Huami Magazine Charleston July/August 2021

CHARLESTON

July/August 2021 Vol. 1 Issue 5

Deputy County Administrator of Public Safety Charleston - July/August 2021

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Understanding The Power of Your Influence A Letter From The Editor Now that I am many years settled into fatherhood, I sometimes reminisce on those precious moments when my son was only a baby. Though small and quite fragile, I wanted to make him tough and brawn, selfishly hoping that he would live out the hopes and dreams that I had for my life. That is what dads do, or at least I think they do. My son would eventually grow up right before my eyes to be a very grown man, which I am quite proud of. Still, I reminded of his dependence on me and his mother for everything while he was a child and our responsibility to understand and provide for his needs.

As a baby and not yet able to form words, my son cried and made other baby sounds when he wanted to let us know he was hungry. When his diaper was wet, he didn’t say [dad, I am wet]; instead, he cried. It was my duty to determine his need and translate the information he was trying to share. Thank God I was able to, and my son was fed and cared for.

Though I can only imagine how difficult it would have been for him had I ignored his cries or was unable to understand them.

As adults and not babies, our methods of communicating our pains, wants, and needs aren’t generally boggled into a baby’s cry. However, it doesn’t mean that we are not crying. When we become prideful and shamed, it can be difficult to express what is truly hurting us, which causes us to internalize these issues and not let them out.

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson

Publisher

Terry L. Watson Writer Ellen Richardson

Writer Dillan Teabout Writer Dorjea’ McClammey Writer Jessica Rogers Smith Writer Tamara David Hendricks Writer Seawards Dawson Photographer Fredrostar Productions Photographer

When God blesses His children to be a well or source for others, it often comes with some form of influence. With influence, there is power and the ability to impact someone’s life. Not understanding the power of your influence is just as careless as someone who is driving a car at 100 miles per hour with their eyes closed.

Influence attracts the interest of others. Because influence is often associated with power, it oftentimes attracts weakness. What I am trying to share; If someone is treating you wrong you feel like you are being “hated on”, it might mean that person is actually crying out and cannot convey what’s hurting them. As Christians, we can’t ignore these cries.

We should listen with our hearts and seek God’s instruction on how to respond.

If you are in a position of influence, fill yourself with the love of God on a daily basis. I was able to determine what my son’s needs were only because I loved him. God’s love gives us power and the ability to understand the cries and pains of others.

Terry L. Watson 4

Greensboro, NC 2021 All Rights Reserved

CHARLESTON

CONTENTS

JULY/AUGUST 2021

Sunflower Queen

Toi Cage

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On The Cover

His Is Leading By Example

Eric Watson

The Tea Bar 901

Titile Niamke

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Crescent Surgical Supply

Rueben Hays

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Asher Grady

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Also Featured

Tifanie Rudd Meet the face and founder of M8D 2 Rise Inc. God has done it again in her life.

Charlotte, NC

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Chess’Mia James She has stepped out on faith and launched her own academy.

Atlanta, GA

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Charleston - July/August 2021

Chief Bryan James Meet the newest Chief of Police for the Greensboro Police Department.

Greensboro, NC

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Deputy County Administrator of Public Safety 6

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Charleston - July/August 2021

By Gamal Williams Photos by Calvin A. Brown

A young man is hanging out in his neighborhood with some friends. The group are approached by two officers, and what started as a calm conversation, quickly turned hostile. One of the officers told the group to leave the area and go home. The teenager informed the police that he and his friends were in their neighborhood already, then pointed to his home just a few houses away from where they stood. He told the officer that was where he lived. It was to no avail. The boy complied and began to leave, yet as he passed the officer, the officer began to harass him. The officer accosted and grabbed him, then slammed him to the ground despite protests from neighbors and his mother as she ran screaming towards the situation. The boy was arrested for disobeying an officer, fingerprinted, and pushed through the court system, before all charges were later dropped and his record expunged.

During his 27 years in law enforcement, Eric Watson, the former Charleston County South Carolina Deputy Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief of Operation, fought against occurrences like the one above. After college, Eric began his law enforcement career as a Detentions Deputy at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston, SC. After three years in corrections, he received a lateral transfer to become a Deputy Sheriff for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. With tours as a patrol deputy, a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, patrol supervisor, the Office of Professional Standards, and Sheriff’s Office spokesperson along the way, Eric rose to the rank of Chief Deputy of Operations, one of the highest command positions in the Sheriff’s Office.

Stories of unjust arrests are all too familiar within the African-American community. There are far too few stories like Eric Watson, a Black man holding one of the most powerful positions within law enforcement. Yet the first story is what motivates Eric Watson. Why? Eric Watson was that boy.

“When I was arrested, they didn’t even tell me what I was arrested for. I didn’t find out the charge until we got to the station,” recalls Eric. “The worst part was, there were two Officers; one was White, the other was Black. The Black Officer started teasing me when I was in the back of the police cruiser crying, saying ‘look at the little baby cry.’ When we got to the station, I challenged the Black officer and protested that I was arrested on a bogus charge. When he asked where I actually lived, I showed him my I.D. I lived at 18A Washington Street, and they arrested me on Washington Street. He knew he was wrong, but they threw me in jail anyway.”

Eric defines the incident as pivotal, not just because he was arrested on a false charge, but because while he sat in the police cruiser, he heard the real reason why he was in handcuffs and on his way to the police station.

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“While we were enroute to the station, the Black Officer asked his partner ‘what happened back there?’ The White Officer responded, ‘I don’t know, I just snapped.’ It was in that moment I decided that this (becoming a cop) was what I wanted to do. I needed to know what they knew and what gave them the right to just take someone’s freedom unjustly. I used that to motivate me.”

“Being a Black Officer anywhere in this country, we bring a unique approach. I grew up in the projects. I didn’t have access to quality education or real tangible jobs. I grew up in a drug infested, poverty stricken environment,” he explains. “But on the flipside, I am a first generation cop. My mother didn’t want me to join, my family and friends didn’t want me to join. Being a cop, my community looks at me as an outcast, as an individual that took part in an organization that for decades has oppressed our community. But my counterparts in law enforcement don’t see or understand the why: why people are committing these crimes, why they are doing what they are doing.”

Eric developed and implemented a mentorship program within the Sheriff’s Department, aimed at new recruits (mostly White), to teach them that it is important for law enforcement to relate to the community, to understand them, and treat them as human beings. New recruits joined Eric at food drives and other community outreach programs. “I told my new recruits that the people that trust us the least, need us the most. It is important that we develop that trust,” Eric proudly stated.

In 2020, Eric was offered a new opportunity: to leave the Sheriff’s Office and create a new directorate as the Charleston County Deputy County Administrator of Public Safety. From his new position, Eric continues his efforts to improve police relations and their attitudes towards the African-American community, and vice versa. He now manages Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Charleston County 9-1-1 Consolidated Dispatch, and the Awendaw Fire Department. He also serve as a law enforcement liaison for Charleston County Government. One of the innovative ways Eric has deployed his power and vast experience in the field, was to help identify new strategies to deescalate situations where the deployment of police may not be the best course of action. He has also served on multiple nonprofits boards and volunteers his time mentoring youths as a way to give back to the community.

This past August, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health, Consolidated Dispatch began utilizing mental health counselors in the 9-1-1 call center to identify situations where a mental health professional would be better suited to respond vice the police. Additionally, he procured a $4.4 million budget increase for EMS, allowing for raises, better resources and equipment, and the hiring of additional staff. It’s this type of insight and forward thinking that can give us hope a better relationship between the African-American community, and not only the police, but all state and local emergency services can and will be better.

“I didn’t enter this profession to become a millionaire; I entered it to make it (law enforcement) and my community better than when I got into it.” h

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TifanieRudd God Did It Again

By Ellen Richardson Photos by Santana B Photography

When you sit down and think about your career path, can you honestly say that you love what you do? Maybe you are someone who fell on hard times, which led to a criminal record. As a result, you are probably having a difficult time finding a good job. If either of these statements make you stop and think then you have come to the right place. Allow us to introduce you to your fairy godmother – Tifanie Rudd. The Chief Executive Officer of M8D 2 Rise, Inc. uses her God given gift and passion to restore and build the lives and self-esteem of individuals who have challenges in gaining competitive employment.

Before becoming a real-life hero for many in her community, this Guilford County native learned at a young age of what was required to survive. “My work ethic is something I inherited from both of my parents. They taught me the importance of working hard. They both became entrepreneurs after years of struggle,” said Rudd. “To say that the struggle was real is an understatement.”

Watching her mom work so hard would eventually give rise to this self-professed people lover’s desire to help those in need. While this yearning began with a career in the nursing field, it would not be long before Rudd’s life plan changed. “I was on the job for about a year before I experienced what so many do in the world of advanced careers – envy and hatred for early success,” said the born philanthropist.

Despite receiving awards, like employee of the month, Rudd lost her job and, in its place, was given a feeling that many of us might be familiar with – that feeling of losing a purpose.

While this often takes many people down, this is where Rudd’s new life would begin.

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“I have to admit that I did a lot of crying, but before long I decided that I was done crying Fand ready to make my next career move,” said Rudd. After going back to school at Guilford Technical Community College, in 2004, Rudd began to see a crossroads turn into her new path. “After going back to school, I decided to get a degree in Psychology, and before long I was given the opportunity to participate in an internship program. The funny story about this assignment was that I was sent to a company that I really did not want to work for,” she says.

Like many confusing assignments that God may send to us, Rudd began to see the purpose for where her Heavenly Father sent her within a few weeks of this assignment.

“The assignment was to work with people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities and I did everything that I could to get out of this type of work, but this didn’t happen and before long I realized why,” said Rudd.

“During my time helping these people I began to find my niche or my calling – to serve the underserved.”

As she began to learn the importance of “learning to love people right where they are” and how to become a voice for the voiceless, Rudd said that she could feel her spiritual pathway open right before her. This road would not only keep her working with a company that she was not even sure she wanted to intern for, but would also lead to a bachelor’s degree in Ministry, in 2013, and a master’s degree in Christian Counseling, in 2015, from Grace Christian College. During this time of rising from the ashes, Rudd also had a new life-altering experience that led her to where she is today.

“I lost my brother,” said a saddened Rudd.

“My brother struggled with crime in his life and he was trying to get out of the streets. He was trying to stop getting into trouble with the law. He strongly desired change, however due to his criminal history, he struggled to sustain livable income and his employment opportunities were very slim. He passed before having an opportunity at a second chance.” Despite losing her brother before helping him find his new path, the woman who was gifted with a spirit to serve began to use her latest loss to develop her own company.

Formed in 2011, M8D 2 Rise, Inc. is a supportive employment agency in which individuals with life barriers are assisted with gaining and maintaining competitive employment as well as God’s purpose for their lives. They currently serve multiple counties in North Carolina ncluding Guilford, Rockingham, and Alamance. They will soon begin serving Mecklenburg county. “God is doing it again,” Rudd says.

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When we tap into our inner strength and into the support that is around us the sky is the limit.

What exactly does this acronym mean? “M is for the Milestones in life, the number 8 is for the new beginnings that we receive each day, the D is for Determination and what should we all be determined to do? TO RISE against all that comes against us and tries to stop us from us from tapping into our inner strength,” said the woman who has risen above all that has tried to stop her from her God given purpose. “When we tap into our inner strength and into the support that is around us the sky is the limit. I started to do this by helping a gentleman who reminded me a lot of my brother. Unfortunately, this young guy served 12 years in federal prison and just wanted a second chance.” Before long Rudd’s newest company, which started in a garage, was helping people all over this community realize that no barrier is too big to use the power inside of you to rise above the circumstances to become all that God has created you to be.

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According to Rudd, she has continued to become a successful boss lady in a man’s world due to the strength that God has given her as well as two inspirational mentors that never let her give up. “I have been blessed to have two incredible mentors. The first being Rev. Odell Cleveland who has continued to remind me to ‘fly higher when people throw attacks at you because people cannot get to an eagle’. The second is Greensboro City Council Member Goldie Wells, who always says ‘not to tell people where you tie your goat’ because when people know how to get to you, they will use this information against you.”

As her efforts to help others rise above all that tries to hold them back, Rudd has continued to expand this company to include services like life coaching and even a women’s ministry called M8d 4 H.E.R. Ministry. This born people person is also publishing her first book that is meant to help women learn that they can persevere above everything. The self-published novel entitled When the Tree Moves, will be released to the public in August.

Rudd is a mother of three amazing children and blessed to have five beautiful grandchildren. She is also a a certified, spiritual life coach and the founder and executive directive for the nonprofit, M8d 2 Rise Eagles. She has been commissioned as Chair on the Status of Women h Board (Women And Violence), and several other boards in Greensboro.

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Tifanie will celebrate her 50 th birthday in July. This is a milestone that confirms that she is only getting started.

To learn more about Tifanie Rudd and M8D 2 Rise Inc., please visit their website.

M8D 2 Rise Inc. 2302 W. Meadowview Road Ste 124 Greensboro, NC 27407 336-907-7268 www.m8d2rise.com 18

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Kingdom Step Ahead Academy, LLC

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Chess’Mia James

It’s all about the kids for Atlanta, GA resident Chess’Mia James. This loving woman and mother enjoys the very thought of family and strives to live a life pleasing unto God. This is precisely the kind of love and compassion required to lead the young minds she encounters at Kingdom Step Ahead Academy. Also known as KSA, they provide early childhood education for children ages (3-5) in the community of Covington, GA, and surrounding areas. Their curriculum teaches everything from Bible scripture reading, literacy, arts and crafts, early math, social studies, science, green screen videography, and camera presence. “Our mission is to get students a step ahead in their education and prepare them for their future,” James shares.

James’ journey of becoming the face of KSA began when she decided to be obedient to what God had called her to do and embrace her educational convictions. “In January of 2019, my Shepherd, Dr. Gabriel Allen Powell, instructed me to leave my occupation at that time. Of course, I did not want to listen because that was my source of income, and I had a one-yearold daughter. So, I told God, “If this is in your will, then you are going to have to show me through someone else that doesn’t know me as well as my shepherd knows me.” The very next day, my co-worker approached me and stated, “I had a dream about you last night, and you were leaving the company”. I cried, but in my obedience, I surrendered and said, “Yes, Lord!”

I attained a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in 2018. This educational venture became a highlight for me, as I held a 3.8 GPA and was recognized as Magna Cum Laude. As time passed, I knew there was more for me to do, so I continued to seek God for direction, and He delivered. In February of 2019, I walked away from my job and became a stay-at-home mother,” she shares.

KSA was birthed from prayer and meditation. One day, while soaking in God’s presence, James says the idea of starting a preschool fell into her lap. “I heard God so clearly, and I immediately enrolled in school to pursue early childhood education. I enrolled in January 2021, and I completed my certification with honors in May 2021,” she says.

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I dream big because I know:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Ephesians 3:20

Her passion for Early Childhood Care Education ignited when she began teaching her toddler educational fundamentals. After discovering this, James’ way of teaching landed her toddler with the ability to recognize numbers, letters, colors, and shapes. By the age of one, she could adequately place them all on the learning boards.

Additionally, James has always been intrigued by American Sign Language. To further her interest, she has studied ASL to teach it to her two-yearold. “There are no limitations to learning in my book. Every moment can be a moment of teaching,” she says.

Coming from a place of working for someone and now finding herself responsible for the growth and development of children has been life-changing for James. She shares, “My mind is blown away as I know that God handpicked me to build in the kingdom. I am following the will of God in my life, and the fact that God called me to do this job is what keeps me going.” God has made a way for James to impact the lives of others. “I love how I can pour into the little innocent minds of young people and share my lifes experiences. I love to see toddlers get excited, smile, and laugh. It warms my heart. I also like that I can do what I love and have my daughter right beside me.”

In the future, her plan is to have one of the largest and most effective academies in the state of Georgia. Her advice to anyone that may follow in her footsteps is t0 keep going, stay organized, and keep God first. “Don’t look for the finish line, but take it one day at a time, and eventually you will get there if you keep walking and be obedient to the Holy Spirit,” she says.

P.O. Box 226 Porterdale, GA 30070 www.kingdomstepacahead.com

To learn more about Kingdom Step Academy, h please visit their website.

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Greensboro Police Department

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By Ellen Richardson Photos by TMF Photography The 23rd chief of the Greensboro Police Department Brian James is a perfect picture of following the Yellow Brick Road of Success. Born in Northeast Greensboro, James was raised in the realm of responsibility by both his mother as well as his hard-working grandparents. Beginning a life of “doing his part to help his family” by mowing lawns at the early age of 9-years-old, it wouldn’t be long before the future chief would find his next level of accountability.

“I played football, ran track, and even worked at a grocery store while attending high school at Paige High School,” said James. “I did all this while keeping good grades, which I believe taught me the focus and duty that I needed to eventually become a successful member of the Greensboro Police Department. In fact, I owe a lot of what I learned from being a disciplined athlete/student to where I am today.”

Despite being recruited by college scouts, for his athletic abilities, the man who would use the fortitude that he was given at an early age would use this to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina A&T State University.

“The funny thing is that when I began my college career, I was not even considering being a police officer, but I knew that I wanted to do something that positively impacted the community. This is why I began to pursue a career in law enforcement,” James stated.

Although he would have to begin this career as a detention officer for the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, the future police chief would receive the opportunity to continue his path toward success as a police officer for the Greensboro Police Department in 1996. After serving as an accomplished officer of the law for the 72nd PBIC, James quickly worked his way up the ladder serving as a corporal and even a sergeant. In 2006, the young man who would continue to focus on doing anything that it took to serve his community to his fullest, obtained his Master of Business Administration degree from Pfeiffer University.

“In the past, you would have been hard-pressed to find anybody in law enforcement with a graduate degree, but the expectation around education has definitely increased over the years,” said James. “Knowing this, I decided that if I wanted to help the Greensboro Police Department run successfully far into the future, I needed to continue to learn more about the business side of running a municipal department. The MBA program gave me the ability to look at this side of police work on a deeper level.”

Along with both an undergraduate and graduate degree, James also became a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Administrative Officer’s Management program at North Carolina State University, and the Senior Management Institute for Police, which each assisted the destined police chief to take on added responsibility.

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Regardless of his success, James has also had to deal with numerous challenges. The most challenging of these times came during his first year as Greensboro’s Chief of Police. Following his swearing-in ceremony in February 2020, the Corona Virus brought communities everywhere, including Greensboro, NC, to its knees.

After this, a national movement would begin following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“The lifeblood of our department is having positive relationships with the Greensboro community and when the virus hit, we were asking officers to have as little contact with others as possible, to keep them both safe and healthy,” said James. “Leading up to the protests we really had been, in a large way, disconnected from this community. Managing these protests daily made this a bit more challenging. We wanted to allow people to exercise their First Amendment rights all while keeping some order. It was difficult, despite most of these protests being peaceful, there were arrests, boarded-up windows, and vandalism — all things the pandemic amplified.”

James’s first challenging year as chief was also amplified by the record-setting 60 homicides in 2020, which were largely due to gang activity, drugs, and domestic disputes. While many in his position might pass fault towards others beneath him, this inspiring leader decided to put all his efforts towards listening to his community to find a solution to improve.

Brian James Chief of Police - Greensboro Police Department 336-373-2085 100 E. Police Plaza Greensboro, NC 27402 www.greensboro-nc.gov

“Following the height of the pandemic, we had patrol officers in many neighborhoods go out and knock on doors. This gave our officers and our neighbors the opportunity to get to know one another all while giving our neighbors the opportunity to voice their concerns,” said James. “This program, along with bringing back some of our community outreach events like neighborhood cookouts, have received a positive response, and we plan to include this program far into the future.”

Understanding that communication is the key to healing has also inspired James to give birth to new programs. The first of these involving the hiring of a Department Resource Coordinator, who assists officers out in the field to find the appropriate organizations and companies to aid both individuals and families in their given neighborhoods with issues such as domestic violence, gainful employment, food insecurity, etc.

“Earlier this year the Greensboro Police Department also implemented the Behavioral Health Response Team where we have mental health clinicians riding along with police officers when a mental health call comes in,” James enthusiastically stated. “Along with being on the scene with the individual in need this clinician is also responsible for following-up with the person involved to try to get them connected with the healthcare that they need, which we are hoping will lower the number of repeat calls that we have of this nature.”

Stating that his overarching goal is to “make decisions that will be both life and community changing/enhancing”, James said that he is also doing everything he can to teach officers to “humanize” each person he or she encounters. “I try to make them realize that each of the Greensboro residents who need our assistance are not just a call. They are human and we are making important decisions that could impact their lives forever.” h

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Crescent Surgical Supply “Fear is not from God. Fear is of the devil.

God did not give us the spirit of fear.”

By Gamal Williams Photos by Rueben Hays

The comedian Milton Berle once said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”

Rueben Hays built that door, and the company it led to, Crescent Surgical Supply. The Los Angelos native, and seven-year Navy veteran where he served as a surgical technician, started his journey when he took a chance.

After separating from the Navy, In 2003 Rueben briefly worked as a sales representative for a major surgical device manufacturer.

The field was very competetive and severely underrepresented by African-Americans. One day, he learned surplus surgical supplies were being sold on eBay. “I asked myself ‘What is this equipment doing being sold online? It was a different time back then,” Rueben recalls.

“You can’t do that anymore. That limitation is how I was able to get into the industry, get buyers and connect with vendors.” As Louis Pasteur said, “chance favors the prepared mind.”

Formerly kown as RomeMed Inc. which was founded in 2003, Crescent Surgical LLC was birthed in Greenville, S.C. in August 2019.

This represented more than a name change, it represented a new chapter in life and business. A painful divorce set the stage for Rueben’s renewed focus and limitless vision. CSS currently employs eight employees and forty contractors that work throughout the country.

Rueben and his CSS team focuses on the medical equipment set to expire and be disposed of if left unused. This is the leverage point CSS uses to acquire said equipment from wholesalers, distributors, and vendors at a lower price point, then resells them at a mark-up but much lower than the retail price. “We sell mostly specialized, one-time use devices: electro-cardio devices, mesh, implants used in hernia surgeries, staples for different types of resections, sutures, and harmonic wound sealing devices, for example,” explains Rueben. “If we don’t buy and resell short dated surplus from hospitals, most often they are thrown away. We also donate all the products that we can’t move,” he shares.

According to Allied Market Research, in 2019 the global surgical equipment market was valued at $33.72 billion. By 2027, it is estimated to grow in value by 33% to $44.48 billion. Grand View Research estimates the disposable surgical equipment market will be valued at $5.5 billion this year. Yet even with the high value of these products, in the U.S. alone, its estimated that hospitals spend

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almost $10 billion per year in disposal fees for supplies, equipment and trash.** Rueben has ensured CSS is seizing a piece of that market, with half of the CSS buyers being international. One can understand how Rueben’s medical training, initiative and business acumen have positioned Crescent Surgical Supply to be a key player and large stakeholder in the disposable surgical equipment market, but it was not without obstacles.

“There is not another me (African-American person) out there doing what I do. In seventeen years in this business, I have never seen another me.” When asked if entering a market with no African-American representation was difficult, Rueben let out an exasperated sigh. “Of course!” he exclaimed. “It took a while. Luckily, I was able to find a niche market. I don’t have to deal with the end users, like hospitals or clinics. I deal with the distributors. But it was challenging to break in, to get people to trust me. We just ensure that we conduct sound business practices and are trustworthy.

That is what has built us into what we are today.” And should a product expire before it can be resold, Rueben has a plan for that as well. “We donate a lot of products, products we cannot move. In the United States, there must be time left on a product in order to resell it. When the expiration date is too close for resale or has expired, we donate it to Partners For World Health.” Partners For World Health, a Portland, ME based charity, has donated over 236 tons of medical supplies worldwide.

Rueben ensures CSS donates money and resources to charities in the Greensville area as well. “The biggest thing for me is giving back, philanthropy,” states Rueben.

“Most of my donations are focused on the Greenville community.” Some of those charities include Lisa’s Schoolhouse Rocks, which provides camps to teach civics lessons; Vernon Veteran’s Services who help military personnel transition from the military lifestyle to civilian beginnings; Upstate GEMS (Going the Extra Mile for Success) that promotes positive qualities in young ladies; and the “Spread the Love” initiative, a food drive sponsored by Harvest Hope, amongst others.

Rueben offers this advice to any young woman or man that recognizes a potential opportunity but is unsure if they should take the chance: “Fear is not from God. Fear is of the devil. God did not give us the spirit of fear. For me, if ever I get afraid of journeying down a path, whether it be in business or in myself, I know that is the devil trying to push me away from what it is that God really has for me,” he said. “I’d tell them to lean into it, even if you fail, failure is not final.

You learn some of your best lessons from failing. This wasn’t just a linear track for me. There were ups, there were down. I had many obstacles, much to learn and I didn’t have the privilege of partners or even people that looked like me that really wanted to empower me or educate me. I had to go into places I didn’t know or what to expect. I got ran out of a few places. But I learned h from it. So, I would tell them you have to go for it.”

1327 Miller Rd – Suite B Greenville, SC 29607 1-888-481-1086 www.crescentsurg.com 29

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The Tea Bar 901

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Titile Niamke

Titile Niamke of Memphis, TN, describes herself as a joyous person.

She is a lover of God, a love that she expresses while helping and serving people, and making them happy.

The origin of her name, Titile is Ethiopian and means purified, while Niamke is Nigerian and means God’s Gift.

She describes herself as a joyous person, a woman that lives with integrity and transparency. “I believe that whatever I consume on this earth, I must replenish it,” she says.

She comes from a large family and credits her father with having a significant influence on her life. She recalls a conversation she had with her dad, as he advised her to do whatever she wanted to do with her life. “My told me to not put any limits on my life. While my mother is very driven and stern, and that’s where my discipline comes from,” she says.

She is currently pursuing a marketing degree at Middle Tennessee State University. While attending school, she finds time to manage her company The Tea Bar 901. Her company produces teas, honey, and various skincare products that are infused with natural products.

Her niche is listening to the needs of her clients and finding natural remedies to meet them.

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“I had never heard about these things before. I learned that lavender

could help with anxiety, so I made a tea with lavender and was amazed at how it made me feel. I fell in love with the world of teas and

natural healing. I began to wake up happy and eager to take on

whatever life would throw at me. I was no longer depressed or anxious,”

Titile launched The Tea Bar 901 in 2016 while she was a student at MTSU. It all began in her college dorm.

While doing some research, she came across a few herbs, such as lavender and camel milk. “I had never heard about these things before. I learned that lavender could help with anxiety, so I made a tea with lavender and was amazed at how it made me feel. I fell in love with the world of teas and natural healing. I began to wake up happy and eager to take on whatever life would throw at me. I was no longer depressed or anxious,” she says.

Titile began combining herbs to address different ailments. She was sure not to disrupt the tea’s integrity, so she used honey instead of sugar. She was able to connect with a local Bee Keeper who helped her learn the process of beekeeping. As Titile continued to work with her new “bee” friends, she also developed a love and respect for them. “I am a little nervous while getting honey from their hives. It can be noisy because there are usually thousands of bees moving at the same time. Yet, being able to care for them is a special and rewarding experience. Bee’s pollinate our plants and foods and work hard at doing their job. Understanding the role they play in our ecosystem has made me respect them even more,” she says.

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The original name for her company was Divinity, which means of some or like God. Titile confesses that she chose this name because God sent her the tea and herbs to deal with her anxiety and unhappiness. Also, in the beginning, she wasn’t making a profit. She shares how she conducted more promotions and demonstrations than sales transactions.

Now, The Tea Bar 901 is quickly becoming a recognized brand at local farmer markets and pop-ups in and around the Memphis community. Her next focus to increase the online presence for The Tea Bar 901, making her products accessible to anyone around the globe.

Some of the products sold by The Tea Bar 901 are raw and unfiltered honey, ginger honey, lavender honey, turmeric honey, herbal teas, bottled teas, flavored sea moss, natural skincare products made with natural products, and herbal oils.

Titile says helping others is what she loves most about her business.

“Entrepreneurship is only a business entity, but not every business is designed to help other people. I understand that I can help others live a better life with the usage of my products,” she says.

Moving forward, Titile plans to continue to allow God to lead and guide her steps. She is also excited about introducing new products and making The Tea Bar 901 a household name. To learn more about Titile and her company, please visit their website. h

www.theteabar901.com 901-831-4501 35

Sunflower Queen

By Dorjae McClammey Photos by Toi Cage

Let me tell you about Toi Cage. She is the owner of Sunflower Queen, a Natural Yoni care line located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With the help of her amazing daughters, she produces terrific Yoni products for women. Toni describes Yoni care as a dedication to women’s health and womb care, and the process of detoxing ones’ womb and vaginal area, ridding it of toxins that might cause odors and infections.

Growing up, Toi tended to overhear conversations about how women and men felt about their private areas. So while studying at the University of Notre Dame, she and a friend worked to find the perfect combination of herbs and plants to make them feel healthy and beautiful. Once she saw the results it gave her, Toi was inspired to turn it into a business and help other women feel beautiful inside and out, just like it did for her.

Sunflower Queen offers many products such as plant-based yoni detox pearls, vegan rose oil, steaming seats and stools, detox herbs, womb detox tea, yoni soaps, yoni gowns, and yoni pops. She also produces vegan yoni tightening gel, a yoni refresher spray, and a foaming wash is in the works. She also provides one-on-one yoni steaming sessions that can be performed in the privacy of her client’s home or in her office.

Toi says what she loves most about her company is providing products for women who embrace their sexual health and wellness. She also enjoys having open conversations that educate women and men about vaginal health. She shares, “Yoni care is not an offensive thing, it’s self-care.”

Like most small business owners, some challenges presented themselves while she was getting her business started. Toi decided to start selling her products during the Corona Virus pandemic; she was prepared to jump-start her business a couple of months before it hit and then had to stop everything. From having grand openings in stores to over 20 events over four months to push her product out, she had her hands full. All of the contracts she had obtained were now null and void, and the money she spent had to be returned. She was just about ready to give up when the opportunity arose to partner with Black Business Enterprises, which was able to help her receive great exposure for her business. From there, she turned things up a notch and changed her approach to doing business. She began providing informational sessions at vendor events, promoting her products and natural yoni care in general. To her astonishment, Toi was even invited to showcase her products at company events. Things were starting to look a lot better for this aspiring entrepreneur.

Sunflower Queen has become very accomplished and has been nominated for a few awards, such as the New Black Business of the Year award and Customer Service of the Year award. By her third month in business, she had already hit 13,000 dollars in sales and celebrated by partnering with a Doula, delivering prenatal yoni care packages to women in her community. Toi has even had the mayor of Minneapolis inquire about products for his wife.

Her testimony proves that Toi Cage is a true hardworking hero.

“I started as a 15-year-old mother, and it wasn’t until my daughter entered college and started her own business that I decided to move forward and stop being scared. I think that’s what pushed me. I am happy to have a friend that was already dabbling in chemistry. Once my daughter told me ‘mom you’ve taken care of everybody for so long, why don’t you have your own business?’ I thought about it. I’ve taken care of my family, survived divorce, and felt like I couldn’t let her down. When I finally started selling my products, she was my biggest cheerleader,” she says.

The future for Sunflower Queen is filled with amazing opportunities. Toi has received an offer to open up space in the Mall of America in Minneapolis, but she is going a step further by finding her own storefront location. So keep an eye out for all of the new products and services she has planned. The partnership with a full-time Doula should produce even more exciting products that will roll out to hospitals, ob-gyn, and wherever prenatal care is sold.

Until then, all Sunflower Queen’s products are available online, in-store at Storehouse Grocer in St. Paul Minnesota, and the Wellness Lounge in Uptown Minneapolis. To learn more about Toi and Sunflower Queen, please visit their website. h

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Asher Grady The son of Jessica and Justyn Grady

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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www.huamimagazine.com

To learn more on about us, please call 336-340-7844 Next Edition Available September/October 2021

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