Huami Magazine Charlotte Jan./Feb. 2020

C H A R LOT T E

Jan./Feb. 2020 Vol. 3 Issue 6 FREE

Deanna Smith Sellstate Exclusive Realty, LLC Exclusive Title Agency, LLC

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Don’t Just Talk About It, Be About It

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

A Letter From The Editor

If we never allow ourselves to experience the things that A Letter from the Editor we imagine, we are not really living our lives according to what God purposed us for. To achieve the impossible requires fortitude determination.

You must be willing to let go Whatand if tomorrow didn’t arrive?

Allalso of your plans, hopes ofand somethings that you have previously thought part of dreams wouldn’t a street to parkwas on.aWhat if you.

Letting go also means that we are growing in the direction that everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never our destiny is pointed. happened?

There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making A dream isWhat just aifdream until action is applied.

That is the promises. your last opportunity seemingly expired moment which a dream grows its wings and takes flight. I today? of What would you do? might say that I would like to lose 40 pounds of body weight this year, but iftold I never anything getting me I’ve been thatdo I often seemthat likerelates I do tootomuch. toHonestly, that goal,I then all I am doing is talking to myself. lose 40 feel like I am not doing enough and I’m To a firm pounds of in body weight would forput meanything to change believer knowing that Godrequire wouldn’t onthe me way I eat, I would have to exercise, and develop an attitude that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life wouldof someone whoto wants to and be 40 pounds lighter.

It would be if I chose sit idle accept what it presented torequire me. I forhave me to apply action to my goal or dream. found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge Inme 2020, I have decidedWhat not to a lotthat of resolutions. to is an adventure. is make the worst can happen?

ToIfbe honest many of the I set but lastinstead year, I didn’t I do nothing, I fail, andones if I trythat I don’t, learn reach.

Instead, I believe that if I attempt toyour live apride moreand positive something new about myself.

Relinquish in lifestyle, there will be little or no room for negativity. In terms return acquire life. of being positive, the things that seem impossible I am going to approach with a possible mindset.

Doors that may look closed, The best advice ever given to me happened when someone I am tomake knockmy ontomorrow them anyway withtoday. expectation. toldgoing me to happen In doingThey so have to open.

I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between The most important that we can make this year what God blesses me action with and what life can burden me with requires action at itall. get to when whereto we dreaming to as well.noI compare to To knowing beare confident and go, we must allow God to lead us.when Life has proven the to be quiet,that because someone may get it confused navigational system created by arrogant. man with is fullbeing of flaws and will all too often lead us to a dead end.

Make youand tomorrow If we just sit still be patient, happen butfor most and trust Godtoday, to work us, it count. everyimportantly dream thatmake we ever had will Life aisreality. but a whisper and become we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it has is All that matters is what God telling planned forus. our lives. If we dream it and give it back to God, we are then living a truly a purposed life.

Terry L. Watson Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

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HuamiMagazine.com Charlotte - Jan./Feb. 2020

HuamiMagazine.com

November/December 2014

www.huamimagazine.com www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Publisher Terry L Watson

Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Dawn C. Thornton Writer Terry L. Watson Writers

Writer Junious Smith Dixon Writer Tonya Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Todd Youngblood Tamara Smith Photographer Jeuron Dove Photographer Lechele Trent-Jackson Apollo Wonex

Photographer Photographers JLG Photography Perfect Lenz Photographer Photography Todd Youngblood Photography Shaw Photography Group Still Shots Photography

Howard Photography Who Shotya Keep UpGaither With Photography Us on Facebook Huami Magazine For Charlotte Layout A Group For Followers and Mykel Media Company Supporters of Bennett Huami Magazine Linda

mykelmedia@yahoo.com huami.charlotte@gmail.com (336) 340-7844 (336)340-7844

HUAMI MAGAZINE is published bimonthly quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com Email or Telephone terry.editor@yahoo.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to 336-340-7844 Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2019 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

On The Cover

Photo by Shaw Photography Group Want to advertise, Call 336-340-7844

Want To Advertise? Call (336)340-7844

CONTENTS

JAN./FEB. 2020

CHARLOTTE EDITION

Jonnika Nickohl Collection

Jonnika Wilson

On The Cover

Deanna Smith Exclusive One Realty, LLC

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The Black Man Can

Brandon M. Frame

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10

Apple For The Day

Marquita Brown

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Kaison Priest

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Also Featured

Sasha A. Ridley Meet the face behind Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises, LLC Chesapeake, VA

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Autumn & Sidney This mother and daughter duo are on a mission to teach others the power of having a mother/daughter bond.

Nashville, TN

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Charlotte - Jan./Feb. 2020

Jevertus Burrette Learn more about the Black Wealth Summit comming to the Upstate in April 2020.

Greenville/Spartanburg, SC

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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood

Deanna Smith Sellstate Exclusive Realty, LLC Exclusive Title Agency, LLC

By Dawn Caithen Thorton Photos by Todd Youngblood For 16 years Deanna Smith served the state of New York as a Corrections Officer with the Department of Corrections. She also owned and operated not one, but two childcare facilities along with mothering full time.

When she was presented with the opportunity to become a Federal Agent in 2002, she jumped at the chance and relocated her family to Charlotte for the job. Shortly after settling in the Queen City, she missed interacting with the precious children she taught, so she worked part-time at a childcare facility. She also decided to become a foster parent to make an even greater impact, eventually adopting two infant girls. Suddenly the mom of six was stretched to her limit and her full time job gave her an ultimatum.

“They told me I could choose my job or choose my children. And I chose my children,” Deanna says confidently.

Since the Buffalo, NY native had a background in childcare, the natural thing to do was to transition full time at the childcare facility so she wouldn’t miss a beat raising her own. She quickly rose to Assistant Director and, for some time, was quite content. She was back in her element loving on the little ones and spending time with her two youngest children who attended the facility where she worked. But as much as she enjoyed seeing tiny smiling faces everyday, going home to four children (her oldest two no longer lived in the home) proved to be a larger job than she bargained for.

At the suggestion of her husband, she took some time off to figure out what her next move should be. On her first try, she wasn’t completely sold on the idea of real estate. But she did like helping people achieve their dream of homeownership. She threw her hat back into the ring, took classes, and obtained her real estate license. In 2013, Exclusive Realty, Inc. was born and Smith hasn’t slowed down since.

In January 2018, Smith made the decision to buy into the Sellstate Realty franchise, and now she’s doing business as Sellstate Exclusive Realty, LLC. The addition has afforded Smith to empower her team of agents to serve their clients effectively and efficiently. Her agents are able to utilize Sellstate’s Customer Relationship Management system (CRM), that tracks clients’ interests to better fit them with properties they may be interested in. A popular feature of the system is the opportunity to create distribution lists that allows them to keep their clients in the know by sending newsletters packed with industry information.

“They told me I could choose my job or choose my children. And I chose my children.”

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Aviance Levy Staff

Cordelia Hayden Real Estate Agent

Jessica Scott Real Estate Agent

Larrishea White Real Estate Agent

Deanna Smith Real Estate Agent

Etta Harrison Staff

Dexter Desir Real Estate Agent

Felecia Armstrong Real Estate Agent

Genetta Gray Real Estate Agent

Agents not pictured: Kia Caughten and Jason Brown

Now Smith wants to share her new undertaking, Exclusive Title Agency, LLC., a company that researches property titles to ensure there are no liens, judgements, or other discrepancies prior to purchase. “I always move how God wants me to, and he just put this on me,” Smith explains. Simply put, she felt it was something she was led to do.

The title search arena is such a complicated domain that not many people want to tackle. That makes Smith one of the few black owned agencies in the United States. “It’s very risky. If you don’t educate yourself and don’t know what you’re doing, you can get sued,” says Smith. You must be licensed to offer the service and have an exclusive relationship with an insurance company that trusts you. There are no classes to take, so self-preparation is paramount prior to sitting for the state examination.

The addition of these new branches of Exclusive Realty signifies that Smith is mapping out her future and that of her family and employees. She plans to train her team on how to initiate title searches so they can eventually obtain their licenses manage their own businesses. “My goal is to build generational wealth for myself and help my employees do the same.”

Smith is also currently searching for the right piece of land in Charlotte to construct a building to house her businesses under one roof.

The border of uptown Charlotte would be ideal, but she’s keeping her options open.

The property will also be home to her nonprofit, Homeowners Pursuing Education. She created this project to teach people how to save and manage their money, understand their finances, and not fall victim to scammers and big businesses. Recently, Smith and others took to the streets of Charlotte and knocked on doors to enlighten homeowners who live in attractive areas subject to gentrification. In January, she plans to invite community leaders to aid her in presenting a seminar focusing on affordable housing, financial literacy, and teaching basic budgeting skills to local residents.

Since changing career paths, Smith has made it her mission to create jobs and educate those less knowledgeable about their finances so they can attain the American dream. Serving one client at a time, she is slowly growing her empire, creating generational wealth, and uplifting her community. h

Deanna Smith Exclusive Title, LLC 2026 Ayrsly Blvd. - Charlotte, NC 28273 704-907-3422

www.exclusiverealtyone.com www.exclusivetitleagency.com

Brandon M. Frame #theblackmancan

By Crystal Kelly Photos by Brandon Frame Morehouse College graduate, Brandon M. Frame, is a man that is motivated by M.K. Asante’s quote, “Once you make an observation you have an obligation.”

While attending Morehouse College Frame observed that there was a need for mentorship for young boys of color attending middle school.

He created a youth males mentorship group called Voice. He led this group and fostered the educational growth of young boys of color while attending college. This group met once a week and focused on fostering and building positive self-identity of young men boys of color.

When asked why he chose Morehouse, he simply replied, “I wanted to attend a college that is designed to created Black male leaders.”

Almost as if written destiny, Brandon’s life has always been on a path to be a leader and trailblazer for boys and men of color. Born and raised in Hartford, CT and the eldest to his five siblings you might say that Brandon has a natural tendency to care and look out for others. After graduating Morehouse College, he began teaching and coaching at a private school in MA. There he became a mentor to his students. Frame realized that he had an impact on the younger generation and became a male figure that young men looked up to.

Growing up most of his life without his father, he had to learn certain things about becoming a man on his own. One thing he learned was how common it is for other young men of color to be without their fathers. Brandon wanted to create a place for young men of color to express themselves and be able to see positive images of other males of color.

Often the media will paint only one kind of image for men of color and more times than not, that image has a negative tone to it. In 2010, Brandon created a blog called #theblackmancan to congratulate, educate, and inspire young

“I wanted to attend a college that is designed to created Black male leaders.”

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boys and men of color. The blog set up a platform for boys and men of color to express themselves and share positive life stories. Using social media as a place for these young boys and men of color to have a voice and show the world positive images, this blog experienced tremendous growth over the next few years. He also used Instagram to post positive pictures of Black men getting married, smiling, playing with their children, and more.

In 2013 Brandon decided to take this movement to the next level and wrote a guided journal entitled, Define Yourself: Redefine the World.

The journal was used as a tool in his educational institute. He combined personal stories of the stories on the blog, positive images shown online via social media platforms of men of color, and education to continue to spread the message that #theblackmancan.

Since its inception, Brandon began to be recognized and awarded for his movement. Some of the notable awards include, Boston Globe magazine cover, Jet magazine’s Men of Honor, BET Honors: Next in Class Awards, and the MLK award from Morehouse College. Throughout the decade he launched his own YouTube tv series “Building Minds Forever” which lasted for two years and hosted over 150 guests. He created 1000 T.I.E.S (Transforming Identities 2 Empower Society), the Blackmancan Institute which is now called ‘Building a Better Brother’ Summit. Over 7,000 young men have attended since its inception in 2013 and is headed to the Bahamas in 2020 for its first international summit.

He is the Creative Visionary for several innovative events and platforms which include, #FallingBlackinLove Power Couple Brunch, #BlackManWinningWednesdays featuring young boys of color recognizing successful men of color, and #BlackMenMondays. These hashtag shows can be found on YouTube. In 2019, He co-authored his first children’s book entitled, My First Tie. This young man has a God given path to lead and pave the way for other boys and men of color to succeed and be seen as the kings they are made to be.

Brandon is definitely a man that lives to fulfill his obligation to provide a positive platform for boys and men of color. He is a young Black Man that most certainly can! h

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex A leap of faith, flair for style and a desire to advocate the diversity of women in the workforce, propelled Jonnika Wilson into entrepreneurship.

On November 11, 2019, Wilson launched The Jonnika Nickohl Collection, a hair accessory line she created as a way of expression for the everyday women to look and feel their best. The Spartanburg, South Carolina native who currently resides in Duncan, S.C. says the initial reviews have been positive.

Wilson has showcased plenty of innovation over the years, having graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, S.C where she studied dance. With over 20 years of dance training, Wilson continues to pursue her passion by teaching in local dance studios and creating choreography in the upstate. Wilson extended her education and now holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of South Carolina Upstate and a Masters degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Strayer University.

“My desire for the arts and business has molded me into the professional woman I am today. I believe that your passion comes from your heart which is not enforced but embraced,” she says.

While having a hand in numerous avenues, a decision to go natural in 2009 planted the first seeds of Wilson’s desire toward her collection.

“From college to the start of my professional career, I always thought straight hair was considered the only way to look professional, move up in your career and fit in,” she says. With the desire to try something new with her strands, Wilson went for a drastic change. “I wanted to go natural, which at the time was not the trend as you see today. So, I did the bigchop and embraced my new identity and journey.”

A missed job opportunity a few years later emboldened Wilson into wanting to put something together.

“I applied for a business developer position, which included four interviews. The final interview was between myself and an external associate. The director over the area said, “we want you to work in this position - we know you’re a great employee and well qualified – and we’re pretty much set on offering you the position, but I do have one question: what are you going to do with your hair?”

“My hair is naturally curly, defined, and as most would say good hair – I didn’t see anything wrong with it.”

Another female associate included in the interview quickly objected saying that she did not see a problem with her hairstyle or texture and proceeded to imply and that the most important factor was that she is most Continued on the next page

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qualified for the position, but the director refused to budge saying it was not his thing. “He felt the look wasn’t as approachable for others. Ultimately, I didn’t get the position - someone was hired externally - and that planted a seed for me,” she says.

In 2016, Wilson started working on what would become her initial staple.

“At that time, I only had one design in mind,” Wilson said. “I had an old headband - I took the stitching out, extended it, and placed it on my head which pulled up my curls creating a pin-up style. People started asking me where I got it saying it looked professional and was something they would wear to work. With such positive feedback, I started thinking of expanding this design to a collection of hair pieces for women to wear in any occasion.”

A trip to New York a year later helped Wilson put the plan into place.

“I took a lot of creative and business advice from a close friend who is a fashion designer - business owner and we started thinking of ideas and the best concept for my hair pieces,” Wilson said. “What makes my collection so unique is that each design is named after a family member or close friend. I love my family and friends, and this is the best way to hold them all close to me on this journey.”

Although she was very confident about her designs and concept, she struggled with a fear of rejection from previous experiences. She was able to overcome her doubts due to a strong support system. “I am blessed to have good people around me especially my mother who has prayed and supported me during this process.

I design headbands, headwraps and turbans for the everyday woman. I want women to exude confidence and style in any scene whether it’s in the office, at an event or in the gym. The pieces are made from a slinky fabric which gives a sheen sophisticated look while providing the best comfort and flexibility for all-day wear,” she shared.

Wilson has some plans in the future. She would like to expand her collection by creating more pieces each season and build her audience from online sales to storefront and in major department stores. She would also like to use her professional career in Human Resources along with the Jonnika Nickohl Collection to counsel others. “Through my personal experience of rejection and seclusion as a professional, I want to close the gap and bring to light the importance and positive impact of diversity in the workplace, education and personal lifestyle,” she says.

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“I am excited about this business, the brand and my future. All I have to do now is place my feet in the right direction and trust God in the process.” h

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Marquita Brown Apple For The Day

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Marquita Brown Marquita Brown is a native of Petersburg, VA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies and is also a Licensed Practical Nurse. She is also an entrepreneur, mentor, philanthropist and community advocate who believes in social justice.

She also believes in equality in healthcare and educating African Americans about their health and informing them about the importance of making healthy decisions. “It has always been embedded in my DNA to empower those whose voices are not heard.

The voice that is least heard are black and brown people. I hope to change this phenomenon,” she says.

Marquita is also the owner of Apple for The Day, a health education and health consultation business. It is focused on the health of all but mostly concentrated on African American health. The point of receiving these services is to make sure people have a basic knowledge on their condition.

The name came about from the phrase “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away”. Marquita shares that she wanted to give knowledge on health and instead of having someone retrieve an apple a day, she wanted to give them an apple for the day. “When it is time to go to a healthcare provider, people can hold an informed conversation with their caregiver. Hopefully, people will think more critically about their health and their care and collaborate with their healthcare provider and receive better results because of it,” she says.

She shares that God gave her this vision.

“Unbeknownst to myself, I began my business as a child. I started out wanting to be a physician. I worked diligently from that time to attain this goal. As a teenager I began as a hospital volunteer formerly known as a Candy Striper. From there, I began volunteering at my pediatrician’s office and could see how the front office worked and the doctor allowed me to come in the room with him while he examined patients from time to time. In high school I was a part of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). I also took my first Black History course there.

After graduating high school, I majored in Biology and concentrated in Pre-Medicine and was offered the chance to intern in a private practice. That experience changed my life,” she says.

She would become even more eager and interested in helping others. “There were so many African American patients who had surgery because the doctor said they needed it but did not understand why the procedure was necessary. I knew this because of their facial expressions. I started going into the room after the doctor finished speaking and asked if the patient understood what was being said. The patient replied ‘yes’ repeatedly but when I asked them to explain it to me, they could not. After seeing this for about the third time, my view on healthcare changed drastically” she says.

Soon she would obtain an Associates in Science and went on to another tract, nursing. Simultaneously, she had switched her major to African American Studies, minored in psychology, and concentrated in African American Health. Marquita says she knew African Americans were being neglected in the healthcare system and did not know why. She also knew African Americans did not trust the healthcare system.

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During her last semester in college, she volunteered for a public health organization and participated in an internship educating African Americans in the community about their health.

Once she graduated, she was able to work for that public health organization and realized this is what she wanted to do with her life.

The grant had ended in that position and she was no longer in that line of work. “I had to work in clinics/doctors’ offices where people were treated like numbers instead of people. Yet, again, I noticed where African Americans were not receiving the proper education they needed and deserved,” she says. She tried looking for positions in the non-profit sector and they were not available. So, in January of 2019, she stepped out on faith and created Apple for the Day. Marquita has a genuine love for the African American community. She is aware of the need to bring about a change to a group of people without a voice. “I will be fully satisfied with my business once African Americans are on par and/or surpass the majority in this country in all areas of health,” she says. “As a society it would be substantial if we could remove social constructs such as racism, discrimination, low paying jobs, jobs without health benefits, lack of transportation, and food deserts.

These social barriers affect health on levels that most people are not even aware of.”

She is also inspired by her parents. “My mother had no idea how much she was feeding my quest for knowledge. She groomed me for the healthcare field as a child. My father was a businessman. I watched him run a business and he gave me vision of not only being an African American businessman in the early 90s, but also a successful businessman. He also helped me while I was brainstorming for Apple for the Day. He was confident in my ability,” she shares.

Marquita is also on a mission to eradicate racism from the healthcare practice. “Without racism, health disparities would not exist. African Americans receive the least amount of healthcare and tend to only go to the hospital or doctor when it effects their work. By that time, it may already be too late. Even if African Americans do not wait until the last minute to receive care, the best care is not always given while being seen in a medical office or hospital; regardless of income or education status,” she says.

To learn more about what Marquita Brown and Apple for The Day is doing, please visit their website or contact her directly. h

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Sasha A. Ridley Heart To Heart Consulting Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Sasha Ridley

Sasha A. Ridley of Chesapeake, VA is a devoted mother, multifaceted business woman, purpose pusher, and creative thinker. She is also extremely empathetic.

By the sounds of it, Sasha lives a pretty simple life. She loves meeting and connecting with new people from all backgrounds and vantage points. Even more, she believes the best way to view life is from the perspective of another person.

Life hasn’t always been easy for Sasha but she has proven and battle tested. She has faced being homeless three times within the last four years, all while battling depression and anxiety. “I felt as if I didn’t belong. I have adjusted by learning how to shift my focus and to slow myself down and reconnect with my faith. Searching for the lesson in the situations rather than focus more on trying to move on to the next survival shift was the game changer which helped me to become the change agent in my own life,” she shares.

“Realizing and owning the role I played in each and every situation allowed me to be able to connect and be of value to others”.

Within her circle of friends and family, Sasha is the one everyone seeks for questions and advice. Even though she may be the youngest in most cases, she is still the go to and describes herself as the “baby in charge”.

Currently she operates as a certified Relationship Life Coach with Sasha A. Ridley Enterprises and Heart To Heart Consulting. Coach Sasha works with those who are looking to overcome debilitating fears in regards to vulnerability, communication and adversities that may limit one’s ability to establish personal and professional relationships. She is also a transformation speaker and author, and has published her first book, The Relational Mindset How to Heal and Build Healthy Relationships, which is a take action memoir.

“Writing my memoir offered me freedom and healing. The book has also helped others take a closer look at their life and the toxic things they are allowing or have allowed in past relationships. Furthermore, being able to speak on these topics and my mirror confidence method allows me to take my one on one coaching model into a group atmosphere,” she shares.

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Sasha has over eight years of management, customer relations, coaching, marketing, and development experience; skills that she utilizes to assist her with Heart to Heart Consulting. “I am committed to serving those individuals who are ready to put forth action to uncover their who, why, and how and shift their mindset of lack and self-sabotage in order to start their business,” she says. “It is my ultimate desire to equip today’s business owners with the tools and strategies to realize their financial worth, and help them with building an unmatched brand and to dominate their market. I want to help others find their purpose as a person outside of their brand.”

Sasha began working as an Executive Assistant with a non profit organization. After two years there, she went on to work as an Telecommunications Officer with the area police department, a move that spanned four years. Due to a family illness, she terminated her employment with the police department and jumped into full-time entrepreneurship so that she would have more flexibility. Both opportunities played a role in helping her to launch Heart to Heart Consulting, and helped her with establishing client relationships. “Working with many different companies over the years I began to see things that challenged my morals. I knew I had to fully invest in Heart to Heart and give the people something different. I also realized that starting a business was a big investment and required a lot of trust. Clients come to me because they trust that I will offer them solutions, and that is what Heart to Heart Consulting is all about. From my heart to yours,” Sasha explains.

Her desire to be a life coach had been a long time passion. She studied psychology at Virginia Union University and was always deeply intrigued by the cognitive development and thought process of a person and how it impacts behavior.

When the opportunity came to implement life coaching into her business, Sasha knew she had to be strategic and intentional about it. “It was important that I mastered the areas in which I was trying to advise someone else on.

Vulnerability and being able to communicate with yourself is vital. You can’t expect to have an honest and authentic exchange with anyone if you are hiding from your own face in the mirror,” she says.

She finds the most joy as a Life Coach when her clients experience “the light bulb moment”. “A client called me once and was so excited about being able to use a method I used and taught them. When my clients are able to stand in their boldness and implement the practical tools and strategies they have learned in sessions with me, makes it all worth it,” she says.

www.SashaARidley.com www.HeartToHeartConsultingLLC.com FB & IG: @SasahARidley FB & IG: @HeartToHeartConsultingVA 757-556-6856

Ironically, Sasha finds inspiration through many of the adversities she has faced. She is also inspired by her daughter. “When I was at some of the lowest and scariest moments of my life she was my beacon of light. We all want to leave a legacy behind as parents and our greatest legacy will be our children. My drive is to create a life that she wont have to recover from. As a single mom it is important to me that she knows that no matter who or what may come that I will always be in her corner,” she says.

She is also deeply inspired by watching others succeed despite the obstacles that are thrown at them. “Life can sometimes be tricky but mastering the odds is the ultimate magic trick,” she says. h .

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The Black Business Connector

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jevertus Burnette

Jevertus Burnett wanted to bring the summit back and make it better than ever.

Burnett is the founder of The Black Wealth Summit, which will take place in two locations this year. Last year, more than 150 people came to the inaugural event, held in Spartanburg, S.C. In 2020, there will be two summits, the first from March 13-15 at Greenforest Baptist Church in Atlanta and the second at Spartanburg Community College April 3-4.

Burnett, who graduated from Savannah State, works as a financial advisor by day, but also helps others at night which birthed the concept of the Black Wealth Summit.

“During the day, I make sure I’m equipping clients with methods to move wealth efficiently and maintaining the integrity of their brand, elevating their profiles in the greater South Carolina committee,” Burnett said. “Off the clock, I want to make sure that people in the African-American and undeserved communities have some of those some resources.”

Burnett was raised in Norwood, G.A. and credited his upbringing for implementing his work ethic. “I was raised by a single mom with four kids and she only brought home about $600 a month,” Burnett said. “I was heavily acquainted with the word ‘no,’ so at a young age my brother and I started working — raking leaves, cutting grass, doing anything we can to help around the house.

“Every decision my older siblings did had my mom in mind. My brother had a basketball scholarship at Georgia Southern, but he left school and went to the military to send money home. My sister had a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta, but she worked full-time as well.”

Growing up, Burnett said he wanted to get into the financial field.

“I knew that money didn’t grow on trees, so I was inquisitive about it and wanted to learn everything I could,” Burnett said. “In the 10th grade, I was absolutely sure that was the field I wanted to go into — I didn’t know the different types of jobs, but I knew I wanted to be a part of one.”

“My sister and her husband used to teach financial literacy and I started sharing information to my peers,” Burnett said. “My roommates were the first ones who sat down and went through everything with me. During my senior year, I spent my Christmas holiday and Spring Break helping her — she was a consumer credit counselor with United Way — I was later certified as a financial literacy coach, and I focused on the opportunities she gave me.

“After I graduated, I did more self-studies and I took a job at a school in Savannah, Ga, to coach basketball. Still, I was so passionate about business and the school didn’t have a program, so I wrote one out. The first year I taught health to the kids at the school, then the second year it was financial literacy. I thought that I would coach basketball in high school, then work to the college and NBA ranks before teaching finances, but God had a different plan for me to start so soon. I’ve been satisfied with everything that’s happened so far.”

Burnett said The Black Wealth Summit will have plenty to offer.

“On Friday night, we’ll haven the networking event, highlighted by vendors and sponsors, which will also give people the opportunity to learn about black businesses in the areas,” Burnett said. “On Saturday, it will be full of workshops and seminars with sessions such as how to create a family bank, tax codes, real estate investing and branding sessions. Eugene Mitchell will be the keynote speaker at both events—he’s the author of ‘Closing the Racial Wealth Gap: Seven Untold Rules for Black Prosperity and Legacy’ and has helped lead a charge inside the black community.

“This summit is here to inspire entrepreneurs and team them up with people who have been there. If you have a vision and want it to come to life, it helps to have great examples to provide insight in an environment with an abundance of knowledge.

We don’t want to be hoarders of that — instead, we want to be the epitome of lifting each other up as we strive for great achievements.”

The cost for The Black Wealth Summit is $49.95. For additional information, go to The Black Wealth Summit on Facebook. h

Although Burnett learned plenty of lessons about money as a child and wanted to become a financial advisor, he didn’t set the best example starting out at Savannah State. “I messed up a lot of money,” Burnett said. “I was on a scholarship but lost it due to horrible decisions. I bought a house and lost it, ran up credit cards, was homeless for a couple of weeks and my credit was messed up.

It got to a point where my sister said, ‘I’m concerned about you, but if you truly want my help you need to do something different.’ My Christmas gift from her my junior year of college was the ‘Crown Financial Ministries’ series and she told me I had to make better decisions with money if she was going to continue sending it to help me out.

“It was a combination of hitting rock bottom and having someone who cared about me get in my grill and tell me to do better.

Therefore, I tell people they don’t have to be ashamed about where they are, but they have to be disciplined to get out of the situation.”

As Burnett cleaned up his act, he also shared information at his school.

Charlotte - Jan./Feb. 2020

HuamiMagazine.com

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M.A.D.E. 28

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Autumn Prather

Autumn Page Prather understands that motherhood is the hardest job on the planet, yet is the most rewarding.

Moreover, this mother knows that leaving a legacy to her children is the single most important thing she can do to ensure that her pedigree continues to thrive and survive.

She is the co-founder and CEO of (M.A.D.E.) The Mother & Daughter Experience , a 501 (c) 3 organization that promotes the sacred bonds between mothers and daughters, so that relationships are enhanced now and for generations to come.

M.A.D.E sponsors, hosts and/or participates in events and activities that help foster the sacred bond between mothers and daughters.

The program offers tailored workshops, seminars, summits and retreats on a variety of themes including but not limited to self-worth, leadership and team-building skills. M.A.D.E is available to professional keynote speakers for formal and informal events centered around women and girl’s empowerment. M.A.D.E hosts an annual Mother/Daughter Breakfast to celebrate mothers, grandmothers, god-mothers, step-mothers and the village who all play important roles in the rearing of our daughters.

motivational speaking, traveling, service to the community and mentoring young girls.

The recipients of the services that (M.A.D.E.) offers are women and girls of all ages, races and ethnicity. “If you are a woman who is a mother-figure to a young girl and/or you had a hand in helping to raise her, our services are for you. If you are a teacher, coach, sponsor or administrator who wants to improve mother and daughter relationships, so that the quality of life for girls in your care is enhanced, our services are for you. If you are an organization that wants to partner together to bring awareness to the community for greater impact, our services are for you,” says Autumn.

Autumn shares she absolutely loves tapping into an area that a lot of people tend to shy away from. The mother/daughter relationship is extremely complex and it’s not easy to navigate.

“Our relationship is not perfect at all. But, we are intentional about making sure that love is in action, that wisdom is heard and respected and that understanding is felt. I love that we are impacting generations of women and girls, mothers and future mothers and are encouraging mothers to be the role model for their daughters. Healthy relationships are so very important and we believe that the mother/daughter bond sets the stage for every subsequent relationship in a girl’s life - whether romantic or platonic. My mother and her grandmother is the catalyst behind our non-profit and I love that most of all,” she says.

The Mother & Daughter Experience was founded in response to a 10 year journey of my wanting to do something to honor Autumn’s late mother, Mrs. Linda Marie Everett who passed away April 24, 2009. “In January 2019, as I was lying in bed recovering from a difficult surgery, and I had an epiphany. I wanted an opportunity to share how my daughter and I created a unique bond through love, wisdom, and understanding. I wanted a chance to showcase that kind of bond with her because my mother and I shared that uniqueness as well. I declared that generational curses and dysfunction would stop with us and we would encourage others to look for their unique bond and create their own mantra for a better future. I called my daughter, who was 19 years old at that time, and told her about my idea and titled her the Executive Director,” she says.

As with any nonprofit organization, they rely heavily on donations from the general public. Along with their services, they have also established The Mrs. Linda M. Everett Arts Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund awards monies to those who desire to obtain a degree in the Fine Arts, as Autumn’s mother was an avid proponent for the arts as a dance instructor and sound engineer. They also look to help with any arts related activities for children. Having their 501(c)(3) designation is certainly a plus, however funding has been a big challenge.

A passionate leader with over 24 years of professional experience in the financial and insurance sectors, Autumn is a 1997 Cum Laude graduate of Tennessee State University and brandishes a degree in Business Administration. She was initiated into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, in 1995 and is a 1998 charter member of Upsilon Psi Omega6 Chapter. She has been employed at UBS Financial Services, Inc. for 15 years and is currently a Senior Business Analyst in the Investment Bank division.

Moving forward, their plan is to continue to get the word out about The Mother & Daughter Experience, its mission and purpose. “We hope to seek out opportunities to share space with other mother and daughter duos to ignite those sacred bonds. We also plan to promote our 2nd Annual Mother/ Daughter Breakfast Affair coming up in June 2020. It will be titled ‘Generational Gemstones’. We are actively seeking sponsorship at this time. Additionally, we endeavor to endow the memorial scholarship so that we can begin awarding funds to deserving students,” she says. h

Autumn’s daughter, Sydnei Page Everett is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Mother & Daughter Experience.

She is currently enrolled at Tennessee State University an is majoring in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in the Honors College, a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success and apart of the Student Government Association, Student Union Board of Governors. Sydnei is the former President of the Top Teens of America, Nashville chapter. She is also involved with The Positivity Board and Undergraduate Students National Dental Association (USNDA).

In her spare time, she enjoys being a middle school cheer coach,

Autumn shares her mother has definitely impacted her life the most. “She instilled an impeccable work ethic in me, to be graceful and authentic at all times and to simply live life on my own terms,” she says.

www.themotheranddaughterexperience.com

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Kaison Priest MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

The son of Natosha Priest Photo by Natosha Priest

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

Deanna Smith 2026 Ayrsley Town Blvd Charlotte, NC 28273 Ph: 704-907-3422

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HuamiMagazine.com Charlotte - Jan./Feb. 2020