Huami Magazine Florida March/April 2022 by Terry Watson

F LO R I D A

March/April 2022 Volume 1 Issue 7

Santia Creative Styles Salon Florida - March/April 2022

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It Matters Who We Are At Our Core A Letter From The Editor

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

We have finally made it to the month of March. However, living in North Carolina, I learned not to get my hopes for warm A Lettertoo from thedue Editor weather high to the inconsistency in the weather patterns. All in the same day, it may feel like it’s Springtime, and before you know it, the temperature may rise, and it feels What if By tomorrow didn’tit’s arrive? All of your plans, hopes like Summer; the evening, Fall-like, and when midnight and dreams wouldn’t street toinpark on.Carolina. What if arrives, it’s Winter. That have is justahow it is North everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would no reason for aevery rainy day, I am a warm-weather kind be of guy. If it’s to 70save degrees andwith you me. couldThough spare someone the trouble of making thatday, is fine I’ve survived the Winter, I can do promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired without it. today? What would you do? As a young kid, my mother would dress my brother and me beencoats told that I often seemus like do outside too much. in thickI’ve winter before allowing toI go and play Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm in the cold. Underneath the coats, we wore sweaters, two believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me t-shirts, thermals, and sometimes more t-shirts. She wanted to that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would ensure we would not get too cold while out playing. We didn’t, be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I and when it was time to come back inside, mom would peel have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity our layers of clothing away, down to one shirt. Our inner core is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge body temperature remained warm beneath everything, and our to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? wellbeing remained intact. That experience reminds me of how If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn God protects me for all seasons and situations. something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life. Through prayer, fasting, reading God’s word, and application, a layer of protection is placed over my life. When I keep God at The best advice ever given to me happened when someone my core, He reveals Himself when the layers are peeled away. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so These layers can be fear, shame, depression, guilt, or anything I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only thehope enemy may try Itohave use also to discourage me into believing I am provided. learned the difference between lesswhat thanGod what God created me to be. blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and I start each day with prayer and reading, I seek because God when toand be quiet, first; that is the first layer applied. When my may faithget is tested someone it confused throughout the day, I speak with being arrogant. life into my situation and rest on God’s promise. Make By doing another you this, tomorrow layer is happen applied,today, and I am butwarmed most by whatimportantly I expect tomake happen by faith. it count. Before Life my day ends, I can only is but a whisper andthank God forwe Hismust graceput yetourselves once again in afor keepingposition me. Wetomust hearkeep whatGod it is at the coretelling of who us.we are.

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson

Publisher

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson Editor In Chief Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Dorjea’ McClammey Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Ellen Richardson Writer Monica Montgomery Writer Writers

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mykelmedia@yahoo.com (336) 340-7844 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 Greensboro, NCeditor by 2022 All Rights Reserved E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved

Terry L. Watson

Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

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November/December 2014

On The Cover

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CONTENTS

MARCH/APRIL 2022

FLORIDA

Laced Kreationz

Jhenelle Bagley

On The Cover

Creative Styles Salon Santia Pace

Two Is Stronger Than One

Lakisha and Terrence

The Legacy Foundation

LaCrystal Davis

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Wynter Rose

Also Featured

Tameran Davenport She made the huge step from Corporate America in to the world of Entreprenuership with Positive Outlook Trainings. Charlotte, NC

Victor Durrah Jr. He is pouring back into the same community that helped to build and shape his life. Greenville, SC

Florida - March/April 2022

Patrick Bean He is singing and praising God. Learn more about the founder of Bonafide Worshippers. Little Rock, AR

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Florida - March/April 2022

Santia Creative Styles Salon

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Cazualtee Santia describes herself as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister-friend, and of course, a hairstylist. “I’m a woman who wears many hats, and I look good while doing it,” she says. Originally a native and resident of Washington, D.C., Santia moved to Pensacola eight years ago after her husband, Jonathan, job placed them there. Natural Hair Care and making others feel beautiful about themselves is her expertise. “I truly care about the health of my clients’ scalp and hair. I listen to their concerns and offer solutions and treatments that will work best for them,” she says. While enjoying the success of Creative Styles Salon Spa, Santia decided to change the dynamics of her business model. In 2017, she stepped out on faith and launched her own natural hair care product line that includes shampoos, conditioners, tonics, and lemongrass butter. The reviews have been stunning. One client shared, “I’ve always used hair tonic while sporting a short hairstyle. I decided in September 2019 to use Santia’s products because I wanted to let my hair grow. The results have been amazing, and some people are doing head turns, not thinking it’s me. My hair smells good, and it’s so soft. People often ask to touch it. I am so pleased with my hair growth.”

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“I’m a woman who wears many hats, and I look good while doing it.” Santia’s products are available online and in various stores in Washington, D.C., Miami, Atlanta, and Pensacola. What Santia loves most about styling hair she shares is connecting with new people and providing confidence and encouragement. She also credits her aunt, who recently passed away for impacting her life and career. Like most business owners, Creative Styles Salon Spa has been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Santia says when the virus arrived in Pensacola, she had to close her salon. However, being the wise businesswoman that she is, she was able to offset her losses with the online sales of her hair products. She survived, proving that her brand is her to stay. In the future, Santia says she plans to distribute her products to more stores and open other hair salons throughout the region. Her advice to others who may follow the same path she has is never to give up. “Obstacles will come, but you have to keep pushing,” she shares. To learn more about Santia and Creative Styles Salon Spa, please visit either of their locations in Pensacola, Fl, h or visit their website.

Creative Styles Salon Spa 2829 Michigan Ave. Suite B Pensacola, FL 32526 850-434-2545

Creative Styles Salon Spa 2 6706 US HIGHWAY 98 Pensacola, FL 32506 850-741-0716

www.creativestylessalon.com 8

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& Togeher, Anything is Possible By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography As power couples go, Terrence Williams and Lakisha Hoskins shine bright. This dynamic duo is united in faith, love, and business, and their united front is helping them create a legacy not just for their two sons but for their community and everyone they come in contact with. Both Terrence and Lakisha were born and raised in North Carolina but confessed to having completely different childhoods. Terrence is from the small town of Whiteville, where he was raised with traditional southern values. After graduating high school, Terrence continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and ECPI College. Terrence works as an IBM field engineer, but his head for business makes him an essential part of this power couple. “Growing up, we were taught not to meddle in grown folk business. Which included the household finances.” Terrence knew he wanted to do more and explore more opportunities and income streams, but first, he had to learn how to handle money and navigate the business world. “I had to learn a lot of it on my own, but I share it with anyone who will listen. This is something that everyone, especially people of color, should want to know and understand. We, as black people, have a lot of buying power. It’s time we understand how to make it work for us.” Lakisha is from Durham, North Carolina, and considers herself “A beautiful city full of dark roads.” With little family support, Lakisha learned to navigate life on her own. Although education wasn’t stressed in her home, Lakisha possessed an intrinsic drive that pushed her to pursue her dreams.

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Lakisha’s love for beauty and cosmetology goes back to her childhood. Although she had a relationship with her parents, her grandfather raised Lakisha primarily. “At nine years old, I knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry. Being raised by my grandfather, I learned how to do my own hair. I didn’t want to look crazy, so I knew I needed to figure it out and quick!” Beauty became a passion for Lakisha, and it has served her well. Terrence recognizing his wife’s passion for beauty and her calling to help others has committed himself to ensure the business side of things is taken care of. When Terrence and Lakisha met, she was already an entrepreneurs, each owning a business of her own. She had a salon, Ultimate Creations, which opened in 2002. The name was changed in 2012 to Elegant Divaz. They have since purchased the franchise Trendy Nailz Institute, a school for nail technicians. Additionally, they’ve created a photography together. “When I met my husband, he came with a lot of business knowledge. I didn’t appreciate it at the time because I thought he was being too cautious, but now I understand the importance of making a solid business plan.” Lakisha isn’t the only person Terrence freely shares his business knowledge with. Terrence believes that the lack of financial education and business holds people of color back. “I’m willing to share what I’ve learned with anyone who will listen. In high school, they taught us how to write checks, but they said nothing about getting the money in the checking account. We need to learn how to generate and maintain wealth within our communities.” This desire to educate his community on how to build a thriving business, create wealth, and secure capital is what drives Terrence and why he and Lakisha work so well together. Before meeting Terrence, Lakisha started her first business using her own money. Determined to live her dream and destiny, she invested in herself 100%. “I’m the type of person who goes after what I want. I am not a planner like my husband. I believe that what God has for me is for me, so why not just go get it?”

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Lakisha and Terrence are also unified in their definition of each other and their relationship. “We complement each other,” Lakisha explained. Terrence calls his wife fearless, and Lakisha calls her husband a little conservative when it comes to business ventures. Understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses has been a key component to the success of Terrence and Lakisha’s partnership in business and life. As they discussed their life and business, it was clear that he is the Ying to her Yang. The couple admits that with everything, there are obstacles to be overcome. They say two things come with the territory: securing financial support and sound partnerships. “Let’s be honest. It has never been easy for blacks to find funding for business ventures. Part of that is systemic and a lack of financial literacy. We as a people were raised and conditioned to fear discussing money because, most of the time, we didn’t have any. Being financially embarrassed is something we have passed down generation after generation. I have decided that won’t be the case with my children,” Terrence explained. “My goal is to teach and be a resource for financial literacy for my sons and my community.” Although they own a school for nail technicians, the couple helps with business advice as much as possible. As a salon owner, Lakisha rents booths to stylists. “I often find myself giving business advice to stylists on how to start their own businesses. I don’t offer it as much as my husband. I’m a little reserved in that respect, but I will give them what I know if asked. I don’t worry about the people I help taking anything from me because I believe what’s mine is mine, and what God has for them is for them. So, if I can do anything to help the next person reach their goals, I’ll do it.”

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“Take more risk. I wish I hadn’t been so cautious at times. You hear horror stories about people starting businesses only to have them fold shortly after. I was afraid to fail, but Lakisha has helped me see that you have to take risks in life and business.” Terrence

The blessings Terrence and Lakisha say they enjoy come from God. They freely admit that they have been blessed beyond measure by putting God at the center of their marriage, family, and business. They agree that finding each other was the best thing that could have happened to either of them, and they wouldn’t change a thing about their lives together. As for the business side of things, Terrence would like to offer this advice. “Take more risk. I wish I hadn’t been so cautious at times. You hear horror stories about people starting businesses only to have them fold shortly after. I was afraid to fail, but Lakisha has helped me see that you have to take risks in life and business. If I use what I’ve learned about business and entrepreneurship then add faith in God, I can’t go wrong. I won’t say that I won’t fail, but if I do, God is there to help me rebuild.” The future for Terrence and Lakisha looks bright. Their next stage includes real estate, purchasing a strip mall to give the black dollar the respect it deserves, and opening a full-service cosmetology school. The couple’s goal is to be the best while giving their community the tools needed to build financial stability.

Elegant DivaZ Hair Salon, LLC 3708 Wake Forest Rd Durham, NC 27703

919-957-4507

Trendy Nailz Institute 4004 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27407

919-241-3193

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Bonafide Worshippers 18

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By Ellen Richardson Photos Provided by Patrick Bean Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. – Psalm 105:2 (New International Version). If you are a part of the church-going crowd and you enjoy singing praises to our wonderful Heavenly Father, then you need to know more about Patrick Bean & The Bonafide Worshippers. This apostolic gospel group was birthed from the dream of Little Rock, AR native Patrick Bean. “I am a church boy who loved music,” said Bean. “I grew up in church and spent most of my free time listening to and dreaming of becoming a gospel singer like Donald Lawrence and Ricky Dillard. I started pursuing this passion alongside my brother and three other cousins when we formed a family youth ensemble when I was like five years old. I also started singing in my family’s church choir and became a praise and worship leader at a very young age.” Although he would take a break from music for a brief period, God would keep the dream of bringing his worshipful music to all who need it. “It was funny that while I was taking a step back from music ministry, to enjoy spending time with my new bride, God birthed a new dream in my heart to start a gospel group,” said Bean. “After sitting down with the pastor at my family church, I knew that this dream was going to become a reality.” While it would take some time to find all the key players that would one day form a heavenly choir, the dream that God had placed in Bean’s heart began to take shape within a few months. “While I would like to tell you that everything fell into place easily, that was not the case,” said Bean. “As a matter of fact, it would take months of researching and sending inquiries to other gospel musicians/singers to find out if they would be interested in forming a group of apostolical worshippers,” said Bean. “Fortunately, God began opening doors, and people started agreeing to join my wife and me from all over, including Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, and Illinois.” Florida - March/April 2022

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Before long, this group of God-given performers from around the Midwestern United States were rehearsing and performing at churches, conferences, stage plays, and going on tour with gospel musicians like Chrystal Rucker, Evangelist Andrew Johnson, and famed Pastor Tim Rogers. “It has been an amazing experience. I have always loved music, and found my first love for the church in music,” said Bean. While the Gospel group that was once a dream inside a young man’s heart began their claim to fame by singing gospel songs that were made famous by a few of Bean’s mentors, it would not take long before the Lord led this lover of worship music towards writing his own gospel tunes. “I will never forget my brother pulling me aside and telling me that if I wanted to build my and this group’s brand, then I needed to start writing my own songs. It’s funny because shortly after this, our group held a rehearsal where our first original single called “Finish The Work” came to life,” he said. Following this single, Bean and his Bonafide Worshippers have written and released two singles, including their recent single taking the gospel world by storm – “Something’s About To Happen” and one full album. As this Contemporary Gospel Group continues to follow the path that God has laid out for them, what does the future look like for Patrick Bean and the Bonafide Worshippers?

“It has been an amazing experience. I have always loved music, and found my first love for the church in music.” 20

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“We have our second album coming out in the next two or three months, and I can see this one charting since our new/ lead single is being played regularly on various Christian radio stations and is even charting,” said Bean. “I am hoping that, with the help of my Heavenly Father, I and others in this group can become full-time artists so that we can bring God’s music to places like Italy, England, Africa, and throughout the world.” Productions of Patrick Bean and the Bonafide Worshippers on popular online music outlets, including Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. You can also find out more about Bean and his worshippers on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. h

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Laced Kreationz, LLC By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Jhenelle Bagley In an era where online megastores determine how consumers shop, there is little room for small to medium-sized retailers to exist. Also, without adequate capital, marketing, and representation, most businesses won’t survive long. Yet, one savvy businesswoman is proving that good, old-fashioned hard work does pay off. Jhenelle Bagley is the owner of Laced Kreationz, LLC. Originally from Miami, FL, but now residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jhenelle confesses she is a proud Floridian. She is a wife and mother of three. In addition to being an entrepreneur, she works as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Laced Kreationz specializes in personalized gifts and apparel. Jhenelle shares that Laced Kreationz started as a hobby in 2019 merely to relieve the stress and hypertension she was being affected by. She’s always been creative and sort of artsy but never imagined using her gift beyond the realms of a hobby. That all changed when she designed a personalized bottle of water on a whim. Next, she took it to work, and to her surprise, everyone loved it. Orders came flooding in, she says. “Even though I had just started, one coworker wrote me a check for $300 and trusted me to create their family cruise shirts. I was so excited to get them done. I delivered on my end of the deal, and I’ve been booked ever since.” Some of the products Laced Kreationz

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offers are t-shirts and bath towels. They also offer screen print designs, DTF (direct to film), and vinyl options, as well as Glittered Tumblers, Swag Bag goodies, and promotional items. Jhenelle says tablecloths and personalized infant apparel are her best sellers. “If it can be printed using sublimation, Jhenelle says she can accomplish it.” Jhenelle has a genuine love for helping others, whether in her CNA capacity or through her business. “I have encountered some amazing women on this journey who are goal-driven, motivated, positive and securing bags while genuinely being themselves. Those are the types of people who inspire me,” she says. Challenges in business happen at all levels, it doesn’t matter the size of the structure, and for Laced Kreationz, this also applies. “There are so many challenges I’ve had to overcome while being an entrepreneur: finances, relationship fallouts, inventory shortages, and more. I’ve survived because I have learned to just roll with the punches and do my best to stay motivated,” she says. Though relatively new in her business journey, there is only one thing Jhenelle says she would have done differently. “I wish I would have taken time to formulate a business plan fully. Other than that, I believe everything that has transpired so far was meant for me, including the failures and successes,” she says. The future looks bright for Laced Kreationz. Under the leadership of Jhenelle, things will only continue to prosper. She hopes to open up a storefront eventually and offer same-day print services. It’s going to happen for sure, and Jhenelle will be ready for it. To learn more about Laced Kreationz, please visit their website. h

Jhenelle Bagley Laced Kreationz LLC www.lacedkreationz.com 904-518-9212

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Tameran

Davenport

Positive Outlook Trainings By Dorjae’ McClammey Photos by Temeron Davenport

Charlotte, NC native Tameran Davenport is the CEO and President of Positive Outlook Trainings, LLC, a Tameran Baxter Inc company. Raised in a sound family setting, she has devoted her life to giving her children the best opportunity to live a well balanced life, succeed in her endeavors and help enhance the community. Tameran attended the Charlotte/Mecklenburg school system and later acquired her formal education at the University of Phoenix to receive her BA in Management and MBA in Business Administration. Tameran also has a Data Analyst certificate from CPCC and a Business Analyst Certification from UNCC. She describes herself as a People Change Management Consultant, “I help people change their self talk, shift their mindset, and help them gain work-life balance, all while building legacy and enjoying life,” she says. Tameran left Corporate America about seven years ago with these goals in mind; to operate in her purpose, live on her own terms and establish a legacy for her family. Tameran shares when she stepped away from corporate America, her passion was manufacturing the Positive Outlook Grooming products line. She produces Vegan and All Natural Men’s Grooming, Hair Care, and Skin Care products. Her most popular product is the men’s beard growth and grooming kit, a four-piece system including castile soap shampoo, apple cider vinegar tonic, growth serum, and a leave-in conditioning beard oil. Tameran states she established her brand in 2018 to honor her father and brother, who passed away in a plane crash that her father was flying when she was only 13. “The reason why I make all-natural products for men is to give back the love my father and brother gave me during the time we spent together,” she says. Her products are 100% vegan, including a vegan foot care product. Her products are centered around a healthy lifestyle because she desires to contribute to men’s well-being and longevity. Her second passion is Positive Outlook Trainings. Tameran says her journey with Positive Outlook Trainings began after she desired to use some of her schooling and life experiences. In her search, she stumbled across an international learning and development company. She went on to say, “As I was looking through the companies database, God clearly told me to buy a license within this company. He said “I will let you know when to launch the company, and I will provide the people and resources needed to assist

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Tameran says her journey with Positive Outlook Trainings began after being introduced to a learning management system company. “As I was looking through their database, God gave me a little whisper.. He told me to buy into this company. I was skeptical at first, but everything else fell into place once I let go and let God work,” she shares. Two years after her initial introduction, the Covid 19 pandemic imposed its wrath worldwide. Tameran was still a little skeptical, and now she was faced with the uncertainty of what Covid would bring. Still, she listened, and now four years later, that learning management system has helped her to create 140+ e-learning training modules. Tameran shares Positive Outlook Training is almost ready to be introduced to the world as a leading management system for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses. With the assistance of a marketing grant or scholarship, she believes it’s only a matter of time before her program takes off. Positive Outlook Training is an amazing library of leadership and development courses, human resources, business growth, and soft skills e-learning courses. Its courses are housed on an easy-to-use learning management system and offer reporting, case studies, and quizzes which can be taken anywhere at any time on most smartphones and mobile devices. They also provide a branded certificate with the successful completion of each course and program. Tameran also has a heart of love and service for her community. She feeds her desire with the Positive Outlook Trainings Elite, a culture program that helps women entrepreneurs/small business owners take their business to the next level. It also assists with creating more leverage allowing participants to work less and spend more time doing what they love. When asked what she loves most about what she does, Tameran credits being able to impress upon people’s lives and being able to help grow her community. She also appreciates the opportunity it offers by creating balance and eliminating stress in her life. She says her children are her biggest inspiration. Their drive and commitment to their aspirations in life are what motivates her to keep thriving. “My children keep me on my toes,” she shares. Of course, everyone has their challenges, and Tameran has some as well. Having to leave the mindset of a solopreneur to be CEO is one of them. “You have to develop an amazing team and learn to trust people with your process and procedures. I had to learn that I couldn’t do it all by myself,” she shares.

Postive Outlook Grooming www.pogrooming.com 980-319-3784 Positive Outlook Trainings www.positiveoutlooktrainings.com 704-665-8577 28

Moving forward, Tameran plans to hire teams composed of thought leaders that will continue to grow her community and expand her business globally. Her advice to others who may travel the entrepreneurial path is to balance their lives. “Work-life balance is key; without it you will not be fulfilled, and you will not live a long healthy life. More importantly, you will not be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.” To learn more about Tameran and her companies, please visit her websites. h

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Information And Photos Provided By The Legacy Foundation

100% Stars accepted into college. 89% Golds completed their freshmen year of college. 28 college acceptance letters. $96,000 in scholarships, and 3 Honors Program offers, is what the young women in The Legacy Foundation’s achieved during The Legacy Foundation’s inaugural year, in the midst of Covid and in the midst of Founder & Executive Director’s LaCrystal Davis’ health challenges that began shortly after their launch in July 2020. LaCrystal, a native of East Greensboro (Dudley Heights), first knew that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of young women when she was a junior at Dudley High School. There was a girl in middle school that she knew, whom was constantly making detrimental decisions. This pulled at LaCrystal’s heart to want to work with young women in helping shape the trajectory of their future. LaCrystal attended North Carolina A&T where she majored in Social Work. Shortly after graduating college, she was afforded the opportunity to work for 14 years assisting high school students with their college goals, life skills, and basic needs. LaCrystal began working on The Legacy Foundation, Inc (TLF) in 2018. She wanted a name that represented the purpose of the organization, as well her heart in creating it. She prayed about it and one day out of the blue, God dropped in her spirit “Legacy”. When she heard “Legacy” she KNEW that was it! LaCrystal planned to launch TLF in 2021, but after feeling it was time for a shift, she left her job at the end of the 20192020 school year and launched TLF in July 2020. The Legacy Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is designed to provide services to college-bound high school Senior young women and mentor them until they reach the age of 25. It was founded on the belief that young women, no matter their background, deserves an opportunity to become successfully in life and have financial means that will allow them to access elusive resources for their future family. TLF’s aim is to remove any barriers that will prevent their students from being able to graduate college and achieve their career goals. The Legacy Foundation’s mission is to provide programs that will develop college, career, social, and financial readiness in the lives of the young women that they serve and vision is to empower their young women in creating a legacy of generational wealth. TLF serves their college young women through their Gold Program and their high school seniors through their Star Program. They navigate their Golds through college administrative challenges and Stars through the college application process. At the very end of October 2020, just a few short months after TLF’s launch, LaCrystal was hospitalized. It was revealed during her hospitalization that she had fibroids and blood clots in her lungs. She took 5 weeks off from The Legacy Foundation to recuperate. Thankfully, most of the Stars had completed their college applications and financial aid. January

2021, her results came back showing that the blood clots had dissolved and in February 2021, LaCrystal had surgery to have her fibroids. She took 8 weeks off, but was still available to her students when needed. After returning from surgery, her and her students she was able to pick up where she left off. The Legacy Foundation is thankful to those that invest in the lives of their students. Through partnerships and donations, their young women receive school supplies, dorm room items, assistance with college associated fees, scholarships, guest speakers that host college prep, career development, and life skills workshops, and has future plans to expose their students to college tours, cultural experiences, and social events. LaCrystal is most inspired by her late mother, Oneater Peele-Davis, who passed away when she was 11. She gives credit to her mother for being one of the reasons why she is passionate about young women receiving an education. Her mother was a stay- at-home mom that instilled in her the importance of having an education and what she didn’t know at the time is that she was planting a legacy in her that would one day give birth to The Legacy Foundation. To learn more about The Legacy Foundation’s work, please follow them are on Instagram: thelegacyfoundationinc and Facebook: The Legacy Foundation, Inc. Their website is www. thelegacyfoundationinc.org h

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Reba Kennedy

Reba’s Hair Designs and Hair Restoration Center Now Accepting Insurance (Where Qualified) Now Selling Viviscal Professional Hair Growth Vitamins **Medically Tested and Approved

Reba Kennedy is a trichologist who treats people and individuals with hair loss and scalp disorders. Many people suffer from a type of hair loss where the hair will never grow back. Her center offers medical hair replacements for men, women, and children. She works with Wigs for Kids, a nonprofit organization that grants free wigs for kids affected by Alopecia. Alopecia, commonly known as baldness, is a condition that causes hair loss due to the immune system attacking the hair follicles of the body. Over 80 million men, women, and children experience hair loss. Reba is aware of this and offers treatment and solutions. This includes Medical Wigs, Top Units, and units for men such as Toupees. Reba can work with insurance companies to see if they qualify for hair replacement and what percent the company will cover. She works with the VA, and with some of their patients. The one thing that people see first is our hair, not our personality. Hair loss can be related to stress, Covid-19, poor nutrition, Auto-Immune Disorders, Cancer, Lupus, Vitamin deficiencies, and improper use of Chemicals.

Reba’s Hair Designs and Hair Restoration Center 1325 S. Eugene Street Greensboro, NC 27406 336-379-7900 rebakennedy1959@gmail.com 32

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A microscopic analysis of the hair and scalp and mineral analysis can help to determine deficiencies to help balance your body systems. Reba shares the sooner the problem is addressed, the better the results will be.

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Wynter Rose The daughter of Christopher and Latisha

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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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Brothers Restoring Urban Hope, Inc.

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By Ellen Richardson Photos provided by Victor Durrah Jr. There are few powerfully inspiring stories like that of Victor Durrah, Jr. Victor is the President & Executive Director of B.R.U.H. Mentor (Brothers Restoring Urban Hope). This non-profit organization aims to restore urban communities across the Upstate of South Carolina through group mentorship, leadership training, and spiritual guidance, has turned his past into a prosperous future for the youth in his community. “I grew up in a poor neighborhood in Cowpens, SC. While I was growing up, we had a community center that gave us a safe space to come and do homework, have a snack, play sports, and just receive any kind of support possible to all the kids in my apartment complex,” said Durrah. “The woman who operated this center, a woman we all called Mama Doris Anderson, was a real mentor. She even took us all on trips to Washington, DC. Everything that she did gave us hope for the future, and I just want to do the same for our future leaders.” Before having the opportunity to achieve his goal, The 5-foot 11 athlete, who played guard in high school, would do the same at Spartanburg Methodist College. This opportunity would allow him to obtain his associate’s degree and transfer to the University of Southern Carolina Upstate to receive his bachelor’s degree in non-profit administration and management. “When I was given the opportunity to go to school, I originally planned to pursue teaching and coaching, but I felt like God was pointing me in a different direction, one that would allow me to impact my whole community more profoundly,” he said. That impact was through the B.R.U.H Mentor program. While working at a local Boys & Girls Club, Durrah began to see a need for urban youth development and mentorship for young adults aged 16 to 18-years-old. “Once these impressionable students begin to age out of programs like this and others like it, I noticed that most were left to figure out how to become a successful adult without someone to show them what this looks like,” he said. “As a result, my fraternity brother Antonio Boyd and I began coming up with mentorship programming catered to underserved young adults between the ages of 16-24 that assisted them in discovering and developing their unique talents so that they could become thriving, productive, and engaged adults. It is funny because this started out as a class project that 17 years later has served over 20,000 young people throughout urban communities here in Spartanburg.”

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While giving birth to this mission would stem from a successful class project, God would take Durrah on a bit of a journey before his dream to run this organization full-time would become a reality. This journey would begin at the Boy Scouts of America in Spartanburg as a district executive, director of multi-cultural markets, and ultimately senior district executive in less than a decade. Before long, this bornto-be mentor would return to the school that began his professional career as a director of professional development. “While I enjoyed this job, the position mostly centered around campus development,” said Durrah. “So, it wasn’t long before I realized that pursuing this kind of position was keeping me away from my passion, which was being out in the community helping our urban youth,” he said. This desire would lead Durrah back towards a dream job at a remarkably familiar place. “I have always dreamed of being a CEO of a Fortune 500 non-profit organization. In February of 2020, I was given a chance to see this dream come true when I was offered the executive director position at the Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County, in Bervard, NC,” he said. “While I accepted the position initially, something kept telling me – God kept telling me that I had unfinished business with my own non-profit organization right here in Spartanburg County. So, I returned home and began working full-time at Brothers Restoring Urban Hope, Inc.”

Thanks to following the lead of the Holy Spirit, Victor and his talented staff are celebrating 17 years of changing thousands of lives for the better in the community. “When I was in college and even when I was growing up, I was blessed to have mentors in my community that gave me hope to pursue a bright future. Knowing that my staff and I are becoming the same type of mentors who are now guiding future leaders right here in my community has meant everything to me,” he said. “We have even taken over the old community center that I spent many of my days growing up, where we now provide group mentorship, leadership and soft skills training, and spiritual guidance. We even offer free wi-fi and computers to both young adults and parents in our community who need to come by and set up professional profiles, pay bills, etc. About a month ago, during our 17-year anniversary, B.R.U.H. Mentor was awarded the first-ever Key to Spartanburg County, for our community development work, by Spartanburg County Councilman Monier Abusaft.” Victor is surely following the purpose that God has given. To learn more about his program, please visit his website.

www.bruhmentorship.org 36

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