Huami Magazine DMV May/June 2022 by Terry Watson

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May/June 2022 Volume 1 Issue 9

Kwaku Bentil DYHYT LLC DMV - May/June 2022

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We May Wish, But God Has A Plan A Letter From The Editor

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

Modern technology, such as the internet and smart devices, has changed the way consumers shop for everyday necessities. A Letter from the Editor Everything from groceries to televisions, tires, medications, and patio furniture can be purchased directly from a smartphone or computer. Foot traffic in stores has been All greatly reduced, What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? of your plans, and hopes the Covid 19 pandemic may have played a big role in that also. and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if Anyhow, many retailers have adjusted how their products everything that you decided to put offthey untilmake tomorrow never accessible in order for them to survive. happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy

day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making As apromises. child, I remember the huge departmentseemingly store catalogs that What if your last opportunity expired wouldtoday? come in the mail every What would youyear, do? usually around the Christmas holiday season. I would look at them and prepare my list of items that I wanted before submitting it to my mama. I’ve been told that I often seem like I doSometimes too much. I got most Honestly, of what I wanted, but not always. Still, looking through I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firmthe catalog and believing thatthat I would them was exciting for believer in knowing Godget wouldn’t put very anything on me me. Unfortunately, the catalogs are long gone now and have been that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would replaced by digital ones. Awwwe, technology. 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 I compare those childhood catalog surfing moments to some is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge experiences I have as an adult. I have often tried to plan out my life to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? by creating a wish list for various stages without the assistance of If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn a department store catalog. I have made plans for various things something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in and experiences and made plans on how to acquire and accomplish return acquire life. them. Those plans were submitted to God, and I’m always amazed at what I receive from God in response. The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so See, I have learned that even though I make plans, God has the I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only final say. What I think is good for me, God knows what is truly best hope provided. I have also learned the difference between for me. Even in my lowest moments, God has already prepared a what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with path to higher ground for me. And even when I choose to follow my as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and own way, He redirects. when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused I strive to live a better life, a life with being arrogant. that is connected to God through obedience and grasping a better Makeofyou tomorrow understanding what He desires happen today, but for me. I admit that I don’t most have all importantly make it count. the answers, and sometimes I make Life is but a whisper and mistakes. It’s good to know that even weoff must putinourselves a when I get track life, God’sinlove position to hear what it is never changes. telling us.

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson

Publisher

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson Editor In Chief Writer Ellen Richardson Terry L. Watson Writer Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Dorjae’ McClammey Writer Arielle Kilgore Writer Writers

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

Terry L. Watson 4

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

On The Cover

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

CONTENTS

MAY/JUNE 2022

DMV

Apostle Francello McCoy 14 Healing & Mending Ministry

On The Cover

DYHYT LLC

Kwaku Bentil

Where The Heart Is

Veronica Henry

Rhythm & Sweat Dance Fitness

Leah M. Dale

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Marrel Gravely Foushee

Also Featured

Shanna Jennette It’s that time again. The warm weather months have arrived. Have you planned your vacation? She can help. Greensboro, NC

Whitney Morgan Do you need help with repairing your credit? Do you need funding for your business? He can help. Kansas City, MO

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Christina Bennett Learn more about the face and founder of Say It Sow. She is helping others find their way with words. Huntsville, AL

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Kwaku Bentil DYHYT LLC By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by DYHYT LLC While Kwaku Bentil proudly professes he is a Ghanaian, with roots in the African West Coast country of Ghana, the 32-year-old loves everyone, regardless of where they are from. He is the owner of DYHYT LLC, a company that produces urban streetwear and loungewear. Their two main goals are to make sure their clients are comfortable in what they wear and be responsible for their own happiness. Kwaku says his merch is designed for any and everyone. He has stuff for infants, toddlers, and adults, including t-shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks. Kwaku is a native and current resident of the DMV. He attended Frostburg State University, and while there, he received his bachelor’s degree. He later acquired his master’s in Cyber Security from the University of Maryland University College. Kwaku shares that he is a Senior Compliance Specialist by day, and Deejay and CEO of DYHYT LLC at night and on weekends. So how did things begin for DYHYT LLC. Kwaku says he had been saying the phrase “happy yourself” over the course of some years. “The term “happy yourself” is African slang to pretty much say do what makes you happy. I’ve always wanted to get into the merchandise business but I had no idea or real concept. I would be doing research here and there, and then one day in 2019, while I was in Ghana, I decided to take a risk, get some samples made and try my hand. It’s been a great journey ever since.”

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Being a business owner has its perks, and Kwaku says he enjoys the opportunity he has to express his creativity through his current merch, and is equally excited about what is coming in the future. “This experience has made me a better businessman and taught me how to handle my business thoroughly,” he shares “I am inspired by the success of my peers and others, and I truly love a good success story. I love seeing people run and go after their dreams. That motivates me even more because naturally, I am selfmotivated.” Kwaku says he wouldn’t be where he is in life without the love and support of family and friends. “I know a lot of people, but the ones closest to me have been thorough with me and honest. I trust them and they trust me, and it’s a never-ending building process.” Kwaku has put some great plans in place for the future. One, he would like to own either an NFL or an NBA team. He would also like to build a major state of the art hospital in every major region in Ghana. He also has film and documentary ideas he would like to make happen. His immediate plans are to make DYHYT LLC flourish as much as possible and hopefully partner with a major retail store. Finally, he also plans to get into real estate and build up a good stock portfolio.

Kwaku Bentil DYHYT LLC www.dyhyt.com

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Whitney Morgan M-Powerment Solutions LLC

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Whitney Morgan He is young, black, and making moves in the Kansas City, MO, business district. He is the owner and founder of M-Powerment Solutions LLC, an experienced financial literacy company that focuses on credit restoration and helping individuals become debt-free. They also help businesses establish business credit and funding options. Their award-winning services have assisted in removing all types of derogatory items such as bankruptcies and medical bills from their client’s credit files. To be clear, M-Powement Solutions LLC gets the job done. At just 34 years old, Whitney Morgan has seen a lot. While he presently resides in Kansas City, he has also lived in Atlanta, GA, Port Townsend, WA, and his native home of Minneapolis, MN. He has a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a masters degree in Urban Planning from the University of Kansas. His background involves Transportation Planning, City Development, and Small Business Advocacy, and he’s held many leadership positions and volunteered just as well. His volunteering efforts include Kappa Alpha Psi, Freedom Schools, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, Finance and College Ministry Leader with Faith City Christian Center, and Black Student Union. What separates M-Powement Solutions LLC from other companies that provide similar services? Whitney says it’s their commitment to providing quality service at a very affordable cost. “We also have various products to help our clients build positive credit in their name, such as our secure credit card with cashback rewards. We also have the Credit My Rent program that adds all positive rent payments to their credit report, and we partner with various credit builder companies like Self, Credit Strong, Grow Credit, and more. Our goal is to provide our clients with excellent solutions to address their financial struggles,” he says. DMV - May/June 2022

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Some of the additional tools offered by Whitney and his team are Credit Restoration Will, Trust, and Power of Attorney, and Budgeting/Debt Payoff Education. There is also a Smart Credit Monitoring App that allows users to view all three credit scores, and Merchant Services that offer payment processing systems for businesses. Additionally, they offer a Youth Financial Literacy Scholarship and Educational Program, Rocket Lawyer Services, Student Loan Assistance, Mobile Telehealth Services, and Business Credit Business Funding.

“Experience is the best teacher. Knowledge is not power; applied knowledge is. If knowledge by itself were power, most librarians would be millionaires.”

The decision to launch M-Powement Solutions LLC happened in June 2020, during the Covid 19 pandemic, Whitney shares. “My wife and I struggled with bad credit caused by debt consolidation. That debt was built because my wife was laid off multiple times, and I was repeatedly passed up for promotions I qualified for. This caused a lot of stress in our marriage and ironically served as a learning experience. We decided to educate other families about the importance of having good credit and the opportunities that come with it.” Whitney says what he loves most about his business is being able to help people buy brand new houses and new cars, find funding for their business, and increase their financial literacy. “We are breaking generational curses,” he says. Waking up every day knowing that he has a gift that can help a lot of people and then putting his gift into action is what pushes him. He also credits his father and grandfather for being great examples of what a man should be. “I was raised by a single father. He has instilled loving and caring principles in me and showed me how to work hard and provide for my family. He told me ever since I could remember that I could be anything I wanted to be and often called me Mr. President as a child. My grandfather taught me how to fish. He also showed me what a consummate professional and respectable Christian man looks like. He has been married to my grandmother for over 50 years. He has held multiple civic positions and joined a fraternity. My grandfather is an architect and has designed buildings all across the country. He’s been retired for over 20 years and wakes up every day and does what he wants,” Whitney says. Whitney offers the following advice for those who may follow in his footsteps. “Experience is the best teacher. Knowledge is not power; applied knowledge is. If knowledge by itself were power, most librarians would be millionaires.”

Whitney Morgan M-Powerment Solutions LLC www.mpowerment-solutions.com (816) 348-3223

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As life continues to happen for Whitney, he plans to use his products and services to help people across the country. There are also plans to expand. To learn more about Whitney Morgan and M-Powerment Solutions LLC, please contact them directly or visit their website. h

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Aloha Glamour 14

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Information Provided By Lexi Williams and Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Aloha Glamour Credible influencers remind the world of its limitless possibilities when charisma is met with expert potential, tenacity, and sincere cause. Existing as a living attestation of that theory; is the effervescent professional, Lexi Williams. Lexi Williams of Gulfport, MS, is an author, advocate, creative mogul, CEO, and Founder of Aloha Glamour, a multi-faceted heritage-enthused brand house that provides both trend-savvy apparel and inspiration to a diverse clientele. Slogan-ed as the Afro-Waiin Boutique, Lexi provides consumers with the opportunity to enjoy a unique blend of African and Hawaiian inspired fashions, alongside an unyielding positivity and an energetic online community. Born after the tragic loss of Lexi’s daughter (Lauren Taylor), Aloha Glamour has remained a community of women, empowering others to find and use their voices, turning their tragedies into triumphs and their mess into a message. Lexi’s mantra is simple. “I believe that women should live boldly and love themselves wholeheartedly, while using their voice and fashion to promote living their life in color.” Lexi couples an impressive career in fashion. This is paired with a buoyant reputation of innovative leadership, trailblazing success, and community achievement. She has also created, chaired, and hosted the first-ever, Black-owned business Awards on The Mississippi Gulf Coast, highlighting more than 250 black-owned businesses. The sold-out event helped to solidify her reputation. She is no stranger to the limelight. She has been featured four times in Gulf Coast Women Magazine and has had two sensational write-ups on Aloha Glamour. She styled Tamika from the hit Bravo TV show, Southern Charm and was interviewed herself, by Ms. Jamiee on the MS. Congeniality Show. She was also featured twice at the Inaugural Black Business Awards and has experienced more television coverage for her contributions, at Aloha Glamour. Lexi’s propensity for success is imminent, and she displays proficient know-how in the world of sales, earning as much as $33,000 in under five days. When Lexi is not out changing the world for the better, she is an asset to her communal body and a loving member of her family and friendship circles. She is a medically retired veteran, having served more than 17 years in the US Air Force. She is also a mother to aspiring model Laila Williams (16) and Marine Kaileb Williams (18). DMV - May/June 2022

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Aloha Glamour offers Afrowiian Clothing and Accessories for the bold individual who believes in living life in color and outloud. Lexi shares, “I started the business in January 2017. I was coping with the loss of my daughter while also serving in the military. I needed to do something for my mental health, and I remembered how I felt when I first tried on a Pu’a Skirt. The drive behind establishing Aloha Glamour was curated from the sense of “ka wiwo ole” (the Hawaiian word for confidence) that I received the first time I put on the skirt.. The floral design and the way it held my figure provided a certain feeling of individuality and boldness. I wanted to share that sensation with other women as well.” Aloha Glamour affords all full-figured a seat at the fashion table by adding a “Pop of Pretty” to their wardrobe. Each skirt is one size fits all and exclusive in design. Lexi says she hopes that with each purchase, her clients will feel the same confidence and unique styling experience as she did, over and over again. She says what she loves most about her business is when others contact her or stop her in the store and say things such as “Because of you, I got through.” “Sometimes our stories are the keys to unlock someone else’s prison, and I am honored when I’m told I was the key for them,” she says. What inspires her the most are the families that are directly affected by her business. “Their hustle is unmatched. When I visited Ghana in June 2021, I had the opportunity to meet Artisans that make Aloha Glamour go around. Knowing that I directly affect their kids’ education and their quality of life inspires me to do what I do,” she says. On the other hand, she says her own children have impacted her life and career the most. She says it’s the resilience and grace shown and given unto her while she was turning her pain into her passion got her through. “I could never repay them for what they’ve done for me,” Lexi said. Moving forward, she has plans to open Aloha Glamour Flag Ship stores in outlet malls around the country. She also plans to offer cultural travel trips to Ghana and Hawaii bi-annually, so that others can experience the cultures, the people, and the food that she loves so much. Her advice to others who may follow a path similar to hers is to do it scared. “There will never be a perfect time to launch or start that business. Someone is waiting on what you have to offer to make it through their trying time. So pray to God and do it.” To learn more about Lexi and Aloha Glamour, please visit their website or contact her directly. h

www.alohaglamour.shop 16

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Leah Dale

Rhythm N Sweat Dance and Fitness

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By Dorjea’ McClammey Photod Provided by Leah Mayhue-Dale and Macnified Visions Leah Mayhue-Dale of Chicago, IL, is a fitness expert and founder of Rhythm N Sweat Dance and Fitness. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Leah was raised in a household that ventured into the world of athletics. Both of her parents were athletes, and while attending school, Leah participated on the basketball, volleyball, and varsity cheerleading teams. She was also a part of her church’s praise and worship team, the place where her love of dance began. After high school, Leah studied Public Relations and Advertising at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Soon, Leah began teaching and training others about dance and physical fitness. During this time, she also came up with the idea of Rhythm N Sweat. It was 2017, and Leah was only certified in Zumba and Mix Fit, yet she started to choreograph routines with her background in dance. She also mixed weight training with dance to help women lose weight while staying toned. She says that combination appeased women who did not like or were uncomfortable going to the gym. When Leah pitched the idea to the three fitness locations she worked at, only her home location in Butler-Gast YMCA was onboard. For the next three months, the number of participants only grew, so much so that the other areas begged for her to return. Rhythm N Sweat was official. Leah realized that while Omaha was a suitable market, there were opportunities to expand her brand elsewhere. In 2020, she made her big move to Chicago, turned Rhythm N Sweat into a mobile fitness business, and incorporated a wider variety of fitness formats. Leah works with local gyms, including Garza Fat Loss Camps, where she introduced Extreme Hip Hop Fitness. She is also certified to teach seven different fitness formats. The change in location did not stop Leah’s hustle. Since all the gyms were closed because of the Covid 19 pandemic, people liked her mobile fitness concept. She says, “They called me, emailed me, and booked me. Clients would either have me come to their home, meet at a park, or have virtual sessions,” she says.

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While Rhythm N Sweat offers many different classes, her main courses include Dance Fitness, Xtreme Hip Hop Step Aerobics, and Xtreme Burn, a cardio hit class. She also offers Baddies Bootcamp, which incorporates the use of equipment and bodyweight exercises. Rhythm N Sweat also offers a clothing line, including t-shirts and hoodies, sweatbands, and gym bags. Her journey in building her brand, Leah likes to describe it as, “fulfilling.” “Fitness had always been part-time, but the move to Chicago gave me that push to make it full-time,” she says. While fitness has brought a lot of joy to Leah, she has also faced hardship in life. In 2020, Leah lost her beautiful baby girl Naomi. “Naomi was my biggest motivation and the most popular toddler in Nebraska. I would bring Naomi to all of my fitness events and classes. I believe she even tried to take some of my clients. Once, I left the room and walked in on her training one of my clients. When she passed, I was devastated but said it catapulted me into concentrating on what makes me happy,” she shares. Leah used to shy away from speaking about her daughter but realized that sharing her story helps and inspires others. “It humanizes you and makes you relatable. People think that they have to shut down just because they are going through something. I did not shut down. I allowed for my loss to push me.”

“It humanizes you and makes you relatable. People think that they have to shut down just because they are going through something. I did not shut down. I allowed for my loss to push me.” Leah Mayhue-Dale

Rhythm N Sweat Dance and Fitness www.rhythmnsweatfitness.com

Leah says what she loves most about being a business owner is being able to help others become the best version of themselves. “Whether big or small, I enjoy learning a new move or losing 25 pounds,” she says. One of her students, Leah says, has been training for over six months and was inspired to become a certified trainer herself. Leah says Naomi is still her number one inspiration as she continues to inspire others. “Whatever I do in life, I dedicate it to her,” she shares. Last year, she had two huge events and brought out a master trainer and the creator of the format she teaches. Moving forward, Leah is planning more fitness events. She also plans to acquire her own studio and bring in other instructors to teach various fitness formats. There are also plans to expand her clothing line. Leah offers some advice to those who are considering improving their overall health, whether it be physically or another way. “It is never too late to save your own life. It can be through health and fitness, mental or emotional health, or all of the above. When you save your life in this aspect, it will affect the rest.” To learn more about Leah and Rhythm N Sweat Dance and Fitness, please visit her website. h

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Where The Heart Is Catering & Events By Terry L. Watson - Photos Provided by Veronica Henry Veronica and Jerome Henry of Cleveland, OH are genuine representatives of what love, hard work, and dedication look like. Their union of 14 years has produced several successful businesses and many beautiful memories. Still, they admit that none of what they’ve accomplished outweighs their desire to serve others. Veronica and Jerome are the owners of Where The Heart Is Catering and Events and Where The Heart Is A New You. Their catering business is a full-service offsite catering company that caters to all types of events such as weddings, birthdays, retirement parties, baby showers, school, and corporate events. They offer everything from food to full-blown decorations, including Table Linens, Centerpieces, Wall Monograms, 360 and Selfie Photo Booths. They also have flexible setup options from Full Service, Presentation Setup, and Drop Offs. While Veronica focuses on the food side and decor design side of their business, Jerome works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure every aspect is executed and carried out with perfection and excellence.

Born and raised in the inner city of Cleveland, particularly in the Collinwood community, Veronica discovered her passion for cooking at a very young age. She recalls working alongside her mother in the kitchen. Her father worked second shift at Ford Motor Company, and Veronica would prepare him food and put it in the oven until he came home. She says, “I remember sleeping light and listening for his key in the lock, and then I would go running to the kitchen to get his food out for him to eat dinner. I would sit there with my hands on my cheek, smiling and waiting for him to eat the meal I had designed for him. My father would eat the whole plate as I sat there and watched him.” The dish she created for her father consisted of ground beef, elbow pasta, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and hot sauce. Veronica poured her heart into that meal and said it felt great to cook for her father. However, she would find out years later that her father didn’t like ground beef. It didn’t matter, Veronica said, because “My father was truly a girl’s dad, My hero and food taster.” Where The Heart Is A New You provides corporate in-service and training for companies and individuals that want to offer their clients a new method of treating and caring for people. They offer lessons on receiving people with warmth and how to maintain a professional presence. Their clients are those who are committed to personal development and self-improvement and who are engaged in the constant pursuit of excellence. Jerome is also a native of Cleveland. He is an experienced Service Recovery Specialist and has over 25 years of experience. He has always possessed leadership qualities, many of which appear while he conducts business. He is complimented often for his level of professionalism and genuineness. He is known for leaving lasting impressions on his clients and providing valuable tools and information for them to reference in personal and professional arenas. He says, “When a person lives true to who they are, it makes it easier to help and leave lasting impressions. This is the way of light, and we are light. Be the light that you are.”

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After graduating from high school, Veronica attended the University of Akron and studied Criminal Justice Technical Education. During this time she had an apartment and would prepare meals for her friends, such as Barbecue Neck Bones, Fried Pork Chops, Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Yams, Greens, Pinto Beans, Corn Bread, and more. “All you had to do was tell me that you were hungry, “ she says. Veronica’s apartment was that apartment where people on campus knew they could always come and get a meal. After graduating from The University of Akron, she landed a job working for Cleveland Municipal School District as a Learning Disability Tutor for 12 years. After leaving there, she worked a few other jobs in the same field but soon decided that she really wanted to do something else more fulfilling. “I knew it was something more profound on the inside, drawing me to cooking and entertaining on a different level,” Veronica says. So, in 2010, she decided to start a catering company. In 2012, she enrolled in Culinary School at Cuyahoga Community College and perfected her craft. Veronica says when God gave her the vision to start the catering company, she asked Him what she should name the company. “I heard Where The Heart Is. I was told that name would be the umbrella for many companies,” she says. “In 2013 we changed the name from Where The Heart Is Catering to Where The Heart Is Catering & Events.” Veronica said their company, Where The Heart Is A New You, is birthed out of a desire to help people tap into the true essence of who they are by loving and accepting themselves. Their focus is also on assisting and teaching good customer service skills and using your inner voice to pursue the business you have always wanted. While the official starting date for Where The Heart Is A New You is October of 2021, Jerome says the company services came to him in 2006. “My wife and I wanted to have a community and peoplefocused aspect to our catering and event décor. We wanted to emphasize customer service and people treatment,” he says.

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Since its inception, Where The Heart Is A New You has been able to keep the product highly potent and consistent and keep the subject of people treatment interesting. “Maintaining the integrity of our product has meant making hard decisions on what business to pass on and structuring the work so that it produces the same high-quality outcomes,” Jerome says. Veronica says she is inspired by Jerome’s encouragement and support. “He’s my biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader. It’s nice to have a Booster Club in the audience when you’re moving off pure vision and determination,” she says. She is also inspired by her brother William, who she says reminds her “Presentation Is Everything”, a motto she has spoken since the beginning of her business journey. She also shares that running a business can have its challenges and says her biggest challenge is to remember the answer is inside of her, and she must be willing to go inside.

Pictured with Veronica & Jerome (left to right) are Tiera Patillar, Aisha Tate and Sharrell Pointer These are some of the faces behind the excellence of Where The Heart Is Catering & Events

Their advice to up-and-coming Chefs, Caterers, or Event Designers is to know your worth and never devalue what you do and offer. “Know the signs when it’s time to walk away from the deal. Most importantly, know that it’s ok to walk away from the deal,” she says. In the future, Veronica and Jerome plan for Where The Heart Is Catering & Events to offer a one-stop shop, state of the art event venue that can accommodate four events of 250 people at the same time. “We are writing our vision and making it plain,” they shared. To learn more about Veronica and Jerome, and Where The Heart Is Catering & Events, and Where The Heart Is A New You, please visit their website. h

wheretheheartis.anewyou@gmail.com 216-313-0390 216-322-7641

www.wthicateringandevents.com 216-322-7641

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Re By Bre By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Breanna Rosa Breanna Rosa is Re by Bre. This young and talented professional hairstylist realized her gift almost by happenstance. As she prefers to be acknowledged, Bre is a native of Pensacola, FL. After receiving her formal education in the Pensacola public school system, she made her way to Tallahassee, FL, and attended Florida A&M University, a Historically Black College and University. Next, Breanna returned to Pensacola, attended Pensacola State University, and obtained her Associate of Arts degree in 2015. Hard work has always been a part of Bre’s identity. Since the age of 15, she has always worked, often working two jobs simultaneously. Currently, Bre works as a professional loctician and is the owner of Re By Bre. Some of the services Bre offers at her salon, Locology Loc Studio and Beauty Bar located in Pensacola are Starter Locs, Retwists, Styles, Loc Repair, Loc Extensions, and Wicks. She also has developed a line of natural hair products designed to assist her clients in managing and maintaining their locs. Her husband and business partner is the one who manages the Wicks component of her business. The average cost for Bre’s services is $100.

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She started her business in 2016, and shares that she could only do retwists and didn’t know how to start locs. She promoted her services on social media, encouraging those who needed to get their locs retwisted to get them done with her. One of her friends coined the term “Re By Bre,” and she stuck with it. “I could never do hair before I started doing locs. It began while I was involved in a bad relationship. The person I was dating was unfaithful, and I didn’t trust him to get his hair styled by someone else, so I taught myself how to do it. It was a tough experience, and it took me a long time to finish the task. So, I reached out to someone locally who was well known in the loc community. Their feedback wasn’t promising, and instead of allowing that to discourage me, I became more determined to master my craft,” she says. Bre shares that styling locs is an art form. This is one of the things that she loves most about her profession. “I love creating new styles and new looks for my clients. When a person has locs, they can become outgrown over time. I am able to tame and revitalize their locs by retwisting them and creating or recreating a nice, elegant style. Professionally, Bre says she is inspired by Mani Locs of Atlanta, GA. “I reached out to him and asked him to teach me new styles and different techniques,” she shares. He was open to helping Bre, and she eventually traveled to Atlanta and shadowed him, acquiring valuable information that helped her business grow to new heights. Bre credits the love and support of her husband, Shawn, for pushing her to be the best version of herself. “When he came into my life, he absorbed many things that were weighing me down. He allowed me to step out of the workforce and put my focus on being a business owner,” she says. She became a full-time entrepreneur in 2019, and within six months, she became an overnight success on social media. After posting her work on Facebook, she went viral on three different occasions, all in one week. That success opened new doors for Bre. She began to receive invitations to participate in events all around the United States and different countries. She then organized a tour schedule and visited areas such as Miami, FL, Birmingham and Montgomery, AL, Atlanta, GA, Colorado, North Carolina, Chicago, Virginia, and Texas. As a result, a new business segment was realized for Bre. She now works as a traveling loctician, and she has clients in Chicago and Atlanta that she services every month.

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“ ” Bre says her mother, Marie and sister, LeShaunte have also impacted her life and career. “They are my biggest supporters. I started both of their locs, and they are actually walking billboards for my work,” she says. While the ride has been enjoyable for Bre, she shares there is one thing that she wishes had happened differently. “I wish I had a mentor in the beginning. I am self-taught, and everything that I know I learned on my own. If I had known earlier what I learned in 2020, I believe I would have gotten further in my craft,” she says. Moving forward, Bre says she hopes to relocate to a bigger city, such as Atlanta, and open a salon there. Her advice for those who may follow in her footsteps is to use every brick thrown at you to step on and grow higher. “If you don’t love what you do, find out what you do love,” she says. To learn more about Re By Bre, please visit h her salon or visit them online.

Breanna Rosa Re By Bre Locology Loc Studio and Beauty Bar 2313 Border Street - Unit B Pensacola, Fl 32505 850-366-6625 www.rebybre.myshopify.com DMV - May/June 2022

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Christina Bennett By Dorjea McClammey Photos Provided By Christina Bennett Christina Bennett is the founder of Say It Sow, a speech therapy program in Huntsville, Alabama. Their motto is “What You Speak Life Into Grows, “ which is a constant reminder for Christina. She says, “Use your words positively to speak life and manifest your heart’s desires.” A native of Houston, Texas, Christina was raised in the small town of Fayette, Alabama. In 2002, she made the trek to Huntsville to attend Alabama A&M University. There she received her bachelor’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorders and followed that by earning her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Christina stated she enjoyed Huntsville so much that she decided to build her life there. She met her husband in Huntsville, and together they’ve produced two wonderful daughters. “I love Huntsville. It’s like porridge, just right. Huntsville is not too big like Houston and not too small like my hometown.” The journey of Say it Sow began in 2013. Christina was working in a private speech therapy practice that offered services to children and adults with speech-language, swallowing, voice, and hearing impairments. She served as the rehab director for about eight years but began to feel uncomfortable and determined she needed a change. Her mentor at the time encouraged her to step out on faith and launch her own firm, even providing Christina with the company’s name. “I continued to talk to God about the situation, and He ultimately revealed to me that I was going to have a private practice. True to His word, I would have just that,” she says. Christina did one of the hardest things she had ever done and left her sixfigure job to pursue her dream, but she shared she knew God was leading her. “Being in a corporate setting for so many years and lacking the flexibility to be with my family and treat clients was a hindrance. I wasn’t happy, and my clients weren’t getting what they needed, so I vowed to be able to not only give myself the flexibility but give my clients what they deserved,” she says.

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In 2020, Say It Sow was born. Christina says it was a rough start, and she had only one client that entire year. However, she remained grateful and determined to succeed, and soon her business began to flourish. Presently, Say It Sow has over 100 clients. Christina’s practice offers various services, including articulation, language delays, fluency apraxia, aphasia dysarthria, autism, dysphagia, traumatic brain injury, and voice and motor speech disorders. She also addresses Neurologic impairments such as Parkinsons and Dementia. “My services are for everyone, from ages zero to 99,” she says. She also provides in-home visits and virtual sessions and even travels to local daycare centers to help make it easier for parents. A career as a Speech Pathologist was something Christina always knew she wanted to pursue. She was once in a position like her clients as well. Christina was involved in a car accident that caused her to break both of her legs when she was younger. She also fractured her pelvis bone and sustained a severe head injury. Because of her injuries, she had to forfeit her entire 10th-grade year in high school and take speech therapy to regain her speech and language skills. After surviving that ordeal, Christina knew what her passion and purpose were. Christina says the experience of having her own practice has not always been easy. Some of the disorders and neurological impairments her clients can be difficult to work with, mainly due to the loss of speech or language. “However challenging it can be, the opportunity to help others is always rewarding,” she says. “When you teach someone who has suffered a stroke to repeat their wife’s name, or teach someone to tell their daughter “I love you” again, it makes it all worth it.” Being able to give her clients hope and help them achieve their goals continues to push Christina to be the very best version of herself. As for the future of Say it Sow, Christina plans on expanding her practice to serve other disciplines and be a complete resource to her community. She is also accepting new clients and will soon launch two summer camps.

Christina Bennett M.S. CCC/SLP Say It Sow www.sayitsow.com 256-715-1249

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For those who may be considering a career such as hers, Christina offers some sound advice. ‘Our field is gratifying, independent, and broad, so if you get tired of one aspect, there are many more opportunities to try under the speech pathology umbrella. To learn more about Christina Bennett and Say It Sow, please visit their website. h

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Marrel Gravely Foushee The son Sunny Gravely Foushee and Marrel Foushee

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To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com

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The Wealthy Child “I am a Change Agent on the path to create a culture of wealth for the next generation” By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Ronald Pollard Delvin Sullivan is a Dave Ramsey-certified Financial Coach who believes that “The earlier money can make sense to a child, the better chance they have at being financially responsible adults.” A native of Huntsville, AL, Delvin is the author of The Wealthy Child, a book designed to teach youth about money and the world’s economic process. As someone who grew up in public housing, Delvin’s passion always led him to mentoring youth and posing as a positive role model for kids, particularly young men. Using the basic principles of wealth, he published his book to level the playing field and offer all children the opportunity to become wealthy through knowledge. Some of the topics discussed in the Wealthy Child production are budgeting, banking, investing, credit, income, and assets. “I am introducing children to the basics of financial literacy in a fun and engaging way and teaching kids about the importance of earning, saving, and spending responsibly. My goal is to ensure they understand the importance of earning, saving, and spending responsibly,” Delvin says. In addition to being an author, personal finance coach, and entrepreneur, Delvin is also a US Army veteran and recipient of the Unsung Hero Award. He holds degrees from Alabama A&M University and Murray State University. He is married to Felichia, and they have two children, Tierra and Jordan, along with three grandchildren. Delvin shares, “I began teaching at the Sparkman Homes Boys and Girls Club in 2017, and decided to develop a book and workbook that would give the students something they could take home with them.”

The vision for The Wealthy Child is connected to Delvins awareness of the many challenges that youth face, especially within his community. “Studies show 80% of crimes that send people to prison have something to do with money. I want to change that narrative by teaching children how to earn, save, grow, and respect the dollar at an early age,” he says. He shares that he loves being able to change the course of a child’s life by ensuring he or she is financially literate. He is also inspired by youth development and making a difference in his community. Growing up in similar situations that many of the young individuals he’s helping are, Delving feels that he has a sincere responsibility to create realistic opportunities for them. “I made it to where I am because of the men placed in my life at the Boys and Girls Club. It was Ugene Phillips, Cedric Wherry, and Tyrone Langford. They would preach, “if you want to be an eagle, don’t hang around turkey’s”. That kept me from becoming a product of my environment,” Delvin says. Delvin’s future goal is to continue to change the lives of millions of children by introducing them to the world’s economic process. To learn more about The Wealthy Child, h please visit their website.

Delvin Sullivan The Wealthy Child

www.thewealthychild.net 256-468-3227 41

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I’m Your Traveling Expert By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Todd Youngblood “We are a group of people who are well-versed in the fun and rigors of traveling. Our travel agency came together to help other people plan and book their dream vacations.” It’s that time again. The warm weather months have arrived and if you haven’t already booked your summer vacation, Shanna Jennette of My Legendary Travel LLC is here to help. Last year, she launched her very own swimwear line, showcasing her creativity and style. Shanna, who resides in Greensboro, NC, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She began her career as a special education teacher with Teach for America. After accepting the position in 2011, she was relocated to New York City to teach in the public school system for the next two and a half years. Moving to New York was Shanna’s very first major traveling experience and the first time she had ever traveled by plane. This was the furthest she had ever been from North Carolina, and this experience introduced her to a lot of new things. Living in New York City ,Shanna became intrigued with all the new people she met and cultures. An interest in learning more about the cultures of her students and friends began to grow, and she decided that she would travel to these places and see them for herself. When she began planning her first international trip, she learned a lot of new information and thought about how she could share this knowledge with others. Shanna then reconnected with an old college friend who also happened to be a travel agent. After many conversations, Shanna eventually learned of all the required classes and certifications that she would need to begin this new venture. Fast forward to 2016, and her company was ready to go. My Legendary Travel LLC provides quality care, and service for its clients and their vacation plans. This agency does it all for international or domestic travel, cruise, or land adventure! The addition of fashion allows them to assist women with finding functional and affordable swimwear for their vacations. DMV - May/June 2022

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While planning her own vacations, Shanna always seemed to find trouble picking swimsuits that complimented her shape. Swimsuits that provided the coverage she needed were never quite that stylish, and the more fashionable swimwear that she would find would be too revealing. She figured that other women were probably experiencing the same issues, so she began creating her own pieces. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, traveling came to a complete standstill all around the world. That situation shifted her attention and revealed an opportunity for her to expand the business. During the lockdown, she forged new business relationships with a swimsuit vendor and a fashion designer who had made unique swimsuits for her in the past. Through collaboration with the vendor and the designer, Shanna produced multiple designs for monokinis, one-pieces, and two-pieces. Each swimsuit has a price point that ranges from about $25-$45, depending on the style. Shanna finds motivation from the community of women entrepreneurs that she is now surrounded by. She stated that attending business workshops and seminars where other black women share their success stories inspires her to keep going. “Going to those kinds of events allows me to network and build new friendships and business relationships, we are all able to help each other and keep each other motivated,” says Shanna. Shanna shares that her success in business continues mainly due to the rapport she has built with her clientele. “I get so many returning customers. I love that they always come back because it is a testament to my service,” says Shanna. She also gets a lot of business from the referrals made by her previous clients. Moving forward, Shanna plans to continue expanding the fashion sector of My Legendary Travel. She also plans to expand her business to other areas around the country. Recently, she dropped eight new swimwear styles on her website and has plans for more styles in the upcoming weeks. All previous styles are currently 50% off. Additionally, there are lots of summer travel deals. There is still a $200 deposit required per person to book, no matter the destination or cost. Many countries have lifted their Covid 19 restrictions and no longer require Covid testing to travel there, but it is still required to get a test to return to the U.S. Covid testing is available on most resorts, and if not, resorts will provide a location for a fee. Contact Shanna about Covid testing for specific locations before traveling. To learn more about My Legendary Travel LLC, please visit their website.

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