On any particular day, I can open the doors to my refrigerator and see a familiar sight. Nothing. I mean, there may be some of the usual players there, such as eggs, condiments, protiens, veggies, along with a few leftovers. Though it’s never full, and it makes sense not to be. I am a single man, and I only require the bare food essentials to survive, and if I overfill my icebox, a lot will go to waste.
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
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?
Again, that doesn’t make any sense. But what does is how God has still made provisions for me by supplying my needs with a resource to store and maintain food items. He knows I must eat to survive, but He leaves it up to me to select what to eat and how much. Gratefully, I often eat as I go and don’t allow much room for waste. By acknowledging the hands of God working for me in this matter, I can comprehend His works in every area of my life.
I have experienced my share of hard times. Often I have felt as if mine were more challenging than anything in the world. Though I have once complained during my moments of lack, somehow I adjusted, and life continued. When there seemed as if there was no hope for tomorrow, and tomorrow still came, life continued. I realize that I didn’t succumb during all of this, even during the most sorrowful situations. As my faith has increased with my walk with God, I am learning the reasons why.
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.
God has a plan for my life. That is called purpose. To fulfill my purpose, He has gone before me to ensure that everything I need is in order and available. That is called provision. I have learned that God allowed me to experience heartache and suffering as a child just so that I would be equipped to handle and thrive through anguish and suffering as an adult. He has allowed me to fall, get back up and fall down again so that I don’t become too comfortable with success and forget what it feels like to struggle and work my way up from wretchedness. God allowed me to lose; even when it appeared, I didn’t have anything left in my stable. I know He allowed it to make room for something greater. That’s provision.
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.
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.
I am truly grateful that God doesn’t give me everything He has prepared for me all at once. I am blessed because I can’t see what is going to happen, and because I have faith in knowing that God will make it happen according to His will and purpose for my life. God has made provisions for each of us.
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Terry L. Watson
Old Money, New Moves Demi and Randy Howell
Keyon Smith
He knows first hand what it’s like to have it tough. He survived and now gives back to help others. Philadelphia, PA
Candance Maiden
Be sure to bring your appetite. Learn more about the story behind Squash The Beef Catering LLC. Cleveland, OH
She is using story of pain and hurt to help others. Meet the author of My Pain is My Power. Grenada, MS
Huami Magazine Cutesty Baby Madison Naomi Jeffers
Black Butterfly Doula Charisse Montgomery
What Are Your Fitness Goals? Jennifer Anyikude
Double Clique LLC Victoria McCurtis
Tanisha Bankston
Old Money, New Moves Randy & Demi
By Terry L. Watson
by Charles Beason
Demi and Randy Howell of Huntsville, AL, are rewriting the definition of the term “power couple”. Everything they do is at the highest level. Individually, they are a force to be reckoned with, but together, there isn’t much that can stand in their way.
Demi and Randy celebrated 20 years of marriage earlier this year. Their story illustrates their authentic love for each other. It also details their commitment to building a fulfilling and purposeful legacy for their family. Randy is the dreamer, while Demi is an effective strategist, a combination that has produced two beautiful daughters, several businesses, and an influential platform. They have always kept the needs of their family at the forefront and decided to homeschool their daughters to ensure they received the best opportunity to succeed.
Demi describes herself as a “Serial Strategist”. She is a native of Huntsville and was raised by her parents to live a life of integrity and decency and taught never to settle. Those principles were applied when Randy began to court her. He shares how she never led him on and that he had no clue how much Demi liked him. She kept him honest while determining what her final decision would be. Demi admits that it was a simple decision because Randy covered all of her bases and swept her off of her feet for the most part, which Randy continues to do now 21 years later.
Demi loved to style hair growing up and became very good, mainly because she was a student of her craft. “I was self-taught, so I decided not to enroll in beauty school. And after graduating from high school, I took an apprenticeship and received my professional license,” she says. Soon opportunities began to fall her way.
Randy is the kind of person who hates to lose. Like Demi, he is also a Huntsville native. While in college, he majored in Business Management and Marketing, with a minor in Mathematics. “I am a numbers guy,” he shares. After acquiring a Bachelor in Business Management degree from the University of Pheonix, Randy jumped into the corporate world. He later obtained his MBA in Marketing. Presently, he is working on a DBA in entrepreneurship.
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While grateful for the corporate opportunities, Randy knew he should be doing something else. Being the master strategist she is, Demi knew it also and spoke some words that ultimately changed their lives. “My wife told me that our family would never succeed until I use my education and talents for our family,” he says. It was time for the Howell’s to level up, and the rest of the story is history.
Randy left his corporate job and began to support Demi’s dream. In 2004, they purchased a building that would eventually house their salon, Demi, named after their daughter, whose name is also Demi. In 2009, the Demiere Cosmetics line was launched, named after their other daughter, Dandilione. These two business ventures were only a glimpse of what the Howell’s would produce.
Randy began to immediately impact the salon with his business savviness and marketing skills. Demi was already established as a talented and seasoned stylist, and Randy complimented her vision. Their salon soon became one of the best in the country, and in 2010, was recognized as one of the top business practices under American Salon.
Demi also brings energy with her vision and direction of Demiere Cosmetics. The vibrant brand has grown in popularity and notoriety and was an official sponsor for a rooftop party at the BET Hip Hop Awards. It was also featured on several television productions, including BET’s 106 and Park, Love and Marriage Huntsville, and published in Essence Magazine. The Howell’s have leveled up once again.
In between working alongside Demi at the salon and helping with the cosmetics line, Randy got involved with rehabbing homes and property in and around Huntsville. This experience directed him to become a licensed real estate agent, adding another nugget to the Howell’s empire. Then out of nowhere, something began to happen at the salon that would allow Demi and Randy to share their lives with the world.
“I am a natural talker, and Randy is a talker too. He has a unique ability to listen to others’ problems and provide answers and solutions. These genuine qualities are evident whenever Randy speaks. He is a loving person and will help anyone in need,” Demi says.
While at the salon, Randy would often listen and talk to their clients and offer feedback. They also shared how much talking with Randy helped them. That’s when the “master strategist” Demi, realized the life coaching potential in Randy. She told Randy that he should coach others professionally and charge a fee for it. Demi got to work and began researching how he could become certified. Soon Randy was taking courses and eventually received his license.
Of course, nothing happens alone with the Howell’s, and Demi jumped into action. In 2018, the couple launched their talk show, A Seat At The Table, with Randy and Demi. “We are always together and wanted our own talk show. We wanted to give people a voice who may not have a voice,” Randy says. They use this platform to talk about parenting, religion, marriage, and more. Their video productions can be viewed on Youtube and social media.
“I am a Truth Coach. I encourage others to talk about their truths and help them deal with the issues they’ve yet to face,” he says. His style is working mainly because of the confidence he has in himself. “I put my coaching on the levels of Brendon Burchard and Eric Thomas. You have to put yourself where you want to be,” he says.
Randy is also known as Coach Chef, an opportunity that came about as a response of him catering to his wife, who has Celiac Disease. He had already been preparing her delicious, gluten-free meals and decided to use the talk show platform to showcase his talent. It was a huge success.
Randy has continued to level up with coaching. He has developed a program called the Sims Approach, and in 2020, the program was copyrighted. He currently has two female coaches studying under him and is putting the finishing touches on Truth University, an online program based on Truth Coaching. In December, he will launch a book called The Truth of Matter Is..., and host a coaching conference called Truth Fest in the Spring of 2022.
Leveling up and making power moves is nothing new to the Howell’s. Others have just begun to learn about them. “We were doing things before they became popular. We’ve been doing this; now, we are just doing it a different way. We used to work for money; now, we are working for purpose. The money is still coming. Now our money is working for us. It’s just old money, but new moves,” Demi says. h
Keyon Smith
Making A Difference Everyday
By Terry L. Watson
Keyon Smith is a native of Philadelphia, PA. He comes from humble beginnings, is the third born of a family of five, and was raised by a single mother in the project high rises of Raymond Rosen Housing projects in North Philadelphia. There were plenty of days and nights when he didn’t know where his next meal was coming from. “There were even moments when our house had no electricity or running water. I even remember as a kid fetching water from a driveway in an empty milk gallon jug.,” he says. Keyon recalls watching his mother become ill when he was 11 years old. She later died of cervical cancer in 1989, and his grandmother began to care for him and his siblings.
“The loss of my mother took a huge toll on me as a kid. My academics were affected. I endured another massive blow when my grandmother passed due to pharyngeal cancer six months later. My siblings and I then moved to live with our aunt, and we were finally on a stable path,” Keyon says.
Growing up in North Philadelphia, Keyon witnessed some pretty tough situations. “I’ve seen drug abuse, drug dealers, shootings, robberies, as well as homelessness.” He was voted class clown amongst his peers, and he soon gravitated towards entertainment. He would participate in plays at school, play the drums, and take gymnastics. Keyon was also a vocal youth and expressed his interests with speeches and mock trial competitions. After graduating from high school with honors, he took drama classes at the historical Freedom Theatre, pursued a career in film, and attended Philadelphia Community College. Life would happen, and Keyon left school and began working full-time but still pursued a career in acting. He has worked on several productions, including Cold Case, National Treasure, Annapolis, Invincible, Marley & Me, The Next Three Days, and Creed. He is currently the Assistant Director of the Independent Film Association of Philadelphia. He also received a BSBA from the University of Phoenix.
Photos Provided by Keyon Smith
Keyon is the founder and owner of M.A.D.E.Making A Difference Everyday. M.A.D.E. is an apparel and products company that makes and sells items suitable for all ages while bringing positive energy and liberation. Their product line includes t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, tote bags, duffle bags, socks, and jackets. Portions of the proceeds and donations received by the program are given back to their community. Giving back to his community is very important to Keyon, and he has done a lot since the program’s launch. They’ve conducted a tech giveaway for middle school kids and supplied monitors and keyboards, and provided lunch boxes and masks for elementary school kids. They have donated to Y.E.S. (Youth Emergency Services) and recently provided a women’s and men’s shelter with toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths, bath towels, and sanitizer.
So why lauch an apparels company? For Keyon, the answer is connected to his roots. “I’ve always had a big heart as a kid and would give my last to help anyone in need. That is the primary reason I started M.A.D.E. Back in 2013, my cousin and I fooled around with t-shirt ideas. I wanted to create something that anyone could wear. My very first shirt was Dream Dreams. It was cool, but my second shirt idea was M.A.D.E., and it just took off and skyrocketed. I did not expect the demand, and I was forced to shut down because I could not keep up. I needed a plan and a team. I came back better than ever and relaunched in 2019,” he says.
With owning his company, Keyon says he loves the opportunities is offers him to connect with others. “I love being able to change the trajectory of someone’s life. If there are ten people in the room, I hope to change the life of at least one. That person may go on to change many.”
With the cause of his mothers, grandmothers, and even his aunt’s death due to cancer, Keyon uses those experiences as inspirations. The M.A.D.E. logo and colors represent them and the battles they fought., They all stepped up and showed me what family was all about. It’s the reason I need to keep paying it forward. A different decision by either of them and my life could be different. I live and give back through them,” he shares.
The future plans for Keyon and M.A.D.E. involve adding more products to their online store and giving back to it’s community. He plans to spread the word about M.A.D.E. and inspire others to become active in their community. Keyon often recites a quote by Audrey Hepburn that says, “As you get older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” To learn more about M.A.D.E., please visit their website.
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Stay The Course
By Terry L. Watson
Her goal is to maintain a humble spirit and take on all the characteristics of God’s personality and heart. She also aims to dominate the kingdom of God. That is who Kaliah Ballon-Leo is.
The current Anderson, SC resident was actually born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Family and Community Services; a tool Kaliah utilizes as a Program Director for a non-profit organization, New Foundations Home For Children/Empowering Families. Kaliah is also the owner of Stay the Course LLC, a business platform that represents her entire life story. “Stay the Course LLC is not just a brand but a movement,” says Kaliah. “A couple of years ago, God gave me the tagline, (Trust the Process, Stay the Course, Be Great & Soar). And she has done just that.
Kaliah isn’t your typical worship leader. She loves dope kicks. She has 22 tattoos. The sides of her hair are shaved. She is totally out of the box. “At 42 years of age, I embrace all of me and who I am still becoming. As a worship leader, I enjoy seeing lives changed through encounters with God. I love being in the presence of God and being able to tap into so many intimate and profound places of Christ. When someone encounters the heart of Jesus, they are forever changed,” she says.
Photos by Kaliah Ballon-Leo
Kaliah was raised in a very strict religious atmosphere. That upbringing has played a huge role in developing her into the woman she is. “I realized at a young age that my true calling was to spread the gospel of Jesus through song. As a child of God, Worship Leader, Psalmist, Levite, and Intercessor, my goal is to allow God to get the glory in all that I do. My focus is one audience; Christ. I am solely committed to the role God has placed on my life and will continue to chase after the heart of Christ without hidden agendas or motives,” Kaliah confesses. “The late Bishop Tony Miller said these words that will forever stick with me, “Worship is where you become Undone.”
“I lost my dad, Allen Robinson at the age of three and my mother, Celeste Ballon, at 11. I was raised by my grandmother, the late Agnes Ballon. My grandmother was my rock and strong tower. She raised me in a Christian home, and I will forever carry what was instilled in me through her teachings. She lived and taught by example and instilled morals and values within me. She showed me what a life lived with Christ looked like. My grandmother taught me how to fight, tarry, and pray. I knew that prayer must always be my foundation. Now that I am older, I appreciate her strict structure and discipline. She loved me, pushed me, motivated me, and encouraged me. She was my biggest cheerleader and made it known that I was her baby,” she shares.
The adage “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” can fittingly be applied to Kaliah’s life. Losing her parents at such a young age has empowered Kaliah in her role as a wife and mother. “Grief as a child and then as an adult is totally different. Both of my parents suffered from years of drug addiction and depression, which brought on other illnesses. Both were HIV positive when they passed, but that was not the cause of their deaths. The drug addiction was the root of it all, and God called them both home. I know that my mother gave her heart to Christ weeks before her passing and that gives me peace in knowing I will one day see her again. In June 2020, I lost my brother Keith Ballon, the only sibling birthed by my mother. I miss him deeply,” she says. Grief, depression, illness, divorce, molestation, and almost losing her life to gun violence; So many weapons have formed, but none have prospered in Kaliah’s life!
Kaliah finds inspiration in the life of others, mainly those who have gone through similar circumstances such as hers. “To see my 16-year-old son who the doctors told me I would not have, be born again, and live out God’s promises and singing for Jesus inspires me. Having my loved ones around me inspires me to keep going and stay the course. To see so many lives saved, healed, and delivered through my gift inspires me. My testimony inspires me because, without the crushing and the pressing, there would be no oil,” she says.
Moving forward, Kaliah plans to expand her brand “Stay the Course” by adding athletic apparel. There are plans to produce a gospel album and EP soon. Most importantly, Kaliah hopes to continue to make God smile and stay in His perfect will.
To learn more about Kaliah, please visit her website.
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Squash The Beef Catering LLC &
By Terry L. Watson
One thing is for sure; you better bring your appetite.
Kurtis J. Williams and Candace Maiden are the owners of Squash the Beef Catering. They are also life partners, business partners, and parents of a bright and energetic five-year-old girl.
Kurtis is the Executive Chef, and Candace is the Catering Director. To make things run effectively, they each play a role that connects to their respective strengths. Kurtis is a self-taught chef who learned how to make vegan soul food by traveling and trying different foods. Additionally, he has also worked 10-plus years as a Behavioral Specialist.
Kurtis became a vegan in 2017 after watching the documentary “What the Health “ and experiencing the devastating loss of his mother. He then decided to take action and change his diet and lifestyle. Through much research, Kurtis committed to a plant-based diet to manage his pre-existing medical conditions and improve his overall health.
The first two weeks were the most challenging he says. He found it very frustrating to find meal options and foods that tasted good and creative ways to cook in the kitchen. Over time, he learned the importance of committing to this lifestyle change because his health improved. To remain interested in cooking and eating vegan, Kurtis went on a journey and traveled to Toronto, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. He dined at some of the best, world-renowned plant-based restaurants and determined that vegan food can and should taste good.
That experience ultimately led him to create recipes and learn to make his favorite Americanstyle comfort food, both healthy and vegan versions. Vegans and non-vegans both remarked on how delicious and satisfying his food was. Kurtis then decided that if more people could experience good, quality, tasty vegan food, maybe they would change to a plant-based diet. Thus the idea of Squash the Beef Catering was birthed.
Kurtis tested this theory and, in 2019, entered his first food competition. At the Vegan Chili Cook Off in Lakewood, OH, Kurtis debuted his homemade chili and introduced Squash the Beef. Kurtis won 1st place, and the audience demanded more and desperately wanted to try his other homemade recipes, including his vegan soul rolls, dirty grits, and vegan lasagna.
Photos by Squash The Beef Catering LLC
At her core, Candace is an educator and has worked in the education field for over nine years. She is also the Catering Director and manager of Squash the Beef Catering. She also became vegan in 2017, deciding on the lifestyle change after watching the documentary “What the Health” and reading about the benefits of a plant-based diet. She is also raising their daughter vegan, encouraging her to make ethical decisions regarding the treatment of animals. Like Kurtis, Candace, too, was frustrated with the vegan options and selections in the Greater Cleveland area and wanted to be a part of the solution to encourage others to go vegan. Candace came up with the name Squash The Beef, a colloquialism in the hip hop world and a catchy name she believed would illustrate vegetables’ power over meat.
Candace is responsible for the marketing and creative design of Squash The Beef LLC, and making sure the brand is widely received. She hopes that Squash The Beef attracts vegans and provides an alternative way of eating for nonvegans alike. “My desire is for people to realize that good, quality food can be satisfying without the death of animals,” she says.
Squash The Beef Catering LLC was launched March 15, 2019. It is a 100% vegan catering company designed to provide high-quality vegan comfort food that does not compromise taste or nutrition. They also offer meat alternatives by recreating comfort foods without using animal products.
They also provided catering services for small groups/parties, corporate events, pop-up shops, food festivals, and fairs. Orders can be made by phone or online, and delivery and pick up is an option also.
The couple recalls when vegans were almost ostracized and considered members of some far-strung cult—weird and radical. But not today. The number of individuals identifying as vegan is rapidly growing. Meat-free and ethical populations are becoming more than just a trend; there is a global dietary shift away from animal products.
Some of Squash The Beef Catering products are Vegan Comfort Food, the Comfort Cone, the Comfort Burger, Kale Lemonade, and PeachMango Lemonade. While their typical clients are vegans vegetarians, they also cater to anyone interested in veganism.
“We educate people on an alternative diet and lifestyle. Veganism has helped us improve our health, and we want others to experience this. This is why we love what we do,” Candace shares. And possibly because of the overall positive health benefits their menu offers, the community has embraced Squash The Beef with open arms. “Other business owners in Cleveland have been so supportive and instrumental. We are grateful for our experience with Honeycomb Credit, which allowed us to Crowdfund money and purchase a food trailer. Being a mobile food business was a significant pivot and has proven profitable.”
While the future looks bright for Squash The Beef Catering, Kurtis and Candace both agree there is still a long way to go. Their short-range goal is to continue operating its mobile food business and increase its presence in the marketplace. Next, they hope to open a vegan sports bar. With their determination, anything is possible.
To learn more about Squash The Beef Catering LLC, please visit their website.
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Victoria McCurtis
By Terry L. Watson
by Double Clique LLC
It has once been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Looking at a photograph captured by Victoria McCurtis may be an infinite experience.
The talented and breathtaking photographer is quickly making her way around the greater Detroit metro area. Born Victoria Marie Belcher, she wears many hats, none more important than being a single mother to three beautiful children, Ryann, Madison, and Dylan. She is also a worship Pastor (she loves God), book author, and entrepreneur. Victoria describes herself as a creative who is innovative and addicted to beauty and art. She is also a high school graduate and licensed life insurance producer.
She is the owner of Double Clique LLC. Victoria shares she started her company in 2014 by taking photos with her first iPhone. “I was snapping pictures of everything because the quality was so great.” Today, her camera and tools of choice are a bit more sophisticated, as well asntele list. She specializes in Inside and Outside portraits/photography. Her work is tastefully presented, validating her ability to not only capture art through her lens but having a gift to edit and enhance her images with a ‘Double Clique” signature. Additionally, Victoria offers graphic design services, including flyers and personalized T-shirt designs.
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“Being a photographer is something that I truly enjoy doing. I love seeing my clients’ responses. I actually cried at one of my latest shoots because the client was so happy with the results,” says Victoria. “Those moments are what inspires me. I’m also inspired by my mentor Stephanie J Pride. She is not a photographer but an entrepreneur and is not afraid to learn business. My best friend Christina Williams is also one who inspires me. She taught me to be focused and financially literate. I’m also inspired by Myles Munroe and the photographer, Derrick Blank.”
Victoria shares that her late father has greatly impacted her life, someone she says taught her how to remain determined no matter what. That kind of determination is needed to grow in the very challenging photography industry. “I have challenges, but I don’t view any of them negatively, but I view them as opportunities. Things like inconsistencies in finances and clientele, they both tend to fluctuate. I have dealt with disappointed customers (after having done the best I can); that can be frustrating. And not always having adequate equipment. Though these things pose a threat, they also create opportunities to become better,” Victoria shares.
Her advice to others who may follow in her footsteps would be always to have faith in God. “Have faith in yourself, and have faith in your product. Do not be afraid to be different, and don’t be ashamed to stick out like a thumb. Be determined, dedicated, committed, consistent, and most importantly, be you!”
Moving forward, Victoria has excellent plans for Double Clique LLC. She is expanding her products and servicing the public with all things branding. She states that Double Clique LLC is not just for photography alone. In addition to the graphic design services, they plan to add more resources to better meet their customer’s needs.
To learn more about Double Clique LLC, please contact them directly.
Black Butterfly Doula LLC
Supporting Bounds
And Transforming Lives One Birth At A Time
By Terry L. Watson
by Charisse Montgomery
For the most part, a Doula is typically a woman employed to provide guidance and support to the mother of a newborn baby. For doula Charisse Montgomery, her goal is to do much more with her company, Black Butterfly Doula LLC.
Charisse shares she is supporting bounds and transforming lives with her services, one birth at a time. “My passion is supporting individuals from underserved and unheard populations who face barriers accessing doula services. In doing so, I hope to lessen the morbidity and mortality rates of birthing people who identify as people of color. As a doula, my main focus is on physical, emotional, and educational support during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early postpartum period. I’m an advocate of the birth justice movement, which seeks to recognize inequalities and empower people of color in communities in the pregnancy and birthing process. I also have expanded my services to include family engagement, social service support, and patient advocacy. I also educate my clients on the difference between informed choice versus informed consent,” she says.
So who is Charisse Montgomery? First, she is a woman of God who is learning every day how to manifest the gifts He has given her. “I am grateful for the opportunity to create a legacy to honor God,” she says. Second, she is a wife of almost 28 years to her husband Kenneth and mother to three adult children, Fanshon, Meagon, and Kendall. She is also a “Gi Gi” to her granddaughter, Olivia.
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Charisse says she has always felt the need to stand up for the underdog. She shares, “I have been in the position of mentor/ mama for as long as I can remember, helping to right the wrongs of those who were in need. I have lost and left a few jobs because I disagreed with the direction of those who sat in positions of power. Each experience has made me more inclined to help. My family motto is “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do”.
Charisse has worked in the health care field for over 25 years and holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration. She is licensed in Illinois and Missouri as a Pharmacy Technician and is currently working on becoming a certified lactation counselor. She is also a certified and licensed Realtor.
The idea of Black Butterfly Doula had been stirring within Charisse for years. She had unofficially performed some of the services as a doula with her family and friends for years. When her daughter announced the pregnancy of Charisse’s first grandchild three years ago, she says something inside of her lit up, and she knew she had to help guide her through every step of the birth experience.
Shortly after that experience, Charisse says her good friend, Sissy, told her that she would be great as a doula and consider it a profession. After that conversation, she says she did the research and signed up for a certification course to become a fullspectrum doula. After completing the course in November 2018, she filed an application for her LLC with the State of Missouri in January of the following year.
Charisse says she loves sharing information with her birthing persons and their families and watching them become empowered to create a birthing plan. She finds inspiration in three women; her maternal grandmother, Christine, her mother Bernadine, and her mother’s paternal cousin Patti. “The thought of making them proud inspires me the most. Each of them taught me the importance of leaving a good legacy for my family. I have also learned that walking in integrity, being a woman of good character, and having compassion with faith in God will supply what is needed to do the work handed to you,” she says.
There are different kinds of doulas. Pregnancy and birth doulas are just one of them. There are also postpartum doulas, abortion doulas, miscarriage doulas, and full-spectrum doulas. With each classification, challenges often present themselves. Charisse’s obstacles in business include waiting on legislation to be passed in Illinois to allow Medicaid funds to be used to pay for doula services. Most of her clients in the area she serves can’t afford to pay full price for her services. Charisse started a donation fund to supplement a portion of completed packages of her services based on an individual specific needs to address that matter. Another barrier she faces is getting the information out on what a doula is and how they support families in multiple ways. “Some people only think of doulas as a support system during active childbirth. We also offer pre-pregnancy support in the form of childbirth education,” she shares.
Moving forward, Charisse plans to build upon her business and become a doula instructor and trainer. She hopes to have Black Butterfly Doula LLC listed as a 501(c)3 and support her community from a holistic perspective. To learn more about Charisse and The Black Butterfly Doula, please visit her website.
What Are Your Fitness Goals? Jennifer Anyikude
By Terry L. Watson
If you can’t hang with the bid dogs, then you might as well stay on the porch. While trying to measure or gauge the energy and enthusiasm Jennifer Anyikude exudes, that assertion is fitting. However, the fitness expert soft side and approach is usually the first impression others will have of her.
The Nigerian American is very proud of her roots. She is the owner of Jenn Fitness DC, located in Capitol Heights, MD. Her name is Jennifer, but many refer to me as Jenn, and she has worked as a certified personal trainer for over 10 years. She has a bachelors degree in Exercise Science and two masters MHA and MHEP.
JennFitnessDC was launched in 2012. Her success as a fitness expert happened rather organically. In the beginning, she discovered that her charisma helped people to trust her, eventually exposing their vulnerabilities. She started by training anywhere she could find a place available but now trains out at her home, in a space that she has transformed into a gym/shop. “I’ve trained in corporate, private, and in government spaces,” she says. Additionally, Jenn teaches health and physical education to elementary school children (pre-k - 6th grade).
“I am an exuberant certified personal trainer who is changing lives and inspiring people every day! I set the example of how adopting a balanced lifestyle (healthy diet and active lifestyle) can benefit someone mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. My training style incorporates HITT (High-Intensity Interval Training), calisthenics, resistance training, weight training, and sprinting. I avoid sticking to a particular style, which helps keep workouts fun, challenging, and different, and teaches clients how to adopt health and fitness beyond losing or gaining weight,” she says.
Photos by Jennifer Anyikude
Jenn’s clients are typically people looking for the continuous betterment of themselves. “I love helping people build their self-efficacy! I teach my clients how to strengthen their minds, bodies, and souls,” she says. “I am inspired by growth. That involves seeing growth in my clients and seeing myself mature over the years as well.”
One area of focus for Jenn is Cardio and Weight Loss. Cardiovascular health is critical to those both young and old. She says that if you find yourself getting winded while climbing the steps or experiencing shortness of breath, then it’s time for you to increase your daily physical activity. “One of the most difficult aspects of weight loss is a lack of daily physical activity to counteract the consumption of calories consumed. There is no magic trick or substitute for physical activity. I’m here to help guide and motivate you, so you can make steady and consistent improvements that you’ll see quickly,” she says.
Jenn also stresses the importance of proper nutrition. “Eating right is not always easy. Nowadays, there are so many temptations with easy access to unhealthy foods. Your health is the most valuable thing you have, and you should treat it as such. If you’re tired of trying new diets every few months, we can help you transform your lifestyle overall. We ensure that you combine your diet with the required physical activity to reap the most benefits and feel the most results long term.
Some advice she offers to others who may follow in her footsteps is to always be consistent. “Do your research constantly because the information is always changing and evolving.”
Moving forward, Jenn hopes to tap in more into her community. She believes the best possible way to accomplish that is through children. As a result of her belief, she hopes to host a summer camp one day.
Currently, she is offering flexible programs for one-on-one personal training and interactive group sessions. She also provides virtual Zoom classes as well. “There’s no excuse left other than for you to make up your mind to transform your life for the best,” says Jenn.
To learn more about JennFitnessDC, please visit their website.
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My Pain Is My Power
By Arielle Kilgore
According to Merriam Webster and its definition of abuse, it can be characterized as a corrupt action or custom, improper, excessive use of treatment, or physical maltreatment. It may also use language that condemns or vilifies, usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily. Although an abuser can possess these traits, the victim does not have to carry their definition but become the opposite—the victor. By Merrian Webster’s definition, it means one that defeats an enemy or opponent, i.e. a winner. Another synonym for a victor, Tanisha Bankston.
Tanisha’s story is one of hurt and triumph. A native of Grenada, MS, and current resident of Oxford, MS, she is a survivor of rape and even incest. Her anguish also stems from domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, and trauma from an early age. From age 14 to 23, she was abused. When she tried to escape, she was beaten and left to die, along with a child to care for. Even after finding her strength and equilibrium of being a mother and survivor, she felt silenced for 27 years by the events that ruined her life. “I overcame my hurt by breaking my silence, and I realized I needed to rediscover my voice that had been trapped,” Tanisha shares. Once I found my voice, I then decided to help other victims find theirs and speak life over the situation that could kill them.”
Tanisha is the founder of My Pain is My Power. Her business cater to victims of
abuse while shepherding them into recovery. “I started this because I had to break my silence. I wanted to help others like myself. I knew that it was time to move forward. That’s why I wrote my book. I chose to be a voice and advocate for others and take the energy back from all the trauma that I’ve gone through,” she shares.
Tanisha is the author of her self-titled book, “My Pain is My Power”. Published May 21, 2021, her book shares her story and sheds light on victims of abuse. She gives an inside look at her life and how long and hard the process of the recovery system can be. Tanish uses pieces of her ordeal and the relief methods she relied upon to serve as resources and tools for others. “Talking to other people and listening gives women the power to be heard and understood. They can talk to me, and I can help them because I can relate to what has happened to them. Being a survivor helps me understand other survivors.” she shares.
Photos by Tanisha Bankston
One of the first steps of assistance she offers is getting victims to crisis homes and shelters. There, victims can detach from their trauma in the presence of trained individuals who will direct them to further assistance. The support system for victims frequently involves other victims, and Tanisha is familiar with both roles.
She also advocates and speaks at women’s conferences and radio stations around the state of Mississippi and nationally. She serves her audience exclusively online through her website and Facebook, which will soon be Metra, seminars. Additionally, she sells merchandise such as t-shirts, pens, and buttons, items that assist in encouraging the survivors to remember how important they are and how they made it to the light.
Along with her book, Tanisha has spoken on various radio talk shows like Miss Texas Show, the Reality Series, CPS the Horror Story, Empowered Voice, a Mental Health Break, and started the first session to speak out about abuse in her area. She also holds conference calls and domestic violence meetings with survivors. The number one way to ensure better treatment and acknowledgment is to bring awareness to what is growing to be an epidemic in America.
A wave-breaking Netflix show called Maid brings to light abuse in the world of women. Tanisha agrees the production informs the viewer that abuse isn’t just physical, it can be mental, emotional, and spiritual. “Anything that could harm and change a person from who they are is abuse. It is imperative to share the different types of abuse.”
Moreover, she hopes that her business provides that light of knowing that abuse is everywhere and they are here to help. Recently, her business has received the award for Chamber and Commerce of being a new business. She hopes you expand it to have different agencies that advocate for women victims and survivors. She will shortly launch her podcast that will give advice and provide shelter for abused women.
Most importantly, Tanisha hasn’t shielded anything from her children. She wants them to grow up normal and, if at all possible, help her cause, as well. “In the future, I hope that they never have to go through the things I’ve gone through. I know they can have a successful life and business and move on with their life as well.”
Despite every battle she has faced, Tanisha doesn’t look at her life as a struggle, but instead as a mission to help others conquer. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I don’t have any regrets.”
In the future, Tanisha plans to continue to use her platform to serve and help others in need. “I’m looking forward to raising awareness and advocating, and volunteering in my community to bring an end to domestic violence,” she says.
For information on Tanisha Bankston’s story or to join her cause, please visit her website.
