Huami Magazine for Charleston Nov./Dec. 2020

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Nov./Dec. 2020 Vol. 1 Issue 1 FREE

Charleston - November/December 2020

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ARKANSAS

CHARLOTTE

HUNTSVILLE

MEMPHIS

INDIANAPOLIS

DALLAS/ FORT WORTH

ATLANTA

HAMPTON ROADS

NASHVILLE

RALEIGH/ DURHAM

RICHMOND

THE TRIAD

CHARLESTON

GREENVILLE/ SPARTANBURG

Next Edition January 2021

Established 2007 A Mykel Media Company LLC Publication

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Established 2007

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

Doors Will Open, and Doors Will Close

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

A Letter Fromfrom The the Editor A Letter Editor A Letter from the Editor

if tomorrow arrive?

All of your plans, To sayWhat the year of 2020 didn’t has been overwhelming wouldhopes be an and dreams wouldn’t haveasa Istreet to park on.there Whathas if always understatement.

For as long can remember, that you decided to mind put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive?

All of your plans, hopes beeneverything some mystique etched in my about the year 2020. happened?

There would beahappen? no reason tonow, save a rainy wouldn’t have street to By park on. for if that Whatand willdreams happen?

What won’t IWhat believe day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never everyone has their own version of what the year has turned out promises.

What if your last opportunity seemingly expired happened?

There would be no reason to save for a rainy to be. I am hoping that 2021 will have a much better outcome. today? wouldspare you do? day, andWhat you could someone the trouble of making promises.

What if your19, lastit’s opportunity seemingly expired With the onset of Covid my interpretation that many I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. today?

What would you do? people may have taken the eventual pandemic for granted. All Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm of a sudden, and out of nowhere, the way we go about our daily believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put on me I’ve been told that I often likebecause I do anything too of much. lives was interrupted.

Can’t go toseem church the dangers that I couldn’t handle.

I sometimes wonder how life would Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm associated with the virus. Schools are closed, businesses have be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I been closed and in some cases, even shut down permanently. have found that to be very boring.

In my opinion, opportunity that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would Everywhere I go, I must wear a mask or protective covering to is aifblessing that to what everyone.

A challenge be I chose to sitisn’t idle afforded and accept it presented to me. I ensure thatisI an doadventure. get infected or possibly infect someone else. to me What is the worst that can happen? have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity Thenis wordthat was even invented as a result of ourlearn new way IfaaInew do nothing, I fail, if I try to I don’t, but instead blessing isn’tand afforded everyone.

A challenge of living; social distancing.

Oh, how things have changed. something new about myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure.

What is Relinquish the worst that happen? return acquire life.

If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn Even with all of the discourse confusion, God hasand in something new about myself.and Relinquish your pride continued show Hisever might andto power.

While some have The to best advice given me happened whenthings someone return acquire life. beentold taken He my hastomorrow replaced them with even In greater meaway, to make happen today. doing ones. so WithIthe new normal, many business owners including myself have pressed myever way given through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice to me happened when havetold been forced to Idevelop new ways of how business is done. hope provided. have also learned the difference between me to make my tomorrow happen today.

In doing so As a Iresult, our businesses have flourished and become even what blesses and what cana burden with haveGod pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key thatme only morehope All that leftlearned withwhen tothe think is,confident but God. asdynamic. well.

I compare itI am toalso knowing to be and provided.

I have difference between whenlife tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what burdenbecause me with someone may get it confused I’m about what is preparing everyone inand asexcited well. I compare it toGod knowing when tofor be confident with we being 2021. While we are closing out the year, continue to be when to must bearrogant. quiet, because someone may it confused mindful of all of theget things that Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being God didn’t allow to happen, and happen today, but most appreciate what He has.

What importantly make it count.

Make tomorrow I continue to you learn is when God Life is but a whisper and happen today, but most takes some things away, He always we must ourselves in a importantly make it count. replaces themput with even greater position to hear what it is Life is but a whisper and things. When one door closes, telling us. we must putopen. ourselves in a another one will Knowing position to hear what it is and this, we must stay encouraged telling continue tous. pursue our purpose.

L. Watson More thanTerry anything, we must Editor/Founder always trust God.

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Charleston - November/December 2020

CHARLESTON

CONTENTS

iSERVE with JOY

Joy Campbell

On The Cover

SLS Lighting & Sound BJ Brown

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Making Business Moves

Diamond Ayala

Also Featured Arkansas

Sister Friends United Inc. Rhonda Aaron

Huntsville

Genesys Fitness Beverly K. Johnson

Charlotte

Power Moves Rhonda Crowder

Memphis

Speaklife Leadership & Coaching Coach William Huff

Dallas/Fort Worth

Any Day Desserts LLC Sereena Key

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Shrimp & Grits Cafe

Chef Carlos Brown

Giving Back To Her Community

NaQuetta Mitchell

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Germany King

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He is lighting up things in the ATL. Meet the owner of D King Electric.

Charlotte, NC

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S. Elle Clark

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If you are buying or selling your home, she can help.

Atlanta, GA

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Cutest Baby Photo

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He is a real cutey.

Introducing Russell (Russ) Pennix.

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Charleston - November/December 2020

By Terry L.Watson Photos by Calvin Brown and LaToya Renea When the quality of your service speaks for itself, the chances of your business being successful are a lot higher. That is what is taking place with Southern Lighting and Sound, Southern Wave Studios, and Southern Wave Music Group in Charleston, SC. Owned and founded by BJ Brown, SLS provides audio, lighting, and visual production services for concerts, weddings, festivals, corporate events, and religious events. Additionally, they offer live and studio recording, mixing and mastering, and pre and post production studio work.

BJ’s family is well established in the Charleston community. He is married and a father of four. He graduated from R. B. Stall High School in 1999. That same year, he started his career as a firefighter for the City of North Charleston in September, and is currently a Captain at Station 2.

When BJ is not at the fire station, you can catch him at Southern Wave Studios, where we works with several great singers, song writers, and musicians. The Southern Wave Music Group is the record label that BJ owns.

“Music has been in my life since I was born. Both of my parents, the Rev. Bernard and Carrie Brown, are well known singers and musicians in our community. They have cultivated a musical experience in my life for as long as I can remember, so it made sense that I would fall in love with the music scene, and all that it offers. My first dose of live audio production came in high school where I sang the chorus. This experience allowed me to setup the mics and speakers for all of our events, including events held in our school Auditorium/Gymnasium. I knew then I was called to work in this field,” he shares.

In 2002, BJ started producing music tracks for some friends. Not knowing what he was doing, BJ says he started making tracks with his brothers’ keyboard and letting his friends listen to them. “This started my love for studio work,” he says.

“Music has been in my life since I was born. Both of my parents, the Rev. Bernard and Carrie Brown, are well known singers and musicians in our community. They have cultivated a musical experience in my life for aslong as I can remember, so it made sense that I would fall in love with the music scene and all that it offers.”

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When he first started, BJ says he faced a few challenges. One was being the new kid on the block. “Most clients want the experience but don’t anticipate the cost for their requests,” he shares. Being in the south BJ says comes with its own set of challenges that every black business owner faces. “Not just racism, but the lack of support we receive from other people of color is unbelievable. At times, we can be our worst enemy.”

BJ says he loves working with his clients. He also enjoys setting up the live audio system, which is his favorite part of his job. “Mixing the instruments and mics can be so rewarding when I see the audience really enjoying what they see and hear,” he says.

BJ says he is inspired mostly by his family, music mogul, Sean Puffy Combs, and his community of audio engineers.

Some of his notable clients are Mike Brown and F.O.C.U.S, Jarell Smalls and Company, Fantasia, The Whispers, Gladys Knight, Travis Greene, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John P. Kee, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Tamala Mann, PJ Morton, Confunkson, Midnight Starr, Atlantic Star, Loose Ends, Pieces of A Dream, and many more. “SLS has recorded with some of the best performers in the world. We can provide you with up to 128 tracks of your live performance.​ Our technicians are skilled in capturing the live essence of your event,” he says.

The future looks bright for BJ Browns and his for his company. He has plans to expand outside of Charleston and into other areas including Georgia and North Carolina. To learn more about BJ Brown and SLS Lighting & Sound, Southern h Wave Studios, or SLS Music Group, please contact him directly or visit their website.

SLS Lighting & Sound 843-270-3546 www.slsstage.com 8

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Chef Carlos Brown He has taken his talent to even further heights.

Executive Chef Carlos Brown is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of C3Culinary Group LLC. He believes in “Food that Makes You Smile” and “Saving Hospitality”. Today, Chef Carlos has opened The Shrimp and Grits Cafe, inside of the Citadel Mall Food Courtin Charleston, SC.

If you have ever tasted anything that has been prepared by Chef Carlos, then you shouldn’t expect anything less than delicious at his newest location.

The menu items consist of Gullah Whole Wings, Collard Green Spring Rolls with Chef Carlos Gullah Sauce, Chef Carlos Award Winning Low Country White Cheddar Shrimp & Grits, Classic Cajun Seafood Etouffee, Pan Seared Gullah Grilled Salmon with White Cheddar Grits, B.B.Q Garlic Shrimp and Jalapeno Cheddar Grits, Braised Short Ribs and White Cheddar Grits, Mac and Cheese, and more.

He also offers a full catering service.

Chef Carlos loves food and finds inspiration in cooking. “It’s starts with having a love in our strong culture of Gullah. I believe that food is an experience.

I was born in the low country. Being a black executive chef was so hard and almost never heard of. But I believed that I was born to create art. That belief pushed me to move forward, reach back, and pull others up and show that we can be whatever we desire,” he says.

Moving forward, Chef Carlos plans to open new restaurants and expand the Chef Carlos brand that includes several products. He also plans to work with kids who have special needs, juveniles, and continue to share his talents with schools. h

2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Charleston, SC 29407 (Citadel Mall Food Court) 843-737-5196 11

Making Power Moves

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Todd Youngblood Who is Rhonda G. Crowder? When asked that question, she describes herself as someone who keeps her focus on family and career. The single mother is vibrant, creative, jovial, and hard working. She is also determined, optimistic, and someone who puts God first.

“I am a mother of two wonderful children, Kaila and Jaydn. I am an alumnus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. There, I majored in Journalism Mass Communications, with a concentration in Public Relations,” she says.

Rhonda is the CEO and Founder of Power Moves Education & Consulting, and Power Moves Performing Arts Academy. “I am driven by pulling the creative out of someone who never thought they would succeed. I enjoy expounding on the greatness inside of them, bringing it to flourish it,” she shares.

Power Moves Performing Arts Academy is set to personalize and develop, refine and showcase in dance, drama, musical theatre/theatre, photography, vocal and instrumental music and studio engineering while providing them with a rigorous academic curriculum. Everyone is welcomed to apply and all students must have a goal driven attitude. “We thrive on an HBCU level with creativity, allowing students to re-invent their creativity through arts,” she shares.

Power Moves Education & Consulting prepares, exposes, and broadens all student’s horizons for colleges, universities, and first-generation students in either a one on one, group sessions and/or speaking engagements while building and connecting education and striving for excellence.

Rhonda shares that her journalism and educational background have allotted her creativity to be cultivated in entrepreneurship. “Without God, and the vision He placed in me, none of this would be possible. GOD is my CEO!”

Rhonda says she enjoys educating and bringing out the creativity in others. She is also inspired by strong women who have a story of power and strength and are willing to share how they overcame. She also finds strength in single mothers, just as she is, who are pushing to succeed and become successful.

For more information, please contact Rhonda Crowder 336-325-8855 powermovesenc@gmail.com Follow Power Moves on Facebook and Instagram

In the future, her goal is to own her own school, and have her own performing arts studio. The sky’s the limit, and h Rhonda is proving that anything is possible with God.

Russell (Russ) Pennix

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

The son of Crystal Adkins-Pennix and Rufus Pennix

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

Diamond Ayala

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Diamond Ayala

It is all about the Diamond Ayala Universe.

Diamond Ayala was born and raised in New York City.

She was adopted at the age of six. At a young age she was diagnosed with ADHD, and a result of this she was placed in a special education setting. Little did the doctors know, but Diamond was very smart, and was honestly being abused at home. Through the years, Diamond battled depression and suicidal thoughts.

When Diamond Ayala went to the eighth grade, a wonderful teacher noticed her brains rather than her behavior. That was the day that she began her journey to success.

Diamond is now a mother, entrepreneur, life coach, and motivational speaker. She is also the owner of Diamond Ayala Universe, Ceo of Butterflyskylashes, and the Assistant Director Of Maleeya Inc. She launched Diamond Ayala Universe in 2017, and Butterflyskylashes in 2020. Her primary focus with the Diamond Ayala Universe brand is that of an author. She has published a book that is currently available on Amazon titled, How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy At Any Age. She also has a Youtube channel that offers weekly morning posts for motivation. Some other services offered there are exposure for business owners and up and coming entrepreneurs.

Butterflysky Lashes is a new business where Diamond will sell products for adults and children. These include natural looking lashes, and natural hair products. “All kings and queens can benefit from Diamond Ayala Universe,” she says. “With all that we have to offer, many queens and princess will be able to benefit from our natural product line of lashes and hair.”

As a business owner, Diamond says she loves the opportunity it provides her to give kings and queens around the world the confidence to feel good and happy, but mostly change their way of thinking, and life as well. She finds inspiration in God and herself. “My ancestors, along with my daughter and my significant other, and those who support me. I am grateful for them all. I thank my significant other for looking me in my eyes in 2017 and telling me that I am more than someone who will work for someone else.” She also credits Chef Carlos Brown for helping her with business ideas.

Diamond shares that her success in business has been possible mainly due to her ability to stand apart. “I don’t offer anything that I have never experienced. Diamond Ayala Universe goal is to motivate and help men, women, and children live the life they want to live. In addition to the YouTube videos, books, and music she offers, there are also one on one sessions for weight loss, healing, pregnancy tips, fashion, and skin care.

Though her business is still fairly new, Diamond is already forecasting a few ideas for the future. “My plans are to continue helping millions of Kings and Queens around the world with morning motivation and more. There will be a lot more of mommy and me merchandise and music available as well, she shares.

There are also plans for a release date for Butterflyskylases and its products in the near future. h

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Charleston - November/December 2020

Empowering Others For Greatness

By Terry L. Watson Photos by NaQuetta Mitchell NaQuetta Mitchell of Hopewell, VA is truly a “Woman Of Endurance”.

She is the mother of two amazing young ladies who are the driving force behind her desire to accomplish each assignment God puts before her.

She is also the face and founder of Higher Than This Transformational Coaching, and a nonprofit organization, Women of Endurance.

Higher Than This is a coaching firm that specializes in transforming relationships that include self, romantic, platonic, familial, and community. “At Higher Than This, we specialize in bringing hope and clarity to your relationships. We will help you understand what options are open to you. We will help you feel confident in making your decision,” she says. With Women of Endurance, its focus is geared towards assisting women with turning devastation into determination.

NaQuetta shares how her journey began. “I got started officially in 2014. During that season of my life I was a mother of one and expecting my next child, all while going through a divorce. It was during this season that I had decided to move back to my hometown of Hopewell, Va. While going through this transition, it was not a lot of assistance for women in my situation. Even though I was married to the military, they couldn’t help me. Even though I was going through a divorce, social services couldn’t help me either,” she says. NaQuetta knew at that moment there was a void that needed to be filled.

Some of the services offered with Higher Than This are one on one coaching sessions, group sessions, and speaking engagements. “My services are geared towards those who have a desire to be the change they wish to see,” says NaQuetta.

To accomplish everything that she does, NaQuetta is often faced with challenging situations. “That work and life balance is tough. I have so many goals to reach but I also want to hang out with my daughters at Chuck E. Cheese and eat Pepperoni Pizza. I am slowly getting my business to the point where I am able to plan more self care and mommy daughter adventures with my kids, and date nights with my honey. I am also trying to include some time with friends and family,” she says.

There are some things that she loves about being a business owner as well. “I absolutely love that with being a transformation coach, I am able to run a business that aligns with my values. I am determined to constantly grow and develop clients into who they desire to be. Being self employed offers a flexible schedule, both in terms of when and where I work. One of the best things and biggest advantages of being a business owner is I can work from home, work from my office, and work from virtually any destination with a great view and a latte in my hand,” NaQuetta shares.

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NaQuetta shares her life has been impacted by women of color. “I have always been surrounded by strong women such as my mother, my father, my maternal and paternal Grandmothers, my aunts, my high school business teacher, and my high school marketing teacher.

These individuals led me to believe that anything I put my mind to, I can do and most importantly that if an obstacle or obstacles come my way that I could overcome them,” she says. NaQuetta finds inspiration being able to provide a good life for her daughters.

Though the journey has been interesting for NaQuetta, she has endured. There are a few things that she would change about it if she could. “I would have attended Virginia State University as soon as I graduated high school and graduated with my degree. Even though I have worked diligently to show and prove how qualified I am, most organizations don’t give me the opportunities that they give those with a degree.”

What lies in the future for NaQuetta? She plans on releasing her long awaited book early 2021. It will be a book of devotions and encouragement for women who are in transition into their next season. To learn more about the programs and services offered by NaQuetta Mitchell, please contact her directly or visit her website. h

Marriage On Life Support “My wife and I were truly on the brink of throwing away 10 years of marriage over a break in communication. I am not a therapy kinda guy, so it was honestly a breath of fresh air receiving a referral to check out a relatable, down to earth relationship coach. I can not thank NaQuetta enough for coaching session that helped my family stay together.”

Client Testimony

www.naquettaspeaks.com FB and IG: (Business Page) Higher_Than_This (NonProfit) WomentOfEnduranceVa

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Creating & Selling Solutions

By Laci Ollison Photos by Chanel Mason Everyone experiences hardships in life. Things happen that attempt to throw us off course.

And unfortunately for many entrepreneurs, taking time to process and destress doesn’t always come easy. Elle Clark, however, was able to reignite her passion for entrepreneurship through self-care and a sabbatical.

“Last year God blessed me to be able to take a year off from business and work,” the Mississippi native said. “I had never taken off work in about 16 or 17 years.

Elle said that it was her friends who encouraged her to take a break after experiencing some difficult times. “They told me I needed a break to just chill and relax,” she said. “I was really stressed. And my friends reminded me that I hadn’t stopped through any of the things that I had been through.”

But then, Elle said that her mental health began to become affected because of not being able to take a break. “I started having bad panic attacks and anxiety attacks,” she said. “That’s when I knew I had to do something.”

The single mother reluctantly agreed to take a break, but it wasn’t a decision that was easy to make or adjust to. “It was crazy to not get up and go to work,” said Elle. “I felt like an underachiever. I felt like I was being a slacker and like I should be up doing something. I just felt like I was wasting my life.”

By the second month Elle told herself that she was blessed and that she could do this. By the third month she pushed herself to find a routine.

The year-long sabbatical gave the entrepreneur time to process some of her life’s experiences. “It gave me time to release a lot of things that had hurt me,” said Elle. “I unloaded a lot of hurt, stress, and pain, and had time to process things that I had been through.”

It also gave her a chance to remember why she started her businesses in the first place.

“I shut down all my businesses,” Elle said.

“I didn’t do anything work related and it was hard. It gave me time to plan, time to meet with suppliers, and that’s also when I came up with my organization, ‘Passion Funding Purpose.’”

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Passion Funding Purpose is a non profit organization that Elle founded in hopes of assisting working class men and women with everyday life necessities: food, housing, medical expenses along with attorney fees of black fathers who are battling tough child custody cases.

“The inspiration for Passion Funding Purpose came from me and my own experience,” Elle said. “To be in full time business and raising a child, you find yourself needing help sometimes but there’s not a lot of help for the working class.”

Elle said that business owners and working class shouldn’t have to worry about essential things like childcare, housing, or making sure they have food for their family when times get hard.

Assisting others was also part of the inspiration behind another one of her businesses, Sippin Good. Named by her son, Sippin Good offers cbd teas and organic loose teas that are geared toward health and wellness.

“All teas are geared toward the body,” Elle said. “We felt that it was the perfect time to launch this type of business during a pandemic.”

The teas were specifically created to help with ailments that many people experience such as diabetes, dementia, joint pain, anxiety, alcohol and substance addiction, fibrosis plus so much more. All ingredients from the teas are sourced from suppliers found within the United States.

“It was crazy to not get up and go to work. I felt like an underachiever. I felt like I was being a slacker and like I should be up doing something.”

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Elle along with her son had hopes of opening a storefront but due to the pandemic, they have pushed their open date to March of next year.

For now, their line of teas can be found on their website. “The goal is to come to the café and have a full tea experience,” she said.

Along with her non-profit organization and her tea business, Elle is a Georgia Notary and full time Georgia Realtor of 16 years. Elle Clark Solutions offers Real Estate and Small Business Strategy Solutions to entrepreneurs who need assistance defining their goals, creating an execution plan and scaling their business.

Elle says that she hopes to handoff her Real Estate business to her son in the next six years. “I don’t see myself opening up any other businesses,” she said. “But the goal is to have all my businesses go on auto-pilot.” She also hopes her 12 year old son will continue to build his entrepreneurial skills.

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“Both myself and his father are entrepreneurs,” Elle said. “So he is a product of his environment. Our goal is to make sure that he knows that he doesn’t have to work for anyone else. Our goal is to make sure that he knows that an unplanned direction to college or working a job for someone else not knowing his skills does not have to be his path. I want him to look at himself and know that he has options based on learning his purpose. She hopes to leave a legacy for her son to follow. “I have to ask myself, “what am I leaving behind”? “If I departed this world today, what did I as a parent teach him to do without me?”

“Have a clear, concise, and well strategized plan,” she advises. “Plan for long and short term.” The business strategist says that entrepreneurs should also save and budget for the potential costs that come along with starting a business. “Have the money because nothing is free,” she said. “We’re past the days of being able to start a business for $500 because legal filing fees cost that much alone.”

Elle also says that business owners should be able to adapt to changes that they may encounter along the way. “Be open to change. Business is not one dimensional no matter how many years you have been in it. Every year and every quarter you should be rising to a new level and still learning while maintaining that which you have mastered at the same time.”

Elle says that she is proud of how she herself has been able to adapt to change. “I find strength in knowing that I could do this by myself with what God placed within me. In spite of adversity and in spite of the lessons that I had to learn, I stayed the course.”

Elle’s next goal is to make a “little time” to be found by true love and marry in the near future. h

“Some companies give good ideas, we sell great Solutions”

Sippin Good LLC 833-7SI-PPIN www.sippingood.com “Enhance your mind, body and wellness while Sippin Good” Facebook & Instagram @Imsippingood

Elle Clark Solutions Real Estate & Small Business Solutions 770-421-5531 www.elleclarksolutions.com 800 Battery Ave - Ste 100 Atlanta, GA 30339 Facebook & Instagram @elleclarksolutions

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Coach

Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching 26

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Charleston - November/December 2020

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Maya Todd William Huff, aka Coach William Huff is the co-founder of Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching. Along with his wife Promises, they focus on providing Total Life Coaching services that address concerns within individuals reaching their goals mentally, physically, financially, socially, and professionally. Their life coaching packages include services and products such as direct one-on-one coaching (via phone or virtually) sessions, personal Speak Life Journal, customized plans, copies of Speak Life Literature, gifted Speak Life Swag Bags, special discounts within programs, and certificates of completion.

The dynamic duo officially started Speak Life in March 2020. “I have been life coaching since 2004. As an educator and athletic coach, I found myself coaching young kids, both middle and high school, and some adults in making real life decisions for the best positive result possible,” he shares.

Speak Life Mentorship & Life Coaching host a number of influential in-house programs such as FIME (First Impressions Mean Everything) Business Marketing Solutions, a graphic designs and production program offering services such as customized logos, business cards, flyers, business plans/proposals, websites, book publishing, and more. They also offer We Are One (1) Investment Group, a financial coaching program offering services to build financial wealth portfolios. The portfolios include a confidential financial plan, education towards debt elimination, income protection, legal services, insurances, investments, real estate, and income opportunities.

There is the My Health Matters, serves as an accountability program offering health tips, virtual workout groups, health coaching, and more.

Coach Huff first and foremost is a child of God. He is a devoted husband, father, son, brother, friend, and citizen. He is a reflection of amazing parenting that installed respect, humility, morals, and comedy. His mother, Phyllis Huff, and father, Charles Huff raised him to be a family man who is dedicated to leaving a legacy for future generations. He is an educator that aides and assists young coachable minds with maturing into their goals and dreams. His coaching arm has grown to that of athletics coach, a Certified Life, Business, Entrepreneurship, Financial, Marriage, and Family Coach.

Coach Huff is loyal, honest, humble, genuine, real, and a servant at heart. His love for people is paramount in his quest to answering his call. “I’m a Black King and a billionaire in the making. I choose to uplift and encourage my brothers to step into their kingship and live their destiny. I am who God says I am. I am Coach William Huff,” he says.

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What keeps the wheels turning in Coach Huffs’ life one might ask? He is quick to credit his wife and business partner, Promises.

“My wife, hands down. I wish everyone could see what she means to my life. God blessed me with the perfect wife. She is truly my diamond, my jewel, and my rock, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. She speaks life into the king in me and handles me as a King should be handled by his Queen. She is the best part of me. She is priceless. Without her, there is no telling where I would be,” he says. He also acknowledges his mother, Phyllis Huff for playing a huge role in his life. “She was my very first super hero. She taught me how to endure, stay humble, keep moving, and be clutch for my family and those around me,” he says. Currently, his mother isn’t in good health and a portion of their proceeds are going towards research in establishing a cure for Dementia and Alzheimer’s. His father he says, taught him to stand as his own man, and to protect and defend his wife and kids. “He taught me to stand up for what I believe in, and to always treat others with love, respect, and care. Through all the ups and downs of my life, whether we agreed or disagreed, he has always been a father to me and for me. I love you mom and dad,” he shares.

The opportunities that his career offers are very rewarding, Coach Huff says. He loves the fact that he’s stepping and operating in what God wanted and instructed him to do. “I’m able to witness clients’ transformations to living a better them. I enjoy the simplicity of our operations. We do not offer employment or job openings. Instead, we offer entrepreneurship and partnership opportunities. In this manner, as we assist others grow their business, our business grows as well,” he says.

“I’m a Black King and a billionaire in the making.

I choose to uplift and encourage my brothers to step into their kingship and live their destiny. I am who God says I am. I am Coach William Huff.”

There are many great things that are happening in the future for Speak Life Mentorship and Life Coaching. They are launching a new virtual talk show to showcase new businesses today. The show is entitled “Whatcha GOT”. This platform will serve as a resource for new businesses to market, promote, and advertise their business as a guest on the show, an advertisement slots in their commercial segments, or both. It is a partnership to increase the awareness of their clients businesses, promote their growith, and as they grow, so will Speak Life. They are also producing another virtual talk show entitled “Let’s Talk Tuesdays”. This show serves as a platform for us adults to have real discussions about their everyday issues ranging in topics of dealing with procrastination, marriages built on true friendship, women, men, single mothers, single fathers, responsibilities, being black in America, and more.

They also have a reality show in the making to be tied to their ‘My Health Matters’ program. The show will be an opportunity to build a community of people who struggle with weight loss, and who are willing to work together to hold each other accountable in order to build a more health cautious population. Lastly, Coach Huff has coauthored a book with his wife, “You Were Built For This”. His second book is scheduled to be released in early 2021.

Coach William Huff Certified Life, Business, Entrepreneurial, Marriage, and Family Coach Speak Life Mentorship and Life Coaching 662-477-7351 www.speaklifemc.org 28

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The Entrepreneur Guru

By Laci Ollison Photos by Todd Youngblood A unicorn. That is how she describes herself. Her body is adorned with unique tattoos and eclectic piercings. And while she is used to being prejudged for her appearance, Germany Inke is beginning to write her own story; giving people a view of the woman behind the ink.

“I want people to see the real me,” Germany said.

“A lot of people don’t get to see all of me because they’re afraid of me.”

Originally from Ohio, Germany Inke grew up in a single mother household. With a background in psychology, she is also a masters degree student.

The 41-year-old has a passion for many things that involve the mentoring of other people. “I am a mentor. I specialize in what I like to call entrepreneur guru,” she says.

Germany considers herself a mentor and not a coach she shares, because sometimes, individuals don’t respond properly. She has had the opportunity to work with many coaches, and appalled their talent but considers herself as a sister or family thus her slogan she says on her podcast “I am Germany Inke; your sister, Baby Mama, cousin, best friend, boo thang) and closes the statement with a kiss, just so everyone can feel the love.”

Germany wants to help business owners with low self-esteem have more confidence when it comes to their business. “My mission is to bring a message of positivity, health, and wealth to the forefront.

I want to help people improve their self-esteem towards business because a lot of people are afraid of themselves. So I not only help them build their confidence but I teach them how to get their business going,” she says.

Now, Germany is ready to take her own principles and apply them to herself. This involves being a steward of her own work. “Sometimes we know we have gifts and we’re just not confident enough to do it,” she shares.

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Germany feels that her greatest accomplishment has been the work she has done with one of her clients, MJ Footworkz.

“With him I did something I called radical marketing. I told him this is what we’re going to do to boost your mental, physical, and spiritual morale to get you out there,” she says. And with Germany’s help, that’s exactly what happened. “He has been one of my biggest prodigies because he listened. The greatest compliment for me was when he called after doing a show in Atlanta and told me that if it wasn’t for me he wouldn’t be there.”

But Germany says that although she is passionate about her work, she is still trying to get used to putting herself out in front of people. “I’m very much behind the scenes and I’m afraid of being misinterpreted. I feel like I’m a dying breed.”

Despite Germany’s appearance, she wants people to know that she is a much different person than what people initially perceive her to be.

Germany wants to create spaces for people who look like her to feel comfortable and confident. “I’m not the traditional businesswoman. I love that and I push towards that. There are lots of people out there that we know, and are successful, and will not help you. You have to create your own world. I welcome you into mine and if you like it you can stay a while,” she shares.

In addition to being a mentor for entrepreneurs, Germany is also a baker, crafting tasty and unique CBD infused treats.

“My desert business is called Dirty Desserts,” said Germany.

“I came up with the idea because I met people during mentoring who suffered from anxiety and I personally suffered from anxiety for years.”

Germany says that she sources CBD oil from overseas vendors as well as her Total Life Changes (TLC) business. “People are able to rest after eating my desserts. It also lowers anxiety. Sometimes all we need is a moment to calm down,” shares Germany.

Her desserts are made fun and whimsical, similar to her personality.

Through her podcast, Germany Inke & Co, listeners can get another taste of the entrepreneur’s personality. “I’m a free spirit for all,” she said. “I talk about any and everything. I have a lot of people who call me and ask can I talk about something. They aren’t as willing to be free and open to talk about some things.”

Recently, Germany did a show encouraging listeners to detox their life. “I recently overcame COVID-19. But I realized during those two weeks that people weren’t calling for me or to check on me, they were calling to get something from me.”

Germany’s biggest inspirations are of her late mother and brother. Her mother passed in 2017 from lung cancer and six months later her brother passed away. She shares how important they were to her and how their demise affected her life. “Both had big dreams. My brother was a musician and I grew up singing. But after they both passed, I lost my love for music,” she says.

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After losing both her mother and brother along with a friend in the same year, Germany became determined to keep pushing forward through her grief. “They always talked about how my voice was so powerful, and how I needed to stop hiding it,” she said. “At least if I wasn’t going to sing she wanted me to get my message out.”

That was how Terah Strong was born: a foundation, named after her mother, to help business owners and others gain more confidence.

“My mother wanted to start a business. As she was fading daily, she kept telling me that’s what she wanted to do. She told me that I was so creative and good with people. Now I want to do it in a more big and positive way,” she said.

Some of the women she works with in her community are Venah Wilson, also known as Jemini June, who is a Coach and Executive Director with Total Life Changes, Independent Group Fitness Instructor, and Singer/Songwriter. There is also Evelyn Hill who is known to many as Eve. She is an advocate for those who were formerly incarcerated and seeking to find a new way of life by restoring the relationships that were broken due to their incarceration. She also works with Pinkylee Simone-Potts, an aspiring actress, comedian, and writer who is the owner and actress on the television series, Karen in The QC. Germany also encourages other business owners to do the same. “If you woke up on this side, it’s another day and another 24 hours to get it done. Your best bet is you. The moment you think about giving up, think of someone who has it worse. I will not give up on me.

Everyone else gives up on you, but do not give up on you.” Germany is also a painter and author. She is currently working on releasing her first book in the near future.

Germany Inke & Co. 101 N. Tryon St. - Suite 607 Charlotte, NC 28246 704-534-4897 Germanyinke.co@gmail.com

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Any Day Desserts, LLC

By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Erica Ms. Precious McGee and DPhotography817 There is something about a good slice of cake. If it’s sweet, then it’s good. Yet, if it’s made with love and compassion, then it’s probably delicious. That is exactly what Sereena Key of Any Day Desserts, LLC is doing in Grand Prairie, TX.

Sereena says that Any Day Desserts are homemade sweet treats that people love, and will fall in love with after that first bite. “This happens because I make it all with love. I take something that can be bought in stores and make it myself. Things like cake flour, buttermilk, caramel sauce, fruit toppings, honey, pie crust, caster sugar, and frosting are all homemade by me. Because I take the time to make these items homemade makes a big difference in taste. Currently I operate a home-based business for now and only take local orders from customers that can pick them up. I do offer delivery for orders that are $15 and up, and within 15 miles from my address for a flat fee. Anything over 15 miles would be a little more in pricing. I also have desserts for vegans and for diabetics,” she says.

How did Any Day Desserts, LLC begin? “I love finding new things to discover about myself. One thing that I just discovered is my passion for baking. This is something that I do without hesitation, and I enjoy everything about it,” she says. The idea to bake came almost out of nowhere, as Sereena explains. “I was in bed on the night of November 19, 2019. I was thinking about my life and the direction I wanted to go in. I was a ‘jack of all trades’ kind of a person and remembered the time I made a homemade pecan pie, with a homemade crust. I took a picture of it and I decided to post it in a Facebook group, Detroiters In Dallas (DID). The very next day I started to get a lot of orders in. I could not believe the amount of support I received. It was a breath of fresh air. By Thanksgiving and Christmas, I had orders coming in from all parts of Facebook, and I knew then that I needed to take my idea to the next level,” she says.

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Sereena is best described as someone who is very kind, loving, and understanding. She was born in Nyack, New York and raised in Spring Valley, New York. Along with her mother and two older siblings, she relocated to Detroit, MI. Over the next few years she moved back and forth between New York and Detroit, and she considers them both to be home. At the age of 18, she moved to Atterbury, IN for school. By the age of 22, she made the decision to move to Minnesota for school at Hubert H. Humphrey Job corps. “I found my place and a life for myself there. After a year, I left Hubert H. Humphrey with my GED, CNA license, and Business Technology certificate and decided to stay in Minnesota to live. It was rocky in the beginning, yet Minnesota became my home for 14 years after making friends, and finding love,” she says. However, she found herself in a repetitive cycle, and doing the same thing, year after year. It appeared that all life had to offer me was work, pay bills, so that I could keep a roof over my head. “After having love break my heart, I decided It was time for me to get off that hamster wheel, and so I decided to move to Texas.”

Sereena had never been to Texas. Still she made the decision to move there. She wanted to become a homeowner. “Moving to Texas by myself wasn’t the plan but I do believe it was God’s plan. I always say everything happens for a reason,” she says. Her decision to move was confirmed after receiving a job offer at a hospital in Texas in 2018. She knew that it was time to stop holding herself in Minnesota, and after speaking with God, she began putting things in motion to make the move. “For the month of November, I worked my butt off and sold everything. I packed up my car and on December 8th, 2018, along with a good friend, I drove 15 hours to Texas,” she says. Now at the age of 37, Sereena is an independent black woman with tons of ambition, determination, and drive.

The idea of turning her passion into a business still had not been decided for Sereena. After the holidays in 2019, she went back to her normal routine of working as a rehabilitation technician for Pate rehabilitation center. She didn’t focus on baking again until May 2020, as a result of being quarantined due to the Covid 19 pandemic. “Having to stay inside offered me the best opportunity to jump back into baking.

I focused more on making desserts and finding new cakes to make. Though I was happy with baking, I wasn’t sure about making this a full time job for myself,” she says.

During the first week of August in 2019, Sereena took a little getaway to a ranch. There was nothing there but animals and peace. This experience provided her time to think freely on life and what she really wanted and what made her happy. She determined that baking was her passion, so when she got back home she took the first steps on taking her passion to the next level. On September 23rd 2020, Any Day Desserts, LLC was born.

“What I love most about my business Is when someone shares they cannot believe what they are tasting. To be able to make someone’s day with my desserts, makes me happy. When you have a customer tip you because they believe what they just tasted is worth more than what they paid for, brings me joy. To have my customers text me back 20 minutes or even three days later to let me know how much they enjoyed it, makes it all worth it,” she says.

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Sereena is inspired by the positive energy from the citizens of Texas. “Seeing so many black owned businesses here has inspired me.

Witnessing the love and support that we give each other In our community made me look at things differently. I have never seen anything like it before. Seeing people grind and hustle for their own business, for a better life and living made me want to be a part of it. It made me jump off of that hamster wheel. I have always been that person that has worked day in and day out, the one that always pulled doubles.

I’ve had jobs as a CNA, working with environmental service, working on a cruise ship, and as a rehab tech. I’ve had my fair share of jobs just like I have had my fair share of ups and downs. Having God introduced into my life at the age of nine saved me. At times I question why things were happening to me at such a young age. Why put me through the horrible things, but each Sunday I went to the Kingdom Hall, it was like He was speaking to me. He kept me alive. If I didn’t have God in my life at that time, I truly believe that I would not be here. There was a time where I would cry when I talked about the things that I have been through at such a young age, and now I can talk about it with power in my voice,” she says.

The future looks very bright for Any Day Desserts, LLC. Sereena says her goal is to include shipping with her services, and to open her own bakery by the summer of 2021. “My overall dream is to have my own pie crust in all stores so when the holidays roll around, or just for any day, you can go and pick one up. Some people may think that’s reaching too far but I don’t. I believe that we must reach as far as you can and believe in yourself always. You should never give up on yourself. If you have the will, ambition, motivation, and a plan, I say go for it. Get off that hamster wheel and push yourself to the max. I have been blessed with this talent and I plan on making Any Day Desserts for years to come,” she says. h

Any Day Desserts, LLC “Everything Homemade” 1450 N. Hwy 360 - Building 11 Grand Prairie, TX 75050 817-808-3734 anydaydesserts@gmail.com any-day-desserts.square.site

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Sister Friends United Inc.

Information by Rhonda Aaron Photos by Randall Lee-Contemporary Imaging Stylist- Style Me Stephanie, MUA- Brianna Young

Rhonda Aaron of North Little Rock, AR has devoted her life to helping and serving others. She is the Founder of Sister Friends United Inc., a non-profit organization of minority women with a mission to support, uplift and empower its members to better serve the community.

Sister Friends United Inc. was founded and incorporated in the State of Arkansas in October 2007. With well over a decade of service to the Pulaski County community, they have provided $30,00 in scholarships to assist young minority women in pursuing their dreams of attaining a college degree. They’ve hosted an array of workshops, conferences and luncheons for women with topics ranging from finance management to health and fitness.

Rhonda’s story is quite interesting. She grew up in Dumas, a small town in southeast Arkansas. There she learned her work ethic, playing piano on Sunday’s for the New Light MBC youth choir at age 9. Growing up in church “I learned how to pray and lean on God. This foundation continues to carry me through life. I never would have imagined having my very own day in two cities, receiving awards, and being the subject of news features. I contribute my upbringing to the success I’ve achieved in life. I passionately believe in the importance of hard work and being kind to others,” she shares. She also credits her grandmother for being a good example of giving your time to serve others.

Rhonda says she’s learned through the years while working for Sister Friends United Inc. on how important it is to have a solid and consistent brand that people can trust. There are so many nonprofits that don’t survive but their formula has worked for over a decade.

Rhonda states, “We are a group of black women who are impacting our community. Our motto says, “United We Stand, United We Make a Difference”.

Sister Friends United initially started as a means to connect women and resources within the African American community to gain financial education, healthy living information sessions and empowerment conferences and workshops that would empower attendees to be stronger citizens of the community. A few of the inaugural year initiatives were to form a community partnership to focus on health and wealth. They connected with Baptist Health and Trainer Phyllis Hodges to teach healthy lifestyle habits. They also hosted a financial education workshop on budgeting, investing and retirement plans.

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In 2008, the organization wanted to expand their community reach to support future minority women leaders. As a result, they created the Faith Scholarship. It was established for a female minority senior with a competitive GPA that plans to attend an Arkansas four-year college. They hosted the first formal banquet program to recognize the scholarship honorees in May 2008, at the Burns Park Hospitality House in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

As they began to gain momentum in the community by volunteering to work with and support other local nonprofit organizations, they wanted to grow their scholarship banquet to include honoring women in the community for their achievements and local community work. This idea birthed the inaugural Women of Excellence Awards and Faith Scholarship banquet. The purpose of the event was to provide a formal platform that would recognize the career achievements of African American women in their community, provide encouragement to the future leaders receiving the scholarships, and to inspire the event attendees. The honorees were recognized in five areas including Education, Media, Health/ Social Service, Religion and Business. The first honorees were Dr. Katherine Mitchell (Education), Dr. Emma Kelly Rhodes (Religion), Annie Abrams (Social Service), Korto Momolu (Business) and Evangeline Parker (Media). Some of our most notable honorees included Dr. Jocelyn Elders and Honorable Lottie Shackelford.

May 12, 2018 was the 10th anniversary of the Women of Excellence Awards and Faith Scholarship, which represented honoring 50 women since inception and presenting our 28th scholarship. This event has been featured in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette as a High-Profile article titled, “Women Power” as well as being broadcast on Comcast Community local TV and many other magazine features, including STAND magazine and ML Community.

Sister Friends United Inc. is also committed to helping other nonprofit organizations. The Annual Hat Luncheon was created to bring awareness to and monetary support to other nonprofit organizations as well as local African American business owners.

This annual event has donated $2,500 to help support the mission of several local nonprofit organizations including Sisters Living with Alopecia, Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sickle Cell Support Services, Timmons Art Foundation and Bearden Productions Art Studio, to name a few. The program includes local business spotlights and the notable hat contest.

Their Read, Write, Get Fit and Lead & Back to School Bash is a biennial program focused on supporting the needs of girls’ ages 12-18 and teaching key fundamentals that are important to their success as future leaders. There are breakout sessions and various speakers for each topic that stress the importance of education when it comes to reading, writing, self-care and responsibilities as a leader. The 2018 event was sponsored in partnership with a grant provided by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield through their Blue & You Foundation. One hundred and ten girls have benefited from these free summer programs.

Each year, Sister Friends United Inc has provided a holiday meal and breakfast for a family in need as well as fulfilled the request of a child from the Salvation Army’s Angel tree. They have received names from and partnered with Second Baptist (John BarrowPastor Ivan Lambert) and volunteer annually with Power 92 to support the Watershed with a monetary donation and preparing

food boxes to distribute to families in need.

Rhonda shares that she is inspired by women winning, and others who achieve success and live their dreams. “I understand that journey and it is inspirational to see the victory,” she says.

The future seems to be quite busy for the organization. They are preparing to expand outside of their home base in Little Rock, AR and opening national membership opportunities through their SFU Sister Circle, with a purpose to connect like-minded women through sisterhood and service through smaller chapters. They are also hosting their inaugural Girlfriend Conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 3-5, 2021. Its purpose is to bring together women from various walks of life to F.U.S.E “Fun, Uplift, Sisterhood and Empowerment”, They are combining a girlfriends trip with a powerful empowerment conference that will incorporate fun girlfriend activities, powerhouse motivational speakers. The threeday conference will end with a concert by Raheem DeVaughn.

Rhonda has a Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Strategic communication from UA Little Rock. She is currently the Co-owner and Chief Operations Officer for Mid State Counseling and Recovery Service, a mental health agency located in North Little Rock, AR. She currently resides in North Little Rock with her husband of 26 years, Deon. They have one adult daughter, Brianna and a feisty four-year-old grandson, Chance. You can follow Sister Friends United Inc on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, You Tube, and their website. h

Rhonda Aaron Sister Friends United Inc. www.sisterfriendsunited.com

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Joy Campbell

Who is Joy Campbell? She never understood why some people have and some don’t. And making a difference in someone’s life has been at the forefront of her life, even as a child.”

Joy is also a young philanthropist, from Orangeburg, SC. She was birthed and raised

by John and Jestine Campbell. After not having children for 11 years of marriage, her parents share that it seemed suiting to call their baby girl “Joy”.

Her name is fitting. As a child she was always giving, loving, and wanting to help others. Her parents also kept her very busy.

“I was always involved with something.

From choir, track, the North Charleston Police Cadets, JROTC, and more. My favorite of all activities was Outreach,” she shares. Her motto is, “love God and love God’s people”.

Growing up, Joy says she didn’t feel like she possessed a gift or special talent. She just loved to serve others. “I feel as if I spent half my life trying to figure out what I wanted to do, where do I fit in, and how can I make it,” she shared. Though there was one constant, Joy had a desire to serve others who were less fortunate.

Presently, Joy is the face of I SERVE with Joy. I SERVE with JOY aims to bring joy and love back into the community by providing care and assistance to the less fortunate.

They specialize in serving the homeless, displaced teens, and single-parent families.

It is their goal to bring joy to the community, one piece at a time, through engagement.

Joy got her program off the ground on October 16th 2016. “We were getting ready for our annual coat drive and this year was different. A few months prior we had sent 65 kids to prom. Their school wasn’t able to give one in the previous five years, and Hurricane Michael was on the break and we just wanted to make a difference,” Joy says.

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Most recently Joy was recognized as a community angel by receiving the Tywanza Sanders award given by The Spotlight Awards, honoring the nine angels of Mother Emanuel, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Tywanza was one of the nine victims shot in the “Emanuel 9 shooting”.

“Tywanza had a heart like mine he loved helping the youth just like I do. Her family gives out scholarships to help high schoolers get higher education. We continue to let his light shine through empowering the youth of tomorrow.

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With the ordeal of Covid-19, I SERVE with JOY has stepped into action. “We are doing our part in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. Our current initiative “We Hear You” provides learners with wireless earphones to help them stay focused during virtual learning experience rather in person, or at home. We understand that it takes a village and we are that village. We appreciate the opportunity as it assists us to reach the needs of underserved youth in the greater Charleston area,” she says. Another program they have created is R.E.A.C.H. 2020, Rebuild (hearts), Empower (youth), Advance Communities, Help (underserved).

Serving her community and others is what Joy loves mostly. “I am one person with one dream to serve others. With your continued support, volunteering, and donations, iServeWithJoy will do more to serve the community and world,” she says.

Now that iSERVE with Joy is in their fourth year of operation, the challenges of serving are being realized. “I think my personal challenge is to accept the fact that we are growing and be OK with that.

We are taking greater caution because of Covid 19 and doing everything in our power to help stop the spread. PPE is not cheap, and obtaining funding and sponsorships is always a priority,” she says.

What inspires Joy the most? “My life changed when my dad introduced me to Mr. Anthony Wright, legendary Charleston Peanut Man. At age 20 I went to work with Mr. Wright as a “Peanut Girl”. Through ups and downs he always told me, “you can be and do whatever you want”. That encouragement changed my whole life forever,” Joy said. “We could do any of this with the help and support of our volunteers.

They really go the extra mile to make sure the vision comes to pass.”

In the future, Joy says her goal is to show people that serving others can be fun. “We will continue to do that in moderation due to COVID-19. I believe that when you serve there are two wins that happen; the person giving and the person receiving. As we grow, we will continue to create innovative ways to bring joy to communities near and far,” she says.

Presently, iSERVE with JOY are running behind with obtaining donations and are in need of help. She says that no donation is too small. h

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by BK Johnson

It has been said that you can always judge a book by its cover. When it comes to Beverly K. Johnson, that is very accurate. On the outside, it can appear that she is soft and gentle creature, full of zest and finesse. She exudes elegance and beauty almost effortlessly. Though when her book opens up, Beverly can be quite surprising.

She is a beautiful soul with a wicked dry sense of humor.

She can shift from being uber serious, to be hilariously funny, quoting lyrics to random songs. Whatever way you look at it, Beverly is in a space in her life where she’s found peace and happiness.

Beverly is a native of Mobile, AL and a graduate of Alabama A&M University. She is also a Army veteran. Presently she is a lifecoach and motivational speaker. She is the face and founder of Genesys Fitness, a community of women who recognize the need to reclaim their lives and are emotionally ready to do the work. “At GenFit, we believe self-care takes priority over caring for others because it is in caring for ourselves that we make the best caregivers. We believe that by helping women rediscover who they are after suffering a loss, she will be empowered to become her ideal self – physically, mentally and emotionally,” she shares.

Beverly says that Genesys Fitness represents change for women who are ready for a shift. “My clients recognize that they are ready for more and need a roadmap to reach their goals. My client’s ages range from 35-65, and I use the phrase “the forgotten woman” to describe her. The Forgotten Woman is the person who makes sure her family eats, yet often takes the smallest plate. She’s the one who people know by name, but because she’s so tired and overwrought, she sometimes forgets her own. The Forgotten Woman is a beautiful and selfless spirit who, in everything she does, puts others needs ahead of her own. She often goes unappreciated, unloved, abused, and overworked. She often feels alone, tired, sick, depressed, ugly, and invisible. I’ve discovered that this is usually the season when you’ve become settled in your career, and have raised families and eventually become empty nesters.

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taken care of everyone and you’re at the bottom of the list.

They are looking to discover themselves,” she shares.

With Genesys Fitness, Beverly offers an 8-Week Personal Training regimen called the “60 Day Slay” Transformation Program. Through one-on-one sessions, personalized sessions, and mindset make overs, she partners with her clients to reclaim their identity through customized coaching, fitness training, and strategies to build sustainable changes.

Genesys Fitness began with a thought. Beverly shares how she believed that she could shift her experiences as a Zumba instructor to that as a personal trainer. During that transition of time, she was also enduring an emotionally and mentally exhausting divorce. As she healed from the divorce, she discovered her voice and realized that some new tools and insights that proved beneficial to her existing clients. “As I experienced my beginning, I wanted to inspire others to achieve theirs,” she says.

Genesys Fitness takes off. “I was sitting on my couch one Sunday afternoon in 2015, and decided that I was ready to take the plunge. I had my business cards made and I posted information about it on Facebook. That was my official grand opening. I didn’t know anything about launches or social media engagement. I just jumped. I had no idea what to do next. My first client happened to be one of my sorority sisters. That vote of confidence from my Soror gave me the determination to keep pushing,” she says.

Today, Beverly is in full force with Genesys Fitness. Her focus is on providing a great experience and service to her clients, while impacting their lives. “I love it when my clients have their ‘aha’ moments. It’s that moment when she begins to see the results. I’ll receive the text message announcing they’ve lost a dress size or that they’ve started to receive compliments from friends. That’s when I know my program is working.’ Beverly says.

“The Forgotten Woman is the person who makes sure her family eats, yet often takes the smallest plate. She’s the one who people know by name, but because she’s so tired and overwrought, she sometimes forgets her own.”

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She also finds inspiration in her mother who she describes as someone who has a beautiful spirit and has taught Beverly and her siblings the importance of having a good work ethic, gratitude, and humor.

Beverly has also faced some challenges in business. “As a fitness professional, I’m faced with the challenge of providing my services in our current landscape with the Covid 19 pandemic. The safety of my clients is my utmost priority. With that being so, I’ve switched my practice to a virtual platform, and it’s proving to be a great option for my clients,” she says.

Moving forward, Beverly hopes to expand her online coaching business. Expanding her online business will allow her to provide Genesys Fitness services across the country.

She also offers some advice to others who follow a similar journey as she has. “Decide on who you want to market to in your business. While it sounds good to cater to everyone, everyone won’t be a customer. Determine who you want your ideal client to be. From that point, it will be easier to create a solid business. Most importantly, don’t fear the unknown, it’s a part of the process.” h

Charleston - November/December 2020

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Charleston - November/December 2020

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