Huami Magazine Charleston March/April 2021 by Terry Watson

CHARLESTON

March/April 2021 Vol. 1 Issue 3 FREE

Good God, Almighty Charleston - March/April 2021

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Your Purpose Is Not A Laughing Matter A Letter From The Editor A long time ago, when I was a much younger man, and a student at the most prestigious high school in the city of Greensboro, something happened to me that would change my life forever. This segment of time was during my fourth period English class, and the first week of a new school year. Back then I was mischievous, very sarcastic, and a self-proclaimed ‘class clown’. I would try to set the tone for my classroom amongst my classmates with jokes, and I thought, the bigger the audience, the grander my performance could be. However, in this particular class, the teacher was a formidable opponent. She was short in stature, very elegant and full of finesse, and seemed to lock in on me like a torpedo before the tardy bell even sounded. Her name was Mrs. Kerr, and I would soon learn that she wasn’t one to play around. One day while in English class, I began to get comfortable and execute my form of cheap humor. I led off with a cough, and a slight sneeze; silly acts that usually worked pretty well with getting my audience into position. But my act was snuffed out immediately. “Don’t you sneeze or cough in my classroom. Take that outside”. Those were the words spoken directly to me and I knew she was serious by the way she stared into my eyes. From that point on, I never laughed in her class unless I was led by her permission to do so. I must admit that my ego was a little bruised, but I would eventually get over it.

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson

Publisher

Marrissa Dick Writer Laci Ollison Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Dorjea’ McClammey Writer Fanta Dorley Tamara Smith Writer Gamal Williams Writer Ashleigh Crawley Faith Blackwell

Photographer Photographer Dorjae’ McClammey Photographer

In so many words, she helped me to understand that my purpose in no laughing matter. I genuinely appreciate Mrs. Kerr because she helped me to also understand the English instruction she provided was not a laughing matter, and I or anyone else wouldn’t prevent the learning and growth of other students. As the school year progressed, I began to look forward to my fourth period English class and spending time with Mrs. Kerr. I soaked up every bit of information that she had to offer, studied every poem, and recited them back to her with precision, and made it a point to show her that she changed my life by stopping me from robbing myself of sound instruction. Mrs. Kerr obviously loved me and her other students, thousands of them she encountered of several decades of teaching. She is my hero. Students like me all deserve a hero such as Mrs. Kerr in their classrooms, either in the form of a peer or instructor. She helped me to understand that my purpose was no laughing matter.

Terry L. Watson 4

CHARLESTON

CONTENTS

MARCH/APRIL 2021

She Wants To Listen

Darnita Samuels

On The Cover

God Grace Is Sufficient Jarell Smalls

Love Without Limits

Monica Moyer

Avaition Instruction in Florida

Ramone Hemphill

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Prince Antonio Kelly

Also Featured

Erika Burnett He is bringing entertainment and events to his community. Philadelphia, PA

Yolanda Smith This professional artist has magic in his hands and brushes. Indianapolis, IN

Charleston - March/April 2021

Autumn Shelton Meet the faces Heaven Scent Cleaning Company Nashville, TN

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Good God, Almighty “I came from a single parent home and I was raised by my grandmother and mother who are both great women of faith. They raised me and my siblings through difficult circumstances ...... Even though I didn’t grow up with a father in the home I still had a great covering because my grandmother really stressed the importance of being in church and prayer.” By Marrissa Dick - Photos by Jarell Smalls Music is an important part of our daily lives. Many people listen to music from the time they wake up in the morning to the time they go to bed. Through music, artists write stories that cause you to become emotional because the listener can identify with the words. It would be fair to say that music is a cultural way of relating to people and its variety of sounds are endless; however, no genera of music has the rich history of Gospel music. Gospel music has been relevant in American society for over a century and its impact is still prevalent till this very day. An English playwriter, William Congreve, once wrote, “Music has charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” This famous quote has been put to the test in the medical community with both humans and animals alike to witness the calming affect that music has on the brain and the body. Research has shown that music has both calming and healing properties. These healing properties can be seen in Gospel music as people have been known to fall down on their knees in worship to release their heartache, pain, fear, and even their joy. Gospel music could possibly have this type of affect because it was born from “Negro Spirituals” which were hymns that were sung by slaves in the South. Such songs as “Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd”, “Wade in the Water”, and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” were bellowed aloud while working in the fields to send coded messages to runaway slaves on how to get to freedom - - the Underground Railroad. Gospel music is so inspirational that it can invite The Holy Trinity to “come on in the room” and He will indeed enter. Meet Jarell J. Smalls, Gospel singer extraordinaire, minister, COVID-19 survivor, author, and one who pays homage to his ancestorial Gospel roots. Minister Jarell is a native of (downtown) Charleston, South Carolina and was raised by his grandmother and mother in The New MaryAnn Missionary Baptist Church located in unincorporated towns of Cainhoy, Wando, and Huger South Carolina also known as DC or “Deep Country”. It is through this ministry where he initially gained an appreciation for “Good Old Fashion Church”. He shares, “I came from a single parent home and I was raised by my grandmother and mother who are both great women of faith. They raised me and my siblings through difficult circumstances. I mean we lived in the projects and we survived off of government assistance. Even though I didn’t grow up with a father in the home I still had a great covering because my grandmother really stressed the importance of being in church and prayer. So, I grew up in a little church called The New

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MaryAnn Missionary Baptist Church and that’s where my gifts were founded. I remember always getting in trouble at church because I would tear up fans so I could use the wooden handles for drumsticks. It was my grandmother who would tell everybody to leave me alone because I was going to be somebody one day and she was right. And so, the drums became my passion and eventually I got my first drum set and I went down in the church history as the first recorded drummer ever in the church.” Being a survivor isn’t new to Jarell. In 1989 when hurricane Hugo made his presence known Jarell can remember “wading through the water” with his family to reach the Gilyard Auditorium which had been converted to an evacuation shelter. Like most who survived Hurricane Hugo, the Smalls family lost everything but St. James 5:16 tells us, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” and it was being immersed in prayer that he and his family came through by always keeping God first in their lives in good and bad times. In the mid-1930’s Black churches began using the Hammond organ, a cheaper version of the pipe organ, during its services. This newly invent organ afforded musicians the opportunity to control melodies while simultaneously being able to play the bass using their feet. Soon the Hammond organ became an essential companion to the rhythmical preacher and forged the sound of praise break music. Jarell recalls, “I worked at a music store in Charleston called Fox Music House. I had a wonderful mentor there by the name of Mr. Charles Fox. Mr. Fox trained and taught me how to sell drums, keyboards, and he also taught me how to demo the Hammond organ. One of my strategies was to demo the organ at the church that wanted to buy it. So, when I arrived at that particular church, I would play that Hammond organ like I was in church and they would fall in love with the organ. In 2009 I was voted the top Hammond salesman in the USA.” This is one of Jarell’s first accomplishments, but it was one that could have made or broken his musical career. He shares, “I was doing really well still playing the drums and the Hammond and then I had an opportunity with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Well, I didn’t have formal training in any of the instruments I played so I couldn’t read music; I played by ear. I was always able to slip through the cracks until one day the gig was up. The Official Conductor, Mr. Vincent Dan, came in, we went over a song, and I missed one chop on the song. It was scripted by notes, but I didn’t know that because I couldn’t read music. Of course, he caught it, stopped the rehearsal, and threatened to sue me because he thought I would mess up his show. But God is good, and he gave me another chance. I will never forget what he said to me. Mr. Dan said, “It’s okay to fake your way through, but it’s even better to know your way through”. That experience and those inspirational words helped shaped who I am as an artist today.” Constructive feedback when given in the right spirit can be appreciated by anyone. Thank goodness Jarell Smalls was humble and emotionally mature enough to accept it. As Gospel music progressed it did so initially with male dominated quartets singing a cappella. The similarities of how Gospel music has emerged throughout history certainly parallels Jarell’s beginnings. “My family had a Gospel group called, The Sensational Gospel Singers, but all I did with them was play the drums. I was introduced to Huilo Johnson and we started a group called, The Gospel Inspirations. When we got together, we recorded our first cd entitled, “Get Ready”. Now that song became very popular, and it afforded us the opportunity to travel all over the country performing it.” Jarell credits his time with the quarte as one that matured him as an artist. After a prosperous season of performing with the quartet, Minister Jarell, eventually embraced his calling as a solo artist in the Gospel industry. He credits Lee Williams and The Spiritual

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QC’s for his style of singing. “I grew up listening to his music on the radio. Everybody called me little Lee Williams he was my mentor, and he didn’t even know it. Then one day I was afforded the opportunity to meet Mr. Williams and sing for him and it’s been a blessing ever since. Through that meeting the doors were opened for me to meet other Gospel bedrock groups such as Darrell McFadden, the Canton Spirituals, and Doc and the Hi-Lites. We all know that favor ain’t fair, but it’s certainly a blessing for the person that the favor is bestowed upon. Throughout his career Jarell has recorded many notable songs that have gone viral. Such songs as “We Wish You A Merry Christmas in July” and “Mary Rock The Baby” afforded him the opportunity to travel overseas and throughout Europe singing those coveted titles. When he returned home those songs were even more popular and still today are the most requested songs. In 2016, Jarell recorded a song entitled, “Prayer Room” a remix rendition of “Come On In The Room” originally sung by the Georgia Mass Choir. He put his own spin on the old Gospel song then gave it away for free. How many of us know that when you plant good seed in healthy soil and water it with a truthful heart it will not return to you void. Jarell also gave that song away and his harvest returned like a boomerang as that song went viral, too. Throughout his career his music has garnered national acclaims as his music has been considered for both the Grammy and Stellar Awards. Jarell Smalls and Company has currently released another hit single entitled, “We Need Your Power” which is steadily climbing the Gospel Billboard charts. Jarell’s musical career has also allowed him to sing for many notable people. He shares, “I’ve sang for events with the NAACP. I even sang for Senator Burnie Saunders campaign. I’ve played for then vice president, Joe Biden, and I’ve sung for Hillary Clinton. My music career has allowed me to work with and learn from notable singers like Ty Trippet, Hezekiah Walker, and Anthony Brown. I mean from Pastor Kim Burrell to Leandra Johnson. All of these Gospel giants support my work.” So, what makes these Gospel greats so enticed by Jarell’s music? “I’m told that people enjoy my music because my style of singing separates me from everybody else. I just call it Gullah Geechee Gospel. I have an accent that causes a lot of people to mistake me for being Caribbean or Jamaican, but I’m neither. I’m from downtown Charleston so I sing the way I talk. I don’t try to add any bells and whistles or runs. When I sing my intent is for you to keep your mind on Jesus. That’s probably why I really appeal to the great aunts and uncles, the grandparents, you know that generation because they can relate to the sound and the words.” Thank goodness for The New MaryAnn Missionary Baptist Church. It was on those hollowed and prayed up grounds where the Spirit moved over his body, went underneath his skin, ebbed through his bones, and rested in the marrow for such a time this.

better. So, I went to the hospital and I was told that I had pneumonia. I was given antibiotics and a steroid, and they sent me home but that next day I took a turn for the worst. I called my sister because I was having difficulty catching my breath. She suggested that I go back to the hospital, but I didn’t want to do that because I was there the day before. Well, she came over, took a look at me and called 911. When the paramedics arrived, they looked at me the same way my sister did, and they rushed me to the hospital. I must have passed out because the next thing I remember is being in a glass room and feeling pain shooting through my leg. I understand now that the doctors were trying to drill a path for an IV to be inserted through my bones, but because I was fighting, they couldn’t finish the procedure. I remember seeing the doctor throw up his hands and I heard him say, ‘We’ve done all we can do,’ and then I was left there by myself. It was like they were waiting for me to die. When I woke up again it was three weeks later, and I was strapped down. I was told by Nurse Charles that I had died three times and had been placed on a ventilator to keep me breathing. Spiritually I must have known something was happening because I kept telling myself that I wasn’t dead I just couldn’t accept that but at the same time I still see things going on, but nobody could hear me. I was in the hospital for almost a month before I could even speak to anyone. After I was released, I started having panic attacks so I had to go to therapy which was the best thing that could have ever happened. Through counseling I gained an understanding of what happened to me. I learned what panic attacks actually are, why I was having them, and I learned how to handle them. I was also able to gain clarity on other things in my life.” It suffices to say that freely sowing musical seeds paved the way for Minister Jarell Smalls to find favor with the Roper Charity Foundation because he was blessed to have his $300,000 hospital bill paid in full. You see, when you give out of the abundance of your heart you shall reap the reward. Jarell Smalls has made significant deposits into the lives of many congregations throughout the land. He is a man full of wisdom, strength, faith, and power. He desires to continue traveling the world singing and preaching the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ. Be on the lookout for his first book entitled, “I HAVE A REASON TO LIVE: Surviving COVID-19” which is soon to be released. You may want to purchase an advanced copy because everything he does in the Kingdom has the tendency to go viral. h

Often times when people start out with humble beginnings and they achieve financial success some have a tendency to squander their monies, but that was not going to be Jarell Smalls story. Instead, he thought about investing his monies, so he opened a restaurant in 2019 called, Mama Pearls Kitchen in Allensville, South Carolina. The restaurant became a success as it served southern cuisine like your grandmother used to make until COVID-19 forced it to close its doors. Jarell shares, “The pandemic didn’t just shut down the restaurant, it shut me down too. It almost took my life. When I first started not feeling well, I quarantined myself for 11 days, but I wasn’t getting any

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For Booking Info Jarell Smalls www.jarellsmalls.com

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Darnita Samuels You Talk, I Will Listen

By Dorjae’ McClammey Photos by Still Shots Phootgraphy Introducing Darnita D. Samuels. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, she relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2008 to begin her journey of becoming the amazing therapist she is. Now, she even has her own practice to match. Officially known as Darnita D. Samuels, MSA, MA, LMFT, she’s established her private practice on a foundation that specializes in marriage and family therapy. This also includes individual, couples, pre-marital, marriage, and family therapy servicing ages from 18 and up. Darnita holds many degrees including a Bachelor of Art in Public Relations, Masters of Science in General Administration, and a Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Now what got her into this field is quite an interesting story. Darnita shares that while out grocery shopping back home in Detroit, she was looking for her favorite cereal, which is Apple Cinnamon Cheerios. Of course, she asked a gentleman for help but instead of helping her, he quickly turned the conversation around describing his problems and what he was currently going through in life. When he asked what he should do she replied, “you should find someone to talk to” which he then replied, “well aren’t you someone?” This caused her to stop and think. This was the first time this has happened to her, and it continued to happen many times after. Darnita herself had benefited from the services of a therapist, which gave her a realistic idea of what a therapist does. I learned that it wasn’t someone giving you all the answers and telling you what to do. It involves someone helping you find what’s best for you and helping you to come to an understanding that you can handle and manage,” she says. After this grocery store encounter, Darnita began to realize her true calling, and eventually she would take steps that would make this a reality for her. Now, one thing I learned from my conversation with Darnita is that she is not one to give up, ever. When trying to enroll in the counseling program at Central Michigan, she always seemed to hit a roadblock. Not to be discouraged, she kept pressing. She found the MMFT program at Pfeiffer University, and there she received her masters. Continued on the next page

I just ask the right questions and pose good scenarios, my clients actually have to put in the work. It is a privilege to see my clients grow and change, and not only themselves, but for their families as well.”

While at Pfeiffer, Darnita realized two things, she wanted to own her own clinic, and own an ice cream shop. Yes, you read that right, an ice cream shop. One reason would be the shop would work as an incentive for new clients. Firsttime clients would get a free scoop of course. The second and more important reason is to help the community, mainly students from public schools. She told us when she attended Cass Techinical High School, she had to do a co-op, meaning she had to work while in school. As a student, she had to gain 200 hours of work experience to graduate. While this was hard, it also helped students learn about the work environment, work ethics, and how to manage a work-life balance. With the shop, she hopes to show students what it’s like to build and own their own business, the good and the bad. “Not just the luxuries of it all, but the blood, sweat, and tears that come with it,” she said. “Working at the shop will show students how to manage, budget, and most of all, the art of customer service, which I feel will help them excel better in school and after they graduate.” Darnita would also use this to adopt students who are struggling. “Those kids get to come in and create their own scoop of the month, resell that scoop and whatever profits are generated, goes back into the school, which in turns inspires that student to continue to work harder during the school year and even after they graduate,” she says. The shop can also be used as a place for teachers, faculty, and the PTA to work or consult outside of their school. With everything she has planned you may wonder what keeps her motivated to continue this journey, the answer, her family and her clients. Darnita states when it comes to the change, she helps others make in their lives, she never takes full credit for, “I just ask the right questions and pose good scenarios, my clients actually have to put in the work,” she says. “It is a privilege to see my clients grow and change, and not only themselves, but for their families as well.” Speaking of family, Darnita also dedicates all her hard work and motivation to her family back home in Detroit, especially her grandparents, and also her parents. “They have come through a lot and this is done in honor of them because without them there is no me. They were the ones who instilled in me a strong work ethic, continuing my education, and making sure my dreams became a reality, so for that, I make sure everything I do along this journey honors them,” she says.

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In the past, therapy has been perceived as sort of a taboo in the Black community and Darnita recognizes that. So, to help advocate for therapy, she works to make new and existing clients feel as comfortable as possible. She doesn’t use the big terms that everyone may not understand, “I want to make it so relatable. That is why my slogan is let’s just start with a conversation, let’s just talk,” she shares. She also wants to break down the wall clients may have up, so they do not feel judged or diagnosed. She does this by making her sessions as easy and painless as possible while still highlighting the important things learned. Additionally, she makes sure the environment is stress-free and allows her clients to have a little bit of free reign with the tools she provides such as blankets, pillows, and stress balls. If a client wants to lay down or sit on the

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floor, they can do that, as long as they don’t fall asleep. She made it very clear she will wake you right back up. Another thing she does is not tell people she is a therapist when she’s out in public. She sort of lets them figure it out on their own. “People will come to me and strike up a conversation and as it’s going, I will mention that maybe they should go talk to someone. Yet, before they put up a fight, I make sure they understand their feelings are valid and more importantly they’re not crazy,” she says. At the conclusion of these conversations, she often shares that she is a therapist, allowing them to see for themselves that going to therapy is easier than it may seem. Darnita wants to make one thing clear. “Though going to therapy is currently ‘the thing to do’, it is very much real and that you need to make sure you know what you are going for. You can get amazing results if you put the work in and don’t play the game, so please don’t just play the game because you’re taking an appointment away from someone who wants to be there.” Darnita is pleased with the path she has taken in life and the accomplishments that have come. However, let her tell it, her proudest accomplishments are having a successful business, and being able to honor her family while doing so. Regarding what is in future for Darnita, you can expect to see her practice spread across the nation including more therapists of different specialties such as acupuncturists. They will more than likely be accompanied with an ice cream shop of hers right next door, once she learns how to make some ice cream that is.

Darnita D. Samuels MSA MA LMFT darnitasamuelsmft@outlook.com 919-807-1692 Instagram: ddsmft_therapist 16

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Mia Collins

Let Her Spice Up Your Life By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Mia Collins What is the use in eating if the food doesn’t taste good? Pose that question to Mia Collins and she would probably present some spices direct from her product line, Mia’s Oh So Good Seasoning. Mia is sort of a down home girl from Arkansas, who is currently living the Vegas life in Las Vegas, NV. Her mission is to add flavor to every household, one jar at a time. “I would like to see Mia’s Ohh So Go Seasonings collaborate with major retail markets and expand to other countries throughout the world. She isn’t too far off the mark, as her products can be purchased in 36 states, and two countries (United States and Jamaica). Mia’s intrapreneurial spirit was planted into her life as a child. “I am inspired mostly by my mother and father. I lost both parents before I was age 25. My mom passed away when I was 16 years old on Mother’s Day, a day I will never forget. I grew up seeing my mom as an entrepreneur. She did nails and makeovers for women, and always worked hard to provide a good life for us. Thinking about her drive, truly keeps me motivated,” Mia says. The official name of her business is Mia’s Ohh So Good Seasonings & Cookware. It was established in 2015 and according to Mia, the rest is history. “After 14 years in the food industry, I wanted a change, so I went back to Corporate America. However, my customers still wanted that flavor. Some friends suggested I start selling my seasonings as a side hustle. The orders started to flow in, so much so, that I needed a website to track them. Next, I launched Uncle L’s Errthang Seasoning, and in 2017, we rebranded and Mia’s Ohh So Good Seasonings was created,” she says. Over the years, additional flavors have been added to Mia’s brand. While Mia offers a variety of seasonings, her best and top seller has been her Errthang Seasoning. “People love it because it’s good on Errthang. I currently carry 14 Flavors. My top five are Errthang, Apple BBQ, Ranch Steak & Garlic, and Peppercorn Herb. I also carry Zesty Lemon Pepper, Cajun Hot, Salt Free, Yo Favorite Burger, Spicy Taco, Spicy Errthang, Cheesy Popcorn, Fish Fry, Spicy Garlic Pepper, and Chili in a Bag,” she says.

Her cookware line was launched in January 2021. Pre-Seasoned cast iron skillets were the first items to debut. They were a huge hit and sold out of inventory in just week one. Fortunately, she has restocked them and can be purchased directly from her website. To compliment her cookware, she also offers Mia’s Ohh So Good Recipe Book, oven mitts, and aprons. Like most other businesses around the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Mia’s business, but not in a negative way. While many businesses struggled during the pandemic, Mia says she was positioned to win. “More people were doing home cooking, to be safe. People wanted to add a new flavor to their meals, and we were in position to meet their demands. We updated all our social media information, developed new and improved logos, including packaging. We also were fortunate to receive sound mentorship and collaborate with other businesses. We reached a new audience by doing tradeshows in 2020, which help to expand our audience, and capture a new market in the process,” she says. Business has been good for Mia, and while she wouldn’t change much about her journey, there is one thing she admits she could have done differently. “I wish I would have researched my website more before going with what I have. I’m working on implementing an E-commerce website that will allow me to reach a bigger audience and increase my resources,” she says. For anyone who may be thinking about starting a business, Mia offers the following advice. “Do your due diligence and research the industry that you are entering. If possible, incorporate your business and follow legal guidelines that are in place. And most importantly, try to collaborate and connect with like minds as much as possible,” she says. In the future, Mia is looking forward to expanding her cookware line of cast iron skillets to full cookware sets. She is also a lady who understands the power of numbers. “I am looking to participate at tradeshows with 25,000 or more attendees,” she says. She also has five new Food Ambassadors on her team that are helping to promote her brand around the United States. They are in Memphis TN, Philadelphia PA, Las Vegas NV, Little Rock AR, and Shiloam Springs AR. h

www.miasohhsogoodseasoning.bigcartel.com

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By Laci Ollison Photos by Harazim Photography

Rising entrepreneur Autumn Shelton is taking the natural beauty industry by storm. At just 23-years-old, the Nashville, Tennessee native has managed to disrupt the status quo for individuals her age by starting her own beauty brand and opening up a brick-andmortar location in her hometown. Autumn is the owner of Honeyed Lips and Skincare LLC, also known as Honeyed Natural Healthy and Beauty. Through her business, Autumn sells and crafts handmade products for her customers. “I sell and craft handmade all-natural organic lip care, skincare, and wellness products for the overall wellness inside and out,” said Autumn. “Our products are designed to target skin types such as sensitive and dry skin, rashes, eczema, acne, and psoriasis.” Autumn says that she is adamant about helping her customers achieve healthy skin. “Our main goal is to promote healthy skincare,” she said. “So, we do not use any harsh fragrances, chemicals, alcohols, or steroids!” It was also her customers that inspired the young entrepreneur to start her business. “[I was inspired by] helping others through the process,” she said. “I have struggled with eczema, sensitive, and dry skin, my WHOLE life. All the dermatology appointments and endless products that did not work for me was just mind blowing.” After Autumn realized the hard work it took to find products for her skin, that’s when she realized that she had to do something for her own skin, and to help others with similar issues as herself. “Afterwhile I started doing my research and learning about my own body and specific needs,” Autumn said. “I was tired of the steroids and irritants in the soaps and other skincare products I was using and wanted to head in a more all-natural direction.” From there, Autumn gathered the knowledge she had gained and began applying it on her own skin.

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“That’s when I started crafting my own products and changing bad lifestyle habits, and it worked great for me,” Autumn said. “My eczema is now almost completely gone!” When Autumn realized that she was able to clear up her own skin, that’s when the inspiration to start a business came to her. “Once I started getting into making products for myself and seeing how beneficial it was and could be for others, I decided to turn what I was doing for myself into something for everyone,” Autumn said. “I started small with family and friends, got great feedback, and then decided to expand with a plan.” Her products have helped many of her customers get the skincare results that they have been searching for as well. “I have customers that have noticed a wide variety of results,” Autumn said. “From clearer glowing skin, lightening blemishes and dark spots, evening skin tones, less inflammation, and allergic reactions.” Autumn’s wellness products have also had a positive effect on her customers overall physical wellbeing. “When it comes to our wellness products,” she said, “sea moss gel and elderberry syrup customers have reported more energy, fewer aches, and pains, as well as better immunity, digestion, weight loss, lower cholesterol, improved a1cs, and longer/stronger hair and nails. Although her business is now growing, Autumn says that she did face some challenges during the process of opening up her physical store location. “The hardest part was just trying to get everything together from a product aspect and to a shop aspect,” said Autumn. “I wanted it to be an amazing outcome and create a comfortable space for everyone. I always carry a homey vibe and that is what attracts people to me. From a product perspective, I had a lot of new things I wanted to make and get on the shelves before opening.” Autumn says that she is also still learning to balance all of her life responsibilities as well. “Balancing everyday life, my healthcare career, and my business can be challenging sometimes yet very rewarding. It just requires having a strong structure and organization. I love what I do in every aspect of my life. Working in health and beauty is my heart and calling.”

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Even with the normal challenges that come along with building a business, Autumn says that there is nothing about her journey that she would change. “I absolutely love being a product of my environment and rubbing off on others and helping them understand a better way of living,” said Autumn. “Change can be uncomfortable but very needed in some cases. You cannot expect results if you don’t try.” Autumn also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs not to give up in the pursuit of their own dreams. “Never give up. No matter what challenges are thrown your way you have to keep going,” she said. “No one ever said it would be easy. Build relationships and understand that everything is not for everyone but what you are doing is for someone and they will be grateful for what you are doing.” And when things do get hard, Autumn says that it is her own journey that keeps her motivated. “My own personal journey motivates me to keep going,” she said. “I have been able to touch and help so many who have some of the same challenges as me and to be able to talk to them and tell them ‘hey we’ll try this or do this to see if it works for you’ makes me feel so good. It’s a blessing to be a blessing.” Over the next few years, Autumn hopes to continue to grow, scale, and expand her business. “I see myself growing and venturing into other sectors of health and beauty,” said Autumn. “Opening Up another Honeyed location outside of TN is in the plans as well. I am working very hard to improve the overall aspect of Honeyed’s products and services!” To learn more about Honeyed Lip and Skin Care, please stop their new location, or visit their website. h

Pictured with Autumn is her fiance and co-owner, Nate

907 Rivergate Pkwy Suite E-10 Goodlettsville, TN 37072 www.honeyedbyautumn.com

Rhonda

Walking Into My Purpose 24

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By Laci Ollison Photos by Still Shots Photography Rhonda Crowder is no stranger to struggle. Throughout her life she has seen plenty of heartbreak, pain, and let down. But despite all the things she has gone through, Rhonda has managed to blossom and build herself up into a thriving entrepreneur and businesswoman. She has done this with the help of God, her family, and the encouragement of her children. Presently residing in Monroe, NC, the mother of two says her children are the biggest reason why she felt the need to push herself to be the woman that she is today. “My children are my why. They’ve seen me broken, they’ve seen me in tears, and they’ve seen me in pain. There was once a moment in time where all I knew to do was cry, and my children were a witness to that. There was a time when I laid on my face and cried because I didn’t know what to say because I was so broken. I only knew the Lord’s Prayer, so I said that. My son was three and a half at the time, and he would lay beside me and kiss me,” she says. As challenging as it was for Rhonda, she knew she had to preserve and endure. Though there were moments when she didn’t have the words to say, more less answers, she shares it was her faith that pulled her along and provided her with the strength to stand. “God had to break me in order to give me life again.” It was from her brokenness that Rhonda found a new outlook and meaning to her life. That’s where Broken To Life Ministries began Rhonda shares. “Through brokenness God has allowed me to see myself, see connections, and what needed to be connected and what didn’t need to be connected.” Broken To Life Ministries has produced some great things for Rhonda. She has authored and published a book, Broken To Life, which she details her trials and triumphs through 14 chapters beginning with the onset of brokenness, and concluding with her being set free. She also serves as a motivational speaker, evangelist, and is a trusted ear to many. In chapter two of Broken To Life, Rhonda shares, “There is a time when you must stop falling out, shouting, smiling in one’s face then talking about them behind their backs and just plainly be honest and have a conversation without being disrespectful and controlling. Most of all, one must look at their own flaws. We must realize that we are representing the name of Jesus.” She concludes in chapter 14 by saying, “If we claim that God is a big God, and he can do all things, then we need to act like it and put his name before everything and seal it with a deal like you have won the lottery!” Rhonda is a 2004 graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, with a concentration in Public Relations. “Some people call me Evangelist, but I just say I’m a child of God,” Rhonda says while smiling. “I just thank God for the anointing on my life because it takes a lot. People don’t realize that you go through a lot when you have an anointing on your life.” Charleston - March/April 2021

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“

The Power of being Broken

allows God to refill the cup of

“

life, the oil of the anointing and Holy Spirit where you have been emptied.

Rhonda said that it has been the anointing on her life and the power of the Holy Spirit that has given her wisdom to operate in her calling. “My favorite verse in the bible is Jeremiah 29:11; For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” It is that same verse that helps Rhonda understand what to do when she isn’t always sure. “I lean on that in times of fasting and prayer. I ask God what does He want me to talk about, what do you want me to say.” More than anything, Rhonda hopes that through her life and experiences, others will find hope and push through their own set of challenges. She also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their calling if they genuinely want to be successful in life. “You do what God asked you to do and He will make sure you have everything you need and desire. Don’t strive to be like others around you. Stop doing what they’re doing and see yourself in whatever you desire to do. Whatever your situation is, if it’s not fitting, don’t make it fit. Find the place where God wants you to be. At some point you must stop focusing on everyone else and what God has asked you to do. While you are focusing on everyone else, you will miss what you’re supposed to do, and you’ll be stuck watching everyone else climb,” she says. Rhonda also says that it’s important to not listen to those who may have negative opinions. “Cut the naysayers out. When you start asking what other people think, everyone is going to have a different opinion. It’s going to put you in the center because you feel like you have to please everyone. But when you start to pull away from people, God will put the actual people that you need in your life close to you.” Although Rhonda can encourage and uplift others, it took her a long time to get to this place. “I thank God for restoring. I asked God ‘why me’. I had to learn how to love myself. I had to learn how to enjoy myself. I had to turn to God.”

Rhonda Crowder 336-419-6432 Facebook: broken2lifeministries Instagram: broken2lifeministries` Email: broken2lifeministries@gmail.com

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Currently Rhonda has started an educational consulting business, as well as a performing arts center called Power Moves Performing Arts Academy. Though currently not housed in a brick-and-mortar location, there are plans to do so. Through Power Moves Performing Arts Academy, Rhonda would like for kids to be able to come and learn about theater, and learn how to get to the next level, including college all while reaching for the stars. Moving forward, Rhonda plans to share her ministry and programs with anyone who would like to be a part. In addition to many obligations and duties she already has, Rhonda is also a singer. She has been featured in major publications and on platforms such as iHeartRadio. To learn more about her, please contact her directly. To purchase a copy of Broken To Life, please visit www.amazon.com to do so. It is also available in paperback and Kindle form. h

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Branding 4 Success LLC 28

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By Dorjae’ McClammey Photos by Faith Blackwell Photography Introducing, Yolanda M. Smith, a people growth leader, and brandthrupist. As a personal branding expert and career coach, Yolanda has a passion for helping others achieve their highest potential by unleashing the power of personal branding. She teaches her clients how to articulate their value, live authentically, and stand out so they can earn, lead, and win more. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Yolanda grew up in a single-parent household with her brother and was blessed to never want for anything. Her mother, an amazing woman who did everything for her children, always told her that she can be anything she wanted to be as long as she worked hard for it. Her mother instilled this mindset into Yolanda giving her the power and courage to make whatever she wanted, a reality. Yolanda attended St. Rita Catholic School for elementary, and there she had a community of people that cared for her. Her mother was adamant about making sure she received the best education so, when it was time for her to attend high school, they moved out to the suburbs which opened the opportunity for her to enroll at North Central High School, a township school. “There I received a sort of culture shock with only 10% of the population being African American, and realized I had to learn how to assimilate with others, she says. While this was easy for my brother, it took me a minute to adjust, then finally, I guess I realized well, if you’re going to have fun, if you’re going to live fulfilled, you’re going to have to figure this one out.” Her next move landed her at Indiana University - Kelly School of Business which she paid for herself, in full, without taking out a single loan. While in school, she and a friend started their own business, a clothing line of imprinted sportswear called Yotra Designs. Once she graduated, the duo shut their business down and Yolanda moved to Tennessee after accepting a job in pharmaceutical sales. She would eventually hold different roles in the industry, but soon focused on expanding her education and went back to school to obtain her master’s in business administration at Indiana Wesleyan University, and in true Yolanda fashion, paid for it herself. She now lives in Indianapolis and is married with two children. This is also where Branding 4 Success, LLC was born. Back in 2009, Yolanda was asked to be a part of a team that would help create employee engagement strategies. One day, she was in a meeting and in walked the CEO of the company she worked for. He was going around the room Yolanda shares, asking everyone who they were and what they did. When he got to her, she choked. At that moment she knew she had blown the opportunity to tell the single most highest-ranking man in the company, something interesting about herself, and not just her job title. She took that as a learning experience. Fast forward to 2013, she is now the chairman of the board of the non-profit organization, Girl Talk Incorporated. Continued on the next page

While brainstorming on how the organization could do more for the girls in programming (ages of 10 to 18), she started researching topics and came upon the idea of, you guessed it, personal branding. After doing more research, she ended up creating a personal branding workshop. While presenting these workshops to the girls, she noticed that their mothers would stay for the sessions, and told her how they need the information as well. Yolanda took that as an opportunity to take her workshop to the next level and serve corporate professionals. She held two workshops during one of the employee resource group forums at her company, both packed with hundreds of participants and when she took the stage, she knew she was in her element. In that moment, she knew this was her calling. “That’s when I knew, I have something here. I just knew...this was my purpose, to help others build a powerful personal brand” she says. The real magic of Branding 4 Success happens when Yolanda and her team help others discover their true self, their superpower and passion. Now let it be known that the difference between Yolanda and other motivational speakers is that she follows up with action. While some motivational speakers inspire you in that moment, Branding 4 Success not only inspires, but offers practical solutions to get you into action through classes, workshops, coaching, and more. Yolanda helps people take the journey of not only branding themselves, but also bringing their vision to reality, “I take people through a process to help them understand what their purpose and values are, know their why, and then know their worth. Because once someone gets this, they acquire a level of courage and confidence that is unwavering,” she says. Along with her business, Yolanda has authored a best-selling book called Reputation to Reward: Mastering Your Brand Signature to Earn More, Lead More, Win More. She also facilitates masterclasses to corporate and non-profit organizations, and associations. She has an online course called Reputation to Reward: Creating and Maximizing Your Brand Signature and provides individual and group coaching programs which are customized based on the client’s needs. One of her popular programs is the Brand Assessment Survey, where she uses a validated tool to assess people’s brands. Her other coaching programs are customized to ensure she helps clients brand themselves and strategize to accomplish their goals. She is also a National Public Speaker available for booking.

Continued on the next page

Yolanda emphasizes the importance of having a powerful personal brand, especially during the uncertain times the world is currently experiencing. People are starting to feel invisible due to the isolation from the pandemic. “How do you maintain and elevate your visibility so you can continue to achieve the reward you desire?”. She states you must use the best of what you have, to keep moving forward. “It’s not about getting back to normal; we won’t be going back to normal, and who wants to go back anyways. Who said it was all that great,” she says? “I like the idea of getting to a better place, something new and exciting. Now is the opportunity that individuals have to be able to transition and reinvent themselves and start doing what they are passionate about.”

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Yolanda teaches her clients everything she has learned through her own trial and error, so they will not make the same mistakes. Fortunately, she has experienced success, despite not having any mentors or coaches until she was mid-career. “I often stop and think about how much further I could have gone faster if I had guidance. When I was faced with certain obstacles, I realized I could have navigated through them better if I knew the protocols of corporate America,” she says. She learned that you must be strategic and intentional with the things you do to ensure you get results, and that not everyone is interested in your opinion, so think before you speak. “Influential people are not concerned with always being right; they are concerned with being effective,” she says. A major situation that helped push Branding 4 Success forward happened when her job underwent a massive restructuring. All her coaches, mentors, and sponsors were gone. Team Yolanda was out the door and the replacement boss was not exactly her cheerleader. It seemed like they made it a mission to bring Yolanda down and she took the wait and see approach. “I knew I had not done anything wrong,” she shares. That was a huge mistake as the narrative they created resulted in Yolanda being demoted, and the remainder of her team were taken away. This became a true nightmare for her. Yet, Yolanda stated that she knew in the end, she had no one to blame but herself. “I knew how to brand myself. I knew the importance of telling your story because if you don’t tell your story someone else will and it may not be the story you want to have told. The reason I didn’t crumble is I already had built my brand, I was confident in myself, and when you build your brand, you know who you are,” she said. She has also made it clear that just because she is an entrepreneur, she wasn’t going to stop generating multiple streams of income. She didn’t leave her employer, and now, as a parallel-prenuer she still works in the corporate setting, and her employer is a big consumer of her branding services. “They utilize me to teach employees how to be visible and gain recognition for the expertise they have to advance their careers. Yolanda notes that her greatest satisfaction comes from seeing others succeed, “working with other people and seeing their successes is one of my greatest accomplishments.” It should also be mentioned that she has many awards under her belt, including the LRL President’s Award for Diversity, the 360PM Elite Award for Transformational Leadership, and the Indianapolis Business Journal named her one of the 2017 Women of Influence. She admits that receiving external rewards and recognition is awesome because it lets her know the work she’s doing truly matters. Yolanda has shown us that she is a non-stop woman of motivation. In January, she experienced a few nights of restlessness and was constantly awoken out of her sleep, and hearing the words, “Look Up, Get Up, Level Up.” At first, she ignored it, but once it happened the second night, she realized she wasn’t going to get any sleep until she figured out what this meant. So, she looked up, got up, and went to her office, and she began brain dumping. “Within two hours, I had a full-blown 4-week group coaching curriculum outlined to be conducted on a specified day for 2-hours, each week,” she says. The program sold-out in 2 weeks and launched in February and she is hosting the monthly series for individuals who want to achieve next-level excellence by building a brand, creating strategies, and developing a positive digital footprint. Can you guess the name of it? If you said anything other than “Look Up -Get Up -Level Up” I’d be disappointed. I would join quickly because her classes are filling up fast. Looking forward to the future, Yolanda is currently working on her next book. As she continues her journey, she plans to invest in Branding 4 Success full time. Her end goal is to be a premier branding and career coaching company, helping people around the world discover their passion and purpose to reach their highest potential. If you are interested in connecting or learning more about Yolanda and Branding 4 Success check out her social media handles and website, LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/branding4success, Twitter - @_YolandaSmith, Instagram - branding4success, www.Yolandamsmith.com, or contact her at yolanda@yolanda-smith.com

Helping Client’s Unleash The Power of Personal Branding www.yolandamsmith.com 32

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Prince Antonio Kelly The son of Dominique and Latisha Kelly

To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com

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Bridging The Gap for Minorities in Aviation

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Charleston - March/April 2021

By Gamal Williams Photos by Ramone Hemphill Flight (noun) – the action or process of flying through the air. For Ramone Hemphill, flying is a dream come true. A 9-year licensed pilot and Charlotte, North Carolina native, Ramone now resides in Melbourne, Florida working as a Systems Engineer in Avionics. “The first interest I had in aviation was in high school. I was in this group called The Explorers Club, and I was looking into Air Traffic Control. I got to go to an air traffic control tower for the first time. That’s what got me geared up thinking about aviation in general. Fast forward, I ended up with a career spanning from aviation electronics (avionics) and flight controls, to flight test engineering. From that point, it was about getting a deeper understanding of aviation. The idea early on for me was that if I could obtain my pilot’s license, I could have a deeper operational understanding of it,” he says. Ramone recognized the lack of African American representation in the aeronautics field. While African Americans are present at airports as baggage handlers, flight attendants, or security guards, they are vastly under-represented in the overall aviation community. Aeronautical engineering, air traffic control, aviation maintenance, all have low representation of African Americans, but none more than aircraft pilots. According to a 2018 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than 3% of all commercial pilots in the US are African American. Ramone wants to change that. Along with his wife, and Board of Directors, Brinkley Wright, and Richard Winchester, Ramone formed The 99th Squadron in Brevard County, Florida. The 99th Squadron, so named after the first African American fighter squadron, the 99th Pursuit Squadron, is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between the aviation field and our community. According to their website, The99th.org, Ramone and his team “expose our youth to the vast opportunities of the aviation industry, starting with the most basic fundamentals of flight for middle school and high school students.” Continued on the next page

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The 99th offers a “free to students” 5-week curriculum, or “Flight Plan” as his website states, that involves 1-hour courses on Saturdays, with a 30-minute homework review every Wednesday to gauge student comprehension and potential topics of discussion. The 99th teaches students a wide range of fundamentals: Aerodynamic Principles, Instruments & Engines, Air Traffic Control, Decision Making, Charts, Navigation Systems, Aviation Weather, and Weather Services. At the end of the course, each student (along with a chaperone) gets to take to the air for a handson flight, allowing students to co-pilot and apply what they have been learning. “I’ve had the most fun introducing aeronautics to people, specifically people that didn’t realize there are hundreds of airports, not just the big ones, but smaller ones. People don’t realize that ‘Hey, you can do this too. You can get your pilot’s license and here’s what that looks like,’” Ramone explained. “I have seen that people don’t see this as a tangible field. I had one student tell me they were thinking of being a flight attendant… but there are other things besides that. That tells me in their day-to-day, they are in an environment that is limiting their options. We don’t even limit the program to being a pilot, it just starts out with that because that is what the industry is centered around. But we expose them to all facets of aviation,” Ramone says.

“I’ve had the most fun introducing aeronautics to people, specifically people that didn’t realize there are hundreds of airports, not just the big ones, but smaller ones. People don’t realize that ‘Hey, you can do this too. You can get your pilot’s license and here’s what that looks like.”

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Once the course is over, Ramone and his team encourage the students to stay involved in the aeronautical field. “Once they complete the program, my idea of the best way to keep them engaged is to keep them in the air. We may not be able to get them in the air every week or every month, but we encourage them to continue in the program through our Continuing Education initiative, where we take them on site visits. We’ll also collaborate with other local STEM initiatives, namely the General Chappie James, Jr. Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., the South Brevard County Task Force, and the Rising Star Leadership Development.” Jason Webber was one of those students. The 17-year-old high school senior has always dreamt of being a pilot. “I love airports. When I found out about The 99th, I was excited about the opportunity. My first flight was a lot of fun. I was a little nervous at first, but then what we learned about the instruments and knowledge of the aircraft kicked in,” Jason says. When asked what he did immediately after, he laughed. “I posted a video of it to SnapChat! All my friends thought it was cool and asked how I got to do that.” His mother, Melody, enjoyed her flight as well. “I was a little nervous, but I loved seeing Jason so focused and excited. He has talked of joining the Air Force. Hopefully, this program will inspire him to keep going,” she says.

The 99th Squadron looks for the best in every child, regardless of past academic performance. “The whole point of this is to get the children to dig in a little deeper than what they are getting in school, and actually be able to apply what they are already learning in school to something that is tangible,” explains Ramone. “I’m a firm believer in that. We don’t exclude children because of their grades. A child’s poor performance could be because they haven’t found something that interests them. This could be it for them,” says Ramone. The 2021 fundraising goal for the upcoming September class is $5,000 which would cover the five-week course and flights for ten students. If you would like to donate to The 99th Squadron, please visit their website. h

Ramone Hemphill The99th.org

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Jayresa

She Is Bringing Others Up By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jay Resa

Where Brooklyn at? Where Brooklyn at? These three words were made famous by the late, great rapper, Notorious Biggie Smalls. Ironically, March is the month that celebrates women as well as the birth month of Christopher Wallace (Biggie Smalls). Though there isn’t any blood connection, if you’re from Brooklyn, then you are family, so Jayresa is family. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Jayresa Sass wears many hats and offers her love unconditionally. She is a mother of two, a dog mommy of two, and a plant junkie. She is also a Certified Spiritual and Trauma Informed Coach, speaker, author, healer, humanitarian, visionary, mentor, talk show host, radio host, and solopreneur. Her journey throughout life has been full of laughs and some tears. There have been ups and some downs, some gains, and a few losses. Though not defeated, Jayresa says those moments have shaped her into the total and complete woman she is today. Jayresa started her career in coaching after experiencing several traumatic incidents throughout her childhood. She searched for answers and an outlet to manifest true love within herself. Eventually, she decided that sharing her unique story would change the lives of others. One way was to create a unique media platform under the brand, She is Not Her Trauma. Through this platform, she shares her own message while also teaching women how to strengthen their emotional and spiritual mindsets. They learn about avenues for restorative healing, support, engagement as well as how to embrace their truth, their trauma, and their transformation. “I seek to change the narratives for women during their difficult moments by hosting several interviews, masterclasses and workshops. These programs are focused on teaching them how to recognize and insert themselves into the healing process, from trauma, helping to define freedom and success,” she says. She is Not Her Trauma is designed for women and coaches to educate and empower them on how to share their stories, which opens new conversations people often shy away from. The platform provides exposure on all social media platforms, including iHeart radio and other streaming services. Continued on the next page

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There’s also Jayresa Sass, LLC, through which she provides one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and workshops for women looking to define freedom and success after trauma. Through her business, I Am Enough, Inc., she equips people with mental health and intellectual disabilities on how to improve their social life both virtually and physically within the community. In August 2019, things began to happen real fast for Jayresa. She lost two full-time jobs due to a knee injury. Not knowing what her next steps should be, she decided to utilize her skills to make a living. During October 2019, she was invited to a domestic violence event to speak, encourage women, and share more about I Am Enough, Inc. “When it was my turn to speak, in that very moment, God used me to share my testimony on my experiences with domestic violence. From that moment I began to learn my own story from childhood with God’s direction,“ she says.

It’s obvious that she is walking in her purpose. Things are happening and lives are being transformed all because she opened the windows of her life and provided a transparent experience for the pains and fears of others. “My favorite part of business is helping people who once felt lost gain exposure and provide them a place to shine their light on the world through their stories. I am encouraged simply by encouraging others. I’m inspired by laughter, healing, and anything that has the potential to create and maintain the passion of healing. This gets my heart and creativity pumping,” she shares. While the road could have been easier, there isn’t much she would change about it. “To learn about my own trauma so late in life showed me how we are all silently crying out for help. God has designed my journey in a way that anyone who needs my services can find me.” For others who may follow a similar path as Jayresa, her advice is simple, “Become the scientist of your own life. Ask questions regarding those things that once left you curious.” Her plans moving forward is to continue creating and developing outlets for people to take ownership of their story and shine their light on the world. To learn more about Jayresa Sass, please contact her directly, or visit her website. h

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Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, in the 1940s and 1950s exposed me to a lot of rough living. I joined the United States Army in 1958 and was sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where I experienced racial prejudice and mistreatment. Although I did not know what was helping me when I was going through the many things I saw and faced, now I know it was the seed of faith in God that my mother sowed in me. She showed me the importance of having a solid foundation in the word of God. I was inspired to write the poem “Resilient Black Man” to share with the younger generation. I pray that I can encourage them to hold on and to continue to walk in faith and their inner strength. To God be the Glory

Resilient Black Man By John C. Johnson

Something I was allowed to see And yet still wonder, how can this be That a man mistreated every day Can love the one treating him this way? To me, this seemed so very odd, Until I went to the word of God, Then I began to see and understand They had placed their trust in God’s hand. From day to day, as they went along, They kept God’s word alive in their song, Singing “if you trust and never doubt,” And somehow, things would always work out. No matter what you have seen or heard, The answers can be found in God’s word. No matter what the enemy tries to do, You can be that resilient one too. Charleston - March/April 2021

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Her Love Has No Limits

Monica Moyer 42

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By Fanta Dorley Photos by Dorjae’ McClammey “You never know what God has planned for you but keep the faith”. Famous inspirational words from a small-town girl with a great heart. Monica Moyer was born and raised in Martinsville Virginia. While surrounded by the loving support of family and friends, she always knew there were great things planned for her life. While growing up in a close-knit community and helping her mother and grandmother bake in the kitchen, she had her hands full, but still enjoyed every moment. She found herself always thinking of different crafty baked experiments, and even connected with local party planners to provide treats for events. And just like that, Monica found something that she was not only good at, but loved to do as well: Bake, bake and bake some more. Remember, that baking was a huge part of her life as a child. So, in the early 2000s, Monica decided to perfect her craft by taking classes for cake decorating. Although she enjoyed the class, the magic didn’t happen all at once. As a matter of fact, things were beginning to take a great toll on her. She was in transition with moving and adjusting to a new city, in addition to getting married and raising a young family, life became a lot. That didn’t stop her, though it may have slowed the progress down a little, her spirit and drive motivated her to continue to learn more about baking techniques and owning a business. The opportunity of entrepreneurship came quickly in 2019. With her husband’s support and encouragement, Monica prayed and decided that it was time to go after her dreams. Like all divine transactions, there was a post on Facebook advertising a bakery for sale in Archdale, N.C. Now with every dream, there is a level of reality that sets in and makes you ask yourself questions like: “How can we afford this?” “Is this the right time to own a business?” “Am I ready for all of this?” Monica shares these questions troubled her, as she had to make the decision quickly as to whether to pursue this bakery location or wait for another opportunity to come. She decided to step out on faith and go after what she wanted. “My bold faith walk did not come without obstacles and a roller coaster of emotional decisions. I placed a bid on the location but was lost to another bidder in the first week. This could have been a devastating blow, but my faith reassured me this was my time for success,” she says. Monica and her family continued to pray for direction and strength to endure. A couple of days later, she received a call from the owners of Archdale Bakery saying that the bid fell through and the opportunity is still available. Monica and her family were overjoyed by the news, though they had more questions: “Can we afford this, and how can this work?” Again, Monica stepped out on faith and asked the owner to give her 60 days to pay full deposit amount. The owner agreed with one stipulation; she must start in March 2020 instead of July. So, she did, and the Moyer family became proud owners of Archdale Bakery.

Pictured with Monica is Tiwanna Hairston Photo by Demetrius Covington

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“What Tawanna didn’t expect was for Monica to share some life changing news with her; she was a match. Of course, tears flowed, and joy spread throughout the building.” Photo by Demetrius Covington

March is the month when seasons change, and opportunities develop, however Monica wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen. It was around the same time that COVID 19 hit the nation as the world’s greatest pandemic, two weeks after opening day. More questions began to settle in Monica’s mind about did she make a mistake about purchasing the bakery. Furthermore, she had no clue as to how long the pandemic would last. “When you have the level of faith as I have, those type of questions only last for a moment. I immediately began to regroup and redirect my services,” she says. The location adjusted to offering curbside only service per government regulations. With some help from Jackie White of the Greensboro Black Cash Mob, the bakery was able to start getting online orders. Not only that, but Monica’s former employer at a banking call center began to make orders for events and allow employees to make orders. Things were looking up for the bakery. Monica and family were overjoyed with the areas of blessings and opportunity. Monica knew that to whom much is given, much is required. While still building the brand of the bakery, Monica and family continued to strengthen their faith by attending a local church. This is the same church that the Moyers met their good friend Tiwanna Hairston. “She is more than just their good friend; she is like family. Tiwanna and I have experienced so many things together, but she has always been a constant encouraging force,” Monica shares. One day at church, Monica noticed that Tiwanna’s social media page was asking for anyone to be a match for a kidney donation. No matter how Monica tried to shake it, the page just kept tugging on her heart. She even tried to explain the feeling away by convincing herself she just needed to pray for Tiwanna, hoping that someone else would step up. As time passed, no one did step up and after talking it over

with her husband, she knew what she had to do. As fate would have it, she was a match. Monica and Tiwanna’s daughter decided to present this news to her in a special way. The church choir decided to bring Tiwanna in for a special tribute to her mother, who had passed away a few weeks prior. What Tiwanna didn’t expect was for Monica to share some life changing news with her; she was a match. Of course, tears flowed, and joy spread throughout the building. The journey has now begun. During the recovery period, people can give you advise as to what you should expect, but it does not quite pinpoint what you will experience. On October 6, 2020, the surgery was performed, and it was a success. The kidney transplant brought two families closer together. Tiwanna’s daughter even expressed her gratitude to Monica for helping her mom be there for her future graduation and wedding. For Monica, physical recovery was a challenge. She was out of work for six weeks which really took a toll on her business. Yet through the support of her awesome staff, she was able to take the recovery time needed and bounce back. Through this entire experience, Monica is grateful for every outcome. Her friend’s life is restored, and she was able to play a part in her rebirth. The transplant also caused a change in her family. She has always been active but never really health conscious. Now her husband and son are more aware of their health and decided to start taking vitamins and seeing the doctor regularly. Monica says, “It is very important for those in the African American community to know their blood type and be an organ donor.” Monica reflects to a teacher calling her the black unicorn; saying that she is “royalty in the world that people can’t see.” She shares, “what life has taught me is that family is everything and lessons are learned every day. I can see the life lessons being learned through my son working at the bakery. He started off putting out the cookies, but now he is creating items for the menu, and adding input to daily operations. His role is very promising for the extended future of the bakery.” Monica plans to have more programs that will help develop the creative and entrepreneurial talents of the youth. Until then, the community will continue to enjoy the sweet and savory delicacies that Archdale Bakery provides. Although many of the same recipes of the original bakery are still being used, Monica and the crew are creating new crowd pleasers like Cracked Grapes, Candy Apples, Famous Strawberry Crunch Cake, and Banana Pudding. They have even started doing gourmet donuts that are a big hit at local corporate meetings. The future for Archdale Bakery is looking delicious and it is strengthened by a strong, willing, and compassionate owner who has a giving heart for her community. To satisfy your sweet tooth, stop by their location. h

Charleston - March/April 2021

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