Navigating Love, Ministry, and Marriage

Servant Leaders in Every Sense:

Brandon and Erica McCrae might humbly claim they're not special, but their commitment to serving God and their community speaks volumes Leading worship at Gathering of Champions in Marietta, GA, Brandon is also a talented musician, episcopal consultant, and Erica serves her community through various organizations. As project manager at Cricket Wireless, she contributes to her local community through organizations like the National Council of Negro Women, Top Ladies of Distinction, and the NAACP. With their new business, Homewatch CareGivers of McDonough, they extend their service to the senior community.

Pouring Into Others: The Ministry of Love

Ministry flows naturally from the McCraes' shared love for God and their open book approach. Their transparency, an integral part of their ministry, stems from their experiences. Raised in church, Brandon's family background set the stage for his ministry role, while Erica's journey led her to establish a women's ministry and nonprofit. Both understand their roles and their shared calling to serve in the future

Changing the Marriage Narrative: Beauty and Challenges

With a commitment to balance and transparency, the McCraes counter the narrative that marriage is either idyllic or laden with suffering. Through Facebook "Lives" and social media, they emphasize that marriage is both beautiful and challenging. They provide a realistic perspective, highlighting the hard work and dedication required for a healthy relationship. Their journey is a testament to the value of challenges in making marriage truly worthwhile.

Navigating Struggles and Communication

The McCraes openly admit that they're an ordinary couple with their own set of problems. Communication and balance remain areas they consistently work on. Prioritizing quality time is crucial for maintaining intimacy and preventing the relationship from falling into routine

Love Language of Music: A Harmonious Connection

Brandon's musical prowess is renowned, and while music doesn't solely communicate his feelings, it has played significant moments in their relationship. Although not their primary tool, music has created meaningful connections and special memories between them.

Empowering Women: Erica McCrae's Passion

Erica's passion for helping women sprang from a divine calling in 2018 From hosting women's conferences to encouraging fellow queens, her journey fuels her mission to empower women in their relationships with God.

Addressing Past Trauma in Marriage

The McCraes emphasize counseling as vital for addressing past traumas affecting marriage. They've personally experienced its benefits and recommend it to others, helping them navigate challenges that could otherwise threaten the relationship's foundation.

Transparency as a Ministry Asset

The McCraes believe in transparency to avoid giving a false impression of perfection Their honesty reflects their belief that marriage is a daily "yes" to each other, both in good and challenging times.

The journey of Brandon and Erica McCrae embodies the power of service, love, and transparency, providing an inspiring model for thriving marriages and impactful ministry

NavigatingLove, Business, andBlended Family:

AChanceEncounter:

HowTheirJourneyBegan

LoveandTeamwork: TheGlueThatHolds ItAllTogether

TheInspiring JourneyofAntonio andMargoTaylor

ARealPartnership: TheFoundationofTheir Success

ThePowerofRelationships: TurningContactsinto Collaborations

FromCopstoEntrepreneurs: BuildingSheekStudio

TheQuestforPersonalFreedom: PlatinumLuxuryFleet

Marriage, work, children, blending a family, and entrepreneurship – a complex mix that might seem daunting to many. However, for Antonio and Margo Taylor, this blend represents an opportunity to excel, both in their personal lives and as entrepreneurs. Hailing from South Georgia, this power couple demonstrates that with determination and teamwork, success is attainable on all fronts.

In the words of Margo, "You see couples and people on social media or events, but you really don't realize the effort required to cultivate a strong partnership – especially for those looking to get married " The couple emphasizes that their journey isn't picture-perfect, yet their authenticity and dedication to overcoming challenges have been instrumental in their success

Their journey began when Antonio became Margo's training officer during her transition into law enforcement. Their professional camaraderie blossomed into a deep friendship and eventually evolved into a romantic relationship. Despite their busy lives as police officers and the challenges of raising a blended family, they managed to prioritize their connection.

Written By Richard Stewart

Their entrepreneurial journey started with Margo's leap into the world of lash extensions while still serving as a cop. Antonio's unwavering support encouraged Margo to pursue her dreams. Eventually, their combined efforts led to the creation of Sheek Studio, a venture that symbolized their teamwork and dedication to mutual growth.

While the success of Sheek Studio is a testament to their determination, it's essential to note that their journey wasn't a quick triumph After dedicating eight and a half years to law enforcement, Margo's decision to establish her business in their home's basement was backed by careful planning and prayer The couple's unity was again evident as Antonio supported Margo's transition from policing to entrepreneurship.

Antonio's pursuit of personal freedom motivated his business endeavors. For him, the 9-to-5 job lacked the freedom he sought. His dedication to financial independence led him to create Platinum luxury fleets, which provided a safe and luxurious transportation option.

Antonio's entrepreneurial spirit also made him realize the value of relationships in business expansion. Collaborations with notable names like Coke and INT are a testament to the power of connections.

The couple's commitment to each other and their blended family is a cornerstone of their success. They believe that open communication, support, and carving out dedicated time for each other are vital for both their marriage and business growth. They actively advocate for conversations, empathy, and maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life

As Margo succinctly puts it, their journey is guided by " a lot of prayer and trust in each other " Their blended family and unwavering support for one another exemplify their faith in their partnership Their commitment to building their marriage and businesses simultaneously is a testament to their dedication and determination to succeed on all fronts.

When you ' ve decided on your cover story, come up with a list of topics for your feature articles. This can range from interviews, product reviews, human interest pieces, and even lists Think about what your audience would be interested in and get writing! Again, choose engaging photos and graphics to accompany your words, as these also help catch your audience's eye.

With their strong foundation and unwavering faith, Antonio and Margo Taylor continue to inspire as they navigate the complexities of love, marriage, and entrepreneurship The sky is truly the limit for this remarkable power couple

Written by Dominique Huff

What seemed to look like an abandoned and forgotten home along Second Street in Stockbridge is a hidden Henry County Black History figure.

The GreenFront Cafe occupied the dwelling for over 60 years, from the 1940s to the early 2000s. During segregation, black residents and travelers knew they could eat in front of the house and be treated with dignity and respect.

A non-performing asset held by the family of the late Carrie Mae Hambrick, Diane, and Tony Miller sought to shine it and bring back the former glory to the property and the community.

“We had discussions with the Hambrick estate concerning the property, and they did not simply want to sell it and hand it over. They wanted it to get into the right hands,” Diane Miller said. “We are preserving the business as if it’s in the family. We want this to become a community resource and asset again.”

The establishment known for hamburgers and hot dogs is nodding to the past by adding chicken, fish, meatloaf, vegetables, and much more to increase business. With current operating hours from 7 am to 3:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday. The facility has a meeting space for meetings and offers catering.

GreenFront Cafe is an area of Stockbridge coined by Miller as the Stockbridge Heritage District that has so many historical hidden figures who used to work and play in the area and reside in Henry County. It is believed the establishment was the first restaurant in the county when it opened in the 1940s.

“Black History happened here in Stockbridge and Henry County, not just in Atlanta and Fulton County. We have the church where the late MLK’s father spoke his first sermon in this block,” she explained. “We have so many legacy residents who have stories to tell about their lived history of the community where we need to work on having a historian capture this vital information.”

Miller and her family always had a heart and passion for service. She considered hitting the road to serve where her talents were needed, but coming up to Second Street, she saw that she needed to take care of her backyard first, along with her husband.

“GreenFront Cafe was a part of the fabric of the community, and we want to continue that legacy,” she said. “We are not here to take, we are here to build and enhance this community.”

Future goals include expanding catering services along with extended hours of operation.

“With Stockbridge becoming a concerts destination, we want to leverage that to introduce the region to the history of GreenFront Cafe,” she concluded.