Huami Magazine for Memphis Nov./Dec. 2021

Mentorship Program

Provision And My Purpose

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

A Letter From The Editor

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

A Letter from the Editor

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Dorjea’ McClammey

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.

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

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HUAMI MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved mykelmedia@yahoo.com (336) 340-7844

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

On The Cover

Successful Women In Business Mentorship Program

He knows first hand what it’s like to have it tough. He survived and now gives back to help others. Philadelphia, PA

St.

is using story of pain and hurt to help others. Meet the author of My Pain is My Power. Grenada, MS

Mentorship Program

By Terry L. Watson

Dress for Success Memphis has now collaborated with Innate Success Corp., to implement the “Successful Women in Business” Mentorship Program. The program utilizes the Changing the Mindset Concept© developed by Innate Success that implements a framework to help women in business and entrepreneurship.

Innate Success developed and launched the program as a pilot in Fall 2020 and with the help of Dress for Success Memphis, the program flourished and now have an organizational home. The goal of the program is to help small businesses develop or enhance effective and sustainable business practices. The participants of the program were not required to have an established business, but, if they had the time, desire and commitment, the program would help them achieve their goal of entrepreneurship. The 6-month business mentorship program offers intensive business, legal and financial consulting, and resources to help businesses upskill and upscale their business. This program is offered to start-up, grass-roots and small business owners with an operating budget of less than $250,000 annually.

As of date this program has helped over 39 African American business leaders and raised over $75,000 in grant funding to continue to support the work. The goal is to help these businesses create an organizational infrastructure and enhance stability to upscale the economy and communities.

Dr. Shmeka Gibson Innate Success Corp.

Shmeka Gibson is an author, international speaker, business owner, and college professor. She is also the founder and CEO of Innate Success and Founder of Changing the Mindset Inc. Innate Success Corporation, started in 2018 as SG Consulting and Data LLC. After three years of growth and support, SG Consulting and Data was updated and rebranded.

The name change occurred in July 2020, and Innate Success’s doors opened for business in January 2021. Innate Success Corp. provides various business options, tools, and resources needed to develop business owners, organize business practices, enhance individual leader traits, and promote potential business leaders. Innate Success Core, one of our 5-subsidiary businesses, provides contract services to organizations needing organizational infrastructure development and program management, research, and applying to funding opportunities and data analytics. Our other popular business under the Innate Success model is I.S. cares which house the Mentorship Program.

After a year of work with her consulting business, she created a proofof-concept model called Changing the Mindset©. This model was created as a guide used in Innate Success to help business owners apply skills to change the way they perceive to modify their behaviors. The model became a trilogy of books, 5 E-Books, and a bullying and technology non-profit was created called “Changing the Mindset”. This organization teaches the youth nationally and internationally about bullying prevention and how to excel in the skills of technology.

https://flow.page/innatesuccess

Rhonda Treadwell

Dress for Success Memphis

Rhonda Treadwell is a pillar in workforce development and career preparedness in Memphis, TN. Rhonda is the Executive Director of Dress for Success Memphis. Dress for Success Memphis is a non-profit organization that provides interview and work-appropriate attire, confidence boosts, and career development to women making the transition into the workplace.

Dress for Success Memphis addresses those gray areas that include but are not limited to communications skills, customer service skills, understanding work ethics, and navigating the world of work related to the different industry requirements and mandates. The major goal is to ensure women can provide for themselves and their families and become marketable, productive citizens that impact the community’s growth. It has been an honor to serve, reinvigorate this program, and make sure we exist to help those who need and want to help themselves.

Join us in this journey as we attempt to make a positive imprint on the economy through our programming in Memphis.

Donate today at: https://dressforsuccessmemphis.networkforgood.com/ projects/116198-holiday-giving

Brittany Wright

Bu’Ens real or cake

Brittany Wright is the Founder and CEO of “Bu’Ens real or cake”. “Bu’Ens real or cake” is a bakery that create desserts that tricks the customer’s eye. “Bu’Ens real or cake” create and sale delicious treats that make the customers look twice.

For example, “Bu’Ens real or cake” create items like (fried fish platters, hush puppies and French fries all made from cake). “Bu’Ens real or cake” also create traditional cakes and desserts for celebrations. “Bu’Ens real or cake” gives Brittany the opportunity to express her artsy vision through food. Brittany enjoys seeing new faces smile and appreciate the art of cake. What’s even more inspiring is watching people take their first bite out of a Bu’En treat. Their reactions inspire her to go further.

Brittany would like to leave legacy that will make an impact on culture, community, consumers, customers, and her family. Brittany is currently working on launching her dessert food truck and providing teaching opportunities for people to learn how to create edible art with cakes.

Buen_realorcake@yahoo.com

Chanesha Gant

Sleep Happy LLC

Chanesha Gant, is the Founder and CEO of Sleep Happy LLC. Sleep Happy LLC is an overnight childcare option that provides nontraditional, working families with proper childcare services while they work, in and around the Memphis area.

Sleep Happy LLC. only provides overnight childcare services. Based on research and assessing the communities’ need, Ms. Gant was able to identify a service that would help overnight workers once they returned to employment during the pandemic.

Sleep Happy LLC. offers quality childcare, meals, and educational activities for the children in their care. Sleep Happy LLC. has been in the works the entire calendar year 2021, with a projected launch date for Spring 2022. Chanesha would like to successfully grow and expand her business, retire, and travel the world with her grandchild.

Hattridria Taylor

Comprehensive Career Center

Hattridria Taylor, is the Founder and CEO of Comprehensive Career Center. Comprehensive Career Center will provide hands-on training for equipment operators. The training focuses are Order Pickers, Pallet Jacks, Sit Down lifts, and Reach Trucks. They will foster an environment and emphasize the development of soft skills as well as technical skills.

Their goal is to produce well rounded professionals with a skill set that can lead to various employment opportunities. In 2019, Hattridria became a distribution center trainer. She trained individuals on equipment and process. During her time of training, she was always praised on how she impacted and influenced those trained. She was often told that she was motivating and inspiring. She even received the Above and Beyond Award 2019. Hattridria is certified on all equipment operated in warehouses and skilled in training others on how to use the equipment. She plans to be the first black female business owner of a career center in the Tris-State Area. Additional plans include opening a K-6 school for autistic kids. Hattridria loves using her skills and knowledge to help others. She enjoys working with and helping people and finding ways to support other businesses succeed. She plans obtain her Master’s in Speech Pathology.

hattridria@yahoo.com

Aimee Bilger, along with her husband are the Founders of UP Outreach. UP Outreach is a non-profit organization that provides resources and activities to Senior Citizens. They focus on health/wellness outreach/ resources, providing meals and mentoring (which include motivation, inspiration, and encouragement).

UP Outreach began November 24, 2014, giving out groceries to families on Thanksgiving Day. UP Outreach served 50 senior citizens in our community. The one thing they enjoy the most about being a business owner is seeing the smiles on the senior citizens’ faces, knowing someone is thinking of them. UP Outreach believes that one of the challenges that business owners face is failing to obtain all the information needed to make our businesses prosper. However, their inspiration comes from being able to work the mission and vision given to us from God.

Their long-term business goal is to do this every day. They would like to provide a safe place for the senior citizens in their community by establishing more centers in other communities as well. They would like to create jobs and provide ongoing resources for their target population.

Helen Caldwell

Keys2Success Learning Academy

Helen Caldwell, is the Founder and CEO of Keys2Success Learning Academy. Keys 2 Success Learning Academy was founded in 2010 and registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State as a non-profit corporation and has 501(c)3 tax exempt status.

At Keys 2 Success Learning Academy their mission is to provide a joyful and enriched virtual and in-person environment for learning that empowers children. Their goal is to educate the youth from low socio-economic backgrounds to reach their educational and personal potential. They also offer services that nurture their self-confidence and selfesteem during an enrichment summer program and during after-school tutoring sessions.

Helen’s inspiration is fueled by her passion for learning as well as the influence of some great educators who encouraged and nurtured her. Helen’s plans for Keys2Success Learning Academy are to create sustainability and generational wealth for her family while enhancing the academic success of youth for future generations.

JLeAnn Walker

JLeAnn Walker, is the Founder and CEO of Hidden Figurez. Hidden Figurez is a faithfueled, go-to exclusive activewear line and wellness enterprise. Their company caters to larger body individuals and encourages daily joy-full body movement and self-love. Their products include clothing and health events to promote healthy and wholly relationships with health and fitness while improving overall health outcomes.

When JLeAnn’s started to take control of her health journey five years ago, she struggled with limited activewear options. She was seeking inspirational, stylish, and functional activewear. Hidden Figuerz was founded in 2021 to provide activewear for fullfigured males and females up to 5XL. They offer services and products to promote health/ wellness while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

JLeAnn would like to be remembered as one who didn’t just exist but lived and followed the course God created for her. Also, as someone integral, kind, wise, unapologetic, impactful, a great leader, giving, lifted as she climbed and left a great legacy for others to be inspired by.

Dr. Carjie Scott

The Education Equalizers Foundation

Dr. Carjie Scott, is the Founder and CEO of The Education Equalizers Foundation. The Education Equalizers Foundation assists students who are historically excluded from attending college. These students include all minorities, i.e., Blacks, women, non-traditional, and first-generation college students.

The Education Equalizers Foundation connects interested students and their families with colleges by attending and hosting college fairs, workshops, and events. Education Equalizers was founded by Dr. Carjie Scott in 2018 and became a registered business in 2021. Dr. Scott has a long-serving career in higher education specifically, college admissions at trade schools, PWIs, and HBCUs. College executives hire Education Equalizer consultants to train their personnel on admitting and retaining minority students into their university, purchase Education Equalizer curriculum and training modules for their employees, and connect with incoming students to determine if they are interested in attending their university.

Dr. Scott is a speaker and best-selling author for “You are Accepted: How to Get Accepted into College and Life,” it is available for purchase everywhere books are sold. You can get an official autographed copy from her personal blog www.carjiescott.com.

hello@educationequalizers.com

https://linktr.ee/drcarjiescott

Michella Crisp Williams A Brighter Future

Michella Crisp Williams is the Founder and CEO of A Brighter Future. A Brighter Future provides wrap-around services to single mothers and their children in a safe and structured environment while aiding the moms to become self-sufficient. They provide supportive services in coaching, family planning, health/wellness, financial sustainability, employment, career building, etc.

The vision came ten years ago while working with families and children. While completing her research and community assessment, Michella learned that limited resources existed for mothers and children to support their families holistically. She plans to launch in Spring 2022 and would like her legacy of A Brighter Future to be recognized locally and nationally as a center that helps millions of single mothers become better.

Nadia Perry

Nadia Perry is the Founder and CEO of 2 Chics and a Bottle. 2 Chics and a Bottle was formed as a business in 2013 from a side job as a bartender to bring in an extra income. They are a full-service mobile bartending and hospitality service. They serve, train, hire and consult.

When people hear 2 Chics and a Bottle They want them to think about customer excellence, friendly smiles, big personalities, guaranteed great service. Over the last five years, they have teamed up with Taylor Made Sweets and Catering to host an unlimited food and martini tasting. Next year They plan on doing something similar but on a larger scale. Nadia loves that she found a solution to a problem that isn’t talked about much which is safety and alcohol.

Nadia prides herself on ensuring that her clients have a great experience with safety as the primary focus. Overcoming obstacles and being able to generate revenue in a nontraditional setting inspires her the most.

2chicsandabottle@gmail.com

Elisheba Mrozik

North Nashville Arts Coalition

Elisheba Mrozik, is the Founder and CEO of: North Nashville Arts Coalition (NNAC) (nonprofit dedicated to the support of the arts and artists of North Nashville. They provide space, education and access to those BIPOC artists with a connection to North Nashville, Culture Wraps (the only place to find unique gift wrap and gift accessories for every culture and ethnic group’s holidays and occasions).

All of the art created is created by artists of the ethnic group or culture they belong too, and residual income is given with every sale), and QueenBeeInk (the personal artistic brand of Elisheba Mrozik and encompasses everything from high end fine body art, arts consulting, large scale public art and community art engagement). NNAC was formed in 2015 as the Jefferson Street Art Crawl led by Elisheba and six other North Nashville Artists. They incorporated into a nonprofit in 2018. Queenbeeink started as a personal brand that grew up from Elisheba’s tattoo shop, “One Drop Ink”, which have been in establishment for 10 years.

Elisheba is inspired by young black girls being great at anything they choose. Elisheba wants to be remembered as someone who created and existed with integrity and who spreads love and art that gives pause, reflection, and spurred action. She wants people to remember that she didn’t have to hurt others to succeed.

Kay Johnson Inspired Bosses

Kay Johnson is the Founder and CEO of Inspired Bosses. Inspired Bosses provides transformational speaking services, books, and workshops for personal and professional development. They offer transformational empowerment speaking, workshops, and conferences.

Their target audience is millennials and Gen-Z entrepreneurial leaders. They partner with prisons, faith -based organizations, and individuals who are seeking a holistic selfcare approach to business ownership and life. They coach authors who have an interest in self-publishing self-help and inspirational books. What Kay loves most about being a business owner is the sense of innovation that it carries. She is enamored by planning, strategizing, collaborating, creating, editing, practicing, implementing, evaluating --- then starting the process over. Kay Johnson has launched 2 books, spoken on multiple virtual and physical stages, while serving Shelby County Schools most vulnerable population in education. In her book, Beginners Vibe Guide: The Millennial Success Map Kay expounds on how she was able to shift from self-condemnation to self-confidence.

www.inspiredbosses.com

Latura Alexander, is the Founder and CEO of: Creative Success, LLC. (Creative Success LLC. provides Advocacy, Coaching, and Mentorship) T.E.E.N. Academy (Mentorship and coaching to young teenage mothers, women, and fathers) and Latura Creative Designs (custom design flip-flops, party décor, gift baskets, and wood letters).

Latura, identified there was a need within a specific and vulnerable population. Latura birth her son in 1990, at 14 years old with limited support, resources, and the stigma placed on young teenage black girls in single parent homes who were also teenage moms. She did not allow being a teenage mother to hold her back. She pursued a career in social work and 22 years later, she decided to launch her own business to educate, mentor and provide a resource to teen mothers, fathers, and their families.

Her goal is to ensure pregnant teenage girls (ages 12-18) received the adequate prenatal care, the necessity tangible goods and services (pampers, clothing, baby beds, strollers), daycare, and educational services needed to be successful after giving birth to their children and later aging out of care and becoming independent and successful adults in society. She enjoys the work with the teen parents and educating the community on becoming their village.

Jaylah Whittaker

Jaylah Whittaker is a Program Implementer and Co-Founder of Changing the Mindset Inc. Changing the Mindset Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization that offers 2 programs for youth and young adults.

The two programs that Jaylah oversee are Bullying Can’t Stop Me (1. Educating everyone about the effects of bullying and the different types of bullying 2. Advocating for victims and providing resources to those that bully 3. Offering workshops and speaking publicly about bullying and its impact) and Technology as a Second Language (Offers services to individuals that would like to learn basic technology skills. They offer classes on website design, Microsoft, Google, and some coding).

Jaylah is a 16-year-old, Junior in High School and is heavily involved in community service work, volunteering, mentoring youth and participating in youth events at her church. As a victim of bullying and contemplating suicide and experiencing depression, Jaylah wanted to motivate and inspire other youth to find love within themselves and take back control of their life. Jaylah is also the author of a self-guided workbook called, “Bullying Can’t Stop Me” where she helps the reader learn about the different types of bullying, depression, suicide and self-love.

www.changingthemindset.org

Jaria SharkeyPendlove

Jaria Sharkey, is the Executive Director of Pendlove Inc. Pendlove Inc., was founded in 1985 by Ms. Shirley J. Deberry, Jaria’s mother-in-law. Pendlove Inc. is a not-for-profit organization providing senior placement and referral services to assist families in locating the best long term care housing and private duty care givers for their loved ones.

https://flow.page/changingthemindset

Their organization help families “Make Aging in Place a Safe Reality” by creating a personal care plan that is designed to help make home care healthy and safe for their loved ones. They provide community education programs to the community that are designed to bring awareness about long term care planning and preparation. Jaria plans are to smell the roses while she lives, enjoy life no matter what, and fully experience a life of financial freedom.

Upcoming events includes: November 11, 2021 – In honor of Veterans Day, the Shirley Cares Outreach Program will be recognizing (25) veterans that reside in residential long term care communities. December 18, 2021 – In efforts to spread love and cheer to family caregivers during the Christmas Holiday, Their Shirley Cares Outreach Program will be recognizing and delivering gifts of love to (25) family caregivers.

www.pendloveinc.com

Shandrisha Lawson Soaring Higher Inc.

Shandrisha Lawson, is the Founder and Executive Director of Soaring Higher Inc. Soaring Higher Inc. is a nonprofit nursing school that trains CNAs and LPNs. The nursing shortage during the pandemic was extremely scary.

They needed more nursing aides and nurses and Soaring Higher was coming to the rescue. That’s the core of Soaring Higher; to help females soar in life when they thought they could never fly. Plans for Soaring Higher includes expanding the school to offer CDL training and construction. Therefore, they can train, empower, and equip men with the tools they need to make an impact in the world.

Shandrisha plans to open her nonprofit school in several high poverty communities throughout the United States.

Not Pictured

Kendra Peterson

Inspire You Creations

Kendra Peterson is the Founder and CEO of Inspire You Creations. Inspire You Creations designs custom apparel, novelty items, branding apparel, tumblers, and stationery. Kendra started in 2020 due to the pandemic. Just like others she had free time due to working from home and the state being shut down. She knew this was the time to start her business.

Kendra is inspired by her children and customers. Kendra’s plan is to expand her business into the wholesale market and own her own warehouse one day. She would like to provide other crafters with wholesale items that compete with other non POC owners.

Ashlee is the Founder and CEO of The Recruiting Guru Inc.(Resume Writing, LinkedIn Personal and Company Profile Writing & Optimization, Career Strategy, Career Coaching, Social Media Branding, Interview Preparation and Coaching, Job Search Strategy Sessions, Salary Negotiation Sessions, Public Speaking, Workshops, etc.), Get Recruited Academy (Self-paced online Series for professionals seeking to learn how to position themselves to land positions they are targeting in their desired field with an increase in salary) and Serial Mom -Preneur (Ebooks, Social Media Branding, Series). Ashlee has enjoyed a 10-year career in HR, and eight years in career coaching and resume writing. She decided to create these businesses to assist the overwhelming amount of professionals that needed to gain a skill to position themselves as brand ambassadors for their careers.

Ashlee’s plans are to continue to lead and empower businesses and professionals to succeed and establish a legacy for her sons and their families.

Recruiting Guru Inc. Soaringhigherllc@gmail.com www.inspireyoucreation.com https://linktr.ee/inspireyoucreations www.therecruitingguru.com

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.

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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Victoria McCurtis

By Terry L. Watson

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.

“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.

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.

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. h

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.

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.

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.

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.

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