Huami Magazine Houston March/April 2022 by Terry Watson

H O U S TO N

March/April 2022 Vol. 1 Issue 7

thee_situation Houston - March/April 2022

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

We have finally made it to the month of March. However, living in North Carolina, I learned not to get my hopes for warm weather too high due 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 like Summer; By the evening, it’s Fall-like, and when midnight arrives, it’s Winter. That is just how it is in North Carolina. I am a warm-weather kind of guy. If it’s 70 degrees every day, that is fine with me. Though I’ve survived the Winter, I can do without it. As a young kid, my mother would dress my brother and me in thick winter coats before allowing us to go outside and play in the cold. Underneath the coats, we wore sweaters, two t-shirts, thermals, and sometimes more t-shirts. She wanted to ensure we would not get too cold while out playing. We didn’t, and when it was time to come back inside, mom would peel our layers of clothing away, down to one shirt. Our inner core body temperature remained warm beneath everything, and our wellbeing remained intact. That experience reminds me of how God protects me for all seasons and situations. Through prayer, fasting, reading God’s word, and application, a layer of protection is placed over my life. When I keep God at my core, He reveals Himself when the layers are peeled away. These layers can be fear, shame, depression, guilt, or anything the enemy may try to use to discourage me into believing I am less than what God created me to be. I start each day with prayer and reading, and I seek God first; that is the first layer applied. When my faith is tested throughout the day, I speak life into my situation and rest on God’s promise. By doing this, another layer is applied, and I am warmed by what I expect to happen by faith. Before my day ends, I can only thank God for His grace yet once again for keeping me. We must keep God at the core of who we are.

Terry L. Watson 4

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson

Publisher

Terry L. Watson Monica Montgomery Ellen Richardson Dorjea’ McClammey

Writer Writer Writer Writer

Tamara Smith

Fredro Star Photographer Todd Youngblood Photographer Still Shots Photography Photographer Howard Gaither Photography

For General Inquiries huami.houston@gmail.com

MARCH/APRIL 2022

HOUSTON EDITION

CONTENTS

Tolbert Law Firm LLC

Shelice and Michael

Bodied by KLE

Latoya Johnson

On The Cover

thee_situation LLC Mon-Elam Joseph

Hair and Stuff 216

Remona Taylor

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Wynter Rose

Also Featured

Lalese Stamps She has always been a creative. Now, her talents are taking her places she never imagined. Meet the face and owner of Lolly Lolly Ceramics. Milwaukee, WI

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

Santia Pace There is magic in her fingers. Learn how she has built her clientele the natural way. Pensacola, FL

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thee_situation By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Moe Elam-Joseph Just as the effect icing has on a cake, a good hat often completes the deal of an outfit or arrangement. Monique Elam-Joseph of Houston, TX, is a self-described creative who loves art and fashion equally. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and free spirit. Monique has been married to her husband, Marlon, for 21 years, of which they share two daughters, Asia and Taylor, and a one-year-old grandson, Zayd. Monique is a proud graduate of Grambling State University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. This talented creative loves spending time with her family, attending church, and watching the latest Netflix series. She also has a passion for travel and has identified herself as a solo international traveler. “Traveling is peaceful and it brings me great joy. I also love sharing my traveling experiences with others,” she says. As stated, Monique has a natural love for art, and one day, she decided to paint a couple of her Fedora hats because she wanted to look different. She sent one of her designs to her mother, and the reviews were great. People soon inquired about where they could get Monique’s custom-designed Fedoras. During this same time, Monique had posted pictures of herself wearing her hats on her social media page. That action resulted in even more inquiries. Having those results on hand, Monique decided it was time to turn her craft into a business, and thee_situation LLC was born.

Monique designs and customizes Fedora hats, blazers, and earrings. She shares she never dreamed of going into business. When the decision was made to do so, she shared that she did not want to have the word, “hat” in the business’s name. “I knew I was more than hats,” she says. Instead she settled on “thee_situation”. “I am a part of a brunch group that produces themed brunches once a quarter. If one of our members is wearing a popping, dramatic outfit, we say, “What’s this situation you got going on? In December 2019, it came to me. I’m a whole situation by myself,” she says. Monique’s entrepreneurial path was set into place early in life. She says, “Growing up, I saw my parents involved in different business ventures, so entrepreneurship has always been instilled in me. My mom left a six-figure job in 2011 to pursue her balloon business and has never looked back. Her decision inspired me to become an entrepreneur also,” she says. Because she didn’t have any prior experience running a business, Monique says she faced several challenges with getting her company started. “I began by ordering hats from China. It would take 3-4 weeks and sometimes longer for shipping. This was very inconvenient for me, yet fortunately, I was able to find a wholesaler in the United States,” she says. While it may have been challenging to launch and grow her business, Monique says she wouldn’t have changed a thing. She is a visionary and is always looking ahead and planning for thee_situation LLC. Moving forward, she says she plans to incorporate more custom products and create a team to keep moving the business forward. For those contemplating jumping into the world of entrepreneurship, Monique offers some tips and advice. “Purpose fuels passion, so whatever you love to do, it will put you in the right position. Don’t worry about business cards, a website, or even a name. Start by putting your work, ideas, and content out there and get a mentor. Going into business sounds nice, but having a knowledgeable mentor will help with addressing the many aspects of the business,” she says. To learn more about thee_situation LLC, please visit their website. h

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STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc. By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Shalonda Palmer Mentoring. Empowering. Transforming. Those words effectively describe who Denver, CO resident Shalonda Palmer is. She is also a vibrant, influential leader, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and mental health professional. “I am a woman of essence, shining light in the lives of girls, women, and families,” Shalonda says. Originally from Desoto, TX, Shalonda has utilized her upbringing and personal life experiences to distribute hope and teach others how to transform their lives. She has recently authored two books that focus on helping others navigate through life changes. They also specialize in the areas of mental and behavioral health, women empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Shalonda is recognized for creating nontraditional and traditional therapeutic intervention and prevention services. She has also produced materials that support women’s mental health in various areas such as personal and leadership development. She is also the founder of STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct services to clients. These programs focus on mentoring, empowering, and ultimately transforming the lives of its participants and their families. “We envision preparing them for society, future education endeavors, and personal change,” Shalonda says. “We accomplish this by focusing on mental health services, psychoeducational empowerment classes, transitional housing, entrepreneurship training, and educational exposure that lead to job creation while promoting healthier lifestyle choices.”

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STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc. has grown at a rate of at least (2-3) participants through referrals monthly and has a 95% program completion rate for youth and young adults ages 10-24. Shalonda opens up about the things that have shaped her life. Emotional and mental struggles are real. I never understood my worth because I wore many masks to cover my real self. In 2016, after a near-fatal car accident, I realized I was a special kind of substance with an assignment that I needed to surrender to. Life had given me plenty of ups and downs, but it had also given me a lot of strength through every trial. Navigating through mixed emotions and behaviors caused me to withdraw and become unrecognizable to myself. I had to make a decision that would affect the rest of my life and step outside of my comfort zone and be obedient to the assignment that I was given,” she says. Launched in Colorado, STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc. was created through a vision from Shalonda Haggerty in 2014. She says, “The inspiration to develop a platform in which female youth could address their trauma through a psychoeducational and experiential curriculum was derived from personal experiences and growth during my adolescent years.” In 2016, the vision became a working project focused on supportive interventions by introducing what is now STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc. signature program entitled B.L.I.N.G (Beauty. Leadership. Image. New you. Goal Digging). The response from parents, participants, and community partners encouraged STAR Girlz to develop a year-round empowerment program that would address real-life challenges surrounding girls and young adult women. They accomplish this using the acronym S.H.I.N.E., which means Self-confidence, Heal, Inspire, Navigate and Elevate. This has served as the foundational base since its debut.

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Houston - March/April 2022

“My faith in God and family background have been major influences. The girls are my reasons. Without their involvement and transformation, STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc. would not be able to be as successful as it is.” Shalonda believes she was chosen for this royal position for such a time as this. “My passion is to see youth and families overcome obstacles that try to deter them from shining in their most vulnerable stage of development. By giving from the heart, I can be a part of their transition and serve as a positive role model,” she says. “My faith in God and family background have been major influences. The girls are my reasons. Without their involvement and transformation, STAR Girlz would not be able to be as successful as it is.” While Shalonda appreciates the opportunity to lead STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc., she wishes she could have changed a few things. “I love my business journey, though I wish I had someone in my life to mentor me about starting a business earlier in the process. From building a brand, sustainability, and networking, I believe it would have helped to prepare me,” she says. Moving forward, Shalonda hopes to attend and complete Law School at Thurgood Marshall in Houston, TX, within the next five to seven years. She also plans to open a recovery center and transitional home for young adult women transitioning from abuse and human trafficking. Lastly, Shalonda would like an opportunity to speak on major platforms such as Black Girls Rock and network with other influential women of color. To learn more about Shalonda Palmer and STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc., please visit their website. h

STAR Girlz Empowerment, Inc. www.stargirlzempowerment.org 720-583-5951 15

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By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Michael Tolbert

Like most urban communities around the United States, Gary, IN is rich in culture and diversity. According to a recent count, Gary’s population consists of nearly 76,000 citizens, with African Americans representing the highest ethnicity at 78%. Having such a decisive edge compared to other races, the Black experience in Gary is defined by hard work, resilience, durability. Like most urban communities, Gary has seen its share of crime and violence, and during the 1990s, it was once labeled as one of Indiana’s most dangerous places to live. Fast forward to 2022, that stigma has faded away, and Gary’s identity is being rebuilt by those who believe that its greatest days are within distance. That is the story of Michael and Shelice Tolbert of Tolbert & Tolbert Attorneys at Law. True to their roots, they are building one of Indiana’s top law firms in the heart of Gary. Having their practice based in Gary, Indiana is critically important to this power couple. Michael and Shelice have enjoyed 15 years of marriage. Their union appears to be almost purposeful. They both pursued careers to practice law. Michael received his formal education in the Gary, IN public school system. He later attended and graduated from Valparaiso University as an undergraduate and Valparaiso University School of Law. He is a believer and faith-based individual and professes that nothing in his life would be possible without God. Michael is also an avid reader. “I don’t spend a lot of time watching television. Instead, I enjoy reading about three books at a time,” he shares. “Family is my passion. I love my wife and would do anything for her.”

“Our mission is to honor God by rendering compassionate litigation services to businesses, organizations, and individuals.” Michael Tolbert

Shelice was also formally educated in the Gary public school system and later attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH. After graduating from there she came back to Gary and “followed” Michael to Valparaiso School of Law. She describes herself as a family-oriented, homebody, down-to-earth type of person who desires to help others. “Michael is my best friend, and spending time with him is always fun,” she says.

Tolbert & Tolbert Attorneys at Law opened their doors to the public on January 26, 2015. However, Shelice says the idea to open the firm was conceptualized many years before that. Michael says they like to describe themselves as a litigation boutique, meaning they do complex litigation for individuals, cities, towns, municipalities, and higher exposure litigation matters, involving millions of dollars hanging in the balance. Often, companies engaged in complex litigation matters will hire them to help guide them through the process. However, they do not do any family law or criminal cases. Additionally, Michael is a certified mediator, a resource their firm utilizes for Alternative Dispute Resolutions. Shelice shares something she saw missing in the black community: individuals being educated about transferring wealth and properties and estate planning. “There is a huge misconception that our people have about estate planning. Many believe that you must have millions of dollars to plan out your estate. When they hear that word, they become intimidated by it or think something else; when really you are just being smart about planning for the future of your family and planning generational wealth, whether it’s through keeping your home in the family or designating what you want to be done upon your passing. When it’s not talked about it can create emotional havoc amongst family members. It can be easily taken care of when you plan ahead,” she says. Michael and Shelice are proud to share that Tolbert & Tolbert is a Christian-based firm. “We openly pray in our office. We have scripture everywhere,” he says. Their mission statement is Christian-based as well. “Our mission is to honor God by rendering compassionate litigation services to businesses, organizations, and individuals”. Michael says their mission statement is placed in two strategic places in their office; one in the front of the office and the other one at the back door. “It’s the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see before you leave. It’s a constant reminder of who your source is, which is God and not man. That is what inspires me, knowing that I have a God who has blessed me enough to have a wife and family who cares about me and be able to have a successful business and help people in our community. We are doing what we love in a community that we love and loves us back. The Gary community helped to raise and nurture us, and now we are able to return the love.” For Shelice, she says her inspiration comes from her desire to help people. Whether through the law, community service, or education, Shelice believes her purpose in being created and placed in Gary is to help people. “Even if one person is affected by what we do, we have done our job, and we are blessed.” Being connected to their hometown gives the Tolberts a unique opportunity to address the needs of their neighbors. “A lot of people look at our city negatively. When I first went away to college, many people connected me with being from the “murder capital,” and people from Gary weren’t able to achieve things. In actuality, that was

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definitely not the case. We have very intelligent, productive, hardworking folks coming out of our city. That is something I had to grapple with, but it’s one of the main reasons I came to Gary, the place where I am from and continue to help build up the place where I am from. When I was younger, I didn’t realize my purpose, but now that I am older, it all adds up. When I was a child, there was never a time when I didn’t have food to eat. My mother, Shirley Winfrey, always made sure we had what we needed, whether I knew what it took to have it. At the same time, I felt I had an obligation to return to Gary and put everything I had received back into the community,” she says. That narrative that was spoken to Shelice in college has been a source of motivation for her and Michael. As they’ve built their law practice, they’ve only placed billboards that read (Straight Out of Gary) within the city of Gary. That move is strategic; they want to encourage young people, particularly that you can come from here and be something. They want to let people know that Gary produced these magnificent, productive, successful people. “We want people to know that God has created something in each of us. We all can shine and we all have a gift. It doesn’t matter where you are from. You can live up to what God has created you to do,” Shelice says. Confirming what his wife has shared, Michael says his testimony is of a young black kid who grew up in an area where the odds said he wouldn’t make it. “In the 80s and early 90s, Gary was a really tough place to grow up. We were blessed to have families that gave us a lot of guidance and structure that allowed us to bypass the pitfalls many of our friends fell victim to, such as the crack epidemic and the aids epidemic. Through all of that, I was able to go to college, get a degree and finish law school, and return to the same streets I was told I would never get out of. When I run into friends who didn’t take the same path, it is a stark reminder that one bad decision could have caused my life to be completely different. Every day, I thank God for blessing me with my father, Matthew Tolbert, who taught me how to make good decisions,” Michael says.

“We want people to know that God has created something in each of us. We all can shine and we all have a gift. It doesn’t matter where you are from.” Shelice Tolbert

For those who may follow in their footsteps, the Tolberts offer some advice. “Always believe in something. Pray to God for what you want and speak what you want. Be positive and stay encouraged. Just because there is a bump in the road, or things are not happening the way you would like for them to, “it doesn’t mean that it’s not meant for you. Stay the course and persevere. Things will get hard sometimes, but if they weren’t hard, everyone would be doing it,” they shared. In the future, Michael and Shelice have plans to grow their law firm in the Gary community and give other lawyers, African American lawyers, a chance to practice law. They hope to have about 10-15 lawyers at their firm in the next five to ten years. The Tolbert’s have also launched a successful podcast entitled “Married People’s Business” aimed at highlighting positive married couples and partners in business. The podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and other popular platforms. More than anything, they want to be a blessing and example for others.

Tolbert & Tolbert Attorneys At Law 1085 Broadway Suite B Gary, IN 46402 www.tolbertlegal.com (219) 427-0094

To learn more about Tolberts & Tolberts Attorneys At Law, please visit their website. h

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Lalese Stamps Lolly Lolly Ceramics

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided By Loalese Stamps

Lolly Lolly Ceramics, the name itself, exudes excitement. Founded in 2017 by Lalese Stamps, Lolly Lolly Ceramics is a Black-owned, womenrun small business in Milwaukee, WI. The brand focuses on objects that are functional, unique, and handmade. In September of 2019, Lalese embarked on a 100 Day Project where she made 100 mugs with 100 different handles for 100 Days, bringing national recognition to the Lolly Lolly name. Today the Lolly team is made up of four people, but growing. The demand for Lolly Lolly Ceramics is high. Most recently, Lalese was invited to appear on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah to celebrate Women’s History Month. A collaboration was announced between the two, The Lolly Lolly Ceramics x The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Collection, and will feature three special-edition mug styles set. Lolly Lolly Lolly originated in Columbus, OH. In July 2021, Lalese moved her operations to Milwaukee, which is also her hometown. “I’ve been a creative my entire life, but I didn’t begin to make ceramics until 2017. I studied graphic design at the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus. While studying for my undergrad, I noticed that I was always on my laptop and became afraid that I wasn’t using my hands to create as much, so I enrolled in a pottery class at my local community arts center. From there, I started selling ceramics at the local flea market to make a little extra money. One thing led to another, and now I’m selling direct-to-consumer on my own website, wholesaling, and even doing custom orders for brands such as Saine Heron and Solange and the MOMA Design Store,” she says.

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“I always tell people to listen to their gut and just keep going. As you grow, there are going to be people who interject themselves onto your dreams and goals, but only you know you, and you’ve gotten yourself far for a reason.”

In September of 2019, Lalese designed and completed a 100 Day Project where she made 100 mugs for 100 days with 100 different handles. This project has been her sort of claim-to-fame experience. In addition to mugs, this year they hope to roll out more dinnerware pieces like bowls, and plates. With an abundance of plants in the studio, planters possibly will be a major alignment to the Lolly Lolly Ceramics brand. Lalese says she is inspired by a lot of things. Recently she went to the Harley Museum for the first time in Milwaukee and was amazed at what she saw. “The museum itself is beautiful, but seeing the journey of another brand is so inspiring. They’ve saved everything from bank notes to invoices to initial motorcycle sketches. I hope I can grow my brand to be recognized on a global scale like Harley is.”

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Like most businesses, Lolly Lolly Ceramics has seen its share of challenges. The biggest challenge has been handling the high demand of work. The growth of Lolly Lolly Ceramics happened very quickly. Navigating entrepreneurialism has suddenly become a wild ride for Lalese, but she says it’s also very empowering. “Scaling up our production has been a challenge within this challenge. We want to produce more work for our audience, but that has meant a lot of sacrifice and patience. We are so close to rolling out a new way to produce our pieces; we’re excited about it because it’ll mean new opportunities for products, workshops, new team members, and so much more,” Lalese says. The journey for Lolly Lolly Ceramics has been enjoyable, says Lalese. She shares this isn’t much she would change about how things have happened. “I” ve learned along the way, and I’ve hired the right people to navigate areas that are unfamiliar to me.” For others who may follow the same path as she has, Lalese shares some sound advice and encouragement. “I always tell people to listen to their gut and just keep going. As you grow, there are going to be people who interject themselves onto your dreams and goals, but only you know you, and you’ve gotten yourself far for a reason. Sometimes outside advice can be helpful, but it also can be very detrimental. You need to have the wherewithal to be able to take it all in, but know which things are important and which are not,” she says. h

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Tameran

Davenport

Positive Outlook Trainings By Dorjae’ McClammey Photos by Temeran 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

you with this business”. Without any knowledge of what to do next with this newfound opportunity, she made the purchase. Tameran admitted she was skeptical at first but knew she heard that message loud and clear. For several years, she kept the business and licenses active as well as the website ready for God’s instruction. Tameran waited in anticipation of hearing that still voice say, “now is the time”. Two years after her initial business startup, 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 waited and listened, and now four years later, she has a learning management system that houses over 140+ e-learning training modules and programs. Tameran shares that Positive Outlook Training is almost ready to be introduced to the world as a leading e-learning and management system for small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs that are ready to pivot. She knows everything is falling into place because she let go and let God work,” she shares. Positive Outlook Training is an amazing library of leadership and development, human resources, business growth, and soft skills e-learning courses. It houses Employee Retention, Upskilling, Women’s Leadership and Development, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs to name a few. Its courses and programs are housed on an easy-to-use learning management system that offers reporting, case studies, and knowledge assessments which can be taken anywhere at any time on most computers and mobile devices. They also provide a branded certificate with the successful completion of a program and courses. Positive Outlook Trainings plan to add the 10hr and 30hr OSHA trainings to the portfolio by the end of the year. Personally, Tameran has a heart of love, healing, and service for her community. She feeds her desire with Positive Outlook Trainings Elite (POT Elite), a coaching program that helps women entrepreneurs/small business owners operate within their comfort zone, expand their territory and have fun while increasing profit. It also assists with creating more leverage allowing participants to work less and spend more time doing what they enjoy. When asked what she loves most about what she does, Tameran credits being able to positively impress upon people’s lives and being able to help educate 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 motivate 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 a new way of thinking, build an amazing team and learn to trust people with your process and procedures. I am learning that I could not 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

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Moving forward, Tameran plans to hire teams composed of thought leaders that will continue to grow the community and expand her businesses 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.” Her final words would be “to pray, quite the mind (meditate) and listen for Gods instruction. Let God instruct you on why He chose you!” To learn more about Tameran and her companies, please visit her websites or follow her on social media @pogrooming and @potrainings. h

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By Dorjae’ McClammey Phtos by Remona Taylor Like most urban communities around the country, African American ownership of beauty supply stores was once nonexistent. Historically, the percentage in the consumption and purchases of beauty supplies greatly leans towards African Americans when compared to other races, rarely do they reap or benefit from their spending choices. Now, the landscape is changing, and a new color of ownership is emerging. Cleveland, OH native Remona Taylor is the CEO of Hair & Stuff 216 Beauty Supply. Located in the heart of Cleveland, OH, the growing supply chain offers popular, trending, and reputable products such as Black Panther, Curls, Mielle, The Mane Choice, and The Doux. They also have natural beauty and hair care products inspired and handmade by small business owners like LaJAshley, Blossom Beauty Co, and Premier Ponytail Band. “Hair & Stuff 216 works with local and out-of-state small business owners to exclusively carry the unique trending products in our store,” Remona says. For quite some time, Remona always wanted to be a business owner. While in Graduate school, she would constantly ask her husband, Raymell, if they could start a business. His reply was always, “when you finish school, we can talk about it.” So that’s what she did; she completed everything, and things began to move.

Pictured with Remona and Raymell are their children Malessa Raymell Jr.

At first, her husband wanted her to think outside of the box. She gave him ideas for all types of businesses like daycares, home healthcare agencies, and more. Then one day, while traveling to the closest beauty supply store, which was 45 minutes away, Remona and her husband realized an opportunity to fill a void in their community. She said to her husband, “I have an idea; what about a beauty supply store?” Being the smarty pants he is, Remona says he responded, “I have a better idea, what about a beauty supply store?” This (make it happen, duo) hit the ground running from that conversation. This was 2017. Even though Remona and Raymell both were working full-time jobs, they weren’t deterred. They contacted a friend who helped them get started by selling all types of hair bundles. It began with them selling bundles, purchasing business cards, and registering their business name. Remona and Raymell continued to work hard until they secured their lease for their initial brick and mortar retail location. During this time it took 4 months to create the store and open the doors January 13th, 2018. “Our shelves were bare, and we purchased the small amount

of product we had with our own money. We were a little hesitant at first, but just like a kid on Christmas Day, I ripped the paper off and opened the doors, and Hair & Stuff 216 came to life,” she says. At first, due to staffing issues, they could only have the store open for part-time hours. After one year, they hired their first employee, which helped them grow from their original 900-foot store into a 2400 square foot space. Remona has built her business to serve the needs of her community and is fully committed to giving back to it. She accomplishes this by working with other entrepreneurs in Cleveland, such as the owner of Events on Ridge, Alisha Norris! Together they created Westside W.R.A.P (working relationships and positivity), a group for entrepreneurs who learn and help each others’ businesses grow.

Malessa & Raymell Jr.

Remona says what she loves most about her business is the relationships developed with her customers. She refers to them as Kings and Queens and knowing that she can give them a comfortable experience while shopping is essential to her. As for what inspires her, Remona stated, “Knowing that I’m doing the right thing at the right time and doing right by God, my family, myself, and aligning with my purpose. That inspires me more than anything else. My mom alway makes the statement to me “reach for the stars”; well I am now reaching beyond those stars and it’s time to touch the universe.” While the journey has been challenging as an entrepreneur, Remona says it has been worth it. “God has made it, so it’s not an issue. Through it all, the long nights and hard times, my lights are on, the gas bill is paid, I’m able to manage and grow the inventory and pay my employees. Most of all, I’m still winning.”

6277 Pearl Road Suite D Parma Heights Ohio 44130 440-345-5595 www.hairandstuff216.com

HuamiMagazine.com

Houston - March/April 2022

In the future, Remona plans to bring more jobs to her community by hiring more employees and ultimately opening another store. She is a determined businesswoman who has changed how African Americans purchase beauty products. Her final message for those who may follow a path similar to her is, “Let your faith be bigger than your fears; trust it and stand on it.” Please visit their website to learn more about Remona Taylor and Hair & Stuff 216. h

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Wynter Rose The daughter of Christopher and Latisha

Houston - March/April 2022

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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Santia Creative Styles Salon

HuamiMagazine.com

Houston - March/April 2022

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.” 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.

www.creativestylessalon.com

To learn more about Santia and Creative Styles Salon Spa, please visit either of their locations in Pensacola, Fl, or visit their website. h

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