Huami Magazine Charlotte May/June 2021

C H A R LOT T E

May/June 2021 Vol. 3 Issue 11 FREE

Sheka Johnson High Status Consulting

®

May/June 2021

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Awards, Accolades, and Alignment There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

A Letter From The Editor

Sometimes I reflect on where I have come from in life. With each reflection, the feelings are always different from one another, and it A Letter from the Editor makes good sense for them to be. There are peaks and valleys; good moments during the valleys, and even bad ones when I thought things should have been great. I guess you can describe it as a roller coaster ride What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes that never ends.

and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if you decided put off tomorrow never I ameverything the secondthat youngest child in to a family ofuntil six, with two additional happened?

There would be the no reason forto a rainy big sisters.

With this arrangement, numberto ofsave stories share is day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making plentiful. Even more, the steps that I’ve taken have painted their own promises. if your last and opportunity seemingly expired picture, validatingWhat my individuality uniqueness, and eventually today?

What would you do? revealing what I am purposed for. There is a saying “what you don’t

know, can’t hurt you”. For me, learning what God has destined for my life I’ve been told that I often I dooftoo much. parallel and not responding according to His seem desirelike is sort an opposite to thatHonestly, adage, meaning once I learned whoenough I was supposed be, every I feel like I am not doing and I’m atofirm act of believer disobedience that followed haswouldn’t been painful. in knowing that God put anything on me

that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would

I have partto in sit a lot ofand things in life.

I have been acknowledged be taken if I chose idle accept what it presented to me. I for some, and for some, I have not, and in my dusty collection, one might have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity find a is few plaques, trophies, certificates, and awards.

Though I haven’t a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge received many accolades, yet I know they’re coming.

I confess that to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? I once believed would, IIam place wherebut those itemslearn just don’t If I they do nothing, fail,now andatif aI try I don’t, instead do it for me. I realized such symbols of merit have only provided short something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in moments of enthusiasm, and any mental record of them is fleeting. If I return acquire life. have no memory, then it’s like it never happened.

The best advice everand given to me someone But when I slowed down allowed myhappened life to getwhen into alignment told me to make my tomorrow happen today.

In doing with what God has purposed for me, everything that I gave valueso to I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only before, I used as a foundation to stand on to obtain that which will never provided.

I have learned the difference between lose itshope value; and that is God’salso favor.

I realized that when God blesses what God blesses me with and andthe what life can burden me with me, the sensations are unending, benefits will open doors I can as well.

I compare it to knowing when to be confident and have open on my own. When I walk with God, and that means allowing to be quiet, because God to lead me, every desire, want, andwhen need appears to just fall in place. someone may get it confused I have learned that awards and with being arrogant.

accolades are good but being in alignmentMake with God way more value. youhas tomorrow What God gives us will last, whole lot happen today, but amost longer than anythingmake the world gives us. importantly it count.

He promises not to keep any good Life is but a whisper and thing from us,we andmust all we have to do is in trust put ourselves a in Him. For me, being loved by God is the position to hear what it is purest form of an award and accolade, telling us. and one the world will never be able to duplicate or measure up to.

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

Terry L. Watson 4

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November/December 2014

www.huamimagazine.com www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Publisher Terry L Watson

Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Dorjae McClammey Writer Terry L. Watson Writers

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HUAMI MAGAZINE is published bimonthly quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com Email or Telephone terry.editor@yahoo.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to 336-340-7844 Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 2021 All Rights Reserved Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved

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MAY/JUNE 2021

CHARLOTTE EDITION

CONTENTS

Giving Back In Arkansas

Dr. Michele Wright

On The Cover

High Status Consulting Sheka Johnson

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Soapsation Bathtique

Evonne Hardee

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36

Patience Always Wins

Monica Hawthorne

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Chasity Boone

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Also Featured

Alvin D. Ford His goal is to provide vending services throughout the Motor City.

Detroit, MI

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Phylicia Parrish Meet Virginia’s Favorite Realtor Richmond, VA

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Charlotte - May/June 2021

Lora McClain-Muhammad She is known as the Coloring Book Queen. Learn more about her journey.

Gary, IN

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Sheka Johnson High Status Consulting

By Terry L. Watson and Teyah Glenn Photos by Collier Photograpy

For some, life can often get off to a fast start. There may be plans in place, and dreams are just beginning to be acted upon when things suddenly change and what was once important, is moved further down our list of priorities. This is just the kind of narrative that Sheka Johnson has experienced.

As a teenager, the Charlotte, N.C. native looked up to her grandfather for encouragement and direction. She says he taught her how to look for certain summer jobs and not settle for the ones that teenagers typically get. By doing so, at the age of fourteen she served as an assistant at City Hall, helping people in Uptown Charlotte with different city projects.

Within this position, Sheka learned how to manage a business and the basic functions of running one. The information she obtained in this role would eventually pay dividends for her later in life, Sheka finished high school and set her sights on obtaining a degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

As life would happen, within three years into pursuing her degree in Business Management, she became pregnant and decided to step away from school so that she could prepare to be a new mom.

After having her first child at the age of 20, Sheka entered the world of entrepreneurship. “Being a single, young mother is what pushed me. I didn’t have a backup plan. I wanted to spend as much time with my child as possible, but I needed to be able to afford that experience. Being a business owner seemed like the best avenue for me to take,” she says.

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Her first stint was with bail bonding, and next, she opened a childcare center.

“I enjoyed working with children, and opening the childcare center allowed me to make money and take care of my child while doing so,” she says. Her next move was to attend nursing school, where she acquired her degree and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. With that accomplishment under her belt, she opened a home health care business that has been in operation for nine years.

With her home healthcare business, Sheka says it all about helping her clients, many of whom are senior citizens and disabled individuals. “Because I am the owner of a home healthcare business, I can hire qualified professionals, ensuring that the needs of my clients are met,” she says.

With all the things Sheka has ongoing, she still finds the time to do even more.

Her newest venture is High Status Consulting LLC. With this, her goal is to offer and provide consulting and coaching services to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs. Her services are designed to help them either get their business off the ground or assist them with making their business operate more efficiently.

She does this by identifying bottlenecks and waste and areas where opportunities to grow may exist. Additionally, Sheka offers talent management services.

“My intention is to impact every life that I am privileged to meet. I genuinely love helping others achieve their dreams.

Many people I meet are often at a place where they are thinking about giving up on their business. I help to redirect that type of thinking into something positive and show them how to make their business work. With entrepreneurship you can’t give up, you have to stay with it.”

There are many perks to being an entrepreneur and Sheka’s favorites are financial freedom and having free time to spend with her family. She also enjoys meeting people.

“I intend to impact every life that I am privileged to meet,” she says. “I genuinely love helping others achieve their dreams.

Many people I meet are often at a place where they are thinking about giving up on their business. I help to redirect that type of thinking into something positive and show them how to make their business work. With entrepreneurship you can’t give up, you have to stay with it,” Sheka says.

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Just as many perks come with entrepreneurship, some challenges come with it as well. For Sheka, she says the Covid 19 pandemic forced her to find ways to stay in operation. “I had to find adequate staffing, which was difficult because many people were not interested in working because of the pandemic,” she says. Still, she pushed on and was able to keep going.

Her drive and determination have been passed down to her daughters, both of who are entrepreneurs owning the beauty company, Chosen 1 Studio, and Drilled by K. Sheka serves as mom and business coach to her daughters and navigates them through the world of business, using the experience and knowledge she has already obtained.

Sheka’s goal for the future is to mentor and coach young black entrepreneurs. “Even if they don’t want to own a business, I want them to know that they should still have some type of entrepreneurship. I want to let the youth know that there’s a difference between being a business owner and being an entrepreneur. I want to expand my online presence as well,” she says.

“Normalizing black wealth is my ultimate goal.”

A piece of advice that Sheka would offer to others who follow in her footsteps would be to stay passionate about your business, and never give up. “You should only take advice from those who have traveled in the same path that you are seeking to go in,” she says.

If you are an entrepreneur and in need of business coaching services, contact Sheka with High Status Consulting. She might just have the answers to help you get your business to the next level. h

Sheka Johnson High Status Consulting 704-659-1108 www.highstatusconsulting.com

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Alvin Ford VendMe Co.

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By Ellen Richardson Photos by Alvin Ford

Let’s be honest. Who didn’t love candy and snacks when they were growing up? Certainly not Huami Magazine’s very own real-world candy man, Alvin Ford. The owner of Detroit, MI’s own VendMe Co. vending machine company hails from a long line of entrepreneurs that never relied on other business owners to help them find success in the work world. Beginning with his great great grandmother and grandmother; who owned their own herbal tonic business; as well as his grandfather; who owned a line of small businesses including a couple of bars, a party store and served as a landlord for a couple of rental properties, Alvin Ford knew that he wanted to start his own business that would both lead to success and would make others lives better. This desire led to the birth of Metro Detroit’s premier vending company that supplies candy, healthy snacks and beverages to businesses throughout this growing area.

“Seeing my grandparents operate successful businesses while I was growing up inspired me to do the same, so I decided to start selling candy.”

“Seeing my grandparents operate successful businesses while I was growing up inspired me to do the same, so I decided to start selling candy,” said Ford. “I would start out by buying a box of candy and selling individual packages in barber shops, to my family and friends and even classmates as early as middle school.”

After continuing his successful candy selling business all the way through high school, Ford would eventually find himself moving into the vending machine business. “I actually stopped selling candy for a little while but was led back in the direction of food sales while I was in college obtaining a business degree. This is where I started learning all about opportunities in the vending machine industry,” he shared.

Before long, this born to be tasty treat vendor was investing in vending machines with more than just candy.

“When I started setting up vending machines in the Metro Detroit area, I knew that I wanted to provide a product that would do more than just cure a sweet tooth. I also wanted to supply local businesses with machines that offer a wide variety of healthy and traditional foods to choose from,” said Ford.

From one vending machine to two, Ford would eventually give birth to his dream of owning his own small business.

Now, just six months after starting VendMe Co., which offers sleek new vending equipment with a full line of healthy and traditional snacks, the newest member of the Ford entrepreneur family is quickly making a name for himself with area businesses, hotels/motels and even a nationally known chain of retail appliance and electronics stores.

“It is funny because this business almost started off as a lemonade stand when I was a kid, but after deciding to sell what I love, which was candy, it morphed into something that I love doing now!” exclaimed Ford. “Who would have thought that selling snacks at the barbershop as a kid, then out of my locker in middle school and even out of my backpack in high school would have turned into a vending machine company with contracts and national clients? God amazes me more and more as time goes on.”

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Along with becoming one of the newest small business success stories in his home city of Detroit, MI, Ford and his company are also doing their part to give back to others within his community. “Part of this company’s mission is to help others who are interested in starting their own vending machine business,” said Ford. “When I started this business, I knew that I wanted to be the kind of inspirational mentor that my grandparents and even my parents, were to me, so we also provide both mentorship and training for those who are interested in starting their own vending machine business.

In fact, I often assist people in setting up locations and even help them get the proper machines for these businesses to get them started.”

Along with giving birth to his own vending machine franchise, this business oriented young man is currently serving as a Business Analyst for the Nation’s No. 1 Wholesale Mortgage Lender - United Wholesale Mortgage Company and is preparing to graduate with his Master of Business Administration from The University of Detroit Mercy. After which, Ford will be joining the world’s largest e-commerce retail giant, Amazon, as an area manager.

“It is kind of cool that I will be working at Amazon and running the vending machine company simultaneously because I believe that one day these companies can someday work together to grow worldwide,” stated Ford.

You would think that a man with both a full and part-time job as well as completing a master’s degree would be satisfied with just focusing on himself and his career. If that were true, we would not be talking about Alvin Ford. Along with a heart for providing tasty treats and owning his own business, this real-life candy man also has a passion for leading others to the restoration power of Jesus Christ.

“I know that I have a lot going on in my life, but I also know how important it is to follow a calling that I received when I was a young man - helping others find Christ,” said Ford.

After starting this journey by becoming a minister at his family’s small church, Ford would eventually decide that he wanted to share the good news of Jesus Christ with more people. This desire would lead him to yet another mentor - Bishop Clarence Langston. As this successful, yet humble businessman would begin his tutelage under the Founder and Senior Pastor of Word in Action Christian Center he would continue to rise through the ranks to become a well-known minister at the famed Detroit church.

As he continues to walk this road of success, Ford has just one suggestion for those who are walking a similar path. “No matter what your dream or calling is, do it scared and have faith that God will make a way,” said Ford. “Be sure to also invest in yourself by finding the right people and knowledge to help you get down the road further and faster than you could ever imagine.”

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To learn more about Alvin Ford and VendMe Co, visit his website. h

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Monica Hawthorne Patience Always Wins

By Tonya Dixon Photos by Santana B Photography

At one point, Monica Hawthorne thought things couldn’t be any better in her life. She was happily married. Had a thriving hair salon in Charlotte, North Carolina, and her family were safe and healthy. But in one instant, it all changed. She found herself single, dealing with an undiagnosed illness and a declining business and bank account. Before she knew it, she found herself back in Greensboro, living with her mother and making countless trips to the doctor.

But as she looks back on it, it was nothing short of God’s divine hand upon her life. She gained more than she ever had before, physically, spiritually and emotionally. However, it didn’t seem divine at the time.

“God directed me to come back home to Greensboro. I thought I was hearing things because I thought there was no way HFe was telling me to leave. I was doing well in Charlotte.

My business was thriving and I was successful,” said . “But I did what I heard God say. I packed up and moved.”

With her life virtually upended and turned inside out, Hawthorne had to do something she had previously never really done. She had to relinquish control to gain restoration. She had to depend on someone else.

“I stayed on my mom’s couch for nearly three years because I had serious health problems and God wouldn’t allow me to do anything else,” she said. “I prayed and had many conversations with Him. I was going through a lot mentally and physically and I was practically broke because I was supporting my daughter in college.”

“God directed me to come back home to Greensboro. I thought I was hearing things because I thought there was no way He was telling me to leave. I was doing well in Charlotte. My business was thriving and I was successful.

But I did what I heard God say. I packed up and moved.”

“I left my source of income in Charlotte. I virtually started over. I had to come back to Greensboro and rebuild my business and myself.

A licensed minister, Hawthorne admits she “ran” from God and her calling for more than 15 years.

She had a people problem. “I was concerned about what people would say. What would they think of me?” she said.

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But it was in her weakest moment when she heard God as clear as she heard him say move back to Greensboro. She received the instruction and strength she needed to begin her journey of restoration and wholeness for herself and for other women.

“God told me the I didn’t need to be concerned about the opinions or actions of anyone else. He said I was already qualified, verified and approved

by Him, so I didn’t need to seek approval or validation from man because He had already given me that,” said Hawthorne.

It was at that moment that she spiritually and physically birthed her ministry, a new business and strength to regain her footing as a hair stylist.

But she says founding “GOoD GIRL” (intentionally spelled with mixed case) has been the most profound and rewarding because it impacts everything else in her life.

“I thought I would call it ‘GOod GIRL,’ because it symbolizes being a light, knowing your worth and getting approval only from God,” said Hawthorne. “But then one day God said, ‘you’re a good girl, but I want you to make one of those “Os” very small so that you can see me in it.’ And that’s how it became what it is today.”

After developing a logo, Hawthorne designed a few shirts and the rest is more than just history.

It’s a situation she believes only God could have orchestrated and ordained.

“I hadn’t even planned to launch it until May 2020, but COVID hit and everything changed. As soon as they were released, women from all over were buying the shirt,” she said. “So that’s how it started. But there’s more. There’s a community component for all kinds of women. Young, old, every race and every background.”

Ultimately, she says the mission of GOoD GIRL is to teach women that they are enough and only need God’s approval. Plain and simple.

“I want girls and women to know you don’t need that [blue] check on Facebook. You don’t need that [blue] check on Instagram. You are already verified. It’s about women learning who they are in God,” she said.

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It’s important to note that Hawthorne continued to suffer from a mysterious illness for many years. She was in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices, without receiving a definitive diagnosis. It took a serious toll on her life, to the point where she couldn’t fulfill the requests of her salon clientele. Yet and still, there was still a blessing amid her illness.

“I had issues for 10 years and didn’t even know what it was until I moved back to Greensboro and I think that was a blessing within itself because God knew and he told me to come home. As soon as I went home, I got extremely sick. I needed to be home because if I had been in Charlotte, I would not have had any one to help me care for myself,” she said. “I needed to be at home with my mom who was helping me. She understood that God brought me back home for a reason even though at the time I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but I was trusting him.”

“It turned out to be my gallbladder, but it was affecting my whole body. It would take me down for 2-4 weeks at a time. Imagine having no income and being so sick you can’t get up. But it’s important to remember, even when things look bad in the natural, there’s always a blessing though God.” As much as she struggled, she was able to resurrect her salon – Hawthorne Hair Studio.

Not only did she rebuild her clientele, she realized it was another part of her ministry. God strategically sent clients that needed spiritual, emotional and mental restoration. She admits, it had nothing to do with her. It was all a GOoD GIRL thing.

“I’m really ready to retire from that,” she jokes. “But God hasn’t released me from it yet.

For some reason this salon has been a place for people to get renewed and repaired. People come and they get what they need from God when they are here. If they need it, I pray with and for them. It goes down in here some days, but it’s part of my Ministry. I used to say I have a ministry behind the chair. I asked God to meet people here when I first opened the salon and that’s what he’s been doing.”

While Hawthorne is passionate about hair and is known for her precision cuts and styles, she’s looking to expand in a different way – one that she says doesn’t necessarily require her to stand on her feet behind the chair as much. She’s looking into her own hair product line, including everything from washing supplies to equipment.

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“God told me the I didn’t need to be concerned about the opinions or actions of anyone else. He said I was already qualified, verified and approved by Him, so I didn’t need to seek approval or validation from man because He had already given me that.”

“I already have my own hair oil, but I’m working on my own hair shampoo and other products and styling tools – blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons,” she said.

Just like GOoD GIRL empowers women, she plans to use her styling expertise to help others as well. “I’ve taught before and I want to continue, but not in a traditional setting with multiple students. I prefer individual classes so that I can give one-on-one attention.”

As Hawthorne expands her product line, she isn’t leaving GOoD GIRL behind. There’s much more to come and there are many more lives to impact. “GOoD GIRL is much more than a t-shirt. It might be how I got my foot in the door with some people, but it’s ministry. It’s more motivational speaking. It’s expanding on the books and series’ I’ve already written.” But most important, Hawthorne says it’s about lifting someone else up along the way. h

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To learn more about GOoD GIRL Apparel, please visit their website at www.goodgirlgoodguy.shop 336-740-4090

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Virginia’s Favorite Realtor

By Jalessa Rogers Photos by Phylicia Parrish Pride and joy in helping people is something that Phylicia Parrish carries with her every single day in her role as a real estate agent. Other attributes that define Phylicia are her discipline, work ethic, honor system, and transparency.

Born in Killeen, TX to two active military parents, Phylicia and her older brother spent their younger childhood years in Germany and different parts of Texas, until her parents retired from the military and moved the family to Virginia. Growing up as a military brat, Phylicia credits her parents with being sound role models and instilling within her the importance of being a woman of her word. Combined, her parents served over twenty years in the military, and it would have made perfectly good sense for her to follow in her parent’s footsteps, but life would have a different calling for her.

During her teenage years while living in Newport News, VA, she became the “big little sister” to her old brother as she had an inert nature to take care of him and protect him, something that is a big part of her business today. As a real estate agent, it is her goal to assist her clients with whatever needs they may have and ensure they get the best possible experience while working with. While many may see the experience of buying or selling a home as routing, for Phylicia it more than that. She shares how often relationships and bonds are formed with her clients, lasting beyond the moment of closing and the ink dries on the contract.

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With a lot of hard work and consistency, Phylicia has enjoyed a lot of success “I have sold millions of dollars in real estate while doing it parttime, but my biggest accomplishment is that every single client is satisfied with my service because I really care about them. My clients walk away knowing I had their back,” she says.

So how did the journey begin for Phylicia? After graduating from Woodside High School in 2004, she attended Thomas Nelson Community College until she felt like her time wasn’t being used wisely. So, she decided to get her real estate license instead. The hustle and bustle of being a military brat would again come into play, as it helped her to connect with her clients regarding relocating their family at any moment, something that happens with the purchase or sale of a home.

Today, Phylicia is an agent with Keller Williams in Richmond, VA. She says, “If you are looking to buy, sell, lease, invest, commercial property, or anything else, I am the agent for you.

My niche is first-time homeowners, and sellers of slightly distressed homes.

There is something so personal about helping someone find their very first home. Being able to focus completely on them and finding their dream house at an affordable is one memorable moment that we may never forget.”

Phylicia truly exemplifies her tagline “Virginia’s Favorite Realtor”. Her services are available to all of Virginia and Maryland under the Keller Williams Realty umbrella.

For further information and if you are looking for a home in any of the areas she services, you can her directly or visit her online. h

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By Ayana Bryant Photos by Dr. Michele Wright

Who is Dr. Michele Wright. The best way to describe her is to say that she is loving and has a special place in her heart to serve others. She is also an engineer, best-selling author, former CEO of the American Red Cross, entrepreneur, and Executive Director for National Cystic Fibrosis for African Americans. This is a businesswoman who has continuously strived for success and pushes herself to new heights. A native of Tuskegee, Alabama now based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Wright is continuing to build her legacy and uplift younger generations while doing so.

A graduate of Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering Dr. Wright decided to continue her education post-graduation. Receiving her master’s in engineering management and industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute becoming the first African American full-time student to earn this degree. She then went on to earn her doctorate from the University of Arkansas in public policy with a double specialization in health and leadership policy.

Raised by two loving parents Dr. Wright was always taught to work hard and push herself to be successful. Her father, being the provider of the household is the one who encouraged her to become an engineer and inspired her to always strive for greatness. Today he still works at Tuskegee University helping students in the biology department get into medical school.

Her mother also played an integral role in her upbringing, nurturing her and her siblings and making sure that they all did what they needed to do to reach their full potential. Both working in synergy to raise her is what she says has made her into the successful person she is today.

Dr. Wright values the impact of service within her community, her engineering background is what inspires her to support underrepresented students in the STEM field. She serves as the President and board chair of the Milton Pitts Crenshaw Aviation Training Academy which aids young people in looking for opportunities to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industry. She is also a board member of the Arkansas Mentoring and Networking Association which is another nonprofit organization that helps to promote opportunities for underrepresented STEM students in the state of Arkansas.

Dr. Wright has started a very important business, My Water Buddy Inc. and foundation. The mission of My Water Buddy is to promote the benefits of drinking water to children and their families for a more fulfilling quality of life through a healthy body. The vision of this company is what inspired her to author and create her very own children’s book The Water Tales: Life Lessons from My Water Buddy and Family. Along with this book Dr. Wright launched a podcast which won the 2021 Accolade Global Film competition award. Alongside her husband she has also started the National Organization of African Americans with Cystic Fibrosis which was established in 2019.

Along with success comes challenges and downfalls and Dr. Wright has had her fair share. “The biggest challenge that I have faced in my career is being taken seriously and valued as an African American female and moreover as an African American female leader,” she says. Overall, she still believes in embracing what comes because the struggles that we endure will always present bigger and better opportunities. “You know the saying take lemons and make lemonade? I took my lemons and grew a lemon farm.”

When asked who or what has impacted her life the most, her immediate response was her relationship with God. She also feels that everyone around her has collectively impacted her life like pieces to a puzzle. Her parents instilled her with training, values, and beliefs that she feels has transformed her into the woman she is today. She also recognizes the influence and support of her husband. The last 20 plus years of their marriage has provided her with balance and a partner to “pick up the baton”. “Without the support of my husband I wouldn’t be the wife and mature woman of God that I am today,” she shares.

In the future she is looking forward to continuing her growth and becoming overall wiser, better, and stronger. Ultimately, she says that she looks forward to making an impact in the lives of others. Her mission in life is to make a difference in the world that will not simply last for today but for generations to come. Dr. Wright believes in the significance of paying it forward and says that is what she was put here to do. h

“The biggest challenge that I have faced in my career is being taken seriously and valued as an African American female and moreover as an African American female leader ........You know the saying take lemons and make lemonade? I took my lemons and grew a lemon farm.”

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By Jalessa Rogers Photos by Lora McClain-Muhammad

Growing up as a black child in America, there is and will always be a need for positive black representation. Author Lora McClain-Muhammad has found the perfect way to show that. She has created coloring books that are the perfect representation for young African American boys and girls to learn and become comfortable in their own skin.

Born and raised in Gary, IN, this former Fortune 500 sales and marketing manager did not dream of becoming an author. Her journey is what she describes in her own words as something that “God kept nudging her to do.”

It all began shortly after graduating from high school. The path she chose was one similar to the one that a lot of members of her family took, entering the corporate world. Instead of attending college, she decided to take an opportunity presented to her. First, she took a test, gained a company’s interest with her gift of gab, and would eventually become a sales and marketing manager, enjoying a career that would span for almost 30 years.

Although she was very occupied with corporate America, she was still able to further her education and attend Park College while in her thirties. These were modest steps that would soon connect the dots of her career as an author.

“Becoming an author was a surprise journey for me and nothing that I even envisioned. However, when my granddaughter was born, I was given the vision to write a coloring book.

Representation matters and I wanted my granddaughter to see a book that looks like her,” stated McClain-Muhammad. After Continued on the next page

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“I found my purpose and my calling doing these books. I’m happier and I feel freer than I’ve ever been. Nothing is better than seeing the smile on the little children’s faces during book signings or hearing them say ‘hey that looks like me....” being given this vision, she went on to create the “I Need You to Know” series with the first coloring book being titled “I Need You to Know the ABCs of Black Girl Magic” with her granddaughter as the cover image. Her second coloring book is titled I Need “You to Know the ABCs of a Young Kings Greatness” with another one that followed titled, “I Need You to Know #You Matter”. Despite the naysayers that tried to discourage her from this journey she was able to sell over 30,000 books and depicted members of her family as the images throughout her collection.

For Lora, it was all about finding her purpose in life. “I found my purpose and my calling doing these books. I’m happier and I feel freer than I’ve ever been. Nothing is better than seeing the smile on the little children’s faces during book signings or hearing them say ‘hey that looks like me” because they genuinely love the book,” she expressed.

Since the world changed because of COVID-19, she has not been able to do inperson book signings. However, she found a safe way to continue to tour and reach a broader audience. “I came up with a virtual book tour, along with five other African American women authors. We were able to reach children a lot further, virtually than in person. During these times of social injustice and unrest, I think that it’s a timely piece to show that representation does matter to our kids. Even more, they need to see themselves depicted beautifully. We address these issues with the release of “I Need You to Know...#You Matter,” explained McClainMuhammad.

Lora is an indie author and will be celebrating her two-year book anniversary this May. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and BAM. h

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Lora McClain-Muhammad www.coloringbookqueen.com 219-616-8180 Charlotte - May/June 2021

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Exclusive Specs for Men and Women

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Chasity Boone The daughter of Candace Boone

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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Evonne Hardee Soapsation Bathtique

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By Arielle Kilgore Photos by Evonne Hardee

Being all-natural has not proven to be a trend, but a way of life for most people. Evonne Hardee and her business SoapSation Bathtique in New York caters to having everything natural so your skin can be the best of the best.

A native of Brooklyn, Evonne started her business on faith and determination. Today, it continues to operate on the very same foundation.

SoapSation Bathtique is an all-natural body store that specializes in making organic products for the skin. Hardee also makes gift baskets full of bath bombs and goodie bags for catered events like baby showers or birthday parties. Her bestseller includes a honey oat milk soap that helps with dry skin or individuals who have eczema. Other products include body oils, cupcake soaps, and facial soaps. Everything is made by hand herself and is specialized to the customer’s needs and wants.

“I do everything myself. It’s my therapy. It’s my happy place. I can make soap in my sleep. It’s just second nature to me at this point,” she shares.

Evonne started her business by giving out soap and other products to her family and friends. Her party favors turned into a business in 2016. “At some point, I decided to let me stop what I’m doing and revamp what I’m doing so I can turn it into a business,” Evonne explains. Likewise, the same year Hardee became homeless. Her determination for creating products and passion for making more effective skincare drove her to keep going.

“It was a struggle, but I kept it going. And I overcame anything that was in the road to stop me,” she says. From then on, the number of batches she produced turned from once a week, into six batches a week for her growing, hungry customers.

Having something real is important to Hardee.

She was always a nature girl and experimental when she was young growing her passion for chemistry and the science behind beautiful skin from Earth’s properties. Research, time, and passion have driven her business and provide her with sustainability. Hardee explains that YouTube and other quick sources are not the keys to a growing business. Dedication and persistence plus engaging with your clients can determine how successful you are going to be. The hobby she formed brought her peace and fortunately helped many people feel amazing about their skin.

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Although Covid-19 proved to be a challenging year for smaller businesses, SoapSation Bathtique rose to the top. Her secret? Covid provided a better connection between Hardee and her clients. It allowed her to focus on the specific needs of her customers with skin problems and show people the light of using things from mother nature to heal your skin.

“Everything that you need for your skin is actually here on Earth. Like it’s in your garden.

It’s everywhere. There are so many natural oils plants, stuff that you can use to moisturize and cleanse and take better care of your skin,” Evonne says.

Most of the products on the shelves have emollients and chemicals that can erode your skin or make skin issues worse, specifically in African American communities. These chemicals can irritate the skin and increase the problems that we already have. Representation matters in the black community. It is the ability to have options and those options be safe and effective.

As an African American woman, it was important for Evonne to have a business that her community could trust and also see progress.

Black communities, especially in starting or growing businesses, experience culticutlure, the annihilation of businesses that carry the same product. The idea of culticutlure can spread doubt and fear of multiple successful black businesses. However, Hardee stands by keeping your dream alive so other people like us can have options and obtain a better lifestyle.

“We need something to help sustain us. To sustain our natural beauty,” she says. It does not matter where you start, she explains the necessity to keep going through hard times.

“And you have to understand that there will be hard times, but if you’re passionate enough about it, you’ll overcome those hard times.

There’s nothing that we can’t do!”

Evonne continues to grow her business with pop-up events starting in New Jersey in June of this year. Providing consistent and quality customer service remains to be one of her highest priorities. You can learn more about Evonne and many of the wonderful products she creates by visiting her website.

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