ARIZONA
®
Jan./Feb. 2022 Vol. 1 Issue 1
Whicked Lashes, Extensions & Entertainment Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2022
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There No If, Ands, Buts About It! MyAre Expectations andOr The Truth There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It! A Letter From The Editor A Letter from the Editor
I would have to say that I grew up poor by world standards. A Letter thebecause Editor my mother constantly poured I never feltfrom like it What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes unconditional love into my other siblings and me. Her love and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if wouldn’t allowthat me you to focus on what didn’t have or anything everything decided to putI off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes I could be missing. However, asno lifereason happened, I realized happened? would be to save a rainy and dreams There wouldn’t have a street to park on. for What if thateverything when others, myput experiences were more day, andcompared you could spare someone theuntil trouble of making that youto decided to off tomorrow never complex. Even still, I had the opportunity to overcome them. promises. What your last happened? Thereif would be opportunity no reason toseemingly save for aexpired rainy
today? wouldspare you do? day, andWhat you could someone the trouble of making One of the most I learned from my promises. Whatimportant if your lastthings opportunity seemingly expired upbringing is that the truth will always override my I’ve been that I often today? Whattold would you do? seem like I do too much. expectations. car doing that I enough owned, and I purchased Honestly, I The feel very like I first am not I’m a firm for myself. It wasn’t a new vehicle, but it was mine. It had a believer in knowing that God seem wouldn’t on me I’ve been told that I often like put I do anything too much. fewHonestly, dents, and thehandle. tires didn’t match either. The heat air that I couldn’t I not sometimes wonder how would I feel like I am doing enough and I’mlife a or firm conditioning didn’t work, and the exhaust pipe would shake be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I likethat a leaf whenthat I started car, probably itopportunity was have to be the very boring. In mybecause opinion, I found couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would is aheld that isn’t toawhat everyone. A challenge being in place by theafforded wiring of closeithanger. With be ifblessing I chose to sit idle and accept presented to all me.ofI to mefound is an adventure. What is the In worst that canand happen? its imperfections, was aboring. beauty inmy myopinion, sight, I was have thatmy tocar be very opportunity Ifappreciative nothing, I fail, and I don’t, but instead learn aI do blessing that isn’t afforded everyone. A challenge veryis to own it. if I try to something new about myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure. What is Relinquish the worst that happen? return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, if I trythat I don’t, butall instead learn Though it seemed likeand I drove car for eternity, it only something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in survived one year with me. I didn’t keep gas in the fuel tank, The best advice ever given to me happened when someone life.the oil either. I drove it fast, and on cold andreturn I neveracquire changed told me to make my tomorrow today. doing mornings I didn’t allow it to warmhappen up. Rarely did I In bathe it so or I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only The bestitadvice ever given to me happened when someone even provide with routine or preventative maintenance, and hope provided. I have also learned the difference between told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so before I knew it, my first and only method of transportation God blesses me with andmiddle what can with Iwhat have pressed way through doorslife with key thatme only slowed down and my shut off in the of thea burden road. as well. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between whenlife tocan be quiet, because what God blesses me with and what burden me See, I expected my car to run forever, but the truth is with someone may get it confused as well. I comparetoitensure to knowing when to be confident and I never did anything that it would. I expected with being when to bearrogant. quiet, because my car to go when I needed it to but never considered my someone may get it confused thoughtless and erratic treatment’s impact on it. I expected to Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being ride forever, but the truth is I never invested in my cars’ future. happen today, but most importantly make it count. Make you tomorrow I’m saying that we will only Life is but a whisper andget happen today, but most out of life into it. in How wewhat mustwe putput ourselves a importantly make it count. will we ever expect to know God position what it is Life is buttoa hear whisper and if we never spend time with Him? telling us.put we must ourselves in a My goalposition in life isto tohear win.what For this it is to happen, I must telling us. be willing to do what is necessary and align TerrytoL.win Watson myself with what is true, which is Editor/Founder God’s expectations. Terry L. Watson
www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief
Terry L. Watson www.huamimagazine.com Alana Allen - Deputy Editor
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TerryWriters L. Watson Alana Allen Editor Tonya Dixon Publisher Terry L. Watson - Deputy Terry L. Watson Writers Alana Allen Dorjae’ McClammey Writer Tonya JeuronDixon Dove Arielle Kilgore Writer Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Writer Terry L. Watson Photographers Dove PerfectJeuron Lenz Writer Photography Ellen Richardson Shaw Photography Group Marrissa Dick Tamara Smith Writer Photographers Still Shots Photography Perfect Lenz Photography Who Shotya Photography Shaw Photography Group Still ShotsLayout Photography Who Samuel Jordon Photography Photographer MykelShotya Media Company Linda Bennett Photographer Still Shots Photography Layout Howard Gaither Photography Todd Youngblood Photographer Mykel Media Company mykelmedia@yahoo.com Katrena WizeLinda Bennett Photographer
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CONTENTS
JAN./FEB. 2022
ARIZONA
Kelvena Benson
KB Branding
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On The Cover
The Whicked Brand Whitney Lynn
There is Magic in Her Pen
Monica Montgomery
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The Mobile Art Canvas
Rhonda Shaw
Huami Magazine Cutest Baby
Railyn Kate
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Also Featured
Chiquita Jordan They say a smile is worth a thousand words. Learn more about Allure Teeth Whitening. Greensboro, NC
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Dionne M. King Learn more about the founder of DMK Consults LLC. Kansas City, MO
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Alonzo Stallworth Learn how he is rebuilding the community that helped to raise him. Th3 Block Development Philadelphia, PA
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Whicked Lashes, Extensions & Entertainment By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Whitney Lynn Fearless, Strong, Hardworking, and Confident. Those are three words that best describe Phoenix, AZ resident Whitney Lynn. Originally born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, Whitney is a talented entrepreneur and the founder of the Whicked line of products, including Whicked Lashes, Whicked Luxe Extensions, and Whicked Entertainment. Whicked Lashes offers individual eyelash extensions such as Classic, Hybrid, and Volume. With her Whicked Luxe Extensions, Whitney offers quality and affordable hair extensions and wigs. The Whicked Entertainment segment provides event planning services, party planning, concerts, business seminars, and more. Whitney has always been a big dreamer. Since she was a little girl, she looked up to and admired her mother and other powerful women. “I wanted to be somebody special and of importance. I wanted my legacy to be talked about positively,” she says. Her journey began after her transition from Milwaukee. In the Spring of 2016, she was now a resident of Phoenix, AZ, and decided to enroll in beauty school to study esthetics. Once she finished the program and became licensed, she was presented with an opportunity to learn the craft of eyelash extensions. After months of learning and working, she was encouraged to branch off into her own practice, and Whicked Lashes was born in July 2017. Things began to move at a face pace for Whitney. She went from doing eyelash extensions to training new estheticians. ‘I’ve trained around 300 women from Milwaukee, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Mexico,” she says. Whitney knew she wanted to do more than just eyelash extensions, and after a few years of being in the lash business, she decided to venture into another lane of selling wigs and hair extensions.
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“As a young girl, I remember going to the hair salon with my mom to get our hair done. I’ve always gotten compliments on how good my hair looks, so why not create a business out of it? That’s how I created Whicked Luxe Extensions,” she says. Whitney created the Whicked Entertainment brand during the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. “I have a passion for bringing people together and having a good time. I love to make people feel good about themselves, whether it be making them look and feel more beautiful, important, or visible,” she says. Whitney has experienced her share of trials. In 2006, her mom passed away after losing a battle with breast cancer “I was in the big adult world with no guidance. But I persevered and pressed on. My motto has always been “make your next move, your best move””, she says. She also credits her two older brothers for constantly encouraging her. When she transitioned from Milwaukee to Arizona in 2015, they were the support system that helped make her move more comfortable. Whitney says she loves being able to connect with people. “I’ve always been a student of life, and I try to learn something from every person that I encounter. I love that I inspire so many people around me, young and old. That lets me know that I am doing something right,” she says. Whitney isn’t the kind of person who will settle. She is a go-getter. “I always want more. Some may call it arrogant, but those who really know me understand that part of me. I’m creating generational wealth, and I must believe in myself first to create it. That’s the key to my success. On this journey, I’ve learned that people love taking chances on people who believe in themselves versus someone who doesn’t. No matter what it may be that you are doing, if you are confident, you have a fighting chance,” she says. Her plans moving forward are to keep working to become a being a better version of herself. “I plan to create an entire Whicked Empire, and venture off into the world of real estate world,” she says. Who knows, you might see a “Whicked Estates” in the near future. To learn more about Whitney Lynn and her Whicked products and services line, please contact her directly. h
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The Moving Canvas Mobile Paint Party
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By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Rhonda Shaw “I asked God to show me my purpose, and He gave me my son. I asked God to show me how to build and move forward with my gifts and talents with purpose, and He gave me The Moving Canvas.” Rhonda Shaw is a self-taught artist who was born and raised in Nashville TN. She is also the owner and operator of The Moving Canvas Mobile Paint Party and the creator of all Artbyrhonda products and merchandise. She is also a single mother to a remarkable young man. Jayden, whom she says will be the heir to her empire. The Moving Canvas is a mobile Paint Party. With her company, Rhonda creates paintings and themes for her clients. She provides all painting supplies, including paint, pre-drawn canvases, brushes, easels, pallets, and aprons. “I instruct on an intimate and personable level, with my clients loved ones, family, friends, and coworkers,” she says. Rhonda offers freelance art and painting services with her other brand, Artbyrhonda products and merchandise. Additionally, she does commissioned paintings and custom art merchandise like t-shirts, totes, coffee mugs, and wine glasses. Rhonda launched her company, The Moving Canvas, in April 2017. “A friend of mine asked me to host a sip and paint for her birthday. I drew ten flowers on canvases, brought paint, brushes, easels, and aprons. As I instructed, I also painted along with everyone. We took pictures and posted them on social media. I had no idea that anyone else would want to do the same thing in their own home. The rest is history,” Rhonda says.
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“I asked God to show me my purpose, and He gave me my son. I asked God to show me how to build and move forward with my gifts and talents with purpose, and He gave me The Moving Canvas.”
Rhonda says she loves revealing the artist that inside of people. “There are those who would never pick up a paintbrush—that is where I come in. I help to reveal creators and artists. Art is anything you create, not necessarily what the world sees,” she says. The one thing that keeps Rhonda going is the kids. “A Lot of kids do not realize the importance of art. I want to change that because art and creativity give purpose. Just knowing I assisted in helping them create their very own masterpiece they can take home and be proud of is everything to me, along with creating for people and bringing their vision to life.” Rhonda says her success has only happened because God has allowed for it. She advises other aspiring business owners to pray, have faith in God, and know that their clients, customers, and support team play a significant role in your business. “Talent and experience are just dreams until you put in the work and move,” Rhonda said. As Rhonda continues to serve the Nashville community, she has plans to take The Moving Canvas global. Soon, her brand will be available in every major city, and Rhonda is looking forward to working with other like-minded individuals who possess a natural love for art. To learn more about The Moving Canvas, please visit their website. h
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www.art-by-rhonda.com
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Kelvena Benson KB Management
By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Kelvena Benson
Kelvena Benson, also known as Kelvy B, wears many hats. She is a wife, mother of two beautiful children, a Professional Admin at a Fortune 500 Company, CEO of KB Management, and an author. KB Management Brand Operations, LLC is the official name of Kelvena’s company. She provides small business owners who are looking to fill the digital gap in brand operations and strategies with brand management. She offers a wide range of services such as creative digital content, website construction, business development, custom printing, and more. Her book, A Creative Path, is a mentor-styled guided workbook for creatives and entrepreneurs that shows them how to trust the process and adapt to change while going through their creative journey. Kelvena was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She shares, “I was raised in a very traditional environment, where checking the boxes was the norm. I was blessed to be surrounded by a hard-working, educated Christian family. As I began to have my own family and figure out what kind of life I wanted to build for myself, the way I knew wasn’t fulfilling.” Growing up in Milwaukee, Kelvena admits, was tough. When the chance arose to see something different, she was all for it. “Finding a new place, new people, and new opportunities changed the game for me. I realized my own strength when I moved out of my city, and although I’ll always love it and have roots there, it was the best decision I could have ever made,” she shares. She relocated to Austin, TX in 2017, to pursue other opportunities and further her professional career. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Although her entrepreneurial journey started in the beauty industry, she was constantly intrigued by business and technology. “Relocating has opened many doors for me and allowed me to further those passions, and focused on building my own branding company,” she says. Kelvena’s creative path started when she jumped off the porch and launched a cosmetics/beauty company in 2014. In 2017, she transitioned her focus to branding. “I was asked to assist various entrepreneurs and small businesses with building their brands. I started by freelancing my services and as my network grew, so did the number of inquiries. So I embraced my new lane and birthed my brand,” she says. Over the past four years, Kelvena has helped over 200 people elevate their brands with clean, professional, and modern services.
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Fast forward to 2021, KB Management Brand Operations, LLC came into the mix. This part of the company focuses on small businesses and career professionals looking to enhance their brand awareness with effective brand management. “The goal of this transition is to build long-term relationships with clients while building a team of experts to help further the success of her client’s brand building,” she says. “We also expanded our business by adding short-term rentals, KB Management Stays, as an extension to the company.” What sets KB Management apart from other companies that offer similar services? Is their commitment to delivering the best experience possible. “When you come to us for assistance, we seek to build a long-term relationship to ensure your personality, purpose, and vision is embedded into your brand. While building and providing solutions to your problems, we connect you with experts, resources, and tools to further your success. Kelvena says she is inspired by the opportunity to serve others. “I’ve always been ambitious and optimistic. My biggest motivations are my children and my husband. My children are so talented, and leading by example with their Dad means the world to me. My husband and I have been together since high school and the fact he saw me for who I am today speaks volumes. He believes in me more than I believe in myself sometimes,” she says. One of the biggest challenges Kelvena has overcome as an entrepreneur was trying to do it alone. She says, “I realized the team I needed was always around me, I just had to be ok with reaching out for help.”
www.kbbrandmanagement.com IG: @kbmanagement_kelvy_b FB: KB Management
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Kelvena plans to continue serving small businesses through KB Management in the future. She says she desires to employ more creatives and provide a healthy and flexible working experience. “We are adding more short-term rentals to our portfolio this year and in different locations. I am looking forward to collaborating with other amazing brands on social events and initiatives designed to educate and empower through our expertise. Additionally, I am working on my second book, with plans for its release within the next year. Besides taking over the world, I plan to elevate my kid’s brands and help them strive for everything they set out to do.” h
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One Block At A Time 18
By Arielle Kilgore Photos Provided by Alonzo Stallworth In life, people often chase the one thing they want the most. That is purpose. For Detroit, MI, native Alonzo Stallworth realized his purpose from years of strife and struggle and ultimately found his way to better ground. King Yadee is the name given to him by his community. Alonzo also describes himself as a builder, activist, creator, mentor, and child of God. Before he was anything, Alonzo was a lover and creator of music. Music moved and guided him and was a platform for expressing himself and his thoughts. Whatever was happening around Alonzo, music appeared to enhance it. While his passion for music grew, he would begin to see that his musical talents were not part of the plan that God had for him over time. God’s plan was for him to be a father, mentor, and advocate in his community. Today, Alonzo has found a way to give back to the District 2 Detroit community by way of Th3 Block Develop LLC. His company specializes in home improvement and renovation and educating new homeowners about the homebuying process. Their projects include commercial and residential properites, and mulit unit dwelling. To date, Th3 Block Development has renovated alot of homes, and obtain ownership of a few as well. They also educate anyone interested in learning about home construction and renovation. Some of the other services they offer are construction management, construction, training, and construction planning. Alonzo shares his company strives to deliver excellent workmanship every day. Their competitive fees and ability to provide outstanding results make their company stand out from others. “Since our founding, we’ve worked hard toward building and maintaining a stellar reputation,” he says. “We provide clients with a wide range of services to cover all their needs. No matter what the project might be, our team of professionals is ready to bring it to life.”
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Th3 Block Development is rooted in the heart of the Detroit community. Many of its projects have taken place in Alonzo’s old neighborhood, which is directly tied to Alonzo’s purpose. “When I was a child, it was hard to find a good influence. After losing my parents when I was only five years old, and on my birthday, I became an orphan. I was unintentionally handed to the streets of Detroit. I witnessed homicides and suicides, and after losing my parents, it was hard for me to take the traditional in life. Fortunately, I learned that being in the streets doesn’t mean you have to adopt a life of the streets. I didn’t get involved with drugs, gangs, or any other criminal activity, but instead, I enveloped myself with good people who say my worth and pushed me to be great,” he shares. He credits his uncle, who raised him since he was 12 years old with having a huge impact on his life. His uncle was an entrpernuer and go getter, and made sure that everyone in his family was taken care of. His uncle was also the first person who introduced him to contracting. Around the time of his birthday in 2018, Stallworth had been receiving signs and messages from God about what he should be doing. This was around the same time the city was taking a turn due to the events that took place in 2008, which caused a lot of families to lose their homes. “We were on a downward spiral. Some blocks became vacant. The deaths and all the killings were adding up. I wanted to do my part to help. I was able to with entrepreneurship and following God’s word. I soon discovered I had the tools to save my city,” Enrolling in school to obtain his builder’s license was Alonzo’s next move.
“Fortunately, I learned that being in the streets doesn’t mean you have to adopt a life of the streets. I didn’t get involved with drugs, gangs, or any other criminal activity, but instead, I enveloped myself with good people who say my worth and pushed me to be great.” Alonzo Stallworth Founder Th3 Block Development 20
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After three months of an extraneous process, Alonzo was licensed and ready to work. He came back to his community and gathered some people to help rebuild homes. He targeted his family home first, which was torn down many years before. After rebuilding that home, he opened a house for people to change their lives and learn construction in 2019. Th3 Block Development, which started with just wanting to help the community, was beginning to make a difference. “When we first arrived, it was three abandoned houses on the corner. Today, all three houses are fixed up with families living inside them. If I could grab one house and rebuild it, I think I can make a change,” he said. Well, change has happened as Alonzo’s company has fixed and repaired most of the houses on his block and placed families in them.
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Another part of his company is Th3 Stash House. This branch teaches troubled youth how to design clothes and produce music. He has also found time to mentor the next generation of builders. Alonzo says he loves seeing things completed. “Now the kids can come outside and play basketball on the corner. The corners are clean, and there is no more trash on them. It inspires me to show people the light in a dark place. I work hard to provide a future for my kids and other kids in my community so that can the opportunity of a new beginning. Alonzo also wants Th3 Block Development to be recognized as one that provides and cares for the wellbeing of its community. The opinions that others who may not live in Detroit varies Alonzo is aware that not all of them are good. He wants to change the narrative. Detroit gave him the grit, and now he can change it for the better since. “I am a diamond in the rough and Th3 Block Development is a company for the community. I am a product of the streets that became a gift to the world. I am Detroit,” he said. As life continues to happen for Alonzo and Th3 Block Development, he plans to continue to rebuild his community and plant seeds of hope into the lives of others. “I pray to God that I never do anything to stop the growth of this good energy and purpose, God-driven journey that I’m on,” he says. To learn more or volunteer with Th3 Block Development LLC, please visit their website. h
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Creating An Inclusive Culture By Ellen Richardson Photos by Samuel Jordon Royal Photography LLC In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven, (Matthew 5:16, English Standard Version), so shines the inclusion work of DMK Consults. Few people in this world live their lives to be a light in a dark place, but this principle has led to a successful career for awardwinning cultural strategist Dionne King. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for DMK Consults LLC, Dionne leads a national executive leadership development firm that specializes in three services: creating inclusive cultures, mediating and coaching executives across the nation. Each of these services allows her to use her gift to meet people right where they are and motivate them towards their full potential. “I think my biggest job and role in being who I truly am has everything to do with loving people where they are,” said Dionne. This may sound corny and not what people expect as professional; however, my success path has come from identifying where people are in their lives and helping them reimagine what ‘better’ looks like for them. Better looks different for my clients, and my three firm services are designed to create greater realities. That’s called change. That’s how I’ve been able to build a practice on change.” The ability to become a professional cultural strategist and mediator for an impressive list of companies and firms across the nation was not an easy road. Her 20 years of experience have inevitably come with hard lessons. However, Dionne has taken those hard lessons and repurposed them for strategy to champion change for her clients. “I’m able to lead change because I know what it feels like to be treated unfairly in the workplace and want change. Before starting my own firm, I served as a diversity manager at a large national firm. Over time I felt the diversity and inclusion work I provided to the firm was undervalued and unsupported,” said Dionne. “I remember being pulled into a conference room by one of my supervisors who was unfamiliar with my work and concluding that my work was ineffective. This same supervisor then reassigned a portion of my duties (that I had done for five years) to a secretary. To add further insult, this supervisor began to tell me how insignificant my work was. I felt diminished but angrier that I did not have the language to counter the vanquishing words. The anger fueled me enough to walk away from that high-salary
DMK Consults LLC
dionne@dmkconsults.com www.dmkconsults.com 816-701-9386
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job and start my own firm. That experience also fueled me to learn to speak my worth. Now I know exactly what I bring to the table, and I’ve designed a career that fits. I created my own lane. There wasn’t a template for me to follow. So I created one. I redesigned my life the way I wanted, and never again would I let someone define my worth.” Scaling down her “creature comforts” that came with her previous corporate lifestyle, Dionne made the vital decision to inspire change in this world by becoming an entrepreneur. Her target audiences were executives and large companies. “This was a tremendous life-changing experience that allowed me to take a deeper introspective look into who I was and what value I wanted to add to this world,” she said. In this experience, Dionne discovered her purpose and knows she is fulfilling the role her Creator wants her to fulfill. Along with discovering her most genuine identity, Dionne would begin to see the path towards a brighter and more meaningful future take shape. “I was just mad enough at the situation that I endured in my previous life and career to realize that I needed to become the change that I wanted to see in the world of business,” she said. That experience would lead her to build a corporate consulting firm designed to help other businesses create workplaces that focus more on creating inclusion. If you ask Dionne what inclusion looks like, she lights up and gives us a sure-fire list of her best client tips. “Inclusion is changing repressive practices in your company and restrictive policies in its handbook. Inclusion is teaching shared language that
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creates a more welcoming environment. Inclusion is smashing anything that impedes good talent, especially BIPOCs, women, and our LGBTQ leaders, from accessing key positions in their organizations. Dionne’s firm provides innovative strategic plans and training to create inclusive cultures and craft tools to discuss race and resolve conflict. “I teach people how to normalize topics on inequity in race, gender, LGBTQ, etc. Those topics that continue to impair businesses and divide our nation.” She also focuses on the development of solid leadership through executive coaching. “We help leaders identify blind spots and opportunities for growth. Dionne admits that resolving conflicts is something she loves to do as a certified mediator. “I love to sit between two people who are cussing and fussing,” she said. “It brings me joy to know that I can offer the necessary tools to help parties go from hot-tempered to cool, calm adults who want to have a healthy conversation that leads to a productive resolution.” Thanks to her calm demeanor and gift for bringing a more satisfying workplace to leaders and employees in 17 different industries, Dionne’s work impacts people from all backgrounds. Her clientele ranges from national law and engineering firms, pro sports teams, non-profit organizations, and school districts. Dionne has also become a sought-after speaker and key strategist for national platforms. Her clients appreciate her candor and commitment to imagining a new culture and structuring a strategic plan to implement.
Pictured (l to r) are a few of Dionne’s 2021 top clients: Micheal Lawrence, CEO, Big Brother Big Sister Kansas City whose agency implemented the DMK Strategic DEI Plan, increased its diverse staff numbers, and was named 2021 Top 5 Best Non-profit to Work For in America by The NonProfit Times, the leading national business publication for non-profit managers, partnered with Best Companies Group to identify leaders who excel in creating quality workplaces. June LeBlanc, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Outreach & Engagement Coordinator, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) worked under the leadership of Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Evelyn Boswell (not pictured) to implement the DMK 6-Week Certification Program for its national DEI leaders. Dionne also served as guest speaker for NAIC’s national inaugural DEI conference. Derrick Nelson, Senior Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Idaho. Derrick connected with DMK services when he formerly led the strategic DEI efforts of Commerce Bank. Derrick has remained an advisor to DMK Consults. Through his vision, Derrick created an 8-mo training program, The Women’s Leadership Boutique, with DMK Consults. The program included sessions on creative partnering and being a resilient woman leader. He is the co-founder of the National Diversity + Inclusion Consortium which is a global resource and Clearinghouse for diversity practitioners of which Dionne is a member. As if her work is not enough, this empowered professional also uses her talent and influence to advocate for homeless mothers and children in her community. She has been awarded the Ford Motor Company’s Unsung Hero Award for her community service in Ghana, Dominican Republic, England, and the United States. She was also awarded the Black Achievers Award in Business and Industry, the Woman of Excellence In Business Award by Friends of Yates, Inc., and the Small Business Superstar Award by The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “It is my goal in life to help us all do better at being better human beings and to achieve our goals,” said Dionne. Please visit their website to learn more about Dionne King and DMK Consults, LLC.
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HuamiMagazine.com Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2022
MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
Railyn Kate The daughter of Raisha Mercer and Dexter Bozeman
Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2022
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
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Monica Montgomery
The Happy Pen Creative Writing Services
By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Monica Montgomery
For Monica Montgomery, her life has happened by way of the right opportunities. Writing is something that Monica realized a love for early in life. The East Saint Louis, MO native was raised by a single mother and is the youngest in the family of four. She grew up and still resides in East St. Louis and shares she was blessed to be exposed to the greatness that East St. Louis is known for. “I come from a creative family, so writing was a natural path for me. I love reading stories about mysterious people and magical places. However, it wasn’t until I wrote my first short story for the Young Author’s contest in the 5th grade that I believed I could create those people and places. The entire class was asked to write a story for the contest. I complained to my sister that I didn’t know what to write about. Annoyed, she said the most random thing she could think of. “Write about The Backwards City of Page.” She rattled it off as if it was a real place, and I should have known where and what it was. Then she said, “It’s where everything is backward!” With her help, I wrote my first piece of fiction. I was hooked from that day on,” Monica says. Monica is the owner of The Happy Pen Creative Writing Services. Her company offers writing seminars, coaching sessions, and commercial writing for websites and personal projects. Monica received a scholarship to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She completed her Bachelor’s of Arts, English Literature, and music minor at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and received her MFA, Fiction Writing from Lindenwood University, St. Charles. In 2020 she was selected to participate in the East St. Louis Urban Education Teaching Residency Program. The program was an intense ten-month accelerated Master’s degree program and helped Monica earn a Master’s in Elementary Education from National Louis University. Today, Monica works as a first-grade teacher at Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence in East St. Louis. Professionally, she has written, directed, and produced several Christian plays and skits for her church’s youth group and spent the last fifteen years volunteering and mentoring youth in dramatic arts.
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Her first short story was published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, “Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul,” in 2006. She has written her first novel series, “An Everlasting Love”. The first two books, An Everlasting Love: Concrete Soul and The Summer of Carlos, are available for purchase on Amazon. com, and the third book of the series will be released in June 2022. Additionally, she writes for I Am East St. Louis the Magazine and serves as V.P. at Top Dog Studios, a St. Louis-based independent film group. Monica says what she enjoys most about writing is the ability to create a place of learning and escape simultaneously. “I love reading because I get to travel to far-off places and meet people from every walk of life and beyond. When I write, I don’t just want to tell a story; I want to create a space where the author, reader, and character meet in a harmonious ebb and flow. A place where one doesn’t exist without the other. The highest praise is when the reader or audience refers to a character as independent, free-thinking. I’ve had people walk up to me and say they have a love-hate relationship with one of my characters. The word that stuck out to me was relationship. As an educator, I love when a student gets it. Whether it be a first-grader learning to count by ten or someone taking up the challenge of writing, the light in their eyes is the same. It’s like a door they weren’t aware of opens, and they are breathing for the first time. It’s amazing to watch,” she says. Like anyone else, Monica says she could spend hours talking about her wounds, woes, and regrets, but it wouldn’t change anything. Ultimately, it has been her trust in God that has carried her throughout her life. She shares, “In my late twenties, I was diagnosed with cancer. I have been in remission for fourteen years now, but it was a wake-up call. I could no longer wait for the life I wanted. I had to go out and get it. I never imagined myself as an author and a teacher. When I entered the Young Author’s contest in 5th grade, my teacher said she believed she had heard the story before and accused me of cheating. I knew I hadn’t, but it didn’t matter. I won second place in the district. The first prize went to a 6th grader. My teacher never apologized. and the damage was done. I have no children of my own, but I realized that my words and what I create with them are just as important to me as a child would be. Being honest meant exposing my “baby” to the world and subjecting it to public scrutiny and rejection. Any parent can tell you that hearing that your child isn’t good enough is painful, to say the least. To my surprise and excitement, readers are my writings, and I continue to trust God.”
“I love reading because I get to travel to far-off places and meet people from every walk of life and beyond. When I write, I don’t just want to tell a story; I want to create a space where the author, reader, and character meet in a harmonious ebb and flow.”
Monica says the one thing she would have changed about her journey in life would be publishing an essay back in high school. “I believe it would have gotten me into professional writing much sooner. Then again, would I have gained the experience that I think contributed to the person I am today? Destinations are great, but life is in the journey,” she says. h
Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2022
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HuamiMagazine.com Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2022
I Love To See You Smile By Arielle Kilgore Photos by Katrena Wize Artography As much as people hate to admit it, the one thing that everyone notices is someone’s smile. It can brighten a stranger’s day or be the key to securing an interview. Our teeth are the first thing we cleanse in the morning, and hopefully, the last thing we do at night. No matter the cause, our mouth’s health should be a top priority. For over 15 years, Chiquita Jordan has made sure that you’re putting your best smile forward. “I’ve always had a passion for caring and helping others,” she says” In 2019, Chiquita Jordan decided to open her own business, Allure Teeth Whitening in Greensboro, NC. She offers 30 to 60-minute teeth whitening sessions and also installs tooth gems for clients who want to add a little bling to their smile. As a part of her services, she offers lip fillers, a newer service in her toolbox that is gaining popularity. Chiquita is a Greensboro native and graduated high school as a single mother. Her personal challenges never stopped her from pursuing her purpose and dreams. After deciding not to finish her nursing pathway at North Carolina A&T State University, Jordan decided to pursue a career in Dentistry. She shares that Dentistry allowed her to do what she loved and still assist those around her. She received her certification as a Dental Assistant from Guilford Technical Community College in 2006. With well over 15 years of experience, her expertise ranges from working in pediatric, dental, and oral surgery. Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2022
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Chiquita says her customers are always her top priority. She does acknowledge her soft spot for children and believes it is her responsibility to shape them and prepare them for a healthy smile for their future. “It is important to teach them the importance of good oral health at a young age. If they don’t take care of their baby teeth, they can affect their permanent teeth, something that will last for the rest of their life,” she says. Starting proper oral care at a young age is not just the right thing to do, but it can also save a life. Chiquita says the health of teeth goes beyond having a pretty smile. It can affect the health of your body as well. She says, “Lowerincome families don’t receive education on how to take care of their teeth. As a result, it creates a lack of importance or the disconnect of teeth to body health. They don’t see the connection to their health, so I strive to inform everyone about proper oral hygiene.” It is important to Chiquita to provide the clients of Allure Teeth Whitening with the best possible customer service experience. Her dedication is also the connecting tool that helps her clients trust her services. “The first thing you notice about someone is their smile. Someone always wants to make sure that their smile is always beautiful or white,” she explains. “I always wanted to help and care for others. That’s just mainly my passion.” As a business owner, Chiquita believes that everyone deserves the care and service they desire. She also believes in giving back to her community. That is why she makes her services affordable for almost anyone. “It doesn’t matter what situation that they come from, I am here to serve everyone,” she says. Throughout 2021, she taught children how to take care of their teeth and volunteered in community events to provide dental care. One of these programs was Giving A Kid A Smile Day. In the future, Chiquita plans to offer teeth whitening classes for those interested in learning more about the process. She also plans to bring her oldest daughter into the family business to keep her family close and provide them generational wealth and job security. When it’s all said and done, Chiquita says she hopes her legacy will be based on serving her community and providing everyone with a healthy smile. To learn about Allure Teeth Whitening, please visit their website. h
Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2022
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