Huami Magazine Charlotte January/February 2017 by Terry Watson

CHARLOTTE

Jan./Feb. 2017 Volume 1 Issue 10 FREE

10 Years Of Huami Magazine

Duncan Butler

Safiya Charlotte - January/February

2017

HuamiMagazine.com

Charlotte - January/February

2017

Charlotte - January/February

2017

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It Couldn’t Be Done Without You

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It! A Letter From The Editor A Letter from the Editor

God has surely been good to Huami Magazine. It is now 2017 and we are blessed to be able to celebrate 10 years of existence. What started if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your20 plans, as an quietWhat and personal conversation with God nearly yearshopes ago, has and dreams wouldn’tthat haveeven a street tomy park on. What transformed into something makes mother smile.if As this everything thathas you decided putthe offmany untilother tomorrow neverand awesome experience allowed meto and individuals happened? There would be noand reason save for aitrainy organizations an opportunity to learn shareto our stories, has also day, you could someone trouble ofwould making reached andand inspired othersspare in ways I never the dreamed that happen.

promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired

I recall the times I was today? Whatwhile would youtrying do? to get a prototype produced. I didn’t have any experience in the industry of publishing or even advertising forbeen that matter. thereseem was something that God had I’ve told thatStill I often like I do too much. plantedHonestly, way deepI down inside of me that had caused me to feel like I am not doing enough and I’m apursue, firm inquire,believer and create. As I moved onewouldn’t direction,put Godanything pulled me another in knowing thatinGod oninme direction and placed me with the right people at the right times. that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would

be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I

I recall the moment when I was trying to design the layout for the have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity prototype. I thought that it was fine. I had taught myself how to use the is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge graphic design software and I was ready to take my idea to the next level. to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? When I took the project to print, there was a young printing professional If I do nothing, and I try Ime don’t, instead learn there who looked at myI fail, work andif gave a bitbut of advice that would something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in change Huami Magazine. He told me to enroll in school and learn the return acquire life. software formally. I did and in no time, everything seemed to come together.

The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make the my very tomorrow happen In doing I can even remember first person whotoday. purchased an so I have pressed my wayowner through with a key that only advertisement. The business tolddoors me that they were impressed by passion desire. I Iwas totally caught off because I wasn’t hopeand provided. have also learned theguard difference between even trying sellblesses advertisement at thelife time, they insisted on whatto God me withspace and what canbut burden me with purchasing some and beingitato part of my first edition. went and on to as well. I compare knowing when to be They confident support Huami Magazine for quite a while and still doquiet, even to this edition. when to be because someone may get it confused Huami Magazine be done with beingcouldn’t arrogant.

without you. I attempted to produce a simple publication that would be a Make you tomorrow voice in my community, but God has happen today, but most summoned it to be a voice in nine cities importantly make it count. of North Carolina. They say we should be Life is but a whisper and careful for what we ask for. I asked God we must ourselves a for something toput do in 1997, at aintime position to hear what it is when I was trying to learn who I was. telling us. He responded with this. It proves that God truly knows us better than we know ourselves.

Terry L. Watson Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder

HuamiMagazine.com

Charlotte - January/February

November/December 2014

2017

www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief

Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Writers

Tonya Dixon Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Jeuron Dove Photographers Perfect Lenz Photography Todd Youngblood Photography

Shaw Photography Group Still Shots Photography

Howard Gaither Photography Who Shotya Photography Layout

Mykel Media Company Linda Bennett

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

HUAMI MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2017 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

On The Cover

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CONTENTS

Donna Foster

Jan./Feb.

Demetra Moore

2017

Lateka Carter

Also Inside

Cutest Baby Contest Kingzton Gainey

Picture This! Terri D. Jackson

Tax Tips For 2017 Mary Ann Adams

Safiya Nelson

Terri Jackson

Duncan Butler

Alana Allen

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Charlotte - January/February

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Todd Youngblood Dress by MoJazz Collections

orn and raised on the far, south side of Chicago, Safiya Nelson attended Catholic school all her childhood life. She was a scholar athlete, and by most accounts she was a “cool nerd”. After high school she joined the United States Army Reserves to expand her boarders. She later attended and graduated from one of the best institutions for minorities in engineeringNorth Carolina A&T State University. There she studied Industrial and Systems Engineering and after completing the program she pursued a Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) Nelson began her career as an engineer in manufacturing and then quickly moved into banking where she has remained for the past ten years. “Recently God has opened doors for me to spread my wings and get out of the proverbial box,” she says. Her chief inspiration is the Holy Spirit as she declares to be a woman of faith. “I awaken each day and intentionally jump into Divine flow,” she says. As a mother of two beautiful daughters, Nelson strives to be an example of someone they can be proud of. Nelson was raised by her grandparents after being born to teen-age parents who were not quite ready for her arrival. Her grandfather, Keith Edwards sacrificed to send her to parochial school because he believed in a proper education and most importantly because she says, he believed in her. “He studied engineering and I believe I carried out his legacy by becoming and engineer. Although he did not complete his studies, he is a far superior engineer and I’m pretty good at it,” says Nelson. Her grandmother also impacted her life tremendously by her consistent display of generosity. “Her giving paved the way for my success and taught me how to give which unlocks blessings.” Today, Nelson has launched a radio program called “Essential Soul with Safiya”. It airs on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am - 8:30 am on WDRB/WGIV (The Soul of Charlotte). “The focus of the Essential Soul is to elevate the vibration of our minds, bodies, souls, relationships and finances through interviewing great people and giving them a platform to share their greatness. I want to encourage people living on purpose to continue to live on purpose. I want to give them a chance to be heard on a grander scale. I want to a next page Continued onbe the voice of positivity in this region,” she says.

Listen to Saifya’s radio program, Essential Soul with Safiya on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am- 8:30 am on WDRB/WGIV (The Soul of Charlotte) Charlotte - Nov./Dec. - 2016

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Terri J. 88

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Charlotte - January/February

2017

By Terri D. Jackson Photos by Still Shots Photography

erri Deney Jackson, owner, creative director, and lifestyle photographer of Purple Olive Graphics & Photography located in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Guilford Technical Community College, where she studied photography and received her degree in Advertising and Graphic Design.

Born and raised in Newburgh, NY, Jackson developed a unique eye for detail and creativity at the age of fifteen, around the same time she was given a small disposable camera and a sketchbook to occupy her time. She used those items to create photographs and art that contributed to pieces of her life. In 2007, she found her way back to creative artistry. She decided to further her education at Guilford Technical Community College and North Carolina A&T State University. After graduation, Jackson launched a fulltime career specializing in advertising design, brand and web development. That eventually led to a position as Lead Graphic Designer at Evangel Fellowship Church in Greensboro, N.C. Soon afterward, her clientele expanded to Philadelphia, Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, and South Carolina to name a few. She was also a member of the North Carolina Emerging Issues Initiative where she collaborated with The Seek Advertising Company and other members to help create a smarter branding solution to improve North Carolina’s educational system. In early 2015, Jackson had the pleasure of adding professional photography to her growing business. She enjoys the freedom to explore her creativity while documenting special moments in her clients’ lives. Her aim is to capture that timeless moment that will be remembered for a lifetime. Her photographic experience includes, but not limited to, weddings, portraits, and fashion photography. Jackson takes her work seriously, ensuring that her art of design and photography lives up to her clients’ expectations. With more than nine years of creative expertise, she has had the pleasure of working with numerous clients, up and down the east coast. Some of her clients include Triad Adult & Pediatric Medicine, Huami Magazine, South Carolina State University, Dynacon Event Center, A.W.O.L. Fitness, Love Deliverance Evangelistic Church of Illinois, Love and Faith Christian Center, Evangel Fellowship Church and more.

Purple Olive Graphics info@PurpleOliveGraphics.com www.PurpleOliveGraphics.com Facebook/Instagram: Purple Olive Graphics Purple Olive Photography PurpleOlivePhotos@gmail.com www.purpleolivephotography.zenfolio.com Facebook/Instagram: Purple Olive Photography

Jackson plans to open her own creative design studio in the near future that would provide graphic, web development and photography services. For the latest news and updates, she invites everyone to visit www. purpleolivegraphics.com and www.purpleolivephotography. zenfolio.com. She can also be found on Facebook at Purple Olive Graphics/ Purple Olive Photography. h Charlotte - January/February

2017

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Bundtsations by Donna

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Charlotte - January/February

2017

By Tonya Dixon Photos by Still Shots Photography

onna Foster is passionate about many things, including her faith, family and teaching kids. However, from her childhood days, baking cakes has always held a special place in her heart.

“It’s something that I enjoy and relaxes me. It’s a natural gift. It reminds me of my childhood and some of the good times that I had,” said Foster. “As a young girl, I watched and helped my mother bake cakes. She would always save a little batter for me so that I could make a cake for myself in my Easy Bake Oven. I vividly remember helping her make her strawberry and pineapple cakes. I enjoyed those days.” As a child she also received a great deal of training from a neighbor, Inez Royster, who she credits as being just as instrumental in her passion and flare for baking.

Red Velvet Cake

The older she became, she says she was allowed to help more in the kitchen. The moments she spent with her mom and neighbor left indelible marks on her life and taught her the rudiments of baking, even to the point of how to properly use cake pans. Although she continued to bake as she got older, it wasn’t until four years ago that she revisited her hobby on a consistent basis. She started out making cakes for close family and friends during the holidays, but as word spread and people craved her delicious desserts it became apparent that the natural next step was for her to turn her true love into a business. Two years ago, Foster began Bundtsations. The business model is simple. She serves up delicious, from-scratch, bundt and pound cake delicacies with, as she puts it, “lots of love in each bite.”

Honeybun Cake

“It is my goal to give my customers a sweet sensation (hence the name Bundtsations) as they partake of my luscious cakes,” she said. While Foster says baking cakes takes her to a place of tranquility, it also transports her to a time that she loves to revisit. She believes she’s serving up a bit of the wonderful memories of her own childhood, and that is very important for her as well. “I always want to embrace those memories and pass the sweet sensations on to others through the cakes that I bake,” she said. The self-proclaimed country girl from Oxford, North Carolina, apparently knows what she is doing when it comes to her cakes. The surge in her clientele list tells the tale. The urging of her customers to turn her every-now-and-then cakes into a full service was beyond her ability to say no. She had to oblige. Charlotte - Nov./Dec. - 2016

Lemon HuamiMagazine.com

Foster’s cake repertoire is deliciously varied, and includes what most would consider being standard flavors such as lemon, strawberry, pineapple and vanilla sour cream. However, her imagination and range has expanded, to her clients’ delight, to include flavors such as Pina Colada, fiveflavor, honeybun, coconut, red velvet, Oreo, Snickers, rum, peanut butter, Seven-up, German chocolate, chocolate, caramel and cotton candy. Her list is extensive and includes much more. Not only does she have a list for customers to choose from, but she’s also up for the challenge of creating new, exciting and of course delicious recipes.

Lemon Pound

Foster loves and appreciates the great support she receives from her customers, and is grateful for the love and rearing of her parents, but she admits, her backbone and strongest supporter, who also happens to be the love of her life, is her husband, Timothy Foster Sr. The couple have two children, Timothy and Trinity. She says she sincerely appreciates her husband for his unconditional love and support in all of her endeavors. If cake baking isn’t enough, Foster is also a full-time fourth grade teacher with Guilford County Schools. Teaching is her other passion. She loves it so much that after obtaining her undergraduate degree in psychology from North Carolina A&T State University, she tasted of the education field as a teachers assistant and decided to return to her alma mater to receive certification in elementary education. After over a decade in the profession she obtained a master’s degree in school administration and looks forward to becoming a school administrator in the future.

Oreo

Operating in what some would consider dual professions – culinary and education – Foster is also looking forward to expanding Bundtsations too. She looks to build her customer base by doing one simple thing – continue to deliver the sweet treats they want with the excellent service that she demands of herself. Whatever opportunities and doors are opened unto her, she is excited to walk through them. h

Bundtsations by Donna Facebook.com/bundtsations Email: djfoster007@gmail.com Phone: 336-707-8710 Instagram: #Bundtsations

Chocolate HuamiMagazine.com

Raleigh/Durham - July/August - 2016

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Demetra Moore Moore Out Of Life

HuamiMagazine.com

Charlotte - January/February

2017

What Do You See in 2017

By Demetra Moore - Photos by Demetra Moore

ver felt like your work week was a waste of time? If so, you probably suffer stress from boring, repetitive, and meaningless work. It can be a battle to see your daily routine as an adventure, or service. This act calls for an adjustment in perception to move forward on purpose in 2017.

First see work as an adventure. Many people might laugh if you suggested that a humdrum job could become an adventure. You can turn every day of your working life into one of surprise and discovery. Make learning an experience, in which you develop your curiosity about the job, how things are made and work, as well as trying out new skills to see if the job can’t be done in a better way. When work is seen as an adventure, with new things to explore and learn, it breaks up the monotony. Second view your work as service. Much of the stress we experience in the workplace originates from an excessive pre-occupation with ourselves and others with whom we work. Some of the particularly strained relationships we can experience arise out of internal politicking, departmental rivalries, poor or mismanaged relationships, bad supervision and management of people. While this is not solved overnight, we can make major changes in how we see them and how we feel when we shift our perceptions from an internal to an external focus, from ourselves to others, from those we work with to those we work for. A change our attitudes can transform the stress and routine of our daily work. In doing this we are able to see how serving and impacting others is larger than we are. Warren Bennis is professor of management at the University of Southern California in San Diego, a particularly parched part of the state. Every day when he goes in to work, he notices the beautifully-kept lawns and flower beds and wonders: “Does anyone ever thank the gardeners for lifting our spirits?” When we know what our work does for others, whether routine or creative, we get a glimpse of our significance in the bigger scheme of things. It can be challenging to change your routine. Contact us for a free consultation at info@mooreoutoflife.com to discuss details on how to make 2017 your best year. It’s your time to have Moore Out of Life. h

“A change our attitudes can transform the stress and routine of our daily work. In doing this we are able to see how serving and impacting others is larger than we are.”

Charlotte - January/February

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BUTLER Duncan

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Charlotte - January/February

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Information and Pictures By Duncan Butler

uncan Alson Butler was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He comes from a family that is musically talented which attributes to his music ability. Butler’s father, the late Charles Alson Butler, recorded several gospel songs with the King Stars Quartet. His mother and siblings have been involved in music as music teachers, church musicians, and band members. Early Beginnings… Butler’s musical journey began at the age of nine when his family recorded “I’m Looking for a Home,” which was written by his mother. In his high school years, he taught himself to play piano and he played in the school orchestra for six years. Later he continued his musical career performing in different venues, such as the Apollo Theater and participated several musical competitions. In 1987, he placed as the regional winner of the Budweiser Showcase. Butler was also the first place winner in 1999 for the Great American Gospel Fest in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 2000, Butler was a featured artist on Inspiration across America, a national radio show. Throughout the years, Butler has been privileged to perform for Maya Angelo, Jessie Jackson, Martin Luther King, III, Maxine Waters and other musical producers and artists. An Overcomer… Life has taken a few turns for Butler but he has managed to keep both hands on the steering wheel. He survived an aortic disease in 2013, a kidney transplant in 2012, drug addiction, incarceration in 1996-1997, and has even overcome a bout with illiteracy as child, but yet he stands. Butler has many different roles and uses his music ability to serve the community. In 2009 he became the certified outreach lay speaker through the United Methodist Church, in 2010 became a certified outreach volunteer through the disciple bible outreach ministry, and in 2011 he became the Stephans minister (chaplain) through Urban Ministry. Butler is a member of the Association for Disciple Musicians and assistant chapter representative for Gospel Music Workshop of America (Greensboro Chapter). He is a music instructor and currently helps provide music lessons to the community. Community Service… Butler is the board chair of B Natural Academy of Music and the Arts ,which is a non-profit organization and teaches keyboard/piano lessons with the company he owns ,Music by Butler, that has been in service since 1987. For 17 years he has been the Minister of music at Mt. Pleasant Christian

Church and is the early morning music director at St. Matthews(UMC). Butler also contracts with Guilford county schools and has been a contract music teacher at Guilford Preparatory Academy for 5 years. Family… Butler is married to Kimberly Marsh Butler for 14 years and has 3 children Candun, Cadunce, and Donte´. Butler’s hope is through his music he can touch lives and hearts and encourage the message of h hope and good news of Jesus Christ.

The “PEACE LOVE AND HAPPINESS” project began in the summer of 2014 after years of procrastination and health concerns. Butlers’ career has been faced with many seasons of start and stop, up and downs, setbacks and triumph. As a song writer i have experienced years of creative overflow as well as seasons of writers block. However several song on this project we written as many as thirty years ago. One “THE CHANGES OF LOVE” was the first song that got radio airplay in 1987 (as a result of winning The Budweiser Regional Showcase). Yet another song “ALL MY LOVE” was on Freshman CD “THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYER” in 2001. The title cut from sophomore album and new release “PEACE LOVE AND HAPPINESS” has taken about thirteen years to complete. I am so excited to present to you an array of songs from love songs,inspirational to gospel songs. As an independent artist I am entrusted to use my talents to the fullest and allow GOD to use it as a gift to those who hear. 17

Lateka 18

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Charlotte - January/February

2017

By Lateka Carter Photos by Lateka Carter

ateka S. Carter is synergistically gifted and driven to produce and provoke change. She is a Filmmaker, Empowerment Speaker, Host/Radio Personality and Author. She has written her first book entitled, “Transition You in 90 days” to help others transition from the inside-out into a healthier, selfsufficient, and balanced person living life to the fullest with abundance. She is the founder and Executive Producer of Transitions Talk Radio, based out of Atlanta, GA and airs on WAEC LOVE860. Additionally, she created and hosted her own tv shows, Naked and Not Ashamed Show and the Divas Boss Lady Talk Show. When Lateka is not working on any of these projects, she is creatively assisting her clients of Kingdom Designing Production, LLC. Carter knows all too well what the storms of life can do to one’s mind, finances, health and spirit. She has faced many adversities, which made her feel at one time inadequate, invisible, oppressed, discouraged, and life was just not worth living. She lost hope. Depression and dysfunction quickly became a blanket of normalcy. It was from the lowest place in her life suicide seemed to be the only outlet to escape the detrimental pains of life, in which she was drowning. It was in the dark places of depression, suicide attempts, and despair that she reached out to God for help. Not only did God help her, but He also healed her and set her in a place full of purpose and power with demonstration. He walked her through a process to transition her life into a healthier, self-sufficient, and balanced person. From this experience, she created a process to help others shift into a place full of peace, joy, and balanced abundance. Carter is a woman of many gifts and talents, all used to be of service to others. Throughout the years, she has worked with groups of women, men, and youth, as well as businesses, schools, and churches in creating events, workshops, conferences, and outreaches in various communities within southern Virginia, North Carolina, and Atlanta, GA. She is a Community Activist, Coach, and Mentor. She understands the many struggles in life and how “easy” it is to want to give up, but utilizes her acquired wisdom/knowledge and God given talents to be of service to her communities and audiences all over the world.

Throughout the years, Lateka has worked with groups of women, men, and youth, as well as businesses, schools, and churches in creating events, workshops, conferences, and outreaches in various communities within southern Virginia, North Carolina, and now Atlanta, GA.

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Carter speaks to the hearts, minds, and souls of women, men, and children. She has mentored many for personal and business growth opportunities. She is a Transformation Coach who empowers and inspires many to excel to their “God-given” potentials of greatness. She speaks at workshops, conferences, and groups, as well as sought after to help mentor and coach others to excel in life. Please be warned. Her “motivational method” is contagious and anyone who has an opportunity to be a part of her audience will feel the pull to change for the better. Her motto is to “empower, inspire, educate, and provoke change”. She believes if you “dare to be different, then you will stand to be counted.” h

Her motto is to “empower, inspire, educate, and provoke change”. She believes if you “dare to be different, then you will stand to be counted.” 20

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Cutest Baby M A G A Z I N E

KINGZTON GAINEY The son of Shaunielle Foster Photo by Katrena Wize Artography

To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to mykelmedia@yahoo.com 22

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QUEEN 24

By Tonya Dixon Photos by Still Shots Photography lana V. Allen was four years old before she said her first word. She didn’t walk until she was three. According to doctors, she was perfectly normal. Nothing was wrong. She would talk when she was ready. Still, she was considered significantly delayed. However, that soon changed.

Although Allen was always shy, when she did begin talking and walking there was no stopping her. The Reidsville, North Carolina, native is so busy these days that she has a new problem. With all that she has going on, it’s finding the time to sit still long enough to talk. Allen is a public relations (PR) professional whose career has included working for local and national companies as well as state government. Her current position keeps her traveling and pitching ideas to the media. When she’s not locked in to her day job, she’s intently focused on building, branding and expanding her own empire, which includes “I Am A Queen,” a nonprofit focused on empowering young woman and encouraging service; and “Lotus Flower Consulting Group,” a nonprofit and public relations consulting agency. To come from being labeled significantly delayed as a child, to graduating from college (North Carolina A&T State University to be exact), to becoming the deputy press secretary for former Governor Beverly Perdue, to gaining the reputation of an expert in the nonprofit sector, it’s nothing short of a miracle for Allen. But according to her, that’s exactly how she would explain a great deal of her accomplishments – simply miracles. With a degree in journalism and mass communication, Allen was on the fast track. She accomplished a truly unusual feat, when she secured a job in her field barely two months after graduating college. She loved her position and was good at it. Allen nailed her first big PR assignment with flying colors. Life was good, until one Wednesday when everything changed. “I vividly remember the day I was let go. It was around noon. They told me ‘It’s not that we don’t like you or that you’re not doing your job. We just can’t afford to keep you.’ I couldn’t believe it,” said Allen. “I went home and cried in the floor. I felt like my job was my God. I made it my idol. God pretty much knocked me off that horse I was on.” Although the news was devastating, Allen now realizes it was a blessing in disguise. It saved her from a much harder fall later. Her life had begun to spiral out of control even before she was laid off. The money and status of the position, afforded her the opportunity to experience freedom and independence like never before. “I had become somebody I had never been before. I never partied before, but the moment I got that job and money I started clubbing and drinking from Thursday to Sunday. I became that girl,” said Allen. “I went home and cried in the floor. But at that same time I know I met God in the floor. He told me to get up. The next Sunday I went to church. They were preaching about the prodigal son coming home. I felt like God was talking to me.” Although she realized she had to change her lifestyle, she also had a revelation that her partying and drinking were the result of a much deeper issue that she hadn’t addressed. She had been molested by her cousin. It was a secret she harbored for 18 years. It had become easier to bury it than to deal with it. “It was the real reason why I partied so hard and found myself in the wrong relationships. I was destroying myself because of that secret. It was eating me up and it had been eating me up, but I didn’t know how to articulate it or communicate that I was going through a situation,” she said. It was at that point of self-realization that she asked God to intervene in her situation and issues. At the same time “I Am A Queen” was born. During church services she found herself writing I Am A Queen, I Am A Queen on notes of paper. Initially she thought it would develop into a book club for women, but God had other plans.

“I went home and cried in the floor. But at that same time I know I met God in the floor. He told me to get up. The next Sunday I went to church. They were preaching about the prodigal son coming home. I felt like God was talking to me.”

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Charlotte - January/February 2017 Triad - January/February 2017

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Having been raised in the church, faith has always been a cornerstone for Allen. Even when she did things that were contrary to what she was taught, she always remembered that foundation and God never failed to intervene on her behalf. It was faith that compelled Allen to move to Atlanta without a job or even a prospect in sight. All she had was a dream that she had a job working for a major telecommunications company. In less than two weeks after moving, she was offered a position with AT&T. It was all started by faith. Faith encouraged Allen when she was unemployed for nearly a year and felt dejected. Faith gave her the strength to forgive her molester. Faith compelled her to start her first nonprofit with no money, during the Great Recession. And faith enabled her to dedicate a portion of her life to serving others, with nothing in return. ““I Am A Queen” is my therapy,” said Allen. “I was such a mess at one point. It has become my outlet. When I forgave my molester and everyone that hid my secret I felt a weight lifted off my chest. I didn’t have to feel dead anymore holding a dirty little secret. I don’t give glory to what he did to me. I celebrate the power of forgiveness and letting go.” “I work with girls ages 10-18 years old. We deal with self-esteem and leadership. We also tackle sexual assault and the things that are holding them back. God doesn’t intend for us to be bound.” Allen said God loosed her, so she knows he will do the same for others and that’s exactly what she teaches the girls of “I Am A Queen.” Although the young ladies involved in the organization discuss their issues and ways to deal with them, Allen makes sure there is more action involved. The girls are participate in a year-round mentoring program and the executive board plans its own community service events such as the Winter Drive for the Homeless, the Community Baby Shower and an annual teen empowerment conference. Recently, I Am A Queen introduced the Fatherless Daughters Community Forum. While dealing with her own father issues, Allen realized many of the girls in the organization dealt with the same issues of not having active fathers in their lives. The forum provides a platform for positive men and fathers to give the young ladies advice on the importance of maintaining their standards and how to act as a young lady around young men. The men write letters to their own daughters and give advice to the girls who don’t have fathers and it all gets catalogued in a book, which Allen gives out as a reference tool. “It has been a powerful addition to the program. Many of the girls gasped when they heard about it. That one event shakes everybody up,” said Allen. “Sometimes they hear and receive it better when the advice is spoken by a grown man. They listen.” For the past seven years, the organization has also facilitated three additional community outreach programs including a back to school drive, a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway and a Christmas adoption. In the midst of all that “I Am A Queen” encompasses, Allen still has time to consult with aspiring nonprofit owners and provide PR strategies through Lotus Flower Consulting Group. With a schedule as packed as hers, Allen finds structure to be her best friend. Time is a precious commodity so she doesn’t waste any. And because she has been building her organizations for a while, she’s learned the art of delegation. While PR is certainly near and dear to her heart, Allen says she’s learning that her passion has veered a bit more toward fundraising, which is required in order to serve more people. When “I Am A Queen” becomes a national initiative, which she has the faith to believe will happen; she says she will need that training and education. Her goals are lofty, but with Allen’s tenacity and strength, they’re undoubtedly obtainable. h h

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Charlotte - January/February

2017

“I work with girls ages 10-18 years old. We deal with self-esteem and leadership. We also tackle sexual assault and the things that are holding them back. God doesn’t intend for us to be bound.”

Charlotte - January/February

2017

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Tax & Security Tips For 2017

Mary Ann Adams T/E General Accounting & Tax Service Educator Expense Deduction If you’re an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $250 ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but not more than $250 each) of unreimbursed trade or business expenses. Qualified expenses are amounts you paid or incurred to participate in professional development courses, books, supplies, computer equipment (including related software and services), other equipment, and supplementary materials that you use in the classroom. Tax-Related Identity Theft Signs: Your attempt to file your tax return electronically and its’ rejected. You get a message saying a return with a duplicate Social Security number has been filed. First, check to make sure you did not transpose any numbers. Also, make sure one of your dependents, for example, your college-age child, did not file a tax return and claim themselves. If your information is accurate, and you still can’t successfully e-file because of a duplicate SSN, you may be a victim of identity theft. You should complete Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. Attach it to the top of a paper tax return and mail to the IRS.

Information Provided By Mary Ann Adams

April 18th.

he IRS is expecting more than 153 million tax returns to be filed this year and taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 18, 2017, to file their 2016 tax returns and pay any tax due. The deadline is extended because the Emancipation Day, a holiday in Washington, D.C., will be observed on Monday, April 17th, pushing the nation’s filing deadline to

Taxpayers should remember that because of a new tax law change, the IRS is required to hold all refunds claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until February 15, 2017. This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with the credits. Employers face a new January 31, 2017, due date for filing 2016 Forms W-2 and W-3 with the Social Security Administration. This date applies whether you file using paper forms or electronically. Forms 1099-MISCs are due to the IRS by January 31 when reporting non-employee compensation payments in box 7. Employers must also furnish copies of these forms to their employees by the January 31 deadline. These earlier due dates will help the IRS find and stop refund fraud.

You receive a letter from the IRS asking you to verify whether you sent a tax return bearing your name and SSN. The IRS holds suspicious tax returns and sends taxpayers letters to verify them. If you did not file the tax return, follow the instructions in the IRS letter immediately. More information about tax-related identity theft can be found at Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance as well as the Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft located on the IRS.gov webpage. h

T/E General Accounting & Tax Service Providing Expertise in Taxation Issues 1105 East Wendover Ave, Suite D Greensboro, NC 27405 (336) 265-8348 / (336) 235-1912 maryannadms@aol.com

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2017