Huami Magazine Charleston March/April 2022 by Terry Watson

CHARLESTON

March/April 2022 Vol. 1 Issue 9

Brothers Living With Purpose

Charleston - March/April 2022

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It Matters Who We Are At Our Core A Letter From The Editor

We have finally made it to the month of March. However, living in North Carolina, I learned not to get my hopes for warm weather too high due to the inconsistency in the weather patterns. All in the same day, it may feel like it’s Springtime, and before you know it, the temperature may rise, and it feels like Summer; By the evening, it’s Fall-like, and when midnight arrives, it’s Winter. That is just how it is in North Carolina. I am a warm-weather kind of guy. If it’s 70 degrees every day, that is fine with me. Though I’ve survived the Winter, I can do without it. As a young kid, my mother would dress my brother and me in thick winter coats before allowing us to go outside and play in the cold. Underneath the coats, we wore sweaters, two t-shirts, thermals, and sometimes more t-shirts. She wanted to ensure we would not get too cold while out playing. We didn’t, and when it was time to come back inside, mom would peel our layers of clothing away, down to one shirt. Our inner core body temperature remained warm beneath everything, and our wellbeing remained intact. That experience reminds me of how God protects me for all seasons and situations.

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson

Publisher

Terry L. Watson Ellen Richardson Dorjea’ McClammey Monica Montgomery

Writer Writer Writer Writer

Tamara Smith

Ashleigh Crawley Ron Lam Bernard Smith

Photographer Photographer Photographer

Through prayer, fasting, reading God’s word, and application, a layer of protection is placed over my life. When I keep God at my core, He reveals Himself when the layers are peeled away. These layers can be fear, shame, depression, guilt, or anything the enemy may try to use to discourage me into believing I am less than what God created me to be. I start each day with prayer and reading, and I seek God first; that is the first layer applied. When my faith is tested throughout the day, I speak life into my situation and rest on God’s promise. By doing this, another layer is applied, and I am warmed by what I expect to happen by faith. Before my day ends, I can only thank God for His grace yet once again for keeping me. We must keep God at the core of who we are.

Terry L. Watson 4

CONTENTS

CHARLESTON

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Nita Notary LLC

Lenita Campbell

On The Cover

JennFitnessDC

Jennifer Anyikude

FancythatGlo Beauty

Fenise Yancy

Victoria Marie Photography

Victoria Fowler

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Wynter Rose

Also Featured

Santia Pace It has been said that she has magic in her fingers. Learn more about the face and founder of Creative Styles Salon. Pensacola, FL

Charleston - March/April 2022

Sheriff Danny Rogers He is completing his first time as the first African American Sheriff in Guilford County, and preparing for the second round. Greensboro, NC

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By Terry L. Watson Photos and Information Provided by SweetGrass Clothing Company What connection does a Palmetto Rose have to a popular fashion brand from South Carolina? The answer is buried deep with the ancestral roots of the designers. They are known as the Mitchell Men. These six young Black men from Charleston, SC, have combined their talents and vision to create the SweetGrass Clothing Co. To stereotype these young men for being anything other than determined would be a huge mistake. Their paths in life are quite similar, as they’ve enjoyed success on various fronts, including academics and professionals. Having shared the same bedroom most of their lives formed an unbreakable bond. Shawn Mitchell works as a General Dentist by day, often serving as the spokesperson for SweetGrass Clothing Co. He shares how the company began and where it plans to go. Shawn says the initial goal was to combine the Gullah and Geechee culture with street fashion. The Palmetto Rose logo represents love and protection in the Gullah community. Shawn says, the idea to use the Palmetto leaf in their logo happened on purpose. “One day, I purchased a bouquet of Palmetto Roses and sent a picture of it to a friend who happens to be a graffiti artist. They drew a picture of the bouquet, and it became the official logo for our brand from that point on,” he says.

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“If you don’t know your history, you’re doomed to repeat it.”

The Palmetto Rose is made from palm leaves that are taken from palm trees in South Carolina. The palm leaf is fashioned into a rose and is primarily made by hand. This history of the Sweet Grass Rose is connected to the civil war. During that war, women would apply the Palmetto Rose to the lapel of the soldiers. Shawn says that symbolized someone outside of the warzone loved the person wearing this rose. He also feels that this kind of love is missing during the current social and racial climate. The SweetGrass Clothing brand was launched January 2020. The brand incorporates aspects of Gullah Geechee spirituality as well as aspects of Gullah Geechee folklore and mysticism. Their first collection, “The Blood Moon Collection” which focused on one of the signs of redemption (The Blood Moon) for the Gullah Geechee people, was very successful. They also have the Haint Blue Collection, which is a color found all through Gullah Geechee communities, but mainstream aesthetics has diluted its meaning. Mattie Mitchell is the mother of all six Mitchell men. She taught elementary school for 40 years, all at the same school. To make extra money, she worked as a seamstress. Shawn says his mother is the person who introduced them to the Denmark Vesey story. His mother also taught them their history. Shawn says her motto is, “If you don’t know your history, you’re doomed to repeat it.” Their father, Edward Mitchell, was a fisherman by trade. He was forced into early retirement after becoming permanently disabled after suffering a workplace injury. Shawn says even with such challenges, his father still led his household and demanded discipline from them all. Everything the SweetGrass Clothing Company brand represents can be traced to their parents and upbringing. Shawn says their parents raised them to be active members of their community, giving back to it with their time and resources. Shawn is doing this with his dental practice, SweetGrass Dental Associates, and his brothers are in alignment also. To learn more about SweetGrass Clothing Company, please visit their website. h

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Re-elect for Guilford County Sheriff By Marrissa Dick Photos by Still Shots Photography Election time is nearing again and that means the citizens of Guilford County will cast their ballots for sheriff on May 17, 2022. During this primary election, citizens will be critically reflective of all campaign promises and weigh the checks and balances of their current elected officials. One office that will be reexamined is the Sheriff’s Office. It is important for all citizens to know that the Sheriff’s Office is interwoven into America’s democratic society. Citizens should understand that the Sheriff is a law enforcement officer who is directly responsible to the citizens in the counties in which he or she serves. The Sheriff’s Office is not a county government; instead, it is the independent office through which the Sheriff exercises the powers of the public’s trust. No individual or small group hires or fires the Sheriff or has the authority to interfere with the operations of the office. One of the most important facts that people should know is that all elected sheriffs are accountable directly to the constitution of their state, the United States Constitution, local statutes, and to the citizens of their county. As primary elections near the citizens of Guilford County will have a watchful eye on the new candidates vying for the seat of Sheriff as well as reviewing the promises made by the current Sheriff, Danny H. Rogers. Read on as Sheriff Rogers reminds the citizens of the pledges, he made four years ago and shares the new plans he has to further enhance the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Rogers shares, “I’m glad that I have an opportunity to speak about the Sheriff’s Office as I complete my first four years of being sheriff. This has been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience. I’ve learned so much doing this job and just when I think I have it down something else comes along to remind me that there is always going to be something new and interesting to learn and I’m grateful for that process because it all just keeps me on my toes. I’m grateful that God has entrusted me with this position because I couldn’t do any of it without Him. Daily I ask Him to keep my deputies safe, but I also ask Him to reveal to me how I can make a difference in the communities we serve.” Titus 3:1-2 reminds us, “that we should be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” These are the principles that

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Sheriff Rogers strives towards daily, and it is evident by his constituents that he has made a progressive change within the Sheriff’s Office as well as within the communities that he has made “a positive change for all Guilford County citizens”. When Sheriff Rogers was elected in 2018 his primary focus was to restore agency accountability, accreditation, create safer outcomes with community policing, rebuild law enforcement and citizen relationships, saving tax dollars through recidivism reduction, reduce officer attrition rates, and develop equitable employment practices. It suffices to say that Sheriff Danny H. Rogers has honored his 2018 commitments. For example, the Sheriff’s Office received full accreditation on November 19, 2021, from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). This agency has been in existence since 1979 and is a credentialing authority, based in the United States, whose primary mission is to accredit public safety agencies, namely law enforcement agencies. This accreditation is essential because it brings continued training to the Sheriff’s Office and that training can be utilized in the community, especially with the current climate of cases like George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery which touched the hearts and minds of people all over the world, but also the citizens of Guilford County. According to Sheriff Rogers, “We had civil unrest behind Mr. Floyd, Mr. Arbery, and Ms. Taylor. Most people were very concerned about how these events would touch our counties. When the civil unrest did come our way, we were as prepared as we could be because of the training we had. There was a lot going on in Greensboro and High Point and unfortunately, there was some property loss, but I’m very grateful that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.” Sheriff Rogers is grateful for the Community Resource Unit (CRU) which has been enhanced significantly since he became sheriff. “This unit was already in place, but it wasn’t very viable within the community. When I came into office, I enhanced it by employing more empowered deputies throughout all of Guilford County. We have a presence at most events in the city as well as in rural sections of the county. Prior to this enhancement citizens were not accustomed to seeing the Sheriff’s Office unless they called us for help. Now our presence is there to support the community and our presence often deters offenders. The Sheriff’s Office is not here to just incarcerate people. We’re here to help make a difference and the CRU teams help with that cause. Our citizens understand that we are here to be of service to them and I believe they really appreciate our support.” Not only has Sheriff Rogers enhanced training programs for his deputies and has intense communication with its’ community partners he has also instituted the Sheriff’s Community Roundtable, (SCR), where they discuss what’s happening in different communities. These discussions are beneficial because it helps reduce drug and gun violence, sex trafficking, domestic violence, and break-ins. He shares, “We work collaboratively with the community to find effective ways to eradicate these things. Has it all stopped? No, it hasn’t, but what I will say is that through the roundtable meetings a lot of these issues have decreased.”

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“Our office has grown significantly, especially within our Law Enforcement, Detention Services, and Civilian departments. The Sheriff’s Office is now more diverse than it has ever been. Our numbers have increased to include all mankind. This is something the office never had before. I’m big on diversity because it’s important for people to see diverse representation.” One other program that has significantly been revamped is the Re-Entry Program. Sheriff Rogers shares, “We have instituted a broader and better vision to the Sheriff’s Office with our Re-Entry Program. This program helps us reach those individuals who are going against the grain before they become incarcerated. We do this by addressing educational needs with our GED, drug addiction, and job readiness programs. Then we’re here once they have served their time and come back out into society. Once people serve their time they shouldn’t have to come out and be penalized again. If they are unable to get housing or gainful employment what else are they going to do? The ex-offender will resort to unlawful ways of having their basic needs met. They need to feel like a viable part of the community especially when they have a change of heart and mind. The Re-Entry Program only works when stakeholders reach out and give them hope and I am grateful that we have area businesses willing to extend that much needed hand. Believe me, I do understand that people want to know who they are living and working around, but once they have served their time, they still deserve the opportunity to become a viable part of society again, so they don’t have to revisit prison and use our tax dollars to support them.” The Sheriff’s Office has also instituted a Food Pantry Program, a Toys and Coats Program, and Fill the School Bus Program. Some of these programs were already in place, but it is under Sheriff Rogers leadership that these programs are now accessible and beneficial for all communities. Another enhancement to the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office has been the intake of diverse deputies. Since Sheriff Rogers tenure he has significantly increased the number of sworn and non-sworn detention officers and law enforcement deputies that are more equitable and representative of the communities in which they serve. Sheriff Rogers shared that initially, it was hard to maintain qualified deputies due to the low annual salaries, but now with help from administration, they have been able to increase the pay rate. He also shared that both men and women from all walks of life are invited to apply to the Sheriff’s Office as long as they are qualified, can pass the background test, and are legal citizens of the United States. Sheriff Rogers is a firm believer that law enforcement should be representative of the communities in which they serve. He shares, “Prior to my serving as Sheriff there was a severe lack of diversity within the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. Our office has grown significantly, especially within our Law Enforcement, Detention Services, and Civilian departments. The Sheriff’s Office is now more diverse than it has ever been. Our numbers have increased to include all mankind. This is something the office never had before. I’m big on diversity because it’s important for people to see diverse representation.” Sheriff Rogers is proud that under his leadership diversity is steadily on the rise. Currently, his sworn deputies are comprised of African Americans, American Indians, Arabians, Asians, Hispanics/Latino, and Whites. Sheriff Rogers looks forward to the day when every nation and culture can be representative of the Sheriff’s Office. What other changes has Guilford County benefited from Sheriff Rogers being at the helm? He shares, “I have a Special Enforcement Team, (SET), and they focus on the drugs coming through the highways and backroads. Within three years we have taken close to $12 million dollars in drugs off the street. And most times these crimes are not from people who even live in our communities. We are also working on our Real Time Crime Center, (RTCC). This Center will really help us solve crimes. Now that so many people have real-time video like Ring, they can provide us with that video feed needed to help us solve crimes much quicker. The RTCC can be even more effective if the community will submit that video feed. You know

you can talk all day, but the rubber meets the road with that viable and creditable video or phone call. You know I listen to people talk about defunding the police, but I do not agree with that concept. I tell people all the time that we don’t want to defund the police; instead, you want to reform the police and the way to do that is through continual diversity training because understanding people from different walks of life is important. Another thing I advocate for within the Sheriff’s Office is mental health wellness. As the Sheriff I’ve seen things that are gut wrenching and so have my deputies. So, I am a proponent for counseling. We must learn how to deal with what we see daily because we’re human beings. I don’t want my deputies internalizing any negative emotions, so counseling is essential and not frowned upon within the office. I certainly advocate for counseling, self-care, and spending quality time with family. You know I am not a oneman show. I have a phenomenal upper-level command team and I have a phenomenal group of experienced men and women who serve beside me. Together we all are making a difference in Guilford County.” As you can see, Sheriff Rogers has more than maintained his campaign promises to the citizens of Guilford County. He has enhanced the Sheriff’s Office by strengthening relationships with the court system on all levels; he has increased salaries; he has hired an unprecedented amount of qualified and culturally diverse deputies, and he has restructured old programs while simultaneously initiating new ones that benefit the community. He shares, “You know the Sheriff’s Office is set apart from other law enforcement agencies because we are directly accountable to the citizens. Well, I believe that I have been accountable, and I also have the experience needed to further this office, so it works to the benefit of all not just some. Real talk, I stopped by K&W for dinner one evening and I held the door open for this little fragile woman and she said, ‘Thank you, baby.’ Then she really looked at me and said, ‘You’re the Sheriff, aren’t you?’ I said yes, ma’am, I am, I’m Danny, and she said, ‘Good to meet you, Sheriff. I bet you didn’t know you had a lot of white Grand Ma’s praying for you.’ And I thanked her and her friends for their prayers. That short conversation gave me chills because she didn’t have to share that with me. I could see the sincerity in her eyes. I am so grateful for all the prayers for me and my deputies because we can’t do this job without the prayers or without God. Real talk I love what I do. This has been the greatest experience in my life because it has made me a better person overall. Being the sheriff means you’re a servant of the people. You’re not serving yourself or looking for power and privilege. I do this job effectively because I won’t be a puppet for anyone, but I will be the sheriff for everyone. I genuinely believe in Guilford County and the relationships that the Sheriff’s Office have fostered within the communities we serve.” If you would like to continue seeing “A Positive Change for All Guilford County Citizens” then join the 2022 campaign to re-elect Danny H. Rogers as Guilford County Sheriff on May 17, 2022. You can visit www.dhrogers4sheriff.com or follow his campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. h

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Santia Creative Styles Salon

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Cazualtee Santia describes herself as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister-friend, and of course, a hairstylist. “I’m a woman who wears many hats, and I look good while doing it,” she says. Originally a native and resident of Washington, D.C., Santia moved to Pensacola eight years ago after her husband, Jonathan, job placed them there. Natural Hair Care and making others feel beautiful about themselves is her expertise. “I truly care about the health of my clients’ scalp and hair. I listen to their concerns and offer solutions and treatments that will work best for them,” she says. While enjoying the success of Creative Styles Salon Spa, Santia decided to change the dynamics of her business model. In 2017, she stepped out on faith and launched her own natural hair care product line that includes shampoos, conditioners, tonics, and lemongrass butter. The reviews have been stunning. One client shared, “I’ve always used hair tonic while sporting a short hairstyle. I decided in September 2019 to use Santia’s products because I wanted to let my hair grow. The results have been amazing, and some people are doing head turns, not thinking it’s me. My hair smells good, and it’s so soft. People often ask to touch it. I am so pleased with my hair growth.” Santia’s products are available online and in various stores in Washington, D.C., Miami, Atlanta, and Pensacola. What Santia loves most about styling hair she shares is connecting with new people and providing confidence and encouragement. She also credits her aunt, who recently passed away for impacting her life and career. Like most business owners, Creative Styles Salon Spa has been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Santia says when the virus arrived in Pensacola, she had to close her salon. However, being the wise businesswoman that she is, she was able to offset her losses with the online sales of her hair products. She survived, proving that her brand is her to stay. In the future, Santia says she plans to distribute her products to more stores and open other hair salons throughout the region. Her advice to others who may follow the same path she has is never to give up. “Obstacles will come, but you have to keep pushing,” she shares.

www.creativestylessalon.com

To learn more about Santia and Creative Styles Salon Spa, please visit either of their locations in Pensacola, Fl, or visit their website. h

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Joshua O redipe Elite ID Fitness LLC By Terry L. Watson Photos by Rob Lay For many Americans, the Covid 19 pandemic has affected us in many ways. While being forced into organized isolation, some things were added unto us, whether we wanted them or not. This includes weight gain. Possibly, it would have been a lot easier to apply a padlock to our refrigerators and pantries, but that wouldn’t have prevented the consumption of take-out and delivered foods. No matter what preventative measures are involved, the best solution to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to remain physically active. This is the area where Joshua Oredipe excels. The first-generation Nigerian American currently resides in Philadelphia, PA. He is an ISSA-certified personal trainer, Elite ID Fitness Studio owner, and founder of Elite ID Fitness LLC. According to Joshua, Elite ID Fitness LLC is where health is earned, not purchased. Joshua obtained his Bachelors of Science in Business Management and Administration from Pennsylvania State University. He has 11 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry. Within three years, he successfully competed with the National Physique Committee and the All Natural OCB Men’s Physique contest. He shares his purpose is to have a positive influence and remind others to prioritize their health. “I believe it is our responsibility to ensure that we thrive and not just survive and understand that we are the universe experiencing itself,” he says. Joshua says he enjoys “all things” fitness, though weight and strength training is his primary fitness modality. “As a personal trainer, I assist clients with properly defining and executing their fitness goals. Utilizing my knowledge and expertise, I develop custom workouts that combine HITT (high-intensity interval training) with circuit, weight, plyometric, flexibility, and bodyweight training to challenge a wide range of clientele. I can create weight-loss, weight-gain, and nutritional coaching programs and currently offer one-on-one, group, and virtual training sessions. I love to coach others on the proper use of gym equipment and assist them with understanding the benefits of utilizing proper form and exercise execution,” he says. Charleston - March/April 2022

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Joshua’s fitness journey began as a child. He was a talented soccer player at the little league levels and continued to excel throughout college. “My mother was always health conscious and cooked our family three square meals daily. In 2004, my dad suffered a stroke and later learned he suffered from a brain tumor. Seeing my father in the hospital for the first time, and watching his recovery process, deeply impacted my family and I. This experience made me conscious of how fragile life is and also pushed me to take responsibility for my health,” he says. In response to what he saw happen with his father, Joshua decided to explore other forms of physical activity beyond soccer and fell in love with weight training. He joined a local gym, and his bodybuilding journey began. As he submerged himself further into bodybuilding, it was only a matter of time before his focus shifted from the weight room to the kitchen. “I learned to source healthier food options, proper portion control, strategic meal timing, and the implementation of natural supplements,” Joshua says. Being naturally skinny with a starting weight of 132 pounds, he was able to increase his overall body weight by 71 pounds within a few years. Family members and friends started to inquire about his transformation, and that’s when he realized his passion in life. Being a fitness instructor feeds something within Joshua. He shares how he loves to serve others and help them tap into their potential. “I love instilling confidence and giving others a sense of achievement that translates to life on many levels. I also love to bring further attention to nutritional choices, mainly because most communities are riddled with poor food choices. Most people don’t truly understand the negative impact these foods have on our lives,” he says. Joshua is inspired by his parents Kim and Femi Oredipe. “They are living examples of good people. Throughout my childhood, they provided valuable lessons, which instilled the qualities necessary to become the man I am today. Their courage, diligence, and love, encourage me to be the best version of myself. Even more, their continued guidance and support have been a Godsend, and I consider myself to be very lucky,” he shares.

www.eliteidfitness.com 610-203-0937

Moving forward, Joshua has plans to scale his brand and bring on additional personal trainers, wellness coaches, and nutritionists that align with his mission. He plans to expand his services beyond strength training and incorporate yoga, meditation, and advanced breathing techniques. He also plans to establish programs to give back to underserved communities through volunteer work and organized fundraisers to promote specific issues. To learn more about Joshua Oredipe and Elite ID Fitness LLC, please visit their website. h

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FANCYthatGlo By Terry L. Watson Photos Martin Lowenthal of ML Visions Hair by Candy Currie of Queenz of PHX The days of traditional dental care have changed. There are new players in the game, and they are offering bright and brilliant alternatives. Fenise Yancy of Phoenix, AZ has launched a business that offers teeth whitening and tooth gems. Her company is called FANCYthatGlo Beauty Beauty. Fenise opened shop in the Summer of 2021. She has always whitened her teeth, ever since she was a child, using the proven method of baking soda and peroxide. Her desire to have white teeth would carry on throughout her life and eventually led to her business. This is how it began. She says, “I purchased a whitening light and posted pictures on my Instagram stories. I received several replies from friends asking if it worked and if I provided the service. They also wanted to know how much is the cost of the product. So I decided to research the teeth whitening business. For four to five months, I randomly purchased products and began to offer my services, and the rest is history.” Fenise best describes herself as a child of God who loves life. She is a mother of two, Dalen, a 19-year-old student-athlete at the University of Arizona) and Olivia, a six-year-old kindergarten dancer, athlete, and an inspiring entertainer. Fenise is a native of Fresno, CA, and later moved to Phoenix, AZ, in 1999 to follow her dad, who had returned to Arizona in 1998. In addition to owning FANCYthatGlo Beauty Beauty, she is a self-help influencer for Domestic Violence, a compulsive Yogi, and an inspiring Fashion Influencer. She holds a B.S. in Healthcare Administration; and has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field.

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Fenise appreciates being in a position to motivate others. Expounding on her mantra, “THINK GOODKarma!” she shares that she loves to smile. “When I smile, it makes me happy and energizes others. Why wouldn’t I want to share that with others? To be happy about your smile brings confidence, and confidence is self-love. You gain a little pep in your step, and it motivates you throughout your daily routine. More than anything, it simply makes you feel good,” she says. Though FANCYthatGlo Beauty Beauty is a fairly new business, Fenise has faced some challenges. One she says is social media, and another one is time management. Social media, she says, is today’s biggest platform for marketing, and she struggles with the constant need to be on it. “There’s a difference between posting about my life and posting for business purposes; that can help or harm you. Posting for requires agile research to become affective,” she says. Being a single mother poses its own share of challenges as well. Between traveling for her son’s games, daily meetings with prospective agents, assisting him with his business, and being present to meet her daughter’s needs, Fenise says things can get a little tricky. In the future, Fenise plans to succeed by being consistent and disciplined. Within the next few months, she plans to launch new products such as home whitening kits, other home whitening products, and lip gloss. She also plans to hire a social media manager. That may be difficult because she is such a do-it-myself type of person. “My end goal is to have a Wellness Spa with teeth whitening, yoga and meditation classes, juice bar, and weekly counseling sessions,” she says. Her advice to others who may follow in her footsteps is to be patient, trust the process, and only run your own race. Never look at others in your field as competition; instead, utilize them as motivation and learn from the experience. h

FancythatGlo 16160 South 50th St Phoenix, AZ 85048 602-710-8644

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Victoria Fowler The craft of photography has grown in popularity in recent years, possibly due to the conversion from film to digital photo production. We live in a digital age, where a quick turnaround on anything seems to be the majority preference. Still, to succeed in this arena, one must have an eye for it. Without it, it’s almost impossible to separate yourself from the masses. Victoria Fowler of Nashville is the owner of Victoria Marie Photography LLC. She began shooting for the first time around 2011 and 2012. She shares, “Around that time, I really didn’t take it as seriously as I could have. My nursing career was taking off, so I approached it like a hobby and it didn’t materialize. I always enjoyed taking pictures, but life got in the way, and I just put it out of my mind. Then the Covid 19 pandemic started in 2020, and I had a lot more time on my hands. So I learned everything about photography and decided to invest in a beginner professional camera. Once I got my hands on it, I told myself if I could bet on anything, I could bet on myself. In a few short months, I outgrew my beginner camera and purchased another one.” Victoria was born and raised in Nashville and graduated from Tennessee State University in 2008. For the last fourteen years, she has worked full-time as a Registered Nurse. She is the mother of a six-year-old son, whom she says is her world because he pushes her everyday to be better and do better. Victoria naturally loves helping people, which is why she decided to pursue nursing. “Nursing has changed my life. I have met some unforgettable people along the way. I have always loved taking pictures to document everything, so as my nursing career took off, I bought a camera and took pictures,” she says.

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“When you come to me, all I want you to do is be prepared for an experience of a lifetime that you will remember, forever.” Victoria is a luxury maternity photographer. She provides makeup and wardrobe creative design for her maternity clients with each photography production. “When you come to me, all I want you to do is be prepared for an experience of a lifetime that you will remember forever,” Victoria says. She currently serves Nashville and the surrounding areas and will travel upon request. Being able to wake up everyday knowing that she has a purpose inspires Victoria. Also, knowing and trusting God that she has found her purpose inspires her as well. She credits her parents with having the biggest impact on her life as they have supported her 1000% in anything she wanted to do. “They raised me to be a woman of my word, to be kind in a world that is not, do the right thing, and be myself,” she says. “If I could give them the world, I would.” Victoria shares she has enjoyed her ride, from being a nurse to becoming a full-fledged photographer. “I wouldn’t change anything about the experience I’ve had. I am right where God wants me to be. Things don’t happen on my time but on time. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I do, and I have big plans for my future,” she says. h

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I am

Lenita Campbell By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Lenita Campbell Lenita Campbell is a pastor’s wife, mother of two beautiful girls, and one son, Lenita was born and raised in Southern California but now resides in the midwestern town of Gary, IN. Lenita is also a savvy businesswoman and leads a notary public company called Nita Notary, LLC. While serving the Greater Northwest Indiana area, Lenita offers Loan Signing Service, Mobile Notary Service, Remote Online Notary Service, I-9, and Photo Inspections, and office support to various businesses. “I am professional and friendly while working with everyone involved. Furthermore, I understand the demands and pressure associated with being a notary, and I promise to return every document signed as soon as possible,” she says. Lenita provides services to title companies, law offices, and more with her Loan Signing Service. Her main focus is to ensure her clients receive closing documents signed without any missing signatures, initials, or dates. Her Remote Online Notarization (RON) component is a notarial act performed electronically via audiovisual by a notary and does not require a physical appearance in front of the notary. Lenita says Remote Online Notarizations are convenient and secure. “Your document can be notarized in the safety and privacy of your own home. All you need is some form of identification (a government-issued ID with a photo), the document(s) you need notarized, an email address, a device such as a tablet, smartphone, or computer,” she shares.

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“I am professional and friendly while working with everyone

involved. Furthermore, I understand the demands and pressure associated with being a notary, and I promise to return every document signed as soon as possible.”

Lenita earned a bachelor’s degree in Business at Liberty University in 2018, and she has ten years of experience in mortgage service. She has obtained both NNA and LSS certifications and a Title Producer’s License, and her services are bonded and insured. Nita Notary LLC was formed through the encouragement of one of Lenita’s former coworkers. She says they would always encourage her to become a notary so that she would be able to complete real estate closings. “We both worked in Mortgage Servicing for over ten years. I was familiar with all of the loan documents, and she pushed me to go for it. After two years of her trying to get me to do it, I finally applied for my commission and got all the necessary training, certifications, and licensing to become a Loan Signing Agent(LSA)/Notary Signing Agent(NSA),” she says. Lenita has been operating as a commissioned notary since December 2020 and an LSA/NSA since January 2021. Lenita says most people do not realize the importance of a notary’s job until they need one. Still, she loves helping people and seeing her clients’ relief once they finally get their documents signed and notarized to finalize their transactions. Lenita says she is inspired by the love and support of her family. On the other hand, she admits that finding a family-work balance is a huge challenge. “I must be present with my family,” she says. As the demand for her services grows, Lenita plans to diversify her business by adding Mobile Ink Fingerprinting and Apostilles. One thing is for sure, there will always be a need for notary services, and Lenita will be prepared to meet those needs. To learn more about Nita Notary Services LLC, please visit their website. h

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www.Nita-Notary.com 219-801-4887

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby 38

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Wynter Rose The daughter of Christopher and Latisha

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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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