ARKANSAS
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Jan./Feb. 2021 Volume 1 Issue 3 FREE
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FranSha’
Arkansas State Independent Living Council
Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
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Make 2021 Your Best Year Yet!
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
A Letter Fromfrom The the Editor A Letter Editor
Well, we can finally put the year of 2020 to rest. I am grateful for what A Letter from the Editor last year presented. Every test and each challenge served its purpose in What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes my life.
and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if that youofdecided tothe putbible, off until tomorrow never Whatinifthe tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, As iteverything states book Psalms in chapter 119: ithopes was happened? There would beato no reason to save a rainy and wouldn’t have street to park on. What if good that Idreams was afflicted. I will add that message andfor share that my day,have and made you could spare someone theuntil trouble of making afflictions me appreciate being in 2021. everything that you decided to putalive off tomorrow never promises. What your last happened? Thereif would be opportunity no reason toseemingly save for aexpired rainy I would like toyou take this opportunity to encourage every listener to today? would you do? day, andWhat could spare someone the trouble of making make this year your bestifone go of the baggage thatexpired you have promises. What youryet. lastLet opportunity seemingly been carrying around for all too long. Unnecessary baggage has the I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. today? What would you do? ability Honestly, to adversely affect our futures. What is the use in starting I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firmfresh and new, if webeen continue to share our seem lives with that don’t believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put on add me I’ve told that I often like things I do anything too much. value, Honestly, things that depress us, and the things that want to remind of who that I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would I feelhandle. like I amI not doing enough I’mlife a firm we used to be and who we are trying to move away from. This may be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I involve people, material things, and even some parts about ourselves haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would that you instinctively know doesn’t belong. It is not a part of who we are is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I becoming. to mefound is an adventure. What is the In worst that can opportunity happen? have that to be very boring. my opinion, If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn is anew blessing afforded to everyone. A challenge In this year, that let’s isn’t do the unthinkable. If you have been setting on something newthat about myself. yourtowards pride and in it to me an give adventure. What is Relinquish the that can happen? a dream, whyisnot dream some lifeworst and work making return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn become more than just a dream. Bring it to life. something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in The best advice given one to me happened when for someone return acquire life. Clean up your mess. Inever my home, of the ugliest sights me told to make myGod tomorrow today. to Inoperate doing soin is a sink fullme of dirty dishes. expectshappen for his children I have pressed my way through doors with key that onlyFor me TheIfbest ever given tobusiness, me happened when excellence. youadvice have any unfinished try acleaning itsomeone up. hopeme Imy have also learned difference between personally,, Iprovided. am going to attempt to trythe andtoday. clean my up told tonot make tomorrow happen Inmess doing soall in one day. I know Itblesses will my take some time. Idoors also life understand itonly will never God me with and what cana burden with Iwhat have pressed way through with key that thatme become complete without an effort on my part. as well. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between whenlife tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what burdenbecause me with Finally, in thisI compare new year Iithave decidedsomeone to forgive. Itconfident starts may get itwith confused as well. to knowing when to be and forgiving myself for all of my self inflicted problems. Instead of blaming with being when to bearrogant. quiet, because others, I have decided to hold my own self accountable. “Terry, I someone may get it confused am sorry. I should have known better. I promise to love myself Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being unconditionally and without reservations happen today, but most for the rest of my life.” I owe it to myself importantly make it count. Make you tomorrow to do so. Life is but a whisper and happen today, but most we must putmake ourselves in a itwho count. I willimportantly also forgive others have position to hear what it is is butfor a whisper been a Life problem me in myand life. telling us. we must put ourselves in a Allowing their infractions to occupy to hear it of is the space inposition my life will only what rob me telling us. opportunity to live. Letting go of the
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CONTENTS
JAN./FEB. 2021
ARKANSAS
Dream Financial Services
Talisha Birdsong
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On The Cover
Arkansas SILC
Dr. FranSha’ Anderson
Coach Stacy
Stacy Bryant
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Professional Artist
Timothy M. Joe
Huami Magazine Cutest Baby
Payton Zora Doctor
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Also Featured
Wendy Poteat Meet the President and CEO of Say Yes Guilford. Greensboro, NC
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LaDell Beamon Meet this superhero and CEO of the Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis. Memphis, TN
Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
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Brian Flewellen His company is changing the way the tv mounting business is done. From Atlanta to DFW. Dallas/Fort Worth, TX HuamiMagazine.com
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Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
‘ Arkansas State Independent Living Council By Terry L. Watson Photos by Denaro Cook If there is a situation where something needs to get done, she is the person to call. She is a mother, grandmother, professional woman of faith who has dedicated her life to serving and helping others in her community, the state and throughout the country. Her life is built around social activism. Dr. FranSha’’ Anderson of Little Rock, AR was born and raised in Batesville, which is the oldest existing city in the state of Arkansas. She learned the importance of being a servant and helping others at an early age. Though her biological father died when she was the age of four, she was raised by her mother Ella, and stepfather, the late Cleveland Barnett. Dr. Anderson and her family are members of St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas under the leadership of Dr. Phillip Pointer Sr. where she serves as a Kingdom Kids children’s church teacher, and involved in both the outreach and deaf ministry. For the past 22 years, Little Rock has been home for Dr. Anderson. Relocating to Little Rock was necessary for her daughters to receive the education that they needed to thrive as children with hearing loss. They became students at the only deaf school in the state; Arkansas School for the Deaf (ASD). Today, she is the caregiver for her adult daughter with a developmental disability, and to her mother who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Raising her two daughters, who are both individuals that are hard of hearing with the eldest also having a developmental disability, provided the platform to not only be their advocate, but also provide the energy to advocate and help other individuals with disabilities. “When you walk in
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excellence and treat people the way you want to be treated, you don’t ask the Lord to lighten the load, you ask Him to give you a strong back to carry the load with a pure heart. When my daughters were young, there were not a lot of resources for individuals who were deaf, let alone those with developmental disabilities. I had to dig and ask questions. If I didn’t ask or pry, I was not provided the information,” she stated. Today her daughters are adults and life has changed in a lot of ways for Dr. Anderson. “I started over raising children at 48 years old. Almost seven years ago in July 2014, Dr. Anderson received a phone call from a cousin who had fallen on hard times and needed someone to step up to foster her very young children. This cousin did not have too many family members to ask. “I did not say let me think about it, I ask “what do I need to do?” said Dr. Anderson. Her cousin provided her information as to who to contact at the local Department of Human Services office (DHS). Not once in her life had she ever thought about fostering, let alone adopting children. On August 8th, 2014 a bouncy baby boy who was 4 months old and a beautiful little girl who was 2 arrived at the Anderson home. It is then that the journey to the Little Rock School district began. Her son Chas who is now 6 is in the 1st grade and her daughter Chloe who is 9 is in the 3rd grade.
Arkansas SILC Board of Directors and youth self-advocates with Dr. Anderson at the unveiling of the new SILC logo
“I am now 54 and had it not been for my faith in God, I couldn’t have done it. My past does not dictate my future; however, it has given me a sense of urgency to do better. Raising my now adult daughters and raising my precious new additions to the family provides such joy. Blessings do come through the strangest situations. When I was born, God knew what I would become. Although my path had detours at times, I always found my way back on track because God never left me. Putting God first in my family, my career and all my relationships, has provided me a sturdy foundation to withstand any storm,” Anderson stated. Her extensive background in disability services, including experiences in advocacy, training, policy research and interpretation has afforded the opportunity to be a strong pillar in the community providing outreach and education to individuals with disabilities and the aging population in Arkansas. She is also fluent in American Sign Language with it being the language of her adult daughters. Dr. Anderson graduated from Batesville High School in 1984, and later graduated Summa Cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received her MBA from Harding University. She is an ordained licensed minister and has a doctorate in Divinity. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Organization and Leadership.
Dr. Fransha’ Anderson and Emeritus board member Wanda Hamilton sharing SILC memories.
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Currently Dr. Anderson is the Executive Director for the Arkansas State Independent Living Council (Arkansas SILC). Her tenure began in 2012. She is the first African American to serve as the Executive Director of the Arkansas SILC in its twentysix years of existence. “We exist so that our state can receive certain funding,” said Anderson. She was the lead author for the State Plan for Independent Living for Arkansas just last year. The three year approved plan was 1 of only 6 that received full approval in September 2020
from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Community Living’s Office of Independent Living Programs. The other forty nine (49) states received a provisional approval of their plans that was due by December 31, 2020. “The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is the blue print for independent living services in Arkansas. I’m very proud to be on the team to make a difference in Arkansas for individuals with disabilities”, said Anderson. Dr. Anderson shares that she is most thankful for her mentor and friend, Wanda Hamilton who was part of the interview team when she was hired at the Arkansas SILC. Ms. Hamilton is now an Emeritus board member of the SILC. Dr. Anderson stated that Hamilton has provided a lot of guidance to her. She described Ms. Hamilton as a walking encyclopedia when it comes to history in the Little Rock area. Dr. Anderson is also thankful to Annie McDaniel Abrams. “I’ve sat on her couch a few times over the years to listen and receive guidance related to leading an organization.” Dr. Anderson stated that being the Marketing Director and Co-Director of Corporate Compliance at Pathfinder before becoming the Executive Director at the Arkansas SILC, helped lay a foundation and develop relationships that have been lasting. Under the leadership of the late Mike McCreight, she spearheaded the 40th anniversary celebration for Pathfinder in 2011. Events were held across the state at different Pathfinder facilities and the grand finale was held at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion and netted over $30,000. The funds raised from the event enabled Pathfinder to break ground on an accessible playground for the preschool located in Jacksonville, AR. The relationships that were established back then have helped Dr. Anderson continue to be a mover and a shaker in the community. “Some of those same people and business relationships established then, supported me when I recently ran for the Little Rock School Board in 2020. On November 3, general election day, I received 40% percent of the vote between 4 candidates, but did not prevail in the runoff on December 1st,” she says. Though she wasn’t elected to the school board, Dr. Anderson said she will continue to advocate for better education for students and increasing teachers’ salaries so that the district can recruit and retain the “best of the best” teachers. Having children in the Little Rock School district keeps Dr. Anderson very busy as a parent and student advocate. Anderson is also the grandmother of two grandsons who will transition to the LRSD in the near future. Dr. Anderson is also an Adjunct Professor for Webster University where she teaches Human Resources Management and MBA courses. She has an extensive background in servant leadership which includes her passion for disability services, non-profit management, human resources management just to name a few. She is certified in Human Resource Management, and Marketing and Executive Leadership. Her Non-Profit Management experience in government affairs includes substantial knowledge in charitable giving related to financial viability and sustainability. She has provided a solid foundation in transparency related to the vision of the Arkansas SILC in which she oversees and the constituents that are served.
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Dr. Anderson is most proud of spearheading and leading the “Day at the Capitol” for individuals with disabilities that started in 2013. It continues to be a highlight for individuals to learn about the political process and know their voting rights. Dr. Anderson led the first Youth Caucus event held at the state Capitol. High Schools including, J.A. Fair, Hall High School, McClellan, Arkansas School for the Deaf and Arkansas School for the Blind have participated in mock elections using real voting machines.
Day at the Capitol 2019 Self-Advocates, SILC board members and legislators pictured with Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas-Erica Graser-Gates
The SILC’s day at the State Capitol has become extremely popular. It is the largest grass roots event held in the state of Arkansas for people with disabilities. Special guest speakers have been former Governor Mike Beebe, 2015 Mrs. Arkansas International Adrian Smith, Governor Asa Hutchinson, Lt. Governor Tim Griffin, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, legislators, and many self-advocates. Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas has also been a guest speaker for the SILC. Due to the pandemic, it was held virtually with special guest U.S. Senator John Boozman. “Although the pandemic caused things to shift, we have been innovative and creative in our ways to advocate and bring about awareness for independent living,” Dr. Anderson says. A variety of topics have been presented at the “Day at the Capitol”. From equal access, transportation, housing, voting rights and racism, there is no limit to empowering individuals with disabilities. Dr. Anderson and the Arkansas State Independent Living Council (ARSILC) received a Congressional Record of Honor from U.S. Senator John Boozman for their efforts in promoting and celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) thirtieth anniversary which took place in July 2020. The Arkansas SILC Board of Directors are very pleased with the work that Anderson is doing. From signature events to the day to day operations of the SILC that include financial accountability and transparency, Dr. Anderson works tirelessly to establish relationships with other grass roots organizations, private businesses, HBCU’s, universities, schools districts, residential facilities and individuals to promote independent living for all individuals in Arkansas living with a disability. In 2018, she hosted the second Circle of Service award recognition ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion. It was a luncheon that could only seat 210. There were 197 people in attendance for the event. The Governor and First Lady greeted the guest as the entered in. Governor Asa Hutchinson was also the lunch speaker. The event not only recognized individuals for their work to break down barriers the block people with disabilities from being independent but it recognizes those that are self-advocates and who don’t mind speaking up for their own rights and the rights of others living with a disability. Dr. Anderson’s work speaks volume in the community. The funds raised from that event helped to send two self-advocates and their caregivers to Washington D.C. to represent Arkansas at the National conference that year. Dr. Anderson and the board are planning a virtual Circle of Service event that will take place later in 2021.
Zeke Johnson and Dr. Anderson at the Day at the Capitol 10
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When asked what she loves most about what she does, Dr. Anderson states it’s the chance to help people live productive lives. From educating and promoting independent living for individuals with disabilities at SILC, to providing a foundation for her students at Webster to be the next business owners or CEO’s. “My most enjoyable time and part of my job is having the events at the capitol. Seeing the smiles and the joy that come from all the individuals with disabilities and their families that participate in these events gives me a warm feeling inside,” she says. There have been times that she personally made sacrifices for others to succeed. “In the end, I know that it is not for my glory, but for His glory.” One might ask where she finds the energy and drive to do what she does, yet Dr. Anderson appears to be only getting started. “If there is no test, there is no testimony. My mother’s cancer journey, fostering and adopting my newest family members, having two children born deaf and one with developmental disabilities is my testimony. I am victorious because of my faith and my service to others. I believe in treating others the way that I want to be treated. My inspiration and motivation come from the fact of being a servant leader. Having a family who supports me and loves me is an important factor. When I am gone, I want people to remember me by the acts of kindness and the things that I did to help. I am very motivated when someone calls the office, and we can provide them with a resource or information that they had no clue existed.”
“I‘ve gone through a few things to be able to withstand all that has been thrown my way. Although my path was crooked at times, it has always been made straight because God has never left me. Putting God first in my family, my career and all my relationships, has provided me a sturdy foundation to withstand any storm.”
Dr. Anderson is very active professionally in various organizations, boards and councils. She is a member of Central Arkansas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated serving as the Social Action Chairperson, President of Little Rock Metro Area Branch of National Association of University Women, member of the TSA Disability and Medical Condition Coalition, member of Little Rock NAACP, National Council on Negro Women, Arkansas PTA, Tri-Chairperson of the National Council on Independent Living Civic Engagement and Voting Rights Committee and National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Board of Directors Region 6 Representative just to name a few. As the future unfolds, one thing for sure is that Dr. Anderson will be actively involved in her community and serving others. “I’ve been protected against many things because of my faith in the Lord. Every relationship has a reason. The bridges I have crossed are still standing. Now there may be a few individuals that think otherwise only because they wanted something that was given to me by the Lord. You cannot expect to be successful or accomplish something that is not done under the covenant of God,” she stated. If you know Dr. FranSha Anderson, you know a champion. You know someone who loves the Lord, her family, her profession. You know someone who will give you her last. You know someone who truly emulates advocacy for the people. Her setbacks became her comebacks. Dr. Anderson is truly the epitome of what a servant leader looks like. Dr. FranSha’ Anderson is available to speak at any event or facilitate any workshop pertaining to independent living in the state of Arkansas. h
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Arkansas State Independent Living Council 10 Corporate Hill Drive, Suite 240 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 501-372-0607 www. ar-silc.org
Peyton Zora Doctor
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Say Yes Guilford
By Tonya Dixon Photos by JLG Photography Ask Wendy Poteat what Say Yes Guilford is about, and she can quickly recite the mission and purpose of the community-centered, educational nonprofit - Say Yes Guilford is committed to providing access to support services and scholarships designed to prepare Guilford County Schools’ students for success in college, career, and life. Moreover, as president and chief executive officer of Say Yes Guilford (SYG), she has a focused passion to not only see the organization flourish, but more importantly, to see Guilford County students and even those of the entire State of North Carolina flourish educationally and ultimately professionally. “I know that we are Say Yes Guilford, but I believe what we are building in Guilford County would be of such benefit to the smaller counties that surround us I would love for us to be able to extend outreach in different counties,” said Poteat. “I think something like this is so needed especially in rural areas where students graduate and don’t have the opportunity or resources to go to college.” “I would love to see us working in that direction, talking to those municipalities and being able to help smaller areas create industry. It is clear that workforce development is predicated on a foundation of education.” Say Yes Guilford is an individual non-profit. It was established in Guilford County in 2015 – one of the first Say Yes organizations in the Southeast United States. All others are in the northern region of the country. In order to be chosen as a Say Yes community, Guilford County directors had to spend significant time and energy fundraising to establish the endowment that would be used for student development and scholarships. Through continued community support, the program will be able to continue serving students and extend its annual distribution amount. While SYG is growing and looking toward eventual expansion, Poteat and staff are doing the necessary work to make sure the organization flourishes and has the ability to help the most students possible. Currently, SYG partners with every public college and university in North Carolina and more than 100 private institutions around the country to offer scholarships to Guilford County Schools’ graduates. The organization’s endowment has provided for numerous students and, with continued support will impact the primary, secondary and post-secondary education of many more. From 2016-2020 SYG has awarded $7,396,600 in tuition awards, $1,953,317 in Choice Grants, and $845,550 in Opportunity Grants for a total of $10,195,467 paid directly to GCS students. Through private compact scholarships, $18,326,076 has been awarded to GCS students whose household income is less than $75,000 per year. The total leverage from 20162020 is $28,521,543. SYG utilizes numerous equitable wrap-around student support services that embrace differences and eliminate barriers to educational opportunities. While it is known for scholarship distribution, the organization ultimately provides resources that equip students from Kindergarten to career and every stage in between including early literacy skills training, book giveaways, free SAT and ACT prep classes and community engagement opportunities. Poteat says making sure to properly serve the organization’s community was the first matter she addressed when she started working with the program in 2019. Equity was a major factor.
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“When I first began, one of the first things that I looked at were the different components of the program, including scholarship and support services,” she said. “I realized the schools we partnered with were Title I schools. It was evident that we had to be intentional about the support services we were offering and make sure that we were offering what kids needed, had adequate access and ensured they met eligibility requirements.” Leading the organization was a naturally progressive step for Poteat, who has proven expertise in public policy, politics and education. It was a position she didn’t seek, but it was a role she knew was perfect to take. Her journey to Say Yes is impressive, but not one she ever envisioned she would take. “My passion has always been education. Growing up I knew I would go to college. I wanted to be a lawyer. I knew this was where I wanted to be, but my journey to get here was unconventional,” she said. A native of Sweet Gum – a very small town in Caswell County, North Carolina – Poteat initially studied economics at North Carolina A&T State University. She was a Chancellor’s Scholar and held a full scholarship. However, despite her opportunity and desire for education, many unforeseen obstacles and tragedy derailed her efforts. “I lost my parents in a murder-suicide my freshman year in college. Then my sophomore year I had a child. I eventually completed three years at A&T, but then I didn’t have the money to continue,” she said. “I wasn’t focused. Really, I was just broken. I needed to heal and figure my life out.” Poteat spent the next several years working in the restaurant industry, but she knew she had to finish her degree. Not only was it imperative for her professional growth, but she believed she had to set an example for her children.
“I knew I couldn’t push them to go to college and finish, if I didn’t finish college...... I didn’t want to be that parent that was telling my kids to do something that I wasn’t able to do.”
“I knew I couldn’t push them to go to college and finish, if I didn’t finish college,” she said. “I didn’t want to be that parent that was telling my kids to do something that I wasn’t able to do. So, I quit my job and went back to school. I graduated from Guilford College in 2010. I originally started college in 1991. It took me that long to finally finish and obtain my degree.” Her path may have been unorthodox, but it turned out to be the best route for her to take. After graduating, she took a coordinator-level position with Greensboro Partnership which is now the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Between 2006 and 2010 she consistently moved through the ranks and ultimately became manager of government affairs. That position provided her the opportunity to become a registered lobbyist, making way for continued opportunities. “Being registered as a lobbyist with that position really pushed me into lobbying work. I went from that role to a private organization health and human services agency in Raleigh. I gained corporate and foundation work at the same time.” Said Poteat. “It wasn’t just another opportunity. I always say I have been on God’s journey. There’s no way that I could have formulated this myself.” She eventually accepted a position with the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce as director of government Affairs. Again, her lobbying experience was significantly vital to the role. “I remember one of my mentors told me, ‘you’ll know it’s time to do something different when the things that you are not lobbying for are the things that keep you up at night,’” said Poteat. “At the time, the city of Charlotte was adopting the HB2 Law, better known as the “Bathroom Bill. It was controversial and it was keeping me up at night because my brother is part of the LGBTQ+ community and I felt so terrible that I couldn’t do something with my platform to help him. That’s when I switched jobs. I went to the United Way. I was actually doing work similar to what I’m doing now.”
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Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
Before she knew it, another opportunity was presented. It was Say Yes Guilford, but it wasn’t a move that she was terribly interested in pursuing. Unfortunately, the organization’s reputation was in need of repair. However, the position would provide the opportunity for Poteat to work in a community where she lived. “My youngest son told me it would be cool if I could help the kids that he went to school with. It means a lot to me because I live in this community and I’m able to help these students,” she said. “I was in the nail salon and a little girl walked up to me. She said, ‘you’re the Say Yes lady. You guys gave me $2,500 to go to school last year.’ It means a lot to me that I can impact the people and place where I actually live.” Poteat says in addition to helping students in her own community, she sees the hard and diligent work of her co-workers and knows they are just as committed to the success of the organization and students. “The staff are truly the boots on the ground. They take the strategic plans and turn them into tangible work for our students and families. The work is tedious and requires a lot of dedicated people to make it happen, but it’s tremendously rewarding,” she said. We receive a great deal of support from committee and board members and community advocates giving constructive feedback and cheers. Community support and participation is a key element to SYG’s success. Poteat says there is a message and request for philanthropic support, but it’s not eclipsed by the need for the community to understand, support and utilize the variety of support services provided. “I see us being able to build out what we’re doing in a way that we’re serving all students. We have on average 5,000 students in a senior class every year. Statistically, only about 55% of the students that graduate will end up enrolled in college in the fall immediately after high school. I want us to be able to impact every senior class in some way. Even if they don’t get scholarship money from Say Yes, I want them to take the SAT prep class. I want them to gain some sort of educational weapon. I want us to be able to say that every kid that graduated from Guilford County Schools had access to something that Say Yes was offering and were positively touched by the program,” said Poteat. “I really feel like we have built a sellable product. When I came, there were some things that Say Yes was still trying to figure out. We had to go out and build relationships and gain credibility as the organization that did the things that we said we were going to do.” With the onset of COVID-19, the SYG staff and organization were able to pivot to virtual options still making over 7,000 interactions with students and families during the first year of county-wide support service offerings, which was almost a 200 percent increase over the previous year. The overarching goal is to ensure that students that need the most are offered the most support. Philanthropic supporters and donors are critical to the success of Say Yes Guilford and the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission, create equitable opportunities for the next generation of leaders and build an educated workforce for Guilford County and beyond. h
Wendy Poteat President and CEO
(336) 814-2233 wpoteat@sayyesguilford.org www.sayyesguilford.org PO Box 309 - Jamestown, NC 27282 17
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Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
By Laci Ollison Photos by Michael Duncan Building and establishing a legacy is something that many strive to do. It is also something that Brian Flewellen is extremely familiar with. Not just in persevering his own legacy but being able to live out the legacy of his late grandmother as well. A native of Dallas, Texas, Brian is the founder and owner of BF Configurations. The company specializes in TV mounting, home theater setups, picture hanging, equipment relocation, and computer repair. “We’ve been in business a little over seven years,” said Brian. “We currently operate in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, and we’re branching out to San Antonio soon.” Although Brian is now a successful entrepreneur, he actually gained the inspiration to start the business from a manager at one of his previous job. “When I worked for another company as a corporate sales trainer, I was installing security systems for employees. One day my director at the time said, ‘man you should start your own business.’” Brian disagreed and felt that starting a business was not the right decision for him. “I said no. I will never start my own business. I’m making money as a corporate trainer. I’m not about to leave what I’m doing to go start a business.” But his manager gave him advice that stuck with him. “He told me to remember that I’m black and I’m always replaceable in corporate America.” Brian still wasn’t convinced that he had a need to start a business. “I said they’ll never let me go. I’m black and the only sales trainer in the building. However, one year later, Brian was let go from his job. His manager, who was also let go from the company, offered Brian a job at a new company and gave him the opportunity to work on his skillset and perfect his craft. “The second company that I worked for does the exact same thing that I do; they specialize in TV mounting and home theater setup. He put me in a position to really perfect my craft. And once I perfected my craft, he pretty much pushed me over the edge and said go swim.” That was when Brian took the leap into entrepreneurship. From there he jumped out and ran and never looked back. Now, BF Configurations has grown and Brian has been able to scale to multiple cities in multiple states. “While at the first company, I trained a guy that lived in Atlanta. About a year and a half after I got laid off, he got laid off. He reached out to me and asked if I had any work because he heard that I was starting a business. He asked did I have any work in Atlanta,” Brian says. At this time, Brian had not considered expanding to Atlanta. “I said I didn’t really have anything. But I always knew that my Grandmother, my Aunt, and my Dad had a connection in Atlanta. So, I had a good resource there so I kind of ran with that.” But the expansion into a new market was not an easy process. “In the midst of going to Atlanta, there were a few times where I considered closing the doors because it was hard. I was managing Dallas and then trying to manage Atlanta. But I had to let go and I had to trust and know that Rodney was going to run the location,” he shared.
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And now, BF Configurations is celebrating three years of operating in the Atlanta area. Brian says that most of his clientele come from social media. They pull about 60% of their clients from social media, and 30% are from referrals. His goal for 2021 is to improve the relationship he has with his current clients by checking in and performing customer satisfaction surveys. “In 2021, we’re really going to focus on putting the client first. We’re going to be making phone calls to our clients, to learn if there is anything that we could have done better, what can we improve on, so we can learn and grow tenfold,” he says. Brian shared that the hardest part of entrepreneurship has been the fear of failure. “The fear of failure involves not knowing if I’m going to get a phone call today, or if the lights are still going to be cut on tomorrow,” he says.
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to service customers with such a focus and desire that our services will make the home improvement and installation process enjoyable, exciting, and most importantly successful for everyone
Core Values C- Continuous Improvement P- Professionalism R- Reliable C- Customer Focus S- Safety I- Integrity
In order to overcome his fears, Brian said there were some things that he had to sacrifice. “I motivate myself. But as a business owner, what you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. When I’m working, I’m working 110%. I’m giving it my all,” he shared. Those sacrifices, however, have paid off and are evident in the success of his business. It has also allowed him to reinvest back into his business. “My biggest accomplishment has been purchasing three trucks in one year,” Brian said. The business owner wants to encourage other entrepreneurs to not be afraid to fail. “Les Brown said something like when you fall, and it’s not a matter of if you fall because you will fall. But when you fall, fall on your back because you can look up. And when you look up, you can get up. And when you get up you can look around and see the mistakes you made and understand how to not make those same mistakes again,” Brian said. Yet, Brian also pushes business owners to go after what they want. His biggest jewel that he shares with anyone is to follow your dream, and to not stop until it is fulfilled. As he has pursued his own dreams, Brian owes much of his success to his late grandmother, Mary Flewellen. “My grandmother opened a beauty salon 51 years ago, Flewellen’s Hair Salon. It was the first black beauty salon south of Dallas. She told me coming up as a kid, if I don’t go to college, go get a trade,” he says. His grandmother’s dream was for him to be a barber, just like his father was. But Brian refused. He told her there was no way he would be a barber but promised her to figure things out. Brian shares how he learned from his father the importance of preserving legacy. “My dad told me when I was a kid to protect my last name, because my last name has value. But me being a kid, I didn’t really understand the name Flewellen and the value of Flewellen. But after I started my business, I realized how much weight the name held. I have encountered people who trust me because of my last name, and because they knew my Grandmother and knew that she did good business. My business is now flourishing because of the relationships that my grandmother and father created,” he says.
325 N. Saint Paul St. - Ste 3100 Dallas, TX 75201 (866) 573-5753 www.bfconfigurations.com 20
If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and in need of tv mounting services, please contact Brian Flewellen and BF Configurations, and allow his team to serve you. h
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HuamiMagazine.com
Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis By Terry L. Watson Photos by Ernest Fields His purpose is to make someone else’s life better. LaDell Beamon is the CEO of Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis. Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to wholistic community rehabilitation through its groundbreaking innovative formula for community development. It provides positive outlets for youth of all ages and young adults through singing, dancing, art, acting, motivational speaking, screen writing, and modeling. The impact and impression of HTH speaks for itself. HTH has help to improve academic performance and standardized test scores, help to improve school attendance rates, graduation rates, and post-secondary attendance, develop college and career goals and workforce readiness, help to build self-esteem and self-awareness, reduce bullying and violence amongst youth, decrease discipline referrals, encourage leadership, teamwork, and community involvement, assist with developing character and taught life skills that have helped students succeed in school and beyond, and help to reduce poverty and welfare dependence. Continued on the next page
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LaDell states, “If we can positively influence our young people to think before they make decisions, get out of gangs, avoid outcomes that result from peer pressure, stay away from drugs and alcohol, steer away from weapons and other mass destruction, then we have just saved someone’s life and helped them be the dynamic person they were created to be.” While working hand in hand with the community of Memphis, particularly the churches, ministry principles are incorporated into their efforts and serve as a baseline for reaching others. Being a native Memphian, LaDell skillsets include screenwriting, filmmaking, and that of a composer, director, producer, and youth advocate. LaDell was born into a single parent home in which he was raised by his mother and grandmother. After seeing the lives of several youth being affected by the media, he decided to use his talents of being a musician, writer, actor, producer, director, and minister of the Gospel to become a catalyst for change through the arts. He has worked on several projects and serviced over 400,000 youth with the powerful anti-social deviance tour, The Wake Up Tour. LaDell is also the co-creator of Wake Up Tour Evolution Comic Book Series in which he doubles as the Super Powered Hero “Wake”. This work has added author to his list of many titles, and he still shows no signs of slowing down with a new book series entitled, “Hood Fables”. LaDell has worked with various celebrities such as Master P, Lil Romeo, Day 26, Vivica A. Fox, Gospel Legend John P. Kee, Ginuwine, Tank, Lil P-Nut, Trevor Jackson, Sammie, Jacob Latimore, Tiny, Robert Townsend, Michael Jai White, Taimak, Adolpho Shabbadoo Quiones, and comic book creator Martheus Wade. His newly developed passion is to complete the new youth and family facility, fittingly called the Hero Empowerment Center that will house the first fully functional 4D Theater in Memphis, and a Museum of Heroes dedicated to Urban, Modern, Fictional and Non-Fictional Heroes. The Hero Empowerment Center will be the light on the Hill. The Memphis community is extremely fortunate to have a jewel like LaDell. His efforts and dedication will continue to have a lasting impact on thousands of lives for many years to come. To learn more about LaDell and HTH, please visit their website. h
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Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
LaDell Beamon Heal The Hood Foundation of Memphis P.O. BOX 162385 Memphis, TN 38186 901-566-0743 www.hthmemphis.org 25
I’m A Boss, Coach, and Cancer Conqueror 26
HuamiMagazine.com
Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Stacy Bryant
Stacy Bryant, also known as Coach Stacy, is the founder of The Icu Coaching Academy, The Stiletto Bosses Network™ and The Free Hope Foundation for Domestic Violence. She is the host of Candid Conversation with Coach Stacy on 108 Praise Radio. Her coaching specialties are focused on transformation, mindset, and manifestation. Another business she owns is Clean Tax & Credit Repair Service, where she assists her clients with becoming financially stable and efficient. Stacy has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her MBA. Additionally, Coach Stacy is a Master Life Coach Trainer and Best-Selling Author. She is the author of Building Self-Confidence and the Her Story Series. Coach Stacy is also the co-author of best seller, “Will Win” with Brian Tracy. Coach Stacy lives a life that is rooted in winning and overcoming. For starters, she is a “Cancer Conqueror”. It really doesn’t matter what is thrown at her, she is determined to win. “I have walked the road of an overcomer my entire life. Because of this, I am dedicated to helping others rise above their circumstances. My mission is to encourage and empower others to explore and find who they are, inside and out. By doing so, I believe they will be able to create the life they’ve always dreamed of,” she says. Coach Stacy is a retired Veteran of the United States Army. Presently, she devotes her life to empowering others. “My goal is to assist and empower people all over the world by instilling and expressing confidence in themselves. This involves helping them with their finances, relationships, entrepreneurship, health, faith, and life,” she says. “As a personal coach I work with a wide range of clients and offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual. In a supportive atmosphere, I help clients attain the professional and personal growth they’re striving for. I offer sessions, both in-person and over on the phone. The process begins with an initial assessment to clearly define my clients short and long term goals. This may involve everything from communication skills to personal acceptance. I will use these goals as a foundation to create a strategy for attaining their objectives,” she says. Some of the services offered by Coach Stacy are Personal Growth, Professional Development, Relationship Coaching, Communication Skills, Confidence & Personal Power, Inner Peace, Achieving Balance, Health & Weight Issues, and Organization & Productivity. Continued on the next page
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“Life coaching can take you above and beyond your own personal limitations. More often than not, people try to achieve their greatest potential, but don’t even realize what stands in their way. A personal Coach can offer an unbiased and objective perspective and can help you realize your patterns and habits. Most people experience that they are more efficient when working with a Professional Life Coach and that this provides the opportunity for them to better realize their potential. Life coaching can make your dreams attainable and will give you support and encouragement along the way.,” she says. The books that she’s authored, “Her Story 2” shares her testimony of overcoming domestic abuse.” My Pink Stilettos” gives a synopsis of her life to a current state. “Audacity to Shine” shares her testimony of fighting cervical cancer. “I am Enough” shares her testimony of narcissistic abuse recovery. She is currently authoring “Broken Crayons Still Color” where she shares how a life filled with brokenness has allowed her to show others that they can still color. She says, “After a life filled with shame, guilt, hurt, and traumatic experiences, I still color, brightly!”
Coach Stacy offers some advice to others who may find themselves in similar situations that she faced. “Do not stop at start. When I first started my business, I hit instant success. I was young, and not ready. I did not take the time to learn the tools that I really needed to run an effective business. But I kept moving,” she says. “I would not be where I am if it were not for the journey. The journey gave me experience. The journey gave me wisdom. Most of all, the journey gave me resilience.” Moving forward, her plans are to expand her personal development academy. By doing so, she will be able to empower, heal, and shift mindsets to souls all over the planet. “Seeing the light bulb go off in someone and watching them embrace healing is the most h amazing thing I can witness,” she says. To learn more about the services offered by Coach Stacy, please visit her website.
Coach Stacy Bryant www.stacybryant.com 28
Timothy M. Joe I Love Art......Really
first-grade teacher saw his picture when someone else realized that he was quite the artist. Those words started him on a journey that has lasted a lifetime. Naturally, Timothy has a love for art. “I love listening to the testimonies of my clients on what a painting means to them. I also love the commissioned art I receive. Commission is usually for a parent or memorial for a loved one. One example of a commission I did was for a painting of a white flower in the afternoon sunlight. My client picked this particular flower with her grandmother until her passing. Those are the paintings that stick with me for many years,” he says.
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Timothy M. Joe How does he do it? When artist Timothy M. Joe begins working on a blank canvas, that’s exactly what it is. A blank canvas. However, when he puts his tools down for the last time, the results are breath taking. It might can make someone to believe there is magic in his hands, or something magical happening with his brushes. Timothy is a self-taught artist who raised in the rural town of Greensboro, Alabama. He is also a third-generation black angus farmer. He also holds a mechanical engineer degree of which he obtained from the University of Alabama. “People are intrigued that I am both a professional artist and an engineer,” he says. He now lives in Huntsville, Alabama with his wife and two children.
Timothy can see art in almost anything. He says that he is mostly inspired by the narrative in every scene that he paints. “Whether it comes in the form of an abandoned home that’s falling apart, family heirlooms, or landscape, I am able to make a connection. My role is to remain receptive and be ready to take a quick reference picture or sketch it in my art journal,” he says. “I love learning the history about my subject and gain the appreciation that helps me create meaningful art. Creating a beautiful painting is nice but painting the same scene with an understanding of the history is what I am after. I believe the backstory of my subject is just as important as the color I choose to paint.”
Officially, the name of his business is Timothy M. Joe Fine Art. “I produce Original artwork in oil, soft pastels, and watercolor,” he says. “I am Online Art Instructor, and I also sell commissioned art.”
Understandably, art itself has impacted Timothy’s career as well. “The reception at my first solo art exhibit had the biggest impact to my art career. I created a body of work of historical landmarks near my hometown. Hearing all the backstories from the town people was amazing. These are the kind of experiences that keep me energized to make more art,” he says.
Timothy shares that art is more than a hobby for him, it’s his calling. “I see beauty in common places. Everyday things that usually would not get a second glance can become beautiful works of art. There is a message in every scene, whether it is a location, personal belonging, or building. I like to capture these scenes and put them on canvas. I paint to show my appreciation of what God created and share what He put in my heart. I am compelled to create art that has a soul. The soul holds our emotions and memories.,” he says.
For other artists, or anyone who is headed on a similar journey that Timothy has, he offers some advice to you. “Find your artistic voice. There is an art style unique to every artist and there is a corresponding audience your work is meant for. Paint only what moves you, and always make that your top propriety, not money. You should also be visible. Don’t let fear stop you from making appearances at art shows. Trades shows offer a unique and greatly beneficial experience and discussing your art with strangers is a tremendous way to grow in your craft,” he says.
For Timothy, art is what gives him purpose and provides an outlet to express himself. “There are so many beautiful subjects that should have a place on my canvas or any other painting surface. My mission is to capture these hidden treasures before time erases them completely. I am compelled to show the younger generation of how life was and raise appreciation of what is often overlooked,” he says.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way artist maneuver in the art world, Timothy has pivoted and found new ways to stay relevant and busy. One way is conducting more online workshops. “I am at the point in my career where I have accumulated enough knowledge to share with artist of all skill levels. I want to help them avoid some mistakes I made and coach them to be the best artist they can be,” he shares.
Timothy’s love for art started when he was just four years old. He would sit in his families living room with crayons all over the floor, coloring on brown paper grocery bags. It wasn’t until his
To learn more about Timothy M. Joe, please visit his website.
Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
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Dream Financial Services 30
HuamiMagazine.com
Arkansas - Jan./Feb. 2021
For Talisha ‘Tee’ Birdsong, it really is all about the money. As a mindset and money coach, the 26-year-old Nashville, Tennessee native has decided to use her expertise in finances to help other people of color repair the credit, start businesses, and establish generational wealth. Tee, who currently resides in Richmond, VA, is the founder and CEO of Dream Financial Services. The business aids individuals who are looking to fix their credit as well as start a business or gain more knowledge about personal and business finances. She is also known as a mindset coach. “I believe if you shift your mindset your money shifts,” Tee said. “So, I help people get on top of their finances and help them with whatever they’re struggling with from a financial standpoint.” Through her company, Tee helps individuals and families by providing workshops, courses, and oneon-one coaching. “In a lot of my programs, you get way more than what you pay for,” Tee said. “I’m big on educating and I always pray that my students and my clients don’t have to end up in my program again unless they’re a referral partner.” The inspiration to start a financial services business came from her past experiences. “I lived a pretty sheltered childhood. When I got in the world, I did everything under the sun and eventually ended up messing my credit up,” she says. Eventually Tee’s decisions caught up with her. She experienced eviction after eviction, repossession after repossession. By the time no one would lend to her or allow her housing, Tee had to shift some things because she also had a son at the age of 18. It was at this time that Tee realized she needed to do something different. “I decided I had to fix it because if not we were going to be homeless. I made the conscious decision to take hold of my finances to provide a better life for me and my son. I started changing my budget. I started applying for stuff and doing what I could do that made sense for what I made,” she says. Once Tee altered her own credit and finances, she realized that she could potentially assist others. “After I saw that it could help me, I wanted to do that for other people,” she said. “It’s a better life when you’re in a better financial state versus when you’re not stable.”
“In a lot of my programs, you get way more than what you pay for. I’m big on educating and I always pray that my students and my clients don’t have to end up in my program again unless they’re a referral partner.” 31
Tee said that she wanted to help people see that financial freedom was closer and more attainable than they believe. “I wanted to help people get there because the biggest thing is that it seems so far-fetched that you don’t know what to do or how to do it, but it’s really just a hand grab away.” Talisha understands that it only takes small lifestyle changes to get started in paying off debt and creating financial freedom. She states that, “Anything is possible. If you buy lunch every day or if you buy extras, it’s just a matter of wanting it. A lot of people think they can’t do it because of the cost. But if you think about how much you spend in eating out, or on gas for extra trips, you probably have the money you need to get started.” These are the principles that she teaches to her clients. The same principles that helped some of her clients achieve major results. “One young lady was a part of every single program that I did. And not only did was she able to start a business in the middle of a global pandemic, but she was also able to buy a house and purchase a car with no money down and 0% interest rate,” she says. In 2020 alone, Tee was able to assist 100 individuals and families with purchasing their first home. And according to her, this is just the beginning. “I want to put brown women in position. That’s where I think we lack. We have many people that compete but not many that come together to show you it really is possible.” Talisha hopes to be an example to black women that they too have the potential to be successful. “That’s what I do daily. I teach women of color that we can have anything that anyone else has, we just have to have the knowledge,” she says. However, Tee says that people have to be willing to ask for help when they need it. “It’s just a matter of learning how to not be afraid to ask. Pride is a big thing with us. We get so afraid to say we don’t know that we never get the chance to learn. And if you break that pride and say hey, I don’t know and find someone who does, you won’t know how easy it actually is,” Tee shares. Although she has a passion for business, Tee still encounters some difficulties in being an entrepreneur. “It’s a challenge especially in the industry that I’m in because I find myself wanting it more than some of my clients sometimes,” said Talisha. “With this being a full-time thing for me, it caused me to step
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“I want to put brown women in position. That’s where I think we lack. We have many people that compete but not many that come together to show you it really is possible.”
out on faith. And one of the things that I’m paying attention to now that I am a full time entrepreneur, is you find yourself being very passionate about helping people fix their credit, about teaching them finances, about helping them build a business, but if they don’t really want it, you end up getting burned out and you end up getting stressed out because you want it so much better for some people who don’t even want better for themselves.” But Tee also finds joy in helping clients who didn’t think they could be help. “It’s also about those clients that come to me and say, ‘I didn’t think I could be helped.’ To see those people who thought they were so far-fetched learn how to reach their financial goals is absolutely amazing.” The future looks bright for Talisha. She recently made six-figures in her business and helped two of her students make sixfigures in their businesses as well. If you would like to learn more about Dream Financial Services, please contact Talisha directly. h
Dream Financial Services Inc. www.dreamfsinc.com 877-863-7326 33
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