Huami Magazine Charleston Sept./Oct. 2023

Align Your Assignment With God

Your assignment is not the assignment of everyone else. Once I learned what those nine words truly meant, my focus on life changed. Of course, I have been told that God gives His toughest battles to His strongest warriors, but that memo didn’t include details of when the battles would end. Instead of sticking my chest out during my victories and hanging my head during the moments of defeat, I’ve decided to learn from each circumstance, and by doing so, I am prepared for the next battle with each new day.

The best advice I have ever given myself is to be satisfied in my attempts to be better. When I first launched Huami Magazine, I was presented with a situation that adversely impacted the quality of my relatively new publication. I was frustrated, but I also knew what had occurred and why it happened. The idea of quitting never came into my mind, even while I sat motionless, staring at the balled-up copy in reference. I didn’t know then, but God was preparing me for something greater.

In November of this year, we will begin our seventeenthanniversary celebration of the birth of Huami Magazine. When I think about all of the layouts, the photo shoots, the interviews, and the distributions that have taken place, all I can say is God has been faithful and continues to keep His promise.

Had I given up in the beginning, the stories and testimonies of countless individuals may have never been published. Had I given in to the pressure of operating in the unknown, my mother would have never been able to mail magazines to her friends. Had I not decided to pour everything I have in me into producing something my community would celebrate, the hope that others have in God doing a great work for them may not exist.

All of my assignments have come with a lot of responsibility. What is more interesting is that the same set of instructions has accompanied them all: to seek God first and operate according to His plans. My assignment is not everyone else’s, and I know everything I desire is connected to how it aligns with God’s plan. Learn your assignment and align it with God. He will handle the rest for you.

Terry L. Watson

Lowcountry Gullah

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Luana M. Graves Sellars

Hailing from Long Island, NY, Luana M. Graves Sellars has found her way to the Lowcountry community of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Before arriving at Hilton Head, Luana made a pit stop in Florida. She had been visiting the island since she was ten years old. In the back of her mind, Luana knew Hilton Head would be where she retired, as her mother had already done.

Upon arriving at Hilton Head, Luana was asked to write freelance on the Gullah culture to help diversify the Hilton Head Monthly magazine. That experience sparked her work on the culture. “Essentially, I began writing about the culture, some of the stories, the people, the traditions, and the history. This led to the creation of my first column, The First Families of Hilton Head. All of it became so popular that I was writing about five or six columns a month for the magazine at one point. After several years, I had amassed close to 300 articles. People kept asking for specific articles, so I put all the articles online as an archive. Once it started, Lowcountry Gullah became more than an archive; it became a resource for the culture and information,” she says.

Next, Luana says she was asked when she would write her own story. Her answer was to write her story and simultaneously squash all the questions. “I wrote an article about myself called, I am Gullah. That started a curiosity about my Gullah past and a journey of discovering my roots and connections,” Luana shared. That experience grew into a new direction of ancestral connections and discovery.

Luana realized early into her venture that she could not do the Gullah culture justice without protecting the historic Gullah land, which is the largest critical issue that the culture has. Luana’s effort helped to create the Lowcountry Foundation, which was intended to protect both sides of the culture. Those sides include the traditions, the Gullah history, and the Gullah land and heritage.

The Gullah Geechee culture spread throughout the entire United States. Luana says that through documenting her stories it also became a resource for a lot of people. She found there was not only an interest and curiosity of non-Gullah people and also those who didn’t know they were growing up in the culture. “More information has been revealed with the opening of the International African American Museum in Charleston. They have reported that around 89% of black people with ties to the Gullah Geechee corridor are considered Gullah Geechee. This means that wherever you live, you can be Gullah Geechee,” she says.

Luana is a journalist with a degree in Journalism and a dual minor in Black History and Business from Southern Illinois University. She is a renowned writer, cultural authority, subject matter expert, and keynote speaker on Gullah Geechee history, traditions, and culture. Her articles, documentaries, and podcasts focus on the rich culture, history, and people in the federally designated Gullah Geechee Corridor. As a genealogist and community activist, she works towards “residential equality” for the local Gullah community. She also has a passion for storytelling and a deep connection to her own Gullah family.

Luana M. Graves Sellars

There are many ways to describe Gullah Geechee. Luana answer is Gullah Geechee are direct descendants of West African enslaved people who were brought to the United States because they were knowledgeable about the technology that was necessary to grow rice. “It is far from the truth that enslaved people were skillless laborers. The terrain in West Africa is exactly like the terrain on the east coast of the United States. To grow rice, you need saltwater and freshwater. The people who were snatched knew how to build a rice trunk. There were women who knew how to plant and harvest rice for human consumption. The wealth that Gullah Geechee brought to the United States helped make slavery more successful here than any other crop. Gullah Geechee foodways is one of the oldest practices and traditions practiced in America today. At its foundation, slavery and the foodways are deeply rooted in cultural West African ancestral ties, as well as adaptability, creativity, and circumstance. The meals were and still are designed to be hearty and provide the necessary sustenance and strength to get one through an arduous and physical day. ,” Luana says.

While she is sharing, Luana is learning. That is one of the things she loves most about what she does. The other is helping others to understand more about the Gullah culture and to establish their connection. “When I am thanked for helping others learn who they are, I truly appreciate that. I know that I am impacting the Gullah culture in a way that is benefiting me and others. It is not just for black people. There are people from all around the world who have an interest in the Gullah culture. Helping others and spreading the Gullah message makes it all worth it,” she says.

Heritage tourism, Cultural tourism, Roots tourism, and Genealogy tourism. This entire category is one of the fastest growing ones for tourism in the United States, and the Lowcountry Gullah is part of that. Luana says that people want to experience new foods, new things, and new traditions, and this is part of the bigger picture that exists with the culture. “It is really driving tourism and information that people are curious about,” she says.

What is next for Luana and Lowcountry Gullah? There are plans to launch a podcast that will complement her writing. She also plans to continue to produce documentaries. Her last documentary was on Harriett Tubman and her connection to Gullah culture. It is currently broadcast on the PBS network. There is a children’s book in the works as well.

To learn more about Lowcountry Gullah, please visit their website.

The L.I.V.E. Outreach

By Terry L. Watson

She is committed to addressing the needs of her community. Whether it be in the form of volunteering or sharing her resources, Malika Williams is there for it.

Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Malika was originally a foster child. “I went to foster care when I was 14. During that time, it was really hard for me to get placement, mainly because families weren’t interested in taking in teens. By the time I was 16, I was pregnant; when I turned 17, I was incarcerated. I vowed to do better, guide others to become productive regardless of their situation, and spread love,” she says. Malika’s experiences fuel her desire to make a difference and show others that opportunities exist beyond what they see.

Malika attended and graduated from Phillip Murray Wright High School. Next, she received an associate degree from McCone Community College in Business Administration. In 2020, she graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies. Today, Malika is the Executive Director and founder of L.I.V.E. Outreach. The areas of focus for The L.I.V.E. Outreach are education, responsibility and accountability, mentoring, sex education, ACT/SAT preparation, financial literacy, volunteering, resume and cover letter preparation, goal setting, and more.

Malika believes that education is a key component to a successful future. “It is essential that The L.I.V.E Outreach provides each child with the necessary resources to their individual need.” In regard to accountability, she emphasizes that children must understand that failure is not an option and that success is a choice. “Having a positive attitude with a determined mindset is what we practice. No matter your background or situation,” she says.

Photos Provided by Malika Williams

“I went to foster care when I was 14.

By the time I was 16, I was pregnant; when I turned 17, I was incarcerated.”

L.I.V.E. is very active in the Detroit community. Launched in 2014, they conduct community clean-ups, feed people experiencing homelessness, and mentor the youth, and within the last year, they’ve expanded their program to include males between the ages of 12 and 17. Furthermore, L.I.V.E. is designed for individuals representing a younger version of herself. “Our mission is to contribute and sustain adequate resources and tools for children and their families in our communities. L.I.V.E. utilizes all available resources to ensure we give the proper tools to children that will enable them to become successful, productive adults,” she says.

Originally, Malika started by volunteering at Vista Maria, a facility where she was once housed. “I mentored there and helped in any area I could. That experience was very fulfilling, and soon, I began looking for ways to do more. That is how my program was created,” she says. “We began by helping young teens, young women specifically, who were transitioning from foster care to independent living.”

Some of the partnerships that L.I.V.E. Outreach has been with Wayne State University, which has provided various resources for L.I.V.E., along with volunteers and more. What Malika loves most about what she does is having an impact on those she serves. “It’s not always on the individuals I serve, it’s also on those who are seeking to do something similar to me,” she says.

What is next for Malika and L.I.V.E. Outreach? Her answer is to do her part to restore love and hope in her community. “There is a lot of blight in Detroit. There are a lot of empty buildings. I hope to gain funding and create a hub for our youth. There are only a few recreational centers available. The downtown scene has changed. When visitors come here, they may be blown away. In one part of the city, it looks one way, but if you travel to another part, it looks totally different. I want to secure a solid foundation and help more people,” she says.

If you want to do what Malika does, you must be consistent. Detroit is not an easy city to succeed in Malika says. You have to be patient and tough. “Proper planning prevents poor performance,” Malika says.

For those who like to learn more about L.I.V.E. Outreach, please visit their website.

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www.liveoutreach.org

Bloolutus Vedayoga “Healing From The Depths”

By Terry L. Watson Photos

Tashira Mone’, also known as “Shi”, has enjoyed a colorful and thrilling journey in life. She is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, 200 RYT Hatha/Tantra/Vinyasa, 300 MTT Yoga Nidra Meditation, Sound Healer, a veteran, mom, and wife in Twin Flame Union.

Tashira is also an Air Force Veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has served as a nurse with a career that spanned over ten years. She has many experiences in various demographics, including being a licensed Tantra/Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga and meditation Instructor. Tashira’s training in this field happened in Indonesia. Additionally, she is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor and alumnus of Kerala Ayurvedic Academy.

After high school, Tashira joined the Air Force immediately, unleashing her inner warrior and bravery. She hadn’t even turned 18, but she set off with hope! “With only an inkling of who I was or wanted to be, I started my independent journey as Military Police personnel, which led to a deployment to Iraq and serving in mission Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon separating from the military and four years of military police work, I sought healing career options,” she explains. “My own healing journey began after separating from the military, divorcing, and embarking on a new journey as a civilian and single mother. So, I studied Nursing and worked in various fields such as psych to rehab and addiction, corrections, and hospice. For the most part, I’ve always possessed a burning passion for acquiring knowledge through self-study and wisdom through my fearless experience and solitude.”

Currently, Tashira owns Bloolotus. Her company offers a unique and individualized holistic approach to health and wellness using Vedic knowledge and practices to support individuals in attaining balance, well-being, and optimal health. Her mantra, “The only way out is in”, and Tashira explains she is committed to assisting others in addressing the root causes of their challenges and ailments. “I structure my personal life and business around this mantra and strongly believe in the power of introspection as the catalyst for radical change. A healthy mind creates a healthy body, and healthy minds create a healthy society!”

Provided by Tashira Mone’

Her services are designed to guide human beings seeking wellness and health in awakening the healer within, using the powers of the mind, Vedic practices, and through the understanding of the subtle energies in our food, thoughts, and actions. With this approach in counseling, Tashira takes her clients on a holistic journey as they cleanse and reprogram their mind-body-spirit system, bringing optimal health, balance, purpose, clarity, and inner peace into their life experience. “Rather than seeking to heal others, my role is to awaken individuals to their inherent abilities and powers to heal themselves. This approach enables them to walk their authentic path and overcome any obstacles hindering them, ultimately fostering harmony, good health, clarity, purpose, and fulfilling their desires. I intend to create a space where my clients can fully embrace the healing experience and carry it with them long after their program ends.”

Some of the services offered by Bloolotus are 1:1 Yoga/Meditation Path, provided in monthly packages. In Yoga, Tashira says, it is believed that dis-ease results from disconnection between mind, body, and spirit. The path to Yoga begins by monitoring the mental processes, understanding the mental process, and becoming undisturbed by the fluctuations of the mind so you can remain stable amid challenge and change.

They also offer Yoga Nidra + Deep Healing Sound Therapy, which is an ancient, deep meditation practice that facilitates healing from the subconscious mind outwards. It is an ancestral practice that stems from Indian traditions and philosophies grounded in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. “This technique uses the body, breath, and awareness to allow you to drop into a deep state of relaxed awareness. Yoga Nidra facilitates awakened clarity and deep relaxation and, with consistent practice, can help one transcend self-created perceptions and limitations, heal psychological wounds, reduce stress, improve sleep, and connect to one’s inner wisdom, which transcends any lineage or guru,” she says.

Next, Bloolotus offers Ayurvedic Counseling. This service emphasizes the food consumption of her clients, which she says is defined by the food they eat, the air they breathe in, and the quality of breath taken in through senses such as sound, visual food, and taste of food. “Ayurvedic guidance helps one identify where disease and imbalance is present, how it shows up, and what triggers it. Based on an individual’s Dosha (mind-body type) we work together to stop feeding the triggers and start feeding the innate healer through changes and management of lifestyle, surroundings, diet, activities, and mental state. It’s all about selecting the right ingredients and combinations to feed the healer within based on which elements support the individual’s mind-body type,” she says. “Ayurveda keeps the body and mind healthy for a sustainable and successful Yoga practice.

Finally, there’s the Ayurvedic Curated Seasonal Cleanses & Packages, which are offered during the Fall and Spring seasons. Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle, Tashira shares means seeing and understanding the nature of the self and the nature of everything the self takes in and making conscious calculations about what to add and what to remove to maintain harmony, balance, and good health. “It’s about understanding Karma, transcending mental limitation, and living in a way that best suits your mind and body. This changes with the seasons, as designed. Seasonal cleansing allows us to shift with this change and live in rhythm with nature. Ayurvedic seasonal cleansing prevents some of your most common and longstanding physical health issues alone.”

Tashira says the vision to start Bloolotus began many years ago, happening along with her own healing and spiritual journey. “I traveled to Peru for an Ayahuasca ceremony in 2016 and had a soul awakening, mind-blowing experience. I experienced a frightening yet beautiful rebirth, faced some of my innermost shadows head-on, and awakened to my unresolved traumas. The ceremony gave me forgiveness, acceptance, a deeper connection with my intuition, and a deeper understanding of nature and the human psyche. My perception of healing and medicine shifted. Shortly after returning home from Peru, I experienced a traumatic event in my personal life: a home break-in and sexual assault at knifepoint. This left me in mental and emotional turmoil. I turned to yoga philosophy and practice to help cope, and I obtained profound healing and enlightenment. With the anxiety and panic attacks resulting from the break-in, I couldn’t find the space to breathe and heal, so I decided to travel to Bali, Indonesia, to earn my yoga teacher certification through intense training and immersive study. I wanted to learn more about Yoga, which led me to the science of Ayurvedic Medicine. At that discovery, I knew I finally found my place, purpose, and path,” she says.

Tashira’s advice to others who may find themselves in places like she was is to let go of what you think your journey should look like because when you do that, you make space for the possibilities. “Any rigid thinking limits you from the infinite versions of outcomes that you can’t even imagine. Your mind only knows what it knows. So have faith, have fun, surrender, and trust the process,” she says.

To learn more about Bloolotus, please visit their website.

www.bloolotus.com h

Soul Food Scholar

By Terry L. Watson

Adrian E. Miller regards himself as the Soul Food Scholar who is dropping knowledge like hot biscuits. The Dever, CO, native has enjoyed careers in various arenas. He is a recovering attorney, a former Politico, and an author. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Colorado Council of Churches. In his role, he brings people together across denominational lines in the Christian faith tradition, and they collectively do social justice work.

He focused on commercial litigation as an attorney, but the main focus was employment law. “That area of focus was not what I really wanted to do. I wanted to do corporate law, assist entrepreneurs in building their businesses, and help them develop an exit strategy. But, when you go work for a big law firm, they plug you in where they need you. It just wasn’t for me, and it got to the point where I was singing spirituals in my office,” he says.

As the Council of Churches, Adrian oversees 13 Christian denominations, representing over 800 churches in Colorado. Adrian primarily works with the mainline protestant denominations and strives to get people to connect people outside of their church walls and denomination walls. “Most people only relate to people in their church. I try to connect people in the broader Christian community and collectively do social justice work. We are a lot stronger than we are separately,” he shares.

Adrian’s journey also includes a stint with him working in the White House with former President Bill Clinton. The program he worked on was called The President’s Initiative for One America, an outgrowth of President Clinton’s initiative on race, which the late John Hope Franklin chaired.

As mentioned, Adrian is regarded as the Soul Food Scholar, a self-proclamation derived by Adrian. The books he has written on this subject matter include Soul Food: The Surprising Story of American Cuisine, One Plate At a Time, The President’s Kitchen Cabinet, and Black Smoke: African Americans and The United States of Barbeque.

Adrian says, “I am self-taught, and I arrived at this title due to unemployment. After leaving my stint at the White House, I was trying to get back to Colorado and start my political career. The job market was really slow, and I watched a lot of daytime television. In the depth of my depravity, I decided to read something and purchased a book from a local bookstore titled The History of Southern Food, written by John Edgerton. In his book, John said the tribute to black achievement in American cooking has yet to be written. I found that to be very interesting. I decided to reach out to him and see if he thought that was still true. John said he did and believed that no one had taken on the full story. With no qualifications at all, besides eating a lot of soul food and cooking it some, I started on the journey to answer my own question,” he says.

Photos Provided by Adrian Miller

Adrian headed back to Denver, and upon arriving, he got into politics. In his spare time, Adrian would read everything he could get his hands on about African-American food traditions. This included 3,500 oral histories about formerly enslaved people, 500 cookbooks, half of them authored by black people, and thousands of magazine and newspaper articles and talked to hundreds of people. Adrian shares that because he cares about his subject so dearly, he decided to eat his way through the country; he visited 150 soul food restaurants in 35 cities in 15 states. That exploration lasted about the course of a year and a half.

In regards to soul food, Adrian says his favorite dish is greens. “I love soul food greens. My favorite is mustard and turnip greens without the turkey. My mom is from Chattanooga, TN, and she cooked mustard and turnip greens. I learned there is a regional difference in the preference for greens. If you are from the Deep South, you will most likely eat collards. If you are from the mid-Atlantic, you will likely enjoy kale. I also love bone-infried Catfish. I love that,” he says.

In his travels to learn more about soul food, Adrian says what shocked him was learning the narrative that it was created by white people for black people as the food they did not want. “In doing my studies, I learned the Southern food story has more to do with class and place than it is about race. So, pretty much, African Americans of the same socioeconomic class are eating the same foods.”

He also gained a deeper appreciation of the African influences on soul food. “Before, I didn’t know much about African influence. I learned that African’s brought some of their foods to America from Africa and adapted to some things in America. I saw a lot more agency in trying to shape their foods while in the most horrific circumstances.”

Adrian says that due to his research, he has become inspired by the celebration of African-American cuisine. “I observed how the African American food tradition was heavily criticized while others were not. I wanted to know what was up with that. If you investigate the nutritional facts of other cuisines, you can’t argue they are healthier than soul food. I thought that something else must be going on. I learned that it is criticized because it is strongly associated with slavery and poverty. It is also believed to be inherently unhealthy. I wanted to unpack that and sort out fact from fiction. I also wanted to celebrate what we’ve brought to the table in terms of the cooks, the cuisine, and the culture,” he says.

For those interested in venturing on a journey similar to that of Adrian, the Soul Food Scholar, he offers some advice that may help along the way. “First of all, you have to do the work. It is so tempting to take a shortcut, but that often leads to mistakes. You must keep receipts because there are people who will doubt you, especially within the African-American culture. Also, find your bliss and that which sings to your heart and soul, and share your dream with others because that might open new doors of opportunity for you,” he says.

Please visit his website to learn more about Adrian Miller and purchase copies of his books.

Brown Sugar Baking Company

By Terry L. Watson

Her sweetness is as infectious as her smile, and her cookies aren’t too bad either.

Nickie Davis’s life has consisted of dreams, resilience, and creativity. Currently residing in Huntsville, AL, Nickie was born in Arizona but raised by a single mom in Georgia. From an early age, she has harbored an insatiable passion for learning. Her determination to rise above her circumstances, setbacks, and obstacles helped her escape the small-town box. She wanted more, and that drive still exists with her today.

At 28, Nickie owns Brown Sugar Baking, a cottage law licensed home bakery nestled in Harvest, AL. Her company offers a delightful spectrum of scratch-made delicacies, including various cookies— from drop cookies to custom-decorated masterpieces like cinnamon rolls, cakes, brownies, and blondies. “Traditional flavors tug at my heartstrings. They’re my link to those who walked before me,” she says. Take her pound cakes, for example. The recipe is a hushed family secret passed down from her great-grandmother. Then there’s her chocolate chip cookies, jazzed up with a hint of cinnamon and packed with hand-pressed chocolate chips. Nickie says she finds her greatest joy when combining popular flavors with unlikely sweets. A current customer favorite is her Strawberry Lemonade Cinnamon Roll. It’s a flakey strawberry dough with crushed lemon Oreos, harmonized by a drizzle of lemon glaze.

Nickie and Brown Sugar Baking are often spotted at vending events and community markets. Not in the Harvest area, no problem. Her online ordering option is here to help; however, due to local laws, some restrictions may apply. Additionally, she teaches cookie decorating classes and shares her love for the art with others. “I find joy in guiding others as they unleash their creativity on delectable canvases to create edible masterpieces,” Nickie says.

Without question, Nickie knows a lot about baking; still, she says it’s not just about the treats; it’s about crafting experiences that transport you to moments of indulgence and delight. Growing up, she always baked treats for her friends, earning her the affectionate nickname ‘Nickie Crocker’. She quickly became the go-to person for bake sales in high school. Nickie’s love for baking would continue to follow her throughout life.

She officially started Brown Sugar Baking in February 2022, but the roots of her business venture stretch back through the generations of Nickie’s family’s baking legacy. She shares, “Baking has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. My grandmother’s locally famous cakes captivated my imagination as a child. I was fortunate to learn from her, and she passed down the knowledge acquired from her mother as we spent numerous hours in the kitchen. The seeds of my baking journey were sown by my mother, who had a passion for baking that she had yet to fully pursue. Her encouragement and the rich heritage of family recipes fueled my desire to create and share culinary delights.”

“Traditional flavors tug at my heartstrings. They’re my link to those who walked before me.”

Photos Provided by Nickie Davis

Having been taught by the best, the challenge of creating a business from it all would be her next challenge. Nickie says that during the COVID-19 pandemic, like many others, she found herself limited by what she could do. While giving birth to two children, she also spent a lot of time baking. During her second pregnancy, she developed an intense craving for blueberry muffins. After recovering from a traumatic cesarean, she decided to make her own scratch-made version of them. This pursuit quickly evolved into a two-week-long fascination with various muffin recipes. She shared her creations with friends, family, and her husband’s coworkers, and they welcomed them with open arms and eager taste buds. As the world slowly reopened, encouragement from those who tasted her creations nudged her towards a new path. With a limited menu and even fewer orders, Brown Sugar Baking came to life.

Choosing a name for a new business can be difficult. As for Nickie, she says it was important for her to represent not just the products she offers but also the essence of the experience. “I wanted the name to honor my black heritage while echoing my personality. So, I decided on Brown Sugar Baking. Brown Sugar Baking encompasses both who I am and what I aspire to convey through my baked creations. It’s a name that resonates with the sweetness, warmth, and hospitality. When you indulge in Brown Sugar Baking, you savor a slice of my journey, heritage, and commitment to bringing sweetness to life.”

Art and creativity have always been a part of Nickie’s life. She began as a percussionist in the sixth grade, jumping into theater and marching band soon after. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Auburn University. In 2023, she was nominated for the Queenpreneur’s Plan Dare2Dream Award in the Culinary Arts category, a recognition of her innovation in the kitchen, work as a black female entrepreneur, and involvement in her community.

When asked what she loves most about what she does, Nickie’s response aligns with her love for serving others. “Brown Sugar Baking isn’t just about culinary artistry—it’s a celebration of community and connection and a heartfelt invitation to savor the flavor of life’s sweetest moments. I don’t create these delights solely for financial gain; it’s a genuine love language wrapped in care that encapsulates my spirit, values, and dedication to crafting joy-filled experiences through the art of baking,” she says.

Nickie shares she draws inspiration from the constant learning that takes place while running her business and the connections she is able to make with her clients. “Witnessing the smiles, hearing stories, and sharing moments with people who enjoy my creations brings an immeasurable sense of fulfillment and a constant reminder that I’m walking in my purpose,” she shared. Additionally, Nickie is inspired by her family and the opportunity she has to encourage others to chase their dreams, take leaps of faith, and believe in themselves.

While most business owners face various challenges, Nickie has produced positives from those she’s encountered. “Dealing with ADHD, depression, and anxiety has been a rollercoaster. To keep my energy and spirits up, I take regular baking breaks, connect with my family, and enjoy the small moments that recharge me. I’ve also taken proactive steps like therapy and medication, which have allowed me to thrive. Honestly, having a neurodivergent brain is my superpower. It allows me to harness my curiosity and channel it creatively into the culinary realm,” she says. Nickie is also a stay-at-home mom to two rambunctious boys just over a year apart, one of whom has autism. This experience, she says, is a dynamic that requires her to wear many hats.

Brown Sugar Baking has brought Nickie many joys, and she shares the only thing she would change about her journey is to start sooner than she did. “At the beginning, I was sure my path led to becoming a veterinarian; it was a dream I had since childhood. To me, any deviation from that goal was a form of failure, so I didn’t allow myself the opportunity to explore other avenues. I want others to know that shifting your focus and deviating from the plan isn’t a sign of failure. It signifies evolving, maturing, and discovering what truly matters to you. Also, don’t wait for the perfect moment— just start. Your journey will unfold in its unique way. Perfection isn’t a prerequisite for starting something meaningful.”

What does the future look like for Nickie and Brown Sugar Baking? She shares she is embarking on a slight pivot with the business, fine-tuning her ideas to determine the best direction. “Slowly but surely, I’m wading into the world of catering and crafting delightful party treats. My clients have expressed interest for a while, and I’m preparing to take the plunge.” Additionally, online classes are also on the horizon. “With each step, my goal is to keep embracing change and innovation, all while staying true to the heart and soul of Brown Sugar Baking,” Nickie said.

To learn more about Brown Sugar Baking, please visit their website.

Chaos Candle Company

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Chaos Candle Company

Out of Chaos Came The Light

Sophia Carter is the owner of Chaos Candle Company. Also deaf, she was born and raised in the state of Maryland, though her family roots are Jamaican. Sophia grew up attending mainstream schools and did not learn American Sign Language until she reached the high school level. After graduating high school, she attended the University of Maryland and Columbia University. In addition to managing Chaos Candle Company, Sophis works for a consulting firm.

Founded in 2020, in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, Chaos Candle Company creates mainstream scented candles and home fragrances. Sophia says her mission is to bring inspiration into homes and empower the deaf community and customers to go beyond their fears and limits. “We understand that life can be overwhelming, and sometimes we all need a little light to us through the dark moments. Our candles are here to do just that.”

Sophia says her candles are made with the same care and attention to detail that was used when she first started. Whether you’re looking for a candle to set the mood for a romantic evening, she can help you unwind after a long day or simply bring a little light into your life. “At our Chaos Candle Co, we believe that even in the darkest moments, there is always light to be found. Our candles are a reminder of that light, and we hope they bring a little brightness into your life.”

Chaos Candle Company’s existence happened when everything seemed to be falling apart around the world. During this period, Sophia found solace in the gentle glow of a candle flame. She says, “As we burned candles throughout our home, we began to feel a sense of calm and peace that had been missing from our lives. We soon realized that we wanted to share this experience with others and help them find their own sense of calm in the midst of chaos. We started small, crafting each candle by hand with the highest quality ingredients. We specialize in wooden tube wicks with bespoke fragrances.”

Running a business brings Sophia joy and an opportunity to detach from her other obligations. “I love creating candles. You will often hear other candlemakers express their frustration with the process, but I like testing new waxes and fragrances and coming up with new ideas that my customers would enjoy. I have a vision for what my candle business could become. This vision is a constant source of inspiration, reminding me of the potential for growth and success.”

While many other deaf owned businesses exist in the DMV, expanding did not come without difficulties. Like most business owners, Sophia is constantly faced with challenges on how to make her company better. She points out how she has often encountered prejudice and passive-aggressive racism. “When I first started my business, I was focused on my products and what I could provide. I adjusted and became more diverse with my product line. Another challenge is when people find out that I am deaf owned business, they fall into the stereotypes of what deaf individuals can do. As part of the deaf community, we don’t have the resources we need to thrive in our business,” she says. Though faced with the challenges, Sophia and Chaos Candle Company have persevered.

For others who are interested in starting a business, Sophia’s advice is to start slow and do your research. “I know we all want to be on our grind and be successful, but do the work, and take your time,” she says. Moving forward, Sophia’s goal is to increase visibility with potential customers. She also plans to participate in local markets and events. Sophia says these opportunities will allow her to showcase her candles and gather valuable feedback. To learn more about Chaos Candle Company, please visit their website.

www.chaoscandlecompany.com

“Another challenge is when people find out that I am deaf owned business, they fall into the stereotypes of what deaf individuals can do. As part of the deaf community, we don’t have the resources we need to thrive in our business.”

He is the visionary bridging dreams and reality.

Atlanta, GA, based producer Terrius Mykel has consumed the last decade involving himself with everything associated with production. Music, television, visuals, podcasts, movies; if it relates to creativity, Terrius Mykel has fed on it.

Terrius Mykel shares that he has always been captivated by creation and innovation. “I’ve always possessed a keen interest in music and entertainment. As fate would have it for me, I discovered the perfect amalgamation of my talents in brand development and entertainment production. What I have enjoyed more than anything is innovation. It’s about being an inventor and a visionary, and this approach has guided me through my journey in the entertainment industry,” he says.

Although Terrius Mykel has been part of over 1,500 video productions and worked with thousands of artists, some of his most significant impacts stem from his involvement with independent TV networks. He says it isn’t just about making videos; it’s about creating opportunities for new creators and jobs. He also believes that his network, Orgen TV, will serve as the cradle for an entire generation of creative individuals.

Orgen TV was launched in 2022, and the network app went live on platforms such as ROKU, Amazon Fire Stick, and others in 2023. On the Orgen TV platform, viewers can enjoy infinite entertainment from any location at any time. Terrius Mykel is also the brains behind Real Big Vision, an independent production and film distribution company that focuses on film and television production and provides film distribution services.

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Provided by Terrius Mykel

In a fast-paced industry filled with diverse personalities, Terrius Mykel has had to learn quickly. He’s navigated the intricacies of the business and adapted to the challenges, always staying ahead of the curve. He has also stretched his capabilities in developing a platform that houses a collection of businesses, ranging from entertainment to lifestyle enhancement.

The independent television network isn’t Terrius Mykel’s first foray into the respective industry. He started a similar project about five years ago without a clear direction. Inspired by Dame Dash, an entrepreneur and record executive best known as cofounder of Roc-A-Fella, Terrius Mykel shifted gears, reimagining the network with a more defined and purposeful vision.

With his marketing agency, Global Push Agency, he specializes in offering brands a curated experience. The agency prides itself on forming long-term relationships with clients, going beyond one-off services to work with some of the industry’s most significant brands and entertainment moguls.

Terrius Mykel says his primary goal is to turn dreams into a reality for others. It is obvious that he has a gift. “I can look at a project or a concept and visualize how to make it come alive. This innate ability to turn dreams into reality is not just a philosophy for me; it’s an evolving skill set that I continually refine,” he shares. In his early years, he played a pivotal role in shaping Rubi Rose’s music brand, transforming her from a model into a music sensation. He also mentored Druski, helping him discover the reality of the entertainment industry and directing his first music video.

He is also a talent curator. He looks for commitment and longevity in artists and brands when considering collaborations. He also questions whether they can create timeless content, ensuring their work can stand the test of time. That is the direction in which the industry is pointed.

With high hopes for his TV network and production company, Terrius Mykel is in full-throttle mode. He’s committed to making his network “bigger than big” and elevating his production company to unprecedented heights. “In the long term, I aim to make a lasting impact by creating thousands of jobs and producing countless pieces of content. I desire to bridge the gap between dreams and Hollywood, making success in the entertainment industry feel more attainable in less time,” he says.

To learn more about the various companies offered by Terrius Mykel, please visit one of his websites.

Ashton Hairston

The son of Shannon Hairston

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