Huami Magazine DMV Sept./Oct. 2021 by Terry Watson

Sept./Oct. 2021 Vol. 1 Issue 5

DC-MD-VA

Embracing My C.OR.E. Out Loud DMV - Sept./Oct. 2021

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Old Ways Don’t Work On The Driving Course A Letter From The Editor

It seems like such a long time ago. The moment had arrived for me to become a licensed automobile driver. I was only 16 years old. For the most part, just a little young guy, full of ambition and excited about driving a car. I had enrolled in a driver’s education program at school. A Letter from the Editorother soon-to-be legitimate juvenile drivers The classes included several and were conducted after school for six weeks. We were all ready, but I don’t think anyone was more eager than I was. What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes On the course, there were severalto cars with automatic anddriving dreams wouldn’t have a street park on.anWhat if transmission. However, there was only oneoff vehicle contained a everything that you decided to put until that tomorrow never manualhappened? transmission (a stick shift). As fate would have it, I was the There would be no reason to save for a rainy only student familiar withcould a stickspare shift,someone as I had gained prior instruction day, and you the trouble of makingand drivingpromises. experienceWhat fromifa your few experienced drivers. I knew gear last opportunity seeminglythe expired patterntoday? and understood how to manage the clutch and gas paddles and What would you do? keep the car powered. So I chose that vehicle to drive during class.

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

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. I appeared to be in a league of my own on the driving course Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm amongst the other student drivers. I handled the curves well, and believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me didn’t run over any of the cones. I managed the straight paths well, and that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would looked pretty well in reverse. I was good, at least thats what I beleived. be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I to be very boring. myatopinion, opportunity Onehave day infound class,that the vehicle I was drivingIn was the front of the is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge pack on the driving course. I jumped out the gate fast, and that was my to me isAsanI went adventure. is the Iworst that brakes, can happen? first mistake. aroundWhat the curves, used little and the If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn tires on my car were screaming. “Stop!” That command was screamed something new about myself. Relinquish your pride andme in through the megaphone held by the driving instructor. He made return acquire life. park the car and get out for the remainder of the day. I laughed it off while trying to keep my cool amongst my classmates, but on the inside, The best advice ever given to drive me happened someone I was embarrassed. I would eventually again and when completed the told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so program, but it was clear that I almost jeopardized all of that from happening. I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between At the time, I didn’t realize how and I hadwhat put myself othersme in with danger what God blesses me with life canand burden by becoming anditcomfortable when and instead I as well.arrogant I compare to knowingduring when atomoment be confident should have been learning listening. when to be quiet,and because I made the mistakemay of applying invalid someone get it confused experience in a setting where I was with being arrogant. supposed to gain experience to be validated. Make God showed me on that you tomorrow day that happen when I try to do things my today, but most way and use information or instruction importantly make it count. that didn’t come from Him, I am just an Life is but a whisper and accident waiting to happen. Yet, when we must put ourselves in a I do listen and obey His commands, He position hear it is and will qualify me to to drive onwhat the roads highwaystelling of life.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 Tonya Dixon Writer Writers Gamal Williams Writer

Tonya Dixon Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Tamara Smith Still Shots Photography Jeuron Dove Photographer Oluwaseun Asade Photographer Photographers Photographer Joe Rush Perfect Lenz Photography Todd Youngblood Photography Shaw Photography Group Still Shots Photography Howard Gaither Photography Who Shotya Photography

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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

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Terry L. Watson DMV - Sept./Oct. 2021 Editor/Founder

On The Cover

Photo by Shaw Photography Group

CONTENTS

SEPT./OCT. 2021

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Natasha Jones 18

Natasha’s Credit Service LLC

On The Cover

She Is Living Her Life Out Loud Amber Pratt

Patricia’s Place

Latosha D. Barnes

Abiding Faith Church

Pastor Shannon Frazier

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Tegan Kennedy

Also Featured

Wendell White Just when it appeared like the end was near, God stepped in and showed out. Learn more about his journey and testimony. Milwaukee, WI

Dr. Jasmine Felder Learn more about Elite Sports & Performance Academy. Huntsville, AL

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Joe Rush Are you looking for a food truck or trailer to purcase? He can help. Learn more about Joe The Cart Guy. Richmond, VA

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Amber Pratt

Embracing My C.OR.E. Out Loud By Ayana Bryant Photos by Amber Bryant

Inner beauty and self-confidence are something that Amber Pratt manages very well. She is an overcomer and someone who doesn’t shy away from letting her voice be heard. The Temple Hills, Maryland native and resident is also a full figured model and creator of the lifestyle platform “Live Your C.O.R.E Out Loud”. Amber is not taking a back seat to anything or even conforming to what society says she should be. Instead, she is creating a lane of her own to empower and uplift women of all sizes. A recent contestant in the Ms. Full Figured DMV Pageant 2021, Amber established a community of support and sisterhood by embarking on this life changing experience. The Ms. Full Figured DMV Pageant was initially launched in 2017 as a subdivision of the “Ms. Full-Figured USA” Pageants, LLC. The Ms. Full-Figured USA Pageant was founded by Theresa “Sparkle” Randolph and is the longest running and first beauty pageant system solely dedicated to promoting empowerment for full-figured women. After a year of hesitation to join the pageant world, Amber finally decided to submit her application for Ms. Full Figured DMV Pageant. “Throughout the application and interview process, I wasn’t sure that I would make the cut, but in April 2021, I was selected to be a part of the pageants royal court,” she shares. Throughout a series of pageant workshops, Amber says the experience helped her better understand some things within herself and for what was to come. “I was able to grow with a group of like-minded women who supported me from the very beginning of the process and until the end. This growth experience made all of the difference, and at the conclusion of the pageant, I placed 1st runner up.”

“Throughout the application and interview process, I wasn’t sure that I would make the cut, but in August 2021, I was selected to be a part of the pageants royal court.”

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MS Exquisite Full Figured DMV Court 2021 Crowned Queen Neekia Brooks (Center) 1st runner up Amber Pratt (Left) 2nd runner up Chanda Aristaud (Right) Ms Congeniality Julie Brooks (Not Pictured) DMV - Sept./Oct. 2021

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“I had to say, okay… I’m pretty, period! You can think what you want to think about me, but I’m going to do what I need to do for me. That didn’t mean I was perfect but how I was able to get to where I am today was by doing what my platform states.”

As a young girl, Amber often struggled with issues surrounding her confidence and self-image. The opinions of others made her feel as if she was less while being plus size and that she would only ever be second best. It wasn’t until she was able to immerse herself into a new environment by going to college that she began loving herself more. “I had to say, okay… I’m pretty, period! You can think what you want to think about me, but I’m going to do what I need to do for me. That didn’t mean I was perfect but how I was able to get to where I am today was by doing what my platform states,” she says. While competing in the Ms. Full Figured DMV Pageant, Amber created a lifestyle platform to run on. That platform is “Live Your C.O.R.E. Out Loud”. Core is an acronym for “Confidence, Overcoming Resilience, and Exercise”. This platform was established to help people at any age step into their full potential and show the world their authentic selves. These are the things that Amber has taken from her personal journey of triumph and used them to help others who might be struggling the same way she had.

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Another way that Amber was able to overcome her personal challenges was by prioritizing her mental health. “Often times in the black community, seeking therapy and self-help is looked down upon because we have been conditioned to believe that suffering in silence is okay,” Amber shares. Although the conversations surrounding mental health have begun to shift in recent years, there is still quite a way to go. amber is an advocate for therapy and found her life improving once she began to see a psychiatrist. Throughout her journey, she focused on doing her work and even began seeing a nutritionist, who she says doubles as another therapist to her. Amber also explored utilizing healing crystals, which she found helpful. When asked what she loves most about the work she does, Amber answered, “I love seeing women feel good around me. I love to see them feel more empowered, even men! I enjoy helping people develop their ideas, and I love being people’s cheerleaders.” Amber finds inspiration in continuing the legacy of the generations that came before her, including her grandmother, mother, and herself. “Those women significantly pushed me, and have always supported, inspired, and shown me what it meant to be a woman. Seeing the sacrifices they’ve made for me, I’d never want to disappoint them,” Amber explains. In the future Amber hopes to continue be active while encouraging and empowering others. This includes doing more hosting’s, continuing to spread the message of “Live Your C.O.R.E. Out Loud”, and maybe even a TedTalk someday. She also wants to honor the Ms. Full Figured DMV Pageant and find ways to support her fellow sisters’ platforms. Currently, she is working with magazines and doing as much networking as possible to further her platform and brand. “I would like to utilize my modeling to help people build their confidence,” she says. By the sounds of it, Amber doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. To connect with Amber Pratt and follow her on her journey she can be found on Facebook at Amber Pratt and IG @a_pluscurves. h

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Wendell W hite I’m An Overcomer By Gamal Williams Photos by Wendell White

“I decided right then and there I was going to sell drugs. But at 12-yearsold, you don’t understand all that comes with selling drugs. You don’t see that death, prison, and violence come with selling drugs. All you see is the money. You don’t see how you’re destroying people’s lives.” One thing I’ve come to understand about our (African-American) community is that many of us don’t want to be held accountable. It’s normal with us living a certain type of way. Trauma has become normal in the African-American community. The incidence of murder occurs often. There is teenage pregnancy and high dropout rates. Poverty is normal, and I don’t believe that poverty defines our neighborhoods, I think we have a poverty mindset. But I know that we can’t fix this overnight. It took me thirty years to arrive to where I am today, so I have to be patient and keep working. That’s what God wants me to do so, I will do it. - Wendell White Usually, I start my articles with a poignant quote or Bible verse that ties neatly into my interviewing subject. There was no need to find such a quote for Wendell White. His quote above speaks to the core of Wendell’s mission, to a fundamental change of perspective and purpose rooted in experience, and when it comes to experiences. He has had many. Wendell was born and raised in the Englewood section of the South Side of Chicago, the “Wild Hundreds,” as Wendell explains. After leaving foster care, Wendell moved into the projects with his mother and family. Unfortunately for Wendell (and many children in inner city, African-American communities), he returned to a world full of drugs and violence. What made Wendell’s situation exponentially bleaker, he didn’t even have to leave his project apartment to find it. His family sold the drugs and contributed to the violence. “When you’re a child and your watching your mom and family sell drugs, how does someone tell you to go to school and get an education? Everybody around me sells drugs and they are lucrative! My uncle was making $50-60k a day! I was twelve years old, and one day he gave me a bag with over $250,000 to hold for my auntie. He had all the cars, and everyone admired him. I wanted to be like my uncle. When he left, I went into the bathroom and saw all that money. I decided right then and there I was going to sell drugs. But at 12-years-old, you don’t understand all that comes with selling drugs. You don’t see that death, prison, and violence come with selling drugs. All you see is the money. You don’t see how you’re destroying people’s lives.” Soon after that decision, Wendell joined a gang and quickly realized that gang life wasn’t the glitz and glamour he thought it was. Not only did he learn that he would start nowhere near the level his uncle was, but he was now a gang member in one of the most violent cities during its most violent time in history. According to the Chicago Police Department, from 1991 to 2004, there were 3,422 gang-related murders in Chicago. That’s an average of 244 murders per year. A ghastlier interpretation is this: there was a gang-related murder in Chicago every 36 hours, for 14 years straight. Yet, despite this reality (which is to say nothing of the other violent crimes, drug overdoses, and high incarceration rates), Wendell saw no other way to live. It was all he knew and taught, and turning to his family for guidance offered no respite. Even his own kidnapping didn’t turn him away. Continued on the next page

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“I started making money, big money. We were buying cars, flashing cash, but one day God decided that wasn’t the plan. I was kidnapped, beaten, and left for dead. That was the beginning of my transformation. The person that did it to me was near and dear to my heart; he set me up. But God spoke to me and told me to repent. I was in the hospital for eight weeks, but when I got out, I didn’t know anything else. I was eighteen and all I knew was selling drugs.” Wendell moved to Milwaukee soon after, and though he had changed locations, his mindset hadn’t. He continued to sell drugs, yet one day, it all stopped, but not through any choice of his. “One day, my phone just stopped ringing. I was selling drugs every day, all day, then one day, my phone just stopped ringing. I realize now that God has always been with me. HE stopped it. All my money started dwindling away. Then one day, I was coming home, stuck my key in the door, and broke down and cried. I broke, man. I cried for six months. I was depressed, but it was in that depression that I found God. It was all of these emotions and feelings that I had been feeling for years, and it all came out.” His wife asked him to attend church with her, and though he was still depressed and drinking heavily, he decided to go. Wendell found that some church members had written books that shared their testimony. That inspired Wendell to pen his story, The Devil Thought He Had Me! He has even gone on to start his own mentorship program.

You can purchase your copy of The Devil Thought He Had Me by visiting www.wendellwhitespeaks.com Also available on Amazon

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“My mentorship program started when my book came out. It was something that started when I started getting mentored. I joined my church, Unity Gospel House of Prayer, here in Milwaukee, WI. I just see the upside of having a mentor, man. We all need a mentor; we all need somebody to help us navigate through life, not really trying to control our lives, but teach us someone who can hold us accountable. If feel that I can get enough of the men and the youth, if I can just get them and talk to them. Tell them my story and the things I’ve been through. We could make such a huge impact. Not just in the city of Milwaukee or Chicago, but in the world. God gave me a testimony, and I believe God is setting up to give that testimony.” h

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By Tonya Dixon Photos by Still Shots Photography Some would say that being an entrepreneur is a difficult road to travel. Natasha Jones would probably agree. But more importantly, she recognizes the blessings and fruitfulness of her 8-year journey owning and operating her own businesses. “It hasn’t been an easy road for entrepreneur’s, especially during COVID, but I can say my business actually doubled. That’s a blessing,” she said. Credit repair has not only been her business for nearly a decade, but it has also been what she believes to be her calling. It began as a problem she was trying to solve for herself. She became so passionate about it, it was the natural next step for her to help others, including her fiancé, restore their credit, resulting in the establishment of Natasha’s Credit Services. “I have no problem telling people that I started off with bad credit myself. I don’t teach anything that I haven’t already experienced and known it’s proven to help, ” she said. The saying goes that experience is the best teacher; it certainly holds true for Jones. She has experienced nearly every type of devastating financial situation one can think of, including financial instability, eviction, subpar credit scores, staying in public housing, which she says is not an indication of someone’s worth, however may indicate the need for financial literacy, as well as many other difficult circumstances. There were several tipping points, but Jones recalls going to make a significant purchase, but was told her credit wasn’t good enough. It was a gut punch and reality check all in one. “I couldn’t believe it. I was stunned. But I tell people this all the time. Credit is not something we were told or taught,” she said. “The top three reasons people have bad credit are divorce (believe it or not), helping people (when we can’t afford to) and simply not being taught.” Continued on the next page

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Prior to making the decision to improve her credit, Jones says she had never heard of credit agencies. She definitely didn’t know their purpose. Once she knew better, it was time to do better. She began writing letters and making the necessary changes to restore her credit. It took time, but she educated herself about the process and its necessity. “It was as simple as taking the first step to better my own credit. I believe in being a product of the product,” she said. “Anything you do, promote or service, you should be able to experience it or go through it yourself.” Jones worked for Apple, Inc. for years and loved her job, but her passion was elsewhere. She had a desire to help people understand their credit and become financially stable and successful and that comes with good credit. Initially, she worked for a financial education services company. She was able to help individuals restore their credit, but her ability to be more hands-on and provide personal assistance was severely hampered because she was unable to share certain specific credit information with her clients. In a move that was probably motivated more by a sincere desire to help others than personal gain, Jones got all the knowledge she could and established her own company. “It had gotten to the point where I realized, I was too much of a middleman and I couldn’t tell clients what they needed to know about their credit. So, I did my research and discovered software that would be more beneficial and better assist me with helping others,” she said.

In 2021, Natasha celebrates three years of being a full-time entrepreneur and ultimately following her dreams and passions, and making a real, tangible difference in the lives of other people for generations to come. 20

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Word of mouth has been Jones’ best form of advertising. Clients are seeing personal results and telling their family, friends, co-workers and basically anyone who will listen. “Recently a realtor approached me about a client who was in the middle of building a home, but basically made a late payment and experienced some [credit] issues. I often come across people who recognize me and call me ‘the credit lady.’ But that’s okay. People know when they come to me, they are getting a reliable and proven service. Again, I don’t tell people anything that I wouldn’t do or haven’t done,” said Jones. In addition to personal credit restoration services, Jones has expanded into helping clients establish business credit as well as helping homebuyers prepare for the homebuying process. “I provide credit restoration for personal and business credit. I also offer an awesome home ownership program where I team up with local realtors and lenders and help improve their clients’ ability to purchase a home.”

Continued on page 20

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“I’m a huge advocate for home ownership,” she says. “One of my favorite slogans is, if you can pay rent, you can pay a mortgage! Too often our money goes one way, when it could go toward investing in something like owning a home.” For Jones, it’s all about education. It’s not enough to help someone improve their credit, but she is also committed to making sure they continue to grow and improve their financial health, particularly understanding how to maintain and even boost and build upon the knowledge they obtain and not having to return to rebuild credit. “We advocate for our clients. We don’t want to see people come back into the program. We try to educate them along the way, so they won’t go backward and have to return,” she said. The more she expands her knowledge base and recognizes greater needs, Jones has also ventured into tax preparation and, more recently, assistance with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans though the Small Business Administration. No matter the service, she requires clients participate in a free one-on-one consultation with her to make sure they are ready for the process and required patience of credit restoration. “I always recommend doing a consultation first. I don’t take just any client. I need to know that your mindset is in the right space because credit repair is an investment,” she said. “You have to be ready, not only financially, but you have to be ready mentally. It is not an overnight process. I stress that all the time. I need people to be committed and know what they are facing. Believe it or not 65% of credit repair is you and the other 35% is me, the specialist.”

Pictured with Natasha (from left to right) is her daughter Makayla, her fiance Jesse and daughter McKenzie 23

“People think it happens with the snap of a finger, but it doesn’t work that way. I want to be a fairy, I really do, but it just doesn’t work that way. That’ what makes the consultation vital. We have to make sure that we’re compatible and that we are both on the same page.” Jones’ program requires monthly check-in meetings to make sure everyone is still committed, on the right track, transparent and accountable. She discusses areas of opportunity, makes sure the client is happy with their results and more. “Those calls are very important. The people that have the greatest success rate in the program are the ones that do their monthly calls and they’re staying on top of their credit,” she said. Of course, credit restoration services aren’t free and for those who bemoan paying for the service when they already have financial difficulties, Jones quickly tells them they have more resources than they know. “I definitely come across people who say they can’t pay for the service and have reservations, but I tell them, ‘Don’t eat out for one week and that is the source and opportunity for you to begin your credit repair journey,” she said. Being an entrepreneur hasn’t been easy, but Jones has enjoyed the ride and taken notes along the way to make sure she grows and expands just as much as her clients. This year marks three years of being a full-time entrepreneur and ultimately following her dreams and passions and making a real, tangible difference in the lives of other people for generations to come. h

Natasha Jones

Natasha’s Credit Services 2641 Randleman Road Suite B1 Greensboro, NC 27405 1-888-857-6884 www.natashascreditservices.com

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Listen To Every Episode On The Following Platforms

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www.thisiswhoiam.libsyn.com

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Tegan Kennedy The son of McKenzie and Chris Kennedy

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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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Pastor Abiding Faith Church Of Baytown 28

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“I love seeing people healed in every area of their life. My love for people keeps me excited and continues to challenge me to give more. I believe in maintaining a positive mindset and watching how that creates a positive life.”

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Pastor Shannon Frazier For some, the journey of life can be very unpredictable. Promises are not always fulfilled, and ones’ perception of life can be as isolated and individualized as a fingerprint. For Greensboro, NC native and now Houston, TX resident Shannon Frazier, those details duly describe how life was once like for him. Today, it is appropriate to greet him as Pastor Shannon Frazier. He is the shepherd called by God to lead the flock of Abiding Faith Church of Baytown, located in Houston. He is also the Founder and CEO of Shannon Frazier Ministries. Not to be stereotyped, Pastor Frazier shares that his heart is set on saving lost souls and advancing the kingdom of God. He is the husband to Shanel Frazier and the father of two sons, Seth and Josiah. Pastor Frazier grew up in Greensboro, attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., and majored in Music Education. He later moved to Houston and answered the call of ministry. “I believe that I was called to preach at the age of 14, however at that time, I chose not to respond to the call. As a result, I encountered many unnecessary trials and learned many life lessons that I continue to use today. I am a Black American Pastor that believes in embracing every race, creed, and culture with the love of God. I am a third-generation, extraordinary musician who has traveled worldwide playing the piano with Broadway musicals and various gospel artists. I discovered my passion and love for ministry as I traveled and experienced the different cultures and ethnicities,” he says. Continued on the next page

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Pastor Frazier grew up as a church musician. He describes himself as ardent and always striving to empowering others. That passion led him to leave the music industry and answer the call to pastor. “I love seeing people healed in every area of their life. My love for people keeps me excited and continues to challenge me to give more. I believe in maintaining a positive mindset and watching how that creates a positive life.” Leading anything in life can be pretty daunting. To be an effective leader, one must be tried and tested. Pastor Frazier has been. “I remember when we first started our ministry, we were young and excited and full of zeal. We had very little knowledge of what we were doing. It was 2012, and God knew that we would really need help. We were setting up and breaking down chairs in a daycare center each week, and many times the only attendees would be my family. We prayed and believed God and trusted that we would have our own building. We also believed that more people would see the vision and help us bring that vision to life. One day, I heard God tell me to take a CD of me teaching to a barbershop. Out of obedience, I gave the CD to the lead barber and told him that God told me to bring this to him. He played the CD in the barbershop the next day, while a pastor of another church just so happened to be there. He heard the teaching and immediately told the barber to get in touch with me. After a few times of that pastor and I connecting and talking, he shared with me that God told him to give me his church. Naturally, I was shocked, and we both began to pray. I was then led to visit the church, and to my surprise, it was grand in structure, a 15,000 square foot building and sitting on ten acres of land. The pastor handed me the keys to the

property, all while God was blowing my mind. We prayed and believed for God to show up, but we had no idea that He would show up like that. We went from setting up and breaking down chairs for one year and three months to having a fully furnished building with over 50 active members. Having faith in God and believing when faced with doubt is how we overcame,” he shares. Now that his position has clearly been defined, Pastor Frazier has set his sights on leading Abiding Faith Church of Baytown into the direction that God desires. One of his personal goals is to stay connected to Jesus and allow Him to teach him and show him how to continue to walk by faith and defy the odds. “One goal that we have at AFC is to connect with the city of Baytown and provide assistance for students in our community who may be behind in school because of the Covid 19 pandemic. I understand that many children need tutoring and assistance, and we are actively putting together a plan to hire teachers to create an online help center as well as using our facility for in-person learning,” Pastor Frazier shares. The future looks bright for Abiding Faith Church of Baytown. Having a leader chasing after God’s heart and being committed to serving others is obviously what God had in mind when He chose Pastor Frazier as its leader. This shows that when you are obedient to what God calls you to do, He will make provisions to see it through. To learn more about Pastor Shannon Frazier and Abiding Faith Church of Baytown, please visit their website. h

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www.afcbaytown.org

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The Cart Guy 32

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Joe Rush For most business owners, their success is often determined by the quality of their products, the level of service offered to their customers. If both of these are superior, their relationships with their customer base will span a lifetime. This is part of the story for Joe Rush, owner of Joe The Cart Guy. Joe Rush is a self-made entrepreneur and family man, and father who loves to inspire others around him. Based in Richmond, Va, Joe The Cart Guy focuses on building original Food Trucks and Food Trailers. They also specialize in the (all-electric) trailer, something that Joe invented. They also sell restaurant equipment and cater to first-time entrepreneurs, many of who are just beginning their journey in the food industry. Being a native of the Richmond community, Joe started his business out of desperation. He shares, “After many years of working dead-end jobs and not ever having any progress, I decided to make a change. I needed a job but didn’t have any luck with finding one. However, one day I met a chatty food cart vendor at a gas station by chance. The guy gave me some good advice, but most of all inspired me to jump into the industry. I was sold, and from then on, I set my eyes on having a food cart. I built my first one, and the response was great. Soon I was building and selling them so often that it turned into a business for me, and now here I am, Joe The Cart Guy.” Some of the products offered by Joe are the Basic Food truck Trailer, Standard, and Fully Loaded. There is also the Porched Trailer and Big Boy. Each trailer is fully enclosed, and all of them except the Basic series come equipped with a Fire Suppression System and are priced beginning at $15,900.

“After many years of working dead-end jobs and not ever having any progress, I decided to make a change. I needed a job but didn’t have any luck with finding one.”

Continued on the next page

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There is steep contrast between the Basic system and The Big Boy. With the Basic Trailer, the features are a 6x12 fully enclosed food trailer, with FRP fire Retardant Walls, Fully Self Contained Three Compartment Sinks (handwash sink included), Vinyl Flooring With Baseboard Cove, Stainless Steel Equipment Table, 120V Full Electric Service with 30 amp, with no additional equipment included. Joe says this cart is suggested to be used for a Coffee Cart or Ice Cream business. The Big Boy Trailer is a 7x16 fully enclosed food trailer. It has FRP fire Retardant Walls, Fully Self Contained Three Compartment Sinks And Hand Wash Sink, Chrome Treadplate Flooring, Chrome Stainless Backsplash, 24 Inch Commercial Griddle Lpg, 40 Pound Floor Standing Commercial Fryers, Ten Cubic Foot Full Size Fridge, 27 Inch Refrigerated Prep Table, Fullsize Commercial Food Warmer, Six Burner Full Size Oven, Fire Suppression System, 8-foot Customer Ventilated Hood, Propane Tanks (mounted and installed), Stainless Steel Equipment Table, 120v Upgraded Full Service Electric Service, 700-watt Microwave on the custom shelf, Bluetooth Ceiling mounted speakers, LED Interior Lighting, Exterior LED Lighting, Custom Cabinetry over the sink area, Full-Color Logo (front and rear), and 13.5k BTU Ceiling Mounted A/C. This is a turnkey unit designed for clients with high volume. Additionally, Joe offers a very innovative lease program that helps his clients get started with little money down. “These things are inherently expensive, so we try to make these as affordable as possible,” he says. Joe has a genuine passion for what he does and has set out to help as many people get started in his industry as possible. “I have strived to make the best quality and most innovative food trailers as possible. I also have committed to making the trailers affordable, to make accessible to everyone. I not only make a good product, but I price them for thousands less,” he says.

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“There isn’t any representation of African Americans in this industry, and that is why I pride myself on providing our community with top-notch service and respect.”

Joe says he also loves the opportunity he has to engage with members of his community. “There isn’t any representation of African Americans in this industry, and that is why I pride myself on providing our community with top-notch service and respect. I value our dollar, and I love seeing peoples dream come true, and seeing their life instantly change after taking the leap of faith. Because I design all the trailers I sell, I love being able to express my thoughtful and creative designs with my clients.” Like most businesses, Joe has faced a few challenges. “The Covid 19 pandemic has kind of been a blessing and a curse. We had our busiest year ever and are on pace to sell about 40-50% more than our previous peak. On the bad side, we have experienced heavy delays and supply chain problems, which have lead to customer service woes,” he says. For those who are interested in following in his footsteps, he offers some advice. “Stay the course and keep pushing. It eventually gets easier when you have the experience under your belt. Most people just don’t stick it out long enough to see the work come to fruition,” Joe shares. In the future, Joe plans to include world domination in his chosen industry and become a household brand synonymous with food trucks. He will be opening a second retail location to better serve his clients on the west coast. To learn more about Joe The Cart Guy, please visit their website. h

Joe Rush Joe The Cart Guy www.joethecartguy.com 804-477-9734

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“It was time that we put our faith into something that we both would love to do for the rest of our lives. It’s always been a thought and a goal, and now is the time that we execute.”

Elite Sports and Performance Academy By Terry L. Watson Photos by Elite Sports

Don’t look now, but the way physical fitness is understood is changing. Elite Sports & Performance Academy is a training academy that believes in utilizing experience and professional knowledge to build an elite system while advancing its clients in every area of development. Thier concept is TEAM; everyone is involved to maximize motivation and optimal participation. Elite Sports & Performance Academy is led by husband and wife duo Dj and Dr. Jasmine Felder. Their mission is to create an experience for total body progression. They pride themselves on being detailed, as they are keen on individualization. “We prioritize our training with recovery and injury prevention first, which helps us maximize the improvements of our clients,” they said. Dj and Dr. Felder strategically structured their training curriculum to address all skill and experience levels. After playing at the collegiate and international levels of basketball and years of experience working with children’s mental health, DJ Felder began to focus on the overall athlete performance. Dr. Felder, a physical therapist, provides both collegiate experience and workout expertise with doctoral knowledge for prevention and recovery. With their skillsets combined, they provide a unique tailored training experience. At Elite Sports & Performance Academy, they offer three programs: sports training, #fitWIFEmomLIFE/#fitMOMlife, and bridge the gap. Their Sports Training Program is tailored to developing fundamentals and skills in each sports element, whether on the track, field, or court. Their #fitWIFEmomLIFE/#fitMOMlife program provides moms who have a hectic schedule with the option to have a physical therapist come to their home. This program is a workout tailored to develop the pelvic floor while individualizing their cient’s physical needs. Finally, their Bridge the Gap program is designed for athletes discharged by a doctor or have completed formal physical therapy but require help with returning to sports. “We provide attention to injury prevention, form, body mechanics, and ongoing weakness that sometimes results from lacking endurance. No doctor referral is needed to have access to a physical therapist. This option allows us to address issues related to conditioning and provide education or activities in a wellness setting,” they share.

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DJ specializes in overall athlete performance and has been coaching and building up athletes for over ten years. He was born in Topeka, Kansas but was raised in Hinesville, Georgia. He found himself leaning on sports a lot during his childhood, with basketball becoming a passion. He has modeled himself into an experienced and knowledgeable athlete throughout his life, working with athletes on and off the court/ field. He played collegiate basketball at East Georgia State University and led his team to its first championship in program history. He later transferred and played for Jacksonville State University. Following graduation, he played years of international basketball until deciding to start a family with Jasmine.

Client Testimony “I’ve had 6 major surgeries in my career; therefore, I have issues here and there in which one has been my knees. In one session, I seen major improvement in my range of motion and tightness. In my time with Dr. Felder, my overall strength, flexibility, and range of motion has increased. Her knowledge on the body, especially the athlete’s body is spectacular. I trust her with my health and she has always provided me with excellent service, customer service, and reliability. Not only has she mastered physical therapy, but she is one of the most selfless individuals that I’ve ever met. She has played a humongous part in my recovery and athletic journey and I am forever thankful for her and this company!” CEO of Life Key Financial Group Former Pro Athlete - Bridge the Gap Amber J. from Birmingham, Alabama 40

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Though Dr. Jasmine Felder was born in Frankfurt, Germany, she was raised all over the world due to active military involvement by her parents. She graduated from Bob Jones High School in Huntsville and was a part of the first girl’s basketball championship team her junior year. That same team went on to repeat the championship that following year. After graduating, Dr. Felder played basketball for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Throughout her sports career, she suffered multiple injuries, one that was career-ending. As devastating as this was, this further fueled her. She graduated with her doctoral degree from Alabama State University in 2016. Since becoming Dr. Felder, she has tailored her practice to sports and orthopedic. She also specializes in Temporomandibular Jaw Dysfunction (TMD) and has a keen interest in women’s health. She provides both collegiate experience and workout expertise with the knowledge for injury prevention and total recovery. Dr. Felder is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The idea of Elite Sports is something that DJ and Dr. Felder have always talked about for years. “We always dreamed of having a gym, but we never really got into the specifics. It’s always been on the back burner sort of speak. I have never been a monetary risk-taker, and I’ve always been strategic. However, in June of this year, we turned 30, and I reminisced about how much we accomplished individually and together. I thought about what’s next and what our lives could be in the next ten years. I saw that the time was now,” Dr. Felder shares. DJ shares, “It was time that we put our faith into something that we both would love to do for the rest of our lives. It’s always been a thought and a goal, and now is the time that we execute.”

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Client Testimony “Coach DJ is a laid back type of trainer, but also great at explaining and getting his point across while training. He can train athletes on all levels from junior high to pro level guys. He loves the grind and loves to share the passion with others. He has helped me develop my skills over the years as I finish up my college career at Oakwood. I highly recommend!!!” Oakwood College Sports Training Kaleb G. from Huntsville, AL

Dr. Felder shares that she is inspired mostly by her family. “I go hard for my crew! I just want our little ones to do better than us and not have to face some of the challenges we have.” DJ credits his wife with having the impact on his life. “My wife is my biggest inspiration. She wakes up every morning and does something she loves, something she worked hard for over the years. The drive and the determination that she has rubbed off on me, and I can’t wait to inspire others,” he says. Running a business and managing careers, all while raising two kids, sounds quite challenging; however, it’s something the Felders appear to do very well. “We are a busy family of four, and we both still work full-time. Our little boy is just six months old, and our first child is two years old, so being intentional about our business time and time together without sacrificing too much of the precious time we have with our children is hard, but I know it will pay off,” Dr. Felder says. “Getting started was very challenging for us. We want to rent out some space or partner with a gym initially, but that’s been a challenge with pricing. We just want to get the Madison area and surrounding cities to understand that we are for health and fundamental development at all ages. By combining physical therapy, it’s something that gives us the edge. This is a huge passion of ours, and we are willing to go the extra mile for our customers to assure satisfaction,” DJ says.

Elite Sports & Performance Academy www.espaofal.com 256-434-8199

To learn more about Elite Sport & Performance Academy, please visit their website. h

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A Voice For The Voiceless By Terry L. Watson Photos by Latasha Barnes

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope – Romans 5:34 (New International Version). When trying to envision the bigger picture of your life or career, I imagine that few of you see yourself going through pain and feeling hopeless before becoming an accomplished professional. Although most of us would prefer that we coast through life on easy street, the truth is that no one accomplishes anything in this world without the scars to prove it. This is definitely the case for inspirational domestic violence advocate Latosha Barnes. The founder and director of Patricia’s Place domestic violence shelter, serving Chicago’s west side and south suburban communities, knows firsthand what it is like to endure the pain and scars of domestic violence. “My first experience with abuse occurred when I was a young girl, who experienced my mother Patricia being beaten and introduced to drugs by her ex-husband,” said Barnes. “Despite my grandmother attempting to shield me from this violence, it would not take long before I realized what was going on.” Although Barnes hoped never to endure the kind of life that her mother, whose namesake is now a beacon of hope to the hurting women of Chicago, chose to overcome, it would not take long before her family’s history caught up to her. At the age of 20, four months after marrying her first husband and now a mother of two young children, Barnes began to experience the traumatic experience of spousal abuse.

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“I had started some classes at a local junior college in South Holland and had to ask a male friend of mine, who I went to high school with, to give me a ride home,” said Barnes. “Although I told this jealous man that I took the bus home, he apparently saw me get out of this guy’s car, and when he realized that I was fearfully lying to him, he slapped me for the first time.” Despite her ex-husband’s mother and grandmother sitting close by, neither woman decided to do anything. After attempting to walk away before the abuse got worse, Barnes would run to the woman who was always there for her growing up. “My grandmother was very strict, but she has always been there for me, that is until that fateful night,” said Barnes. “Although I showed up to her house with my two children and carrying a third and fourth at 2:00 a.m., she told me that I had to go home – back to him and the abuse – because I was married now. This experience actually stuck with me for decades before she finally told me that she was also a victim of domestic violence.”

“I realized that I was stuck in a pattern started by my grandmother, and now seeing one of my kids endure her first form of abuse, God made it clear that it was time for me to walk away.” Barnes tries to explain how she, her mother, and grandmother stuck out relationships that would lead to broken bones, hospital stays, and multiple calls to local police. She even watched her ex-husband go after one of her daughters as she attempted to protect Barnes from yet another attack. Enough became enough, and Barnes finally got the courage to file for divorce. “I knew that this was going to be the hardest thing I had ever done. I realized that I was stuck in a pattern started by my grandmother, and now seeing one of my kids endure her first form of abuse, God made it clear that it was time for me to walk away,” said Barnes. After walking away, Barnes’s future of success would begin to take shape. Beginning with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, and master’s degrees in both criminal justice and addiction studies, Barnes also started to put her efforts into helping other women, men, and children escape abusive situations. “Before opening our brick-and-mortar shelter, my 501C3 community-based organization would begin as a referral source for those who were leaving abusive situations in 2016,” said Barnes. “While I dreamed of owning a shelter to help women escape abuse, for several years, it wasn’t until last year that my new husband and I were able to open an emergency shelter for up to 10 women, children, and their small pets. This temporary haven provides not only a safe place to stay but also provides clothing, food, legal counsel, and other supportive services to those who need someone to care and help them through this traumatic experience.” Continued on page 10

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Along with opening the kind of safe home that she and her family had always dreamed of, Barnes is quickly becoming a voice for the voiceless through her recently published a book, Un-Veil: Surviving Domestic Violence, a memoir and 10-step self-help activity and resource guide for surviving spousal abuse. She is also in the process of publishing her second book entitled, Pieces of My Childhood, which will share an in-depth journey of her life and will be available through She Publishing, LLC in the next few months. “Through Patricia’s Place I have begun several domestic violence teaching and counseling programs such as the S.T.A.R. Program (Surviving Traumatic Abusive Relationships) and Purple Power. These tools allow women to learn what resources and support are available for them,” said Barnes. “We have also started a program for kids who have lived in a family of domestic violence. My goal is for women to feel the love and respect that I did not receive when I was going through this.” This empowered woman has also begun doing her part to have local politicians pay more attention to this ongoing issue. “I have recently approached a well-known councilman about the possibility of moving National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to another month so that this cause is not lost in the celebration of another important cause.” We are so proud of Latosha Barnes for finding her way out of the ashes of abuse and using her newly empowered voice to help others find the strength and victory necessary to overcome abuse. To learn more about Patricia’s Place and Barnes goal to work towards the elimination of Domestic Violence against female victims, please visit their website. h

Latosha D. Barnes Patricia’s Place

20200 Governors Drive Unit 203 Olympia Fields, IL 60461 www.patriciasplace.org 773-900-3301 773-996-4900

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Articles inside

Amber Pratt