Huami Magazine Charleston Sept./Oct. 2021

Sept./Oct. 2021 Vol. 1 Issue 6

Old Ways Don’t Work On The Driving Course

A Letter From The Editor

It seems like such a long time ago. The moment had arrived for me to become a licensed automobile driver. I was only 16 years old. For the most part, just a little young guy, full of ambition and excited about driving a car. I had enrolled in a driver’s education program at school. The classes were conducted after school for six weeks and included several other soon-to-be legitimate juvenile drivers. We were all ready, but I don’t think anyone was more eager than I was.

On the driving course, there were several cars with an automatic transmission. However, there was only one vehicle that contained a manual transmission (a stick shift). As fate would have it, I was the only student familiar with a stick shift, as I had gained prior instruction and driving experience from a few experienced drivers. I knew the gear pattern and understood how to manage the clutch and gas paddles, and knew how to keep the car powered while doing so. I would choose that vehicle to drive during class.

I appeared to be in a league of my own on the driving course amongst the other student drivers. I handled the curves well, and didn’t run over any of the cones. I managed the straight paths like a pro, and looked pretty comfortable while driving in reverse. I was good, at least that’s what I believed.

One day in class, the vehicle I was driving was at the front of the pack on the driving course. I jumped out the gate fast, and that was my first mistake. As I went around the curves, I used little brakes, and the tires on my car were screaming. “Stop!” That command was screamed through the megaphone held by the driving instructor. He made me park the car and get out for the remainder of the day. I laughed it off while trying to keep my cool amongst my classmates, but on the inside, I was embarrassed. I would eventually drive again and eventually completed the program, but it was clear that I almost jeopardized all of that from happening.

At the time, I didn’t realize how I had put myself and others in danger by becoming arrogant and comfortable during a moment when I should have been learning and listening. I made the mistake of applying invalid experience in a setting where I was supposed to gain experience to be validated. God showed me on that day, when I try to do things my way and use information or instruction that didn’t come from Him, I am just an accident waiting to happen. Yet, when I do listen and obey His commands, He will qualify me to drive on the roads and highways of life.

Tifanie Rudd

Meet the face and founder of M8D 2 Rise Inc. God has done it again in her life. Charlotte, NC

Chess’Mia James She has stepped out on faith and launched her own academy. Atlanta, GA

Chief Bryan James

Meet the newest Chief of Police for the Greensboro Police Department. Greensboro, NC

Co-Creating Your Reality Chanice Reid

Visionary, REALTOR® & Crypto Investor, Introduces Gunz & Butta Black Print to Economic and Financial Liberation!

By Dorjae McClammey

by CCalvin A. Brown of Nfinity International, LLC

Chanice M. Reid is best described as an intuitive visionary, soul-journer.

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, she received her undergraduate in History from Caldwell University. She left her mark by contributing a new form of poetry to the literature curriculum before serving 16 years in the United States Air Force. Currently, she resides in Charleston, SC, serving select real estate clients while pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration in Financial Management at Northcentral University.

From 2010 to present, Chanice maximized her leisure time designing and executing her spiritual, financial, economic, sovereign law, wealth, and world cultural development programs.

[Spiritual Economics Intelligence]

As the nation recovered from the 2007 Banking & Housing Bubble Burst, Chanice invoked her research skills and Universal Law of Cause & Effect, thus birthing her drive for innerstanding the monetary, banking, real estate, insurance, and wealth management systems. Next, she coined “Spiritual Economic Intelligence” and the “Gunz & Butta Black Print to Economic & Financial Liberation.

An Ancient Shamanic experience in December 2018 shifted Chanice to leave active duty, return to Charleston to pursue her real estate dreams full-time. She fulfilled her real estate license requirements in 28 days, becoming a full-time REALTOR, intending to create self-sustaining, local living economies. Along with real estate, Chanice provides knowledge in wealth management and teaches clients how to maximize their income, credit, equity, and overall wealth.

Ch\anice’s differentiation factor is that she combines her cross functional knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities into the real estate sector.

With her all-encompassing life experience, Chanice combined her IAM Model and systematic approach of the Gunz & Butta Black Print to Economic & Financial Liberation. With this, she educates her property owners on five key elements to implementing their own selfsustaining banking system.

“My mission, in alignment with licensing law, is to educate clients on the residential buying and selling process. My Dharma, which is rooted in Universal Principals, drives me to empower them to learn the importance of making asset purchases. With that, the Gunz & Butta Black Print breaks down how to properly structure their cash flow, asset protection, make tax inform decisions, and enjoy a purpose-filled quality of life,” she says.

When asked what she loves most about what she does, she explained, “It’s the WOW factor that comes out when I break down cash flow and banking methods options that’s available to us, yet not included in traditional curriculums. I equip them with the knowledge to empower themselves, yet, they must apply it. Once my clients get it, their faces light up.”

As stated earlier, everything Chanice does is associated with spiritual enlightenment. Part of that includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and exercising is a big part of that. She previously served as a trainer in the Air Force, and even now, she sometimes shares videos of her workouts on her social media platform.

Moving forward Chanice’s focus is on her legacy, which is to combine all she has learned over the past decade and create a spiritual-centric, self-sustaining, local living economy rooted in the Nguzo Saba, where all inhabitants thrive.

In the end, Chanice had one more thing she wanted to share. “Our leisure time is ours. We have a choice of how we utilize it. I encourage everyone to spend time in silence; whether it’s your sanctuary, alchemist lab, or Walden Pond, make time to learn what you’re passionate about and would like to work on. Discover yourself and your greatness. Make decisions that are only in alignment with that vision. If you want to create from a space of inspiration, it’s important to get clear on what it is you want on the inside,” she says.

In her personal time, Chanice can be found at her favorite ponds, frequenting the Bali Inspired Social Sanctuary, The Wonderer, or enjoying Sunrise Meditations on Sullivan Island, and even enjoying Roll Bounce on Thursday nights at Music in Motion Skating Rink.

To learn more about Chanice M. Reid, please visit her website.

“It was time that we put our faith into something that we both would love to do for the rest of our lives. It’s always been a thought and a goal, and now is the time that we execute.”

Elite Sports and Performance Academy

By Terry L. Watson

Don’t look now, but the way physical fitness is understood is changing. Elite Sports & Performance Academy is a training academy that believes in utilizing experience and professional knowledge to build an elite system while advancing its clients in every area of development. Thier concept is TEAM; everyone is involved to maximize motivation and optimal participation.

Elite Sports & Performance Academy is led by husband and wife duo Dj and Dr. Jasmine Felder. Their mission is to create an experience for total body progression. They pride themselves on being detailed, as they are keen on individualization. “We prioritize our training with recovery and injury prevention first, which helps us maximize the improvements of our clients,” they said.

Dj and Dr. Felder strategically structured their training curriculum to address all skill and experience levels. After playing at the collegiate and international levels of basketball and years of experience working with children’s mental health, DJ Felder began to focus on the overall athlete performance. Dr. Felder, a physical therapist, provides both collegiate experience and workout expertise with doctoral knowledge for prevention and recovery. With their skillsets combined, they provide a unique tailored training experience.

At Elite Sports & Performance Academy, they offer three programs: sports training, #fitWIFEmomLIFE/#fitMOMlife, and bridge the gap. Their Sports Training Program is tailored to developing fundamentals and skills in each sports element, whether on the track, field, or court. Their #fitWIFEmomLIFE/#fitMOMlife program provides moms who have a hectic schedule with the option to have a physical therapist come to their home. This program is a workout tailored to develop the pelvic floor while individualizing their cient’s physical needs. Finally, their Bridge the Gap program is designed for athletes discharged by a doctor or have completed formal physical therapy but require help with returning to sports. “We provide attention to injury prevention, form, body mechanics, and ongoing weakness that sometimes results from lacking endurance. No doctor referral is needed to have access to a physical therapist. This option allows us to address issues related to conditioning and provide education or activities in a wellness setting,” they share.

Continued on the next page

Client Testimony

“I’ve had 6 major surgeries in my career; therefore, I have issues here and there in which one has been my knees. In one session, I seen major improvement in my range of motion and tightness. In my time with Dr. Felder, my overall strength, flexibility, and range of motion has increased. Her knowledge on the body, especially the athlete’s body is spectacular. I trust her with my health and she has always provided me with excellent service, customer service, and reliability. Not only has she mastered physical therapy, but she is one of the most selfless individuals that I’ve ever met. She has played a humongous part in my recovery and athletic journey and I am forever thankful for her and this company!”

DJ specializes in overall athlete performance and has been coaching and building up athletes for over ten years. He was born in Topeka, Kansas but was raised in Hinesville, Georgia. He found himself leaning on sports a lot during his childhood, with basketball becoming a passion. He has modeled himself into an experienced and knowledgeable athlete throughout his life, working with athletes on and off the court/ field. He played collegiate basketball at East Georgia State University and led his team to its first championship in program history. He later transferred and played for Jacksonville State University. Following graduation, he played years of international basketball until deciding to start a family with Jasmine.

Though Dr. Jasmine Felder was born in Frankfurt, Germany, she was raised all over the world due to active military involvement by her parents. She graduated from Bob Jones High School in Huntsville and was a part of the first girl’s basketball championship team her junior year. That same team went on to repeat the championship that following year. After graduating, Dr. Felder played basketball for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Throughout her sports career, she suffered multiple injuries, one that was career-ending. As devastating as this was, this further fueled her. She graduated with her doctoral degree from Alabama State University in 2016. Since becoming Dr. Felder, she has tailored her practice to sports and orthopedic. She also specializes in Temporomandibular Jaw Dysfunction (TMD) and has a keen interest in women’s health. She provides both collegiate experience and workout expertise with the knowledge for injury prevention and total recovery. Dr. Felder is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

CEO of Life Key Financial Group

Former Pro Athlete - Bridge the Gap

Amber J. from Birmingham, Alabama

The idea of Elite Sports is something that DJ and Dr. Felder have always talked about for years. “We always dreamed of having a gym, but we never really got into the specifics. It’s always been on the back burner sort of speak. I have never been a monetary risk-taker, and I’ve always been strategic. However, in June of this year, we turned 30, and I reminisced about how much we accomplished individually and together. I thought about what’s next and what our lives could be in the next ten years. I saw that the time was now,” Dr. Felder shares. DJ shares, “It was time that we put our faith into something that we both would love to do for the rest of our lives. It’s always been a thought and a goal, and now is the time that we execute.”

Client Testimony

“Coach DJ is a laid back type of trainer, but also great at explaining and getting his point across while training. He can train athletes on all levels from junior high to pro level guys. He loves the grind and loves to share the passion with others. He has helped me develop my skills over the years as I finish up my college career at Oakwood. I highly recommend!!!”

Oakwood College Sports Training

Kaleb G. from Huntsville, AL

Dr. Felder shares that she is inspired mostly by her family. “I go hard for my crew! I just want our little ones to do better than us and not have to face some of the challenges we have.” DJ credits his wife with having the impact on his life. “My wife is my biggest inspiration. She wakes up every morning and does something she loves, something she worked hard for over the years. The drive and the determination that she has rubbed off on me, and I can’t wait to inspire others,” he says.

Running a business and managing careers, all while raising two kids, sounds quite challenging; however, it’s something the Felders appear to do very well. “We are a busy family of four, and we both still work full-time. Our little boy is just six months old, and our first child is two years old, so being intentional about our business time and time together without sacrificing too much of the precious time we have with our children is hard, but I know it will pay off,” Dr. Felder says. “Getting started was very challenging for us. We want to rent out some space or partner with a gym initially, but that’s been a challenge with pricing. We just want to get the Madison area and surrounding cities to understand that we are for health and fundamental development at all ages. By combining physical therapy, it’s something that gives us the edge. This is a huge passion of ours, and we are willing to go the extra mile for our customers to assure satisfaction,” DJ says.

To learn more about Elite Sport & Performance Academy, please visit their website.

h

I Am Gabriel Williams

By Gamal Williams Phtoos by Gamal Williams

All fathers want the best for their children. We protect them, nurture them, guide them, teach them, all in hopes that one day they will find their path, see the beacon that will guide them through life. We hope that we have learned enough in life that we will be able to bestow the best of ourselves in them. I am one of those fathers. But through all that I have learned in my forty-five years God has blessed me with, the most valuable lesson has been this:

Sometimes the teacher can become the student. The teacher must only be humble enough to know that he or she doesn’t know it all.

Last year during the pandemic, I discovered I liked to write. Liked is actually a misrepresentation. I loved to write. I began penning my first novel, fin: a story of love and hope. It was exhilarating and frustrating all at the same time. I was through my first draft and laboring through rewrites, when one day my youngest son, Gabriel approached, his face full of boredom and angst from the lockdown.

“Daddy…”

“Yes?”

“I’m bored.”

“I know, buddy. I wish you could just go outside.”

His face grew sad but changed to excitement within seconds.

“Daddy, can I get a book?”

It was a simple request; one most parents would love to hear from their children. The problem? It was June 2020, and America was in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown. Here in the Hampton Roads section of Virginia, everything was closed. Gabriel, or “Poppa” as I call him, and I sat at my computer and searched online for a book he might enjoy, yet we had two different reactions. While Gabriel became uninspired by the available books, I became irritated. None of the books featured a young, Black boy as the protagonist unless they were overcoming some stereotypical struggle.

The death of a loved one. Not making the team. Overcoming being the “different” kid in class, code for “the only Black kid”.

Where was the Black Harry Potter or Black Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Where was the book where the little Black boy toppled a dragon or explored the stars? I decided to put my book aside (a welcomed break I might add) and do something about our conundrum.

Continued on the next page

To learn more about Gabriel Williams, please follow him on Instagram @ authorgabrielwilliams realegacypublishing@gmail.com

“You know what, Poppa? I’m gonna write you one!”

I sat down and began plugging away, well into the night. With the first chapter done, I slipped it underneath his bedroom door. The next morning, Gabriel awoke, read it, then ran to me.

“Daddy, where’s the rest?”

This routine repeated, another night, another chapter. Then something happened, something special, something beautiful, something I never anticipated. One morning, he ran into the kitchen.

“Daddy, you know what would be really cool? If after they jump in time, they go…”

That was it. That was the moment. The moment I became the student. I mean, who better to learn how to entertain an adolescent, Black boy from than an adolescent, Black boy? Gabriel became part of the story, part of my writing journey, and I a part of his.

We sat next to each other and plotted out the adventures of Franklin and Brooklyn, the brother and sister that star in our book, JUMP. I watched as he would light up and explain to me what a fight scene should look like or what “OP” meant (overpowered, for all you parents).

What I saw as one book, Gabriel saw as multiple, seven, in fact. We created an entire world, full of its own rich history, people, wonder, and adventure. People that looked like him, doing amazing things that is normally reserved for others. When it was done, he smiled at his creation.

When he held the first proof copy in his hands, complete with illustrations and his name on the cover, I fought back the tears as he marveled at what we had done, what he had done. The thing Gabriel has taught me most is humility. When asked how it feels to be a published author, he giggles, shrugs his shoulders, then a simple word flows out of his huge smile.

“Cool!”

The sight of his book on shelves in a local Barnes & Noble left him in awe. He didn’t need words. His face said it all. When he got his first fan, a mother that not only bought a copy of the book but asked to take a picture with him so she could show her son whom the book was for, he smiled big and hugged her. He didn’t need to say thank you. His hug said it all.

“You’re welcome,” she replied.

Maybe it’s from a place of naivety that he responds this way, an innocence that hasn’t let him fully appreciate what he has accomplished. But I cannot take credit for this amazing child alone. He has a huge support system. His step-father, David Logan, probably gets more excited than I do. Sometimes I don’t know who is the bigger fan: he or I?

“Gabe, this is huge! You got your book in stores! I’m trying to be like you when I go up!”

In typical fashion, Gabriel simply smiles.

Yet when he and I are alone, his imagination goes into hyperdrive, and he opens up. A discussion about the continuing adventures of Franklin and Brooklyn could spiral into his favorite anime or a character he created or his favorite food, and these conversations could last for hours. Sprinkled in between, I share life lessons and he, in turn, shares his with me. Then we take what we have learned and pour them into our characters. For Gabriel, it’s about the process.

“It’s the ideas. I get to be very creative and develop characters and their powers. But I love Franklin’s feelings. A lot of times with superheroes, they are always brave. But Franklin feels scared sometimes, but he becomes brave. He feels like a normal person. He feels like me.”

Frank Pittman once said, “Fathering is not something that perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.” And so, as I teach him, guide him, nurture and love him, I remember the most important thing he has taught me: humility. I’m watching, Poppa, and I am ready for my next lesson. h

I Was Created For Greatness

By Dorjae McClammey

Photos by Mac Royals

Malcolm Allen, better known as Mac Royals is someone you can describe as super talented. The 29-year-old musician who grew up in Wrightsville, Arkansas, is a musician, photographer, videographer, director, artist consultant, and chef.

Music has always been a part of Mac, even from birth. Everyone in his family sings; his mother, father, brother, sister, even his grandfather. He was a part of the children’s choir until his voice became so powerful that he was moved up to the adult choir.

In elementary, Mac started to dabble in different aspects of the arts. He chose to play the violin for a couple of years, with the help of one of his teachers, Mr.Crips. “I loved him to death because he was very stern. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with music the way I did,” he shares. From there, He started writing his own music and falling in love with it more and more.

Unfortunately, his father was incarcerated for most of his early childhood and teen years. Still, Mac kept focused with the help of his community around him, especially his guardian angel, older cousin Marcus Wilson. Marcus was a rapper himself, so he would set up studio sessions for him and his cousin. This was when Mac recorded his very first song at the young age of 13.

To say Mac is talented is an understatement. He described his style of music as “feels.” “I perceive music as power because it can shift the atmosphere any of a room, space or mood. Do you understand how powerful that is, and I have the ability to do that at will,” he says.

The road to becoming who Mac Royals is today has not always been the easiest. There were so many ups and downs, “everybody wants to be a part of the mountain, but nobody wants to be a part of the valley.” His artistry is his everything and he has to live a very transparent life, so he lets people know that it’s not easy, nor is it for the soft-hearted. Mac even states that he’s glad he did not win the American Idol competition he particpated on in 2013, because the individual he was then would not have been able to handle what was to come.

Continued on the next page

“I didn’t even know that I deserved to be in spaces like this, but I had to be so that I would understand that my creator gave me this opportunity.”

He went through a major depression once he was eliminated from American Idol because he felt that he failed to take care of his family. Once he returned home, he stayed inside for a month. No one even knew he was back. He remained in this state until someone finally sat him down and told him to think about where he came from and what he accomplished. “You won by even getting out of here. You won the moment you believed in yourself enough to try it, even though you didn’t know what was going to happen,” Mac says. He realized he was so focused on the negative that he didn’t even focus on the fact he made it to the top 20. “I didn’t even know that I deserved to be in spaces like this, but I had to be so that I would understand that my creator gave me this opportunity. Learning this allowed me to see a glimpse into what I could be if I just kept working.”

Another challenge he faced was differentiating between real life and artistry. Sometimes he can get so caught up in his artistry that he forgets about real life. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad because in some of those spaces where I forgot about life, I created something so beautiful that when I came back to life, I felt a bit out of touch,” he shares.

I asked Mac what inspires him the most, and the answer was simple “life.” “My inspiration comes from life, and being a musician, I have to find inspiration in life to write about life. The heartache, the love, the anger, frustration. I have to be open enough to write and sing about it all.”

As for the future of Mac Royals, we can all expect big things. While continuing to make music, he plans to drop an autobiography along with a whole new line of products on his website. There, he has all-natural body butters and sugar scrubs, bath bombs, candles, and more available. They are made with his very own formula he calls Royal Honey. Additionally, all of these products are handmade by amazing black women, right in Arkansas.

Mac shared some advice for those who may follow a path similar to his. “On your journey, there are going to be a lot of people that tell you, what to do, how to do it, and how they believe you should do it, but never allow someone on the outside of the vision to distract you from it”.

To learn more about Mac Royals and his music, please visit his website.

By Tonya Dixon

Some would say that being an entrepreneur is a difficult road to travel. Natasha Jones would probably agree. But more importantly, she recognizes the blessings and fruitfulness of her 8-year journey owning and operating her own businesses. “It hasn’t been an easy road for entrepreneur’s, especially during COVID, but I can say my business actually doubled. That’s a blessing,” she said.

Credit repair has not only been her business for nearly a decade, but it has also been what she believes to be her calling. It began as a problem she was trying to solve for herself. She became so passionate about it, it was the natural next step for her to help others, including her fiancé, restore their credit, resulting in the establishment of Natasha’s Credit Services.

“I have no problem telling people that I started off with bad credit myself. I don’t teach anything that I haven’t already experienced and known it’s proven to help, ” she said.

The saying goes that experience is the best teacher; it certainly holds true for Jones. She has experienced nearly every type of devastating financial situation one can think of, including financial instability, eviction, subpar credit scores, staying in public housing, which she says is not an indication of someone’s worth, however may indicate the need for financial literacy, as well as many other difficult circumstances.

There were several tipping points, but Jones recalls going to make a significant purchase, but was told her credit wasn’t good enough. It was a gut punch and reality check all in one.

“I couldn’t believe it. I was stunned. But I tell people this all the time. Credit is not something we were told or taught,” she said. “The top three reasons people have bad credit are divorce (believe it or not), helping people (when we can’t afford to) and simply not being taught.”

In 2021, Natasha celebrates three years of being a full-time entrepreneur and ultimately following her dreams and passions, and making a real, tangible difference in the lives of other people for generations to come.

Prior to making the decision to improve her credit, Jones says she had never heard of credit agencies. She definitely didn’t know their purpose. Once she knew better, it was time to do better. She began writing letters and making the necessary changes to restore her credit. It took time, but she educated herself about the process and its necessity.

“It was as simple as taking the first step to better my own credit. I believe in being a product of the product,” she said. “Anything you do, promote or service, you should be able to experience it or go through it yourself.”

Jones worked for Apple, Inc. for years and loved her job, but her passion was elsewhere. She had a desire to help people understand their credit and become financially stable and successful and that comes with good credit.

Initially, she worked for a financial education services company. She was able to help individuals restore their credit, but her ability to be more hands-on and provide personal assistance was severely hampered because she was unable to share certain specific credit information with her clients. In a move that was probably motivated more by a sincere desire to help others than personal gain, Jones got all the knowledge she could and established her own company.

“It had gotten to the point where I realized, I was too much of a middleman and I couldn’t tell clients what they needed to know about their credit. So, I did my research and discovered software that would be more beneficial and better assist me with helping others,” she said.

Word of mouth has been Jones’ best form of advertising. Clients are seeing personal results and telling their family, friends, co-workers and basically anyone who will listen. “Recently a realtor approached me about a client who was in the middle of building a home, but basically made a late payment and experienced some [credit] issues. I often come across people who recognize me and call me ‘the credit lady.’ But that’s okay. People know when they come to me, they are getting a reliable and proven service. Again, I don’t tell people anything that I wouldn’t do or haven’t done,” said Jones.

In addition to personal credit restoration services, Jones has expanded into helping clients establish business credit as well as helping homebuyers prepare for the homebuying process. “I provide credit restoration for personal and business credit. I also offer an awesome home ownership program where I team up with local realtors and lenders and help improve their clients’ ability to purchase a home.”

Continued on page 20

“I’m a huge advocate for home ownership,” she says. “One of my favorite slogans is, if you can pay rent, you can pay a mortgage! Too often our money goes one way, when it could go toward investing in something like owning a home.”

For Jones, it’s all about education. It’s not enough to help someone improve their credit, but she is also committed to making sure they continue to grow and improve their financial health, particularly understanding how to maintain and even boost and build upon the knowledge they obtain and not having to return to rebuild credit.

“We advocate for our clients. We don’t want to see people come back into the program. We try to educate them along the way, so they won’t go backward and have to return,” she said. The more she expands her knowledge base and recognizes greater needs, Jones has also ventured into tax preparation and, more recently, assistance with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans though the Small Business Administration.

No matter the service, she requires clients participate in a free one-on-one consultation with her to make sure they are ready for the process and required patience of credit restoration. “I always recommend doing a consultation first. I don’t take just any client. I need to know that your mindset is in the right space because credit repair is an investment,” she said. “You have to be ready, not only financially, but you have to be ready mentally. It is not an overnight process. I stress that all the time. I need people to be committed and know what they are facing. Believe it or not 65% of credit repair is you and the other 35% is me, the specialist.”

“People think it happens with the snap of a finger, but it doesn’t work that way. I want to be a fairy, I really do, but it just doesn’t work that way. That’ what makes the consultation vital. We have to make sure that we’re compatible and that we are both on the same page.”

Jones’ program requires monthly check-in meetings to make sure everyone is still committed, on the right track, transparent and accountable. She discusses areas of opportunity, makes sure the client is happy with their results and more.

“Those calls are very important. The people that have the greatest success rate in the program are the ones that do their monthly calls and they’re staying on top of their credit,” she said.

Of course, credit restoration services aren’t free and for those who bemoan paying for the service when they already have financial difficulties, Jones quickly tells them they have more resources than they know.

“I definitely come across people who say they can’t pay for the service and have reservations, but I tell them, ‘Don’t eat out for one week and that is the source and opportunity for you to begin your credit repair journey,” she said.

Being an entrepreneur hasn’t been easy, but Jones has enjoyed the ride and taken notes along the way to make sure she grows and expands just as much as her clients. This year marks three years of being a full-time entrepreneur and ultimately following her dreams and passions and making a real, tangible difference in the lives of other people for generations to come.

A Life Dedicated To Service

By Gamal Williams

According to the 2019 Annual Business Survey, racial minorities owned 18.3% of all businesses in America. Those numbers begin to look bleaker when one understands that all non-White business owners fall into that 18.3%. 2019 U.S. Census data shows that the White population comprised 76.3% of America yet owned 81.7% of all businesses. Minorities comprised 23.7% of America yet owned less than 1/5th of all businesses. Many factors have hindered business development and economic growth amongst minorities: racial bias preventing opportunities to government and private sector contracts, lack of access to capital, lack of business financial literacy, but none more important than mentorship and support. What these businesses have lacked is a champion, someone that is willing to not only extend a helping hand, but to speak up for them, support them, guide them on their path to success.

Enter Todd Gilyard.

Todd Gilyard formed his consulting firm, The Gilyard Group, LLC, in 2010, after previously serving as the Assistant Project Lead/Job Developer for the St. Louis Housing Authority’s Job Plus Program, and Community Outreach Director at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. He now serves as the Project Director at the Missouri Branch of the Minority Business Development Agency. Originally established as the Minority Business Enterprise in 1969 by President Richard Nixon, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) mission is “to promote the growth of minority owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research. MBDA has accomplished this mission by funding a network of centers that provide Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) a variety of business assistance services.”* Yet, Todd didn’t see himself in his current position. In fact, prior to his appointment, even owning his own business wasn’t in the cards.

Continued on the next page

“I worked for the Urban League of St. Louis,” he explained. “In that role, anything that the Urban League gave away to the community, I was in charge of; toy giveaways, food giveaways, energy assistance, any special programs, I was basically in charge of. Being in that role helped me build relationships with city and state government officials and CEOs of major corporations. People began to come to me asking for help with funding or to make a business connection.”

“One day, a woman approached me that had a home healthcare franchise out of Florida. I explained to her that she should be working with the churches. The churches should get back to being that resource for the community like they were in the ’50s and ’60s. I told her I knew the President of the National Baptist Convention-Midwest. I reached out to him and discussed her presenting her business to the minister’s union. I explained to him that churches were missing that community connection; if you needed a doctor, you went to the church; if you needed a lawyer, you went to the church; if you needed a handyman, you went to the church. I presented the woman’s business and after my presentation, he encouraged me to form my own business.”

Todd formed The Gilyard Group shortly after, and while it was a business at its heart, it was Todd’s desire to help reconnect the community that shined through. These traits were instilled in him by two strong, powerful, and beautiful women: his mother, Schatoun Gilyard, and his grandmother, Francis Jean Gilyard.

“I grew up in Kinloch, MO. My grandmother was heavily involved in many grassroots efforts devoted to social justice issues, improving educational rights for children, food programs…she was committed to making sure the community was fed, not just with food, but fed with knowledge. I grew up in the church, thanks to my grandmother. I am now a minister, and God has put it in my heart to want to see everyone made whole. I want to see everybody live their best life. If I’m in a position to help somebody, I think that is an honor that God gives certain people. Since I was a child, through my adult life and professional career, I’ve been in a position to help people. Jobs of service. It’s because of how my grandmother raised me.”

Continued on page 10

“I tell my current staff all the time; we are in a blessed position. If we make a phone call for someone or a business, we have an opportunity to do something that could change their lives. That can change the way they feed their families.” h

When asked to elaborate on his mother’s impact on his life, Todd becomes reflective and emotional. “My mom…man, my mom is someone that inspires me because of how she made sacrifices for my brother and me. Even though those sacrifices hurt her, I see what she did for her now that I am older. And she is still like that. She will give people the shirt off her back, or if she hears that someone is in need, she’s right there to say, ‘I got it!’ Anything to see people comfortable. Even in the church, she was always serving others. It just stuck in me.”

Todd’s reputation as a selfless, devoted, and knowledgeable leader led to his current position at MBDA. When the position for Project Director became available in late 2020, Todd’s name was submitted by people that knew him for his years of dedicated service. Once the position was offered to Todd, his actions displayed the virtues of kindness and selflessness he was raised with. Knowing that he could impact more people in this new position, he folded the highly successful Gilyard Group and accepted the higher calling.

“I tell my current staff all the time; we are in a blessed position. If we make a phone call for someone or a business, we have an opportunity to do something that could change their lives. That can change the way they feed their families. That is tremendous for me. I get a paycheck, but more than the money, it’s the joy I feel that I was able to help these companies. I am so happy to be a part of that that I had a little bit to do with it. That gives me such joy.”

Todd Gilyard Minority Business Development Agency Center - Missouri www.mbdac.com

By Terry L. Watson

Events On Ridge

Sufficient planning must occur to pull off a successful event such as a wedding reception, banquet, retirement party, or corporate gathering. Without it, the door is left open for any mishap to take place, potentially deflating the enthusiasm and cheer from any such occasion.

Every precaution is taken for event planner Alisha Norris to ensure no such surprise appears at her production. Now in her fifth year of being a serial entrepreneur, Alisha is the owner of Events On Ridge Event Center located in Parma, Ohio. She’s also the owner and operator of Creative Indulgence Party Designs and Co-creator of Westside W.R.A.P 216, a networking group for entrepreneurs. Her Real Estate License complements her skillsets; something she utilizes to help thriving business owners find the best location for commercial property.

Events On Ridge is a 1700 square foot intimate event space that accommodates social gatherings, micro weddings, and corporate meetings. “We specialize in offering the full event planning and decorating experience from start to finish. We love to serve smaller businesses with the opportunity to utilize our space for vendor events, continuing education courses, and community outreach programs,” Alisha shares.

Events On Ridge began as an event planning business in 2016. It quickly expanded into an event space in the fall of 2020. Alisha shares she opened her center after recognizing the need for an intimate event space in the city of Cleveland that offered updated amenities and quality staffing.

Alisha says the most valuable lesson she’s learned: understanding mediocrity is not an option for life. She explains, “As an entrepreneur, you have to be excellent intentionally every day to move that needle closer to greatness. Developing this mindset has impacted how I operate in my personal life and in business. One of my mentors, Neo Davis, always says, “It has to work or it has to work””.

Alisha considers herself to be an amazing wife to her business partner and husband, Eric Norris. Together, they share two children, Ajia and Ashton. She received her BA and MBA in Business Management from Capital University in Columbus, OH. She has served for nearly 15 years in hospitality and worked for multiple hotel chains. In these roles, she discovered her passion for event planning and logistics.

Alisha says she is an event planner at heart. “The ultimate joy comes from seeing a client’s face light up when we have executed their vision perfectly.” Like most businesses, Events On Ridge faced some new challenges with the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. “We often questioned if this was the right decision. However, when you believe in your purpose and truly put things in God’s hands, nothing but good can form from it,” she says. Because they were faithful, Alisha says they are now experiencing great success and are in the process of opening their next venue.

For Alisha and Eric, the adage that “teamwork makes the dream work” proves to be true. “As I work tirelessly to build our brand, he continues to work in a high-level position at a local college. He never complains about working 40 hours in the office and giving an additional 20-30 hours per week at Events On Ridge. His drive inspires me daily to keep going so that I can one day tell him it’s time to put in your two weeks’ notice,” she says.

Her advice to anyone who may be considering entering into event planning is to be consistent. “Consistency is key to operating successfully. Know your reason behind building your business because that will keep you motivated even when things aren’t looking great initially. Most importantly, do your research, understand your market, know your target demographic, set your price, and then add tax,” she says.

Alisha says her plans moving forward are to acquire multiple event spaces and related businesses throughout Ohio. She also hopes to continue to push fellow business owners to operate in the gifts. Ultimately her goal is to build generational wealth for her family and generations to come.

To learn more about Events On Ridge, please visit their website.

h

www.mykelmedia.com