Huami Magazine Milwaukee Nov./Dec. 2021

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Provision And My Purpose

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.

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

A Letter from the Editor

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson

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Euphoric Travels By Tenisha

Meet the face and founder of Double Clique LLC. She is making way in her lane.

Detroit, MI

Tanisha Bankston She is using story of pain and hurt to help others. Meet the author of My Pain is My Power.

Grenada, MS

Ballon-Leo Depsite of how life has happened for her, this vessel has held tightly onto the hand of God.

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Tenisha Walker

Vacations are for everyone, and everyone should live for vacations. Whether your destination is 100 or 1000 miles away, the idea of detaching from the usual hustle of life seems so gratifying. Well, Tenisha Walker is in the business of making dream and fantasy getaways a reality.

The 39-year-old Milwaukee, WI native is the owner of Travel Business Owner of Euphoric Travels By Tenisha. Her company provides travel services, including booking flights, rental cars, hotels, vacation rentals, excursions, cruises, concerts, sporting events, and more. Additionally, she is a Market Representative, which allows her to educate her clients on saving and earning while traveling. For those interested, Tenisha can assist with starting a Travel Business.

Tenisha now resides in Pheonix, AZ, with her three children and husband. She attended Milwaukee Public Schools, and shortly after graduating, she joined the United States Navy and served for five years. After being Honorably Discharged, Tenisha decided to enroll in college to study as a Medical Assistant. After receiving her diploma, her passion continued to grow for health care. Next, she enrolled in Nursing School but later switched her focus to Funeral Services. “I was enrolled as a full-time student and working full-time. That was a huge load, and unexpectedly I ended up pregnant with my daughter and decided to take time off to stay home with her. I relocated to Arizona shortly after,” she says.

It made sense for Tenisha to venture into the world of travel. Being that she traveled all over the world with the US Navy, she desired to continue journeying, but her life changed and put things on hold. A high school classmate (now business partner) introduced me to the travel business in April 2020, and the rest was history. I was able to talk to some amazing leaders on my team and began training to learn more about the different countries around the world and how others could benefit,” she says. Since her initial launch, Tenisha has become a Certified Dream Maker and has several certifications with the Marriott brand for the Dominican Republic, Los Cabos, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and more.

Besides traveling around the world and experiencing various thrills and cultures, Tenisha says she loves being able to help others transition from customer to consumer. “I love meeting amazing people. I also love saving and earning, all while traveling the world and being able to go at my own pace while still working a full-time healthcare job. I love making my clients happy and networking with other businesses,” Tenisha shares.

Like most industries, travel has been adversely affected by the Covid 19 pandemic, and this posed a huge challenge for Tenisha. She shares, “I started a month into the pandemic not knowing what to expect. Know one knew if or when we would be able to travel again. It became very discouraging at times, but I kept the faith, and as my grandmother would always tell me, ‘keep a prayer on my tongue and song in my heart.’ I did just that, and by God’s grace, myself and my team of six agents are here today.”

“I love meeting amazing people. I also love saving and earning, all while traveling the world and being able to go at my own pace while still working a full-time healthcare job.”

Tenisha is mostly inspired by her family and friends, whom she says motivate her to go. “I want to show my family and others you don’t have to limit yourself to one thing, but you can have many different streams of income. Doing so will allow them to follow their dreams and work for themselves and not someone else.”

As life continues to happen for Euphoric Travels By Tenisha, there are plans to expand the company through partnerships and form additional teams. “I want to add to my portfolio and learn as much as I can. By God’s grace, I will be able to quit my full-time job and run my company full-time. My husband currently owns a Dump Truck Business in Milwaukee, but we will soon start our Trucking Dispatch Company,” she says. For now, Tenisha will continue to travel with her family and remain a positive influence for everyone.

To learn more about Euphoric Travels By Tenisha, please visit their website.

Sarge’s Famous Pickles

By DorJea’ McClammey

by Serreta Boson

Serreta Boson is the owner of Sarge’s Famous Pickles, a company based in Little Rock, AR founded on faith and a lot of hustle. Led by Serreta, she has taken a gourmet pickle recipe, a gift from her father, and turned it into a full-time business. Now, the word is out about how good her pickles really are.

“I named the business Sarge’s Famous Pickles to honor my father. He is a Vietnam veteran, and all his buddies called him Sarge, so of course, the name just stuck,” she says. “We are a company built on faith, family, and community. Our faith is what holds us together and allows us to move in excellence. We always use products from our community and strive to represent our home state of Arkansas well.”

Born in Benton, AR, the hustler idealogy was embedded into her mind at an early age. Along with her siblings, she was taught how to make a business out of anything, from lemonade stands to fireworks, all from the steps of their front porch. She could probably sell you a pair of dirty socks; she states that she was just that good.

Serreta recalls the period of time when her family was the only ones in her neighborhood that owned a VCR (video cassette recorder). They would charge kids around the neighborhood to watch movies on it; Fifty cents to watch a movie, plus twenty-five cents for drinks and snacks. Those were early indications that entrepreneurship would be a part of Serreta’s future.

“I just kept pushing, and I’m still pushing because I know God is going to do something great.”

Serreta’s journey has seen its share of ups and downs. Early on in life, she was diagnosed with epilepsy, and by 2010 the seizures associated with the disease started to worsen. Her doctors found a tumor on her brain, but it wasn’t cancerous. “That was a horrifying moment for me, but with the good news, I said got out of here. I had stuff to do, kids to raise, and not time to be sick,” she says. Yet, by 2016 the seizures had become uncontrollable, and she was required to have brain surgery to alleviate the problem. Serreta was then told she could no longer work because of the attacks. This was a significant setback for someone raised to hustle, but Serreta still held onto her faith.

Serreta’s father, Sylvester Boson, who is the original chef behind these amazing pickles, told his daughter to come home for a while. During her stay, he would teach her how to make his famous pickles. She always told him how he should make it a business, but he never got around to it. Things would change once she got her hands on his recipe. Once it was perfected, Serreta took the initiative of turning her father’s delicious pickles into a business. By December of 2018, Sarge’s Famous pickles came to life.

By January 1st, 2019, everything skyrocketed for Serreta and Sarge’s Famous Pickles. This is all happened in Nashville. She got her business license, her trademark, and went straight to work. She went to every barbeque, chicken, and fish restaurant, trying to sell her pickles. There were a few no’s along the way, and she became a little discouraged but still knew they were going to be a great success. Things changed when she made a stop in a bookstore. There, the owner tried one and became so amazed by her pickles, that they bought a case from her, right on the spot, and began selling them in their store. That experience gave Serreta the fire she needed to keep going.

From there, she would sell out at restaurants all over Arkansas, and she also got the opportunity to go to a couple of small businesses pop-ups. She was also invited to Williams Sonoma, and became amazed at how the customers were buying them by the cases. Sarge’s Famous Pickles had arrived.

Serreta has accomplished so much in her life, from being saved, becoming an ordained minister, and becoming a mother to her two blessings, Skott and Honnye. Sarge’s Famous Pickles has also afforded her great opportunities, allowing her to even buy a house. “I just kept pushing, and I’m still pushing because I know God is going to do something great,” she states. More than anything, Serreta wants to leave a legacy behind for her children and create generational wealth.

The main thing she loves most about her company is the family aspect of it all. “I love when it’s just my father and me spending time together, making pickles, sharing recipes, and trying new flavors. I love having the opportunity to let my creativity flow. I also enjoy being my own boss. It ensures I don’t overwork myself and offers adequate time for rest. I tell everyone, once you get a jar of my pickles, you’re family.”

Sarge’s Famous Pickles has also faced it share of challenges. Once Covid Hit, Serreta moved back home to Little Rock for good but kept her business going as usual. While things may have slowed a little, it also allowed her the opportunity to spend more time with dad, as he would begin to accompany her while she sold her pickles. “He was amazed at how fast I could get rid of everything. He must have forgotten about the hustle spirit he put into me as a child,” she says.

For now, Serreta’s main focus, other than making sure those pickles stay delicious, is to work towards her goal of owning her very own farm. “I want to watch pickles grow from a seed to the storehouse,” she shares. As for the future of Sarge’s Famous Pickles, Serreta didn’t want to share all her secrets but just know this pickle lady has some big things coming. Expect more products, more flavors, and who knows, maybe you’ll see a winery come to life. “There’s no limit to us. This is our season. The bible says so.”

You can learn more about Serreta Boson and Sarge’s Famous Pickles by visiting their website. h

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.

“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.

My Pain Is My Power

By Arielle Kilgore

Bankston

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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By Terry L. Watson - Photos

Neema Dance Collective

The word Neema means God’s Grace in Swahili. An accomplished dancer herself, Grace A. Johnson realized her love for dance at a young age. Through gyrated expression, she has shared her passion with others and built one of the more reputable dance studios in the DMV area.

Life has presented Grace with a few challenges. She was headed down the wrong path as a young teen. Thanks to the interception of her village that included her parents, grandparents, dance teachers, school teachers, and mentors. They poured into her daily, and she was able to get back on track and fulfill her purpose in life, which is to dance and serve others.

Grace A. Johnson is the face and owner of Neema Dance Collective LLC. Additionally, she is a published choreographer, dance educator, movement and dance team coach, and artist developer. She also serves as the Artistic Director/Creative Director and choreographer for local DMV R&B sensations and church Dance Ministries. Grace holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a Masters Degree in Public Health from George Washington University.

Grace’s training began at the tender age of four at RJV Dance Studio in Washington, DC. She has studied at The Suitland High School’s Visual Performing Arts Dance Program, The Christian Dance Academy, The Dance Theater of Harlem, The Ailey School Summer Intensive Program, The Debbie Allen Dance Academy (California), Maryland Youth Ballet, The Washington Ballet, and The Greensboro Ballet. Wherein she mastered various genres of dance from ballet, tap, jazz, folk, African, Hawaiian, modern, Horton, ballroom, and hip-hop.

Grace is a trailblazer, exhibiting tremendous leadership and determination for herself and her students and staff. With integrity, passion, leadership, diversity, sisterhood, teamwork, and technique as its core values, Neema prides itself on making a communal effort to uplift, inspire and mold the complete dancer into someone capable of mastering multiple styles of dance in the professional realm. Grace says Neema operates in excellence. “We are committed to being poised, focused, and trained,” she says.

Neema Dance Collective opened its doors on May 15th, 2016, exactly one month after she gave birth to her second daughter. Located in Temple Hills, MD, the modern studio is dedicated to providing students with professional-level dance techniques and quality performance skills. “We believe that dance is for everyone, all ages, stages, and sizes. That is why we offer classes and performance opportunities for dancers 18 months and up,” Grace says. Some of the products and services offered by Neema Dance Collective are technical and classical dance training, private dance lessons, performance opportunities, dance events, children’s activities, artist development, and dancewear.

Grace shares her children mostly inspire her to be the best she can possibly be, always in all ways. “The art of dance and the emotional experience of performing dance works inspires me as a creative and choreographer,” she says. The biggest impact on her business was made by her parents, whom she says were her first investors. “At a very young age, they noticed my passion for dance, music, and movement. They were singers and performers themselves and the ones who introduced me to the stage. They taught me to perform and speak boldly and confidently. Without my parents, there would be no Neema Dance Collective. I owe them everything. My mom is my biggest cheerleader and my business manager. My dad, who has passed, took me to all of my dance lessons. He was in the audience at plenty of my performances through adulthood. May he rest in peace,” she says.

Like most businesses, Neema Dance Collective has faced its share also. “People have no idea how lucrative the dance industry is. Often an assumption is made that dancers are broke and anything involving dance isn’t profitable. I have been judged prematurely by some without them grasping an understanding of the inner workings of my business. Most business ventures require proof of income for funding, and I’ve had to show more than the average business owner, especially in dealings with commercial real estate,” she says.

Grace offers some advice to others who may have dreams such as hers. “Have patience and give yourself some grace. You must pray often and be vigilant. Be sure that your work is purpose-driven and not profit-driven, and understand that God will supply the rest,” she says.

In the future, Neema Dance Collective expects to engage in franchising opportunities and open additional locations to support the needs of other communities. Grace also hopes to produce performances that will take place in larger arenas and provide more events to promote performing arts. To learn more about Neema Dance Collective, please visit their website.

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INKE

Germany

By Terry L. Watson

Photos by Todd Youngblood

It doesn’t matter who or what the opponent may be, Germany Inke is always ready to fight. It’s in her DNA, and she is not the type of person to go away easily.

Since we last featured Germany, a lot has transpired in her life. She was diagnosed with Stage Five Kidney Disease, something she didn’t see coming but is ready to face. With her ailment, Germany’s kidneys are only functioning at 14 to 15%. That drop in function has caused her to advance to the next step of dialysis. At that level, the dialysis treatment will filtrate her kidneys and improve her kidneys function overall. “Our kidneys are our bodies filtration system, and because mines are not working even at a 25% or higher, it means that I need at least one kidney to live a healthy life,” she shares.

The 42-year-old resident of Charlotte, NC continues to embody the spirit of a unicorn. That is how she describes herself. Her body is adorned with unique tattoos and eclectic piercings. And while she is used to being prejudged for her appearance, Germany doesn’t shy from who she is. “I want people to see the real me. A lot of people don’t get to see all of me because they’re afraid of me.”

Germany is a native of Ohio and was raised in a single-mother household. With a background in psychology, she is also a master’s degree student. She considers herself a mentor and not a life coach. Her focus is to listen and offer advice and direction based on her personal experiences.

On a personal level, Germany is newly single. As a result of learning about her health condition, she doesn’t mind expressing the shift in her focus on life. “It seemed like the world was ending. Yet God allowed other things to happen in my life, and He showed me why I am still a kept Queen. I learned that life goes on, and I have a whole lot more of life to live,” she says.

Germany’s biggest inspirations are of her late mother and brother. Her mother passed in 2017 from lung cancer, and six months later, her brother passed away. She shares how important they were to her and how their demise affected her life. “Both had big dreams. My brother was a musician, and it only made sense for me to grow up singing. But after they both passed, I lost my love for music,” she says.

After losing her mother, brother, and friend in the same year, Germany became determined to keep pushing forward through her grief. “They always talked about how powerful my voice was and how I needed to stop hiding it. If I didn’t sing, my mother wanted for me to share my message with the world.”

In the future, Germany plans to continue to fight her battles head-on. Her faith in God and understanding that He has chosen her for this moment inspires her. She also plans to continue publishing her podcast. She has begun to work with Konnnected Radio and partnered up with GNO.

Lucas Exceptional Healthcare and Consultation, PLLC

By Ellen Richardson - Photos by Santana B. Photography

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” NKJV (3 John 1:2)

While the pandemic brought with it a lot of loss, God also used this challenging time to open some amazing new doors of opportunity for His people. One such miraculous door opened is sure to be one of interest to those throughout the Triad who need exceptional healthcare without spending hours at a doctor’s office. Thanks to Lucas Exceptional Healthcare, this is now possible.

Owned and operated by CEO and founder LaToya Lucas, this all-new mobile healthcare company offers unique home-based health services like telehealth care for prescription refills, primary care for cold or strep throat, annual physicals, IV Hydration Therapy, and even Rapid COVID-19 testing. Their services are provided all from the comfort of your own home.

Lucas is a board-certified adult nurse practitioner and highly skilled and licensed nurse practitioner who has been in healthcare for more than 26 years. She shares, “This company was birthed out of my desire to fill a care gap for our community. During the height of the pandemic, there were a lot of people who could not get in to see their doctors or nurse practitioners in an actual office setting due to closures and delays. This resulted in many residents having trouble maintaining their proper health and nutrition or even obtaining their medication refills in a timely manner.”

Thanks to a calling to fill a serious need within her community, Lucas decided to go old school. “For anyone who was also a fan of Little House on the Prairie, you might remember Doctor Baker, who used to go around to people’s houses with his medical bag to treat people. I decided to go back in that direction to provide the personalized care that people need without ever having to leave their homes.”

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“After I obtained my license, I started working as a nurse practitioner for several different healthcare agencies, including one of the largest insurance companies in the country. I also served as a primary care practitioner in the assisted living and nursing home realm to assure that these citizens received the quality care that they so richly deserved.”

Prior to becoming a successful small business owner, this former North Carolina A&T State University graduate earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1995, after which she earned a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Post Masters in Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Along with extensive medical education, Lucas has also worked in the medical field for over 26 years. She has served patients as one of the most talented nurse practitioners in the Triad since 2009. “I started my career in cardiac nursing at Moses Cone Hospital, where I also served as the Assistant Director of the Cardiac Unit,” said Lucas. “After receiving my master’s degree, I was allowed to become a professor at North Carolina A&T State University, where I taught nursing for eight years.”

While assisting rising nurses in perfecting their craft, Lucas went back to school to become a licensed nurse practitioner. “After I obtained my license, I started working as a nurse practitioner for several different healthcare agencies, including one of the largest insurance companies in the country. I also served as a primary care practitioner in the assisted living and nursing home realm to assure that these citizens received the quality care that they so richly deserved,” she says.

This past candy stripers’ dream came from a vision given to her by an inspiring relative who envisioned Lucas owning her own doctor’s office. That vision would eventually become a reality. Today Lucas is giving it her all to provide quality primary care to anyone in need without ever having to worry about these patients having to make it to a brickand-mortar location. “I am so thrilled to see my uncle’s vision come to pass, despite me not owning an actual office or even being a doctor,” said Lucas.

As a board certified nurse practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Lucas wants to assure her patients and all of those reading this story that while nurse practitioners are not MD’s they undergo rigorous training and credentialing, which allows them to assess, treat, diagnose and care for every patient. ”

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“The funny thing is when people visit their primary care provider’s office, they often do not realize that they are being treated by a nurse practitioner and not a physician (even though it is explained to them). Nurse Practitioners are highly qualified medical professionals who must be registered nurses before they complete the nurse practitioner degree. Nurse practitioners focus on illness prevention and staying well. Our abilities as a medical professional are effective because we have been educated and trained to provide full care to patients,” she says.

In the state of North Carolina, nurse practitioners are regulated jointly by The NC Medical Board and NC Board of Nursing. While there are states that allow professionals such as Lucas to practice without the collaborative supervision of a MD or physician, North Carolina is not one of these states. As a result, she has hired a collaborative physician to consult with on an as-needed basis. Still, Lucas can provide the bulk of the care without consult, including writing prescriptions. To find out more about Lucas Exceptional Health Care & Consultation or to schedule a home visit for yourself or a loved one, please visit their website.

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

www.mykelmedia.com