Issuu

Jan./Feb. 2019 Vol. 5 Issue 12

Theressa Stephens

Crawford Chiropractic

WEDNESDAYS 12PM-BIBLE STUDY W/FREE LUNCH

WEDNESDAYS 7PM - BIBLE STUDY W/FREE DINNER (5-6:30)

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SUNDAY 7:30AM - SUNDAY EXPRESS

SUNDAY 9:30AM - SUNDAY WORSHIP

WEDNESDAYS 7PM - BIBLESTUDY W/FREE DINNER (5-6:30)

SUNDAY 9:00AM - SUNDAY WORSHIP

You’re Responsible For Your Own Happiness

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

A Letter from the Editor

According to a definition provided by Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, the word joy is defined by an emotion evoked by well being, success or good fortune, or the prospect of possessing what one desires. The same dictionary defines happiness as a state of well being and contentment. For many people, the presence of joy and happiness is just as significant as air and water is to their survival, for it can be hard and impossible to move or function without them.

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?

Many people seek others to fulfill them. They also seek the assistance of things and objects for happiness. I don’t believe there is anything wrong with doing this, however I know first hand that things and people can leave you feeling empty and lonely in their absence. Others have their own agenda and purpose, and putting someone else’s needs before theirs can be quite a challenge, especially if it requires for them to surrender their joy in the process.

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.

While many people may get married to be happy, there are some who eventually find themselves in a strenuous situation, mainly because they didn’t possess any joy before. It is impossible to be the sunshine in someone else’s world if are internally consumed with darkness and pain. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own happiness.

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.

Happiness is obtained by spending time with yourself. You must learn who you are and what you like and dislike about “you”. If you are unaware of your strengths, tolerances, limits, and weaknesses, it is impossible to help another individual manage theirs. Once you identify the source of your joy and happiness, develop a plan or strategy to make them a constant in your life. In this new year, your joy and happiness may be connected to the amount you share with others.

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

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Photo by

Making Her Own Kind Of Noise

Porscha Danielle

Bow Ties and Style

Devona Boyd

Bostic Total Body

Tiffany Hampton

Follow The Pink Squirrel

Toni M. Winston

Imiya Becton Needs your support in the Jabberwock Pageant

Claudette Colvin Before There Was Rosa Parks, There was her. Huami Magazine celebrates Black History Month

Cutest Baby Photo Braylen King Cooper

Snipes

Xperience Live Erika and Betina

Church Childcare Plus

Theressa Stephens

Performance Dance

Michael

Claudette Colvin

Most people think of Rosa Parks as the first person to refuse to give up their seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. There were actually several women who came before her; one of whom was Claudette Colvin.

It was March 2, 1955, when the fifteen-year-old schoolgirl refused to move to the back of the bus, nine months before Rosa Parks’ stand that launched the Montgomery bus boycott. Claudette had been studying Black leaders like Harriet Tubman in her segregated school, those conversations had led to discussions around the current day Jim Crow laws they were all experiencing. When the bus driver ordered Claudette to get up, she refused, “It felt like Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down, and Harriet Tubman was on the other side of me pushing me down. I couldn’t get up.”

Claudette Colvin’s stand didn’t stop there. Arrested and thrown in jail, she was one of four women who challenged the segregation law in court. If Browder v. Gayle became the court case that successfully overturned bus segregation laws in both Montgomery and Alabama, why has Claudette’s story been largely forgotten? At the time, the NAACP and other Black organizations felt Rosa Parks made a better icon for the movement than a teenager. As an adult with the right look, Rosa Parks was also the secretary of the NAACP, and was both well-known and respected – people would associate her with the middle class and that would attract support for the cause. But the struggle to end segregation was often fought by young people, more than half of which were women.

Crawford Chiropractic The New Face Of

Dr. Anthony Crawford and Dr. Dara Wilson-Izzard

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

There was once a group of young black males who were friends. They all aspired to become doctors. Throughout college, they held each other accountable, encouraged and supported each other, and eventually all fulfilled their dreams.

Dr. Anthony Crawford was the youngest of those men. He initially desired to become a medical doctor, but later moved in another direction. With a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in plant genetics, he opened a plant genetics lab at N.C. A&T as an Assistant Researcher. He later decided to teach high school science at local schools in Greensboro, and coach basketball.

At the suggestion of his wife Gloria, Dr. Crawford considered chiropractic after he dismissed it earlier. It became clear to him that it was the most natural way to help patients without using medicine. He graduated from Logan Chiropractic School in 1994 and by 1997, was ready to open his own practice. His wife served as the first certified chiropractor assistant, the first certified x-ray technician, and also served as the office manager for a period of time.

Like Dr. Crawford, Dr. Wilson-Izzard knew she wanted to become a doctor. Originally, she had her sights set on pediatrics.

Continued on the next page

Photos by Howard Gaither

Pictured from left to right are Tina Pegues, Teneka Pate, Dr. Wilson- Izzard, Dr. Crawford and Yaneth Argueta.

“I always say that I didn’t chose chiropractic, it chose me,” the doctor laughs. While a student at Bennett College, she attended a forum where a gentleman was there recruiting students for the chiropractic program he represented. She thought about it and considered it. But after a few summers of doing research, she realized it wasn’t for her. She danced with other ideas such as forensic pathology, but kept thinking about chiropractic. She finally decided to attend school at Life University and fell in love.

Since chiropractic tends to follow a holistic approach, Dr. Wilson-Izzard embraces that, like Dr. Crawford. She was never one to personally utilize much medication and knows that healthy living is possible without it. “Seeing people who can’t walk straight then dance around the room after I’ve helped them is very fulfilling,” says Dr. Wilson-Izzard.

“I always say that I didn’t chose chiropractic, it chose me........ Seeing people who can’t walk straight then dance around the room after I’ve helped them is very fulfilling.”

Dr. Dana Wilson-Izzard

She’s been practicing for 17 years, starting as a Chiropractic Assistant in her home state of Maryland while she fulfilled licensing requirements. For approximately a year she worked in the office learning about billing, coding, pricing, insurance verification and everything related to payments. Now she has a leg-up on others who didn’t receive the same training.

For 15 years Dr. Wilson-Izzard worked at chiropractic offices across the Baltimore area, gaining valuable experience as an independent contractor and heading up offices as a lead doctor. In 2013, she and her college sweetheart tied the knot and began planning their lives together. Unfortunately she needed time to become licensed in the state of North Carolina, so they were faced with living long distance until 2016. Once she was able to obtain the proper licensure, she relocated and found a home at Crawford Chiropractic.

and Dr. Anthony Crawford

Gloria

“When a patient comes to a chiropractor there is a little more hope. All doctors have the role to help the community to get better, and when it is out of my scope, I do refer the patient to a medical doctor.” Dr. Anthony Crawford

There is no hesitation when asked about her time at the current facility. “I absolutely love it,” she says. Dr. Wilson-Izzard plans to one day become a lead chiropractor when Dr. Crawford decides to take a less prominent role in the practice. And it goes without saying that Dr. Crawford fully values Dr. Wilson-Izzard’s current role. “As the new Clinical Director, she’s passionate and caring and provides good guidance. Her qualities compliment the office very well,” he explains.

Working alongside each other seems to agree with the doctors. They both enjoy what they do, thus creating an enriching environment for the client who may be uneasy walking through the doors for the first time.

“When a patient comes to a chiropractor there is a little more hope. All doctors have the role to help the community to get better, and when it is out of my scope, I do refer the patient to a medical doctor,” explains Dr. Crawford.

This practice focuses on musculoskeletal conditions – meaning neck and back pain from all sorts of injuries, the most common being personal injury. They also treat headaches, sciatica, carpal tunnel and other related conditions. Recently they’ve become certified in kinesio taping, which means taping that helps facilitate movement instead of stabilizing the affected area.

For the last 21 years, Dr. Crawford has enjoyed serving the community because he knows he’s making a difference by healing those who are suffering. They both also enjoy providing free screenings and wellness checks a few times a year at churches and organizations around the city.

“Being able to see people getting better is a blessing to me,” says Dr. Crawford. And I can imagine that he and Dr. Wilson-Izzard are a blessing to others just the same.

Home of The Classy Divas

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

Photos by Still Shots Photography

If you’ve never met someone who was born to do something, it’s time you’re introduced to Tamela Yelverton. According to her track record, she was born to move. For as long as she can remember, she has performed in front of a crowd, so it was no surprise when she told her husband that she wanted to open a school for the performing arts.

Tamela’s passion has been brewing since she was a child. She began dancing in elementary school with different dance companies, then transitioned to cheer in middle school and focused solely on cheering through high school at Ben L. Smith where she served as captain of their squad. She also taught young children with ‘Cheer America’, during this time. Once she graduated high school, she was ready to try something different. That’s when she discovered the dance team at N.C. A&T SU, the illustrious, Golden Delight.

“I went to University Day at A&T and saw my friend Erica Ravenell, who used to be a cheer captain at Smith. She has always been a role model to me, from a cheer-dance perspective. I saw her performing with Golden Delight and the marching band and got chills all over my body! They were lit! And I knew that was going to be me,” Tamela remembers.

She didn’t realize what she was up against. Of the 76 other girls vying for a spot, Tamela was the only one without marching band experience. While many were taking breaks and chatting with friends, Tamela put in extra work to ensure she had every step as perfect as she could get them. The extra time paid off, because, not only did she make the team her freshman year, she represented Golden Delight for four consecutive seasons. Her skills were often honored by being selected to lead stand dances during games, which is an accolade that only the best can claim.

Being on the dance team filled her schedule but she somehow still found time to lead the dance ministry at High Point Solid Rock Ministries. The pastor, William K. Harper stayed abreast of her school schedule, not wanting to overload the ambitious student.

“I choreographed liturgical dances, helped with special occasion performances, and taught other instructors,” she explains.

Tamela also found the time to attend cosmetology school, which was another passion, outside of performing. Within 2 years she managed to complete cosmetology school, finish her run with Golden Delight, and most importantly, meet her future husband, Michael, who was a music major at A&T.

Continued on the next page

In 2007 the two tied the knot, and she held her first dance class in the basement of their three-level townhome later that year. She started with a small group of students and called them ‘Dancers of Praise’, specializing in liturgical and tap. When Tamela and Michael decided to start a family in 2009, unfortunately Tamela experienced health issues caused by the pregnancy and decided to take a break from the hair salon where she worked. She didn’t, however, take a break from teaching dance. She forged ahead with the church dance ministries and helped budding dancers perfect their moves, hoping to try out for dance groups. In 2012, Tamela became an auxiliary coach of the dance squad and the flag girls at a local high school while Michael accepted a position as the band director at the same school. For the next several years, the Yelvertons worked side-byside, collaborating on football halftime shows and entertaining everyone in attendance. They also added two more bundles of joy to their busy family, a set of twins they lovingly named, Melody and Lyric. Tamela finished out the remainder of her last season coaching the high school auxiliary teams but a fire still burned inside her.

“After my last season was over at the school, I told my husband about my vision to have my own dance company. It took us a week to find the studio and we opened the same month,” says Tamela. In May, 2015, M&T Performing Arts Studio – Home of the Classy Divas, was introduced to the city. She started out with eight students and grew to 50 within a year. They’re currently at 72 girls, ranging in ages 2 years to 18 years, and constantly welcoming new faces.

Since the talented couple had always excelled in their respective fields, their friends and family weren’t too surprised to see them embark on such an endeavor. Initially Michael was supposed to share the space and house a music studio for his clients and students, but the dance classes grew so rapidly, they were forced to take over his room. Fortunately, he was such a supportive partner that he agreed to relocate his studio to their home. He remains very involved with the studio by serving on the board and helping make important decisions.

“We started off focused on jazz, tap, and liturgical, but my audience started changing. Now we are a competitive majorette dance team, similar to the show ‘Bring It!’

Continued on page 18

Tekira Moore

Drexel Thompson Shelia Jackson

Desiree Hunter Head Coach Administrative Assistant Admnistrative Assistant Assistant Coach

Tamela and Michael Share 12 years of marriage

The students compete four to five times per year depending on the type of competition they’re entering. They’ve placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, in many of the competitions which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This gives the girls the opportunity to experience all levels of success as well as allowing them to see where they need to improve.

Tamela is in the process of considering an afterschool program where the students can come to the facility immediately following school, do their homework, and then go to dance practice. This avoids having such late nights during the week.

When asked about longevity for M&T Performing Arts, Tamela affirms that she plans on leaving the company to her three daughters, Harmony, Melody and Lyric to continue the legacy. They’re already involved and absolutely love it, so it doesn’t sound like there will be much objection when the time comes.

Classy Divas Junior Dance Team

Classy Divas Mini’s Dance Team

Classy Divas Senior Dance Team

Braylen King Cooper

The son of Nikyhia Webb and Christion Cooper

By Terry L. Watson

by DeJaBo Designs

Devona Boyd is a 38 year old entrepreneur who is fully committed to a wholistic way of life. He was born in the small town of Whitmire, South Carolina. It was there that he learned how to be an entrepreneur. His mom is a seamstress and owns her own business providing sewing and alteration needs. His father owned a lawn care service and it’s obvious he inherited the entrepreneurial spirit from the both.

Devona’s primary profession is serving as the Director of Music and Worship at the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte. He is also the owner of DejaBo Designs, a business with two focuses. DeJaBo Ties offers various styles of bow ties using creative and practical materials such as cotton, silk, leather, and wood. Some ties are reversible and some have a pre-fitted neck fixer, ideal for those who aren’t comfortable tying yet. Besides bow ties, he also offers neckties, pocket squares, cuff links, dress socks, arm wear, lapel flowers, and pins.

The decorating side of his business was created for special events as well as interior decorating. He is able to meet any party planning need, from helping someone find a venue, to preparing the event, to executing day of particulars. He provides event rentals and perform onsite set-up of linen, lighting, table decor, center pieces, and more.

The DeJaBo brand is taken from the first two letters of each part of Devona’s name, DeVona Jaworski Boyd. His mother named him after a famous boxer and football player. All of his items are made in the Carolinas. Customers can shop directly from the company’s website and also find them at local pop-up events. Devona also offers private showings of his inventory by appointment.

“I am fortunate enough to do all of these businesses simultaneously. It’s a lot to juggle but I enjoy what I do and I hope that my passion comes across in all of my work,” he says. “I have always been a creator. I remember even as a child building and creating things out of all types of material,” he says. Devona became more focused on his artistic abilities as an undergrad at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.”

Devona began both businesses in 2013 as a ‘home-based’ entity. He states the ‘when and how’ was pretty simple. “I tell others who ask me how to start a business, to just start it. In the beginning you’re not going to know all of the answers or know exactly what to do. You’re going to make a ton of mistakes, but the key is to learn from them because they will make you better. As a small business owner, we have to be very cautions of the overhead we take on and be creative in how to manage our resources given.”

The future is looking bright for Devona. With the arrival of each new day, he strives to be a better person and business owner. “I never want to get comfortable with my artistry and always remain in a posture of learning. Moving forward he hopes to change Dejabo’s web presence and hire someone to manage his websites. He also hopes to have a showroom and location to sell items.

Photos

Church Child Care Plus TheressaStephens

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

In the Bible, God says, ‘be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth’. There is nothing greater than knowing you have had the most important role in a young life by growing, nurturing, and teaching that child to become a productive citizen. In addition to parents, children are influenced by the people they spend an abundance of time with, such as childcare providers and school teachers.

Before many children enroll in school, they first attend some sort of childcare facility. While in high school and throughout college, Theressa Stephens worked in childcare but transitioned to corporate America after she graduated from Winston Salem State University with a degree in business. After years in banking and other areas, she realized she wasn’t fulfilled. She wanted to get back to what and who she loved, children.

In 1998 Theressa opened Church Daycare in her home with only two children. Within two months, six more children enrolled. Over the next few years she continued to admit children until she was at capacity and was forced to start a waitlist. In 2005, Theressa expanded even more and was fortunate enough to build Church Childcare Center, Inc. As the student population grew, so did her staff. The new facility allowed for new classrooms to be added as well as more programs such as a before and after-school area for children in grades kindergarten through 8th.

In the spring of 2017, Theressa celebrated her first high school graduates that attended her daycare when it was still located in her home. She even sent care packages to help get them ready for college or the workforce. Soon she’ll prepare her own high school aged children, who attended her daycare, to enter the world as adults.

Theressa credits her and her husband’s dedication and that of her 27 staff members for the success of her business. “I work every day. I’m highly involved in what happens on a day-to-day basis. I hire the staff and monitor the classrooms so I’ll know what’s going on at all times.” Her husband Maurice is part owner and also involved with his wife’s passion. “When I asked my husband all those years ago if it was alright for me to quit my job to start a daycare, he immediately said he doesn’t mind. He was very supportive. He even does repairs when we need them. “

Continued on the next page

“I work every day. I’m highly involved in what happens on a day-to-day basis. I hire the staff and monitor the classrooms so I’ll know what’s going on at all times.”

Photos by Luguzy Atkins

“I know this is what God wanted me to do. And that’s very important to me. I’m building relationships with hundreds of people and I’m helping mold children’s minds.”

In September of 2018, Church Childcare Center Plus was opened across the street from the original location, with a capacity of 150 children. Considering 2018 is the 20-year anniversary of the family business, opening another location makes the new location even more special.

The entrepreneur prides herself on having a positive relationship with the parents. For the last three years she has hosted a Christmas Social for the parents to connect with them on a more personal level. She has also sponsored families in need, from her daycare, with their permission.

To run two successful childcare facilities one must have a big heart and a love of making a difference. Theressa currently volunteers her time with the nationally recognized organization, Top Ladies of Distinction, as the Treasurer. They mentor young teenagers and motivate them to be leaders, to go to college, and to maintain a high GPA, among other things.

To continue her dedication to the well-being of children, Theressa is one of two childcare providers who serve as board members of Smart Start of Forsyth County. This non-profit organization provides scholarships for children to attend childcare facilities.

This business owner seems to know what it takes to sustain in a world that see operations come and go. When asked about her longevity and the advice she would give others aspiring to walk in her shoes, she offers, “You have to invest the time to learn how to run your business. You almost have to be a perfectionist, an overachiever. You also have to listen and make your customer feel valued.”

Theressa also acknowledges the idea of finding one’s purpose. “Millennials seem to find jobs that they love to do. People my age don’t always do that. I know this is what God wanted me to do. And that’s very important to me. I’m building relationships with hundreds of people and I’m helping mold children’s minds.”

Host of Experience Live

XperienceL ive Pastor Betina Moffitt Dr. Erika Hendrix

Co-host

Experience Live

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

Photos by Still Shots Photography

It’s a known fact that friends can have the same goal, can be equally intelligent, possess the same drive, but travel opposite paths on their journey to the same destination. Dr. Erika Hendrix and Pastor Betina Moffitt, the hosts of 107.9 FM’s, ‘The Xperience Live’ radio show, are perfect proof.

At the age of seven, Betina Moffitt gave her life to Christ. Her father, Charlie Watson, is a pastor, having been saved on the street, so she knew the power of following God’s word. The same night she was saved, young Betina began laying hands and prophesying. And she found joy in passing out miniature Bibles to whomever would take one.

Erika Hendrix bloomed a little later but still knew when it was the right time in her life to embrace the change. And she had to fight for it. As teens, her twin brother was called to serve God and was fully embraced and praised for his gift. A few years later, Dr. Hendrix had a dream that it was her time, and felt she was ready. Her family felt otherwise. “Growing up in a Baptist family, it was unheard of for women to be called to preach, as men were. But I knew I was ready,” she confirms.

In 1995, both aspiring ministers experienced major shifts. Pastor Moffitt was in the process of nurturing a relationship that would later lead to marriage and motherhood, while Dr. Hendrix continued to explore her singleness and figure out where her life, career, and spirituality were headed. That year, they were both being called to do the Lord’s work and their mentor Bishop Donnie Graves was there to guide them through it all. He noticed contrasting qualities in each of them and set out to nurture them individually. While Erika received frequent phone calls and coaching sessions, Betina received words of encouragement and minimal guidance. In December of that year, they were both ordained as ministers on the same night during the same service.

“I believe the radio program removes an intimidating factor because we don’t do hard preaching. We sit down and talk.”

On the night of the sermon, Dr. Hendrix’s family arrived at the church to cheer her on. Unfortunately, before entering the church, her grandfather had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. Dr. Hendrix forged ahead, delivering the sermon that would ordain her as a minister, but she knew from that moment on she wouldn’t be able to rely on anything but her faith. Even if her family couldn’t be there, she had to continue.

Their paths moved in opposite directions over the years; Pastor Moffitt continued to breathe life into her family unit to strengthen it while Erika decided that her five-year plan would not involve a committed relationship, avoiding any deterrents. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from N.C. A&T, a master’s degree from Hood University, and a doctorate from ITC Seminary. Both always kept their eyes on the prize and never lost their faith.

“This past summer God put it on my heart to do a radio show. But I didn’t know where to go. I remember I had used 107.9, which is a non-profit radio station, to do advertisement for our summer camp. He was looking to add more people, so I reached out to him,” explains Dr. Hendrix.

Their goal wasn’t to deliver an ‘all-out’ preaching show, but to offer practical principles to live by while sharing their personal life experiences. In the fall of 2018, Pastor Bettina Moffitt and Dr. Erika Hendrix made history with the radio station, by being the first females to go live and have their own talk show. Because it has been such a hit, the station has gotten flocked with calls from others interested in following in their footsteps.

“We take for granted that people know how to pray, or study the bible, or even live life on a daily basis,” says Dr. Hendrix. The show’s inaugural topic in October was ‘How to finish strong, specifically, how to finish what you start.’ The topic in November focused on personal vision. Many churches focus on goals for their entity but may forget about the vision of their worshippers. The two ladies want to promote thoughts on their individual lives and that of their families. Their most recent conversation was ‘Promises of God’. They pride themselves on using scripture and the word of God to teach these lessons and they encourage their listeners to actually use a physical Bible.

“This

“I believe the radio program removes an intimidating factor because we don’t do hard preaching. We sit down and talk. I think what we have that others may not, is, we’re transparent. Sometimes the church misses that,” says Pastor Moffitt.

In 2019, the duo plan to offer more conversations surrounding women’s issues, including, the wife’s role in a marriage, what place do single women have in the church, specifically women of color in ministry. Early on, the ladies were not always welcomed with open arms in a male-dominated field but they both feel that now is the perfect time for women to claim a firm stance at the podium and hold other visible roles.

“Women need to know that they can pastor more than just women. What makes them more well-rounded is when they can pastor men, families, singles, seniors, and anyone else,” Dr. Hendrix affirms. And because there are so few women, she wants to stress the need to encourage each other’s gifts and not compete. Listeners will hear them expound on these topics much more on the weekly program that airs on Thursdays from 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Additionally, the show has been a vehicle to promote what they’re doing individually. Pastor Moffitt is growing her church, Overcoming Deliverance Center, alongside her father, who serves as the Overseer. They’ve implemented an initiative penned ‘Restore 1 Win 1’ hoping to serve and build the community and the families that live in it. Dr. Hendrix lends her time to assist the pastor wherever she needs it.

This year will also see Dr. Hendrix publish a book entitled “An Open Letter to the Black Church”, and later, a workbook on moving from discipleship to mentorship. But the connection doesn’t stop there with these two. Dr. Hendrix is the pastor’s instructor at Apex School of Theology, as the pastor works towards her first bachelor’s degree.

Dr. Erika Hendrix and Pastor Betina Moffitt are busy ministering, teaching, and serving their communities in multiple capacities. They’ve touched many lives through radio frequency for the last three months and they can’t wait to minister to even more and have a greater impact on their growing audience.

I didn’t know where

By Tonya Tolson

Photos by Kimie James, IYQ Phogtography

Toni M. Winston wears many hats—digital media strategist, brand coach, author, blogger, corporate worker, wife, and mom. Some might wonder how she manages to do it all or encourage her to take one thing at a time, but Toni has no intentions of slowing down or scaling back. She believes that many people, herself included, work better by staying busy on a number of projects. In fact, she refers to herself as a Multi-Passionate Creative. “It’s okay to navigate the world working on several interest sequentially or simultaneously. But the goal is not to just be “busy”. We want to accomplish things.” Moving into 2019 Toni is shifting her focus from being busy to creating an atmosphere, for herself and her clients, of productivity and profitability.

Affectionately known as Ms. Toni Moni or “girl Toni” (since she and her husband both share the name, Tony), she was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia where she attended John Marshall High School and Virginia Commonwealth University. Toni also earned an Event Management Certification from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. For over 24 years she has worked in corporate America which she feels has equipped her with effective leadership, strategy planning, project management, and communication and organizational skills—the very skills she uses in her entrepreneurial endeavors and with her clients.

Toni began her entrepreneurial career with an event management company called Memorable Moments and Events where she planned social, corporate and religious conferences and events. It was during a client meeting that she was asked to describe herself as a color and an animal, Toni chose the color pink because it was cute and a squirrel because sometimes, she was just all over the place working on different things. For those that chuckle, Toni reminds them that even squirrels have a backstory. “To a casual observer squirrels may appear to be all over the place, but they are actually gathering and storing up for times of need.” She says there are a couple of lesson to be learned here for entrepreneurs who are overly concerned about what people say. “First, having goals is the key to your success. Secondly, doing what works best for your brand and your business may not look smooth or logical. But when you do the work that needs to be done, your productivity will pay off.”

Not long after, Toni along with two girlfriends, appeared on the Dr. Oz show tasked to drop two dress sizes in 90 days. At the end of the 90 days, Dr. Oz requested she blog on his website and share, inspire and coach others towards their weight loss goals. This allowed her to blog on a national platform and helped to kick off her blog ‘Follow the Pink Squirrel’— covering a variety of topics and a behind-the-scene look at her life.

With topics ranging from weight loss and meal prep to gardening, readers can find a topic that relates to their lives. No matter the topic at hand, Toni always circles back to goal setting, following dreams and overall mindset. She has followers from all walks of life and is confident that her strategies can help anyone create a roadmap for their own life.

She credits her family as her strength and for being a source of inspiration. Toni hadn’t set out to become an author, but it came about through a conversation with her then, four-year-old daughter. While at a doctor’s appointment, her daughter, who talked about wanting hair like that of her classmates said, “But mom my hair is fuzzy”. To which Toni replied, “But your hair is cute”. With that one conversation the poem “My Hair is Fuzzy, My Hair is Cute” was composed on Toni’s then blackberry.

In 2014 Toni secured an illustrator which took “My Hair is Fuzzy, My Hair is Cute” from a poem to a full-fledge children’s book. She learned the ins and outs of self-publishing so that she would be prepared to publish her own materials and assist others when the time was right. ‘My Hair is Fuzzy’ would later become a 2015 Best Seller in Children’s Books on Amazon.

Her next book ‘Caroline’s Hair’, is scheduled to be released in 2019. This writing was born out of her daughter stating she wanted hair like that of her classmate named Caroline. Although children’s books have been Toni’s niche, she is looking to expand her audience and will soon release another project, ‘21-Day for Moving You from Vision to Victory’ which will focus on goal setting, action steps, and success mantras.

Continued on the next page

As if she wasn’t already busy, Toni also specializes in digital media creation which includes brand coaching, website enhancements, social media marketing, and more. In this role, she takes her client’s current brand and moves it to the next level by helping them gain brand clarity and online visibility. “You improve your social media presence by first, clarifying your goals, setting a strategy and creating content. That’s where I come in. I help my clients define those goals, build the strategies and refine those processes which leads to amazing content and success,” she says.

Having this strategy to be successful for so many of her clients, Toni created her signature Victory Board Events. “That is my mission, to take clients from Vision to Victory. It’s a vision board on steroidsm,” she says. The workshop assist her clients with creating a road map to chart goals and dreams. The vision board process paired with practical application, goal setting and mindset applications propels their vision board to a “victory board”. Combined with additional one-on-one or group coaching, Toni is able to develop a plan that is able to point them in the right direction.

For those who may have a road map or vision board in place but not active, she offers a ‘Resuscitate Your Vision’ session to help bring it back to life. It is done by revisiting concepts taught in her other sessions, intended to help clarify someone’s focus and reengage their efforts. All of her services are available for presentations at Girls Night Out, church groups, and social clubs. h

By Terry L. Watson

Rachel Snipes is a mother of two adult sons and a person who loves to do anything creative. “I sing. I dance. I teach. I like to sketch, enjoy listening to music and cooking a great meal,” she says. Aside from her creativity, she also likes to read and learn new things.

As a child, she was physically and emotionally neglected, and even molested. “I had low self- esteem and found myself in one failed relationship after another. I was in a very dark place, drowning in poverty, debt, and homelessness. The homelessness only lasted for five years, but I remember not knowing where I was going to sleep, or what I was going to eat. I went from house to house sleeping on floors, taking showers and living in shelters. Though at times it felt as if I was about to lose everything, God kept me though,” she declares. Those experiences brought Rachel closer to the Lord in ways that she never thought of. She developed a compassion for people who are lost and broken.

Self described as intelligent but not arrogant, Rachel shares that she can be silly at times. “I love to work hard and play even harder. I am known for doing things off the cuff, just to get a laugh from people,” she shares. She is a nature lover as well and says “there is nothing more peaceful than sitting out on her back porch, listening to the birds singing in the trees and spending time with the Lord.”

She is also the owner of Berachiah Consulting Agency, LLC. Pronounced “Bear-a-ki-a” the word’s origin is Jewish and is derived from Berakhah which means ‘blessing’. The name also has roots in the Hebrew culture, meaning “whom God has blessed”. She shares when she found the name of the business, it really spoke to her heart. “I feel that it really describes the altruistic core of my spirit.”

BCA is a party planning and event services company. The services provided involve helping their clients find a venue for their event, and connecting them with vendors who can meet their individual needs for music, food, and transportation. They are capable of producing baby showers, birthday parties, family celebrations, anniversaries, and romance packages. They also provide their own ‘in-house’ designs for every event. Rachel recently released a project called, “Tablescapes” which allow them to offer online design concepts through Tumblr.

Rachel Snipes

“God Has Made A Way” Berachiah Consulting Agency, LLC

BCA was legally formed on April 30, 2015. Rachel had attended a free workshop hosted by the Greensboro Public Library and the Small Business Administration, “How to Write a Business Plan”. It took her about ten months to write the business plan. Next she wanted to make the plan official and began inquiring about legalization. She found information at the Elon University School of Law Small Business and Entrepreneurship Clinic that helped to move her forward with legalization and educated her on everything she needed to know. The clinic discussed the pros and cons of various business structure formats and helped Rachel make her decision to move forward.

As BCA began to develop, she made a personal promise to the Lord. “I promised Him that I will share my testimony with every person that He allows me to meet in the market place,” she says. “The greatest impact in my life is the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him I am nothing. It is the Lord who gives me the gifts and talent to create, the wisdom to run a business, and the opportunity to live a wonderful life. All of my praise and worship belongs only to Him because He truly changed my life.” She also credits her mom and dad, Apostle Bobby Mack and Almetia for being a tremendous spiritual influence in her life. In the darkest moments of her transition, it was their love and support that kept her steady.

Like most small business owners, Rachel has faced a few challenges. One has been finding enough operating capital. When the business began to take shape, she declares she only had a few hundred dollars, and spent them very quickly. She didn’t have any investors, nor did participate in any loan programs for small businesses. Her second challenge has been marketing her business. “It takes a budget to market your products and services. My ‘go-to’ resource for this is Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and any other forms of social media to get the word out about what my business is, and what it does,” she says. Rachel has also been challenged with developing a committed client base. She has done lots of pro bono work, and is patiently waiting for that client who feels the services she provides are worth paying for. Yet she remains focused and certain the day will come when she will be able to serve the public in a greater capacity.

In the future, Rachel plans to continue developing the ‘Tablescapes project,’ and expand her online presence through social media and develop a marketing campaign to sell custom designed centerpieces on a digital platform. She also intends to join a local merchants association and continue to educate herself on business management issues. “I also plan to host HATTACULAR III in 2020. HATTACULAR is an exclusive fundraising event held every two years to raise money for programs doing vital work around the issue of domestic violence. h

Rachel Snipes - Berachiah Consulting Agency, LLC (336) 954-6289

Photos by Andy Smith Photography

Miss Jabberwock 2018 - 2019 Pageant Contestant

Jabberwock Pageant Dates Talent Presentation

Saturday, January 26, 2019 @ 5:00 p.m.

James B. Dudley Sr. High School Auditorium

Miss Jabberwock Pageant

Saturday, March 30, 2019 @ 6:00 p.m.

Information Provided By Imiya Becton

by JLG Photography

Dear Family, Friends & Supporters,

I am Imiya Halo Becton. I am also a senior enrolled at Walter Hines Page High School in Greensboro. I enjoy reading, singing, cheering, drawing, debates, volunteering and researching medical and health care advancements.

I am pleased to announce that I have been selected to participate in the 2018-19 Greensboro Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Jabberwock Pageant.

Upon graduation, I plan to major in health/ premed at Winston-Salem State University. I will continue my pursuit of becoming a Neurosurgeon by entering the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

The Scholarship program will allow me the opportunity to experience cultural enrichment activities, community service projects and raise money to fund my college education. All funds raised are tax deductible and will be applied towards my education and will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your support towards my college education and being crowned Miss Jabberwock 2019

SPONSORSHIP CONTRIBUTONS

When you contribute, your name and/or business will appear in the Souvenir Booklet under the following categories:

Platinum $300 and above

Pearl $100 - $299 Ruby $75 - $99

Diamond $74 - $50 Gold $49 - $25

Patron $24 -$10

Donations $9.99 and under

(Donations will not be printed in the Souvenir Brochure)

Send Contributions Payable to: Imiya Becton 2333 Randleman Road Greensboro, NC 27406

For electronic donations please send to: Cash App/$SHLCLLC

Please do not mail cash

Photo

By Tonya Tolson

by Apollo Wonex

he beauty industry is growing by leaps and bounds, with several stylist gaining notoriety by social media and professional training. This stylist has been working in the industry for over 13 years and is quickly making herself known. Porscha Danielle began her journey as a self-taught stylist. At 34 years of age, she is a single woman and the owner of The Salon by Porscha Danielle in Greenville, S.C.

Porscha decided to go against the status quo and built a business based on corporate professionalism and natural talent. She was a computer science/business major who was on the path to a career in the technology fieldt at Coastal Carolina University. Although she did not have a passion for doing hair, a fellow student asked her to braid his hair. She actually could not braid hair, but quickly picked up the skill from a suitemate.

She started building her clientele from the students whose hair she did on campus. Most times when you talk to stylist they always say they have been doing hair since their teenage years, however she never was that person. She only did her hair and never wanted to start in the business. Once she realized that she had a natural talent, she came to a crossroads and started to question her decision of college. She then had a conversation with her mother who encouraged her to leave Coastal Carolina and enroll cosmetology school.

While attending cosmetology school, she stood out as one of the top students in her class. During her time there, Porscha’s instructor chose her to participate in the Midwest Chicago Hair show. She placed first in the United States. Her impeccable skills were recognized and qualified her to compete in the World Hair Olympics in Russia representing the U.S. team. She competed against 136 countries and placed in the top ten, coming in fifth place. This was an accomplishment that let her know she was made for this business. She finished cosmetology school and graduated at the top of her class.

As her career began, she has worked with several stylists, learned different techniques, and grew her clientele over the years. Porscha specializes in natural hair, but is trained in extensions, color, weaves, and is certified to do all types of hair. She also offers services for men as well. She is a certified makeup artist who has trained with celebrity makeup artists and stylists, and has participated in fashion weeks in Charleston, York County, and many other areas in South Carolina, Georgia, and even North Carolina. Over the years, Porscha has been privileged to work with various celebrity clients in these regions also.

Photos

She credits her family with her success. “My mother, Gloria Davis, instilled in me my drive for this industry,” she says. Unfortunately she lost her mother two years ago. She says, “When my mother was alive our relationship was ever evolving. We had our share of ups and downs, but because of her guidance and strength, I now understand what it takes to be successful. I admit that I did not realize the impact my mother made until after she was gone. As I reflect on the advice my mother offered, I realize she was giving me the strength and knowhow for when she would leave me. This just made me stronger and more determined to make sure I made her proud.”

This also prompted her to move into her own salon in November of 2018. After working in several salons over the years, she realized that she could run her own salon with great success. She decided to open The Salon by Porscha Danielle and within just one month, she increased her exposure and raised her customer base. “I learned that my clients enjoy more personalization and privacy when it comes to their hair care. Clients have all types of needs when it comes to hair. I have seen many various hair types, and assisted some who are dealing with hair loss from diseases such as alopecia, to a customer just wanting a personal hair session. Sometimes when you are in a salon you don’t receive the level of privacy you may need. By moving to my new salon suite, I can provide the level of comfortability that my client’s are seeking.

As a businesswoman and entrepreneur, her drive comes from working in corporate America. She has worked in human resources and engineering. She declares that human resources taught her that all people want and deserve personalized care, whle the engineering side taught her precision and skill. All of these factors have helped shaped her skill set and how she treats her clients, who she refers to as family. “I pride myself in making my clients feel like they are my only one when they walk in the door. I individualize all of my customers’ experience and educate them on their hair type, what they need to maintain their hair.”

Looking into the future, she sees her salon expanding into a teaching facility. “I want to give my knowledge to the new generation of hair stylist; I want to include classes not only in cosmetology, but also business management,” she says.

Porscha wants to give credit to her wardrobe stylist Benjamin Wright for styling her for the photo shoot. She also credits her brother Taurean Davis and family for standing strong throughout life. Additionally, she would like to send appreciation to all her family and friends that have been there and for giving her the strength and skills to be successful. h

Tiffany Hampton Bostic Total

Body

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton

Now that we’ve welcomed 2019, how many are thinking ‘new year, new me’? Have you selected the diet you’re going to start right after the holiday sweets are all gone? Well, according to certified personal trainer and bodybuilder, Tiffany Hampton owner of Bostic Total Body, that might be the first mistake of transforming yourself.

“Eating differently and taking care of your body does not mean dieting, because dieting is temporary. You have to think of it as a lifestyle change,” the well-known personal trainer explains.

Tiffany knows a thing or two about lifestyle changes, in more ways than one. Over the years she has changed jobs, changed careers, and changed her commitment to her passion. When she finally yielded to what she has always loved, her life was elevated more than she expected.

In 2007, Tiffany relocated to North Carolina to find a job in banking. She went on several interviews but couldn’t seem to secure the type of employment she was looking for. Since she has always enjoyed physical fitness, she decided to hire a personal trainer to help keep her in shape. He noticed Tiffany was very athletic, was disciplined, and felt she had what it took to be a great trainer to others. She was slow to move, but did reach out to another trainer who liked her style and hired her to work at his gym. He also encouraged her to become certified as a personal trainer, but she took it a step further and obtained a bachelor’s degree from St. Augustine University in Human Performance and Wellness along with her new certification.

She wasn’t quite ready to be a trainer full time, and found employment success at a restaurant in the area for a time and lost her motivation for fitness. Unfortunately her job ended abruptly and she was left, wondering what to do. During the course of then next year, she had gotten married, given birth to her son, and enrolled in graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in special education. With a year left in school, Tiffany admitted to herself that she wasn’t happy and decided to forego the last two semesters of school to pursue that idea that continued to haunt her, fitness.

“I held my first class outside at a park and did that for about six months,” says Tiffany. She created a flyer, advertised it, and watched the women flock to it. She obtained a few personal clients from the class, and trained for a short time, but needed more time to grow and mature as a businesswoman. Shortly after, she was hired by Wake County as a Teacher’s Assistant. Within two months she knew the role wasn’t for her. The idea of being a trainer continued to reverberate in her mind. She had to find a way back to what she loved. And she did.

Tiffany spent time training at different locations, including a church facility, and built her clientele. “Life happened and I went through some personal losses and needed to step away from training for a while.” The fitness enthusiast became interested in bodybuilding and set her sets on competing while she regained control of her career. For two years, Tiffany trained and traveled. That’s when she had the bright idea to become an online trainer.

“Eating differently and taking care of your body does not mean dieting, because dieting is temporary. You have to think of it as a lifestyle change.”

Photos by Nieto Photography

“I have to help a lot of my clients on a spiritual level. They break down spiritually sometimes, so I help them because I’ve gone through things myself.”

Bostic Total Body was born on October 31, 2014 and her Instagram page, Godly_ FitClassy, already has over 10,000 followers. Considering her training is virtual, her clients are located all across the globe, with most located around the United States. To date, she is booked through May and travels around the country to help prepare her competitive clients with their competitions.

Tiffany knows there are thousands of fitness trainers to choose from, but she feels her business is different, in that she ministers to her clients and considers herself to be more than a trainer. Her clients get face time with her through video apps, they have her personal cell phone number, and email. “What really stands out is my ministry. I have to help a lot of my clients on a spiritual level. They break down spiritually sometimes, so I help them because I’ve gone through things myself.” While many programs simply ask you to sign up for a program online and they never lay eyes on you, as a trainer, Tiffany, creates meal plans, work out routines and can evaluate their progress with pictures they share and videos.

When Tiffany isn’t training others, she’s preparing herself to compete and her own former trainer persuaded her to make the leap. He noticed that she was physically strong but it seems that she was mentally weak. Her self-esteem was low and she lacked confidence. She noticed that after she started training, she became mentally stronger and more disciplined. “Competing helps keep me disciplined with reading my word, with seeking God first, fasting, all of that.” That’s why she incorporates God into everything she does. Her clients, who are all female, are called Godly Fit Beauties. And each client is considered a doll.

The business keeps Tiffany quite busy, but it doesn’t slow her down. With the major support of a dedicated client, in 2018, she opened her boutique, ‘Godly Fit Boutique’ that sells women’s apparel. She published her first book, ‘The Distractions That Hinder You from Your Blessings’, in the fall of 2017 and her second book, ‘A Simple Guide to Godly Fit’, a cookbook, is currently at the printing press right now. The third, ‘Your Breakdown Before Your Breakthrough’ will be published this summer and the fourth in the series, ‘Your Reward for Being a Godly Woman’ is slated to release in December of 2019. She also has a few big ideas in the works that will catapult her to a larger platform

Since stepping out on faith in 2014, Tiffany credits her immediate family and complete strangers with supporting her the most. They believed in her craft and trusted her skill enough to invest in her and even refer several clients whose lives she transformed. Tiffany wholeheartedly believes these people are God-sent.

Just as this dedicated businesswoman revolutionized her life and her career, she knows anyone can position themselves to travel the same journey.

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