Huami Magazine Arizona Jan./Feb. 2024

ARIZONA

®

Jan./Feb. 2024 Vol. 1 Issue 12

Denise Lee Broom Brush Tea Co. Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2024

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Prayer Is More Effective A Letter From The Editor

Happy New Year! It is truly a blessing to continue to do what God has called me to do. I am so appreciative of what Huami Magazine was able to accomplish in 2023, and I am even more excited about the things that will happen ahead. I thank each supporter, and I promise that we will continue to allow God to be the vision and direction of this amazing publication.

This year, Mykel Media Company LLC, the parent company that publishes Huami Magazine, is back at it. We are excited to relaunch Spunq Sports Magazine. We are also amping up the production of Huami For Kids Magazine, and with each publication that is produced by our company, a newly designed line of merchandise and apparel will accompany it.

When I think about where we have come from over the previous seventeen years, my heart wells with emotion because I know we couldn’t have made it without the prayers of those who believe in what God purposed. I thank you for your prayers and for believing.

My message is for those who are questioning what is happening in your life. God is working. Oftentimes, we can’t see His hand, but He is there. Even at our lowest of lowest moments, and we have exhausted the last granule of strength to move, God is working.

We must believe that not everyone desires to see you fail. In the midst of onlookers, there are some who find comfort and strength in seeing the underdog win. Trophies are made for underdogs as well. What’s more beautiful to know is that true believers are strengthened by witnessing God work miracles in the lives of others, too!

As disciples and believers in God, we must always seek ways to be an answered prayer for someone who needs it. Long before God assigned me a purpose, I was helped out of my pits by the selfless prayers of other believers. Believers who weren’t amused or entertained by my shortcomings or faults but were excited about seeing me blossom into my fullest potential. So they prayed for me.

Prayer is the most effective thing we can do.

Terry L. Watson

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson

Publisher

Monica Montgomery Marrissa Dick Terry L. Watson Dorjea’ McClammey

Writer Writer Writer Writer

Tamara Smith

Todd Youngblood Photographer 29Eleven Photography Photographer John Jenkins Photographer Howard Gaither Photography

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CONTENTS

JAN./FEB. 2024

ARIZONA

I Am She Mentoring

Vanessa R. Caswell

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On The Cover

Broom Brush Tea Co. Denise Lee

Cedar Grove Turns 100

Kimberly & J. T. Blackwell

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Black & Educated Clothing

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Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

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Montez Fifer

Mecca Causey

Also Featured

Pastor Curtis L. Johnson He has a servant’s heart and has committed his life to serving and being a voice for members of his community.

Learn more about him.

Greenville, SC

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Natasha Houston She has traveled the world with the US Air Force. Now, she is the face of Junkyard Fitness Inc. Learn more about what she does.

Little Rock, AR

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Chef Christopher Dodson It’s all about food for this Food Network Cooking Champion.

Learn more about his journey from a military town to culinary supremacy.

Chicago, IL

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Denise Lee Broom Brush Tea Co.

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Denise Lee Denise Lee of Phoenix, AZ, knew as a young girl what her purpose in life would involve: Teas. She says, “Teas were my purpose all along; I just didn’t know. As a young girl, my mom had her garden, and I loved rushing home from school to see what was growing. I have always loved plants, and when my hands are in the dirt, it’s a connection that feels right.”

Denise is the daughter of Carrie Hamilton (Parker) and was given a gift from an ancestor to create herbal medicine. As a child, she attended Jorgenson Elementary and grew up in South Phoenix. In her mother’s garden, Denise developed a love of plants and teas.

Today, Denise is the owner of Broom Brush Teas.

“The name Broom Bush is mentioned in Ezekiel in the bible. If you read Bush Medicine of the Bahamas, you will learn about this bush. Another name for this herb in the Bahamas is seaside thyme. They use the leafy stems or the entire plant. The Broom Bush is used to cure jaundice and failed liver. It also must be administered by a Bush Doctor,” she says. “I don’t use this in any of my teas, but my dream is to become a master Bush Doctor and work with this bush. It’s very powerful.”

With her company, Denise offers consultations regarding herbal teas to aid in the body’s ability to heal itself from different alignments. She also sells herbal teas for individuals who choose a holistic lifestyle. “The first tea that I created was the Khealing Tea. It was during the onset of Covid 19. It was very effective and sought after during that period mainly due to the 43 immunity-boosting herbs it possesses,” she says.

The journey of starting her company began for Denise many years ago. It was in 2014 and was during that time that her mother passed away. Denise and her siblings were cleaning out her mom’s home when they came across a book filled with herbs. Denise chose to read it. “When COVID hit, something told me to get that book. I took all the herbs that support immunity and created the Khealing Tea. I passed this tea out to family and friends. A family member had a friend get sick, and she dropped the tea at the doorstep of their home. The family took the tea and was over COVID in four Arizona - Jan./Feb. 2024

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days. They later called me because their aunt ended up in the hospital with COVID. They took the tea to the hospital and gave it to her daily, and she was home by the end of the week.

Later, someone posted my address on Facebook, calling my tea the COVID Killer, and people started coming to my house for it. I later asked if they could take my address down and meet me at the Laveen Farmers Market to get the tea. At this point, I didn’t have a business; I was only selling the Khealing Tea for $15. I didn’t understand that making it cost me more than $15, so I was losing money. The tea was selling so fast, and I called my sister and asked her for money. She wanted to know if what I was doing was a hobby or a business. If I would make it a business, she would help, and that is how I started Broom Bush Tea,” Denise says.

Denise shares that her teas are designed for the person who is sick of the adverse side effects of medicine and is willing to lose weight, eat better, exercise, and drink herbal teas. “My teas are created to inspire the healing journey, giving the power back to the person and the earth,” she says.

When asked what she loves most about what she does, Denise says it is being available for her customers. “I love it when my customers visit the Farmers Market and share their healing stories with me after taking my teas. Sometimes, I am amazed by how fast they work. I recall one customer whose husband previously had testicle cancer. She had been trying to have another baby with her husband for years without success. The doctors said her husband’s sperm count was low and IVF would be the route path to take. I sold them my “His All Nighter Tea” and “IVF Tea”. The customer came back to the market three months later and shared they were expecting. I was in shock that the teas worked that fast.

God gives us plants that have been on the Earth longer than man. Plants heal and they heal quickly. Like a dying plant, if you give it water and sunlight, it will sprout a green leaf out of nowhere, healing itself and bringing new leaves quickly,” Denise says.

Building her business has been challenging, and having the capital to sustain its growth is one that Denise has faced headon. Still, she is resilient and committed to helping others with her teas. Her advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs is to start by structuring your business properly, studying long and hard, and ensuring you are committed to your work. Even when the money isn’t there, you have to love what you’re doing.

Broom Brush Tea Co.

www.broombushtea.com 602-250-0177

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Looking ahead, Denise dreams of making her teas accessible to others in stores such as Sprouts. “I have a dream to get my teas in Sprouts, even if it’s just the Sprouts in my neighborhood,” she says. “I would also like to get my teas in other stores such as AJ’s, Walgreens, and CVS. More than anything, I plan to continue to listen to my community and provide high-quality products to support a healthy lifestyle,” she says. h

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Adam Harris

By Sherry Rogers Photos Provided by Adam Harris Adam Harris walks the earth sowing seeds of kindness.

Professionally, he is the director of the federally funded Trio Upward Bound program. The program is designed to assist and prepare students in underserved communities for college. Beyond his work life, Adam is a three-time published author, penning his first book, A Heart to Give: A Journal of Transformation, at age 21. Since then, he has written Adams L.A.W. Lessons Along the Way and One Michigan Moment in T.I.M.E. Adam is also a well-soughtafter motivational speaker and a community organizer.

This servant leader is intentional in his pursuit to serve “the least of these”, a mantra he adapted from his father and a practice his parents consistently demonstrated.

“Serving others is more than what I do. It is who I am.”

Originally from Southfield, MI, Adam is the youngest child born to ministers Allen and Sylvia Harris. At the age of four, he served alongside his parents at their former church, The World Church of God Mission. The storefront church, located on Mack Avenue in downtown Detroit, operated as an empowerment zone for people to receive immediate assistance through donations or by connecting them to specific resources. Adam laughs as he recalls his family’s daily routine. “After school, my siblings and I would have about an hour to finish our homework, and then we left to go and serve. This was our daily schedule, not just what we did on Sundays but every day.” In addition to passing out clothing and serving hot meals to thousands in the Detroit area, their church provided a space where the community could be heard and families received prayer.

“After school, my siblings and I would have about an hour to finish our homework, and then we left to go and serve.

This was our daily schedule, not just what we did on Sundays but every day.”

The normalcy of Adam’s childhood sadly ended when, at the age of 11, he experienced the death of his father.

The loss caused him extreme grief. “Losing my dad at such an early age was traumatic. It made me view life through a different lens,” he shares.

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As Adam continued to work through his grief, he was introduced to his band teacher, Mr. Randy Scott, who would become Adam’s very first African American male teacher. Adam and Mr. Scott would form a bond that would help Adam through some of the most pivotal moments in his life.

After completing high school, Adam attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn. There, he played basketball and also managed to fuse his love for helping others with the game and organized basketball camps for the youth. Along with the help of his teammates, he combined skills training with college tours and motivational experiences. “We wanted to show the campers that although we were college athletes, we cared about their futures,” Adam says.

During his senior year, Adam created the service organization “SWOT”, Students Working Onward Together. With the assistance of over 100 college students, he provided community outreach for individuals in the metro Detroit area. During this time, Adam also worked as an intern at United Way. In 2008, he brought the alternative spring break program to Detroit for outreach within marginalized communities. It was the first time that a service initiative was introduced to an area such as Detroit. This concept would eventually take on a life of its own and has since expanded all over the United States, thanks to Adam.

With his heart to serve and love for people, Adam has inspired many others. He humbly contends that he is merely passing on what has been poured into him. In addition to his parents, Adam proudly speaks of the strong group of mentors who have encouraged him throughout his life journey. Besides Randy Scott, an international jazz recording artist, Adam’s circle of inspiration includes civil rights activist Dr. Gloria House, Dr. Glenn McIntosh, Senior VP & Chief Diversity Officer, and Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, the founder of the Student African American Brotherhood. “They all continue the cultivation of who I am today. They spoke life within me and would not allow me to do anything in deviation of what they saw in me,’’ he says. Adam’s appreciation is genuine, and he has also publicly honored each one by presenting them with Guiding Light Awards.

www.iamadamharris.com

So what’s next for this young visionary? He says, “I am looking forward to marrying my fiance, Sharnese Marshall, in August. I am also working on several book projects and devoting time to working on my brother’s legacy, the late Abraham Harris. He served his community by adopting local elementary schools and providing toys for every student in those schools for the last seven years, and I want others to continue to benefit from his efforts”.

A quote by Rober Schuller says, “Find the need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it and find a problem and solve it.”

This quote resonates with Adam, and he adds, “I just want to serve at a level that pleases God.” h

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Chris Chef

Dodson Food, Life, and Everything Else

By Sherry Hill - Photos Provided by Chris Dodson Many of us expend exuberant amounts of money and energy seeking to discover our gifts. Then occasionally, you meet the Chris Dodson’s of the world who has unwrapped those gifts at an early age. While this professional chef had no clue where his youthful inquiry for cuisine would lead, he was keenly aware that he could make magic when he stepped into a kitchen.

Twenty-plus years later, Chef Chris was the winner of the popular Food Network’s cooking competition, Chopped.

During the ‘Meals of Fortune’ episode, he was one of four competitors who raced to create original dishes from high-end ingredients. He announced, “I want to win because I’m relentlessly pursuing my dreams. I want my children to see the benefit of hard work.” Chris is the proud father of Trinity, 18; Chris III, 15; Giovanni, 12 and Oakley, 6. At the show’s conclusion, Chef Chris experienced a dream come true, walking away with the title of champion and a $10,000.00 prize.

So, who is this Chopped champion? Christopher Antonio Dodson, Jr., is the son of the late Christopher Dodson and Rosalyn Dodson. He was raised in the military town of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Fayetteville is the home of Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg).

Chris says, “I’ve always loved cooking. Some of my earliest memories include my mom and I in the kitchen cooking together.” He describes his younger version as inquisitive: “I would open the pantry and just start mixing foods together. I would smell the different spices in the cabinet to determine what I wanted to combine”. It’s easy to detect the excitement in Chris’s voice as he recalls some of his favorite cooking experiences.

However, life wasn’t always ‘sugar and spice and all things nice’ for teenage Chris. Time inside the kitchen may have been the emotional sanctuary that numbed the pain of his parent’s divorce, but outside the kitchen, Chris began rebelling. “When I went to high school, I got into trouble and got expelled. In hindsight, I didn’t have the emotional tools to cope with the divorce of my parents. As a result, I spent my 10th and 11th grades in an alternative school.”

After returning to his traditional school, Chris graduated from Westover High School in 2004. He decided that joining the military was the new beginning he needed, so he enlisted in the United States Army.

While in the army, Chris watched a documentary featuring celebrity chef Bobby Flay that changed his life. He credits the show as the inspiration that pushed him to pursue his passion of becoming a professional chef. With the support of Army Colonel Sheila Bryant, ironically a native of Fayetteville, Chris was granted early release after serving his country for nine years. He enrolled in a culinary arts school in El Paso, TX, and never looked back.

While a student, he began working three days a week at the award-winning, Cafe’ Central in El Paso. He credits his Cafe Central experience with teaching him to work fast, avoid panic, and be clean and organized. These essential traits have made Chris a champion amongst chefs in the competitive arena and allowed him entry into some of the world’s most lauded culinary spaces.

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At Cafe’ Central, Chris was introduced by way of a documentary to the exceptional Alinea, a Chicago restaurant which holds a coveted Michelin 3-star rating. “When I saw Alinea on TV, I knew that I had to be there,” he said. Chris sent a well-crafted email that allowed him to showcase his skills to the Alinea group. He flew out to Chicago and worked as an unpaid kitchen intern in hopes of receiving an offer.

After two intense work days, Chris secured his dream job as a chef at the world-renowned Alinea. In time he would be a sous chef. “I would grind for 16 hours, go home, wake up and do it all over again,” Chris shares.

Chef Chris reveals that although he was thriving professionally, his greatest challenge was balancing his professional and personal life. Because he was uber-focused on his work, he was oblivious to the impact his hectic work life was having on his family and himself. He did a priority check and found it necessary to part from Alinea.

Continuing to cook, Chris began working for less demanding establishments. Although the initial transition was tough, he felt that it was best. “Once I slowed down, I realized I felt lost and had to rediscover myself. I’ve been on that path since that time.” He attributes his partner, Tempestt Young, for helping to guide him on this newfound journey, as well as his four children, who inspire him to be the best version of himself.

Chris is currently enjoying life as a private chef for a family in Illinois, a job that he absolutely loves.

He says, “Before, I only had time to concentrate on the food, but now I’m able to create experiences, connect with, and inspire people through food.”

Those things are what Chris says he loves most about his life as a chef.

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So, what’s next for the mega-talented chef?

He is launching a podcast that promotes men’s mental wellness and developing a non-profit youth organization that offers mentoring and encourages kids to pursue their dreams. Who better to mentor others than the Dream Catcher himself? Chef Chris Dodson’s life screams dream big; work hard and capture your dream. h

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Cedar Grove

Tabernacle of Praise Overseer J.Troy Blackwell

Celebrating 100 Years of Serving God And Our Community

By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography and Snuggs Photography Understanding our history helps to guide us into the future. History is tied to the local church for most African American communities. In 1923, eight people from the Terra Cotta community of Greensboro, North Carolina, gathered to discuss the establishment of a church. In 2023, Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise proudly celebrated its centennial year.

In a time when the world is changing with the click of a button, the historic Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise is going strong as a beacon of hope, light, love, and faith in the Terra Cotta community. Terra Cotta, named after the brownish-red clay, was explicitly founded to segregate the African American workers who, from the 1880s to the 1970s, made the clay pipes that ran beneath the city.

Since that fateful gathering of the founding eight members, Cedar Grove has become a pillar of stability in its community.

Displaying strength and wisdom from the past while lighting a path of hope for the future. Over the one hundred years the church has been in service, it has only had five pastors. The current senior pastor of almost eight years is Overseer J. Troy Blackwell. When the previous senior pastor of CGTOP selected him, Blackwell was pastoring the church he founded.

“I’ve only been the pastor of CGTOP for eight years. My connection to the church goes back to 2004. I knew of Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise through our Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship affiliations, and I would eventually understand my purpose. My predecessor, Dr. James A Johnson, hand-selected me for the senior pastor position once he retired,” he explains.

Overseer Blackwell received his call to the gospel while on active duty in the US Navy. He was licensed in the ministry of the gospel in 1991. He retired from the Navy in 2002, and God led him to plant a church, that being, Freedom For Living Ministries which he founded in the basement of his home.

“Before starting Freedom For Living Ministries, a fellow pastor and friend reached out to me and asked me to do a sermon series at his church while he went on a short sabbatical. Once I started my church, my friend invited me to go with him to a Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship conference in Arizona in 2004. That year, I became part of the Full Gospel Church Fellowship,” he explained.

In the following years, Blackwell, armed with his love for God and his passion for teaching God’s word, received recognition in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship community. “I was appointed to West Central District Director of Christian Education.

Next, I served as the state Director of Christian Education for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship of the State of North Carolina. In 2008, I was elevated to the District Overseer of the Central District Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship of North Carolina,” he says.

The different district positions allowed Blackwell to fellowship with several churches, including CGTOP. Blackwell says, “Dr. Johnson brought me in several times to do workshops and things like that. So, he and I had a strong relationship, and the church and I were very familiar with each other.”

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Before being asked to become senior pastor of CGTOP, Overseer Blackwell says the Lord showed him a vision.

“God told me that I would have two churches. One would be in a rural area, and one in the city. God showed me specific dynamics and areas where each church had major strengths and weaknesses. My role was understanding how to merge the two,” Blackwell continues. “The rural church is smaller and family-focused. It is truly a community church. The issue is the rural church is often steeped in traditions and resistant to change. The urban church is organized and progressive, but the intimacy and connectivity can sometimes be lost if we’re not careful.

My assignment is to bridge the gap between the two ideologies.”

Blackwell sought God’s wisdom, thinking that God was calling him to plant a second church. Not long after, he received a call from Dr. Johnson, the then-current senior pastor, telling him he planned to retire. “Dr. Johnson called and said that he was retiring in a year and wanted me to take over as senior pastor at CGTOP,” Blackwell said with a laugh. “I didn’t see it coming, to be honest. I asked him if he was sure, and he said yes. At that point, God’s vision became clear. I would be merging two churches. Freedom for Living, a small rural community church, and CGTOP, a larger urban church.”

In the one hundred years that CGTOP has existed, it has done so because of forward-thinking leadership and community support. Each pastor was instrumental in the growth of the church and its congregation. Initially a Baptist church, Dr. James A. Johnson, in his twenty-six years as senior pastor of Cedar Grove, helped to connect it to the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.

Pictured above are members of The Reunion Choir

Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise is an essential cornerstone of the Terra Cotta community and its rich history. As Overseer Blackwell goes into his eight years of service, he understands the importance of securing the church’s relevance to the people of this historic Greensboro community and those who will come after him.

“Dr. Johnson had done an amazing job of teaching Kingdom principles. The people understood what it meant to be Kingdom-minded, what that application looked like, and the importance of being consistent with the community. All I did was come in and build on that firmly established foundation. My assignment is to take the ministry to the next level in God,” Blackwell explained.

“When a pastor retires, it’s usually because they have taken the ministry as far as they could, and it is time for them to release it so that the person God has prepared can move the vision forward. My goal is, with the leading of God, to move the ministry forward, giving it everything I have.

Then, when I pass the mantle, the incoming leadership will have the same graceful transition Dr. Johnson gave me.”

Pictured above are lifelong members of Cedar Grove TOP 20

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Taking on a church with the historical significance and communal value that Cedar Grove has could be a bit daunting. Still, Overseer Blackwell is armed with vision and passion for seeing the church and the community’s people grow spiritually and civically. Blackwell plans to do this in three five-year phases.

The first five-year phase was growing the church and paying off the building. “As I said before, Cedar Grove was already a great church. The three keys to growth in any church are genuine love, trust, and mutual respect. That’s from the top to the bottom,” Blackwell said pointedly. “If you have authentic love, genuine trust, and mutual respect as your base, you create an atmosphere conducive to actual growth and not a swell of interest. That’s what is happening at Cedar Grove.”

In the second five-year phase, Blackwell intends to get the church back to its position at the center of the community. “Shortly before transitioning to CGTOP, Freedom for Living had purchased a plot of land. We hadn’t decided how to develop it at the time.

The goal was a community center, but it wouldn’t make sense because the land is so far away from the people we are trying to serve,” he explained. “The church is meant to be a resource for the community—a place where people can get more than just their spiritual needs met.”

The third and final five-year phase of the current goal is civic awareness. In the last twenty years, churches and religious organizations have backed away from engaging in politics for fear of being seen as biased. Historically, the black church was where the community came to be informed of what was happening in the world and how they could play an essential role in securing their rights and the rights of those who would come after them. Overseer Blackwell believes it’s time for the church to step up. “To help our communities, we must become more informed of what is happening in politics. How can we make things better if we choose not to become aware of our communities’ social and economic issues? If historic communities like Terra Cotta are to survive, we have to engage in the politics that affect us,” Blackwell said passionately.

“Encouraging people to take an interest in how their city and town is run is important. Getting the information out so people can be informed voters gives them the power to advocate for themselves. This is the only way communities like ours will survive. I know empowering the people of God to help make the laws that govern them is God-ordained,” Blackwell says. While it has only been seven years for Blackwell as the Pastor of Cedar Grove, he knows what legacy he wants to leave behind. “My desired effect on this church and community is simple. I want my legacy to be that we honored God and used his wisdom to build the community up one family at a time.” h

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Junkyard Fitness, Inc.

By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Natasha Houston

While Natasha Houston resides in Little Rock, AR, her native home is undefined. Her stance is that she is not really from anywhere because she moved around a lot as a kid. After graduating high school, she joined the United States Air Force, and her nomadic conquest would continue. Now, as a Disabled Air Force Veteran, Natasha has found her footing as a successful physical fitness trainer, helping others obtain healthy lifestyles.

Natasha is the owner of Junkyard Fitness, Inc. Her company is operated under two umbrellas: a coaching side with Junkyard Clinic and a health side with Junkyard Fitness. “Junkyard Fitness, Inc. is a holistic business that focuses on the whole person. We offer services and products that educate clients and customers on the benefit of a natural holistic transition of mind, body, and soul,” she says.

Natasha offers a variety of coaching programs. One of them is Mindfulness & Stress Management, which teaches mindfulness techniques and strategies for managing stress. There is also Spiritual Coaching that helps individuals explore and enhance their spiritual beliefs, practices, and overall sense of purpose. Natasha also has Relationship Coaching that assists clients in improving their interpersonal relationships, whether they’re romantic, family, or friendship. With her Health & Wellness Coaching, she supports clients in improving their physical and mental health, often focusing on areas like nutrition, fitness, and stress management. Finally, Natasha provides Weight Loss & Holistic Nutrition, which focuses on nutrition and overall health, supporting dietary and lifestyle changes.

Her clients can choose alternative medicine or general health supplements through plant-based solutions. Her Junkyard Herbal/Juice Solutions include Compound Capsulated Supplements filled with plant-based herbs. She also has Sea Moss Gel, Elderberry, Fresh Cold Pressed Juice, and all-natural fruit juices for detox, energy, and nutritional value. Her Natural Hair/Skin Products are Natural Soaps, Natural Hair Oil, and Natural Hair and Skin Body Moisturizer or Butter.

Natasha has a Masters of Science degree in Organizational Leadership. She has served in fitness for six years, and in 2023, she incorporated wellness into her portfolio and began utilizing it in her healing journey.

Junkyard Fitness, Inc. was launched on June 1st, 2018. Natasha says, “I opened a gym in North Little Rock, AR, and only provided fitness programs. As I started noticing and learning how health and weight loss worked, I started looking into other ways to help my clients to aid in their weight loss journey. That opened the door to me exploring and learning more than just fitness benefits, but whole-body benefits and about mind and spirit. My research also helped to gain an understanding of the current food industry and how people are impacted by it. It also involved understanding black culture and how African Americans, hundreds of years ago, relied on plants and plant-based lifestyles for improved health and healing.”

In her business, Natasha says what she loves most about what she does is exposing the truth: the truth that everything isn’t fixed by medicine and that healing can happen naturally if you feed your body and mind to do so. “The more that I had expanded my knowledge on how the mind and body work, what it needs to heal, and the importance of physical strength, especially for the disabled, the more it has answered the one question I asked myself once I was medically discharged from the military; Was the body not meant to heal itself naturally? And if so, how?”

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Natasha says she is inspired by the teachings of the late, great Dr. Sebi and learning how the body is able to heal itself. “As stated before, I am a disabled military veteran, and I have over 11 physical disabilities and four mental health challenges. I have relied on medication for help with chronic pain, inflammation, the physical limitations it caused, and the level of sadness that followed. The day that I decided to end my relationship with prescribed medication was the day that I prayed to God to help me find a solution to my agony. Within the next 24 hours, a married couple and longtime friends, Darnell and Soraya Stark, recommended that I watch a video on YouTube about Dr. Sebi. I got lost in studies and started my own journey to self-healing in order to naturally cope with my health challenges,” she says.

There is Junkyard Fitness Inc. and the challenge of branding and building the brand. Natasha has tackled this head-on and realizes the benefits it has, as well as understands the different ways to incorporate it into her processes. “Marketing and branding strategist Sheenica Smiley of A Blind Vision Studios is currently coaching me. Sheenica is a photographer and has helped me make my brand more identifiable. We are currently working on putting processes in place to improve how I connect with current and future customers and clients,” she says. Additionally, Natasha is always looking for ways to educate her clients and others about the benefits of holistic lifestyle changes. A tool she has brought into the fold is a new podcast.

Personal development is also something Natasha focuses on. There is a level of confidence, faith, and tenacity she believes one must have to have as an entrepreneur. “The more I worked on myself and evolved into a newer version of myself, the better my business became. Working on myself looks like heavy mediation. It also looks like taking time by myself, tuning the world out, and checking in with my total self, mind, body, and soul,” she says.

For someone interested in holistic health as a business, Natasha advises always to be true to yourself first, and everything else will fall into place. “The holistic lifestyle is a journey, and nothing is to be rushed. The more information you absorb about the benefits and how it can help others, the more likely you are to grow through your own process. Sometimes, that requires pulling away from the business and taking time for yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually. It may seem like financial suicide, but it will actually make your business stronger.”

As she looks ahead, Natasha says she is finally ready to take her business outside of her local community of Little Rock, AR. “I have a lot of clients all over the world, and due to my connection to the military, I also have clients overseas. This has encouraged me to reach even further nationally and internationally by tapping into content sharing through podcasts, blogs, and speaking engagements. Personally, I am still working on myself. To whom much is given, much is required, and I want to be prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually to handle what is coming for me and Junkyard Fitness, Inc.” h

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I Am She Girls Mentoring

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Vanessa R. Caswell Vanessa Caswell-Rodgers of Memphis, TN, is a woman of faith, resilience, and abundant possibilities. She is the founder of I Am She Girls Mentoring, a nonprofit organization that assists young girls between the ages of (8-18) in achieving their best despite challenges they may face. Her organization also helps these young ladies deal with childhood trauma, drug abuse, peer pressure, homelessness, and low self-esteem. I Am She Girls Mentoring partners with other organizations and schools (including principals and counselors) to provide the best plan that meets the needs of the youth.

Presently, Vanessa mentors students and works with three schools in the Frayser community of Memphis.

“I Am She mentors young women by reminding all Queens who they are and how to display and portray the beauty within,” Vanessa says. “We offer various classes and workshops, including etiquette, self-esteem, self-confidence, and character building. Furthermore, we help our Queens set goals and discover their purpose.”

Vanessa was raised by her grandparents in what she describes as a large family setting.

Family is essential to Vanessa. She is the sibling of a twin sister and has many other brothers and sisters. She shares her life with her husband, Eric Rogers.

Vanessa graduated from Memphis Tech High School in 1985. She also completed her studies at Stage One Hair School, Shelby State College, and Tennessee State University. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Serving her community is something that Vanessa is honored to do, and she accepts it with a great deal of responsibility. She shares, “I started serving my community in 2017 by working with my brother’s organization, Legacy Of Legends. I helped by providing wrap-around services to many children and their families.

From then on, I’ve been serving and supporting other nonprofit organizations.”

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Vanessa says, “I founded I Am She after realizing my passion and purpose for mentoring women in navigating difficult situations and pushing them to pursue their dreams and goals. I was once a woman with low self-esteem, but I learned to overcome my obstacles, stand tall, and tell my story while inspiring others.”

While Vanessa serves as the Executive Director, the success of I Am She Girls Mentoring Memphis is made possible with the dedication of team members including Tiara Caswell, Allyson Jackson, Valerie Dodson, Mary Jones, Sharon Walker, Betty Lewis, Sylvia Walker, Eric Rodgers, Serita Harris, Miesha Yelder, Maudie Wilson, and Lakevia Henderson, a Junior Mentor. The Board Members of I Am She are Alfred Garrett, Elaine Baldwin, Janet Keys, Tamera Walker Tuggle, Lora Fowler, Jim Ward, and Angela Ellis.

More than anything, what Vanessa says she loves most about what she does is observing lives transformed by way of her organization. She states she is inspired by the opportunity to love on broken young ladies and help them become the best version of themselves. “Following in the footsteps of my young brother, who went from being a typical young man to becoming a family man and man of God, has impacted my life more than anything,” Vanessa said.

It is obvious Vanessa has a huge heart to serve. Leading a nonprofit that focuses on meeting the needs of young girls requires compassion and patience. Being available for others is essential and is something Vanessa had to learn to balance. “I often am asked to help, but I had to learn that saying no is OK,” she says. “My advice to others who may follow in my footsteps is to have patience and faith and surround yourself with like-minded individuals.”

Moving forward, Vanessa says she plans to continue growing her program and acquire transportation vans. Having these vehicles will allow the young ladies she serves to see other areas out of their environment and expose them to life-changing events. To learn more about I Am She Girls Mentoring, please visit their website. h

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FIFER

Black & Educated

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Montez Fifer From FBI to Fashion icon, Memphis, TN, native Montez Fifer is no stranger to style.

Born and raised in the Whitehaven area of Memphis, TN, Montez Fifer got involved with fashion, particularly fashion design, at a young age. Montez was always curious about how he could style different pieces to make it his own, and that curiosity would continue to follow him throughout his young life.

Montez graduated from Southwind High School in Memphis. His next move was to attend the University of Memphis, where he received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice. After college, Montez says he originally planned to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

He shares, “I handled the programs at the FBI academy with ease, performed well on all my interviews, and was ready to get started. That was until I had to take a lie detector test. I stood true to my morals and told them the truth about being a part of a drug transaction earlier in life,” Montez’s honesty caused officials to stop the whole process and, ultimately, ended his chance at being a part of the FBI. That experience really changed the trajectory of Montez’s goals for life. Eventually, he worked at a warehouse, making a good living, but he wanted more.

Today, Montez is the face and visionary of Black and Educated, a fashion line he created to express his viewpoint and creativity on life. Montez shared that the uptick of police brutality and the death of young black men motivated his brand, taking note of Trayvon Martin’s death and how he was labeled suspicious for walking around with a black hoodie, he shares, “I always thought what if his black hoodie had a message on it?” Then in November of 2015, Montez and his cousin drew up the first official logo: a baby wearing glasses and holding a book. In the beginning, just a few of his family and friends wore his brand, but as more people saw it, the interest in purchasing it grew. With his passion for fashion and his drive for bettering the black community, Montez took his brand full throttle in 2019.

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As the brand grew, so did the designs. Montez always wanted to keep his audience engaged, to the point of switching his logo every two months. However, he did some research and decided it would be best to have one primary logo, and four sublogos, all giving the perfect representation of Black and Educated.

Although, Montez made it clear his brand is for everyone in the community, not just those who went to school. “I tell people all the time, you don’t need a degree to be B & E, Black and Educated. It’s all about life, you can learn from books, experiences, and even other people. I want others to feel empowered in the different ways.”

Now if you’re looking for a nice, chill brand with a big message, you’ll get that through Black and Educated. Montez notes that his style is very simple and incorporates his message into his work. He avoids flashy designs and chooses to let the meaning of the brand shine more than the clothes. “Let your clothes do the talking. I’m all about a subtle flex. If they know they know, if they don’t, well then they’ll ask and find out.”

“Let your clothes do the talking.

I’m all about a subtle flex. If they know they know, if they don’t, well then they’ll ask and find out.”

Just like any business, Montez faced some challenges while growing his brand, and the main one was marketing. He is more of a homebody and doesn’t go out much to promote his work.

He has also been challenged with finding brand ambassadors that care more about the brand than the money. Yet, he is grateful for having a strong group of friends who pick up the slack and support him to the fullest. Even more, during HBCU’s homecoming season, Montez makes sure to pop out and show out for his brand. Every year you can catch him at the Southern Heritage Classic, as well as many other HBCU events.

Montez says he loves the opportunities and freedoms that come with building his brand. He says, “For as long as I’ve been doing this, I still get excited to press, design, and see the reactions from my supporters and customers. It gives me a sense of fulfillment to know that I did that.”

As for the future of the Black and Educated brand, you can expect a few new pieces to hit the market soon. Montez also hopes to branch out and be a part of more vendor events across the nation, including the Essence Festival in New Orleans and events in Las Vegas. The ultimate goal, Montez says, is to build the brand larger, acquire a distribution deal, and have Black and Educated available at least 10 HBCU bookstores.

As for future designers, Montez says to wear your brand, try new things, and don’t get discouraged. Remember that your losses are lessons, and most importantly, if you really love your brand and believe in your brand, that’s all that matters. To learn more about Black and Educated, please visit their website. h

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Mecca Causey The son of Ryan Causey and Nijalon Jackson-Causey

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“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on others’ lives.”

Jackie Robinson

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Pastor

Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church “I See Ministry As An Opportunity to Impact The Lives of Members of My Community”

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Pastor Curtis L. Johnson Everyone has a story. Our lives are made of the roads we’ve traveled, many of which are full of twists and turns, with a few peaks and valleys. Some are littered with pitfalls and obstacles, strategically placed to slow our progress or ultimately stop us. For Greenville, SC, native Curtis Johnson, the story of his life is no different.

As the pastor of Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church Baptist Church located in Pelzer, SC, Pastor Curtis Johnson says, his focus is to lead lost souls to God and make an impression on the world that is pleasing in the eyes of God. “I am a man with a genuine desire to please God who strives to uplift my people. I see ministry as an opportunity to impact the lives of members of my community. I give myself to make that happen in any capacity that I can,” he says.

Currently residing in Mauldin, SC, Pastor Curtis Johnson graduated from JL Mann High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years before returning home to fulfill his true calling. Pastor Johnson later attended Morris College School of Religion Greenville Extension, and North Grenville University. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree from the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University.

He has been married to Charla for 34 years, and they share two sons, Isiah and Joshua. He has served as Senior Pastor of the Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church Church since 1993. “Our vision is summed up in the acronym I.M.P.A.C.T., which stands for “Innovate Ministries for Personal and Community Transformation,” he says. “Our ministry is truly about life application. We help individuals advance socially, spiritually, financially, and economically, regardless of their stage of life.” He is also a former S.C. State Overseer for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.

Pastor Johnson is a “Preacher’s Grandkid”. His father was his grandfather’s chairman of Deacons and his mother was the musician for the church. The church was birthed while sitting around his grandparents kitchen table in 1987. This happened around the time when Pastor Johnson was still in the Air Force, and while he was deciding to reenlist for another four years, he made the choice to come back to South Carolina and help his family with their ministry. “It was then, in 1990, that I felt the call into ministry and preached my first sermon on August 12th of that year,” he says. After preaching for a few years, Pastor Johnson says his grandfather was getting up in age, so he turned the ministry over to him in 1993, and in May of last year, he celebrated 30 years of preaching the gospel of God. Pastor Johnson says the journey of preaching over the last 30 years has given him an extensive perspective of what ministry could be about and its potential impact locally and internationally. His journey has also come with some things that Pastor Johnson didn’t see coming. In February of last year, he suffered a major heart attack and needed emergency heart surgery. “I didn’t know I was having a heart attack. I had been dealing with some intense heartburn for a few days and decided to visit an urgent care facility to get something to help with it. While there, they called the ambulance, and I was transported to a hospital. I was taken to pre-op and taken into emergency surgery. They told me I was actively having a heart attack, and I couldn’t believe it. The level of pain was not very severe, and I didn’t think it was that serious, yet it was. I now encourage men to visit their doctors and get regular checkups,” he says.

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“I am a man with a genuine desire to please God who strives to uplift my people.”

With therapy and treatment, Pastor Johnson would fully recover from the heart attack he suffered in February. However, life would continue to happen for him. In July of last year, he was diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer and was told that he needed to have surgery immediately. In August, the surgery was successfully performed, and all of the cancer cells were removed. “Had I not had myself checked out, I very well have missed what was going on with me, but I paid attention, and by the grace of God, I am still here,” he says. “Not only have I fully recovered from my heart attack, I am 100% cancer-free. I am absolutely blessed. Being able to be here with my family, I give God all of the glory and praise for that.”

Pastor Johnson is known as a Change Agent in his community and shares that he feels his ministry can make life better for others. “I am a problem solver. I love making a difference and helping people. I also love creating a different culture and environment in our community,” he says. Pastor Johnson is a Community Activist, Social Justice Advocate, and is a contracted NonViolence365 employee for King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, GA, under the leadership of Dr Bernice King. He has been a strategic partner in establishing long term relationships between The King Center and both the NFL, and the American Red Cross. He is an active member of the Disaster Services Department of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, under the leadership of Bishop LaTresa Jester. Additionally, Pastor Johnson has produced projects in the Upstate Community to address social issues that relate to race, violence, diversity, and more.

Pastor Johnson credits his grandfather with shaping his life into what it is today. He also credits the late Dr Myles Munroe for helping him understand the kingdom of God. When Pastor Johnson became a part of the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, he became connected with the late Bishop Eddie Long, and Pastor Johnson credits him for helping him to see what the church could do more beyond their walls. He also appreciates the ministry of Bishop TD Jakes of The Potter’s House Church in Dallas, TX, and Bishop Joseph Walker, the presiding Bishop for Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, for having incredible ministries and programs that have impacted millions of lives. “Now, at age 56, what keeps me going are the solid relationships I have with other pastors and the people we serve. I don’t seek to duplicate other pastors, but instead learn from them,” he says.

As the future unfolds, Pastor Johnson plans to continue to be a willing vessel for God. When Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church came about in 1987, they were in a small building that held about 100 people. In 1993, he took over as pastor, and in 1999, the church bought 25 acres of land to build a new church, and it successfully opened its doors of their bigger facility in 2001. It currently seats between 800 - 1000 people, while only utilizing 10 acres of the land that was purchased. As the shepherd and visionary of Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church, he is leading the way in building a multi-unit housing development on 10 of the remaining available acres. “I want to get families out of the streets and create solutions to homelessness.”

To learn more about Pastor Curtis Johnson and Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church Baptist Church, please visit their website. h

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We Can Ship Our Sauces Anywhere In The United States!

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“We looked like a wholesome, loving family on the outside, but on the inside, our house was a living hell. I had a controlling father, and my mother was his punching bag. I felt abandonment, fear, anxiety, and depression. I didn’t take care of my childhood trauma, so it showed up in my adult life. I wanted control, and the men in my life were victims of my wrath. My life came full circle when I met a man just like my father.

It is time for my story to be told my way. My trauma. My triggers. My truth.”

Dear Abuser…

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