Huami Magazine Charlotte September/October 2017 by Terry Watson

CHARLOTTE

Sept./Oct. 2017 Volume 2 Issue 2 FREE

Ambi Shantay

Your Property Doctors

Paranda Davis Charlotte - Sept./Oct. 2017

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Charlotte - Sep./Oct. 2017

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Huami Magazine Continues To Grow

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

A Letter From The Editor

Can you believe it? Ten years have passed since the very first edition of Huami Magazine launched in Greensboro, NC. What started as A Letter from the Editor a personal conversation with God has grown into a full-fledged publication spanning four states. Beginning with the September/ October 2017 edition, Huami Magazine now All covers Memphis What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? of your plans, and hopes Nashville, TN, Greenville and Spartanburg, SC, and Richmond, VA. and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never Sometimes I still scratch my head and think of how God placed happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy such a huge responsibility upon me. He knew and believed in my day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making capabilities, and has been merciful to allow me time to realize it for promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired myself. Even now, I am still learning and enjoying the ride while the today? What would you do? process changes and the purpose becomes clearer.

I’ve been told that Ifor often seem like I do too This is an amazing moment Huami Magazine. Justmuch. as we Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm have showcased various business owners, community individuals believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything onthe me and leaders throughout North Carolina, we have now acquired that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would interest of others in neighboring states who desire to be informed be about if I chose to sit idle and accept what it of presented to me. I and learn what’s happening in our portion the African have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity American community. I can recall a feature we produced in 2008 on is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge the Warnersville neighborhood in Greensboro, NC. They were the very to me is an adventure. What is the worst that canwere happen? first African American neighborhood in the triad, and we very If I to dointerview nothing, Ione fail,ofand I try I don’t, butTeresa insteadPennix. learn The fortunate theiforiginal citizens, something new about myself. Relinquish yourHuami prideMagazine and in story was rich in history but it also helped to position return amongst otheracquire existinglife. publications in our area. What started then has continued to 2017, all because of the support from our readers and The best advice ever given to me happened when someone the surrounding community. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so have pressed my way through doors with the a key that only WithI the expansion of Huami Magazine, so does opportunities for our hope readers and supporters grow. You will be connected to provided. I have also learned thenow difference between others who andme thirst forand thewhat African culture and whatalso Godthink blesses with lifeAmerican can burden me with information Huami Magazine known for delivering. If it’s happening as well. I compare it tois knowing when to be confident and in Tennessee, we will share it in South Carolina. a musician or when toWhen be quiet, because author needs to bemay heard of someone getoutside it confused Richmond, we will transport their craft with being arrogant. to the readers of Charlotte, Raleigh, Spartanburg andyou Nashville. Make tomorrow happen today, but most This isimportantly what Huamimake Magazine is it count. all about.LifeFor the past 10 years, is but a whisper and everything we’ve done has now in a we must put ourselves opened the doorstotohear where weitare position what is headed. telling I am very honored and us. privileged to take you along with us.

Terry L. L. Watson Terry Watson Editor/Founder 4

HuamiMagazine.com 4 HuamiMagazine.com

www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Terry L Watson

Publisher Terry L. Watson Allen - Deputy Editor DawnAlana C. Thornton Writer Safiya Nelson Writer Writers Dr. MarrissaTonya Dick Dixon Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Tamara Smith Jeuron Dove Photographer Todd Youngblood Ashleigh Crawley Photographer Photographers Toni Shaw Photographer 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 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 2017 All Rights Reserved 2014 All Rights Reserved

On The Cover

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Charlotte - Sep./Oct. 2017 Want To Advertise? Call (336)340-7844 November/December 2014

CONTENTS

Crystal Burch

Sept./Oct.

Joel Ford For Mayor

Your Property Doctors

Also Inside

Paranda Davis “The Credit Beast”

Shay Stanley

Teen Adolescents Pin Girls Journal A Girls World

Healing Flows Ambi Shantay of Nashville

Desire Transformation Hair Care Shay Stanley of Myrtle Beach

Chiccy Baritone

2017

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Charlotte - Sept./Oct. 2017

MacKenzie Cox

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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood

hatever your age at this very moment, can you imagine what you were doing when you were eight years old? I’m positive I was either playing with my Barbie’s, riding my bike, or running around in the yard barefoot.

Paranda Davis may have been doing the same, but she was also learning about saving money and buying real estate. Though she was born in Charlotte, her late grandparents, Raymond and Velma Davis, raised her on a farm in Norwood, N.C. along with 16 children of their own. Her mother gave birth to her as a teenager, but her grandparents decided they would step in to make sure she and her younger sister were raised in a stable house, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, with two loving parents and a host of aunts and uncles to watch over them. Her beloved grandfather was the person who originally sparked her interest in real estate. “One day I was listening to him think out loud and he mentioned purchasing land nearby. He explained that if 14 of his 16 children invested $1,000 they would own it.” That conversation sparked Paranda’s interest in investing, which led to her buying her first home at 19. She still owns that home 20 years later, along with others, and rents them.

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If you have gone through the tedious process of capturing a piece of the American pie as much as this mother of six (five biological children and one foster child) has, you know that it can be bitter at times. Administering credit checks, applying for loans, and sifting through bank statements can twist anyone’s brain into knots. That’s where Paranda Davis, “The Credit Beast” comes in. For the last four years, she’s helped countless customers learn about debt, credit, interest rates, and what it takes to live the life they’ve dreamed about. While creating this business on paper, the entrepreneur sharpened her skills working part time at a financial services firm and attending the University of Phoenix to obtain an associates degree in Business Administration. She also supported her family by working third shift as a Certified Nurses Assistant, as well as dabbling in construction and other lines of work. She worked around the clock to provide for her family, but realized it just wasn’t benefitting her. She was ready to settle into a career and find one thing that would allow her more stability. “My cousin, Patinesia Davis, gave me the idea to actually go into business for myself. She mentioned that I’ve always helped people with their finances and counseled them on how to have good credit, and that I should think about it as my own business.” Paranda did just that. She thought about how she could help herself and help others at the same time. She earned her associates degree in 2008 just as the housing market crashed. It was much harder to purchase a home and other big ticket items. Having and maintaining good credit was more important than ever now.

Shinique Pernell

Pictured are Paranda’s Grandparents

I would like to commend you on being a professional that is compassionate to your clients needs and diligent in your follow ups. It is clear to me that you were God sent and used as a vehicle to carry me through a rough patch and across the finish line. I’m firm believer of the importance of having valuable supporters to help achieve your goals or whatever it is in life one chooses to accomplish. I know wholeheartedly that I couldn’t have achieved this without your expertise and a host of others that have been my biggest supporters. Thank you for being you, and thank you for understanding my needs, believing in my needs and being the Credit Beast that you are. You have definitely earned that title.

Over the next few years she continued to cultivate her idea. When it was time, her longtime partner, Akeem Davis, urged her to forge ahead with what had been on her heart all her life. He gifted her money to apply for a business license and take certification classes that would ultimately lead to opening “Davis Future Planning, LLC”. She is certified, licensed, and bonded and since 2013, Paranda has counseled hundreds of people on budgeting, saving, building wealth, how to use credits cards responsibly, and of course, increasing their credit score. She’s so passionate that she is currently in the process of developing classes to offer in schools, detention centers, and other organizations to help the community thrive. In addition, her book “How to Get an 800 Credit Score” will be on local shelves for purchase in October. When asked about teaching children about money, she makes it sound very simple. “I started with telling my children to turn off lights in each room of the house or cutting their shower times in half. It runs up the [utility] bills. When we go to the grocery store, I tell them how much we can spend and what we need to buy. That’s budgeting.” Starting when they’re young is key.

“Everyone in your household should have Excellent Credit”

If Paranda’s story sounds easy, make no mistake. It wasn’t. With the help of her mom and other close relatives, she escaped a cruel and abusive 12 year marriage a decade ago. “My husband killed me. He choked me until all my bodily fluids were released from my body. I literally saw the light. But I told God that I was not ready to go.” In a panic, Paranda’s ex-husband performed CPR (after choking her) and revived her. Now she helps other victims overcome similar circumstances while aiding them in rebuilding their finances to start a new life, just as she did. Her philosophy is simply, “When you give up, the enemy wins.” Thank goodness Paranda Davis didn’t give up. There are many people across the state who have benefitted from her guidance. h

www.davisfutureplanningllc.com 800.239.1493 Charlotte - Sept./Oct. 2017

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MARK MUHUMMAD By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood

hen your body is out of sorts and you feel like you may need a physical adjustment, or a prescription for something that will make you look and feel better, who do you normally call to remedy the issue? Your chiropractor, your dentist, your family physician? Right. Your doctor who is experienced in diagnosing your specific problem. Though neither have formal Ph.D’s, business partners Mark Muhummad and Jeff Hardamon call themselves “Your Property Doctors” with a combined 45 years of experience in the construction and home repair industry. They take great pride in servicing large home and commercial repair and remodel projects up and down the east coast. The two officially began the business in 2011 in their home state of Ohio while working with each other on contract jobs. While Mark has over 20 years of marketing and sales experience in the home improvement industry, Jeff has 25 years of construction work under his tool belt. “About a year and a half ago I was recruited by a large construction company to come to North Carolina to run their marketing department, and in 6 months I was able to increase their sales from $800,000 to $4,000,000. So I saw the possibilities in this area and persuaded Jeff to come down and look at it,” Mark said. In the spring of 2016, the two officially relocated the business to the Queen City and continue to grow at a rapid rate. With the economy bouncing back from the devastating housing crash almost a decade ago, it’s no surprise that business is booming for the two entreprenuers. In every corner of the city, there are new neighborhoods being constructed, while older ones get facelifts. Homeowners now feel comfortable spending a few extra bucks on updating their home, adding on bathrooms and remodeling kitchens. And with these new neighborhoods, shopping centers, gas stations, and other businesses follow. But what sets “Your Property Doctors” ahead of it’s competition is their philosophy of creating a lasting relationship with their customers. With a staff of 12 who all have diverse skills, the guys have a great team dedicated to addressing each customers’ needs. From the office manager to the electricians and plumbers, each employee is handpicked by the two owners. And because gaining trust is key, Mark and Jeff make a point to personally meet with each potential customer to ensure that their concerns are heard and the right plan is drafted. “We work diligently to create a welcoming experience for our customers. We never enter into a relationship with the idea of it being our only job. Most other companies complete one job and that’s it. Like a doctor, we want to make sure every aspect of your home is working properly,” explains Mark. Though Mark graduated from college, he credits his hands-on experience as his most effective teacher. “The best thing you can do to learn, is listen to your customer and do right by them.”

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But “Your Property Doctors” don’t just do simple home repairs, they also do larger projects such as room additions, remodels, installations and in the future plan to take on new construction. As an example of the range of their work, they recently accepted a year-long commercial contract worth over $500,000. However, the average home project could cost $10,000 - $20,000. “We’ve actually had to slow down our work back home [in Ohio] because we’ve been growing so much here.” The group has seen the most growth in Charlotte but also services cities across the state, as well as South Carolina. To keep up with their busy schedules, the guys often find themselves working 16 hour days (they offer both first and second shift hours instead of the typical 9am-5pm). When asked about what keeps him going, he mentions his children, two of which he has been a single father to for over a decade. “My 13 year old and 14 year old daughters keep me grounded. They also make sure I spend time with them instead of staying up late crunching numbers,” Mark confesses. Though he has more help than he did in the past, he admits that being a single parent is tough at times. Despite that, he wouldn’t change a thing.

Mark Muhummad and Jeff Hardamon have a combined 45 years of experience.

As African American males in a not-so-forgiving world, the partners know that rebuilding and reconstructing can have dual meanings. For the last several years, they’ve had to make decisions about their families, their livelihood, and themselves. And they seem to have made smart choices. Unfortunately, some others have traveled down paths that weren’t favorable. Mark and Jeff make efforts to partner with Charlotte’s Men’s Shelter and other organizations to help train, mentor, and sometimes temporarily employ those needing guidance. They help rebuild these gentlemen (and some women), thus, positively effecting the communities they come from. Standing well over six feet, both Mark and Jeff are gentle giants working earnestly to create a legacy in the Queen City and succeeding in embedding their footprints in southern soil. With so much work to be done, chances are they’ll be breaking ground in a neighborhood near you very soon. h

8201 Arrowridge Blvd Charlotte, NC 28273 (704) 492-3949 Charlotte - Sept./Oct. 2017

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BURCH By Terry L. Watson Photos by Todd Youngblood

hen Crystal Burch was around nine years old, she started braiding her family members’ hair. It was nothing too serious or sophisticated, but more so just practice. Little did she know those practice sessions would grow into a full-time career for her as a professional hair stylist. After Burch graduated from high school, she enrolled as a student at a local beauty college. Initially, school didn’t go very well and in just three months she quit and started working full-time within the dining facilities at a nursing home. As fate would have it, things didn’t work out there and life would point her back to the hair industry. A family friend, Shandy Massey- Cureton, who is a hair stylist and salon owner was in need of an assistant, and eventually reached out to Burch. The lessons and experience she gained from Cureton were priceless, many of which she continues to practice today. Cureton also encouraged her to go back to beauty school and make some “real” money, not just the “shampoo” money. In 2009 she did so by enrolling at the Hair Styling Institute in Charlotte. Charlotte - Sept./Oct. 2017

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and “I loved that school. I was in it to win it. They taught me cosmetology and barbering and were very instrumental in helping to prepare me for the real world of cosmetology. I was also able to learn how to style multiple textures of hair from different cultures,” says Burch. Before graduating, the owner Nicholas Melissaris took her along with other students with him on a trip to Rome, Italy to study. This experience exposed her to internationally accomplished hair stylists and their techniques. From there, Burch received her cosmetology license and opened her own salon. Soon after she started working as a hair loss specialist and became a member of the American Hair Loss Council (AHLC) working with Eloise Ferguson, who had a huge influence on her career as well. Burchs’ affiliations and training allows her to treat clients who may suffer from hair loss due to chemotherapy treatment. She also offers integrated hair replacement systems such as Cranal Medical Prosthesis, a common technological method in hair loss replacement that is custom made and expertly fitted to meet the needs of each client.

“I am here to serve my clients in a professional manner. While your final look may be glamorous and exude brilliance, my goal is instill faith hope and love in to your experience.” 14

What Burch says she loves most about her career is the independence it provides. “I am able to call my own shots and make my own schedule. It didn’t make much sense for me to work for someone else and help make their dreams a reality, when I could work for myself and do the same for me.” Moving forward, Burch hopes to expand her business by opening additional locations. Due to her services being unique and very specific, she hopes to eventually reach others who are seeking alternative methods to treat hair loss. “The sky is the limit and it’s up to me to what I make of it,” she says. h

Crystal Burch International Professional Hair Designer 2925 E. Independence Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28205 980-395-1352

Charlotte - Sept./Oct. 2017

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Ambi Shantay

Healing Flows was written as a spiritual and emotional release. It details my faith-journey with infertility and high-risk pregnancy. It looks at those issues in the face and speaks to men and women everywhere because my battle may not be their battle. For every problem, GOD has a solution. I instruct readers how to trust God for the impossible. I also speak to issues of depression, anxiety, and loss. These are things that we don’t like to talk about in the Black Community; but if we can have it, then God can heal it. We just have to believe, and I have been chosen to share my journey in order that someone else may be healed and set free.

Who is Ambi Shantay? Ambi Shantay is my brand but I also wear a lot of hats. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, minister, a visionary-and with all those hats, I have to be somebody different in each role. I am the person you want to call on the phone and ask for advice, but you’re not really sure that you are ready to receive what that person has to say. I can love on you and give you the words you need to hear; but at the same time, I am that person that’s going to hold you accountable and allow you to really look inside yourself and pull out those things that you desired to keep hidden. I’m everybody’s sister.

What do you love about writing? I have always loved writing, yet I’ve always pursued it as a hobby. Whether it was just journaling or writing devotionals and sharing them when I minister, I never took it further. I considered journalism when I went to college, but I ended up pursuing a degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication because my passion for speaking was greater. I never had a desire to actually be an author; which is so ironic. My first book “Healing Flows”, I consider an assignment directly from the Lord, so of course I had to be obedient. I had recently given birth to my first child and I was suffering from post-partum depression. I didn’t know how to express my emotions. There were so many and I just felt alone like I couldn’t talk to anyone, and so I started back writing. However, I didn’t know that my written thoughts were going to be shared with the world. Two years later I was in prayer and I was asking God to move me to the next level. Clear as day, I heard “write your book”. I didn’t have to question Him because I already knew what He wanted.

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What is your testimony? I am ecstatic to be celebrating 5 years in ministry this year ! Not only am I celebrating 5 years in ministry, but I am doing what I love to do. What better way to celebrate than with the release of my brand new book! God has called me to tend to the hearts of my sisters, and it’s not a task that I take lightly. I am also grateful for the leadership of my shepherd Jason Scales and Lady Barbara, pastors of Believers Faith Fellowship, who allows me to freely walk in my calling and encourages us to define our destiny and walk in our purpose. I can finally say that I am doing just that, and it is a great feeling. The process is not always easy and we don’t always understand it, but it’s definitely worth the struggle. A lot of people won’t see what has been planted inside of you. It’s not for them to see. Stay the course! Don’t giveup. h

www.ambishantay.com

ONE on ONE With

of Charlotte

2. “There is a creek in Union county that had been racially named “Negro

Head” Creek and for years legislature tried getting the renaming of the creek to be recognized.” (Although the creek was legally changed to Salem Creek two decades before, many of the local, state, and federal documents despite repeated efforts still displayed the racially charged title. -WGTV news) “Reporter Steve Crump brought it to my attention and I was able to go to a republican colleague, got it pulled out of a committee and introduced it on the floor and the name was finally officially successfully changed.”

Top 3 priorities if elected Mayor of Charlotte:

Public Safety - Improving police-community relations. We have mistrust and transparency issues in the City of Charlotte. I believe it’s important that the mayor get into different part of our community, which I describe as those most in need yet hardest to serve and improve those relations. I would also want to work with law enforcement to do a better job of helping recruit and retain officers that reflect the community in which they serve. Economic Mobility - If you grow up poor in the city of Charlotte you stand less than a 5% chance of getting out of poverty. That’s something that keeps me up at night and working on economic mobility to help elevate families who are struggling from day to day. This is a priority. An economic task force conducted a study and identified the main challenges and barriers for individuals in our community who grow up poor to get out of poverty. Number 1 is education. It is imperative that we improve the quality of education for those low income families all over our city so that we can at least give our babies a fighting chance to be economically stable and become economically self sufficient. We have to pull families up, especially single mothers in our community because a lot of them are just working to pay day care. Traffic and Infrastructure - I am looking to work with the NC General Assembly to draw down additional resources to work on connecting families to better paying jobs and connect families to access to services and amenities to improve their quality of life. Right now it is taking people over 90 minutes to make connections in the city of Charlotte on a transit system that is inefficient and ineffective. Senator Joel Ford is experienced in legislature and keenly articulate, well connected and relational, and has vision and a solid plan for the City of Charlotte. Confidence exudes as he entered what appears to be a board room. This mayoral candidate walks to a strong and lively beat. As we shake hands and exchange introductions we coalesce on the point that we attended the same Alma Mater and give our universal greeting “AGGIEPriiide!!”

When asked Who is Joel Ford?….

“1st I am husband and father, I grew up to a single mother in Section 8 housing in Belmont, NC. I am a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University from the School of Business ……I worked in waste management and after my grandmother fell sick and I was laid off in 2000, on a borrowed laptop in my grandmothers basement I drafted my 1st business plan. I’ve owned a business in waste management, owned barber-shops and salons, and I’ve been in the restaurant business. I served in the community 4 years on the Charlotte Housing Authority 3 years as chair and 1 year without a CEO, also served as chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party from 2008-2011. And moved into my role as Senator and have served three terms thus far.

What would you say your biggest accomplishments as Senator are? 1. Coming from a small town and now representing a part of Charlotte

Mecklenburg, I would say one of my biggest accomplishments is being able to pull together a million dollar road improvement project in my district with the help of the legislature, the NC Department of Transportation, and the City of Charlotte. I was able to pool together different pots of monies to get a much needed road improvement done.

Senator Ford on Fair Housing:

Growing up in public housing, one of the basic things that all families needs is affordable and safe housing. One of the initiatives that I have been a proponent of is the Renaissance West initiative where the Charlotte Housing Authority, under my leadership, was able to attain a Hope 6 grant and demolish a concentrated affordable housing project in the city of Charlotte along West Blvd and Billy Graham. At this particular site two officers lost their lives, you had the highest unemployment, highest crime, and the most underperforming schools in the area. In wanting to do something different in dealing with economic mobility and giving families an opportunity to be successful, we have an educational centered village onsite at Renaissance West. We will have an early childhood education center, a high performing K-8 school, senior housing, and mixed income workforce housing. The proximity is next to Central Piedmont Community College leveraging the relationship with the community college.

With your small business experience, what advice do you give to future small business owners?

Be careful and do your research. I have been able to start several businesses, the basic thing to understand about economics and business is it is the individual’s ability to buy low and sell high. In between the buy low and sell high are the margins where you are able to make money. If you don’t your business model off to the right start you will wind up having bought yourself a job or find yourself not making any money. Do not fail to understand the economics of your business. Pursue your dreams but pursue them in a very smart and strategic way. A lot of people start businesses to be able to take care of their families and to give back. You can’t give back unless your business is producing.

Continued on page 18

One on One with Joel Ford Continued

What characteristics do you possess that will benefit the City of Charlotte if elected as Mayor?

Having a business background, legislative experience, and key relationships will definitely be a benefit to the City of Charlotte. One of the things we need to be able to do is expand our small business success in the city of Charlotte. You see, small businesses create more community based jobs than anyone. In addition, a small business can do something that Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Duke Energy, and Carolinas Healthcare System cannot and that is hire someone with a record. I think it’s important for the City of Charlotte to create an environment where entrepreneurs can be successful. What this looks like to me, is a private/public partnership to put additional resources to grant access to capital and access to the marketplace, which are the two primary factors that make small business successful.

Final thoughts from mayoral candidate Senator Joel Ford to the community:

I am excited about the opportunity to continue to serve Charlotte by being the next mayor for the City of Charlotte. I want to encourage everyone to go out and vote. Look up your candidates, go to www.JoelFordForMayor.com look up my platform, and consider me with your vote.

Speaking with Senator Ford affirmed that he is a man that has a proven track record for leveraging relationships and “Getting Things Done”. He is also strategic and an innate servant leader with a heart for the people of the City of Charlotte. He is determined to do something to make THE difference the City of Charlotte seeks. What stood out to me, was how many times Senator Ford reference relationships and “I plan to work together with”. This acknowledges his realization that cooperation and partnership is critical to success and achieving the strategic goals. He uniquely understands the importance of relationships in the success in accomplishing anything great. His ability to work with his republican colleague to get the creek finally renamed demonstrates his collaborative style. Coming together, despite your political party, for the good of h the city and the people of Charlotte is what is needed to have a true and lasting impact for the city.

Adolescent Girls Pen New Journal

A Girls World

Damonie Johnson

Laila Thomas

“A Girl’s World” is a journal wholly created by girls, for girls that provokes honest and compassionate discussion about what it means to be an adolescent girl. A Girl’s World is an authentic and heartfelt journey into the lives of adolescent girl discovering themselves. The authors, Damonie Johnson (14) and Laila Thomas (10) share true stories about their experiences with pain, excitement and the stress of meeting the many expectations placed upon them as adolescent girls. Through this engaging and interactive dialogue journal, adolescent girls will be challenged to explore their own self-identity, how it affects their relationships with their peers and how their identity and engagement with the world is impacted by simply being a girl. “I really want to be able to share my story and experiences in a way that lets other girls know that they are not alone,” says, Johnson. Johnson bravely shares her heart-wrenching story of helping a friend who was hurting herself and how she has struggled to overcome the pain of growing up without her mother. But this book is not just about heart-ache and pain. The book also encourages adolescent girls to find beauty in everything around them. “I want girls to be inspired by the things they see in their everyday life… shapes, colors, flowers, and especially, food!” says Thomas. h

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www.true2youpub.com

Chiccy Baritone By Terry L. Watson Photos by Chiccy Baritone

here isn’t just one word that can sufficiently describe Chiccy Baritone. First, she is a Christian and poet who has a talent for manipulating words as a means of expressing herself. She is also a writer, bookworm, traveler, and coffee connoisseur who has a natural love for people and culture. Her work as a poet is spiritually grounded and inspired by God. While she speaks, Chiccy hopes that something spoken will minister to the souls of others. Before discovering the gift of poetry, Chiccy worked corporately as an engineer, focusing on project controls and product development, all while balancing her love for the arts and technology. She believed managing a professional career and a career as a poet helped to cultivate a desire for social change and empowerment. “I discovered the gift of poetry while doing pageants at Spring Valley High School during my junior and senior year. While trying to decide what I was going to do as my talent, I knew I loved to read poetry so I decided to do monologues. Once I graduated from high school, I entered college at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC with the desire to start writing. Right before graduating I visited an “open-mic” event where I opened my personal notebook and began reading poetry that expressed my growing pains in college,” she says. Upon moving to Greenville, SC in 2001, she took poetry a little more seriously and started memorizing her work, until she started Chiccy Baritone Productions in 2004. God is a keeper. From 2009 to 2016 she has experienced several challenges in life. One being very painful, was the death of her mom, Viola Evans, and a bitter moment with the deaths of her two best friends, Mertyse Lemons and Tavis Brunson. At those times in her life, Baritone recognized how close she was to falling deeply into depression but says that God continued to keep her through it all. “My relationship with Jesus and the power of the word of God continues to strengthen and motivate me to live my life for God and to fulfill every assignment that God appoints,” she says. Looking forward Baritone hopes to complete a couple of books, one for poetry and another that is dedicated to the memory of her mom. She plans to continue to work on her next CD titled, ”Wildflower Vol. 2” along with her band in Greenville, SC. She will also host “”Breakfast For Champions/Women Empowering Women” sessions throughout the United States. Her first independent session will take place in Columbia, SC on September 23, 2017.

Chiccy Baritone

www.chiccybaritone.com

Charlotte - Sept./Oct. 2017

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Her Nicknames

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Mackenzie Deenaya Cox The daughter of Xavier and Shontria Cox Photos provided by Shontria Cox

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

Shay Stanley Myrtle Beach Resident Launched Her Own Line of Hair Care Products By Terry L. Watson Photos by Pure Artistic Studio

hay Stanley has built a hair product line on one principle, “do it with passion or not at all”. At the start of Shay’s career she worked as a licensed Cosmetologist in someone else’s salon before opening her own salon, Styles By Mizz Shay in Little River, South Carolina (located within 15 minutes of Myrtle Beach) in 2013.

As a stylist she specializes in Silk Presses, Blowouts, Relaxers, Styled Cuts, Color, Natural Hair, and Extensions. While operating a salon in a beach community, Stanley noticed many of her clients’ hair were adversely affected by high humidity and a lack of moisture. She responded by creating a line of hair care products that would directly address their issues. Thus, Desire Transformation Hair Care was born. Desire Transformation Hair Care is designed to infuse moisture and proteins that aid in eliminating frizz while leaving the hair soft and manageable. Some of their products include Detox Therapy Shampoo, Hydrating Moisture Shampoo, Moisturizing Silking Conditioner, Shiny Satin Silk, and Hair Growth Oil. They also offer personable selections and travel kits. All of the Desire Transformation Hair Care products are available online. The transformation experience is what Shay loves about her products and services. “I chose this career because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. I understand the needs of my clients and I am able to meet them by providing a level of service that brings life back into their hair,” she says. “At my salon, I provide an atmosphere that promotes healthy hair and beauty, both outward and inward. It is impossible for one to leave and not feel transformed.” Moving forward, Stanley hopes to expand Desire Transformation’s presence in the marketplace to that of the bigger brands. She also hopes to conduct continuing education classes and seminars for other stylists in and around South Carolina.

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