arts Center building where musicians can come and have lectures on music how to practice, what’s the best way to play a certain song, and have jam sessions.

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HuamiMagazine.com

Memphis - May/June 2021

saxpiano@sbcglobal.net 314 496-3579 Youtube: Chad Evans Entertainment Facebook: Chad Evans

V. Marie and Company, LLC

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Arria Moore Photography

Victoria M. Sparks is the founder and CEO of V. Marie and Company, LLC. She has a passion to help others level up and upgrade their brands and bank accounts. She is a social entrepreneur and focuses on helping students, parents, and business owners reap prosperity all over the world.

Though based primarily in Greensboro, N.C., her services are accessible around the globe. She has been featured in multiple media platforms such as Fox 8 Good 4 Her, Tap-IN Magazine, Authority Magazine, Lotus Riche’ Ignites Show, and Huami Magazine.

With V. Marie and Company, LLC, she offers Website and Landing Page Design, Website Redesign, Logo and Business Card Design, Banner and Billboard Design, Promotional Videos, Social Media Content Creation, Newsletters, Press and Media Kit Creation, Branding Packages, Business and Scholarship Coaching as well as Physical and Digital Resources.

“My business took off full force throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I primarily help business owners establish a strong brand, all within an affordable budget. From a young age, I have assisted marketing specialists in my parents’ business. I then became a Microsoft Office Specialist while in undergrad. Last year, I saw a great need for my services so I officially opened up shop,” she says. “Many of my clients are well on their way to six figures and beyond, and she shares many have been featured across the nation on daytime tv shows.”

Victoria says she has served nearly 75 VIP clients, and her staff and coaches have developed a plan to help her scale her business, allowing her to help as many businesses as possible.

While looking forwards, Victoria plans to continue her education and attend graduate school to further explore Marketing. “I see my business reaching across the nation to help students, parents, and business owners in multiple states and countries. I also foresee a small vacation and new products coming soon. Entrepreneurship is in my bloodline and I look forward to making my family and friends proud and more importantly continuing to walk in my purpose,” she says.

To learn more about Victoria M. Sparks and her company, please visit her website or contact her directly.

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V. Marie and Company, LLC www.victoriamsparks.com 336-365-8118 arise123shine@gmail.com

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By Ayana Bryant Photos by Dr. Michele Wright

Who is Dr. Michele Wright. The best way to describe her is to say that she is loving and has a special place in her heart to serve others. She is also an engineer, best-selling author, former CEO of the American Red Cross, entrepreneur, and Executive Director for National Cystic Fibrosis for African Americans. This is a businesswoman who has continuously strived for success and pushes herself to new heights. A native of Tuskegee, Alabama now based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Wright is continuing to build her legacy and uplift younger generations while doing so.

A graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering Dr. Wright decided to continue her education post-graduation. Receiving her master’s in engineering management and industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute becoming the first African American full-time student to earn this degree. She then went on to earn her doctorate from the University of Arkansas in public policy with a double specialization in health and leadership policy.

Raised by two loving parents Dr. Wright was always taught to work hard and push herself to be successful. Her father, being the provider of the household is the one who encouraged her to become an engineer and inspired her to always strive for greatness. Today he still works at Tuskegee University helping students in the biology department get into medical school.

Her mother also played an integral role in her upbringing, nurturing her and her siblings and making sure that they all did what they needed to do to reach their full potential. Both working in synergy to raise her is what she says has made her into the successful person she is today.

Dr. Wright values the impact of service within her community, her engineering background is what inspires her to support underrepresented students in the STEM field. She serves as the President and board chair of the Milton Pitts Crenshaw Aviation Training Academy which aids young people in looking for opportunities to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industry. She is also a board member of the Arkansas Mentoring and Networking Association which is another nonprofit organization that helps to promote opportunities for underrepresented STEM students in the state of Arkansas.

Dr. Wright has started a very important business, My Water Buddy Inc. and foundation. The mission of My Water Buddy is to promote the benefits of drinking water to children and their families for a more fulfilling quality of life through a healthy body. The vision of this company is what inspired her to author and create her very own children’s book The Water Tales: Life Lessons from My Water Buddy and Family. Along with this book Dr. Wright launched a podcast which won the 2021 Accolade Global Film competition award. Alongside her husband she has also started the National Organization of African Americans with Cystic Fibrosis which was established in 2019.

Along with success comes challenges and downfalls and Dr. Wright has had her fair share. “The biggest challenge that I have faced in my career is being taken seriously and valued as an African American female and moreover as an African American female leader,” she says. Overall, she still believes in embracing what comes because the struggles that we endure will always present bigger and better opportunities. “You know the saying take lemons and make lemonade? I took my lemons and grew a lemon farm.”

When asked who or what has impacted her life the most, her immediate response was her relationship with God. She also feels that everyone around her has collectively impacted her life like pieces to a puzzle. Her parents instilled her with training, values, and beliefs that she feels has transformed her into the woman she is today. She also recognizes the influence and support of her husband. The last 20 plus years of their marriage has provided her with balance and a partner to “pick up the baton”. “Without the support of my husband I wouldn’t be the wife and mature woman of God that I am today,” she shares.

In the future she is looking forward to continuing her growth and becoming overall wiser, better, and stronger. Ultimately, she says that she looks forward to making an impact in the lives of others. Her mission in life is to make a difference in the world that will not simply last for today but for generations to come. Dr. Wright believes in the significance of paying it forward and says that is what she was put here to do. h

“The biggest challenge that I have faced in my career is being taken seriously and valued as an African American female and moreover as an African American female leader ........You know the saying take lemons and make lemonade? I took my lemons and grew a lemon farm.”

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Monica Hawthorne Patience Always Wins

By Tonya Dixon Photos by Santana B Photography

At one point, Monica Hawthorne thought things couldn’t be any better in her life. She was happily married. Had a thriving hair salon in Charlotte, North Carolina, and her family were safe and healthy. But in one instant, it all changed. She found herself single, dealing with an undiagnosed illness and a declining business and bank account. Before she knew it, she found herself back in Greensboro, living with her mother and making countless trips to the doctor. But as she looks back on it, it was nothing short of God’s divine hand upon her life. She gained more than she ever had before, physically, spiritually and emotionally. However, it didn’t seem divine at the time.

“God directed me to come back home to Greensboro. I thought I was hearing things because I thought there was no way HFe was telling me to leave. I was doing well in Charlotte. My business was thriving and I was successful,” said . “But I did what I heard God say. I packed up and moved.”

With her life virtually upended and turned inside out, Hawthorne had to do something she had previously never really done. She had to relinquish control to gain restoration. She had to depend on someone else.

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“I stayed on my mom’s couch for nearly three years because I had serious health problems and God wouldn’t allow me to do anything else,” she said. “I prayed and had many conversations with Him. I was going through a lot mentally and physically and I was practically broke because I was supporting my daughter in college.”

“I left my source of income in Charlotte. I virtually started over. I had to come back to Greensboro and rebuild my business and myself.

A licensed minister, Hawthorne admits she “ran” from God and her calling for more than 15 years. She had a people problem. “I was concerned about what people would say.

What would they think of me?” she said.

But it was in her weakest moment when she heard God as clear as she heard him say move back to Greensboro. She received the instruction and strength she needed to begin her journey of restoration and wholeness for herself and for other women.

“God told me the I didn’t need to be concerned about the opinions or actions of anyone else. He said I was already qualified, verified and approved by Him, so I didn’t need to seek approval or validation from man because He had already given me that,” said Hawthorne.

It was at that moment that she spiritually and physically birthed her ministry, a new business and strength to regain her footing as a hair stylist. But she says founding “GOoD GIRL” (intentionally spelled with mixed case) has been the most profound and rewarding because it impacts everything else in her life.

“I thought I would call it ‘GOod GIRL,’ because it symbolizes being a light, knowing your worth and getting approval only from God,” said Hawthorne. “But then one day God said, ‘you’re a good girl, but I want you to make one of those “Os” very small so that you can see me in it.’ And that’s how it became what it is today.”

After developing a logo, Hawthorne designed a few shirts and the rest is more than just history. It’s a situation she believes only God could have orchestrated and ordained.

“God told me the I didn’t need to be concerned about the opinions or actions of anyone else. He said I was already qualified, verified and approved by Him, so I didn’t need to seek approval or validation from man because He had already given me that.”

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“I hadn’t even planned to launch it until May 2020, but COVID hit and everything changed. As soon as they were released, women from all over were buying the shirt,” she said. “So that’s how it started. But there’s more. There’s a community component for all kinds of women. Young, old, every race and every background.”

Ultimately, she says the mission of GOoD GIRL is to teach women that they are enough and only need God’s approval.

Plain and simple.

“I want girls and women to know you don’t need that [blue] check on Facebook. You don’t need that [blue] check on Instagram. You are already verified. It’s about women learning who they are in God,” she said.

It’s important to note that Hawthorne continued to suffer from a mysterious illness for many years. She was in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices, without receiving a definitive diagnosis. It took a serious toll on her life, to the point where she couldn’t fulfill the requests of her salon clientele. Yet and still, there was still a blessing amid her illness.

“I had issues for 10 years and didn’t even know what it was until I moved back to Greensboro and I think that was a blessing within itself because God knew and he told me to come home. As soon as I went home, I got extremely sick. I needed to be home because if I had been in Charlotte, I would not have had any one to help me care for myself,” she said. “I needed to be at home with my mom who was helping me. She understood that God brought me back home for a reason even though at the time I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but I was trusting him.”

“It turned out to be my gallbladder, but it was affecting my whole body. It would take me down for 2-4 weeks at a time. Imagine having no income and being so sick you can’t get up. But it’s important to remember, even when things look bad in the natural, there’s always a blessing though God.” As much as she struggled, she was able to resurrect her salon – Hawthorne Hair Studio. Not only did she rebuild her clientele, she realized it was another part of her ministry. God strategically sent clients that needed spiritual, emotional and mental restoration. She admits, it had nothing to do with her. It was all a GOoD GIRL thing.

To learn more about GOoD GIRL Apparel, please visit their website at www.goodgirlgoodguy.shop 336-740-4090

“I’m really ready to retire from that,” she jokes. “But God hasn’t released me from it yet. For some reason this salon has been a place for people to get renewed and repaired. People come and they get what they need from God when they are here. If they need it, I pray with and for them. It goes down in here some days, but it’s part of my Ministry. I used to say I have a ministry behind the chair. I asked God to meet people here when I first opened the salon and that’s what he’s been doing.”

While Hawthorne is passionate about hair and is known for her precision cuts and styles, she’s looking to expand in a different way – one that she says doesn’t necessarily require her to stand on her feet behind the chair as much. She’s looking into her own hair product line, including everything from washing supplies to equipment.

“I already have my own hair oil, but I’m working on my own hair shampoo and other products and styling tools – blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons,” she said.

Just like GOoD GIRL empowers women, she plans to use her styling expertise to help others as well. “I’ve taught before and I want to continue, but not in a traditional setting with multiple students. I prefer individual classes so that I can give one-on-one attention.”

As Hawthorne expands her product line, she isn’t leaving GOoD GIRL behind. There’s much more to come and there are many more lives to impact. “GOoD GIRL is much more than a t-shirt. It might be how I got my foot in the door with some people, but it’s ministry.

It’s more motivational speaking. It’s expanding on the books and series’ I’ve already written.” But most important, Hawthorne says it’s about lifting someone else up along the way. h

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Suesy Coils Care It’s all about the hair; healthy and beautiful hair.

Secquoyah Lacy, also known as SuesyCoils, is a 24-year-old Micro-Influencer and entrepreneur that resides in Milwaukee, WI. Secquoyah was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, IL, and is the middle child of four. Being a business owner, it is hard to believe that she was once a shy, reserved, independent, and protective young person. She shares, as a young girl growing up, I was known for my hair. However, I didn’t realize the true beauty and confidence that accompanied it.”

Even with compliments and admiration for her hair, Secquoyah experienced doubt and even hatred at times. She describes it as a love-hate relationship.

“I would never wear it in its natural state, though my father encouraged me to and embrace the kinks and coils. Still, I never would. I honestly thought he was crazy. I always feared that it would appear short or ugly, or nappy,” she says. Secquoyah’s viewpoint completely changed as a college student at Illinois State University. There she studied Sociology and due to the lack of attention, care, and resources, the way she saw and handled her hair changed.

At Illinois State University she didn’t have her mom to take her to hair appointments every two weeks. She didn’t have a proper diet, nor was she educated on how to keep her hair healthy. She experienced severe hair breakage and allergic reactions to mainstream products. Once she realized the source of the issues she had with her hair, she took matters into her own hands and became a self-described “research queen”. “This is where I fell in love with all things natural. The overload of information about essential oils, herbs, meditation, reflection, and how they can help heal the body sparked a sense of intrigue within me. I found myself constantly sharing tips, remedies, and products I made with things around me. My initial thought was why not get on YouTube and help to inform and inspire others. I knew I wasn’t the only one who lacked the proper information about hair care. I wanted to help everyone I possibly could, and so this is how SuesyCoils was born, with the intention to share my knowledge about hair, and share natural ways to take care of your body,” she says.

The SuesyCoilsCare is a truly diverse line of hair care products and includes the basic essentials for taking care of your hair. There is the Coil Crack™️ Hair System, the Coil King Collection, the SuesyCoilsCare Bonnet, SuesyCoilsCare Skin, and various Coil accessories. The Coil Crack™️ System consists of Shampoo bars, Conditioner, Hair Growth Oil, Edge Control, and Twisting Cream. The products

in the Coil Crack™️ Hair System are infused with fenugreek, rosemary and other natural ingredients that are designed to relieve dry/ itchy scalp, promote hair growth, stimulate, and repair damaged hair follicles, and rebuild and strengthen hair shafts, thus making detangling easier all while leaving your hair strands moisturized. Secquoyah says “after just one wash, you’ll be addicted.

My two best-sellers are the Coil Crack™️ Hair Growth Oil- RollerBall and the SuesyCoilsCare bonnet.”

She shares The Coil Crack™️ Hair Growth Oil- RollerBall stimulates hair growth, moisturizes hair and scalp, may prevent hair loss and breakage, treats dandruff, treats premature graying, kills bacteria on the scalp, and improves scalp health.

It is infused with fenugreek, rosemary, lemon, peppermint, tea tree, and lavender. The RollerBall bottle is good for braids (of any kind), short beards, edges, bald spots, and traveling. The massaging from the roller ball helps stimulate growth as well. This application will not leave your fingers oily.

The SuesyCoilsCare Bonnet has a satin thick wide stretchy band, good for laying edges. It is big enough to secure braids and will stay on your head all night. So, no more waking up with your hair all over your head. It’s soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. The SuesyCoilsCare Bonnet has even been worn by celebrity influencer, Dream Doll.

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So how did Secquoyah get started. She shares she launched SuesyCoilsCare in May 2019, right after graduating from Illinois State University. “SuesyCoilsCare literally fell into my lap. It was not my intention to start a business or sell products at all. I solely made products for myself and planned to create tutorials to share with the world on YouTube. Yet, friends and family would request products and encourage me to sell them,” she says. But she hadn’t made the connection yet. Graduation came and she had no idea of what she could do that would bring in reasonable finances. However, something was happening in her dreams while she was sleeping. She shares, “I saw my logo, product labels, recipe ideas and so much more all in my sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I had dreams and had to wake up and write down the ideas that naturally flowed to me. Soon I started to breathe, live, and dream all things SuesyCoilsCare I knew it was what I was supposed to do. It was my purpose.”

Being an entrepreneur, Secquoyah has faced some challenges. One has been scammers who are not playing fair in the world of business. She counters their efforts by carefully researching potential business-related transactions prior to sending any money out. She is also challenged running a business in itself and understands that it takes a lot of courage and confidence to keep pushing forward. And she is doing that very well.

www.suesycoilscare.com

She says what she loves most about her business is the chance to help other people fall in love with their hair and gain self-confidence. She also loves the opportunity she has to inspire and encourage others who look like her. “The fact that I can inspire others, truly inspires me because I know I have so many people watching and rooting for me. I can’t wait until I am in position to help other young women pursue their dreams as well. I am also inspired by my father who passed away in January 2019. From day one, he encouraged me to embrace my naturalness and look how far it has gotten me. I am very appreciative of the way my life panned out, but I wish I could have him here on this journey with me. He is my inspiration, and I keep going with that hope that I am making him proud,” she shares.

Her advice to anyone who is thinking about starting a business such as hers is to try every single idea. “Make sure you test and trust your products before putting them out.

You should always be 100% confident in whatever product or service you offer. Know what you’re talking about and be confident. Always be willing to learn and share what you know. When you put good in the world, good returns back to you,” she says.

Moving forward, Secquoyah plans to launch SuesyCoilsCare Skin, which will be a product line of various skin care products, face bars, sugar scrubs, face masks, and more. She will also launch the Kiddie Coils Collection, a product line for children.

She is also coming out with a specialty hair oil line that targets a specific problem. These oils will be released accompanied with educational information to further her initiative to be transparent about what’s in her products. h To learn more about SuesyCoilsCare, please visit her website.

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By Jalessa Rogers Photos by Lora McClain-Muhammad

Growing up as a black child in America, there is and will always be a need for positive black representation.

Author Lora McClain-Muhammad has found the perfect way to show that. She has created coloring books that are the perfect representation for young African American boys and girls to learn and become comfortable in their own skin.

Born and raised in Gary, IN, this former Fortune 500 sales and marketing manager did not dream of becoming an author. Her journey is what she describes in her own words as something that “God kept nudging her to do.”

It all began shortly after graduating from high school. The path she chose was one similar to the one that a lot of members of her family took, entering the corporate world. Instead of attending college, she decided to take an opportunity presented to her. First, she took a test, gained a company’s interest with her gift of gab, and would eventually become a sales and marketing manager, enjoying a career that would span for almost 30 years.

Since the world changed because of COVID-19, she has not been able to do in-person book signings. However, she found a safe way to continue to tour and reach a broader audience. “I came up with a virtual book tour, along with five other African American women authors. We were able to reach children a lot further, virtually than in person. During these times of social injustice and unrest, I think that it’s a timely piece to show that representation does matter to our kids. Even more, they need to see themselves depicted beautifully.

We address these issues with the release of “I Need You to Know...#You Matter,” explained McClain- Muhammad.

Lora is an indie author and will be celebrating her two-year book anniversary this May. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and BAM. h

Although she was very occupied with corporate America, she was still able to further her education and attend Park College while in her thirties. These were modest steps that would soon connect the dots of her career as an author.

“Becoming an author was a surprise journey for me and nothing that I even envisioned. However, when my granddaughter was born, I was given the vision to write a coloring book. Representation matters and I wanted my granddaughter to see a book that looks like her,” stated McClain-Muhammad. After being given this vision, she went on to create the “I Need You to Know” series with the first coloring book being titled “I Need You to Know the ABCs of Black Girl Magic” with her granddaughter as the cover image. Her second coloring book is titled I Need “You to Know the ABCs of a Young Kings Greatness” with another one that followed titled, “I Need You to Know #You Matter”.

Despite the naysayers that tried to discourage her from this journey she was able to sell over 30,000 books and depicted members of her family as the images throughout her collection.

For Lora, it was all about finding her purpose in life. “I found my purpose and my calling doing these books. I’m happier and I feel freer than I’ve ever been.

Nothing is better than seeing the smile on the little children’s faces during book signings or hearing them say ‘hey that looks like me” because they genuinely love the book,” she expressed.

Lora McClain-Muhammad www.coloringbookqueen.com 219-616-8180

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Corey Williams Space Coast Stars Basketball

By Gamal Williams - Photos by Corey Williams

Basketball- a round, rubber sphere, encased in leather. For some people, a basketball engenders visions of athletes running up and down the court, their artistry on full display, maneuvering with precision to complete their objective. Others see a basketball as a way out of poor neighborhoods or violent environments. A basketball may be the best (or only) chance to make their life, and the lives of those they love, better. For Corey Williams, it holds the same meaning, but for different reasons. Corey sees a basketball as a way to help the people of Brevard County, FL realize there are multiple avenues available to them to achieve their goals. For Corey, a basketball isn’t a way out; it’s a way in.

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Corey Williams, the 2021 LEAD Brevard “4 Under 40” Leadership Award recipient, started his basketball journey following in the footsteps of his older brother, Chris. “As a younger brother, you look up to your older brother. Everything he did, I wanted to do.

He started baseball, I started baseball. He started basketball, I started basketball. I just fell in love with it. It became my calm and grace.” His journey wasn’t without trials. Corey laughs when he recalls his “Michael Jordan” moment. “I didn’t make my middle school team! I was told I was too short and dribbled too much.” The next year, he made his high school team, then experienced a major growth spurt in between his sophomore and junior year, growing from 5’8” to 6’4”.

Corey’s growth on the court matched his physical growth, and the opportunities to play college basketball began coming in. Corey chose State College of Florida (formerly Manatee Community College) and eventually had a Division I school with their eye on him. Then, a poor decision changed everything. “I got kicked out for petty theft. People don’t understand the life of a college athlete. I had a meal plan at IMG Academy, but trying to leave practice and rush over to another school to eat was impossible,” Corey recounts, “My parents were trying to take care of my three younger siblings, two of which were in college.

They were paying for everything. I didn’t want to go to my parents for money. So, I took food out of Walmart one night, got caught, went to jail, and they ended up kicking me out of school.”

“Initially, I was upset about it, but it drove me to do what I am doing now. I felt betrayed because as a coach, especially a Black coach, you should want to look after your players. You don’t just push them to the side like ‘There’s no hope for this kid. I’m gonna leave him.’” Getting expelled from school wasn’t the worst part; a scholarship to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut was withdrawn. “My coach was like ‘You’re on your own.’ He just threw me away and you don’t do that to kids.”

At his lowest moment, a friend reached out to support him. “Mr. (Stanley) Cromartie (father of former NFL cornerback Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie) looked out for me. He told me he heard what happened and he didn’t want me to give up.” Mr. Cromartie contacted Tim Gates, the Head Basketball Coach at Allen University, an HBCU, in Colombia, SC, who offered Corey a scholarship. Corey graduated from Allen University with honors, earning his Bachelor of Science in Human Services, then returned home to Brevard. He started playing basketball for a Semi-Pro team in Orlando but left the team for personal reasons. A year later, he received a phone call that would change his life. “The owner of the league called me. He told me that they missed having me on the team, then he said that if I couldn’t come back to Orlando, why don’t I start my own team down here.” Thus birthed the Space Coast Stars.

The Space Coast Stars is built around five core values: UNITY, COMMITMENT, INTEGRITY, FAMILY and RESPECT. Their goal? To “empower and develop the next generation of student athletes through sports, and our CORE VALUES. The SCS MENTALITY way!” Corey’s eyes light up when he speaks of the impact the SCS has had in the community. “We ended up partnering with the Orlando Magic to create the Space Coast Stars Junior Magic League. Through that, we are able to help develop children’s motor skills, improve their overall health, all while stressing the importance of education.”

With the Stars entrenched in the community, Corey has plans to expand his reach. “There are so many kids that grow up, play basketball in high school or college, and have no tools or skills after basketball. We want to give kids a trade. We are creating our own college.”

Upon opening, Legacy College plans to offer 32 online certifications, tuition free, in a variety of disciplines to include credit counseling, Real estate, insurance, sport agent, customer service, data entry, media and public relations, entrepreneurship, intro to computer science, graphic design, sports management and scouting, among others.

Through basketball, Corey Williams has found a way to provide his community a way up, not out. His commitment, his selflessness, his drive for and love of his community provides exponentially more. He is something good, something special, something important that came out of Brevard County. Corey has given Brevard what it needed most, an example. h

The Space Coast Stars www.spacecoaststarsbas.wixsite.com

The Space Coast Stars is more than just a Semi-Pro team. The 501(c)(3) organization boasts basketball programs that support children from ages 5-18, to include both local and travelling teams. “I wanted the Space Coast Stars to be more than just men getting together to hoop. There’s a lot of talent here in Brevard County, but I wanted the Space Coast Stars to be more. I wanted it to be a way to give back. A lot of times, people make it and never give back,” he says.

“It’s sad because people start to say nothing good ever comes out of Brevard. I wanted to change that and set a better example.”

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Malia Jordyn Neal The daugter of Marquia J. Neal

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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