Your assignment is not the assignment of everyone else. Once I learned what those nine words truly meant, my focus on life changed. Of course, I have been told that God gives His toughest battles to His strongest warriors, but that memo didn’t include details of when the battles would end. Instead of sticking my chest out during my victories and hanging my head during the moments of defeat, I’ve decided to learn from each circumstance, and by doing so, I am prepared for the next battle with each new day.
The best advice I have ever given myself is to be satisfied in my attempts to be better. When I first launched Huami Magazine, I was presented with a situation that adversely impacted the quality of my relatively new publication. I was frustrated, but I also knew what had occurred and why it happened. The idea of quitting never came into my mind, even while I sat motionless, staring at the balled-up copy in reference. I didn’t know then, but God was preparing me for something greater.
In November of this year, we will begin our seventeenthanniversary celebration of the birth of Huami Magazine. When I think about all of the layouts, the photo shoots, the interviews, and the distributions that have taken place, all I can say is God has been faithful and continues to keep His promise.
Had I given up in the beginning, the stories and testimonies of countless individuals may have never been published. Had I given in to the pressure of operating in the unknown, my mother would have never been able to mail magazines to her friends. Had I not decided to pour everything I have in me into producing something my community would celebrate, the hope that others have in God doing a great work for them may not exist.
All of my assignments have come with a lot of responsibility. What is more interesting is that the same set of instructions has accompanied them all: to seek God first and operate according to His plans. My assignment is not everyone else’s, and I know everything I desire is connected to how it aligns with God’s plan. Learn your assignment and align it with God. He will handle the rest for you.
By Terry L. Watson
She is committed to addressing the needs of her community. Whether it be in the form of volunteering or sharing her resources, Malika Williams is there for it.
Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Malika was originally a foster child. “I went to foster care when I was 14. During that time, it was really hard for me to get placement, mainly because families weren’t interested in taking in teens. By the time I was 16, I was pregnant; when I turned 17, I was incarcerated. I vowed to do better, guide others to become productive regardless of their situation, and spread love,” she says. Malika’s experiences fuel her desire to make a difference and show others that opportunities exist beyond what they see.
Malika attended and graduated from Phillip Murray Wright High School. Next, she received an associate degree from McCone Community College in Business Administration. In 2020, she graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies. Today, Malika is the Executive Director and founder of L.I.V.E. Outreach. The areas of focus for The L.I.V.E. Outreach are education, responsibility and accountability, mentoring, sex education, ACT/SAT preparation, financial literacy, volunteering, resume and cover letter preparation, goal setting, and more.
Malika believes that education is a key component to a successful future. “It is essential that The L.I.V.E Outreach provides each child with the necessary resources to their individual need.” In regard to accountability, she emphasizes that children must understand that failure is not an option and that success is a choice. “Having a positive attitude with a determined mindset is what we practice. No matter your background or situation,” she says.
“I went to foster care when I was 14. By the time I was 16, I was pregnant; when I turned 17, I was incarcerated.”
L.I.V.E. is very active in the Detroit community. Launched in 2014, they conduct community clean-ups, feed people experiencing homelessness, and mentor the youth, and within the last year, they’ve expanded their program to include males between the ages of 12 and 17. Furthermore, L.I.V.E. is designed for individuals representing a younger version of herself. “Our mission is to contribute and sustain adequate resources and tools for children and their families in our communities. L.I.V.E. utilizes all available resources to ensure we give the proper tools to children that will enable them to become successful, productive adults,” she says.
Originally, Malika started by volunteering at Vista Maria, a facility where she was once housed. “I mentored there and helped in any area I could. That experience was very fulfilling, and soon, I began looking for ways to do more. That is how my program was created,” she says. “We began by helping young teens, young women specifically, who were transitioning from foster care to independent living.”
Some of the partnerships that L.I.V.E. Outreach has been with Wayne State University, which has provided various resources for L.I.V.E., along with volunteers and more. What Malika loves most about what she does is having an impact on those she serves. “It’s not always on the individuals I serve, it’s also on those who are seeking to do something similar to me,” she says.
What is next for Malika and L.I.V.E. Outreach? Her answer is to do her part to restore love and hope in her community. “There is a lot of blight in Detroit. There are a lot of empty buildings. I hope to gain funding and create a hub for our youth. There are only a few recreational centers available. The downtown scene has changed. When visitors come here, they may be blown away. In one part of the city, it looks one way, but if you travel to another part, it looks totally different. I want to secure a solid foundation and help more people,” she says.
If you want to do what Malika does, you must be consistent. Detroit is not an easy city to succeed in Malika says. You have to be patient and tough. “Proper planning prevents poor performance,” Malika says.
For those who like to learn more about L.I.V.E. Outreach, please visit their website.
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www.liveoutreach.org
Adrian E. Miller regards himself as the Soul Food Scholar who is dropping knowledge like hot biscuits. The Dever, CO, native has enjoyed careers in various arenas. He is a recovering attorney, a former Politico, and an author. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Colorado Council of Churches. In his role, he brings people together across denominational lines in the Christian faith tradition, and they collectively do social justice work.
He focused on commercial litigation as an attorney, but the main focus was employment law. “That area of focus was not what I really wanted to do. I wanted to do corporate law, assist entrepreneurs in building their businesses, and help them develop an exit strategy. But, when you go work for a big law firm, they plug you in where they need you. It just wasn’t for me, and it got to the point where I was singing spirituals in my office,” he says.
As the Council of Churches, Adrian oversees 13 Christian denominations, representing over 800 churches in Colorado. Adrian primarily works with the mainline protestant denominations and strives to get people to connect people outside of their church walls and denomination walls. “Most people only relate to people in their church. I try to connect people in the broader Christian community and collectively do social justice work. We are a lot stronger than we are separately,” he shares.
Adrian’s journey also includes a stint with him working in the White House with former President Bill Clinton. The program he worked on was called The President’s Initiative for One America, an outgrowth of President Clinton’s initiative on race, which the late John Hope Franklin chaired.
As mentioned, Adrian is regarded as the Soul Food Scholar, a self-proclamation derived by Adrian. The books he has written on this subject matter include Soul Food: The Surprising Story of American Cuisine, One Plate At a Time, The President’s Kitchen Cabinet, and Black Smoke: African Americans and The United States of Barbeque.
Adrian says, “I am self-taught, and I arrived at this title due to unemployment. After leaving my stint at the White House, I was trying to get back to Colorado and start my political career. The job market was really slow, and I watched a lot of daytime television. In the depth of my depravity, I decided to read something and purchased a book from a local bookstore titled The History of Southern Food, written by John Edgerton. In his book, John said the tribute to black achievement in American cooking has yet to be written. I found that to be very interesting. I decided to reach out to him and see if he thought that was still true. John said he did and believed that no one had taken on the full story. With no qualifications at all, besides eating a lot of soul food and cooking it some, I started on the journey to answer my own question,” he says.
Adrian headed back to Denver, and upon arriving, he got into politics. In his spare time, Adrian would read everything he could get his hands on about African-American food traditions. This included 3,500 oral histories about formerly enslaved people, 500 cookbooks, half of them authored by black people, and thousands of magazine and newspaper articles and talked to hundreds of people. Adrian shares that because he cares about his subject so dearly, he decided to eat his way through the country; he visited 150 soul food restaurants in 35 cities in 15 states. That exploration lasted about the course of a year and a half.
In regards to soul food, Adrian says his favorite dish is greens. “I love soul food greens. My favorite is mustard and turnip greens without the turkey. My mom is from Chattanooga, TN, and she cooked mustard and turnip greens. I learned there is a regional difference in the preference for greens. If you are from the Deep South, you will most likely eat collards. If you are from the mid-Atlantic, you will likely enjoy kale. I also love bone-in-fried Catfish. I love that,” he says.
In his travels to learn more about soul food, Adrian says what shocked him was learning the narrative that it was created by white people for black people as the food they did not want. “In doing my studies, I learned the Southern food story has more to do with class and place than it is about race. So, pretty much, African Americans of the same socioeconomic class are eating the same foods.”
He also gained a deeper appreciation of the African influences on soul food. “Before, I didn’t know much about African influence. I learned that African’s brought some of their foods to America from Africa and adapted to some things in America. I saw a lot more agency in trying to shape their foods while in the most horrific circumstances.”
Adrian says that due to his research, he has become inspired by the celebration of African-American cuisine. “I observed how the African American food tradition was heavily criticized while others were not. I wanted to know what was up with that. If you investigate the nutritional facts of other cuisines, you can’t argue they are healthier than soul food. I thought that something else must be going on. I learned that it is criticized because it is strongly associated with slavery and poverty. It is also believed to be inherently unhealthy. I wanted to unpack that and sort out fact from fiction. I also wanted to celebrate what we’ve brought to the table in terms of the cooks, the cuisine, and the culture,” he says.
For those interested in venturing on a journey similar to that of Adrian, the Soul Food Scholar, he offers some advice that may help along the way. “First of all, you have to do the work. It is so tempting to take a shortcut, but that often leads to mistakes. You must keep receipts because there are people who will doubt you, especially within the African-American culture. Also, find your bliss and that which sings to your heart and soul, and share your dream with others because that might open new doors of opportunity for you,” he says.
Please visit his website to learn more about Adrian Miller and purchase copies of his books.
S. Kaye Latimer-Ellerbe’s mission is to inspire and empower others through practical and spiritual guidance. Her favorite life scripture is 3 John 1:2 (Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers), which is always at the forefront of her mind as she challenges God’s people to live up to their full potential.
Born in South Carolina but now residing in Philadelphia, PA, Kaye is married to Reverend James B. Ellerbe, and together they have four daughters. She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Currently, Kaye is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Technology.
Professionally, Kaye owns and manages One Accord Ministries, INC, and On Point Events LLC. One Accord Ministries Inc., a nonprofit organization, is committed to serving the Lord and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truths of God’s word. Their work is done through live drama presentations that consists of dramatization, dance, and spoken word. “Our services are designed to reach the hearts of the lost and encourage Christians toward a closer relationship with Jesus Christ,” Kaye says. “Combining the Gospel with drama helps the audience see, hear, feel, and understand the message like never before, as the word of God comes alive on stage. Our vision is to take these productions to many different churches, conferences, and theaters, and break down religious barriers and speak to the believer’s heart so that people can be healed, delivered, and set free of bondage.”
For the most part, Kaye has always been drawn to the arts. She studied Liturgical Dance under Pastor Kristopher Halsey, founder of the Look & Live Creative Arts Team of Unity Temple Worship Center, Philadelphia, PA, and Minister Carolyn Johnson, founder of Breaking the Barriers Arts Academy, in Pennsauken, NJ. Additionally, she has shared her gift of ministry in dance throughout the United States, Bermuda, and Uganda, Africa, and held many church leadership positions, being ordained to the office of Elder in 2010. At the close of Unity Temple Worship Center, she founded One Accord Ministries Inc.
“Our vision is to take these productions to many different churches, conferences, and theaters, and break down religious barriers and speak to the believer’s heart so that people can be healed, delivered, and set free of bondage.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kaye decided to follow her passion for decorating and design and started an event design business called On Point Events, LLC. On Point Events was created because of Kaye’s desire never to have anyone look back on their special day and be disappointed by what they see in the pictures. “A picture is worth millions to some and worth nothing to others. Once the moment has been captured in a picture, it can never be changed,” she says. On Point Events’ goal is to take their client’s dreams and make them a reality using decor designs from chairs and table linens, sashes, table runners, and centerpieces. “Our services are for anyone who has a vision for a special event and wants to see it come to life.”
As a Playwright and Director, Kaye says what she loves most is the opportunity to express her artistic vision and ideas through the medium of theater. “My job is to create unique stories, develop compelling characters, and explore diverse themes and emotions that keep the audience engaged and invested in the story,” she said. As an Event Designer and Coordinator, she mostly enjoys creating memorable experiences that reflect her client’s vision and love story. “I want to make sure that every time they think of the day or look at their photos, they experience the same euphoric feeling as they experienced on the actual day.”
Kaye shares that her daughter, Abria Nicole, inspires her to be the best she can be. She says, “Once I found out I was pregnant, I set out to ensure a better life for my daughter. Abria is the reason I have made many choices, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and allowed myself to be stretched in ways I couldn’t even imagine. I’ve done all of this to be the example she could follow as she grows in life. My daughter is a natural-born leader and a go-getter and is making waves in this world.”
Amazingly, Kaye has been able to build her business while working full-time. While doing so, it has been a challenge for her, but still, she has persevered. Kaye is determined, and most of all, she loves serving others in ministry and in business. Looking ahead, Kaye shares her plans for a rebroadcast of the 2023 Production “Already Defeated” which will be held in Philadelphia PA. Her team is also looking for opportunities to bring it to churches in and out of state. Additionally, she has launched a movement called “I’m SICKA Church” which depicts the issue of “church hurt” from all perspectives. There will also be a podcast series launching in the fall prior to the stage production in 2024.
Kaye is also seeking individuals to become a One Accord Ministries Inc. Partner. She says that by doing so, it helps them in so many ways. “It will allow us to cover production expenses and continue traveling the U.S. to preach the gospel. A partnership helps to increase the artistry of drama, helps to create professional scale life-changing videos, and reach people all over the U.S. and abroad,” she says.
Kaye shares her love of God with her husband, Reverend James B. Ellerbe
By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Claxco Media
Americans are among the most morbidly obese globally. Still, we spend more than any country per capita on weight loss gimmicks. Melody McClellan, of St. Louis, MO, is a wife, mother, and former pharmaceutical sales rep, and ten years ago, she would have never imagined herself helping others in physical health and wellness. Today, she can’t imagine doing anything else.
As her clients call her, Coach Melody is an outstanding Health and Wellness with twenty-plus years of experience. “After years as a pharmaceutical sales rep, I realized there is a huge lack of education around nutrition and mental wellness,” Melody explained. “I saw the bags of medication growing, but nobody was actually getting better.”
In October 2013, Unwrap You was born. “I was at a turning point in my life. My kids were older, and I started to feel like I wanted to do something more with my life,” Melody shares. “I studied wellness and nutrition and started trying to show people that there was a better, long-term solution to a healthier way of life. When I started as ‘Coach Melody,’ I thought it was just about helping people lose weight. I quickly learned that there is a lot more to this process. It’s about the individual’s mindset and prevention. You have to consider what people have been through, what mental baggage they carry, and overall be willing to meet people where they are on their wellness journey.”
Melody was born in St. Louis but moved with her mother and brother to Los Angeles when she was ten. The fitness and body image bug didn’t hit her until age sixteen. “I wasn’t the healthiest kid growing up. What I mean is I wasn’t into sports and athletics. I think it was around sixteen that I got into health and nutrition,” Melody admitted. “I started watching what I ate and changing some habits. When I saw the results, it motivated me to continue exploring what a healthier me looked like. Like most people, I tried different fad diets and meal plans. But that’s how things started for me.”
The one thing Melody says she has always loved was sales. As a pharmaceutical sales professional, she gained valuable insights about various cormobidities. “There were a lot of medical options for people who want to get healthier, but as I thought about it, I realized that they weren’t actually getting healthier. They were masking the problem.” Melody found a way to help people holistically live better lives while doing something she enjoyed. She would advocate and teach the world how to create lifestyle change that’s sustainable for optimum health and well-being.
“I was told that your passion is something you would do for free. Marketing and sales are my passion. Now I get to combine that with another love of mine, and it’s a win-win,” Melody explained. “Now I feel like I can effect change, especially for youth and communities who wouldn’t normally have access to the information I’m providing.” Coach Melody has been able to transfer her corporate knowledge and training to empower transformations within corporations, executives, youth, and chronic patients in health systems.
Coach Melody’s health and wellness platform has caught on in a big way. Five years ago, she left her corporate sales position and went full time as a Health and Wellness Transformation Strategist. Make no mistake, this wasn’t just a good idea. Melody wanted to make sure she was adequately prepared to succeed at changing how people viewed their mental health and wellness. “When I started, I wanted to be as informed as possible because you only have one chance to make a good impression. The last thing you want is to be uninformed about the root cause of the illnesses you are trying to prevent,” she shares. “As a pharmaceutical sales rep, you are well-trained on the latest medications and their indications. Having that foundational knowledge of the different disease states have proving beneficial along with obtaining a holistic certification in nutrition and mental wellness.”
One of the things Coach Melody tries to shed light on when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle is there are no quick fixes. “I have learned that drugs don’t make you healthy. They are made to control chronic conditions. What I teach in my program is you can come off many maintenance medications, but it won’t happen with the snap of a finger,” she explained. “One of the key phrases I always use is, ‘You are creating a lifestyle change.’ Exploring those changes and their impact is a big part of what I do. It’s all about helping people change their mindset. All change starts in the mind. It’s hard at first, but the body will follow once you change your thoughts. It’s hard at first, but with the proper education, strategies, and expert to keep you accountable it becomes easier to incorporate lifestyle change that is sustainable.”
Sometimes, we encounter people who offer advice or support in an area they have only clinical experience in. Coach Melody’s wisdom was gained firsthand. “A big part of why I started focusing on mental and physical wellness was because after I had my children, my body didn’t snap back the way I thought it should have,” Melody shared. “I’ll be honest and say I had difficulty losing the post-pregnancy weight. You see those women who have babies, and boom, they look like nothing happened. It didn’t work like that for me.”
Struggling to figure it out, Melody went on a personal wellness journey. “What I learned as I worked toward a sustainable healthy lifestyle was it was less about diet and exercise and more about portion control, what I was eating when I was eating it, and why,” she explained. “While on my journey, I did participate in a weight loss program, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that their plan wouldn’t work for me.”
When she started the business, she was only working it part-time, but the pressure of being a wife, a mother, a sales rep, and a health and wellness coach started to take its toll. “I want people to know that the program I am prescribing to them is the same one that saved me when I was in a fragile place,” Melody shared. “With home and family life, work, and the part-time business, I became so stressed that my body began to break down. I suffered hair loss, and my skin started breaking out. I wasn’t taking care of myself the way I should have, and my body was reacting. I had to make the decision to put my health first. I had been preparing the business for about five years, so I took my exit when my company offered a voluntary separation which included a severance package.”
It’s been over twenty years since Coach Melody started her personal journey. In that time, she has maintained the weight loss and enjoyed the healthier side of life she offers her clients.
In the beginning, Melody handled individual clients, but as the Unwrap You movement has grown over the years, Coach Melody has found a way to get her message out to a broader audience. “As I explained before, when I started, I thought health and wellness looked like a personal trainer encouraging an unmotivated individual towards a personal goal. But it is so much bigger than that,” Melody explains. “Understanding the body, mind, and spirit aspects of health and wellness made me want to do more to reach people around the world. Before, I would work with one client for one hour. Now, I can reach six hundred people, speaking and improving workplace productivity in that same hour. It is a way to maximize outcomes and impact more people globally. So now I focus on corporate wellness programs, speaking engagements promoting a healthy mindset, and youth wellness and life skills programs.”
Pictured on the opposite page is Coach Melody’s 7th FamFun3K Obesity Walk for Childhood Obesity. It’s also her signature community giveback.
One of Coach Melody’s programs is the Fam Fun 3K Walk, held annually in September. “September is Childhood Obesity Month, and for the past seven years, I’ve hosted the Fam Fun 3k Walk in Lincoln Park in East St. Louis, Illinois. This event raises funds and awareness of childhood obesity. This is a family fun event, and proceeds go to youth and family-driven charities,” she explained. “It is a great time for a great cause. There are various resources, activities, and fun for everyone. The great part is that we have given over thirty thousand dollars back to the community in the last three years.” In the seven years since the Fam Fun 3k Walk started, it has reached twenty-five states and three continents.
Coach Melody wants to stress that one size does not fit all when creating a successful wellness program. “My goal is to create an experience with every company, organization, youth, or leader I contract with that leads to results. You can’t take the cookie-cutter approach when creating a wellness program,” she says passionately. “It’s important to me as a consultant to know what you are trying to accomplish, how you are trying to get it done, and what financial investment you want to make to see this happen.”
When it’s all said and done, Coach Melody’s goal is to allow everyone to live better. “I pride myself on ensuring everyone has the most amazing experience! If you enjoy the experience, you will keep doing it. A healthy lifestyle increases productivity, makes you feel better, and improves mobility. It is not about a number on a scale. It’s about what’s weighing you down and making small improvements over time that are substantial. For example, walking up a flight of steps without being out of breath, your clothes fit better, which builds confidence and improves your mood. I could go on and on because there are so many benefits to creating a healthier lifestyle.”
As Coach Melody looks toward the future, she sees herself moving toward advocacy in the space of underserved communities. “I have had the opportunity to discuss cultural competence in front of the Illinois Senate and the House of Representatives. My point was that it’s hard to understand what people go through when you haven’t walked a mile in their shoes. My life experiences qualify me to speak to and for people on either side of the line. I was raised by a single mother in areas we now identify as food deserts because the people didn’t have access to grocery stores. I was that struggling college student who had to check the couch for loose change to buy food or gas. Now, I have everything I need and live comfortably, but those experiences make me relatable. My sensitivity to my community positions me to help find a long-term solution to providing nutrition-based education that will allow us to live healthier and more productive lives globally.”
Coach Melody wants people to understand that after years of walking this path, she’s learned that anyone can do it. “I don’t care if you are eight or sixty-eight. Everyone can create a strategic wellness plan to achieve their health and wellness goals. You are never too old to invest in you. Start with loving yourself to life. Are you ready for the Unwrap You Experience”
“A healthy lifestyle increases productivity, makes you feel better, and improves mobility. It is not about a number on a scale. It’s about what’s weighing you down and making small improvements over time that are substantial.”
“Be a pebble to someone else’s path. We must find a way to bridge the gaps within our communal restraints.”
That is a quote taken from Dannell Marshall, the founder and Executive Director of Men of Faith Inc., based in Louisville, KY. Dannell Marshall Sr. attended and Graduated from Shelby County High School. He studied in the Kentucky Union Pipe Fitter Apprenticeship and attended Rowe Bible Institute and the University of Louisville.
Men of Faith Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with three core principles: Preserve, Empower, and Restore. Along with his vice president, Tim McFarland Sr., this organization has positively impacted countless men’s lives in the Louisville, KY, community.
“We strive to preserve the community we live in, empower every citizen, and restore faith in all,” he says. “Although people associate the word faith with religion, the definition of faith also includes hope. In efforts to achieve our mission, we offer mentoring, do various outreach throughout the whole community, and assist the elderly and the unfortunate. Many call the people we call unfortunate, such as the homeless or displaced. At Men of Faith, we call them unfortunate and acknowledge that everyone is one or two dire situations from being truly unfortunate.”
Dannell’s organization hosts an event called “The SPARK”, which is also free to the community. SPARK events, he says, are embodied around health, wealth, and awareness. They also host an annual breast cancer banquet called, “Fighting Cancer with Faith Banquet,” in which they honor male and female breast cancer survivors and those recently diagnosed with breast cancer. A segment of this production educates its audience that men can be diagnosed with breast cancer. They have partnered with other 501(c)(3) organizations, including Moments Matter. “By collaborating, we present a spring and fall break camp for girls and boys that includes guest speakers, S.T.E.A.M projects, and a variety of extracurricular activities. Our ultimate goal is to assist and share resources when resources are not readily available or even aware for the youth, women, and men.”
Dannell says the idea of his organization was conceived in 2015, but did not become official until 2016. Originally, he wanted to form a group to work with a particular group of churches, but God guided them in a different but parallel direction. Once the mission was formed and event concepts were shared, the idea of Men of Faith was well received by men in Dannell’s community. He says, “They relished participating in the planned outreaches and giving back to their community. The one thing about me is that I am a person of action. A lot of people will talk and never do anything. Men of Faith prides itself in doing.”
Dannell says he finds joy in constructing a group of men from various backgrounds, ethnicities, and even political or religious preferences who assuredly care about improving their community, not only for their family but the overall good of humankind. “To
build and fill the gaps in our broken society and communities, we must overcome our differences and capitalize on our similarities. When you see men banding together to restore and replenish our communities’ social disparities, it exemplifies hope. I get inspired and rejuvenated when I see the smiles of individuals who felt the weight of the world minutes before. It is equivalent to pulling someone to safety. God blesses us in a way for us to help someone else; we should not hesitate to share that blessing,” Dannell shares.
Men of Faith’s core values are embedded in their desire to serve and help others succeed. Dannell leads by example and hopes to create opportunities while doing so. “I heard as a young man the more you give, the more you’ll receive. Serving others is not about receiving something directly. I enjoy knowing someone’s situation; although they are amid an emotional storm, you can offer an umbrella from the pain, if for just a little while. It is also refreshing to know that some genuine people genuinely care about the welfare of others. It is trendy to see people brag about assisting others on social media, but honestly, that comes from a place that is not sincere. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We are not doing these things in the community for a show or to be seen. It comes from each man’s heart to progress and sharpen others who may feel dull.”
Understandably, Dannell’s organization has faced a few hurdles and challenges throughout the years. One was sustaining the assistance they provided during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the rest of the world shut down, they were able to continue their operations and meet the needs of those they serve. Such challenges and finding ways to persevere through them have proven Dannell’s effectiveness as a leader of his organization. He says, “I firmly believe that our life and the adversities within form the purpose we must find. Years of uncertainty about personal and professional outcomes molded me into the man or puzzle piece I am today. My journey was never perfect or practical, but with each new day, I became even more convinced that it was all worth it.”
Moving forward, Danell says he plans to expand the Men of Faith Inc. organization to a national level. “Extending past our geographic lines, the expansion would demonstrate an even bigger assembly of more men with faith, more assistance, more resources, and a fervent affection towards humanity.”
“We Are All Pieces In The Same Puzzle. When looking at our logo it explains that everyone has a role in forming this world. We are one piece of the whole puzzle. Regardless of our ethnicity, gender, religion, or political affiliation, we are molded to a particular shape that fits somewhere in fulfilling the puzzle of the world. Some pieces are similar but never the same. Go, find the place where your piece, which is you, fits!”
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Tashira Mone’, also known as “Shi”, has enjoyed a colorful and thrilling journey in life. She is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, 200 RYT Hatha/Tantra/Vinyasa, 300 MTT Yoga Nidra Meditation, Sound Healer, a veteran, mom, and wife in Twin Flame Union.
Tashira is also an Air Force Veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She has served as a nurse with a career that spanned over ten years. She has many experiences in various demographics, including being a licensed Tantra/Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga and meditation Instructor. Tashira’s training in this field happened in Indonesia. Additionally, she is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor and alumnus of Kerala Ayurvedic Academy.
After high school, Tashira joined the Air Force immediately, unleashing her inner warrior and bravery. She hadn’t even turned 18, but she set off with hope! “With only an inkling of who I was or wanted to be, I started my independent journey as Military Police personnel, which led to a deployment to Iraq and serving in mission Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon separating from the military and four years of military police work, I sought healing career options,” she explains. “My own healing journey began after separating from the military, divorcing, and embarking on a new journey as a civilian and single mother. So, I studied Nursing and worked in various fields such as psych to rehab and addiction, corrections, and hospice. For the most part, I’ve always possessed a burning passion for acquiring knowledge through self-study and wisdom through my fearless experience and solitude.”
Currently, Tashira owns Bloolotus. Her company offers a unique and individualized holistic approach to health and wellness using Vedic knowledge and practices to support individuals in attaining balance, well-being, and optimal health. Her mantra, “The only way out is in”, and Tashira explains she is committed to assisting others in addressing the root causes of their challenges and ailments. “I structure my personal life and business around this mantra and strongly believe in the power of introspection as the catalyst for radical change. A healthy mind creates a healthy body, and healthy minds create a healthy society!”
Her services are designed to guide human beings seeking wellness and health in awakening the healer within, using the powers of the mind, Vedic practices, and through the understanding of the subtle energies in our food, thoughts, and actions. With this approach in counseling, Tashira takes her clients on a holistic journey as they cleanse and reprogram their mind-body-spirit system, bringing optimal health, balance, purpose, clarity, and inner peace into their life experience. “Rather than seeking to heal others, my role is to awaken individuals to their inherent abilities and powers to heal themselves. This approach enables them to walk their authentic path and overcome any obstacles hindering them, ultimately fostering harmony, good health, clarity, purpose, and fulfilling their desires. I intend to create a space where my clients can fully embrace the healing experience and carry it with them long after their program ends.”
Some of the services offered by Bloolotus are 1:1 Yoga/Meditation Path, provided in monthly packages. In Yoga, Tashira says, it is believed that dis-ease results from disconnection between mind, body, and spirit. The path to Yoga begins by monitoring the mental processes, understanding the mental process, and becoming undisturbed by the fluctuations of the mind so you can remain stable amid challenge and change.
They also offer Yoga Nidra + Deep Healing Sound Therapy, which is an ancient, deep meditation practice that facilitates healing from the subconscious mind outwards. It is an ancestral practice that stems from Indian traditions and philosophies grounded in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tantrism. “This technique uses the body, breath, and awareness to allow you to drop into a deep state of relaxed awareness. Yoga Nidra facilitates awakened clarity and deep relaxation and, with consistent practice, can help one transcend self-created perceptions and limitations, heal psychological wounds, reduce stress, improve sleep, and connect to one’s inner wisdom, which transcends any lineage or guru,” she says.
Next, Bloolotus offers Ayurvedic Counseling. This service emphasizes the food consumption of her clients, which she says is defined by the food they eat, the air they breathe in, and the quality of breath taken in through senses such as sound, visual food, and taste of food. “Ayurvedic guidance helps one identify where disease and imbalance is present, how it shows up, and what triggers it. Based on an individual’s Dosha (mind-body type) we work together to stop feeding the triggers and start feeding the innate healer through changes and management of lifestyle, surroundings, diet, activities, and mental state. It’s all about selecting the right ingredients and combinations to feed the healer within based on which elements support the individual’s mind-body type,” she says. “Ayurveda keeps the body and mind healthy for a sustainable and successful Yoga practice.
Finally, there’s the Ayurvedic Curated Seasonal Cleanses & Packages, which are offered during the Fall and Spring seasons. Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle, Tashira shares means seeing and understanding the nature of the self and the nature of everything the self takes in and making conscious calculations about what to add and what to remove to maintain harmony, balance, and good health. “It’s about understanding Karma, transcending mental limitation, and living in a way that best suits your mind and body. This changes with the seasons, as designed. Seasonal cleansing allows us to shift with this change and live in rhythm with nature. Ayurvedic seasonal cleansing prevents some of your most common and longstanding physical health issues alone.”
Tashira says the vision to start Bloolotus began many years ago, happening along with her own healing and spiritual journey. “I traveled to Peru for an Ayahuasca ceremony in 2016 and had a soul awakening, mind-blowing experience. I experienced a frightening yet beautiful rebirth, faced some of my innermost shadows head-on, and awakened to my unresolved traumas. The ceremony gave me forgiveness, acceptance, a deeper connection with my intuition, and a deeper understanding of nature and the human psyche. My perception of healing and medicine shifted. Shortly after returning home from Peru, I experienced a traumatic event in my personal life: a home break-in and sexual assault at knifepoint. This left me in mental and emotional turmoil. I turned to yoga philosophy and practice to help cope, and I obtained profound healing and enlightenment. With the anxiety and panic attacks resulting from the break-in, I couldn’t find the space to breathe and heal, so I decided to travel to Bali, Indonesia, to earn my yoga teacher certification through intense training and immersive study. I wanted to learn more about Yoga, which led me to the science of Ayurvedic Medicine. At that discovery, I knew I finally found my place, purpose, and path,” she says.
Tashira’s advice to others who may find themselves in places like she was is to let go of what you think your journey should look like because when you do that, you make space for the possibilities. “Any rigid thinking limits you from the infinite versions of outcomes that you can’t even imagine. Your mind only knows what it knows. So have faith, have fun, surrender, and trust the process,” she says.
To learn more about Bloolotus, please visit their website.
www.bloolotus.com h
By Terry L. Watson
Photos Provided by Victoria Hart
According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, the definition of a doula is a person trained to provide advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth. This definition accurately describes Victoria Hart.
The Mississippi Gulfport resident owns Hart of A Doula & Nanny, LLC. Her company offers various levels of support, such as physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. With her nanny services, Victoria provided exceptional childcare as well. “My services are designed for all but mainly for those who need that extra hand,” she shares.
At just 27, Victoria has already accomplished a lot. She has enjoyed four years of marriage with her husband, Mechio, and besides being an aspiring entrepreneur, she has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science. Even more, Victoria was on the road to obtaining her BSN but God said otherwise. More touching is how she describes motherhood. “I am an Angel Mom to five Angel Babies. My time will come when God says that I am ready.”
Victoria launched her business in October 2021 after Victoria’s cousin, who was expecting her second child, asked her to be her doula. “My cousin’s first birth experience was the opposite of how she planned it. She researched that having a doula by her side might empower her to take control of her birth. Once she asked me, I immediately fell in love with everything a doula stands for. In January 2022, her VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) was extremely successful. That experience hugely impacted my doula business, and as a result, it flourished. Currently, I have 25 Doula Babies,” she says.
While Victoria started her nanny business in April 2022, she has served as a nanny since she was 19. “It was basically a summer job while on break from college. However, I have always loved watching kids, even as a kid myself,” she says. Victoria now has 45 “Nanny Babies”.
When asked what inspires her the most about her business, Victoria shared that, regarding being a doula, seeing how black women were mistreated during pregnancy and even childbirth made her realize how much of an impact she could make in their lives. “I have been discriminated against in the medical field concerning infertility issues, so I know firsthand what that can feel like.” In response to the same question pertaining to being a nanny, she says, “In this day and age, it is hard to trust people with your kids because you never know their true intentions. With me, on the other hand, my intentions are pure from the start, and my parents can tell. I desire to be the extra help they need when they cannot find it anywhere else.”
Victoria says she really loves what she does. She shares that hearing how her attendance during the birthing experience or watching her client’s children changed their lives for the better makes it all worth it. “I just do what I love. I have been told numerous times that I inspire other people to follow their passions. The fact that I followed my passion and can help families in need and still pay my bills is all that I need.”
Growing both businesses has proven to be a little challenging, but fortunately for Victoria, the assistance of social media has helped in many ways. Additionally, finding ways to fund her businesses has been a learning experience. Victoria says she wished she had obtained funding before jumping into entrepreneurship. “I just jumped in, head and HART first, no questions asked,” she says.
In the future, Victoria hopes to open a birthing center in her area. Currently, there isn’t one, and she says doctors are afraid to open one due to liability issues. She also hopes to open a postpartum care center to provide care for the first few weeks after birth, which can sometimes be rough with the transition into being a newborn mom. Victoria has plans in the works for a daycare center with after-hour options.
We are honored to share the story of AJ and the Cool Kids, a nonprofit organizatioin led by Tonya and Antonio Tolson.
Our autism journey began when our son AJ was 12 months old. He was not meeting milestones on his Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) test that children take at the pediatrician for monthly checkups. Until then, he was hitting all milestones, and I was relieved because, after several miscarriages, we finally had our rainbow baby. We soon found that he was not speaking. I contacted my local Child development office, CDSA, in Charlotte, NC. He was found to be Level I/II autistic. I literally could not believe that there was a problem with my beautiful blessing.
With the proper diagnosis at 18 months, our son started receiving free services through the CDSA department. I soon realized he would age out at three, and I would have to provide services at cost or enroll him in a Pre-K program in which I knew he would not be successful. It was then I decided I would become my child’s best advocate, provide the services privately, and pay out of pocket. With hard work and determination, our child went from being nonverbal to doing math in a traditional public school. This is partly due to our village and community of autistic families. We want to ensure other families have the same access to our child’s services. This foundation was created to educate and alleviate the stress of the diagnosis and life thereafter.
My husband is the founder, and I am the director, but we have a staff that consists of a Public Relations Director, Asha Ellison, and our events team, Arletha McClelland and Kelly Mosley. With these people in place, we can serve families in the autistic community across the United States. I serve the entire autism population, from one-yearolds to adults. People tend to forget that autistic children become autistic adults, and they go underserved because of that fact.
Our first inspiration came from our son. The strides he’s made from diagnosis through today are not only an inspiration to our family but to many families like ours who hope for new milestones with their children. We are also inspired by the families we have touched with our social media posts and stories. I have encountered several families that are right where we started or who can relate to what we are doing for this community. It is not just the parents we have a direct impact on, it is all communities. In general, everyone’s lives have been touched by someone with autism.
We love the lives that we are affecting. We also love how we can educate others external to this community. We have learned so much as an autism family, and we love the connections we’ve made on many different levels. This is what drives us. We want to ensure everyone knows that autism is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. We have seen everything from high functioning to severe autism and learned a lot about the in-between. The love we have for our son and this community keeps us pushing forward in our work to spread education and awareness.
We have received some great feedback regarding how our organization has grown. We have gone from helping one family in our first year to helping several this year. We have been told we are doing a fantastic job sharing our experiences. It allows parents and caregivers in the community not to shy away from what is going on with them. They see it is normal to have a child on the spectrum and that you can feel comfortable speaking about the good, bad, and the ugly side of autism. Yes, it is called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but it doesn’t mean your life has to be dysfunctional. We are here to help autism families navigate all those parts. A parent specifically told us that “we see her” and understand what she is experiencing. That’s made all the difference in what we are trying to achieve through this organization.
Some of the challenges were getting our name out in the community and actually having people attend our educational sessions. We loved the gala celebration in August, but we want the community to be more informed about what is going on with autism. We also needed some help securing sponsorships and grants because of how new of an organization we are. We will get the sponsorships and grants needed to serve this community. The work that we do requires a certain amount of funding that we were providing from our personal funds. Through the news media and the gala this year, we secured a little more funding and help, but we still have a long way to go. I know we will be blessed to get everything we need to help make the loads lighter for autism families in the community.
We are presenting several educational sessions online and in the Charlotte community to make others aware of what the autism community needs. We also want to partner with several businesses and organizations to make sure that they know what autism looks like. In the last year, I have seen many local organizations, businesses, and the arts cater to the autism community. We want to make them aware that they live and exist among us, and we need to know the varying needs of this community. We also want to grow into serving more families’ financial needs. Autism has a high cost medically and can take a toll on families emotionally and physically. We want to be a resource to those families and help them in any way possible. h
The son of Shannon Hairston
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