Aug./Sept. 2024
Volume 2 Issue 7
Southern Thang” The Peach Cobbler Factory - CLE
“It’s A
Teresa
Your Purpose and Promise; It’s All God
A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
In the midst of whatever you are going through, one thing that you must always remember to do is keep your eyes on the prize. By doing so, you are able to avoid any unnecessary distractions. Outside noise and distractions can be dream destroyers. Something else that we must be mindful of is understanding the purpose of our fight. Are you fighting for a prize, or are you fighting just by fighting? The funny thing is that God gives us all a warrior spirit, yet knowing when and how to brawl is key.
A Letter from the Editor
What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?
For me, I hope that when it is all said and done, God sees things the way that I do. That is meant to be funny, but honestly, I am truly grateful for the life He has blessed me with. While everything hasn’t happened as I thought that it would, it’s only by God’s grace that I am here. I would believe this is the testament shared by many, as God shines his love on all of us, without prejudice.
I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.
I also appreciate the times He saved me, even in the midst of wars and battles that I initiated. I realize now that I was actually misusing the benefits of that warrior spirit and following my own direction instead of allowing God to lead me to where the fight would be appropriate and beneficial to His plan. Championship fighters all have something in common: they have someone in their corner to coach and direct them throughout their fights. When I was fighting my own fight and not listening to what God wanted me to do, I really didn’t give myself a fighting chance to win, and I didn’t.
The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.
Our primary goal in life should always be to please God and do what He expects us to do in all situations. It’s ok to be firm and resilient. However, we must always incorporate wisdom into our decision-making. Even when we believe no one is looking, God is always there, in our corner, offering direction and encouragement. Yet, if we can’t hear Him, or if He is tuned out by the things that we allow to distract us, we’re actually denying ourselves access to His promises of triumph.
Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Terry L. Watson
Photo by Shaw Photography Group
The Peach Cobbler Factory-Cle
Akron, OH
Women Making an Impact Akron OBWLC
Akron, OH
New Ward 8 Council Rep. Announced Akron City Council
Cleveland, OH
CMSD Board of Education
Passes East Prof. Center Renaming Res.
Southern, IN
Serving Her Community LaMicra Martin
Dr. Haile Lindsay He is the founder of Lindsay Tutoring Services. Learn more about his services and journey. Bowie, MD
She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one cute kid. Her name is Aubree Henry.
The Mayor of Cleveland Justin M. Bibb
Walker Skin Care & Aesthetics Tenisha Walker
The Mayor of The Town of Walls Keidron Henderson
The POOF Teen Center Destiny Alexander
Women Making an Impact in the Community
The Akron Chapter of the Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus was formed in 1972 as a non-profit, non-political organization. The purpose of OBWLC is to work toward unification for the enhancement and identification of leadership abilities of all Black Women concerned with the issues of everyday living.
The Akron Chapter of the Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus, Inc. is a community service organization. We are a sisterhood comprised of women with diverse educational and occupational backgrounds. We are Black Women from all walks of life. Collectively, we encompass a wide strata ranging from professional career women to professional homemakers. We are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and aunts. We are a sisterhood who share the common goal of supporting and addressing the needs of each other as well as all of our sisters. We understand that networking with all our sisters through the sharing of information, skills, and knowledge is the vital tool that will help us achieve our common goals.
We are Black Women from all walks of life. Collectively, we encompass a wide strata ranging from professional career women to professional homemakers. We are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and aunts. We are a sisterhood who share the common goal of supporting and addressing the needs of each other as well as all of our sisters.
Akron City Council Screening Committee Announces Selection of New Ward 8 Council Representative
At the Monday, July 29th Committee Meeting, the Screening Committee announced the selection of Bruce Bolden as their recommendation for the new Ward 8 Council representative.
Mr. Bolden served previously as Council representative for Ward 1 for six (6) years from 1991 – 1997. During his prior tenure on Akron City Council, he was the Chair for the Public Utilities Committee from 1992-97, Chair of the Public Service Committee from 1997-98, Vice Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee from 1991-97, and on the Public Safety Committee from 199296. Additionally, Bolden was Council’s representative on Joint Economic Development Board for Bath, Copley, and Coventry Townships, and the mayor’s alternate and Treasurer for Summit Akron Solid Waste Management Authority Board.
Brue Bolden was selected from a pool of 20 applicants for the position. The information received from Ward 8 residents during a Town Hall held on July 11th, via emails, and the Ward 8 Neighbors’ Candidate Forum Exit Poll were utilized by the Selection Committee, comprised of Council President Margo Sommerville (Chair), At-Large Councilman Jeff Fusco, Ward 10 Councilwoman Sharon Conner, At-Large Councilman Eric Garrett and Ward 9 Councilwoman Tina Boyles, served to inform the interviews and selection process. Bruce Bolden emerged as one of the top 3 candidates recommended by the Neighbors of Ward 8.
“We are excited to have Bruce Bolden rejoin City Council as the Ward 8 Representative”, said Council President Margo Sommerville. “Bruce is an experienced public servant with a keen understanding of city government and a proven record of accomplishment which readies him to represent the residents of Ward 8 from day one. We have expectations as he commences this new season of public service. We want to thank the Ward 8 residents for engaging in the selection process by sharing their thoughts at the town hall and providing the Exit Poll report from the Ward 8 Neighbors’ Candidates Form.
Council as a whole is scheduled to vote on Mr. Bolden’s appointment at the regularly scheduled Council meeting this evening, July 29th at 6:30 p.m. h
Information obtained from Online Press Release
CMSD Board of Education Passes East Professional Center Renaming Resolution
Information obtained from Online Press Release
On June 11, 2024, the Board of Education for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) passed the resolution to rename its East Professional Center building in honor of Mr. Arnold Pinkney, a former Cleveland Board of Education member. The administration building located in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood will now be known as the Arnold Pinkney East Professional Center.
In 1967, Mr. Pinkney, a leading civil rights activist, accomplished political campaign strategist, and well-known education advocate, was elected to the Cleveland School Board. He served from 1967 until 1971 and held the position of Board Chair from 1971 to 1978.
A key event in Mr. Pinkney’s presidency was the court-ordered desegregation of the District, which is considered to be a contentious period in Cleveland’s and the District’s history. A great deal of the social turbulence has been averted in part due to Mr. Pinkney’s unwavering commitment to eliminating the negative effects of previous desegregation and creating an integrated educational environment for his students during that period.
Sara Elaqad, CMSD Board Chair: “Mr. Pinkney was an inspiring community leader. His legacy demonstrates a commitment to Cleveland’s children and elevates a respect for equity – values that continue to resonate with our Board today. Honoring Mr. Pinkey’s legacy allows us to reflect on where we stand in the course of history and how we will continue to do the work necessary to support our students while centering equity now and, in the future.”
Later this summer, the community will be invited to an event honoring the late Mr. Pinkney and to watch the installation of the new building signage.
City of Cleveland Seeks Applications for 9 Members to Join Community Police Commission in December
Information obtained from Online Press Release
The City of Cleveland is now seeking applications for the Community Police Commission (CPC) for nine commissioners to join the CPC in December. Eligible applicants must be City of Cleveland residents. Those who are interested have until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 6 to apply.
“This is critical work and we want residents who are engaged and genuinely dedicated to improving our entire community,” said Mayor Bibb. “We will employ a fair, transparent process that is informed with community input and I look forward to seeing a diverse, strong pool of candidates who will build on the progress that both the CPC and the City have made on police oversight.”
Once the application period closes, all applications will first be screened for eligibility prescribed by the Charter and then rigorously evaluated with input from community stakeholders to determine the strongest candidates to move forward for interviews. In an effort of transparency, all candidate interviews will be made available to the community via livestream and also will be recorded. Recommendations will be made to the Mayor who will decide on nine nominees that will be sent to the Mayor’s Appointments Committee and City Council for final approval. The candidates will also undergo background checks before being sworn-in.
The 13-member Commission was established in November 2021 when Cleveland voters passed Issue 24. Under the Charter, the CPC is “an independent municipal commission… [who] will respond to community needs and concerns regarding regulation of the City’s police force and community-police relations…” All applicants should closely review Charter Section 115-5 – which outlines the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the CPC and the eligibility criteria to serve on the Commission.
Nine seats will be available in December as six current commissioners’ two-year terms will expire and three, with four-year terms, will step away. The six selected to fill the expiring terms will serve for four years ending in December 2028, per the City Charter. The three chosen to fill the unexpired term will serve the remaining two years, ending in December 2026. Current commissioners whose terms will expire are eligible for reappointment should they choose to apply.
The Peach Cobbler Factory - CLE
WendyLadd
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Wendy Ladd
Wendy Ladd is the franchise owner of two Peach Cobbler Factory locations. One is in Cleveland, OH, and the second is in Clarksville, TN. The Peach Cobbler Factory franchise is the second fastest-growing franchise across the nation. “We are a unique dessert spot. We aim to be the best desert bar in the country. We sell 12 flavors of banana pudding and 12 flavors of cobbler; we sell waffles, bigger and better brownies and cookies, churros, pudding shakes, and cobble shakes. We also make our very own peach tea and cold-brew coffee. Our goal is to make a great experience for the customers who grace our door, she says.
Wendy Ladd describes herself as a follower of Jesus Christ. Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, Wendy grew up in a two-parent household with one sibling. Of her immediate family, she is the only living member. “At my core, I am purpose-driven in Christ,” she says.
Wendy graduated from high school tenth in class. Later she attended college, and obtained her bachelors degree in Nursing from the University of Indianapolis. Her next move found her at Indiana Wesleyan University, where she got her Master’s Degree in business. In addition, Wendy spent about 15 and a half years in the United States Military, serving in the US Navy and the Air Force.
In August of this year, Wendy celebrated 28 years of marriage to her husband, Philip. She has two children: one daughter, who is currently in college and working towards her graduate degree in Speech Pathology, and her son, who is a junior in college and studying Communication.
Her path to entrepreneurship has been sort of unconventional. When she got out of the military as a Nurse Corps Officer, she became a Director of Nursing at a small critical care hospital. When that opportunity went away due to downsizing, she found herself at home with nothing to do. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I thought about opening a same-day surgery practice, amongst other things, and learned about an opportunity on a job posting site that catapulted her into the pharmaceutical industry. I stayed in this industry for twenty years before the dynamics changed and found myself looking for new opportunities,” she says.
In the past, Wendy had no challenges finding new employment opportunities, yet time passed, and nothing happened. “I asked God for direction. I didn’t know what to do. A good friend told me that maybe God wanted me to do something different,” she says. Wendy would soon learn about the franchise opportunities with The Peach Cobbler Factory from a friend. There was a location opening in Charlotte, NC. She visited the location and brought some desserts home for her husband. They both loved them, and Wendy later told him the good news that she had an interest in them becoming a franchisee with the company. Her husband was on board. Next, they would meet with the company’s CEO, who was also a franchisee at his store location. They had a lot of questions about operations, how to build the business, and more. The CEO shared the origins of how The Peach Cobbler Factory began. “It started from an African American couple from New Orleans that had been disenfranchised from Hurricane Katrina. They moved from New Orleans to Nashville and began selling their desserts out of their car. They later moved to Louisville, KY, and opened their first brick-andmortar location. Our CEO found out about the location in Louisville. He was sold, and the franchise was born,” Wendy says. Today, more than 100 peach Cobbler Factory locations are open around the country, with many more going through the process to get started.
“I feel like I am on an assignment.” That is Wendy’s response when asked what she loves most about what she does. “I feel like this is a place where people can come in and forget about the things that are happening outside. There is so much going on, and a lot of it is not positive. Inside our businesses, we have music playing, we have smiles on our faces that greet each customer, and, more importantly, we have an outstanding menu. You will not see a menu like ours anywhere else. People have brought me to tears talking about how good our Peach Cobbler is and how it reminds them of the cobbler they used to eat with their grandmother. It brings people back to the memory of when life was a lot easier, and folks were a lot kinder. We put a lot of love into what we do. We actually have a shirt here that says “Love In A Cup, That’s what we are serving here,” Wendy says.
Wendy and her company are committed to supporting the interests of members of her community, and she has formed various partnerships with individuals and organizations in and around Cleveland. One is The Spirit of Excellence, which works with high-functioning, mentally challenged adults. Wendy is able to offer the organizations’ clients a place to come and help contribute to what they do. “Being able to work with them brings me great joy, and I look forward to working with them each week they come,” she says. Additionally, many of the employees at Wendy’s are high school students. “I am able to speak into them. We assume these young minds are getting this at home, but it’s an assumption, and oftentimes, it’s a wrong assumption. Not only can their teachers speak to them, but they have an employer that can do the same. Many of our young employees are African Americans, and that brings me joy as well. That is why I feel that I am on an assignment by God, and I am trying to fulfill that assignment to the best of my ability.”
Named by her mother, Wendy says she didn’t like the name as a young girl. “I associated my name with someone who doesn’t look like me,” she says. Her mother is also the person who impacted Wendy’s life the most. Growing up, Wendy’s mother had her involved in many activities, such as figure skating, gymnastics, and swimming. “She was imparting into me at a young age and I didn’t realize what she was doing for me at the time. I would be the only black girl in these programs. I sang in a group called “The Singing Angels” and went all around the world. By the time I was in the sixth grade, I had already traveled to Rome and Germany. She also had my brother involved in hockey. I recall her telling us not to close ourselves off just because of where we live. She foresaw some things in our lives that would help us as adults.”
When asked if there is anything she would change about how things have happened for her in life, Wendy says there are so many things that have happened, but she is unsure about changing anything. “Experience. That is the only way you are going to grow and develop. If I came into this knowing everything, what is the point? I would have never imagined that after 36 years of being a healthcare professional, I would be in the dessert business,” she states.
Looking ahead, Wendy plans to continue building up business for The Peach Cobbler Factory. She hopes to open another location in Cleveland and form additional partnerships with community stakeholders. She also plans to start a podcast that will allow women of color who are in their mature seasons of life to discuss issues that matter to them. If you are in Cleveland, OH, or Clarksville, TN, stop by The Peach Cobbler Factory and enjoy some of their delicious desserts. h
Mayor
Town of Walls - Desoto County
By Terry L. Watson
Keidron Henderson has a strong affinity for the Town of Walls, MS, one of the main reasons why he became Mayor. “I just wanted to serve,” he says.
Upon being elected, Keidron Henderson rewrote the history books. He is not only the first African American Mayor in the town of Walls but also the first African American Mayor of any municipality in DeSoto County’s history. In the mid-90s, Desoto County became the third fastest-growing county in the United States, and even today, it remains the fastestgrowing county in the state of Mississippi. With a population of nearly 1,300, Walls is the slowest-growing part of Desoto County, and Mayor Keidron has made a commitment to serve and do what is needed to move his county forward.
That commitment was made in 2020 when he was elected Mayor, and in five years, things have happened. Before being elected, Walls did not have a new subdivision to break ground in over a decade. Under his leadership, they have broken ground on four new subdivisions, they have the largest Solar Farm in Mississippi, and the town’s Fire Station is vamping up its training to accommodate its staff in-house. They have also added more officers to the Police Department and additional MTE’s to the Municipal Office. Even today, they do not have a bank or grocery store, but Mayor Henderson remains optimistic. In all of their growth and changes, Keidron has kept his focus on maintaining his town’s quality of life.
Keidron Henderson is a native of Walls, Mississippi. He attended Horn Lake High School and later went on to attend The University of Mississippi. His ultimate goal was to play professional football in the National Football League, though his dream was sidelined due to injuries he suffered in high school and college. He is a husband, a father of four, and has two grandchildren.
Mayor Henderson is a “casino guy.” He has worked in the casino business for over 20 years, which was his first job after graduating college. While the compensation for being Mayor doesn’t cover all of his family’s needs, Mayor Henderson continues to work in the casino industry today.
Photos by Mayor Keidron Henderson
When asked what he loves most about what he does, Mayor Henderson says it’s the service part of it. “We have spearheaded some great events. The senior population is often left out of the equation when communities plan grandiose events. We have made it a priority not to exclude this portion of our population and create activities and opportunities just for them. Our youth are very important as well. Recently, we gave away free backpacks and free haircuts, as well as lunch during an event. We were also able to partner with the YMCA and their Delivering Smiles program. Parents were able to get free meals for their kids. Being a part of programs such as these and bringing stakeholders together makes it all worth it,” he shares.
Recently, Mayor Henderson lost his mother, Betty J. Henderson. That loss is something that he continues to deal with, and he says she had the most significant impact on his life. “When you are seventeen years old, and you see your dreams dissipate from your eyes, your mother will say some encouraging things to you. She told me that God didn’t probably have the NFL in my plan, but He had great things in my plan. My mother spent thirty-three days in the hospital, and we talked about some great things in her final days. She reminded me of the conversation we had about me doing great things. Being Mayor is an example of having the opportunity to do great things in terms of service. She taught me to love people and always to be humble. She taught me that no matter what type of success I was able to be blessed with, always to be humble and love people. That skill has served me well, not only in being Mayor but also in my professional career. It’s not easy, but it is a learnable skill that my mama taught me,” he shares.
When you are seventeen years old, and you see your dreams dissipate from your eyes, your mother will say some encouraging things to you. She told me that God didn’t probably have the NFL in my plan, but He had great things in my plan.
Mayor Henderson also credits Gary Anderson with having a significant impact on his life. Gary was the Vice President of Start Operations at Horse Shoe Casino. He moved to Mississippi to open a new market in the early 90s. “He took me under his wing and became my personal mentor. He taught me how to protect margins, financial attributes, casino design, budgeting, forecasting; Literally everything that I know about the Casino industry, he taught me,” Mayor Henderson shares.
It is apparent that Mayor Henderson’s journey has been full of twists and turns, and he professes there isn’t much that he would change about the way things have happened. “You learn something from every fork in the road that you take. God has given me this journey, and it is designed to fulfill His purpose in my life. Every challenge and every setback is already written. If I had the power to change anything, it would be for my mother to be healthy. I wouldn’t have wanted for her to develop her sickness, and she would be here to see the things that I am doing. This is my journey, and I just want to make sure that when God comes for me, I don’t have any music left in my music box,” he says.
Looking ahead, Mayor Henderson says that he is looking forward to making the Town of Walls, MS, better for all citizens. Due to its geographical location and close relationship to Memphis, TN, Walls has a lot of potential on various fronts. “My focus as Mayor is to move our town forward. I want to do more of what we have already been doing. I want to provide access to all citizens. For any stakeholders in our community who want to be a part of furthering our town forward, the door is wide open for them. The door is wide open for everyone, and no one has to look in the peephole.”
Walker Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic
By Terry L. Watson
Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, Taneka Walker has committed her life to serving and helping others.
Taneka is a dedicated family nurse practitioner. After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and served her country while simultaneously pursuing her passion for nursing. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wright State University. She added to her educational merits and obtained two graduate degrees: a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing. Beyond her professional achievements, Taneka is a loving mother of two. She retired from the military in April 2023 after serving for 25 years. “My commitment to both my family and career exemplifies my dedication to helping others and living life to the fullest,” she says.
Today, Taneka is the owner of Walker Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic, based in Houston, TX. The Brand is wellness and aesthetics, and their tagline is “Experience Wellness The Walker Way”. Her company began in 2022 under the parent name of The Scalp Boss. Taneka shares that The Scalp Boss was founded based on the personal challenges she faced in her everyday life, such as alopecia and the pressure and stress of maintaining military weight standards. These experiences fueled her passion to create solutions that help others overcome similar struggles. “Our mission is to provide support and effective treatments for those dealing with hair loss and weight management issues, empowering them to lead more confident and fulfilling lives.”
Now operating under the name Walker Wellness and Aesthetics Clinic, her goal is to provide a range of services tailored for individuals looking to regain their lost confidence, whether due to hair loss, weight gain, aging, or the challenges of everyday life. Their offerings include Hair Restoration, Medical Wigs, Medical Weight Loss programs, Botox and Aesthetic treatments, and DOT examinations.
Our mission is to provide support and effective treatments for those dealing with hair loss and weight management issues, empowering them to lead more confident and fulfilling lives.
Photos by Taneka Walker
As a nurse practitioner and business owner, Taneka admits that she loves restoring confidence in her clients. She also professes to be a firm believer in the power of knowledge and takes great joy in educating her clients and empowering them to become the best version of themselves.
Taneka adds that her original focus was on aesthetics and hair loss services, but the services that have garnered the most attention have been weight loss services. “Despite it being my passion, I realized the need and started to provide the services that made a difference for my clients. It forced me to look at the market differently, and due to an agile business response, I was able to re-brand and offer the original service but put more focus on overall wellness. Developing that service line forced me to pivot and adjust to the needs of others. One of my slogans was restoring confidence one strand at a time. Now I’m restoring health one pound at a time. Learning to be agile has been one of the best moves I have made as a small business owner,” she says.
Developing a business from the ground up has been very challenging, Taneka says. “My challenge was developing an entire business model revolving around aesthetics and hair loss. I learned that when you have created a business model around one aspect and another aspect takes off, it creates challenges. Resources were tied into that promotion, but the other services that were not as funded started to take off. As a business owner, I learned to adjust and start to do what the customer requests. I made changes and started to market appropriately out of my own pocket to fund this new line of business. What I learned from this is to adjust and understand what to put the resources on and make changes that keep you afloat. You can be stubborn and close, or you can be agile and adaptable; making the changes and becoming Walker Wellness has been a move that has positioned me for sustainability moving forward.”
Branding and marketing are some other consistent challenges that Taneka has faced. From navigating ever-changing algorithms to keeping up with the latest social media trends. She says, “The digital landscape evolves rapidly, requiring constant adaptation and creativity to stay relevant. It can be overwhelming to manage these demands while also focusing on providing top-notch services to clients. However, these challenges also present opportunities to connect with a broader audience and showcase the unique value our clinic offers. By staying agile and embracing innovative marketing strategies, I aim to build a strong, recognizable brand that resonates with our community.”
Looking ahead, Taneka plans to expand her practice by opening several locations throughout the Houston and Dallas areas. This growth will allow her to serve more clients and bring herr specialized care to a wider community. Additionally, she plans to introduce new services and innovative treatments to stay at the forefront of wellness and aesthetics. “By continually evolving and improving, I aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of even more individuals seeking to regain their confidence and well-being.”
www.walkerwellness.org h
Learn More About My Experience of Being A Caregiver For My Mother
By Terry L. Watson
CHAPTER FIVE: Adapting To New Difficulties
Throughout the caregiving experience for my Mother, one thing has always been consistent: one day is never the same as the day before.
Adapting to the constant change has also helped me to learn a lot of new things about myself. I have been known to be a little anxious and impatient; however, while caring for my Mother, that responsibility has always required a new level of patience. Furthermore, while watching others care for her, some professionally trained, some serving from the depths of their hearts, I have always measured their efforts by how they respond during difficult moments. Being a caregiver requires that the person administering the care possesses one important gift: the ability to care for someone just as much or even more than they would care for themselves.
When I decided to bring my Mother into my home to live, I admit that I didn’t fully understand what I was getting myself into. (For details about my thoughts at the time, please read Chapter One of this series.) It’s Mom, and I am here for whatever she needs, yet caring for her needs has been so much more than that.
To know my Mom, I mean to truly understand her; you also understand the significance and importance of her visits to the hair salon. Within the first month of arriving at my home, I was seeking ways to help make her feel more like her old self. Her physicians had informed our family that Mom would never be the old version of herself, and due to the damage of the brain injury she endured, she would have little or no memory of what life used to be for her. Still, getting her to the salon, I thought, would provide a place to connect, socialize, and embrace her womanness among other women. For the most part, my Mother spent a lot of time with me, her grown son, and by God’s grace, she didn’t lose her genuine self. Getting her to a former place where she blossomed into her full beauty, I believed, would be good for her.
The day arrived for Mom to visit her stylist, and when presence was made inside the building, her emotions began to rise from within. There were some tears, but I processed those to be representatives of some emotions that had been silenced for nearly four months. Her stylist was happy to see her, and my Mom was even happier to see her, but I was more astonished by the first thing that my Mother said to her stylist. “Look what happened to me?” I knew then it was my time to sit in the waiting room as she had arrived in her element, and she was about to receive some much-needed healing and therapy from her personal hairstylist.
When my Mother’s session was complete, we got back into my car and headed back home. Of course, I took some photos of her fresh, new style. She was popping, and I was sure to capture this moment for her and my family, who weren’t there. It was refreshing to see her look sort of like her old self but even more beautiful. I felt as if I was looking at a new version of her, free of the toxins that played a role in leading up to her stroke. I also realized that ensuring that each day for the rest of her days is better and more memorable than each day before. I am a son first and then a caregiver. h
I decided to share my experience as a full-time caregiver for my mother to consult, console, and inform other families who may be going through a similar situation. As a son, caring for my mother never feels like work; if so, it is a labor of love. Please continue to follow this message, Becoming A Caregiver, in Huami Magazine. I hope that sharing my experience will help others. From one caregiver to the next, God Bless You!
P.O.O.F. Teen Center
By Terry L. Watson
Planning Our Own Future, or Planning Our Own Funeral; that is the meaning of the organization’s name, P.O.O.F. The double acronym was chosen by the groups founder and director Destiny Alexander, as she wanted to send two messages. “We teach funeral in terms of legacy not tragedy,” she says.
Destiny says she started her program three years ago, but the vision and the volunteer work started over eight years ago. “POOF began after I became pregnant with my son when I was only 19 years old. His father was sentenced to 25 years in prison when I was eight months pregnant. I understood that he had three things going against him coming into this world: He was a black male, his father was in prison, and society told us he had a higher chance of going to prison because, last but not least, I was a high school dropout. This was a lot, but I knew I had to do something different with him. I had to work to make ends meet. Because of the things that I instilled in him early on, he started planning his own future. He graduated from one of the best schools in the state of North Carolina, The School Math & Science. We both learned that society doesn’t define us. He’s currently enrolled in college on a full ride,” she says.
Photos Provided by Destiny Alexander
Destiny is a native of Durham, the Bull City. She is a North Carolina Central University Graduate and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s in Public Administration. In addition to her son, Destiny has a daughter who is a senior at the City of Medicine and a 10-year-old German Shepherd, Pebbles. “My testimony is short and sweet. I was a single mom, a high school dropout, and financially unstable. I embodied nearly every stereotype imaginable. However, through it all, I’ve learned that society does not define me—I define myself. These are the lessons I aim to impart to the teens we work with. We teach them that as long as they hold onto their morals, values, and beliefs, they can achieve great things in life. I understand that change is possible, and despite some teens being dismissed due to their behavior, I believe that in the right environment, at the right time, change can occur, especially with teens.”
A nonprofit organization, The POOF program is an entrepreneurship pathway program with three pillars: financial literacy, world travel, and life preparation. Each of these pillars is designed to equip teens with essential life skills. Financial literacy is facilitated through the establishment of savings accounts, providing a foundation for financial understanding and responsibility. World travel is encouraged through obtaining and learning about passports, enabling teens to broaden their horizons and experience different cultures firsthand. Life preparation emphasizes the significance of life insurance, ensuring that the importance of this aspect is understood within the black community.
Destiny says, “Our program follows the carrot approach, where we don’t dangle goals so far out of reach that teens give up. We believe in creating a safe space where teens can progress at a pace that suits them. Within the first 30 days of joining our program, they can achieve a milestone (bite a carrot), and within 60 days, they can accomplish another (second bite of the carrot). By 90 days, they are on their second carrot, signifying progress and growth. Our approach is centered around building routines and a safe space of trust, allowing us to understand the needs and aspirations of each teen. We guide them towards further programs, support them in continuing with the travel component, or provide them with the necessary skills within our program. Trust is a crucial component in our work, and once established, it forms the basis for our continued progress and impact in working with teens.”
More than anything, Destiny shares that she loves seeing teens acting their age in a safe space where they can have fun being around each other, not tearing them down. “I enjoy watching their grades go up. I enjoy all of it. I enjoy that we are creating law-abiding citizens and not being part of a statistics,” she says.
For most nonprofit organizations, funding can be a real hurdle, and for Destiny and The POOF Teen Center, this also has been the case. Destiny shares that she annually invests $67,000 solely for the building costs of the space they operate in. That is in addition to expenses for food and facilitating activities for the teens. To ensure their teens have a safe and conducive learning environment, she has allocated over $100,000 towards these efforts. “While I have
not completely overcome this challenge, I am actively seeking solutions. One approach I am exploring is having a dedicated team member focus on grant writing to secure additional funding. This will not only allow me to continue impacting the teens we currently serve but also expand our reach and impact to a broader audience,” she says.
Moving forward, Destiny says her next objective is to acquire a permanent space for the program. “I am excited about the prospect of creating a dedicated teen space where they can feel like they’re stepping into a different world. Currently, we rent out our space for events to help offset building costs. My dream, hope, and goal are to purchase a space by 2026 that we can transform into a genuine teen center, resonating with the vibe and atmosphere teens desire,” she says.
To learn more about the POOF Teen Center, please visit their website. h
Justin M. Bibb The Mayor of Cleveland
As the 58th Mayor of the great City of Cleveland, Ohio, Justin M. Bibb is putting people and neighborhoods first, delivering high-quality city services and leading bold change. The Bibb Administration is building a stronger and safer Cleveland and modernizing City Hall to maximize access, transparency and equity.
On January 3, 2022, Mayor Bibb took the oath of office as the city’s first millennial mayor. In just two years, his administration has made major progress on a wide range of initiatives from unprecedented support for public safety through his Raising Investment in Safety for Everyone (RISE) Initiative to a $15 million American Rescue Plan investment to kick start a robust plan for the revitalization of Cleveland’s Southeast Side.
Under Mayor Bibb’s leadership, the City of Cleveland has its first new website in decades and has undertaken a complete overhaul of the 311 resident communication system to dramatically improve city services and access. Mayor Bibb also introduced his Residents First housing agenda in 2023 to give city departments the tools they need to crack down on predatory landlords and abate nuisance properties across Cleveland.
Cleveland is rapidly moving toward becoming one of North America’s first 15-minute cities and Mayor Bibb’s visionary Shore-to-Core-to-Shore strategy and new master plans for the Lake Erie lakefront and Cuyahoga Riverfront aim to make Cleveland one of the most desirable and attractive two-waterfront cities in the nation. Thanks to this work, Cleveland is back into the national conversation for all the right reasons.
In 2024, Mayor Bibb became chair of Climate Mayors, a bipartisan network of more than 750 U.S. mayors focused on ambitious climate action. Through this platform, Mayor Bibb is driving meaningful and equitable climate justice work in cities like Cleveland, which continue to experience climate vulnerability due to historic disinvestment. He was also elected Vice President of the Democratic Mayors Association.
For the first time in decades, Cleveland has a leadership role in the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where Mayor Bibb is an active member of the advisory board and serves as chair of the Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports Standing Committee. Mayor Bibb also serves on the board of the Ohio Mayors Alliance and is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition.
Mayor Bibb was born and raised on Cleveland’s southeast side in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. Over the past 15 years, Mayor Bibb has worked in government, business and the nonprofit sector as an executive and nonprofit leader. He started his career in public service working for President Obama when he was in the U.S. Senate and later at Cuyahoga County as a special assistant advising on education and economic development policies. He led the Global Cities Practice at global research firm Gallup, served as Vice President at KeyBank and was Chief Strategy Officer at Urbanova, a startup focused on improving cities.
Mayor Bibb is a proud American University alumnus with an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies. He completed the General Course Programme with an emphasis in Social Policy and Economics from the London School of Economics and is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Law (JD).
A Dedicated Professional & Community Leader
By Terry L Watson
Photos Provided by LaMicra Martin
LaMicra Martin of Indiana describes herself as a dedicated professional and community leader.
She has enjoyed a career in health administration, focusing on improving patient experience, safety, and quality care, which has spanned 26-plus years. LaMicra is also a fellow Hoosier Women Forward Alumni, an organization that acts as a political and civic leadership training program designed to empower Democratic women to become more active participants in politics and leaders in their communities. In 2018, LaMicra ran for the position of Floyd County Commissioner in Indiana, followed by a run for Floyd County Auditor in Indiana in 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration/Health Information Systems and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, she is the sitting Vice President of the Indiana Democratic African-American Caucus (IDAAC) of Indiana.
While serving to meet the needs of her community, LaMicra founded Brothers Reaching Up Higher (B.R.U.H.), a 501c3 nonprofit organization that encourages positive self-esteem and self-worth for young men aged 10-19.
The areas of focus for B.R.U.H are Life Skills, Mental Health, Trade Careers, and Entrepreneurial Guidance. With Life Skills, LaMicra says, “Our community is rich with individuals eager to share their expertise. We collaborate with mentors, professionals, and volunteers who guide our B.R.U.H. young men in developing essential life skills. With Mental Health, we are aware that depression and anxiety disproportionately affect young men, who often lack access to mental health resources. At B.R.U.H., we prioritize self-awareness, self-confidence, and open communication to promote mental well-being.”
As my boys were growing up, their friends would come and stay and hang out all day if they were not in school. Some of the friends would stay longer than normal, which led to the question of what was going on with the home front.
Many trades offer on-the-job training or vocational education. With its Trade Career service, LaMicra’s organization seeks partnerships with companies willing to invest in young men, equipping them with valuable trade skills for a successful future. Finally, with their Entrepreneurial Guidance, they utilize engaging workshops to empower youth with the technical skills necessary for starting their own businesses and pursuing rewarding careers.
B.R.U.H. was created in 2019 for young men. LaMicra shares, “As my boys were growing up, their friends would come and stay and hang out all day if they were not in school. Some of the friends would stay longer than normal, which led to the question of what was going on with the home front. After learning some of their home challenges, I decided to try to give an alternative to living. B.R.U.H. teaches real-life skills and provides mental health check-ins with a licensed therapist.”
In addition to Brother Reaching Up Higher (B.R.U.H), LaMicra also manages Martin & Associates LLC. Martin & Associates LLC offers Event Planning and Coordination, Event Design and Décor, Catering Services, Entertainment and Activities, Audio-Visual Services, On-Site Management, and Notary Services. Martin & Associates LLC derived from LaMicra’s Gifts & Décor, a home-based business that decorated for events and made items for decorations. “We collectively combined and added to the business, including notary services in 2018,” she says.
LaMicra says that she loves bringing joy to her clients. “Our services are designed to create memorable and successful events tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of our clients. Creating a space for individuals and families to have a day to celebrate their joys, accomplishments, birthdays, and dreams, and knowing that we are a part of their occasion, inspires me daily,” she says.
As a business owner, LaMicra has faced some adversities. One was ensuring a steady cash flow and also managing finances effectively. Attracting new clients to continue to build a loyal customer base, which takes time and effort is another challenge she has faced. Staying ahead of competitors, which can be difficult, to differentiate their services and maintain a competitive edge is another challenge she has faced.
LaMicra’s future plans involve continuing to support her community in the capacities that she is able to. Her plans also involve assisting with finding the right vendors and venues for her clients’ events. h
Dr. Lindsay Tutoring Services
By Terry L. Watson
Lindsay Tutoring Services moves by the motto “Providing tutoring excellence in the subjects of science, math, and engineering.” Owned and founded by Rev. Dr. Haile K. Lindsay, Lindsay Tutoring Services focuses on serving students of all types, from children to adults, from elementary school to college. They offer a variety of services that focus on the following topics: Math, Science, Engineering, and Standardized Test Preparation.
Math: These services include Elementary School Math, Middle School Math, Middle School/High School Algebra I, High School Algebra II, High School Geometry, High School Trigonometry, High School/College Precalculus, High School/ College Calculus, and College Calculus.
Science: These services include Elementary School Science, Middle School Science, High School Physics, High School Chemistry, College Physics, and College Chemistry.
General Engineering: The services offered include General Engineering, Statics, Mechanical Engineering Design, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, and Thermodynamics.
Standardized Test Preparation: Services offered include SAT Prep for Mathematics and ACT Prep for Mathematics.
Dr. Lindsay is a native of Greensboro, NC, and resides in Bowie, Maryland. He is the only child of the late Janice Foust and the youngest of two of Michael Friday. Dr. Lindsay matriculated through Guilford County Schools and graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1997. After Dudley, he attended NC A&T State University in Greensboro, NC, and majored in Mechanical Engineering. Due to the favor of God, the support of his family and hard work, Dr. Lindsay earned a B.S. (summa cum laude) in 2001, a M.S. in 2003, and a PhD in 2007.
After completing his studies at NC A&T, Dr. Lindsay accepted a job with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), where he has been employed since 2008. While at the NRC, some of his accolades include the Special Recognition Award at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards in February 2013, the NRC’s EEO Award for African Americans in 2014, and the NRC’s Meritorious Service Award for EEO Excellence in 2021.
Dr. Lindsay has been happily married to his wife, Pamela, for almost 20 years, and they have three children, Tory, Tiras, and Tierra, and four grandchildren: Micah, Kassius, Victoria,
and Tory, Jr. Additionally, Dr. Lindsay serves as an associate minister at The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square in Upper Marlboro, MD, and has been a member there since 2009. He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2015.
After years of serving as a tutor for a couple of companies in the area, Dr. Lindsay made the decision to launch Lindsay Tutor Services in 2016. He shares he knew that all he had to do was trust God in the process. “Lindsay Tutoring Services is grateful to God for providing us the opportunity to tutor some great young men, women, and adults. We have had numerous students matriculate through high school and onto college. Over this past year, we’ve had a hand in two young men who graduated from high school and now are headed to Morgan State University and Virginia State University, respectively,” he says.
When asked what he loves most about what he does, Dr. Lindsay says it’s the opportunity to see his clients excel and gain confidence in the work they are doing. He also loves the opportunity to serve and mentor others. Those are understandable joys of success. However, with success also comes challenges. Lindsay Tutoring Services has been forced to learn how to manage a flow of steady clientele coupled with having so many other responsibilities; though challenging, it appears that he has adapted quite well.
Moving forward, Dr. Lindsay shares that he plans to continue to impact lives by providing tutoring excellence to clients in the subjects of science, math, and engineering. He also plans to continue to make a digital footprint on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. “Our company will continue to grow thanks in large part to the parents and clients who believed in Lindsay Tutoring Services,” he says.
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Photos by Dr. Haile Lindsay
