Huami Magazine Kansas City - Jan./Feb. 2026

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God Wants A Yes!

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

A Letter From The Editor - Terry L. Watson

Stop running. When these two words were spoken to me, it was as if the life I knew and was familiar with had vanished. Stop running. An awakening had happened in my spirit. The search for the answers to all my troubles and pains had come to a sudden halt. Stop running. Everything that I thought mattered most began to fade away, and almost instantaneously, the realization and onset of what truly mattered began to reveal itself. God, and because He loves His children so much, had sent His Holy Spirit to ask me again to follow Him, totally. God wanted my “yes”.

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?

The “yes” that God was seeking involved me trusting in Him. For a great portion of my life, I did what I wanted to do, moved how I wanted to move, and made a lot of messes in the process. Yet, it was only because of the grace and mercies of God that I’ve survived. Many decisions I made were not presented to God beforehand, and the outcomes were very similar, saturated with failures and disappointments. Still, God has provided grace, and I know it’s only because He loves me.

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.

As a young boy, I called on the name of God, and asked for His help. I now know that He heard me. God’s hand has always been over my life, yet the time had arrived for me to stop running away from what His interest has always been in me; to submit totally and give Him my “yes”.

Giving God my “yes” opened a window of clarity. To my spirit, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper alignment, submission, forgiveness, peace, purpose, discipline, eternity, accountability, obedience, trust, faithfulness, power, courage, love, integrity, completeness, favor, mercy, and grace.

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.

In the Bible, the word of God says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV). I find it quite amazing that God continues to care for me as much as to send the Holy Spirit after me. I gave God my “yes”, and in doing so, there wasn’t a huge fireworks display or opening of the sky. It only involved me totally submitting and surrendering to God, and the calling He has on my life. Giving God my “yes” opened my eyes to what I had been running from; His total and unconditional love. God wants a “yes”.

General Inquiries

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

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City 2026 Black History Month Luncheon

Join the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City for the Black History Luncheon, a celebration honoring the rich legacy, achievements, and cultural contributions of African Americans. This inspiring event features keynote speakers, special guests, and reflections that pay tribute to the past while looking toward a future of unity, justice, and progress. Don’t miss this opportunity to gather, uplift, and commemorate Black excellence in our community.

Presenting Sponsor: $25,000

– Seating for eight

– Premier logo placement throughout the event on materials and screens.

– Prominent recognition during the luncheon program.

– A commemorative gift from the Black Archives of Mid-America

– 20% Discount in gift shop

– Recognition on the organization’s website and social media platforms

– Acknowledgment in the event program

– Recognition in Heritage Hall

–Lunch for 4 with Black Archives CEO and Board

Award Sponsors: $15,000

– Seating for eight

– Premier logo placement throughout the event on materials and screens.

– Prominent recognition during the luncheon program.

– A commemorative gift from the Black Archives of Mid-America

– 20% Discount in gift shop

– Recognition on the organization’s website and social media platforms.

– Acknowledgment in the event program.

Gold Sponsors: $10,000

– Seating for eight

– Prominent logo placement on event materials and screens.

– Special recognition during the luncheon program.

– A commemorative gift from the Black Archives of Mid-America

– 10% Discount in gift shop

– Recognition on the organization’s website and social media platforms.

– Acknowledgment in the event program.

Silver Sponsor: $5,000

– Seating for eight

– A commemorative item or exclusive gift from the organization.

– 5% Discount in gift shop

– Recognition on the organization’s website and social media platforms.

– Acknowledgment in the event program.

Bronze Sponsors: $1,500

Seating for eight

– 5% Discount in gift shop

– Recognition on the organization’s website and social media platforms.

– Acknowledgment in the event program.

VIP $300

– Seating for one

– Access to VIP Reception

Individual ticket $125

Alison C. Rollins

St. Louis Native Wins 2025 Maya Angelou Book Award for Poetry

Poet Alison Rollins’ collection Black Bell is the winner of the fifth annual Maya Angelou Book Award, announced at the Writers for Readers fundraiser dinner on November 20.

The prize is named for acclaimed Missouri-born memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou and celebrates contemporary writers whose work demonstrates a commitment to social justice. Rollins, an assistant professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is also the author of Library of Small Catastrophes.

She says that winning the prize “feels incredibly affirming and rewarding. This project is so steeped in freedom-seeking and explorations of the archive and archival work. And so, it feels absolutely amazing for it to be recognized in this way and to be in conversation with the other previous winners.”

The collection’s title refers to the 18th and 19th century practice of enslavers rigging bells to the enslaved to prevent escape and is rich with graphics like diagrams, lithographs, ancient advertisements, and shape poems. It ruminates on themes of history, resistance, and liberation with ambitious, inventive imagery and sound.

A bell-shaped poem called “A Bell Is a Messenger of Time” opens the book and begins: The neck’s/heavy load/is lightheaded./The single sound,/everywhere at once./Black bell, black bell,/have you any cool?

Each year, the prize alternates between poetry and fiction; Taylor Byas, the 2023 poetry recipient, acted as this year’s guest judge. Tasked with choosing a winner from the five finalists who emerged from over 200 submissions, she says she had her work cut out for her.

“I ultimately selected Black Bell due to its exceptional blend of formal craft, lyricism, music, and humor. Rollins confronts a dark history but does so with a ferocity that kept me glued to the pages,” Byas says. “I gasped, I cried, I laughed, I read the poems aloud and danced along with their music.”

The award is administered by Kaite Stover, the Library’s director of readers’ services, with help from a UMKC graduate student acting as the Maya Angelou Book Fellow. For the 2025 award, that was Alex Tretbar.

Stover says that waiting for the guest judge’s selection every year is a thrill. “This year’s winner will stir the heart: Rollins is a librarian-poet. A reader can see the respect for words and ideas and truth in the shape of her poems and her insistence on preserving history with every line,” Stover says.

The prize includes a $10,000 stipend, and Rollins will conduct a book tour with stops at the Library and the six Missouri universities that participate in the award: UMKC, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, and Northwest Missouri State, Truman State, and Southeast Missouri State universities.

“I never got to meet Maya Angelou in person,” Rollins says, “but I was always looking for connective tissue or ways to kind of be in community with her lineage and her journey through her writing experiences.

“It is such an honor to be in dialogue in this way, especially work being celebrated in relationship to social justice,” she continues. “I am a strong supporter and advocate for public library workers, so to be aligned with the Kansas City Public Library is absolutely fantastic.” h

ShantelleTomlin Tomlin Prep Academy

By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Shantelle Tomlin

Shantelle Tomlin of Kansas City, MO, has a genuine love for people and especially, little people. The mother of two, and the oldest of eight siblings, Shantelle played a huge hand in raising her siblings, as her mother was incarcerated, and her dad was a single parent.

Originally from Wichita, KS, Shantelle moved to Kansas City in 1999 to attend the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has worked with children since the young age of 14, beginning by volunteering at The Children’s Place, an orphanage in Wichita. “Working at The Children’s Place sparked my interest in the field of education,” she says. The experience she obtained there also enhanced her interest in kids, and her next move was to pursue a career in Secondary Education. At UMKC, Shantelle acquired a B.A. in Secondary Education, along with a B.A. in English.

Initially, Shantelle worked as a teacher at Wyandotte High School, earning two additional degrees while teaching. Shantelle decided to open a daycare in her home while still teaching. “Owning my daycare really took off, and grew very rapidly,” Shantelle says. “I eventually acquired the building that we currently occupy nearly 13 years ago, and the rest is history.”

Today, Shantelle is the owner of Tomlins Prep Academy. Located in Kansas City, Tomlins Academy opened its doors in 2012. Shantelle describes her school, where education and experience meet one another. “I try to provide my kids with the education they need to be successful. Most importantly, I give them an experience. Many of the programs that we offer, other programs would charge for them. These are dance, soccer, and more. I want to ensure that our kids get the best opportunities available.”

Tomlin Prep Academy bears the names of her father and grandfather, and naming the school in their honor would add to her family’s legacy. Shantelle shares that the vision of becoming the owner of Tomlin Prep Academy derived from a need. “I was barely making it as a teacher. I wanted more; more for me and more for my children. Owning my daycare provided me with an opportunity to be home with my kids and generate money while doing so,” she says.

“I

star or something, but I am just Miss Tomlin.”

The absence of her mother, Shantelle says, really impacted her life. “Her absence gave me a void that I wanted to fill for other people. Many of my former high school students still call me ‘Mama Tomlin’ or ‘Miss T’. Not having a mother figure in my life made me want to give that experience to others.

When asked what she loves most about what she does, Shantelle shares it’s the kids. “I love it when I come to work, and to see the love that my students have for me. That means a whole lot. You would think that I am a Hollywood star or something, but I am just Miss Tomlin. They make me feel like the most important person in the world,” she says.

Managing the day-to-day operations of Tomlin Prep Academy definitely comes with its own share of unique challenges. Maintaining her staff has been one challenge, yet she has found ways to make it work. When she made the move from her home to the academy, Shantelle started with six girls. Presently, Shantelle has a team of 15, and credits each of them with playing a significant role in making Tomlin Academy successful. With each challenge also comes a lesson, and Shantelle continues to persevere and has positioned herself to be a resource for others who may find themselves in a similar place. “Anyone looking to get into the childcare profession should develop tough skin, and while there will be tough days, tomorrow will be better.”

Looking ahead, Shantelle is working to make herself available to do some of the things that pull at her heart. This involves prepping her son, Israel, to take control of the leadership role. “I am going to send him to work for some other facilities to get other perspectives on what is required. I want him to be prepared to lead, and I know that he is capable. I am looking forward to him standing in the gap and carrying Tomlin Prep Academy into the future,” she says.

For more information about Tomlin Prep Academy, please visit their website.

Sarah Watson Healing Medical & Therapeutic Massage

“The Touch That Heals”

Information and Photos Provided by

Sarah Watson

Healing Medical & Therapeutic Massage is excited to announce that we have moved into our new home located at 7795 Quivira Road, in Lenexa, KS. Come and enjoy our tranquility atmosphere while we heal those unwanted muscle aches and pain. Leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

We have also enhanced some of our massage treatments. You now have the option to add hot stones to your massage, upgrade your foot massage with hot towels or include a sinus relief massage with your bodywork session.

Don’t forget to grab a bottle of our Relief cream. This is great to use between your massage appointments for any joint and/or muscle pain that might arise. It’s made with natural ingredients which includes Peppermint, Aloe and Lavendar. Our patients experience much tension relief when used during treatment sessions.

Please visit our website to learn more about our services, Relief cream, Loyalty Membership and more. You can also schedule your appointment online or feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

Healing Medical & Therapeutic Massage 7795 Quivira Road Lenexa, KS 66216

913-298-1349

www.healingmedicalmassagekc.com

ToyaDanielle Tricky Royalty

By Terry L. Watson

Provided by Toya

D.Yarbrough

Toya Danielle Yarbrough, of Tempe, AZ, is the owner of Tricky Royalty, a mobile coffee bar and empowerment center focused on the whole woman—mind, body, and spirit. Her company serves specialty coffee and creates spaces where women can connect, grow, and be inspired. In addition to the coffee bar, Toya offers business coaching designed for women needing assistance with back office systems and startup strategies, as well as business support classes. “I believe in showing women how to build sustainable businesses. Everything we do has nursing principles woven through it. I approach empowerment the way I approach patient care—holistically and with genuine concern for wellbeing.”

Tricky Royalty, Toya shares, represents the beautiful intersection of love, partnership, and purpose. What started as a way to survive a difficult season has blossomed into a movement of empowerment.

The company’s name, Tricky Royalty, comes from combining Toya’s name with her husband’s name, Ricky. “Together we’re Tricky, and we built this kingdom of empowerment, hence Royalty,” she says. Together, they’re a blended family with six children (two biological and four stepchildren) and three grandsons.

Besides managing her company operations, Toya works as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. “My education, combined with real-life experience, has given me the tools to serve women not just in healthcare, but in life and business. My background in nursing has shaped everything I do, and has taught me how to care for people holistically. Being a mom and stepmom to six kids while running a business keeps me grounded and reminds me daily why empowerment and balance matter so much,” she says.

I believe in showing women how to build sustainable businesses.  Everything we do has nursing principles woven through it. I approach empowerment the way I approach patient care— holistically and with genuine concern for wellbeing.”

Toya says she started Tricky Royalty in 2021 during the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. She adds, “While I was working as a telephonic nurse, making Covid calls, I needed something for myself, something that brought joy and purpose beyond the daily weight of the pandemic. The vision came from needing to create beauty and hope during one of the world’s darkest times in recent history. I started with candles and beauty products, creating little moments of self-care and peace. As I grew, I realized what I really wanted to do was empower women on a larger scale. The mobile coffee bar became the vehicle for that. Coffee brings people together, and it creates conversation and community. The vision evolved into what it is now—a mobile empowerment cafe where women can fuel their bodies with good coffee and fuel their spirits with encouragement, resources, and support.”

“I love watching women realize their own power,” Toya says when asked what she loves most about her company. “There’s something magical about the moment when a woman stops doubting herself and starts believing in what she’s capable of. Whether it’s serving someone their favorite latte and having a real conversation that shifts their day, or coaching a client through building the systems that will change her business, I get to be part of transformation. I love being a catalyst for change in women’s lives.”

The adage, teamwork makes the dreamwork, is in full effect with Tricky Royalty. Together, Toya and Ricky are making things happen for themselves and for their family. Toya says, “This is truly a partnership. Ricky’s support, his belief in me, and his willingness to build this dream together have been everything. We’re not just partners in life, we’re partners on purpose. Every decision we make, we make together, and that foundation has allowed Tricky Royalty to grow in ways I couldn’t have done alone”.

Toya says she is inspired by women who refuse to quit and give up. These are the ones who keep showing up, even when it’s hard. “The ones who are juggling motherhood, careers, businesses, and still find the strength to pursue their dreams. I’m inspired by resilience. I’m inspired by the women who come to me exhausted but determined, ready to do the work.” She is also inspired by her children and grandchildren, and strives to show them what’s possible when you don’t let fear or setbacks define you.”

Balancing her roles of being a mom, stepmom, grandmother, wife, nurse, and business owner can be quite complicated. Yet, Toya pushes through and seemingly finds a way to make things work. She says, “There are days when I feel stretched too thin. This may be associated with believing in my clients more than they believe in themselves. I pour so much into helping women succeed, and when they give up right before the breakthrough, it’s heartbreaking. I’ve had to learn that I can’t want it more than they do. I’ve learned to accept that everyone’s journey is different. I can show them the way, give them the tools, and believe in them, but ultimately they have to choose themselves. I’ve also learned to set boundaries and be intentional about my time. I can’t pour from an empty cup, so I make sure to take care of myself, too. In 2026, I’m only taking five coaching clients—women who are truly ready to do the work.”

As the future unfolds for Toya, she says her focus is depth over breadth. “I’m expanding the mobile empowerment cafe experience to reach more communities and create more spaces where women can gather, connect, and grow. Additionally, I’m continuing to weave nursing principles into everything I do because holistic care—mind, body, and spirit—will always be at the heart of Tricky Royalty,” she says.

For those who may follow a path similar to Toya, she offers the following advice. “Start where you are with what you have, and do not wait for perfection to happen. My business began with candles during a pandemic, and it evolved into something I never could have imagined. Also, find your why and hold onto it when things get hard. Your ‘why’ will carry you through the doubt, the exhaustion, and the setbacks. Lastly, build with your partner if you have one. Tricky Royalty wouldn’t exist without Ricky and me’s partnership. We’re stronger together.”

Tricky Royalty is currently accepting bookings for school events and weddings for 2026. Whether you need us to bring the coffee bar experience to your special event or you’re ready to invest in coaching that transforms your business, Tricky Royalty is here to serve you.

Aleece McKnight Attorney

Law Office of Aleece McKnight

By Terry L. Watson

Proud Memphis, TN, native, Aleece McKinght, has made quite a name for herself. From the stretches of the Frayser community, a neighborhood that instilled in her an unshakable spirit of perseverance, Aleece has survived by standing on a sound belief: that no one is better than she is, mainly because of her roots. “I am just as qualified, if not more so,” she says. That same sentiment drove Aleece to earn her law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, TX.

Today, Aleece serves as the face and founder of the Law Office of Aleece McKnight, located in Nashville, TN. Her firm focuses on two areas of law: Personal Injury and Entrepreneurship Law. In Personal Injury, her focus is securing financial justice for individuals injured in auto accidents. With Entrepreneurship Law, the focus is on business and intellectual property for business owners, including business registration, trademarks, copyrights, contract drafting, reviewing, and negotiation. It also involves providing ongoing general counsel and continuous support, and filling legal gaps as businesses grow.

Aleece is very active in and around her community. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she currently holds several positions, including serving as the advisor for the collegiate chapter at Middle Tennessee State University. In 2025, she was honored with the National Advisor of the Year award. She currently serves as president of the Napier-Looby Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting law students through scholarships and to contributing to other initiatives within the legal community, and regularly volunteers for various causes throughout Middle Tennessee.

Central to Aleece’s upbringing has been her faith in God, which she shares has truly carried her through life’s ups and downs. “My understanding of this faith deepened as I got older and watched God move in my life, and God’s grace has always been sufficient,” Aleece adds that family is extremely important to her. She is the youngest of three, and her mother, a Memphis native, and my father, of Gullah Geechee descent, provided her with a rich and diverse ancestry that directly shapes her personal and professional drive. “My identity is a powerful blend of these two legacies: from my mother, I inherited the resilient, tenacious “Memphis grit,” which taught me perseverance and the importance of community. My father’s Geechee heritage connects me to the strategic, independent, and purposeful spirit of my African ancestors. My parents are the most valuable players in my life, and I have benefited from my entire family for being some of my biggest supporters.”

Aleece describes herself as a unique individual and someone blessed with gifts. “I am a visionary, innovative, and smart. These qualities have enabled me to be versatile across all aspects of my life and career and have driven me to consistently add value to any project, space, or organization I am part of. I am also a strong believer that my name precedes me. When my name is attached to any endeavor, people know excellence is coming.”

The decision to start her own firm was driven by several key factors, all centered on practicing law on Aleece’s own terms and providing a different kind of client experience. The vision she adds came from the desire to create a practice that centers her people, educates them, and makes legal protection accessible rather than intimidating. Aleece says, “The desire to choose who I worked with and how I worked was paramount, ensuring the highest quality client experience. In 2019, I realized the firm I was at was professionally draining, overwhelming my capacity to serve clients effectively, and risking my career due to a “client mill” approach. The environment was also exhausting as the only Black attorney at a regional firm. I left without a concrete plan, which led me to start my practice—a decision I attribute to a “Crazy Faith” mindset that empowered me to create my own opportunities. Starting my own practice as an entrepreneur was never a goal, and I spent years working at traditional firms. Eventually, I realized I wanted a different path. One where I could establish a firm and practice law on my own terms. I was also deeply concerned by the recurring stories of underrepresented business owners encountering legal troubles or having their intellectual property taken by larger entities or those with “bigger pockets.” These business owners needed dedicated and meaningful legal representation, and I knew I could provide it.”

Aleece shares that what she loves most about being an attorney is giving people peace of mind. “My clients feel protected as well as genuinely seen and heard. I practice law on my own terms, doing work that feels like a daily purpose. My purpose was defined while in law school, inspired by Proverbs 31:8-9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” It has always been to give a voice to those who do not know or fully understand the law. Having my own practice allows me to fulfill this purpose every day because I choose how to serve my clients, rather than being dictated by someone whose purpose doesn’t align with mine,” she says.

Aleece is also an advocate for others and recognizes that legal issues are often nuanced and not always straightforward. Thus, she prioritizes understanding the cultural context of a client’s situation or business. This perspective has been a secret weapon for her in successful outcomes, such as protecting trademarks by communicating the significance of cultural viewpoints to examining attorneys who may not initially grasp them, and to opposing counsel who cannot relate to the diverse life experiences of injured persons. “As a solo practitioner, I have the unique and invaluable opportunity to foster continuous professional growth. This structure allows me to constantly learn, significantly expand my practical legal experience, and deepen my jurisprudential knowledge without the structural constraints often found in larger firms.”

My clients feel protected as well as genuinely seen and heard. I practice law on my own terms, doing work that feels like a daily purpose.”

Managing her law firm has come with a few challenges, and Aleece says one of them has been confronting the negative stereotypes associated with lawyers and law firms. “I want to debunk the perception that attorneys are unapproachable, stuffy, or only view clients as a dollar sign. A client review once noted, “Working with Aleece doesn’t feel transactional, it feels like a true partnership,” which perfectly captures the relationship I strive to build. I experienced how many firms had an overwhelming number of clients, leaving individuals feeling unheard and unseen, which contradicts why I became an attorney. I noticed that entrepreneurs face legal issues simply because they lack readily accessible legal knowledge. I sought to represent these smaller voices that needed strong advocacy. My mission is to provide legal education and guidance to business owners looking to build wealth for themselves and their families, addressing issues they might not know to ask about or terms they might unknowingly agree to. I act as their legal guide, filling that knowledge gap.”

Aleece says that while definitions of success vary, she is particularly inspired by those who take bold leaps of faith, refusing to let fear paralyze them. “I find inspiration in every woman in my life who has forged her own path to success. I admire women who operate with a profound sense of purpose. These women have intentionally uplifted and supported me. My parents inspire me. I’ve watched them use what they had to build and begin creating generational wealth for our family. They are a living example of starting with the resources at hand and making decisions with a long-term vision in mind. When I was a child, I told my grandfather that I wanted to become an attorney. He always told me I could do it and that he would love to see me break barriers in the legal field, where he rarely saw people who looked like us. I always told him I would achieve that goal and be a great attorney one day. I also recognize that I am my own source of inspiration. I often fail to celebrate or publicize my own accomplishments. When I truly reflect on my achievements, the lives I’ve positively influenced, and the impactful changes I’ve brought to organizations or projects I’ve been a part of, it is genuinely inspiring.”

What does the future hold for Aleece? She states that she is making a conscious effort to pursue her heart’s desires and create space for them in her life. “My career, my business, and my commitments don’t define my identity. I’m setting boundaries and intentionally saying “no” to things that box me in, while enthusiastically saying “yes” to opportunities and experiences that align with my personal desires.

Professionally, my focus remains on growing my practice into the premier firm for entrepreneurs and injured individuals who expect excellence and personalized legal services. After five years in business, I am redefining my approach to business with a fresh perspective. If the Lord says the same, I aspire to establish an internship program to provide opportunities for young women of color who wish to pursue a career in law.”

Queen City Robotics Alliance Robert Hillman

“Your Home For Charlotte Area Robotics”

By Terry L. Watson

Robert Hillman of Charlotte, NC, is proof that when we give with good intentions, all good things will return. Rob is the Chief Executive Officer of Queen City Robotics Alliance, Inc (QCRA). QCRA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Charlotte that is engaged in competitive robotics – think AAU robotics. It was founded in 2014 by Lia Schwinghammer initially as an umbrella fundraising entity for FIRST® teams and events in Charlotte, NC. FIRST is an acronym for For Inspiration and Recognition and Science and Technology. Its mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor- and project-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life skills, including selfconfidence, communication, and leadership. Unlike other youth sports leagues, everyone in FIRST “goes pro.”

Rob is the son of Robert and Mary Hillman. He was born in Los Angeles, CA, but was raised in Brooklyn, NY. His mother was a PTA President and Community Advocate, and his father was a Master Sergeant in the US Marines. Having his parents as role models, Robert says, instilled in him the idea of service and the sense that he must do for others. Robert’s father passed away when he was a young boy, yet the impression was already in place and set the trajectory for his life.

In Brooklyn, Robert attended the public school system. The schools he attended were P.S. 241 and I.S. 320. He also attended Stuyvesant High School. Rob’s preparation to attend Stuyvesant High School was aided by his participation in the NTA Math & Chess Club in Brooklyn. This opportunity allowed Rob to work alongside Black engineers sponsored by the National Technical Association (NTA). It also opened the doors for Rob to attend MIT at the age of 17. At MIT, Rob studied Electrical Engineering and was focused on the physics of materials and how light interacts with materials. As an engineer, Rob worked for Teradyne Corporation and Optron Systems, a start-up company founded by one of his professors, Cardinal Warde, who hails from Barbados.

I didn’t get here on my own. I didn’t get to attend MIT, travel the world as an investment banker on my own. People have helped me along the way.”

After working as an engineer for seven years, Rob attended NYU Stern School of Business and earned an MBA in Finance and International Business. He would also work for Barclays and Bank of America, and both companies required Rob to travel for work, including outside of the United States. He shares, “It’s a very interesting experience when you travel outside of the United States. People looked at me as enabled and capable, versus unable and incapable, in the US. Often in rooms in the US, I got the look as if I didn’t belong. In Europe, Asia, and Africa, I was received based on my credentials and what I could offer.”

Rob is especially proud of his daughter, Braeanna, who earned her Master’s Degree in Public Health from Tulane University, served on the Pre K - 12 COVID-19 Planning Team of the Office of State Superintendent of Education in Washington, D.C., and is currently pursuing a degree in Nursing.

The goal is to promote exposure to STEM as a workforce development tool so that after moving throughout our facility, the students can get a good idea of what they want to do.”

Now, at this stage of Rob’s life, his focus is on helping children understand what they enjoy and what their interests are. He serves as the CEO of Queen City Robotics Alliance Inc., located in Charlotte, NC. Queen City Robotics manages a 12,000-square-foot competitive robotics practice facility in the Steel Creek community. They have three leagues onsite: the Elementary School League (FIRST Lego League), the Middle School League (FIRST Tech Challenge), and the High School League (FIRST Robotics Competition). Each of them requires a practice field where they can build, design, and test their robots for competition. The facility comes outfitted with fabrication equipment, including drills, saws, lathes, milling machines, and 3-D printers; all of the things that students need to bring their ideas to life. There are also pits where the students can build their robots and store their equipment, such as wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, markers, and more. The students also have access to a collaboration space with whiteboards where they can draw and discuss their ideas, as well as storyboard their presentations.

Rob explains that the facility’s purpose is to promote upward economic mobility through exposure to STEMbased careers. To achieve this, the organization uses several programs, including FIRST Robotics, NASA Space Apps, and coding after-school and summer camp classes.

“The goal is to promote exposure to STEM (including Artificial Intelligence) as a workforce development tool so that, by moving throughout our facility, students gain a clear understanding of potential career pathways, can access high-paying STEM jobs available to those with the necessary training, and help ensure the local economy has the skilled workforce it needs to succeed,” Rob says.

He adds that competitive robotics is a particularly effective approach to engage the next generation. “Instead of sitting kids down and lecturing them, we create a space where they can compete and use their creativity to actively engage. In a way, we trick them into understanding math and science and they enjoy it.”

When asked what drives him, Rob says it all comes down to the path he has traveled. “I didn’t get here on my own. I didn’t get to attend MIT or travel the world as an investment banker on my own. People have helped me along the way. When I was in middle school, I loved to play basketball. The building I lived in had a fire escape with a ladder. The ladder’s rungs were what we used as our basket. The first rung was one point, the second rung was two points, and the third rung was three points. We used to play in front of the apartment window of Mr. Emmitt. To preserve his property, and likely his peace, he bought us an actual basketball hoop and attached it to a building down the street, away from his window. Mr. Emmitt used his own money to support the kids in his neighborhood, and that modeling stuck with me.” He also acknowledges the NTA’s Math and Chess program for helping shape his life, among others.

Queen City Robotics’ goal is to offer its program to students from all economic and ethnic backgrounds. The average cost per student is $2,200 and does not include transportation to and from the facility, which could add an additional $2,000 using rideshare companies. “We rely on the generosity of state and local governments, corporations, and individuals to lower the barriers for students to participate.”

Another challenge has been getting African American students and young women involved. He says, “We need more African American and Hispanic kids to be involved with our program. We also need young women. We have formed partnerships with organizations such as the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte, where most of our African American students come from. We look forward to working with the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers to increase the diversity of our teams. We also need more mentors – of all ethnicities – who are ready to step up and coach kids. We don’t require our coaches to be technical experts, only that they have a clean record and interest in giving back to the next generation.”

As a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Rob has leaned on other historically Black fraternities and sororities (the “Divine 9”) for support, mentors, and students. “To increase the ‘cool factor’ and boost our numbers, we have become more social media savvy and are exploring additional ways to expand our reach to more mentors and students.

What is next for Queen City Robotics? Rob says they are bursting at the seams at their existing facility. “We are exploring opening additional facilities around our county. We have 300 kids and 22 teams at our current facility and could probably accommodate an additional three or four teams now, but that would be it. As mentioned, we will continue to invest in STEM and are looking for ways to bring more African Americans, Hispanics and young women into our program. We will continue to focus on building up our Summer and After School Classes. Lastly, we will attack our goal of raising $500,000 to enhance operational efficiency and improve access to our programs for income-challenged families. Our country depends on the success of our students and our programs.”

To support Queen City Robotics Alliance,Inc., please consider a generous donation at www.givebutter.com/qcrasustain

For more information, please visit Queen City Robotics’ website – www.queencityrobotics.org

Board of Directors

Mark Rohlinger

Kaiwen Cheng

Tamara Cornish

Christian Dow

Paul Henry

Niteesh Elias

Puneet Mody

Individual Donors

Randy Sergesketter

Brian and Laina Keiger

Peter Greishop

Staff

Robbie Hoyler

Iaiela Dumitrescu

Korey Gaddy

Jordan Lopez

Ray Kimble

Carrie Dow

Corporations/Foundations

Bosch Rexroft

Sullenburger Museum

Materials Handling Industry of America

Ashley Furniture

John Deere

Infosys

Arts and Science Council of Me

Society of Information Management - Charlotte

PMMI Foundation

Recore Electric

Jones Lang LaSalle

Corporations/Foundations

Columbus McKinnon

Faster Glass

Beacon Partners

Dual Boot

Salant Family Foundation

Cheng Family

Keosha Hooks Fresh Peak Juice

By Terry L. Watson

Keosha Hooks of South Phoenix, AZ, describes herself as a dedicated, kind, and patient young lady. She shares how her friends, family, and community often reach out to her for various reasons; Whether it’s a recommendation for food, handywoman services, or tutoring, she truly enjoys being a resource and people connector.

Keosha is also the owner of Fresh Peak Juice. Her company, which was launched in 2020, offers prepacked, individual juice bottles, as well as ½ gallon and gallon bottles. They specialize in handcrafted Ginger Lemonade, Lavender Lemonade, and Watermelon juice. They also serve corporate events, private parties, and collaborate with food trucks and local restaurants, and offer mocktail service as well.

“Our company began during a time when we lost so many good souls to COVID. I decided to share a natural juice with others to help boost the immune system naturally,” she says. “My boyfriend introduced me to freshly made aloe vera juice, and we added various fruits to help with the bitter taste. We would consume a shot daily, and I noticed how it helped me boost my immune system. When COVID hit and started spreading rapidly in the community, I wanted to help others boost their immune system naturally. This quickly grew to offering Sea Moss juice, Green juice, fruit juice blends, and, most recently, lemonades.”

Keosha obtained her Bachelor’s in Social Work and Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. She says, “My work experience ranges from customer service, banking claims, social work with the elderly and disabled population, and lowincome families in Head Start. We offer account management as well. I do not have any children, but I do have a niece and nephew, God kids, and a host of little cousins that I enjoy spending time with.”

www.freshpeakjuice.com

Besides Fresh Peak Juice, Keosha hosts a monthly health and wellness event called Nourish and Thrive, where she brings together various business owners in the health and wellness community. At the event, a nutritious plant-based meal is served, and health education is provided while networking is fostered.

Running her company brings Keosha great joy. She shares how she loves seeing her customers’ reactions when they try the various juices or lemonades. “Seeing their reaction is so exciting because I know that I successfully handcrafted what they are enjoying, and I have created several authentic recipes that are 100% natural and nutritious.”

To make things happen at Fresh Peak Juice, Keosha has been able to rely on a supportive team that includes family, friends, a business incubator, and mentors. “There would be no Fresh Peak without my team.” She is also appreciative of the amazing opportunities that continue to arise. “Sometimes, I feel like I don’t know what I am doing, but I keep going. It’s inspiring to hear people in my corner, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. When customers share great feedback, that lets me know that I am on the right path,” she says.

As the new year has settled in, things are looking very promising for Fresh Peak. Keosha is now serving private and corporate events, and shares that will be her focus for 2026. “If you know of someone in need of mocktail service, fresh-pressed juice, or juice shots, we are ready to serve your event.” For other aspiring entrepreneurs who may find themselves on a path similar to Keosha, she offers some words of encouragement. “Start, even if you have just an idea. I did not know what I was doing when I started, and I have learned a lot along the journey. There are tons of free and low-cost resource opportunities available. This includes the Score program, Hustle Phx, Local First AZ, Seed Spot, Tiger Mountain Foundation, and OneMillionAZ. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to me as a resource.”

Asiah Apple

Branding 4 Success, LLC YolandaM.Smith

By Terry L. Watson

Provided by Yolanda M. Smith

Yolanda M. Smith of Indianapolis, IN, is a personal branding expert and business strategist, a four-time best-selling author, and an international speaker known for helping professionals and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into influence, opportunity, and long-term growth. Known as the Brandthrupist, she is the Founder of Branding 4 Success.

Branding 4 Success (B4S) is a business consulting and professional development firm specializing in brand building, business strategy, and leadership training. Yolanda and her team partner with entrepreneurs and small business owners to build powerful brands, strengthen market positioning, and implement strategies that drive sustainable profitability. She says, “We support corporate organizations with high-impact solutions that drive leadership excellence to equip teams and leaders with the skills to thrive in a competitive marketplace. Through our signature programs, coaching, and corporate training, B4S empowers clients to elevate visibility, expand influence, and achieve measurable business success.”

Some additional products and services B4S offers include keynote speaking, workshops, and masterclasses for corporate, academic, and professional audiences, as well as working closely with entrepreneurs and coaches who are building and scaling their brands. They offer brand and business strategy consulting, executive and career coaching, and leadership development programs tailored to both individual and organizational needs. For entrepreneurs and coaches, the work centers on helping them clearly articulate their value, strengthen their positioning, and build influence that translates into opportunity and income. Within organizations, Branding 4 Success helps leaders and teams understand how personal brand, presence, and communication contribute to overall brand equity. Yolanda says, “When individuals show up with clarity and confidence, organizations benefit through stronger alignment, trust, and credibility. Through signature frameworks and curated training experiences, clients gain practical strategies that move them from effort to results.”

Yolanda’s professional journey began in corporate America, where she held sales and senior leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry. Those years, she says, strengthened her strategic perspective and deepened her appreciation for the complexity of leadership and influence within organizations. “While in corporate America, I observed that many highly skilled professionals were doing exceptional work, yet often lacked the language, confidence, or positioning to fully communicate their value, build meaningful relationships, and stand out in decision-making environments. That realization became a defining moment for me, and ultimately shaped the foundation of my entrepreneurial work.”

When individuals show up with clarity and confidence, organizations benefit through stronger alignment, trust, and credibility.

At her core, Yolanda is deeply rooted in family and legacy. She is a wife, a mother of two, and a proud grandmother. Family keeps her grounded and continues to influence how she defines success. Yolanda holds a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, and an executive leadership certificate from Georgetown University. She is a certified Brand Analyst and DEI Communicator. While education provided structure, realworld experience shaped her perspective. She adds that impact is not just professional recognition, but building something meaningful that creates options, stability, and confidence for future generations.

Today, Yolanda is committed to helping people close the gap between the work they do and the results they experience. By clarifying their value and strengthening how they show up, she helps them gain greater influence, create meaningful impact, and earn in ways that reflect their expertise.

Huami Magazine was fortunate to feature Yolanda a few years ago. Since then, her brand and business have expanded in both reach and credibility. She earned the 2025 Stevie Award for Best Mentor or Coach of the Year and received the 2024 Inc. Magazine Power Partner Award, recognitions that reflected the depth of work and transformation her clients were experiencing. During this time, Yolanda continued to grow her platform as an international speaker, delivering training and keynotes across professional, corporate, and academic spaces, while sharpening her focus on leadership presence and strategic positioning. She also expanded her body of work as an author and released additional books, including BRANDfluence: Ignite Your Brand Power on Social Media for Results and Revenue, which received the International Impact Book Award. Her newest release is The Coach’s Code. She says these projects allowed her to further articulate the frameworks and perspectives she is known for around visibility, credibility, and sustainable growth.

During the course of the last two years, Yolanda has created and hosted experiences that have helped thousands of women unlock their brand and business potential and brought my community together in a more elevated and intentional way, including BRANDfluence, a premier in-person personal branding experience. Designed for entrepreneurs, coaches, and professionals, BRANDfluence blended luxury, learning, and meaningful connection, offering expert-led master clinics, personalized brand support, strategic networking, and an exclusive VIP mastermind experience. “The goal was simple but powerful: to help attendees strengthen their presence, elevate their credibility, and translate visibility into real influence and results,” Yolanda says.

While Yolanda has experienced impressive growth in her business and career, it has not come without challenges. She says, “This past year required a real recalibration for me. Whew, there is truth to only the strong survive. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, more than 300,000 Black women lost their jobs, and by the end of the year, over 800,000 women were unemployed. Many of the people I serve were not just thinking about growth; they were navigating transition, uncertainty, and hard decisions about what came next. That naturally shifted the coaching and professional development landscape. At the same time, rising costs and a more cautious economy made people slower to invest, and I experienced disruptions in digital advertising when my ad accounts were hacked, which impacted multiple income streams. Add the rapid rise of AI and the belief that technology could replace coaches, it became clear that the market was changing in real time.” She has weathered these storms by adjusting. “I made a strategic pivot. I leaned more heavily into organizational and corporate work and developed the Brand Builders Leadership Academy, allowing me to support leaders at scale, strengthen leadership presence, and help organizations build brand equity from the inside out. This shift was both strategic and necessary, aligning the business with where the opportunity truly existed.”

Yolanda is driven and inspired by watching someone move past self-doubt, let go of the beliefs that have kept them playing small, and pursue what they feel called to do. She says her work is about helping them see what is already there, build the confidence to trust it, and make bold, intentional moves toward the life and work they want. Whether that looks like greater fulfillment, leadership, impact, or success, her motivation comes from walking alongside people as they step into their purpose with clarity and courage.

Looking to the future, Yolanda hopes to incorporate more balance into her life, and says, “I have worked hard. I am intentional about being present, protecting my time, and enjoying life beyond work. That means meaningful time with my family, space to travel, and room to live fully, not just produce. Professionally, the focus is on working smarter and making a real impact. I am committed to growing Branding 4 Success in ways that are sustainable, profitable, and aligned. At every stage, my mission remains grounded in helping people show up authentically, lead with confidence, and build something that reflects their true value. When that chapter closes, my focus will turn fully to empowering families and small businesses to access their rights, because protection and peace of mind are equally important as success.” I

Dr. Erika Hendrix

30 Years of Ministry AJourneyofHope

Information Provided by Dr. Erika Hendrix Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

30 years of ministry is a milestone and a rarity for many in ministry. Dr. Erika Hendrix of Greensboro, NC, accepted the call to preach from the caller-Jesus Christ, and the whisper of the Holy Spirit.

Dr. Erika Hendrix grew up in the fear and admonition of the Lord at St. James Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC. During her early formative years, she participated in the Youth and Young Adult Choir and was very active in the youth department. Her parents, Deacon Warren and Deaconess Barbara Hendrix, who are still pillars in leadership and very active, made sure that Dr. Erika Hendrix and her brothers had a relationship with him, and they had a family devotional that shaped her love for God. At the tender age of thirteen, Dr. Hendrix presented her twin brother and her with a bible that was burgundy with their names in gold letters. This was not a gift that, at thirteen, she was expecting. Becoming a teenager was a big deal, and she was expecting clothes, money, etc. “Knowing my parents, especially my mom, she gave a speech as to why she was giving us the word of God and how we are going to need it,” Dr. Hendrix says.

Every summer, Dr. Hendrix, her siblings, and cousins had to go to the Foothills of North Carolina to stay with their grandparents, both maternal and paternal, who were very active in their churches. She watched her grandmothers prepare and serve their Missionary Circles. That experience was life-changing for Dr. Hendrix. At the conclusion of their gathering, they formed a circle, and they prayed one by one. “It was something about those words of prayer and the prayer circle that I learned the power of prayer, and I saw God do what they asked,” she says.

Prayer became a key player in Dr. Hendrix’s life at an early age. Her grandfather, who was Sunday School Superintendent and later became the Moderator for their denomination, was her muse. She says, “I watched him prepare for Sunday school on Saturdays. We would talk about the Bible, and on one occasion, he said to me, “Missy, one day this Bible will become your greatest treasure, and don’t you ever forget that.”

As Dr. Hendrix matriculated through Junior High and High School, she knew of Jesus. As she prepared for college, she wanted to explore life outside, and that’s when life took a turn for her. She says her freshman year was very interesting. She attended a PWI (Predominantly White Institute), and those who looked like her were few on campus. Yet, they were able to form a bond, joined the Gospel Choir, and enjoyed life outside of her parents’ house.

After one year at the PWI, she transferred to the best HBCU in the country, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She says at NC A&T, life and Jesus became a thing. She auditioned for the NCA&T Gospel Choir under the direction of Ron Jones, with the encouragement of her childhood friend Dr. Noleter Miller. She was chosen for the alto section, and says those were the best years of her life. “I developed lifelong friends during my time at NCA&T from the Gospel Choir that remains today. Life has a way of coming full circle.”

I had never experienced anything like that.  Something shifted in me that forever changed me, and that was the defining moment of what God had shown me in my dreams and vision, and what I had been journaling was God.”

Her Preaching Journey Begins

In the summer of 1995, Dr. Hendrix was a member of Greater Metropolitan Deliverance Temple in Greensboro, NC, under the leadership of Bishop Ralph Donnell Graves. It was during her years there, and coming from the Baptist denomination, that she tapped into a deeper calling. “I was yearning, but I didn’t know what it was,” she says. Bishop Graves shaped her life through preaching and teaching sound biblical words, fasting, and prayer. He taught her to go deeper. She learned how to walk by faith through the deliverance ministry and to trust God to teach her how to fight her battles through spiritual warfare. Dr. Hendrix experienced God on a whole different level and saw God manifest himself in ways she had read in the Bible. “I saw bodies healed from Cancer and other diseases. I saw people at the point of death and how the prayers of the righteous brought them back. As I grew, I felt this tug on me to preach, but I was afraid. At that time, I was coming from the Baptist church, where there were not many women, and I was afraid that my family would not accept me,” she says.

Dr. Erika Hendrix went to Bishop Graves, and he took her to see the late Dr. Letti Cohen in Burlington, NC. Affectionately known as the “Pulpit Princess,” Bishop Graves, her Grandson, got on the piano, and she sang and prayed, then began to prophesy and speak in tongues over Dr. Hendrix’s life. “I had never experienced anything like that. Something shifted in me that forever changed me, and that was the defining moment of what God had shown me in my dreams and vision, and what I had been journaling was God. The fear was how this is going to work, because I didn’t know where to start. So, I leaned into what I had been taught, which was prayer.”

Dr. Erika Hendrix shares that she met with Bishop Graves to share what God was saying to her. Bishop Graves told her to go back and pray again. She began to question herself. She then went back to Bishop Graves a second time, at his house. She says the entire time he was cooking. She thought, “I am not trying to learn how to cook, but he was going over the ingredients, and I was not interested. So, her third encounter, Bishop Graves cooked again, but this time he went over the ingredients and the process of cooking and preparation, and incorporated the word, and they discussed what she felt God was saying. From there, she felt a peace that she was moving. In her final encounter with Bishop Graves, he poured into her what he already knew. Bishop Graves wanted to make sure that she heard God for herself and that she was not being influenced by anyone else. “Bishop Graves dissected the text and the sermon topic and said that if I submit to God fully, He will take me places in the spirit and the natural that I have never dreamed of. He said, “Daughter, I know God has called you, and I know you will do great things for the kingdom.”

On the evening of December 5th, 1995, Dr. Hendrix was prepared to give her initial sermon. Her family and friends gathered, but little did she know that night would take a turn that she never imagined. Her grandfather had a heart attack in the church parking lot, and her entire family went to the hospital. Obedient and determined, she went forth with her message, scared and alone, but she knew that God would be with her. Her initial sermon topic was “The Cost of Being Called.” “God showed me that there was going to be a season that God was going to take me on a backside mountain experience to prepare me for this ministry that I was about to embark upon.

In the 30 years of ministry, Dr. Hendrix says that God has been faithful. During the early years, God made her promise that if she took care of His business and was obedient, God would make sure that she never lacked. “I can say that I did lack, because there were times when I didn’t follow God’s plan,” she explains. In 30 years of ministry, Dr. Hendrix has faced misogynistic discrimination in the black church. She encountered being talked down to, she was told to preach on the floor at a lectern, she was unable to sit in the pulpit with men because she was a female, and she was asked to take off her makeup and earrings. Still, she adjusted because she knew God was calling her higher, and she walked in integrity even while feeling defeated at times. “Ministry is not for the faint at-heart, but for those who are willing to put in the work in the community and in the church. Church is more than a building; it is social justice and community outreach.” Dr. Hendrix believes that God is multifaceted. He not only can meet you in the physical space, but God can meet us in the virtual space.

Dr. Hendrix is the CEO/Founder of Emerging Leaders Consultants, LLC and the host of the podcast, “Let’s Think About It with Dr. E”. Dr. Hendrix is the proud and ecstatic owner of Lady E Specs, LLC her own unique eyewear line that was launched in February 2020. One of her greatest accomplishments is the release of her first book that was released in 2019, “Open Letter to the Black Church Reclaiming Our Time.” The next season of her ministry is going to be epic. Dr. Hendrix truly believes that 2026 is the year of alignment. h