Huami Magazine Hampton Roads Nov./Dec. 2021

H A M P TO N R O A D S

®

Nov./Dec. 2021 Vol. 2 Issue 2

The Career Engineer Hampton Roads - Nov./Dec. 2021

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Provision And My Purpose A Letter From The Editor

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

On any particular day, I can open the doors to my refrigerator and see a familiar sight. Nothing. I mean, there may be some of the usual players there, such as eggs, condiments, protiens, veggies, alongA with few leftovers.

Lettera from the Editor Though it’s never full, and it makes sense not to be. I am a single man, and I only require the bare food essentials to survive, and if I overfill my icebox, a lot will go to waste. What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes

and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if

Again, that doesn’t make any sense.

Butoff what is how God everything that you decided to put untildoes tomorrow never has still made provisions for me by supplying my needs with a happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy resource store maintain items.theHetrouble knows of I must eat day, to and youand could spare food someone making to survive, but He leaves it up to me to select what to eat and how promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired much. Gratefully, I often eat as I go and don’t allow much room for today? What would you do? waste. By acknowledging the hands of God working for me in this matter, I can comprehend His works in every area of my life.

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much.

Honestly, I feel like am not doingtimes. enough andI have I’m afelt firmas I have experienced my Ishare of hard Often believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me if mine were more challenging than anything in the world. Though I couldn’t handle.

I sometimes wonder life would I havethat once complained during my moments of lack,how somehow I be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented me. I adjusted, and life continued. When there seemed as if thereto was havefor found that toand be tomorrow very boring. my opinion, opportunity no hope tomorrow, stillIn came, life continued.

I is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone.

A challenge realize that I didn’t succumb during all of this, even during the most to mesituations. is an adventure.

What is increased the worstwith thatmy canwalk happen? sorrowful As my faith has with I dolearning nothing, and why. if I try I don’t, but instead learn God, IfI am theI fail, reasons something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in God has aacquire plan forlife. my life. That is called purpose. To fulfill my return purpose, He has gone before me to ensure that everything I need is in order available.

Thatgiven is called provision.

I have learned Theand best advice ever to me happened when someone that God allowed me to experience heartache and suffering as aso told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing child Ijust so that I would be equipped to handle and thrive through have pressed my way through doors with a key that only anguish and suffering Iashave an adult.

He has allowed me to fall, get hope provided. also learned the difference between back what up and fall down again so that I don’t become too comfortable God blesses me with and what life can burden me with with success and forget what it feels like to struggle and work my as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and way up from wretchedness. God allowed me to lose; even when when to be quiet, because it appeared, I didn’t have anything left in my stable. I know He someone may get it confused allowed it to make room for something with being arrogant. greater. That’s provision.

youthat tomorrow I am trulyMake grateful God doesn’t happen today, but most give me everything He has prepared importantly make it for me all at once. I am blessedcount. is see butwhat a whisper and because ILife can’t is going to we because must putI have ourselves in a happen, and faith in knowing that God to willhear make it happen position what it is accordingtelling to His us. will and purpose for my life. God has made provisions for each of us.

TerryL. L. Watson Watson Terry Editor/Founder

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November/December 2014

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

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HAMPTON ROADS

CONTENTS

My Pain Is My Story

Tanisha Bankston

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On The Cover

The Career Engineer Francina Harrison

JennFitnessDc

Jennifer Anyikude

NOV./DEC. 2021

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M.A.D.E.

Keyon Smith

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Madison Naomi Jeffers

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Also Featured

Grace Johnson Learn more about the founder Neema Dance Collective. She is surely walking in her purpose.

Baltimore, MD

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Marquis Hamilton Does your dog need training? Meet the face and founder of Jaycay Dog Training Services.

Charlotte, NC

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Kaliah Ballon-Leo Depsite of how life has happened for her, this vessel has held tightly onto the hand of God. Anderson, SC

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The Career Engineer 6

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Hampton Roads - Nov./Dec. 2021

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Francina Harrison Francina R. Harrison is known as The Career Engineer. She is a native of Kinston, NC, and was raised in New London, CT. She graduated from Norfolk State University’s Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work with her Masters in Social Work (MSW) Clinical Track on a full graduate school fellowship and BSW (Summa Cum Laude) honors. Francina is also a retired Navy spouse, having enjoyed more than 30 years of marital bliss with her husband Tonnie, a retired Navy Senior Chief. They also have two adult children.

Francina is the owner of Harrison & Associations, the home of The Career Engineer, and the TCE Network. She is regarded as a tough leader in career/business re-engineering, social entrepreneurship, and “hi-tech/high-touch” 21stcentury networking. She is also a recurring career expert on WAVY10, Fox 43, 13NewsNow, WTKR3, and several other television and radio platforms around the country.

TCE helps career seekers and entrepreneurs increase their visibility and bottom-line with strategic transitional career/entrepreneurial re-engineering, brand growth, social technology platform building, and REALationship℠ networking. In 2015, The Career Engineer®,” was a crucial player in the first-ever #TeamFNV event’s success, which featured First Lady Michelle Obama and Hollywood celebrities at Old Dominion University. TCE was honored to be one of the first live-streaming broadcasters to interview Coach Mike Tomlin during his VIP weekend event in Hampton Roads.

Fracina’s journey began somewhat organically.

She always loved writing and telling stories and often used her gifts to help others. She shares, “One day, I helped someone who had every red flag in the book to land a job. This person had a criminal history, addiction, limited education, shame, guilt, and anxiety. After empowering this person with my techniques (to PushUp, ShowUp, StepUp, FollowUp, FaithUp, and Press through), he earned an opportunity for a job. He said to me, “Miss Francina gurl, you are a career engineer”.

Many years later, after a layoff from corporate America, I created my strategies, solutions, and techniques and launched my company,” she says.

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“Don’t just do things out of habit or activity; your movements should have a meaning. Activity and accomplishment are not the same things. Think things through before you move, and don’t let others think for you.”

Changing someone else’s life for the better is what Francina says she loves most about her career. “I got the job, or I landed the contract, or I got the gig, or I sold the product! When I hear the words of courage, confidence, and competence, it helps me not quit my day job. I share with all my clients that the job is the icing; the cake is believing in yourself enough to do something different, taking a healthy risk, and creating a win for yourself. All I do is help them see what was already there,” she says.

So what keeps Francina going. She says her faith is her engine and fuel, and her stubbornness is her muscle. She states her intelligence and curiosity is her drive. “I’ve wanted to walk away, but instead, I ran faster with it. My main job is to get our “Don’t Get Anxious - Get Prepared” message to the masses of folks who gave up. I want to reach those too scared to take a risk because they believe what others have said or done,” she shares.

Francina is big on helping others understand the importance of knowing your (why and why not).

Her advice is “Don’t just do things out of habit or activity; your movements should have a meaning.

Activity and accomplishment are not the same things. Think things through before you move, and don’t let others think for you,” she says. “You will make mistakes, and you will trust the wrong person. Don’t beat yourself up about that.”

In the future, Francina plans to live her life with no regrets. Her way of doing this is to plant great seeds, toil the soil, and pick a fantastic harvest at its appointed time. She says to seize the moment, not just the day, enjoy every meal, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and get a good night’s sleep.

To learn more about Francina, please visit her website. h

www.TCEnow.com www.MyTCEnow.com 8

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My Pain Is My Power 10

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By Arielle Kilgore Photos by Tanisha Bankston According to Merriam Webster and its definition of abuse, it can be characterized as a corrupt action or custom, improper, excessive use of treatment, or physical maltreatment. It may also use ​​ language that condemns or vilifies, usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily.

Although an abuser can possess these traits, the victim does not have to carry their definition but become the opposite—the victor. By Merrian Webster’s definition, it means one that defeats an enemy or opponent, i.e. a winner. Another synonym for a victor, Tanisha Bankston.

Tanisha’s story is one of hurt and triumph. A native of Grenada, MS, and current resident of Oxford, MS, she is a survivor of rape and even incest. Her anguish also stems from domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, and trauma from an early age. From age 14 to 23, she was abused. When she tried to escape, she was beaten and left to die, along with a child to care for. Even after finding her strength and equilibrium of being a mother and survivor, she felt silenced for 27 years by the events that ruined her life. “I overcame my hurt by breaking my silence, and I realized I needed to rediscover my voice that had been trapped,” Tanisha shares.

Once I found my voice, I then decided to help other victims find theirs and speak life over the situation that could kill them.”

Tanisha is the founder of My Pain is My Power.

Her business cater to victims of abuse while shepherding them into recovery. “I started this because I had to break my silence. I wanted to help others like myself. I knew that it was time to move forward. That’s why I wrote my book. I chose to be a voice and advocate for others and take the energy back from all the trauma that I’ve gone through,” she shares.

Tanisha is the author of her self-titled book, “My Pain is My Power”. Published May 21, 2021, her book shares her story and sheds light on victims of abuse. She gives an inside look at her life and how long and hard the process of the recovery system can be. Tanish uses pieces of her ordeal and the relief methods she relied upon to serve as resources and tools for others. “Talking to other people and listening gives women the power to be heard and understood. They can talk to me, and I can help them because I can relate to what has happened to them. Being a survivor helps me understand other survivors.” she shares.

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One of the first steps of assistance she offers is getting victims to crisis homes and shelters.

There, victims can detach from their trauma in the presence of trained individuals who will direct them to further assistance. The support system for victims frequently involves other victims, and Tanisha is familiar with both roles.

She also advocates and speaks at women’s conferences and radio stations around the state of Mississippi and nationally. She serves her audience exclusively online through her website and Facebook, which will soon be Metra, seminars. Additionally, she sells merchandise such as t-shirts, pens, and buttons, items that assist in encouraging the survivors to remember how important they are and how they made it to the light.

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Along with her book, Tanisha has spoken on various radio talk shows like Miss Texas Show, the Reality Series, CPS the Horror Story, Empowered Voice, a Mental Health Break, and started the first session to speak out about abuse in her area. She also holds conference calls and domestic violence meetings with survivors. The number one way to ensure better treatment and acknowledgment is to bring awareness to what is growing to be an epidemic in America.

A wave-breaking Netflix show called Maid brings to light abuse in the world of women.

Tanisha agrees the production informs the viewer that abuse isn’t just physical, it can be mental, emotional, and spiritual. “Anything that could harm and change a person from who they are is abuse. It is imperative to share the different types of abuse.”

Moreover, she hopes that her business provides that light of knowing that abuse is everywhere and they are here to help.

Recently, her business has received the award for Chamber and Commerce of being a new business. She hopes you expand it to have different agencies that advocate for women victims and survivors. She will shortly launch her podcast that will give advice and provide shelter for abused women.

Most importantly, Tanisha hasn’t shielded anything from her children. She wants them to grow up normal and, if at all possible, help her cause, as well. “In the future, I hope that they never have to go through the things I’ve gone through. I know they can have a successful life and business and move on with their life as well.”

Despite every battle she has faced, Tanisha doesn’t look at her life as a struggle, but instead as a mission to help others conquer.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I don’t have any regrets.”

In the future, Tanisha plans to continue to use her platform to serve and help others in need. “I’m looking forward to raising awareness and advocating, and volunteering in my community to bring an end to domestic violence,” she says.

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For information on Tanisha Bankston’s story or to join her cause, please visit her website. h

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JenniferAnyikude What Are Your Fitness Goals?

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jennifer Anyikude

If you can’t hang with the bid dogs, then you might as well stay on the porch. While trying to measure or gauge the energy and enthusiasm Jennifer Anyikude exudes, that assertion is fitting. However, the fitness expert soft side and approach is usually the first impression others will have of her.

The Nigerian American is very proud of her roots. She is the owner of Jenn Fitness DC, located in Capitol Heights, MD. Her name is Jennifer, but many refer to me as Jenn, and she has worked as a certified personal trainer for over 10 years. She has a bachelors degree in Exercise Science and two masters MHA and MHEP. JennFitnessDC was launched in 2012.

Her success as a fitness expert happened rather organically. In the beginning, she discovered that her charisma helped people to trust her, eventually exposing their vulnerabilities. She started by training anywhere she could find a place available but now trains out at her home, in a space that she has transformed into a gym/shop. “I’ve trained in corporate, private, and in government spaces,” she says. Additionally, Jenn teaches health and physical education to elementary school children (pre-k - 6th grade).

“I am an exuberant certified personal trainer who is changing lives and inspiring people every day! I set the example of how adopting a balanced lifestyle (healthy diet and active lifestyle) can benefit someone mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. My training style incorporates HITT (High-Intensity Interval Training), calisthenics, resistance training, weight training, and sprinting. I avoid sticking to a particular style, which helps keep workouts fun, challenging, and different, and teaches clients how to adopt health and fitness beyond losing or gaining weight,” she says.

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Jenn’s clients are typically people looking for the continuous betterment of themselves. “I love helping people build their self-efficacy! I teach my clients how to strengthen their minds, bodies, and souls,” she says. “I am inspired by growth. That involves seeing growth in my clients and seeing myself mature over the years as well.”

One area of focus for Jenn is Cardio and Weight Loss. Cardiovascular health is critical to those both young and old.

She says that if you find yourself getting winded while climbing the steps or experiencing shortness of breath, then it’s time for you to increase your daily physical activity. “One of the most difficult aspects of weight loss is a lack of daily physical activity to counteract the consumption of calories consumed. There is no magic trick or substitute for physical activity. I’m here to help guide and motivate you, so you can make steady and consistent improvements that you’ll see quickly,” she says.

Jenn also stresses the importance of proper nutrition. “Eating right is not always easy. Nowadays, there are so many temptations with easy access to unhealthy foods. Your health is the most valuable thing you have, and you should treat it as such. If you’re tired of trying new diets every few months, we can help you transform your lifestyle overall. We ensure that you combine your diet with the required physical activity to reap the most benefits and feel the most results long term.

Some advice she offers to others who may follow in her footsteps is to always be consistent. “Do your research constantly because the information is always changing and evolving.”

Moving forward, Jenn hopes to tap in more into her community. She believes the best possible way to accomplish that is through children. As a result of her belief, she hopes to host a summer camp one day.

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Currently, she is offering flexible programs for one-on-one personal training and interactive group sessions. She also provides virtual Zoom classes as well.

“There’s no excuse left other than for you to make up your mind to transform your life for the best,” says Jenn.

To learn more about JennFitnessDC, please visit their website. h

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Neema Dance Collective LLC

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By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Neema Dance Collective

The word Neema means God’s Grace in Swahili. An accomplished dancer herself, Grace A. Johnson realized her love for dance at a young age. Through gyrated expression, she has shared her passion with others and built one of the more reputable dance studios in the DMV area.

Life has presented Grace with a few challenges. She was headed down the wrong path as a young teen. Thanks to the interception of her village that included her parents, grandparents, dance teachers, school teachers, and mentors. They poured into her daily, and she was able to get back on track and fulfill her purpose in life, which is to dance and serve others.

Grace A. Johnson is the face and owner of Neema Dance Collective LLC. Additionally, she is a published choreographer, dance educator, movement and dance team coach, and artist developer. She also serves as the Artistic Director/Creative Director and choreographer for local DMV R&B sensations and church Dance Ministries. Grace holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a Masters Degree in Public Health from George Washington University.

Grace’s training began at the tender age of four at RJV Dance Studio in Washington, DC. She has studied at The Suitland High School’s Visual Performing Arts Dance Program, The Christian Dance Academy, The Dance Theater of Harlem, The Ailey School Summer Intensive Program, The Debbie Allen Dance Academy (California), Maryland Youth Ballet, The Washington Ballet, and The Greensboro Ballet. Wherein she mastered various genres of dance from ballet, tap, jazz, folk, African, Hawaiian, modern, Horton, ballroom, and hip-hop.

Grace is a trailblazer, exhibiting tremendous leadership and determination for herself and her students and staff. With integrity, passion, leadership, diversity, sisterhood, teamwork, and technique as its core values, Neema prides itself on making a communal effort to uplift, inspire and mold the complete dancer into someone capable of mastering multiple styles of dance in the professional realm. Grace says Neema operates in excellence. “We are committed to being poised, focused, and trained,” she says.

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Neema Dance Collective opened its doors on May 15th, 2016, exactly one month after she gave birth to her second daughter.

Located in Temple Hills, MD, the modern studio is dedicated to providing students with professional-level dance techniques and quality performance skills. “We believe that dance is for everyone, all ages, stages, and sizes. That is why we offer classes and performance opportunities for dancers 18 months and up,” Grace says. Some of the products and services offered by Neema Dance Collective are technical and classical dance training, private dance lessons, performance opportunities, dance events, children’s activities, artist development, and dancewear.

Grace shares her children mostly inspire her to be the best she can possibly be, always in all ways. “The art of dance and the emotional experience of performing dance works inspires me as a creative and choreographer,” she says. The biggest impact on her business was made by her parents, whom she says were her first investors. “At a very young age, they noticed my passion for dance, music, and movement. They were singers and performers themselves and the ones who introduced me to the stage. They taught me to perform and speak boldly and confidently. Without my parents, there would be no Neema Dance Collective. I owe them everything. My mom is my biggest cheerleader and my business manager. My dad, who has passed, took me to all of my dance lessons. He was in the audience at plenty of my performances through adulthood. May he rest in peace,” she says.

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Like most businesses, Neema Dance Collective has faced its share also. “People have no idea how lucrative the dance industry is.

Often an assumption is made that dancers are broke and anything involving dance isn’t profitable. I have been judged prematurely by some without them grasping an understanding of the inner workings of my business. Most business ventures require proof of income for funding, and I’ve had to show more than the average business owner, especially in dealings with commercial real estate,” she says.

Grace offers some advice to others who may have dreams such as hers. “Have patience and give yourself some grace. You must pray often and be vigilant. Be sure that your work is purpose-driven and not profit-driven, and understand that God will supply the rest,” she says.

In the future, Neema Dance Collective expects to engage in franchising opportunities and open additional locations to support the needs of other communities. Grace also hopes to produce performances that will take place in larger arenas and provide more events to promote performing arts. To learn more about Neema Dance Collective, please visit their website. h

Neemah Dance Collective www.neemadancecollective.com 24

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Madison Naomi Jeffers The daughter of Moriah Natasha Jeffers

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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Keyon Smith Making A Difference Everyday

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By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Keyon Smith Keyon Smith is a native of Philadelphia, PA. He comes from humble beginnings, is the third born of a family of five, and was raised by a single mother in the project high rises of Raymond Rosen Housing projects in North Philadelphia. There were plenty of days and nights when he didn’t know where his next meal was coming from. “There were even moments when our house had no electricity or running water. I even remember as a kid fetching water from a driveway in an empty milk gallon jug.,” he says. Keyon recalls watching his mother become ill when he was 11 years old. She later died of cervical cancer in 1989, and his grandmother began to care for him and his siblings.

“The loss of my mother took a huge toll on me as a kid. My academics were affected.

I endured another massive blow when my grandmother passed due to pharyngeal cancer six months later. My siblings and I then moved to live with our aunt, and we were finally on a stable path,” Keyon says.

Growing up in North Philadelphia, Keyon witnessed some pretty tough situations. “I’ve seen drug abuse, drug dealers, shootings, robberies, as well as homelessness.” He was voted class clown amongst his peers, and he soon gravitated towards entertainment.

He would participate in plays at school, play the drums, and take gymnastics. Keyon was also a vocal youth and expressed his interests with speeches and mock trial competitions.

After graduating from high school with honors, he took drama classes at the historical Freedom Theatre, pursued a career in film, and attended Philadelphia Community College. Life would happen, and Keyon left school and began working full-time but still pursued a career in acting. He has worked on several productions, including Cold Case, National Treasure, Annapolis, Invincible, Marley & Me, The Next Three Days, and Creed. He is currently the Assistant Director of the Independent Film Association of Philadelphia. He also received a BSBA from the University of Phoenix.

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Keyon is the founder and owner of M.A.D.E. Making A Difference Everyday. M.A.D.E. is an apparel and products company that makes and sells items suitable for all ages while bringing positive energy and liberation. Their product line includes t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, tote bags, duffle bags, socks, and jackets.

Portions of the proceeds and donations received by the program are given back to their community. Giving back to his community is very important to Keyon, and he has done a lot since the program’s launch. They’ve conducted a tech giveaway for middle school kids and supplied monitors and keyboards, and provided lunch boxes and masks for elementary school kids. They have donated to Y.E.S. (Youth Emergency Services) and recently provided a women’s and men’s shelter with toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths, bath towels, and sanitizer.

So why lauch an apparels company? For Keyon, the answer is connected to his roots. “I’ve always had a big heart as a kid and would give my last to help anyone in need. That is the primary reason I started M.A.D.E. Back in 2013, my cousin and I fooled around with t-shirt ideas.

I wanted to create something that anyone could wear.

My very first shirt was Dream Dreams. It was cool, but my second shirt idea was M.A.D.E., and it just took off and skyrocketed. I did not expect the demand, and I was forced to shut down because I could not keep up. I needed a plan and a team. I came back better than ever and relaunched in 2019,” he says.

With owning his company, Keyon says he loves the opportunities is offers him to connect with others. “I love being able to change the trajectory of someone’s life. If there are ten people in the room, I hope to change the life of at least one. That person may go on to change many.”

With the cause of his mothers, grandmothers, and even his aunt’s death due to cancer, Keyon uses those experiences as inspirations. The M.A.D.E. logo and colors represent them and the battles they fought., They all stepped up and showed me what family was all about. It’s the reason I need to keep paying it forward.

A different decision by either of them and my life could be different. I live and give back through them,” he shares.

The future plans for Keyon and M.A.D.E. involve adding more products to their online store and giving back to it’s community. He plans to spread the word about M.A.D.E. and inspire others to become active in their community. Keyon often recites a quote by Audrey Hepburn that says, “As you get older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” To learn more about M.A.D.E., please visit their website. h

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JayCay Dog Training

By Arielle Kilgore Photos by Todd Youngblood When you think of ‘man’s best friend, a dog comes to mind. Dogs are considered to be reliable and protective for any situation their owner may present. However, how good is your best friend when they do not want to obey or showcase any loyalty? It sounds pretty human to me!

Marquis Hamilton, the founder of JayCay Dog Training Services, coaches your pet to become obedient and reinstate their devotion to you.

JayCay Dog Training Services is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. His business provides instructional sessions and training camps that guides owners to obtain control over their unruly animals. Apart from obedient training, he also sells collars and other accessories. The collars can be detachable and hooked on to other objects and other animal luxuries, all available for purchase.

Altogether, Marquis Hamilton is dedicated to the complete transformation of his client’s dog from top to bottom. “My company takes pride in building dogs for companions and more. After the training, we stabilize anything the dog may need or concern, and keep the training instilled in the dog. This is all done personally by JayCay,” he says.

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Marquis says he built his business on a foundation of order and understanding.

As a dog trainer, he can attest that in most ways, what leads to a dog’s disobedience is the ability not to be understood.

The aggression from an owner can be transferred into a dog which can be interpreted to the dog acting out. “Dogs are very much misunderstood in so many ways. The training of a dog takes breaking down elements and managing your time with an animal of multiple personalities, and building their morale. With me being a dog trainer, it came with me seeing someone who can train a dog and who can have control on their life,” Marquis explains.

Marquis finds joy in teaching the dogs how to meet and cater to the needs of his client’s family. Training a dog to walk and how to treat other guests gives the owners a new sense of control. It also provided a sense of ease for dog parents, which helps to ensure they do not have to give up on the ones they love. In light of this, Marquis named his company after his sons to connect what he does back to his reason for starting his business.

JayCay Dog Training Services has seen much success in a small amount of time. Although the family dynamic of the company is one reason it maintains its high reviews, it is Marquis’ consistent persistence that drives JayCay even more.

“The company helps prove to me that I can do more than what people think I am capable,” he says.

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“It is more than just being a man of color hustling to find success. We must spread our influence and wealth amongst our community.”

Marquis launched JayCay Dog Training Services in the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic. Marquis was in between jobs and was searching for his niche. During this transition, he focused on himself and what mattered most to him rather than what others thought. “Now, I am at peace. As a man, I can understand the importance of my past and finally move forward and give back and help others,” he says. Marquis is living proof that a change in who you are can push you to excel in life and become who you are meant to be. “Other people’s opinions can’t hold you down from a destiny that you can only awaken.”

Marquis acknowledges that being an African American entrepreneur is essential.

He acknowledges that only one percent is growing their business in his community.

“It is more than just being a man of color hustling to find success. We must spread our influence and wealth amongst our community. I’m finally in a place that a nine to five could not offer me. I want to prove that its OK to go against the norm, and it may be the way to success and stability in life for you,” he says.

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“We care about what we do, and I sincerely believe we can be the prototype for all training.”

Marquis says it is important to have a sound support system around you. He admits that his success does not happen without God, his mom, as well as life coach and spiritual mentor, Germany Inke.

Moving forward, Marquis has created a leash for other dog owners that will allow them to have more connection and self-control with their pets. He also hopes to expand his talents all through North Carolina. “We care about what we do, and I sincerely believe we can be the prototype for all training,” he says proudly.

Asserting repetition and caring about the clients are the raving reviews from all the people he has worked with. He wants to extend his talents to whoever needs them. Giving is something he always wants to ensure.

“If someone just asks or needs, I just give back,” he says. To learn more about JayCay Dog Training Services, please visit their website. h

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Stay The Course

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Kaliah Ballon-Leo

Her goal is to maintain a humble spirit and take on all the characteristics of God’s personality and heart. She also aims to dominate the kingdom of God. That is who Kaliah Ballon-Leo is.

The current Anderson, SC resident was actually born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Family and Community Services; a tool Kaliah utilizes as a Program Director for a non-profit organization, New Foundations Home For Children/Empowering Families. Kaliah is also the owner of Stay the Course LLC, a business platform that represents her entire life story. “Stay the Course LLC is not just a brand but a movement,” says Kaliah. “A couple of years ago, God gave me the tagline, (Trust the Process, Stay the Course, Be Great & Soar). And she has done just that.

Kaliah isn’t your typical worship leader. She loves dope kicks. She has 22 tattoos. The sides of her hair are shaved. She is totally out of the box. “At 42 years of age, I embrace all of me and who I am still becoming. As a worship leader, I enjoy seeing lives changed through encounters with God. I love being in the presence of God and being able to tap into so many intimate and profound places of Christ. When someone encounters the heart of Jesus, they are forever changed,” she says.

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Kaliah was raised in a very strict religious atmosphere. That upbringing has played a huge role in developing her into the woman she is. “I realized at a young age that my true calling was to spread the gospel of Jesus through song. As a child of God, Worship Leader, Psalmist, Levite, and Intercessor, my goal is to allow God to get the glory in all that I do. My focus is one audience; Christ. I am solely committed to the role God has placed on my life and will continue to chase after the heart of Christ without hidden agendas or motives,” Kaliah confesses. “The late Bishop Tony Miller said these words that will forever stick with me, “Worship is where you become Undone.”

“I lost my dad, Allen Robinson at the age of three and my mother, Celeste Ballon, at 11. I was raised by my grandmother, the late Agnes Ballon. My grandmother was my rock and strong tower. She raised me in a Christian home, and I will forever carry what was instilled in me through her teachings. She lived and taught by example and instilled morals and values within me. She showed me what a life lived with Christ looked like. My grandmother taught me how to fight, tarry, and pray. I knew that prayer must always be my foundation. Now that I am older, I appreciate her strict structure and discipline. She loved me, pushed me, motivated me, and encouraged me. She was my biggest cheerleader and made it known that I was her baby,” she shares.

The adage “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” can fittingly be applied to Kaliah’s life. Losing her parents at such a young age has empowered Kaliah in her role as a wife and mother. “Grief as a child and then as an adult is totally different. Both of my parents suffered from years of drug addiction and depression, which brought on other illnesses. Both were HIV positive when they passed, but that was not the cause of their deaths. The drug addiction was the root of it all, and God called them both home. I know that my mother gave her heart to Christ weeks before her passing and that gives me peace in knowing I will one day see her again. In June 2020, I lost my brother Keith Ballon, the only sibling birthed by my mother. I miss him deeply,” she says. Grief, depression, illness, divorce, molestation, and almost losing her life to gun violence; So many weapons have formed, but none have prospered in Kaliah’s life!

Kaliah finds inspiration in the life of others, mainly those who have gone through similar circumstances such as hers. “To see my 16-year-old son who the doctors told me I would not have, be born again, and live out God’s promises and singing for Jesus inspires me. Having my loved ones around me inspires me to keep going and stay the course. To see so many lives saved, healed, and delivered through my gift inspires me.

My testimony inspires me because, without the crushing and the pressing, there would be no oil,” she says.

Moving forward, Kaliah plans to expand her brand “Stay the Course” by adding athletic apparel. There are plans to produce a gospel album and EP soon. Most importantly, Kaliah hopes to continue to make God smile and stay in His perfect will.

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To learn more about Kaliah, please visit her website. h

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