Huami Magazine Charlotte November/December 2017

Somethings Aren’t Meant To Be Explained

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

A Letter From The Editor

One of the greatest waste of time is that of someone who uses it to search for answers to the various complexities life has to offer. Sure, there isn’t anything wrong with striving for perfection, or even seeking improvement. I have personally dealt with some things that I wished the outcome would have been favorable, and in dealing with them, I caused myself more strife by holding on when I should have moved on. I believe we serve ourselves a disservice when we try to make sense out of something that has been declared as senseless.

A Letter from the Editor

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

Only God knows all, and if I never learn anything else in my life, I know for sure that man isn’t God. Though it may not sound plausible to others, I believe that God doesn’t want us to know the answers to everything. If we did it might spoil the experience he promises on our day of judgement.

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

For example, I misplaced something very important that I really needed. After looking for it nearly two weeks, I never found it. I prayed that I would find it before the third week arrived because at that point it would have been too late. The third week came and to my misfortune, my lost item was an even bigger loss for me. I never found what I was looking for and even after asking God to help me to locate it, nothing happened.

There have been individuals I have crossed paths with that have greatly impacted my life. Their sheer presence left indelible impressions on me that have helped shape and mold me into the person I am today. Little did I know at that time, but the modest gestures of kindness and compassion during very difficult moments actually helped to pull me out of the jaws of despair. I had no goals or dreams, but they spoke of life and what it was going to be like once I opened my eyes and saw as God made it.

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

God cared enough for me to place certain people in my life at specific moments to carryout His intentional plan. While I may fall at times and fall short of His glory, He made preparations so my purpose would still be fulfilled. I know I don’t deserve His grace and mercy, and I can admit that things should have gone another way. What I don’t know is how and why, because God’s love doesn’t require an explanation.

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

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Exclusive Realty

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

Real estate is not what Deanna Smith set out to pursue. For 16 years she served the state of New York as a Corrections Officer with the Department of Corrections. She also owned and operated not one, but two childcare facilities along with mothering four children.

When she was presented with the opportunity of becoming a Federal Agent in 2002, she jumped at the chance and relocated her family to Charlotte for the job. After settling in the Queen City, she started to miss interacting with young children, so she worked part-time at a childcare facility. She also decided to become a foster parent to make an even greater impact, eventually adopting two infant girls. Suddenly the mom of six (her two adult children do not reside in the home) was stretched to her limit. That’s when her full time job gave her an ultimatum. “They told me I could choose my job or choose my children. And I chose my children,” Deanna says confidently.

Since the Buffalo, NY native had a background in childcare, the natural thing to do was to transition full time at the childcare facility so she wouldn’t miss a beat raising her own. She quickly rose to Assistant Director and for a long time, was quite content. She was back in her element loving on the little ones and spending time with her two youngest children who attended the facility where she worked. But as much as she enjoyed seeing tiny smiling faces everyday, going home to four children proved to be a larger job than she bargained for.

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“They told me I could choose my job or choose my children. And I chose my children.”

Her husband, Everett, could see his wife stressed out as the days passed. She loved her job, but grew tired. Her other half, who is also her biggest supporter, proposed that she take a couple years off and gather herself, while finding her niche. Since he sold homes wholesale in his spare time, he mentioned that she should consider the same thing, but after a few months of testing it out, she concluded that path wasn’t the one she wanted to take. She did, however, love real estate, home ownership and helping people reach their goals so she wasn’t ready to completely fold.

“I decided to attend school and get my real estate license. I didn’t pass the exam the first two times because it was just that difficult. I sold my jewelry to pay for the exam a third time, and I finally passed,” Deanna beamed.

“The people I worked for laughed at me. They tried to deter me, telling me it was too hard, too expensive, and too soon. But I didn’t listen. Even though they try to seem supportive on social media now, by liking pictures and posts, they don’t answer the phone when I call.”

The phrase ‘In it to win it’ was echoed by both of us during our call. Sitting for an exam three times, would defeat some, but Deanna knew she couldn’t let it go that easily. Upon her licensure she volunteered for a real estate firm but was offered a paid position due to her work ethic and willingness to learn. She was so dedicated that she recruited and trained other agents. When she moved on to another firm, the agents followed her. Under the wings of more seasoned agents, Deanna absorbed as much knowledge as she could, then when the time was right, God told her to embark on her own endeavor.

“The people I worked for laughed at me. They tried to deter me, telling me it was too hard, too expensive, and too soon. But I didn’t listen. Even though they try to seem supportive on social media now, by liking pictures and posts, they don’t answer the phone when I call.”

It’s evident that she has turned this negative into a positive. She has allowed her naysayers to motivate her to keep going and prove to them and herself, that she has what it takes to succeed. In May, Deanna had the grand opening for ‘Deanna Has a Home For You Realty’, but has since changed the name to ‘Exclusive Realty, Inc.’ so she can potentially franchise the business in the future. Her adult son and daughter are also considering a career in real estate and Deanna has been their sole motivator.

“Since opening I have helped my daughter purchase and close on her first home and now she wants to help others.” The business has already become a true family effort. Deanna’s grandchildren help with office work as well as assist with writing cards to her clients. She has taught them about entrepreneurship and to always set a goal to create your own source of income. This philosophy holds true with her husband too, as he owns and operates Ultimate Asphalt and Concrete in Charlotte.

With such a busy lifestyle, family time can be hard to come by. Deanna makes sure everyone spends time together on the weekends traveling and doing activities as a unit. She is also a believer in alone time with Everett so they stay connected.

She stays faithful by attending Freedom House Church and volunteers with them regularly. Most recently she helped collect items for hurricane victims across the country and has lent her hands to several other ministries throughout the years. “Right now I’m waiting on God to tell me where he needs me within the church. And when he tells me to move, I always move. Just like I did with my business. I was hesitant at first, and I’m still scared, but I listened and it has worked out.”

Running a full time real estate business, being a wife and mother, as well as a mentor and volunteer keeps Deanna’s cup running over, but I can tell she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Special Thanks To Craig Calcasola

4300 Jasmin May Drive Charlotte, NC 28226 h

2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd. Ste-202 Charlotte, NC 28273

Deanna Smith

704-907-3422

www.deannasexclusiverealty.com info@exclusiverealty.com

Advance Planning Or Pre Plan Funeral Arrangements

The very idea of discussing or talking about death can be very difficult, however it is one worth having with your loved ones. It has many advantages, among them peace of mind. Knowing that you have a plan in place not only eases your mind, but your loved ones will not have the extra burden of the unknown.

There are many details that immediately begin when a death occurs. Research has listed at least 101 items that every survivor will be confronted by on the day of death of a family member. From contacting other family members, friends and community to selecting and meeting a funeral provider. Advance planning can relieve much of this by having these important tasks already in place.

The first step is to discuss with significant others your desires and final instructions. Secondly, meet with a funeral provider of your choosing. By doing this ahead of time you can take your time and investigate and or compare services and cost without the immediate pressure and stress that death, especially sudden death can bring upon a family. Once you have a funeral provider you can then begin to formulate your wishes and directives in a carefully laid out plan. This could be from a simple direct cremation to a full traditional service followed by burial or cremation.

The third step is to consider how you will pay for these plans and make provisions ahead of time. The advantages of this is you can have control over the amount of cost and in some cases, guarantee that your service will be protected against future inflation.

The following are some methods of funding your final expenses; personal insurance policy, pre-need policy purchased from the funeral home, or private funds or savings. I encourage every adult regardless of age, married or single make this a part of your important to do and have list. In life there are a lot of unknowns but, it is sure and certain that every person that is born will lay to rest eventually. With this being known why not approach it with the importance it deserves.

“In life there are a lot of unknowns but, it is sure and certain that every person that is born will lay to rest eventually.”

Samuel Hanna Takehome Delivery

By Terry L Watson

Why go out for food, when there is someone who will do the leg work and bring it to your front door? Take Home Delivery is a mobile waiter service that offers online ordering and delivery from local restaurants to the homes of people in Charlotte and surrounding areas. This original idea and concept was developed by Samuel Hanna. Their goal is to provide a remote dining experience for clients who desire a great tasting meal in the comfort of their own setting.

Hanna says customers can order through the company’s website and its mobile app which is supported by both Apple and Android. “If our customers do not want to order from one of the several dozen restaurants that we are partnered with, they can choose our Maitre’d option and have a restaurant of their choosing delivered to them. We also specialize in multiple restaurant catering, which is a unique service that offers ordering from more than one restaurant at a time, which is especially helpful for holiday parties or special events,” he says. Due to the various dietary needs and wants of their clients, this option makes it convenient and less stressful when planning for an event.

Takehome Delivery was born in 2011 as a result of a personal event that occurred with Hanna in 2009 while he lived in the University area. “I was the unfortunate recipient of an assault and robbery as a Domino’s pizza delivery driver. I suffered some eye damage because of the incident and had to be treated by specialists for months. After recovering, I began to help my family who owns a seafood delivery business in South Carolina. I told my parents about the idea of restaurant food delivery which wasn’t popular at the time. I kept bringing it up periodically over the next several months, until one day my father told me to start my own delivery business. It was at that moment I realized I was hesitating on moving forward with the business because I was still holding onto fear from the Domino’s Pizza robbery. I truly believed the idea was good and the only thing holding me back was fear. I refused to allow fear to win,” Hanna said.

Takehome Delivery isn’t a one man operation. Hanna has surrounded himself with a group of individuals who have devoted themselves to the mission of the business. Running a company is a heavy responsibility but knowing that something he started is also having a real impact on people’s lives makes it worthwhile, Hanna says. Even his toddler son has lended a hand. “When we are in the car riding somewhere he likes to take a TakeHome Delivery menu guide and flip through it. When I see that I realize that I need to develop this business into something he can be proud of,” he says. “I remember how much of an impact my parents seafood delivery business had on me and the things I learned from them. There were many life lessons I took away from it but none more importantly from the dialogue it created between my father and I,” he says.

With Charlotte being a rapidly growing city, the infrastructure is being tested and projects have to be initiated to keep pace with the growth. Until all of this takes place, Takehome Delivery still has to operate and serve its customers. “When I started this business you could drive down I-77 and not get caught in traffic at two in the afternoon with a drive time of less than 10 minutes. Today the same drive takes our mobile waiters 30-40 minutes to make. Accounting for a growing city, planning routes, and maintaining staff in anticipation of traffic congestion during non-peak hours has been one of our challenges for maintaining the quality of our service,” Hanna says. “Our other challenge has been keeping up with technology. When I started TakeHome, there was only a website that people can order through. Today we have a desktop and mobile friendly website, customer ordering app, mobile waiter app, and restaurant app. With all of this technology, we still make it possible for people to call in and talk with an actual Charlottean to place an order.”

They are also faced with the challenge of security. With identity theft on the rise, Takehome Delivery needed to add an extra level of security for its clients. This required some behind the scene work and changes within their policies to ensure security, which included adding a signature pad that allows their customers to sign for their order directly on the mobile waiter app when the food is delivered.

In the future, Hanna sees TakeHome Delivery growing to cover all of Charlotte while maintaining a high level of service that Charlotte can learn to expect out of the staff and its mobile waiters. There are plans to improve their technologies by offering customers the opportunity to upload pictures of the food they order directly onto our Instagram page and by offering a more enjoyable remote dining experience. “I like that people know our staff by name and love calling just to talk with us. I want to continue maintaining our close relationships with our customers and the restaurants that feature their menus through our website,” Hanna says. It sounds like Takehome Delivery is here to stay!

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

IGDavis Productions

magine going to college, selecting your major, mapping out your life plan after you graduate, then being pulled in a different direction.

As a young student at Fayetteville State University, Garrett Davis had it all figured out. He was a Radio/Television Broadcasting major and was the youngest program director in the nation, of a 100,000 watt NPR affiliate radio station. His goal was to one day own his own station. In addition to his major, he decided to minor in speech and theater so he could take a few acting classes. Just to scratch an itch he’d had, he became involved in a play, attended the NADSA (National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts) conference (acting in the same play) and came home with an award for Best Supporting Actor. His theater teacher hounded him to pursue acting, but his heart was set on radio.

By chance, shortly after, he attended a professional play, for the first time, and was absolutely in awe. He immediately went home and penned his first script for “Lord, Why Me? Another itch was scratched and he tossed the pages in the closet without a second thought. A few years later, he had the opportunity to become the General Manager at a radio station in Raeford, NC. “Not only was I the GM, but I was the morning man, the sales guy, the janitor, you name it. I was everything. “

Apparently, the station didn’t have much money to spend on extra employees, so Garrett stepped in to help them out, in many ways. As a fundraising effort for the struggling station, Garrett had the bright idea to produce the play that he had written years prior. Surprisingly, the show ran for three days and sold out each day. He moved on to Fayetteville, NC and the show sold out there as well. Then, he made a deal with himself; “If the play sells out in the next city, I’m going to quit my job and pursue this full time.” You guessed it…the show sold out!

Garrett ended his stint in radio and started touring the country with the play he’d originally closed the door on. “In those days, it was just me, a caravan of cars (the cast), and a pick-up truck with furniture on the back. We didn’t even have a real set.”

The play would travel from city to city several times a year until others took notice and started writing and producing plays of their own, providing a bit of competition for Garrett. Also on the scene was a little-known guy, at the time,

named Tyler Perry. He changed the game when he presented his signature character Madea and created elaborate sets to go along with his celebrity cast members. To just keep up and continue to perform, Garrett decided he needed to step up his game. “It forced me to write more plays so I could visit the same city with something different each time.”

Garrett put pen to paper and cranked out several more scripts which allowed him to continue touring. Life was great, he was gaining a following, and more opportunity presented itself. He was even contacted by Tyler Perry’s personal promotor who wanted to utilize his play, but unfortunately after a few months, the deal fell through and Garrett’s entire team was out of jobs.

By that time, the ambitious playwright needed a break from the industry. He was disappointed, he was tired and vowed to never do another play again. That feeling didn’t last long and he found himself creating more scripts. One “Forgot Me Not”, is about the relationship between him and his late grandmother who suffered and ultimately succumbed to Alzheimer’s.

“I felt guilty because I wasn’t there for her while she was dying. She would often ask my sister and mother about me but I always seemed to be busy. So I wrote the play as therapy to help get over that.”

Because “Forgot Me Not” focused on Alzheimer’s, many people resonated with it. It was originally supposed to run for three days, but that turned into 30 consecutive days at a playhouse in Winston Salem. Knowing that a good friend’s mother was also battling the same heartbreaking illness, he called her to see if she would be interested in partnering to bring it to other venues. That friend was Bern Nadette Stanis, better known as ‘Thelma Evans’ on the former hit show “Good Times”. They decided that it was imperative to use this production as a teaching tool to bring awareness to the disease that affects African Americans at twice the rate of any other race.

With the success of this play, Garrett realized he was on to something. He became passionate about the health of his community and brainstormed ways to he could continue to educate. “I became heavily involved with the Alzheimer’s Association. And I became the first African American to receive the Advocate of the Year award for my work with the play.”

Not stopping there, Garrett decided to focus on other areas of health that plagued blacks the most. He partnered with AARP who sponsored his play “Mama’s Girls”, about sisters caring for their aging mother. It ran for almost 5 years, traveling across the country. That partnership truly launched Garrett’s career and helped solidify his place not only in the theater world, but also in his own community where he saw the greatest need. “It put me on a national spotlight to raise the awareness of caregiving.” It also afforded

him the opportunity to connect with others just as passionate as he was about health. And because “Mama’s Girls” was such a hit, people began asking more about his previous play that focused on Alzheimer’s. He soon became one of the founding members of the African American Network against Alzheimer’s alongside Honorary Co-Chairs Al Sharpton and former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher.

To date Garrett has written, directed, and toured over 25 productions, five of which are a part of award winning projects. His current project “Daddy’s Boys” will be touring nationally beginning in January 2018. He’s also setting his sights on film and television and currently developing “Taking Care of June”, a series about the patriarch of the family being diagnosed with dementia.

Garrett confesses that in his younger years he had planned to be the next big name. He wanted everyone to know who he was and to be famous like most entertainers. But his destiny was much bigger. God had a different plan. With the support of his 23-member staff and his family, his name still sits atop marquee’s and on billboards, but now his purpose has shifted. Instead of just merely entertaining and getting a laugh, he prompts conversations within households. He forces his audience to consider their own well-being and that of their families.

“I was initially writing plays on love and relationships but that’s not what God wanted me to write about. I’m not Steve Harvey or Tom Joyner or Madea. I have to be the first Garrett Davis. Trying to be someone else forces you to get their leftovers. I want what’s mine not what somebody else had.”

It’s so easy to see someone else’s success and desire to have their ideas, their lifestyle, their fame. But it’s evident that what God has for you is for you. And Garrett Davis is a testament to that belief.

h

Nashville Fashion Designer Jurry Smith

First and foremost, Jurry Smith of Nashville, Tennessee, is a husband and father. His devotion is offered without compromise to everything that he involves himself with, whether in the workforce, at his church, or in the community. His flexibility and dependability are attributes that have also helped him build a fashion business from the ground up, Genesys Apparel.

Genesys Apparel offers custom men’s suits and tuxedos, jackets, and shirts. They offer men’s accessories which include ties, bow ties, pocket squares, and lapel pins. They also do special orders for groups and organizations, and there are plans in the works for personal styling services for the individual who have things in their closets that can be utilized, but need a little help on learning how to make it work.

“I am creative and have an eye for things most people can’t see. I’m a stylist and a designer. I am my brand and today’s versatile man, whoever that may be,” Smith says. “My clientele ranges from pastors to lawyers, entrepreneurs to socialites. I even style young men needing formal attire for school functions.”

Smith opened the doors of Genesys Apparel to the world on the day he got married. That day served as a statement for him, because he believed that weddings shouldn’t just be special for the bride. Smith wanted his own signature style that would also be authentic. “I designed my tuxedo, which was gold and trimmed in Sangria with our wedding date monogrammed on the inside. I also wore a custom shirt with my initials on it. I was so nervous that it wouldn’t look right, my measurements would be off, or that my bride wouldn’t be pleased; but it was perfect and my bride loved it. Soon, I started looking for manufacturers to make my dream a reality.”

The identity of Genesys Apparel was very important to Smith. “I wanted to represent Christ in whatever I did. I wanted people to see themselves in the image of God, because He thinks highly of us. So I based Genesys Apparel off of the book of Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in His own image,” he says.

Smith decided to use his gift to help other men who desired to stand out but need a little help with getting started. Seeing the confidence that exudes from his customers when they try on their custom piece for the first time, Smith says gives him a sense of relief and achievement. “Occasionally, a client may lose or gain weight during the process of designing a suit which throws off the measurements. I am blessed that I haven’t encountered anything that I couldn’t resolve in a timely fashion,” says Smith.

Smith doesn’t take the credit for the success of his business. “I owe it all to God. He never ceases to amaze me. He has afforded me many opportunities to make my name great and to introduce Genesys Apparel to various markets,” he says. Moving forward he plans to continue serving Nashville and surrounding states. Contact Jurry Smith and Genesys Apparel for all of your unique fashion needs.

Five

Years of Grace & Mercy

Kristie Wallace Barrow Shares Her Story of Survival

Who am I? It might be easier to tell you who I’m not. I am not a quitter. I’ve been through things that would have possibly killed the average person. It was through these trials where I found myself and learned that I am not easily defeated. Yet, as I wipe the sweat from my brow, I know that it is only by the grace and mercy of God that I am alive today.

Simply put, I am a wife, a mother of four, daughter, sister, and friend to many. I love God and am not ashamed to tell the world that I do. I’m also a woman that loves life and ask the same of others. I am a (ride or die) type of girl. I am down for the cause and loyal, but foremost, I am a team player. I am trying to live my best life until I die, but I refuse to die while I yet live. Yes, I am ‘Living Pink’!

My Diagnosis

I remember it like it was yesterday. I got the call at work on the seventh day of January 2005 around 3:00 pm. It was a Friday and I had been looking forward to the weekend but things would soon deter any plans I had thought of making. In a few shallow words, my surgeon told me that I had breast cancer. I was only 29 years old and never knew of anyone so young having breast cancer, so I immediately thought my life was coming to end.

I immediately planned my funeral. I called my circle of friends and close loved ones, telling them the news while inside I was a nervous wreck. I cried for three days straight until I made it to the altar on Sunday at my home church, Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise. I was surrounded by my family and friends and as soon as we said “Amen”, survivor mode was in full effect. I bought a survivor t-shirt and bumper sticker, but there was no escaping the inevitable reality that Cancer would change my life forever.

The things most people take for granted like birthdays or even watching their children basketball games, bring me joy. I know that it could have easily been the other way.

Second Time Around

Eight years later when I was faced with breast cancer again, it was different. My second diagnosis made me angry. I felt like I was a target for disasters. I remember asking my mother, “why me?” I didn’t hang out, I didn’t drink, and I wasn’t in the club. I couldn’t understand why I was having to go through this again. God spoke to me and said “why not you”. He used little ole’ me to let people know He is in control and still performing miracles. I am a walking miracle.

Both times I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast. I could have easily been misdiagnosed. I found my lump in 2004 while I was pregnant with my fourth child Kelcey. While speaking with midwives each month leading up to my delivery, I was told that I shouldn’t worry about the lump because they were sure it was my body getting ready to breast-feed. I am truly thankful that I still chose to have the lump removed.

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Kristie Wallace continued from page 19

My Life Doesn’t Belong To Cancer

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer in my right breast and had a Lumpectomy followed by radiation. Eight years later when the cancer returned, my only option was to have my right breast removed. I then made the very hard decision to remove both of my breasts. After many surgeries, I am still here and still cancer free!

As crazy as it sounds, Cancer saved my life. Although I was healed I was still dying from cancer. I feared a recurrence so I was not living. I was not growing in any area of my life so therefore I was slowly dying. I allowed the disease to consume my life for eight years, before I decided to take my life back.

Until someone is faced with an illness that kills people daily, you cannot truly understand its power. My second diagnosis saved me and I got my life back and found my joy. Many times we are so obsessed with what we don’t have, that we do not celebrate how far we have come. Now I celebrate everything and I don’t take anything for granted. I try my best to live worry-free and I know who holds my future, and because I know I’m in God’s hands, I have joy!

A People’s Journey,

By Terry L. Watson

My brothers and my sisters, if you need another reason as to why we as a people should build up one another, and not destroy each other, then you must visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, DC. I was fortunate to make the journey this year, and the experience was nothing short of breathtaking. From the very moment I set foot on Constitution Avenue, the edges and architectural brilliance of the museum demanded my attention. I was excited to see what was inside, but even more astonished once I did.

It’s huge! There are many levels of exhibits and displays that work together to tell a story of a people and their fight for so many things. It’s more than justice and inequality, the museum opened my mind and imagination, taking me places where I could hear the pains and determination of those who were determined to make my experience better through their sacrifices. I’m not going to give anything away, but the Emmett Till exhibit left me in tears. To experience numerous parts of history and see where we have come from and be educated on where we should be going the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture is a must see.