Issuu

HUNTSVILLE

Sept./Oct. 2026 Vol. 5 Issue 5

Dr.

The Concord Fellowship

Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

HuamiMagazine.com

Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

God Does Wonders With Our Impossible There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

A Letter From The Editor - Terry L. Watson

Recently, while listening to a sermon online, one thing that Letter from the Editor wasAspoken reminded me of the kind of discipline required for the believers in Christ. “When God wants to increase our faith, He reduces our sight,” the minister shared. He also reminded if tomorrow arrive? yourWalking plans, hopes me thatWhat we must walk bydidn’t faith and not All by of sight. by faith dreams have a street to park for on.me, What and and not by sightwouldn’t has always been a challenge as ifI typically decided to put off until tomorrow never trusteverything what I canthat see.you If there is money in my bank account, then I happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy believe that my ends will be met. If there is food in my cupboard, and you could the trouble of Imaking thenday, I believe that I willspare eat. someone On the contrary, when have not promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly been able to see what I need, those are the momentsexpired where God today? What would you do? has asked me to trust that He will provide, and I must confess that He always has. 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 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me of things not seen.” Hebrews 11.1 (NKJV). That is the written that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would wordbeofifGod, and thosewhat words over my life, theyI I chose towhen sit idleI speak and accept it presented to me. become reality. it doesn’t goodopportunity during the havemy found that While to be very boring.always In myfeel opinion, trusting processthat withisn’t God,afforded I have learned that it Ais challenge necessary. In is a blessing to everyone. all things and every part of our lives as believers, God desires to to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? be glorified. 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 When we are faced return acquire life. with obstacles as large as Mount Everest, and there appears to be no end in sight, God is there. He specializes in moving out, by faith,when as believers The best advice mountains ever given to meand happened someone in Christ, weto have themy power to move themtoday. also. The wordsoof told me make tomorrow happen In doing GodItells to speak thethrough mountain, and it shall moved. haveuspressed myto way doors with a keybethat only “Forhope assuredly, I sayIto you, whoever to this mountain, ‘Be provided. have also learnedsays the difference between what and God be blesses me with and what life can with removed cast into the sea,’ and does notburden doubtme in his as but well.believes I compare to knowing to be heart, thatitthose thingswhen he says willconfident be done,and he will to be because have whatever he says.” Mark 11:23when (NKJV). Byquiet, our faith in what someone By may getfaith, it confused God said He will do, situations are changed. our we can with being arrogant. overcome. By our faith, we are able to break generational curses and see Make you behalf. tomorrow God move on our happen today, but most it count. Godimportantly specializesmake in making a way Life is but a whisper and out of no way. He is also sovereign we must ourselves in awhen and does what put He desires, and position it to is bless He desires to. to Hehear alsowhat wants telling us. us, yet without faith in His word, it is impossible to please Him. Try God and allow Him to do wonders with Terry L. Watson your impossible.

Editor/Founder

HuamiMagazine.com

November/December 2014

Terry L Watson

Publisher

www.huamimagazine.com Dr. MarrissaEditor DickIn Chief Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Monica Montgomery Writer Writers

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HUAMI MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved

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HUNTSVILLE

CONTENTS

JESUS CHRIST On The Cover The Concord Fellowship

Dr. Don Darius Butler

Huntsville, AL The Custom Fit Tour

Al Siddiq Huntsville, AL Food Merger Takes Place

Alabama A&M and Food City

Family. Faith. Community

Kimberly B. Lee

SOAR To The Top

Gia & Kendric Crawford

SEPT./OCT. 2026

FlashMob Greenville

Dionne Washington

Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar

Carl Bradley

Learn more about the founder of Feel So Soft Body Butter. Pamela Harvin

06 07

Greensboro, NC

24 She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one beautiful baby. Her name is Siya Stevens

41 5

W hat’s H appening I n O ur C ommunity

Ali Siddiq: The Custom Fit Tour December 5, 2026 - VBC Mark C Smith Concert Hall Information obtained from online at event posting

Storytelling comedian Ali Siddiq brings The Custom Fit Tour to the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at 7 p.m. This is a phone-free show: photography, video and audio recording, screenshots and live streaming are all prohibited, and guests seen recording are removed without a refund. Doors open one hour before showtime. The evening centers on a single stand-up set, so plan to settle into your seat and watch the performance straight through. It’s a strictly phone-free environment: photography, video, audio recording, screenshots, and live streaming are all banned, and staff will remove anyone caught recording without a refund. Expect an emphasis on staying present in the room rather than documenting the show for later. h

W hat’s H appening I n O ur C ommunity

Growing Need Drives Alabama A&M Bulldog Market Partnership With Food City Information obtained from online press release

As Alabama A&M University continues to welcome more students to The Hill, demand for the Bulldog Market is growing. Established to address food insecurity and other basic needs among AAMU students, the market highlighted its expanding role during a recent open house for students, faculty and staff. The event also introduced a new partnership with Food City aimed at generating additional support for the resource. “We are seeing way over 250 students a day,” said Monica Clarke, director of the Bulldog Market. “We had our largest day last week. We had over 300 students show up in one day, so it is definitely a need, and we are always seeking help so that we can provide for our students.” The numbers mark a significant increase from a year ago, when the Bulldog Market was serving more than 200 students daily. As demand grows, the new Food City partnership provides another way for AAMU alumni, employees, students, families and community supporters to help the Bulldog Market meet that need. Through Food City’s School Bucks Challenge, shoppers can link a free Food City ValuCard to Alabama A&M University. For every qualifying dollar spent using the card, AAMU earns one School Buck point. Those points help determine the University’s share of funds distributed through the program. Shelves at the Bulldog Market are stocked with canned goods, boxed foods and other grocery items available to Alabama A&M University students. Shelves at the Bulldog Market are stocked with canned goods, boxed foods and other grocery items available to Alabama A&M University students. Food City is making $800,000 available to participating schools through its 2026-27 School Bucks program, which runs through April 30, 2027. Supporters can obtain a free ValuCard online or at a Food City store and select Alabama A&M as the school they want to support. Porsha Nettles-Johnson, a Food City human relations coordinator and two-time AAMU graduate, helped bring the partnership to her alma mater. “This partnership gives the AAMU family an easy way to support the Bulldog Market through something they are already doing — shopping for groceries,” Nettles-Johnson said. “By linking a Food City ValuCard to Alabama A&M, every

qualifying purchase can help the University earn support for students who need it.” Food City’s support extends beyond the School Bucks program. The company also supports the Bulldog Market through donations and campus pop-up events, providing food, beverages and other student necessities. The need for basic-needs assistance extends beyond AAMU. New data from education technology company Ellucian shows that 75% of students at historically Black colleges and universities reported having to choose between paying for college and meeting basic needs, compared with 58% of college students overall. The 2026 Student Voice Report also found that 71% of HBCU students surveyed work full time, compared with 56% of college students overall. Personal care items, including toothpaste and shampoo, and school supplies, such as notebooks, are available to students at the Bulldog Market. Personal care items, including toothpaste and shampoo, and school supplies, such as notebooks, are available to students at the Bulldog Market. Students can visit the Bulldog Market in Room 103 of the McCalep and McIntosh Building from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and receive three free items each day. In addition to groceries, the market provides personal care products, laundry supplies, school supplies and clothing. Clarke said some of the most-needed items are those students can use quickly and easily in residence halls, including microwavable meals, breakfast sandwiches, snacks and bottled water. Deodorant, body wash and laundry detergent are also in high demand. Other community partners are contributing as well. Madison County District 6 Commissioner Violet Edwards’ office provides bread to the market twice a week and supports a Stuff the Bus initiative for Homecoming. Through AAMU’s partnership with the Madison County Commission, the People’s Patch community farm also provides fresh produce to help address food insecurity. With more than 250 students now visiting on a typical day, Clarke said the market continues to welcome donations from individuals, University departments, alumni, organizations, businesses and other community partners. h

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Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

Dr.

The Concord Fellowship By Terry L. Watson Photos Provied By Gianna Snell and Concord Media Team

Dr. Don Darius Butler, affectionately known as “Pastor B,” founded and leads The Concord Fellowship in Huntsville, Alabama, an intergenerational church plant rooted in Baptist faith and heritage. The Concord Fellowship serves the Madison County community with a vision of creating community in Christ. Its identity is captured in a simple but intentional declaration: “We’re a different kind of church,” Dr. Butler says. “We envision a family of faith where every generation belongs, no one is a stranger, and our servant-disciples transform our community.” Dr. Butler’s journey into ministry began long before he arrived in Huntsville. A Christian minister for more than 25 years, he was raised in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The Pentecostal tradition shaped his faith, with influences from African Methodism and Anglicanism, and nearly 35 years ago, he professed his faith as a Baptist. Even as a young boy, Dr. Butler wrestled with questions of vocational identity and whether he was called to ministry. At age 16, however, he accepted God’s call. At the time, he had imagined a very different future for himself. “I wanted to be the Prime Minister of The Bahamas by the time I was 40,” he recalls. “However, God upended that plan and called me into the ministry.”

We envision a family of faith where every generation belongs, no one is a stranger, and our servantdisciples transform our community.”

That call would lead him to Nashville, Tennessee, where he enrolled at American Baptist College and earned a degree in biblical and theological studies. He continued his theological education at Vanderbilt University Divinity School as a Kelly Miller Smith Scholar. During his time at Vanderbilt, he also met his future wife and the love of his life, La Keisha Wright Butler, Esq. Together, they love their two children, Dahlia and Don Jr.

Following Vanderbilt, Dr. Butler completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2009, he received the call to his first pastorate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he served as pastor of Tabernacle Community Baptist Church for 10 years. His ministry in Milwaukee extended beyond the church walls. Dr. Butler led social ministries and worked closely with the Mayor’s Office, the Police Department, and local businesses to address gun violence and other community challenges. His commitment to service also extended globally through missions, including leading teams to Haiti and South Africa. He continued his theological education by earning a Doctor of Ministry degree from Duke University. His doctoral work examined the prophetic social ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a thesis titled A Maladjusted King: Theological Resistance and Nonconformity in an American Prophet.

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Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

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In 2019, Dr. Butler arrived in Huntsville and succeeded the legendary Dr. Julius R. Scruggs as pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church. During his tenure, Dr. Butler led the ministry through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding its social media presence to ensure that the Word of God continued to be taught and preached. Dr. Butler’s tenure at First Missionary Baptist Church concluded in 2024. This transition marked the beginning of a new chapter in his pastoral journey, one that would lead to renewed vision, deeper purpose, and a continued commitment to serving God and His people. Pastor B founded The Concord Fellowship, describing the church as “a dream replanted.” The journey began with a prayer gathering of 58 servant disciples who came together seeking God’s direction for a new season of ministry. From that humble beginning, The Concord Fellowship began to take shape as a congregation committed to creating community in Christ and living out its call to serve God and others.

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Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

Sunday Gatherings at The Concord fellowship reflect the spirit of Acts 14, emphasizing the power of a community that gathers around one another with grace, encouragement, and healing — strengthening people to rise again and continue the work God has called them to do. “Our desire is to make room for others, so no one has to fight to belong, and no one has to force themselves to ‘fit in,’” Dr. Butler says. “They belong simply because they are a child of God. They are loved because God loves them.” Since its founding, The Concord Fellowship has worshiped at the Low-Profile Car Club and the Baptist Campus Ministries building before establishing Columbia High School Auditorium as its Sunday gathering place in March 2026. In August 2026, The Concord Fellowship began its HOME generosity campaign – a discipleship journey centered on opening hearts, embracing the mission, and making room for others. In only 17 months, the ministry was able to purchase 17 acres on Alabama Highway 53, laying the foundation for future campus development and expanded ministry in the Harvest community and the northwest corridor of Madison County. Through this journey, and with their new home in mind, the congregation is focusing on creating a community-facing campus where people can encounter God, belong, grow, and serve. The vision Dr. Butler carries for The Concord Fellowship has been shaped not only by his experiences in ministry, but also by the people who have invested in his life along the way. He credits several individuals with having a significant impact on his life, ministry, and pastoral identity. Among them is Dr. Forrest E. Harris, President Emeritus of American Baptist College. Dr Butler deeply admires Dr. Harris’ passion for the prophetic Christian tradition, embodied mystic spirituality, integrity in leadership, and ability to interpret the world with meaning and profound significance through the lens of the God-human relationship. He also acknowledges Dr. Reuben E. Cooper Jr., with whom he made his profession of faith and under whose leadership he was first installed as a minister. Additionally, Dr. Butler credits William Buchanan, his college and seminary pastor in Nashville, with helping him embrace his pastoral identity. These relationships, along with the experiences Dr. Butler has encountered throughout his journey, continue to shape his understanding of ministry and leadership. Reflecting on both the good and difficult seasons of his life, he says, “I was once told that God doesn’t waste any of our experiences. It doesn’t mean that God causes them; it means that not even the worst things that happen to us go without the scrutiny of God and His ability to work in and through them.” Those lessons continue to inform Dr. Butler’s vision for the future. Looking ahead, he is excited about developing The Concord Fellowship’s future campus, with plans that include an intergenerational care center designed to serve children and older adults. Dr. Butler also remains committed to community engagement and service, including his work with the Children’s Defense Fund as Chairman of the Board of Directors. As The Concord Fellowship continues to grow, he looks toward the future with faith, vision, and a deep commitment to creating community in Christ. h

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Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

Family. Banking. Community By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Kimberly M. Lee Kimberly M. Lee of Little Rock, AR, describes herself as a woman of faith who has weathered the storms of life and made waves of her own along the way. She is a wife, mother, and seasoned professional who has devoted many years of her life to serving others. Kimberly grew up in Southwest Little Rock and graduated from McClellan High School. She later attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology with an emphasis in Law Enforcement. She would later get her masters degree from the University of Phoenix in Business Administration and Public Administration. “I wanted to be an attorney; however, I had my children at a young age, and once I got to college, my vision went in a different direction. I started working at a bank while in college, Superior Federal Bank. I always tell people that banking chose me. I left banking for a while to work in positions related to my undergraduate degree. I worked at the Pulaski County Circuit Court in domestic relations, then later with youth at a juvenile treatment center as a Case Manager. Although both positions were rewarding, I decided to return to banking, and have been here for over 20 years now,” she says. Kimberly’s banking career began at Superior Federal Bank, which would later merge with Arvest Bank. Her next opportunity in banking was at Centennial Bank. From there, she worked at Bank of Little Rock, where she worked for six years and reached the rank of Branch Manager. Kimberly worked as a Small Business Loan Officer at Hope Credit Union for the last two of her seven years before landing her current role as a Business Development Officer at Southern Bancorp Community Partners, soon to be Uplift Capital Partners. Kimberly shares that her journey in the banking industry began at the very bottom. She adds, “When I started in banking, I was an operations clerk. I would arrive at work later than my colleagues, and I would leave later than them, because I was responsible for doing the encoding for the checks. Next, I worked as a teller for Arvest Bank and soon returned to work in operations there. Next, I went to Centennial Bank and worked as a teller before being promoted to work in operations there. I later followed a co-worker to Bank of Little Rock and worked in the operations department. I had a brief departure from Bank of Little Rock, but eventually returned and worked as a teller. I soon moved up to Assistant Branch Manager, and was later promoted to Branch Manager. I stayed in that position until leaving to work at Hope Credit Union, and later Southern Bancorp Community Partners, ” she says. Kimberly shares that her journey in banking has come with a bit of challenges. She recalls watching other people come into and advance in the financial industry with less experience than her. She remained patient and professional, trusting that the process would work in her favor. “I had always worked in different sectors: retail, operations, and management, but I never wanted to do lending. When HOPE eliminated my role, that pushed me to do something different. That is when the door for lending opened. In the beginning, it was a test, but I persevered. I learned that the test I endured was necessary, as it prepared me for the capacity I work in now,” she says.

Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

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When asked what she loves most about what she does, Kimberly says it is the opportunity to see others win, especially those of the minority communities. “Small business owners are the heart of the community. I’ve been around entrepreneurs, family, friends, and my husband, and I have witnessed firsthand the challenges they face. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the lives of many small business owners changed. Just being on the phone and hearing these business owners cry, and not knowing how they would be able to pay their employees or cover the costs of running their businesses, affected me. I was able to share in their moments of gratitude when they were approved for PPP loans, and those moments are what I love about my job. When I can help business owners be successful while they continue to support their families and thrive in their community, that really makes me happy,” Kimberly says.

When I can help business owners be successful while they continue to support their families and thrive in their community, that really makes me happy.”

While Kimberly has enjoyed various phases of success in her banking career, it hasn’t come without some challenges and adversity. She states that historically, banking has been a male-dominated industry, specifically in leadership roles. When she landed her current role at Southern Bancorp Community Partners, Kimberly came under the leadership of Kenya Gordon, a Black woman who serves as President of Community Development Financial Institution. “To see Black women grow in the banking industry has been a challenge in itself. I have also faced challenges presented by women who look like me who didn’t want me to succeed,” she says. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come without sound support and consistency from others. Kimberly attributes some of her success to LaTina Roberson whom she says set a great example of what being, “a different banker” looked like in the industry. “She inspired me by how she led, and how she served others in the community as a banker. Before there were outreach roles, women worked as tellers, managers, or customer service reps. When I got my role at HOPE, I called her and thanked her for how she motivated me,” Kimberly says. Over the years of being in this industry, you connect with other bankers that look like you, and you want to build stronger relationships. Kimberly saw the need for support for black bankers, women and men, and with others, they created Black Bankers of Central Arkansas. The group was formed to support, collaborate, and network with professionals in the same industry. Kimberly leans on the support of four specific members, Cassandra Kidd, Andrea Lewis, Shamim Okolloh, and LaTasha Randall, all of whom are well developed in their roles at the financial institutions that employ them. While her career has come with challenges, Kimberly shares there isn’t much she would change about the way things have happened. She adds, “I truly believe the opportunity I have at Southern Bancorp Community Partners is where I am supposed to be. Every relationship that I have built, every role I have filled, they all have led me to where I am now. It feels like home, and I believe this is where I can truly be impactful,” she says. What is next for Kimberly? She shares that she is excited about her new role with Southern Bancorp Community Partners. She is also looking to grow further in her career, which will allow her to be more impactful and of service to others. h

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Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

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Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

FLASHMOB GVL

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Dionne Washington

It’s not only about fashion; Flashmob Greenville, also known as FlashMobGVL, is a league of dapper and extraordinary gentlemen that champions Purpose, Empowerment, Self-Improvement, and Leadership. Its mission is to inspire black men and provide them with a safe space to thrive, all while exemplifying Black Excellence. Led by Detroit, MI, native Dionne Washington, the community-based organization is dedicated to elevating the culture of the Greenville Upstate by connecting its dream team of local talent, leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community advocates. Flashmob GVL also hosts rallies and networking events, and curates transformative experiences that build sustainable pathways to generational success. “Every event, every initiative, every photoshoot builds sustainable pathways to generational success, all while creating a legacy that transcends individual achievement and enriches the community,” Dionne says. “The FlashMob Rally Events are largescale suited gatherings designed to make a visual statement about Black excellence.” Dionne Washington is the eldest child of Deidra Washington. He was raised alongside three siblings in Detroit and attended Wayne State University, where he majored in Business Administration with a minor in Fashion Design. Dionne relocated to Greenville in 2010 with the intent to pivot into a new career field. He would soon become employed as a Direct Care Staff member with Excalibur Group Homes. In his role, Dionne is responsible for mentoring at-risk teens, a move he says planted the seeds for everything that FlashMobGVL would become.

Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

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I love witnessing the elevated, polished presentation of men when they get dressed for a FlashMob event. I also love the aura, the confidence, the aspiration, the energy they project, and the moxie they exhibit.”

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Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

In the fall of 2022, Dionne planned the first FlashMob rally. He shares that he was inspired by the iconic black-and-white photographs of Black Wall Street. “These are the same photos that depict black men and women of class in tailored suits and dresses, posing proudly in Tulsa and Harlem beside a Model T Ford. Those images captured something powerful: a standard of black excellence. I wanted to recreate that energy in the present day and bring back the nostalgia and iconic fashion with a photoshoot displaying distinguished men and women, changing the narrative about people of color and inspiring Black opulence. Most importantly, our photoshoots capture unity and community service.” When asked what he loves most about FlashMob Greenville, Dionne says it’s the transformation and the impact. He adds, “I love witnessing the elevated, polished presentation of men when they get dressed for a FlashMob event. I also love the aura, the confidence, the aspiration, the energy they project, and the moxie they exhibit. It’s a language they’re speaking to every room and every atmosphere without uttering a single word. Seeing someone step into a refined and powerful version of themselves they didn’t know existed, and watching that experience change the way they carry themselves long after the event is over, makes what I do worth it, and that’s the part I love most.” Getting others to see and commit to the vision of Flashmob is something that Dionne admits is an ongoing challenge. “One of our greatest challenges with Flashmob GVL has been getting people to fully understand that the vision extends far beyond dressing well, taking great photos, or attending events. We are building a movement centered on purpose, personal growth, leadership, community impact, and legacy. That kind of vision requires more than participation—it requires commitment. Not everyone will immediately see what we are building, and not everyone is prepared to invest the consistency it takes to build something meaningful. But we remain committed to cultivating a core of men who believe in the mission, understand the responsibility, and are willing to help turn the vision into lasting impact.I can also make this more personal and vulnerable, so it sounds like a direct quote from you in the Huami Magazine article.Even when the support hasn’t matched the size of the vision, I’ve chosen to keep building.

Greenville/Spartanburg - Sept./Oct. Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026 2026

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The key initiatives for FlashMob Greenville include Coats for Kids: A Winter Coat Giveaway, a Halloween Coat Drive and Fundraiser that is scheduled for October 31, 2026. There is a Black Wall Street Edition that will focus on an economic empowerment showcase that is scheduled for November 2026. Some additional initiatives are Dapper Dialogues, which are networking events where style meets purpose, and a Grown Man Expo, which is a vendor showcase and professional development event. Dionne shares that he finds inspiration in his mentors. These include Wendell Jones and Rueben Hays. He is also inspired by his cousin Renee Ferguson, who recently passed away. “Renee has inspired me since childhood. She was a model featured in Jet Magazine and appeared on the Ebony Fashion Tour in 1988. She was a fitness instructor with a nationally televised show on the cable network and was an example of greatness in my family, and a role model who set the bar high for all of us. Renee showed me what it looked like to carry yourself with purpose, presence, and excellence, and that standard has shaped everything I’ve built with FlashMobGVL,” he says. The iconic Blackmenswear FlashMob has also been a huge inspiration for Dionne’s organization, he says. Looking ahead, Dionne says that he plans for FlashMobGVL to continue to be very active in the Upstate community. This includes helping men discover their purpose, build their confidence, and create their own sense of dapper. “We are a movement rooted in five core values: Purpose, Polish, Brotherhood, Service, and Excellence. We show up suited. We show up purposefully. We show up for each other and for our community,” he says. h

IG: flashmob_gvl

IG: dionne_flashmob

FB: Dionne Washington www.flashmobgvl.com 22

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P amela Harvin Feel So Good Body Butter

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Pamela Harvin Pamela Harvin of Greensboro, NC, is a woman of faith. She was raised in a Christian family where faith, character, integrity, and love for others were deeply instilled in her. She professes that her relationship with God is her foundation, and the Christian values she was raised with have shaped the woman she is today. They are also evident in how she loves her family, how she treats people, how she conducts herself in business, and how Pamela approaches opportunities and challenges in life. Pamela is also the owner of Feel So Good Body Butter LLC, a luxury skincare and self-care brand created to help people nourish their skin while also taking a moment to pour back into themselves. “Our philosophy is simple: self-care shouldn’t feel like another task on your list. It should feel like an experience. I often describe Feel So Good Body Butter as a “spa in a jar” and “a glow you can feel. Ultimately, our mission goes beyond skincare. We don’t just hydrate skin—we help people feel good in their own skin,” she says. Pamela officially launched Feel So Good Body Butter in 2024, though she says the seeds were planted many years before she realized it. “I like to say that my grandmother planted the seed. Growing up, I witnessed the value of natural remedies through my grandmother. I specifically remember her teaching me about the healing and soothing properties of aloe vera for the skin. Then, I had no idea how significant those lessons would eventually become,” she says. Feel So Good Body Butter offers handcrafted body butters, body oils, body scrubs, and hair oil. Pamela’s products are created to provide rich, long-lasting moisture while helping the skin look healthy, radiant, and beautifully nourished. She offers a variety of fragrances, which gives her customers an opportunity to select something that reflects their individual personality and preferences. Pamela states that she wants her customers’ experience to be more than simply applying moisturizer. “When someone opens a jar of Feel So Good Body Butter or applies one of our oils, I want that moment to feel luxurious. I want our products to serve as a reminder that taking time to care for yourself matters.”

Pamela has spent 37 years as a practicing cosmetologist. She shares that while working in the beauty industry for that length of time taught her that beauty isn’t only about how someone looks. “When people take time to care for themselves, it can affect how they feel, how they carry themselves, and even their confidence.” Before Feel So Good Body Butter ever became a business, Pamela was making her products and giving them to family members as holiday gifts. She says that she wanted to give them something personal and created with love. Her family’s response was overwhelming, and they loved the products so much that they began encouraging her to take them to the marketplace so other people could experience and benefit from them as well. “That was a defining moment for me. I realized I hadn’t simply created something my family enjoyed—I had created a product that people genuinely needed and loved. Their encouragement helped me see the potential in what I had created and gave me the confidence to turn it into a business,” she says.

Pamela Harvin

Feel So Good Body Butter

910)-601-5023 www.feelsogoodbodybutter.com

In addition to everything else, nothing has more bearing on Pamela than her family. “I come from a large family with four brothers and two sisters, and family means everything to me. They keep me grounded and play a major part in why creating a legacy is so important to me,” she says. Pamela is a wife and has shared 31 wonderful years of her life with her husband, Easley. She is a mother of three children: Kendall, Courtney, and Kamya, and a grandmother to two beautiful grandsons and two amazing daughter-in-loves. The success Pamela has enjoyed as an entrepreneur hasn’t come by happenstance. Her determination and willingness to do what was needed, when it was needed, have helped to make her dreams a reality. She adds, “Education has played an important role in my journey. While I was still in high school, I attended beauty school at night. Through hard work and determination, I was able to graduate from beauty school and attend Fayetteville State University in the same year.” Pamela would eventually earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from FSU and spend the next 37 years as a practicing cosmetologist. “Looking back, I can see how every part of my journey—my faith, family, beauty education, business education, and decades of serving clients— was preparing me for entrepreneurship.” Pamela shares that what she loves most about her skincare line of products is knowing that something she created can become part of someone’s selfcare routine and make them feel good. She adds, “There is a special feeling when a customer tells me how much they love the way their skin feels, how wonderful a product smells, or how using it makes them feel pampered. Those moments remind me that I’m not simply selling body butter—I’m creating an experience.”

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Pamela shares that working as a stylist for more than three decades couldn’t have happened without the love and grace that God provides. She says, “There have been moments during this journey when I didn’t have all the answers or couldn’t see exactly how everything was going to work out. Yet, my faith reminded me to continue moving forward. I believe God gives each of us gifts, talents, ideas, and opportunities, and we have a responsibility to use them well. More importantly, I genuinely love people; whether I am styling hair or selling skincare products, I enjoy each opportunity to connect with others. Also, working directly with people has taught me about service, relationships, beauty, confidence, listening, and the importance of making people feel valued,” she says. With operating Feel So Good Body Butter LLC, Pamela shares she has faced a few challenges. One she says has been finding reliable distributors and resources that can consistently provide the quality and service she desires. She has also been challenged with learning to trust herself. She says, “It’s very easy as a new business owner to assume someone else knows more than you or that you need another person to accomplish certain things for you. Along the way, I began discovering that there were many things I was fully capable of doing myself. That realization has been one of the most important parts of my growth as an entrepreneur. I have answered this by trusting in myself more. Instead of automatically assuming that I needed someone else to solve a problem, I started asking myself, “Can I learn how to do this?” Many times, the answer was yes. I also leaned on my faith. Sometimes you have to move forward before you can see the entire path. I’ve learned that I don’t have to know everything before taking the next step.”

Pamela says that entrepreneurship has made her more resourceful, more confident, and more willing to trust her God-given abilities, and because of this, there isn’t much she would change about her journey in business. “Even the difficult parts have taught me lessons that I needed to learn. However, if I could speak to the Pamela who was just starting Feel So Good Body Butter, I would tell her one thing: trust yourself sooner. I would tell her that everything doesn’t have to be perfect before she moves forward.” Looking ahead, Pamela says her vision for Feel So Good Body Butter is much bigger than where the company is today. She wants to grow it into a six-figure brand and beyond. “I envision our products being carried in boutiques and retail locations, strengthening our online presence, reaching customers across the country, and eventually creating a physical location where customers can experience the complete Feel So Good atmosphere—a beautiful space centered around skincare, luxury, and self-care.” She also plans to create opportunities for others, including a lasting legacy for her family. In closing, she says, “Feel So Good Body Butter isn’t simply the next chapter of my career. It’s the culmination of everything that came before it. As proud as I am of how far I’ve come, I truly believe the story is just getting started.” Pamela has also launched a new product, Feel So Good Pain Relief Oil. She says, “It “soothes aches and discomfort”. Soothe tired, achy areas created for everyday self care routines especially when muscles and joints need a little extra attention. Massage. Soothe. Relax. Feel So Good!” h Huntsville - Sept./Oct. 2026

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Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Brailen Harrington Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar, located in Indianapolis, IN, is a fun, interactive, DIY art studio that allows its guests to paint and customize their own shoes. Specializing in private parties and corporate event activations, Kicasso has collaborated with premier brands and organizations including Google, Amazon, Eli Lilly & Co., the Indianapolis Colts, and the Indiana Pacers. Kicasso offers both self-guided and instructor-led custom sneaker painting classes, virtual sneaker art sessions, DIY sneaker art kits, and premium branded merchandise. Carl Bradley, an Indianapolis native, is the founder of Kicasso. He is a man of God, a husband, and a father of two. Paul graduated from North Central High School, and later attended Hampton University. He also earned an Audio Engineering degree from Vincennes University. Carl shares that his business journey started with recording music, which led to film and video editing. “Shooting high school basketball highlight videos led me to the sneaker industry,” he says. Even as a kid, Paul says he was intrigued by the idea of business ownership. His mother was a hairstylist and salon owner, and he was blessed to witness her incredible work ethic, drive, and determination from a young age. “I also witnessed the highs and the lows of owning a business. I will never forget the time she fell behind on taxes, and officials threatened to seize everything. I was there to watch my mother navigate through this difficult moment. She did not fold, but prayed, made a plan, and executed it. That experience taught me an invaluable lesson: it is not just about the shot you take, but how you rebound when the shot doesn’t go in.”

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Before launching Kicasso, Carl co-founded a sneaker shop that offered a midsole repaint service. Initially, he outsourced the work to a trusted specialist in Cleveland, OH. However, as his business picked up, his turnaround time slowed down. That is when he decided to try his hand at painting. “On random nights, we would close the shop early, cover the pool table in the middle of the showroom floor, and use it as a workbench. I’d pull up stools and just start painting. Friends and longtime customers started staying behind to hang out, catch up, and watch me work. Before long, these late-night sessions evolved into a full-blown party every other weekend, and grew in popularity,” he says. It was during those sessions that Carl says a lightbulb went off and he realized what was actually happening. “It wasn’t about the painting; it was about the fellowship, the camaraderie, the laughter, and the amazing energy. I realized that if I could replicate this experience using inexpensive canvas shoes, people would worry less about their skill level. They could just focus on having fun at an affordable price. The name came to me instantly: Picasso, a world-renowned artist. I combined it with my passion for sneakers and swapped the “P” for a “K,” and Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar was born.” Carl acknowledges that he has been incredibly blessed with an opportunity to wake up and do what he is passionate about every single day. Still, at the end of the day, what he loves most is the people and clients. “I love seeing people of all ages and walks of life come together to tap into their creativity. Watching the pure joy, pride, and satisfaction that painting a pair of shoes brings to our guests is the most rewarding part of this journey,” he says. Like many Black small business owners, Carl has faced a number of hurdles along the way. One of the most significant challenges was the COVID-19 pandemic. “We opened our doors in March of 2018, and everything was going incredibly well. Then, two years later, the outbreak hit and the world began to shut down. Suddenly, the phone stopped ringing, and people stopped booking classes. With the government’s pandemic restrictions in place, I truly didn’t know where we were headed or what my next move should be. After many sleepless nights and countless virtual think-tank sessions with my team, we developed our DIY sneaker art kits. This idea provided a fantastic activity for individuals and groups that could be done virtually, allowing people to safely social distance while enjoying some much-needed fun. This pivot turned out to be a massive success. Not only did the kits allow us to keep our doors open throughout the pandemic, but they also enabled us to fully retain our staff.

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Carl says his greatest inspiration is his mother. He shares that through the health issues and raising kids while working late nights, she never gave up, and she never allowed him and his family to give up either. “I watched my mother build a business, almost lose everything, and then resiliently build her brand and herself back up. She is a woman of God and a strong believer in prayer—and without that foundation, I don’t know where I would be today,” he says. Carl says that he is incredibly excited about what the future holds for him. His immediate focus is to continue strengthening Kicasso’s deep local roots by expanding its partnerships with iconic Indianapolis organizations like Visit Indy, Eli Lilly & Co., the Indiana Pacers, and the Indianapolis Colts, to name a few. “We will be expanding our product line, introducing a wider variety of accessories. We are also looking into new creative services, such as customizable T-shirt designs and other paintable mediums beyond footwear. Beyond their product offerings, Kicasso is officially gearing up for a major expansion in 2027. “Stay tuned for more details,” Carl says. h

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Kendric & Gia SOAR To The Top

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Gia Crawford

Gia and Kendric L. Crawford of Charlotte, NC, are on a mission to help business owners of all types obtain the funding they need to sustain and grow. They are the owners and founders of SOAR To The Top and Crawford Capital Investments. SOAR is a faith based, business funding and capital strategy company designed to help entrepreneurs understand, prepare for, and access the capital needed to grow. They do much more than simply connect clients to lenders; they help business owners understand where they currently stand financially, help identify the type of funding that makes sense for their goals, strengthen their funding profile, and develop a capital strategy that supports sustainable growth. The services offered by SOAR include business funding consultations, capital-readiness assessments, business credit and funding strategy, lines of credit, term loans, SBA financing, unsecured business and personal funding strategies, real estate investment funding, and specialized capital solutions for established businesses and government contractors. Ultimately, SOAR helps business owners answer three critical questions: How much capital do I need? What type of capital is appropriate? And how do I position myself to actually qualify for it? Gia says, “Our services are designed for entrepreneurs, small-business owners, real estate investors, established companies, and government contractors who need capital to execute their next move. That could mean opening another location, purchasing equipment, hiring employees, covering payroll, acquiring property, completing a renovation, purchasing inventory, mobilizing for a government contract, or simply creating enough working capital to operate from a position of strength instead of constantly reacting to cash-flow pressure. Kendric and I are particularly passionate about helping business owners who have a strong vision but have never been taught how financing actually works.” Echoing what Gia shared, Kendric states that many entrepreneurs know how to provide their service or create their product, but they are unaware of how banks evaluate businesses, how credit affects access to capital, or how to strategically position their company before asking for money. “That is the gap SOAR was created to help close,” he says. A power couple on various levels, Gia and Kendric are a pure example of what love, commitment, and business look like when combined. They met in college at Francis Marion University. Now celebrating 16 years of marriage, they have two sons, Kylar and Karston. Gia is a native of Charleston, SC. She is a Business Consultant and Funding Strategist with a professional background in program analysis and has experience in real estate investing and strategic funding solutions. Gia also specializes in helping entrepreneurs and investors access the capital needed to grow and/or scale their business. Her additional focus involves credit strategy and capital structuring, along with teaching her clients how to leverage funding (Leveraging OPM Other People’s Money) as a tool to preserve liquidity, build sustainable wealth, and accelerate growth. Even more, Gia and Kendric have built a successful real estate portfolio in only three years and have helped fund small businesses with well over

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half a million dollars in capital and counting. Kendric is a native of Marion, SC. “At the center of everything I do is one word: LEGACY. I’m not simply building for today. I’m building what comes next,” he says. “Engineering Better Business is the goal”. In addition to being a father and husband, he is a Business Transformation Architect, technology and capital strategist, serial entrepreneur, and community leader. With more than a decade of experience in federal technology modernization, AI, Agile delivery, business transformation, and capital strategy, Kendric has built a career around identifying what prevents businesses and organizations from moving forward and engineering what they need to move. Through CODES Consulting, he helps organizations improve operations, modernize systems, and strengthen execution. Through SOAR To The Top, he helps entrepreneurs prepare for and access capital for growth.

Our vision is simple: to take money off the table as an obstacle in entrepreneurship and help more people use capital strategically to build something bigger than where they started.”

“Our vision is simple: to take money off the table as an obstacle in entrepreneurship and help more people use capital strategically to build something bigger than where they started.” SOAR was founded in March 2025, but its roots began years earlier through Gia and Kendric’s real estate company, Crawford Capital Investments. “We became real estate investors during COVID, starting with successful fix-and-flips before eventually expanding into mid-term rentals,” they said. “As we grew our real estate portfolio, we discovered something that would ultimately shape the foundation of SOAR: you don’t always need a lot of cash to create opportunities; you need access to the right resources and the ability to leverage what you already have. We learned firsthand how to use credit and OPM to acquire and grow assets, and that experience opened our eyes to the power of strategic access to capital. SOAR was born from that experience and the desire to help others understand and leverage capital as a tool for growth,” they shared. The vision for SOAR came from the Crawfords’ own journey as real estate investors. While successful, they didn’t have large amounts of liquid cash sitting in reserves like many other entrepreneurs. What they did have was good credit, a willingness to learn, and the ability to leverage OPM to create opportunities. That experience showed them that access to capital could be a powerful catalyst for building wealth and creating businesses. “Initially, our goal was to help others use those same strategies to invest in real estate. However, we quickly realized that not everyone wanted to be a real estate investor. Some people wanted to start a business, and others already had a business but were stuck because they lacked the capital, strategy, or resources to move forward. That’s when our vision became much bigger than real estate. We realized SOAR could become a financial resource for entrepreneurs and investors and help them understand their options, become more fundable, access capital, and ultimately turn their ideas and businesses

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into opportunities for growth,” they said. Seeing what happens after their clients receive funding is something that Gia and Kendric share they love. “An approval is exciting, but the real reward is seeing someone open the second location, purchase the property, hire employees, acquire equipment, complete the project, or finally execute something they had been postponing because capital was the missing piece. There is something powerful about watching a business owner move from “I don’t know how I’m going to do this” to “We have the resources. Let’s execute.” That transformation is what we enjoy most. Funding can change the trajectory of a business, but when it’s used strategically, it can also change the trajectory of a family. That is much bigger than a transaction to us.” Kendric shares that their greatest inspiration is family, particularly their two sons, and heritage. “Much of what we’re building today is being built with the understanding that we are responsible for helping prepare the next generation of our family. We want our sons to inherit more than assets. We want them to inherit knowledge, discipline, opportunity, relationships, financial intelligence, and an understanding of ownership.” Kendric says that he also draws inspiration from entrepreneurs who continue to push through the strife of the profession despite uncertainty, inconsistency, and constant change. “Business ownership can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires courage. Entrepreneurs are constantly making decisions without perfect information. This is in addition to solving problems, taking risks, and finding ways to keep moving.” As business owners, Gia and Kendric have faced various challenges, yet they confess they have overcome them by becoming more intentional about the time they invest into their business to ensure success is maintained at a premium. One of their biggest challenges has been learning that being excellent at delivering a service does not automatically mean you have built a scalable business because “Done is Better Than Perfect”. Earlier in entrepreneurship, Gia and Kendric shared that they believed saying yes to more people meant creating more opportunity. They now understand that growth also requires knowing who you can genuinely help, what your expertise is worth, and when to say no. Most importantly, they constantly evaluate what works and what doesn’t. “We don’t become emotionally attached to a process simply because it is how we’ve always done things. If something is preventing the business from scaling, we analyze it, redesign it, and move forward. Every challenge has forced us to improve a system. We have strengthened our client qualification process, our agreements, our pricing structure, our funding-readiness process, and the way we communicate expectations before an engagement begins. We have also learned to protect our time and intellectual property.”

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We want our sons to inherit more than assets. We want them to inherit knowledge, discipline, opportunity, relationships, financial intelligence, and an understanding of ownership,”

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While they have faced a few storms along the way, the power couple admits there isn’t much they would change about how things have happened. “Every experience, including the wins, the setbacks, the unexpected opportunities, and even the lessons we had to learn the hard way, has contributed to who we are and how we serve our clients today. Each chapter has given us a different perspective and has helped shape SOAR into the company it is becoming. We’ve experienced what it means to bootstrap a business. We’ve experienced what it feels like to have access to capital and the opportunities that capital can create. We’ve experienced the highs, the lows, the pivots, and everything in between. That lived experience is one of our greatest advantages. We’ve been on both sides of the funding journey ourselves. We understand the frustration of trying to grow a business without enough resources, the excitement that comes with finally accessing capital, and the responsibility that comes with knowing how to use that capital strategically. We educate, we strategize, and we help our clients understand what they need today while preparing them for what’s next. Most importantly, we’ve learned that funding is not transactional; it’s relational. We don’t want to simply help someone get funded once; we want to become a trusted resource throughout their funding journey and help them build the foundation for long-term growth.” For other aspiring business owners who may follow a path similar to theirs, the Crawford’s offers the following advice: Start before you’re ready. Solve a real problem, and learn as you go. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need the courage to begin and the commitment to keep growing. Build relationships, stay rooted in your purpose, and don’t measure success only by what you make, but by who you help and the opportunities you create. Your business can change, but your purpose shouldn’t. Looking ahead, Gia and Kendric are excited about the growth that is taking place with their companies. “We’re building something bigger than funding. We’re launching The SOAR Club, our new Skool community for entrepreneurs who may not be fundable today, but are determined to become fundable tomorrow. We’ve learned that getting funded isn’t the finish line; It’s a strategy. Inside The SOAR Club, we’ll help entrepreneurs build the credit, credibility, knowledge, and financial foundation they need to stop guessing about capital and start positioning themselves for it.” They are also building an ecosystem designed to help entrepreneurs become more fundable, more strategic, and more confident about building wealth. “Our mission has always been simple: Take money off the table as an obstacle to entrepreneurship. The next chapter of SOAR is going to show people exactly what’s possible when you have the right strategy, resources, and community behind you. If you think SOAR is just a funding company… stay tuned. You haven’t seen anything yet. See you at the top!” h

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Siya Stevens

The daughter of Sydney Hildreth & David Stevens

The daughter of Sydney Hildreth and David Stevens

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