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Jan./Feb. 2021 Vol. 1 Issue 9 FREE
BF Configurations Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2021
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Make 2021 Your Best Year Yet! A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
Well, we can finally put the year of 2020 to rest. I am grateful for what last year presented. Every test and each challenge served its purpose in my life. A Letter from the Editor
As it states in the book of Psalms in the bible, chapter 119: it was good that I was afflicted. I will add to that message and share that my afflictions have made me appreciate being alive in 2021.
What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if to I would dreams like to take this opportunity to encourage every listener that you decided togo put tomorrow never make everything this year your best one yet. Let ofoff theuntil baggage that you have happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy been carrying around for all too long. Unnecessary baggage has the and you affect couldour spare someone trouble makingfresh abilityday, to adversely futures. Whatthe is the use inofstarting promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired and new, if we continue to share our lives with things that don’t add What wouldus, you do? value,today? things that depress and the things that want to remind of who
we used to be and who we are trying to move away from. This may involve people, material things, and even about ourselves I’ve been told that I often seemsome like Iparts do too much. that you instinctively know belong. It is notand a part who we are Honestly, I feel like I doesn’t am not doing enough I’mof a firm becoming. believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me
that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would In this year,to let’s unthinkable. If you have beentosetting be ifnew I chose sitdo idlethe and accept what it presented me. I on a dream, why not give that dream some life and work towards making have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunityit become thanthat just aisn’t dream. Bringto it to life. is amore blessing afforded everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? Clean up your mess. In my home, one of the ugliest sights for me If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn is a sink full of dirty dishes. God expects for his children to operate in something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in excellence. If you have any unfinished business, try cleaning it up. For me return acquire life. personally,, I am not going to attempt to try and clean my mess up all in one day. I know It will take some time. I also understand that it will never best advice ever given on to me happened when someone becomeThe complete without an effort my part.
told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a Itkey thatwith only Finally, in this new year I have decided to forgive. starts hope provided. I have alsoinflicted learnedproblems. the difference between forgiving myself for all of my self Instead of what God blesses me with and what life can burden me blaming others, I have decided to hold my own self accountable. with as well. I compare it to knowing to be confident “Terry, I when am sorry. I should haveand when toI promise be quiet,tobecause known better. love myself unconditionally and without someone may get it reservations confused for the rest my life.” I owe it to myself withofbeing arrogant. to do so.
Make you tomorrow
I will also forgive others have been happen today, butwho most a problem for me in my life. Allowing importantly make it count. their infractions toaoccupy space Life is but whisper andin my life will only rob me of the opportunity to we must put ourselves in a live. Letting go of the hurt and pain will position to hear what it is add years to your life. It’s 2021 and there telling us. is a whole world to conquer. Open your heart to what God is doing in your life and have your best year yet!
Terry L. Watson Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
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November/December 2014
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On The Cover
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CONTENTS
JAN./FEB. 2021
DALLAS/FORT WORTH
Darnita and Nzinga 28 2 Dope Therapist
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On The Cover
BF Configurations Brian Flewellen
Photography By Lechele
Lechele Jackson
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Coach Stacy
Stacy Bryant
Prestige Barber College
Gene Blackmon
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Also Featured
Gamal Williams Meet the author of a knockout publication. You must read it. Hampton Roads, VA
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Peyton Zora Doctor He is the cutest, and has been selected as Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby.
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Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2021
Wendy Poteat Meet the President and CEO of Say Yes Guilford. Greensboro, NC
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BF Configurations 6
HuamiMagazine.com
Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2021
By Laci Ollison Photos by Michael Duncan
Building and establishing a legacy is something that many strive to do. It is also something that Brian Flewellen is extremely familiar with. Not just in persevering his own legacy but being able to live out the legacy of his late grandmother as well. A native of Dallas, Texas, Brian is the founder and owner of BF Configurations. The company specializes in TV mounting, home theater setups, picture hanging, equipment relocation, and computer repair. “We’ve been in business a little over seven years,” said Brian. “We currently operate in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Houston, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, and we’re branching out to San Antonio soon.” Although Brian is now a successful entrepreneur, he actually gained the inspiration to start the business from a manager at one of his previous job. “When I worked for another company as a corporate sales trainer, I was installing security systems for employees. One day my director at the time said, ‘man you should start your own business.’” Brian disagreed and felt that starting a business was not the right decision for him. “I said no. I will never start my own business. I’m making money as a corporate trainer. I’m not about to leave what I’m doing to go start a business.” But his manager gave him advice that stuck with him. “He told me to remember that I’m black and I’m always replaceable in corporate America.” Brian still wasn’t convinced that he had a need to start a business. “I said they’ll never let me go. I’m black and the only sales trainer in the building. However, one year later, Brian was let go from his job. His manager, who was also let go from the company, offered Brian a job at a new company and gave him the opportunity to work on his skillset and perfect his craft. “The second company that I worked for does the exact same thing that I do; they specialize in TV mounting and home theater setup. He put me in a position to really perfect my craft. And once I perfected my craft, he pretty much pushed me over the edge and said go swim.”
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That was when Brian took the leap into entrepreneurship. From there he jumped out and ran and never looked back. Now, BF Configurations has grown and Brian has been able to scale to multiple cities in multiple states. “While at the first company, I trained a guy that lived in Atlanta. About a year and a half after I got laid off, he got laid off. He reached out to me and asked if I had any work because he heard that I was starting a business. He asked did I have any work in Atlanta,” Brian says. At this time, Brian had not considered expanding to Atlanta. “I said I didn’t really have anything. But I always knew that my Grandmother, my Aunt, and my Dad had a connection in Atlanta. So, I had a good resource there so I kind of ran with that.” But the expansion into a new market was not an easy process. “In the midst of going to Atlanta, there were a few times where I considered closing the doors because it was hard. I was managing Dallas and then trying to manage Atlanta. But I had to let go and I had to trust and know that Rodney was going to run the location,” he shared. And now, BF Configurations is celebrating three years of operating in the Atlanta area. Brian says that most of his clientele come from social media. They pull about 60% of their clients from social media, and 30% are from referrals. His goal for 2021 is to improve the relationship he has with his current clients by checking in and performing customer satisfaction surveys. “In 2021, we’re really going to focus on putting the client first. We’re going to be making phone calls to our clients, to learn if there is anything that we could have done better, what can we improve on, so we can learn and grow tenfold,” he says. Brian shared that the hardest part of entrepreneurship has been the fear of failure. “The fear of failure involves not knowing if I’m going to get a phone call today, or if the lights are still going to be cut on tomorrow,” he says. In order to overcome his fears, Brian said there were some things that he had to sacrifice. “I motivate myself. But as a business owner, what you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. When I’m working, I’m working 110%. I’m giving it my all,” he shared. Those sacrifices, however, have paid off and are evident in the success of his business. It has also allowed him to reinvest back into his business. “My biggest accomplishment has been purchasing three trucks in one year,” Brian said. The business owner wants to encourage other entrepreneurs to not be afraid to fail. “Les Brown said something like when you fall, and it’s not a matter of if you fall because you will fall. But when you fall, fall on your back because you can look up. And when you look up, you can get up. And when you get up you can look around and see the mistakes you made and understand how to not make those same mistakes again,” Brian said.
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Mission Statement
Our Mission is to service customers with such a focus and desire that our services will make the home improvement and installation process enjoyable, exciting, and most importantly successful for everyone
Core Values
C- Continuous Improvement P- Professionalism R- Reliable C- Customer Focus S- Safety I- Integrity
Yet, Brian also pushes business owners to go after what they want. His biggest jewel that he shares with anyone is to follow your dream, and to not stop until it is fulfilled. As he has pursued his own dreams, Brian owes much of his success to his late grandmother, Mary Flewellen. “My grandmother opened a beauty salon 51 years ago, Flewellen’s Hair Salon. It was the first black beauty salon south of Dallas. She told me coming up as a kid, if I don’t go to college, go get a trade,” he says. His grandmother’s dream was for him to be a barber, just like his father was. But Brian refused. He told her there was no way he would be a barber but promised her to figure things out. Brian shares how he learned from his father the importance of preserving legacy. “My dad told me when I was a kid to protect my last name, because my last name has value. But me being a kid, I didn’t really understand the name Flewellen and the value of Flewellen. But after I started my business, I realized how much weight the name held. I have encountered people who trust me because of my last name, and because they knew my Grandmother and knew that she did good business. My business is now flourishing because of the relationships that my grandmother and father created,” he says. If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and in need of tv mounting services, please contact Brian Flewellen and BF Configurations, and allow his team to serve you. h
325 N. Saint Paul St. - Ste 3100 Dallas, TX 75201 (866) 573-5753 www.bfconfigurations.com 11
Make A Definite Effect LLC Are you made for this? That is a question that LaTia “Tia” Gray will help you answer. As the owner and founder of Make A Definite Effect LLC, her goal is to simplify the lives of others.
By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Tia Gray
Tia is a native of Springfield TN. She is also a mother of two beautiful, and witty little girls. Tia is also a Sports Coach at heart, and certified life coach by trade. She is an author, radio personality and presenter, and host of “MadE in the Dugout”. Tia describes herself as a small-town girl with global aspirations to connect people who look like her and support the Afro cultural history, presently, and its future. “I am an ideologist, visionary, and community driven entrepreneur. I am also known for networking and connecting small business owners and individuals with resources to grow personally and professionally,” she says. Tia says that life and business are both a game and everyone must be trained properly on how to play. This can be done through guidance, strategies, and selfdiscovery. “As an author I write about how we are the coach of our own lives, and how our lives relate to sports. I assist others with understanding how to position people in their life, and understand their roles, and ultimately go all out for the win,” she says. Her company, Make A Definite Effect LLC was created in 2019. Tia had a vision to inspire others and build a product that would expound on the importance of relationship building. While building her company, she discovered there was a lack of representation of black excellence. She also realized that her community was missing valuable life changing information. “As I set out to expose as many businesses as I could I picked up tones of knowledge to share with the small business owners. I determined that change was needed, and I would be vehicle that would drive the change,” she says. “The first thing I did was connect others with various resources to enhance and expand their businesses.” Tia shares that it’s important for everyone to pass the “plate of knowledge”. “There is power in being your true self. I take pride in being a virtual connector for those inspired to change their lives and grow their businesses,” she says. “We offer full service virtual assistance to small business owners to help save them time and stay on top of task. This also includes strategizing ways to enhance our client’s creativity in their business through graphic content, funnels, QR codes, virtual business cards, and so much more.”
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Like most businesses, Tia has faced some adversity. “I think going through the quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed me time to really set with myself and get a better understanding of the steps I wanted to take. Also, working with the youth in my community and learning how much information was not accessible to them has pushed me to learn and give what I never had. The work showed me talents I had inside that I never knew was there. Through adversity I have learned more about myself and tapped into God and become more conscious of how I show up in the world,” she says. Tia says she is inspired by her children, parents, and black “Afro” history. “if I don’t show up in the world, I know that it can delay someone else who was divinely designed to connect with me, from showing up,” she says. Tia also offers some advice to others who may be on a journey such as hers. “Start with personal development. Do your research so that you will know if what you are doing is something you are willing to put the work in to complete. Do it scared if you have to and do not second guess yourself. Most importantly, ask for help if you need it,” she says.
Moving forward, Tia plans to integrate her coaching program with her books and radio show. She also plans to take big business steps to develop, monetize, and scale her business so that it can be more impactful for those that look to gain more exposure and enhance their business and talents. If you are interested in ways to glow up before you blow up, send Tia a message and connect with Coach Tia, the Damage Control Empress. “Damaging Control By Connecting The Dots”. h
Coach Tia Gray Make A Definite Effect LLC
www.madecs.com 615-470-0270 Facebook: @ Make A Definite Effect LLC Instagram: @MadE_llc Clubhouse: @CoachTiaG Twitter: @CoachTiaG 14
Peyton Zora Doctor
MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
The daughter of Terence and Joni Robinson Doctor
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
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I’m A Boss, Coach, and Cancer Conqueror
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Stacy Bryant
Stacy Bryant, also known as Coach Stacy, is the founder of The Icu Coaching Academy, The Stiletto Bosses Network™ and The Free Hope Foundation for Domestic Violence. She is the host of Candid Conversation with Coach Stacy on 108 Praise Radio. Her coaching specialties are focused on transformation, mindset, and manifestation. Another business she owns is Clean Tax & Credit Repair Service, where she assists her clients with becoming financially stable and efficient. Stacy has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her MBA. Additionally, Coach Stacy is a Master Life Coach Trainer and Best-Selling Author. She is the author of Building Self-Confidence and the Her Story Series. Coach Stacy is also the co-author of best seller, “Will Win” with Brian Tracy. Coach Stacy lives a life that is rooted in winning and overcoming. For starters, she is a “Cancer Conqueror”. It really doesn’t matter what is thrown at her, she is determined to win. “I have walked the road of an overcomer my entire life. Because of this, I am dedicated to helping others rise above their circumstances. My mission is to encourage and empower others to explore and find who they are, inside and out. By doing so, I believe they will be able to create the life they’ve always dreamed of,” she says. Coach Stacy is a retired Veteran of the United States Army. Presently, she devotes her life to empowering others. “My goal is to assist and empower people all over the world by instilling and expressing confidence in themselves. This involves helping them with their finances, relationships, entrepreneurship, health, faith, and life,” she says. “As a personal coach I work with a wide range of clients and offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each individual. In a supportive atmosphere, I help clients attain the professional and personal growth they’re striving for. I offer sessions, both in-person and over on the phone. The process begins with an initial assessment to clearly define my clients short and long term goals. This may involve everything from communication skills to personal acceptance. I will use these goals as a foundation to create a strategy for attaining their objectives,” she says. Some of the services offered by Coach Stacy are Personal Growth, Professional Development, Relationship Coaching, Communication Skills, Confidence & Personal Power, Inner Peace, Achieving Balance, Health & Weight Issues, and Organization & Productivity. Continued on the next page
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“Life coaching can take you above and beyond your own personal limitations. More often than not, people try to achieve their greatest potential, but don’t even realize what stands in their way. A personal Coach can offer an unbiased and objective perspective and can help you realize your patterns and habits. Most people experience that they are more efficient when working with a Professional Life Coach and that this provides the opportunity for them to better realize their potential. Life coaching can make your dreams attainable and will give you support and encouragement along the way.,” she says. The books that she’s authored, “Her Story 2” shares her testimony of overcoming domestic abuse.” My Pink Stilettos” gives a synopsis of her life to a current state. “Audacity to Shine” shares her testimony of fighting cervical cancer. “I am Enough” shares her testimony of narcissistic abuse recovery. She is currently authoring “Broken Crayons Still Color” where she shares how a life filled with brokenness has allowed her to show others that they can still color. She says, “After a life filled with shame, guilt, hurt, and traumatic experiences, I still color, brightly!”
Coach Stacy offers some advice to others who may find themselves in similar situations that she faced. “Do not stop at start. When I first started my business, I hit instant success. I was young, and not ready. I did not take the time to learn the tools that I really needed to run an effective business. But I kept moving,” she says. “I would not be where I am if it were not for the journey. The journey gave me experience. The journey gave me wisdom. Most of all, the journey gave me resilience.” Moving forward, her plans are to expand her personal development academy. By doing so, she will be able to empower, heal, and shift mindsets to souls all over the planet. “Seeing the light bulb go off in someone and watching them embrace healing is the most amazing thing I can witness,” she says. To learn more about the services offered by Coach Stacy, please visit her website. h
Coach Stacy Bryant www.stacybryant.com 18
Timothy M. Joe I Love Art......Really
first-grade teacher saw his picture when someone else realized that he was quite the artist. Those words started him on a journey that has lasted a lifetime.
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Timothy M. Joe How does he do it? When artist Timothy M. Joe begins working on a blank canvas, that’s exactly what it is. A blank canvas. However, when he puts his tools down for the last time, the results are breath taking. It might can make someone to believe there is magic in his hands, or something magical happening with his brushes. Timothy is a self-taught artist who raised in the rural town of Greensboro, Alabama. He is also a third-generation black angus farmer. He also holds a mechanical engineer degree of which he obtained from the University of Alabama. “People are intrigued that I am both a professional artist and an engineer,” he says. He now lives in Huntsville, Alabama with his wife and two children.
Naturally, Timothy has a love for art. “I love listening to the testimonies of my clients on what a painting means to them. I also love the commissioned art I receive. Commission is usually for a parent or memorial for a loved one. One example of a commission I did was for a painting of a white flower in the afternoon sunlight. My client picked this particular flower with her grandmother until her passing. Those are the paintings that stick with me for many years,” he says. Timothy can see art in almost anything. He says that he is mostly inspired by the narrative in every scene that he paints. “Whether it comes in the form of an abandoned home that’s falling apart, family heirlooms, or landscape, I am able to make a connection. My role is to remain receptive and be ready to take a quick reference picture or sketch it in my art journal,” he says. “I love learning the history about my subject and gain the appreciation that helps me create meaningful art. Creating a beautiful painting is nice but painting the same scene with an understanding of the history is what I am after. I believe the backstory of my subject is just as important as the color I choose to paint.”
Officially, the name of his business is Timothy M. Joe Fine Art. “I produce Original artwork in oil, soft pastels, and watercolor,” he says. “I am Online Art Instructor, and I also sell commissioned art.”
Understandably, art itself has impacted Timothy’s career as well. “The reception at my first solo art exhibit had the biggest impact to my art career. I created a body of work of historical landmarks near my hometown. Hearing all the backstories from the town people was amazing. These are the kind of experiences that keep me energized to make more art,” he says.
Timothy shares that art is more than a hobby for him, it’s his calling. “I see beauty in common places. Everyday things that usually would not get a second glance can become beautiful works of art. There is a message in every scene, whether it is a location, personal belonging, or building. I like to capture these scenes and put them on canvas. I paint to show my appreciation of what God created and share what He put in my heart. I am compelled to create art that has a soul. The soul holds our emotions and memories.,” he says.
For other artists, or anyone who is headed on a similar journey that Timothy has, he offers some advice to you. “Find your artistic voice. There is an art style unique to every artist and there is a corresponding audience your work is meant for. Paint only what moves you, and always make that your top propriety, not money. You should also be visible. Don’t let fear stop you from making appearances at art shows. Trades shows offer a unique and greatly beneficial experience and discussing your art with strangers is a tremendous way to grow in your craft,” he says.
For Timothy, art is what gives him purpose and provides an outlet to express himself. “There are so many beautiful subjects that should have a place on my canvas or any other painting surface. My mission is to capture these hidden treasures before time erases them completely. I am compelled to show the younger generation of how life was and raise appreciation of what is often overlooked,” he says.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way artist maneuver in the art world, Timothy has pivoted and found new ways to stay relevant and busy. One way is conducting more online workshops. “I am at the point in my career where I have accumulated enough knowledge to share with artist of all skill levels. I want to help them avoid some mistakes I made and coach them to be the best artist they can be,” he shares.
Timothy’s love for art started when he was just four years old. He would sit in his families living room with crayons all over the floor, coloring on brown paper grocery bags. It wasn’t until his
To learn more about Timothy M. Joe, please visit his website.
www.timothymjoe.com
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Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2021
Gamal Williams Fin: A Story of Love and Hope
By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Gwendolyn Wilson Becoming an author can be a massive undertaking but it is certainly worth the effort if you want to achieve creative fulfillment while touching the emotions, hearts, and minds of others through writing. Some people feel the unction more readily than others to express their emotions and thoughts openly while others may be more introverted with their emotions and thoughts and could quite possibly replaying scenes over in their mind. How creative is that? If you believe there’s a story inside of you then you should let it out. Meet Gamal C. Williams, a native of Brooklyn, New York, a father of four, and a retired 20-year Naval Senior Chief Officer hailing from Hampton Rhodes, Virginia. On November 29, 2020 Gamal released his first novel entitled, Fin: A Story of Love and Hope. Remember we spoke earlier about scenes being replayed over in their mind? Well Gamal’s novel was created through dreaming. According to Gamal, “First, let me explain how I came up with the name, Fin. Fin is actually short for Finely. One thing we do in the military is shorten last names. For example, my last name is Williams, but everybody calls me, Will. So, this whole thing started because of a dream I kept having. I had this same dream four or five times a week for about three or four weeks. In this dream I am working in a convenience store and as I’m taking the trash out in the back somebody comes in and tries to rob the store. The cops intervene and somehow, I accidently get shot. Each time I had this dream I would wake up in a panic. After a while I realized I was dreaming. Then finally one night I woke up at two o’clock in the morning and I grabbed my laptop and just started writing. I wrote the first ten or twelve pages of the book and sent it to my publisher, Sasha Ridley. After she read it, she encouraged me to finish this story. So, I started thinking if I’m going to finish this story then I am going to have to figure out how did this person get here, and how do I write this scene, so it was the dream that actually got me into writing. I never grew up saying I wanted to be an author
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it was never anything like that. I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer until I started writing Fin. I loved it immediately. I enjoyed seeing the characters come to life. Every waking moment I had I would be thinking about this story.” Talking about making your dreams come true. Gamal literally wrote his dream into existence. How many of you have dreams and you don’t know why it continues to reoccur? Who knows perhaps your dreams are speaking to warn you or they could be speaking to you to create a novel. Either way, your dreams can be looked at as gifts and we already understand that your ‘gifts will make room for you’ - - Gamal’s did. When writing your book an author should have a particular audience in mind because having a base to connect with is important. For Gamal’s target audience are adolescent black males, specifically.
“You know as a young male nobody teaches you how to deal with anxiety and depression or even how to deal with your anger. Those things just aren’t discussed in the black community. Instead of talking about it openly we are more likely to go to church and pray it away. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with church. What I am saying is that sometimes you need to go to somebody and talk about your feelings and say hey I need help.” Gamal Williams
He shares, “The main group would be young adolescent black males because they need help with learning how to communicate with one another and they need to learn how to show love and affection toward one another without negativity being associated with their actions. Today there’s not as much condemnation associated with telling another black male who is your close friend that you love him, but when I was growing up that’s not something we did outside of the family. I grew up in Brooklyn and saying those words to another man is something that was frowned upon. You were looked at as being soft or weak. You couldn’t show any other type of emotions other than being tough or being street wise. So, this is a good seaway to the three main characters in Fin: A Story of Love and Hope. There’s Fin, the protagonist, and he’s the son of Command Master Chief. Then there’s a guy, Justin, who is the son of a former police officer, and the other guy is Chris, who goes by the name, Stacks, well, Stacks father is really a gangster. So, these guys from three completely different worlds end up becoming friends and they find out that they have way more in common than they thought they did. And even though they don’t overtly say ‘I love you’ it’s apparent through their actions the love they have for one another.” As a black male, Gamal understands the social anxieties and depressions that both preadolescent and post-teens experience. Some of his experiences can be found in Fin. Continued on the next page
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He shares, “You know as a young male nobody teaches you how to deal with anxiety and depression or even how to deal with your anger. Those things just aren’t discussed in the black community. Instead of talking about it openly we are more likely to go to church and pray it away. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with church. What I am saying is that sometimes you need to go to somebody and talk about your feelings and say hey I need help. Communication is important and that is also apparent in the book. All three characters have their fathers in their lives, but their level of communication just isn’t where it needs to be.” Communication is simply the act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another. It is Gamal’s earnest desire for his readers to pick up golden nuggets while reading his novel and implement those nuggets in their lives. Though the book is fiction there are some elements of truth imbedded in the fabric of the story line. “There are elements in the book that do pull from my life. I think you can say this of any author who is writing a book that there are certain elements to the characters that they get from within themselves or people around you. There has to be some point of reference to understand what anger looks like or what a loving person looks like. There are definitely influences from my family and friends and people I have served with, but I wouldn’t say that there is any one character that’s a specific person. No, there isn’t.”
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It took Gamal the better part of five weeks to type out his first rough draft. Along the way he would send chapters to his publisher who would provide him motivation to continue forward. He says, “I just got the raw version of the story out. I didn’t think about spelling, punctuations, sentence structure or grammar. All I did was write and send pieces of it to Sasha to read and she motivated me to keep going. Once I got the full story out then I went back and started doing rewrites and expanding on the story, the characters, and the scenes. So, from beginning to end I would say it took me six months to finish the book.” Gamal is aware that the pandemic has caused a huge disruption in the world, but he has been able to make good use of this time by bonding with his children and working on his next book Jump which has been coauthored by his 12-year-old son, Gabriel. According to Gamal, “I created Jump just for him. He would say, ‘daddy what if he did this or that’ and I would give it some thought so I told him when I do the rewrite, I’m going to put that in there and add his name to the book as my coauthor and he just smiled.” See what our children can help us do when we communicate.
“The book is a great story. It’s a gripping tale of three young boys who form an unlikely friendship and soon discover that despite their differences, they have more in common than they realized........ When an unexpected tragedy occurs, the young men’s bond is put to the test. A test of friendship, loyalty, family, and love. For one of them, their choices would shape his life, mold him into the man he had to become, and pushes him to the edge of death itself.”
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Support is always important in our endeavors and Gamal is grateful for Rae Legacy Publishing. He admits, “I like Sasha’s company because it’s small enough to where I can have that personal touch. She and my cousin Brian helped me a lot with editing. Sasha has really been a champion for this book, and she has also gotten me interviews and set up all my social media platforms. I believe in her and I like the fact that I can pick up my telephone and just call my publisher and talk to her about what my thoughts are or simply about what’s going on in my life. Rae Legacy Publishing is really the driving force behind getting the book out there so, no, I don’t have any regrets with going with her company at all” Many of you could be asking yourselves why you should go out and purchase this book. Gamal explains it this way, “The book is a great story. It’s a gripping tale of three young boys who form an unlikely friendship and soon discover that despite their differences, they have more in common than they realized. When 14-year-old Fin meets Stacks and Justin, he never thought their union would be bonded in love, friendship, joy, and pain. When an unexpected tragedy occurs, the young men’s bond is put to the test. A test of friendship, loyalty, family, and love. For one of them, their choices would shape his life, mold him into the man he had to become, and pushes him to the edge of death itself. The book has been heralded as “evocative,” “thought-provoking,” “heart-warming,” and “gut-wrenching.” Fin never allows you a moment to catch your breath. You’ll think you know everything, then Fin spins you in a direction you never saw coming.” Continued on the next page
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The book also shows the complexities of love on multiple levels. For instance, there is a romantic love between Fin and his girlfriend Cory; there is the love between his grandparents; and there is the love that father and son show one another. Fin: A Story of Love and Hope is a book that transcends nationalities and genders; it is relatable enough to spark the interest of everyone who reads it. Gamal shares, “I hope the book sparks conversations that families need to have when it comes to sharing information. There is a generational divide where the older generations don’t share with the younger generation what they’ve experienced in their lives or even thigs about their health. If they would share those struggles the youth could gain so much from their grandparents, parents, aunts or uncles experiences. I’ve been guilty of it too - - not sharing information with my daughter or sons that could have prevented them from messing up. Again, it’s been my experience that we just don’t share information until it’s too late. We should have these difficult conversations early. I hope this book can spark that level of conversation so adolescents can begin to make better decisions. I hope this book sparks life changing conversations and deliberate actions of correction. You know I was at my local library doing the photo shoot for this book and the director came out and asked where she could purchase the book so it could be displayed in the local author section. I happily gave them the copy I had. When I was growing up on my way home from school me and my friends would stop at the library every day to do our homework then we would read for hours. To know that some young man will be able to go into the library and see a book that looks like him on the shelf and be able to resonate with the emotions going on in the book is so rewarding for me. If a young kid can see themselves in one of those characters, then I am happy. That’s a blessing right there. I just hope people would give it a chance and pick it up and enjoy it.” You can purchase this newly released book on amazon.com in both paperback, and in Kindle and Nook. You can also visit Gamal William’s website at www.authorgamalilliams.com which will usher you to all the links to purchase this new and inspiring novel. h
Gamal Williams www.authorgamalwilliams.com www.amazon.com 757-642-7595
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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Lechele Jackson Lechele Jackson aka “Kamragurl” describes herself as an average woman living an extraordinary life. She is a lifestyle photographer that’s based out of Richmond, VA. She specializes in family, business, and event photography. The name of her company is Photography by Lechele LLC. Most importantly, Lechele loves God. She also loves her family and her community. When she doesn’t have a camera in her hand, she can be found traveling or soaking the rays from the sun on the beach, listening to the ocean, or enjoying the quiet splendor of the mountains. Lechele’s story began in 2008. “By the Grace of God, my creative gift and love for photography turned into a business. My pastor and Bishop had preached on a sermon entitled “Your Gift Will Make Room For You” and with my faith and the support of family and friends, as well as my clients, I am here today, doing what I am passionate about,” she says. For Lechele, photography is more than just providing a service to capture images to go into a magazine, a photo album, or to be put in a frame and hung on a wall. She shares that photography is about creating moments and capturing memories that will last a lifetime. “Photography is not a business for me, it’s a ministry. I would like to think that after having a session with me, you come away with a memorable experience!” Photography has afforded her to build long lasting friendships and partnerships. As a woman of God, and a believer in the love of God, Lechele shares why it’s always important for her to have faith, and to be faithful. “It all begins with my trust in God. We must walk in your calling, follow our hearts, and live your dreams. When we trust God, He will open doors and pour out blessings you won’t have room enough to receive. God has definitely been the giver and source of this business and He is still opening doors and opportunities for me. For the last couple of years, I have been praying and speaking about having a larger studio space. Currently I am partnering with someone to do just that. We must be reminded that your words have power. Speak positive affirmations into every aspect of your life and watch the fruit of your labor coincide with the words of your tongue. The creator of every good and perfect gift has already worked it out in your favor,” she says. While enjoying a natural talent of her own, Lechele is inspired by other photographers. “My peers in the photography industry are so creative and talented, and it is an honor to be among so many awesome souls. I love and appreciate each one of them,” she says. Her advice to others who may follow in her footsteps is to go for it. “Don’t give up. Take your time and listen to your spirit. Do not compare yourself or your work to others because everyone is different and has a unique style of their own. Find it and never stop evolving. We can be our own worst critic,” she shares.
“Photography is not a business for me, it’s a ministry. I would like to think that after having a session with me, you come away with a memorable experience.”
In the future, Lechele plans to continue to grow, learn, and develop her skills. “I have dreams of possibly creating an agency to bridge the gap in the industry by working with various talents and creatives who need their dots connected,” she says. To learn more about Lechele Jackson, please visit her website or contact her directly. h
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With A Podcast
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By Laci Ollison Photos by Todd Youngblood During a time where the world was shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic, two women found themselves collaborating over their mutual love for black people and therapy. Nzinga Cates and Darnita Samuels of Charlotte, N.C., are both licensed therapists in the state of North Carolina. After forming a friendship, the duo decided to create a podcast to answer questions from clients, friends, and listeners about mental health, life, and other various topics. Born in Detroit, MI, Darnita is an auntie to several nieces and nephews. She comes from a large family that is rooted in southern traditions. Darnita says the primary focus of her practice is to provide a safe space that will encourage open dialogue to help her clients reach their goals and create a toolbox to use on their journey of this thing called life. Though Darnita embraces her season of singleness, she spends her time traveling internationally and domestically. These voyages often involve exploring new cultures. “I am a history buff and I like winery’s, vineyards, and good food,” she shares. Nzinga, who is a native of Erie, PA, provides a wide array of services that cater to individuals, couples, marital relationships, and teens. She has a specialty in helping individuals who have been victimized by narcissists, as well as helping individuals discover narcissistic traits within themselves. She is also the owner of Cates Counseling, and author of What Happens In This House: A Memoir of Strength, and shares her story of being raised with the struggles of a narcissistic mother and how she prevailed to become who she is today despite being abused. Life has come full circle for Nzinga. She acknowledges that her family has played a huge part in her success as an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She also notes that she wouldn’t be as successful without the support of her husband of 17 years, and her three beautiful children. “I actually referred someone to Nzinga,” Darnita said. “We hit it off from the first conversation. But it actually took us over a year to finally meet. Nzinga kept saying ‘let’s get coffee together,’ and one day the stars finally aligned, and we were able to get lunch.” The rest was history. One day as the two therapists were sitting in the garage of Nzinga’s home over the pandemic, they decided they needed to start a podcast together. After a bit of discussion and planning, they released their first episode of Theralit on August 25th. “The podcast is mostly based off of anonymous questions,” said Darnita. “We’re not providing therapy but if a person needs therapy then we will provide resources on how to select a therapist.” Darnita says that the two like giving information, breaking down the stigma, and normalizing the conversation around mental health as well. “The beauty of the podcast is that there is no particular subject,” said Nzinga. “We don’t know what we’re going to answer until a week sometimes days before we record. So, it’s fresh. It’s ideas that come from our clients, sometimes from conversations that we have with our friends when they ask questions. It’s a wide variety of questions that we take great joy in answering. And not only that, but we add our personal touch to it. It’s not just therapeutic, but there’s never a dull moment.” Nzinga says that they answer from their hearts, but they also answer from their own experiences. These experiences were also the driving force for both of the ladies to begin a career in mental health.
Theralit: 2 Dope Therapist’s
@theralitpodcast Send all questions to theralit@outlook.com
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“I honestly didn’t like people. I just wanted to program. I wanted to be an IT person, make a lot of money, have a great house, and live a great life,” Darnita says. But unfortunately, life didn’t pan out how Darnita expected. “Moving to North Carolina actually helped me a lot because I was in a relationship and I was about to get married. But when the relationship fell apart, I was devastated. I went into a deep state of depression and I was highly dysfunctional.” Darnita ended up seeing her primary care physician who referred her to a mental health professional. Darnita shares, “Thank God for a great primary care physician that saw me. She referred me to a therapist, and I went that day. I left my primary care physician’s office and went straight to the therapist’s office. The therapist worked with me to help me heal wounds. They also helped me understand who I was and the role that I played and help me get over things that were so deeply held that were not good beliefs.” After going through therapy, Darnita decided to attend Pfeiffer University to begin her career as a therapist. “When I went to Pfeiffer I went through further therapy because that was part of their program. They say how can you have someone else in your chair if you don’t know what it feels like to be in a chair.” Darnita says that the student therapist that she worked with, helped her break down some issues even more. “It has really been a growth opportunity for me, and as a result of this, my private practice is definitely expanding.” For Nzinga, therapy was something she realized somewhat early on that she wanted to do. “I was 19 when I went to therapy for the first time and I loved it,” Nzinga said. “I knew that based on the things I was going through in my life that there was a greater calling on my life to help people.”
Initially Nzinga did not know exactly what that calling was but after she met her first therapist, she realized that was what she wanted to do. “I had already been in college,” said Nzinga. “I believe I was an English major or something like that. But I changed my major and my career and that was it. I started off in social work and got my master’s in counseling.” One of the goals the two have for the podcast is to eventually take it on the road. “We want people to see that we’re normal people,” Darnita said. “We want people to come and meet us and be able to ask us questions on the air.” She also shares it’s important for people to see their faces too. “Representation matters,” she said. “Here’s two black female therapists that are operating their own businesses who are successful and who are gaining a foothold in the podcast industry. They also hope to break down the stigma in the African American community that therapy is not necessary. “For people who think therapy is not for us, why is it not?” Darnita asks. “We have access to every other thing, why not therapy?” Darnita says that this is a question that they get asked often. “You get a physical every year. You get a colonoscopy every year. You get checkups to make sure that your body is running right. Part of your body is your mind. Why not check on that?”
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Darnita wants people to know that there is help out there. “You don’t have to suffer in silence. There’s a lot of mental anguish that happens and it has a direct effect on how your body reacts to certain things. That’s why we ask when is the last time you had a physical and what came back. Because we see the tolls that hurt, and pain are causing.” Nzinga says that part of being a therapist is learning when to listen. “If someone comes up to me and asks me why they need it, that tells me that they’re reaching out,” she said. “A lot of being a therapist is having a listening ear to hear what people are saying and what they are saying with their heart. And that comes out in the podcast. When we answer we answer based on what we have been through because as therapists we have both been through a lot. We give answers from the heart.” Darnita says that the two try to be as relatable as possible on the podcast as well. “We try to keep it real,” said Darnita. “We don’t try to speak so therapeutically that people don’t understand. We try to be normal, even down to the way we dress.” Nzinga and Darnita both operate their own private practices and offer the ability to see their clients virtually. h
Nzinga Cates MA, NCC, LCMHC Cates Counseling and Consulting PLLC 704-412-9684 Nzingacates@gmail.com
Darnita D. Samuels MSA MA LMFT 919-807-1692 darnitasamuelsmft@outlook.com
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Say Yes Guilford
By Tonya Dixon Photos by JLG Photography Ask Wendy Poteat what Say Yes Guilford is about, and she can quickly recite the mission and purpose of the community-centered, educational nonprofit - Say Yes Guilford is committed to providing access to support services and scholarships designed to prepare Guilford County Schools’ students for success in college, career, and life. Moreover, as president and chief executive officer of Say Yes Guilford (SYG), she has a focused passion to not only see the organization flourish, but more importantly, to see Guilford County students and even those of the entire State of North Carolina flourish educationally and ultimately professionally. “I know that we are Say Yes Guilford, but I believe what we are building in Guilford County would be of such benefit to the smaller counties that surround us I would love for us to be able to extend outreach in different counties,” said Poteat. “I think something like this is so needed especially in rural areas where students graduate and don’t have the opportunity or resources to go to college.” “I would love to see us working in that direction, talking to those municipalities and being able to help smaller areas create industry. It is clear that workforce development is predicated on a foundation of education.” Say Yes Guilford is an individual non-profit. It was established in Guilford County in 2015 – one of the first Say Yes organizations in the Southeast United States. All others are in the northern region of the country. In order to be chosen as a Say Yes community, Guilford County directors had to spend significant time and energy fundraising to establish the endowment that would be used for student development and scholarships. Through continued community support, the program will be able to continue serving students and extend its annual distribution amount. While SYG is growing and looking toward eventual expansion, Poteat and staff are doing the necessary work to make sure the organization flourishes and has the ability to help the most students possible. Currently, SYG partners with every public college and university in North Carolina and more than 100 private institutions around the country to offer scholarships to Guilford County Schools’ graduates. The organization’s endowment has provided for numerous students and, with continued support will impact the primary, secondary and post-secondary education of many more. From 2016-2020 SYG has awarded $7,396,600 in tuition awards, $1,953,317 in Choice Grants, and $845,550 in Opportunity Grants for a total of $10,195,467 paid directly to GCS students. Through private compact scholarships, $18,326,076 has been awarded to GCS students whose household income is less than $75,000 per year. The total leverage from 20162020 is $28,521,543. SYG utilizes numerous equitable wrap-around student support services that embrace differences and eliminate barriers to educational opportunities. While it is known for scholarship distribution, the organization ultimately provides resources that equip students from Kindergarten to career and every stage in between including early literacy skills training, book giveaways, free SAT and ACT prep classes and community engagement opportunities. Poteat says making sure to properly serve the organization’s community was the first matter she addressed when she started working with the program in 2019. Equity was a major factor.
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“When I first began, one of the first things that I looked at were the different components of the program, including scholarship and support services,” she said. “I realized the schools we partnered with were Title I schools. It was evident that we had to be intentional about the support services we were offering and make sure that we were offering what kids needed, had adequate access and ensured they met eligibility requirements.” Leading the organization was a naturally progressive step for Poteat, who has proven expertise in public policy, politics and education. It was a position she didn’t seek, but it was a role she knew was perfect to take. Her journey to Say Yes is impressive, but not one she ever envisioned she would take. “My passion has always been education. Growing up I knew I would go to college. I wanted to be a lawyer. I knew this was where I wanted to be, but my journey to get here was unconventional,” she said. A native of Sweet Gum – a very small town in Caswell County, North Carolina – Poteat initially studied economics at North Carolina A&T State University. She was a Chancellor’s Scholar and held a full scholarship. However, despite her opportunity and desire for education, many unforeseen obstacles and tragedy derailed her efforts. “I lost my parents in a murder-suicide my freshman year in college. Then my sophomore year I had a child. I eventually completed three years at A&T, but then I didn’t have the money to continue,” she said. “I wasn’t focused. Really, I was just broken. I needed to heal and figure my life out.” Poteat spent the next several years working in the restaurant industry, but she knew she had to finish her degree. Not only was it imperative for her professional growth, but she believed she had to set an example for her children.
“I knew I couldn’t push them to go to college and finish, if I didn’t finish college...... I didn’t want to be that parent that was telling my kids to do something that I wasn’t able to do.”
“I knew I couldn’t push them to go to college and finish, if I didn’t finish college,” she said. “I didn’t want to be that parent that was telling my kids to do something that I wasn’t able to do. So, I quit my job and went back to school. I graduated from Guilford College in 2010. I originally started college in 1991. It took me that long to finally finish and obtain my degree.” Her path may have been unorthodox, but it turned out to be the best route for her to take. After graduating, she took a coordinator-level position with Greensboro Partnership which is now the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Between 2006 and 2010 she consistently moved through the ranks and ultimately became manager of government affairs. That position provided her the opportunity to become a registered lobbyist, making way for continued opportunities. “Being registered as a lobbyist with that position really pushed me into lobbying work. I went from that role to a private organization health and human services agency in Raleigh. I gained corporate and foundation work at the same time.” Said Poteat. “It wasn’t just another opportunity. I always say I have been on God’s journey. There’s no way that I could have formulated this myself.” She eventually accepted a position with the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce as director of government Affairs. Again, her lobbying experience was significantly vital to the role. “I remember one of my mentors told me, ‘you’ll know it’s time to do something different when the things that you are not lobbying for are the things that keep you up at night,’” said Poteat. “At the time, the city of Charlotte was adopting the HB2 Law, better known as the “Bathroom Bill. It was controversial and it was keeping me up at night because my brother is part of the LGBTQ+ community and I felt so terrible that I couldn’t do something with my platform to help him. That’s when I switched jobs. I went to the United Way. I was actually doing work similar to what I’m doing now.”
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Before she knew it, another opportunity was presented. It was Say Yes Guilford, but it wasn’t a move that she was terribly interested in pursuing. Unfortunately, the organization’s reputation was in need of repair. However, the position would provide the opportunity for Poteat to work in a community where she lived. “My youngest son told me it would be cool if I could help the kids that he went to school with. It means a lot to me because I live in this community and I’m able to help these students,” she said. “I was in the nail salon and a little girl walked up to me. She said, ‘you’re the Say Yes lady. You guys gave me $2,500 to go to school last year.’ It means a lot to me that I can impact the people and place where I actually live.” Poteat says in addition to helping students in her own community, she sees the hard and diligent work of her co-workers and knows they are just as committed to the success of the organization and students. “The staff are truly the boots on the ground. They take the strategic plans and turn them into tangible work for our students and families. The work is tedious and requires a lot of dedicated people to make it happen, but it’s tremendously rewarding,” she said. We receive a great deal of support from committee and board members and community advocates giving constructive feedback and cheers. Community support and participation is a key element to SYG’s success. Poteat says there is a message and request for philanthropic support, but it’s not eclipsed by the need for the community to understand, support and utilize the variety of support services provided. “I see us being able to build out what we’re doing in a way that we’re serving all students. We have on average 5,000 students in a senior class every year. Statistically, only about 55% of the students that graduate will end up enrolled in college in the fall immediately after high school. I want us to be able to impact every senior class in some way. Even if they don’t get scholarship money from Say Yes, I want them to take the SAT prep class. I want them to gain some sort of educational weapon. I want us to be able to say that every kid that graduated from Guilford County Schools had access to something that Say Yes was offering and were positively touched by the program,” said Poteat. “I really feel like we have built a sellable product. When I came, there were some things that Say Yes was still trying to figure out. We had to go out and build relationships and gain credibility as the organization that did the things that we said we were going to do.” With the onset of COVID-19, the SYG staff and organization were able to pivot to virtual options still making over 7,000 interactions with students and families during the first year of county-wide support service offerings, which was almost a 200 percent increase over the previous year. The overarching goal is to ensure that students that need the most are offered the most support. Philanthropic supporters and donors are critical to the success of Say Yes Guilford and the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission, create equitable opportunities for the next generation of leaders and build an educated workforce for Guilford County and beyond. h
Wendy Poteat President and CEO
(336) 814-2233 wpoteat@sayyesguilford.org www.sayyesguilford.org PO Box 309 - Jamestown, NC 27282 37
Gene
Blackmon Prestige Barber College By Terry L. Watson Photos by Still Shots Photography
He has made it a priority of keeping his business in the same neighborhood that he grew up in near the Phillips Avenue area. Gene Blackmon is the owner and director of Prestige Barber College in Greensboro, NC. Founded in 2011, Prestige provides an opportunity to aspiring professional barbers. Gene brings several decades of knowledge and experience to Prestige. Upon graduating from barber school, himself, he spent some time as an apprentice and eventually progressed to opening his own barbershop in Greensboro. He did not stop there. Soon he would be the owner of several shops, and the co-owner of others. Being a business owner isn’t the only thing that matters to Gene. As a son, father, coach, and community activist, he is actively involved in the affairs that matter in his community. He has spear headed several campaigns that have addressed the needs of others, including transforming Prestige Barber College into a drop off location for supplies and resources for those who were affected by a tornado that ravished the eastern part of Greensboro in April 2018. Prestige Barber College often provides free haircuts for citizens, as well as partnering with other organizations for back-to-school events and more. They have also provided Covid-19 testing on site. Giving back and being involved is especially important to Gene. “I offer hope and opportunity. With Prestige I am giving our students an opportunity to become entrepreneurs through the industry of barbering. We funnel many of our student to the barbershops that we own in Greensboro,” he says. Now with an enrollment of 30 students, Gene has obtained ownership of the building and remolded it as well.
Gene shares that he wanted to ensure that he would bring something positive to his community. “I am a firm believer that in order to increase the value in our community, we must keep our businesses in our community. It was an honor to open a school in the neighborhood that I grew up in,” he says. Gene also wanted to emphasize the importance of what a trade program, such as barbering is. “A trade can instantly make someone an entrepreneur. Trades have been just as, or even more valuable as a four-year degree. Trade programs have a minimum cost as compared to a four-year degree program,” he shares. As things move forward, Gene plans to empower everyone he encounters knowledge, encouragement, and education. He also plans to increase enrollment at Prestige Barber College. “Our opportunities are available to everyone who is serious about making barbering a career choice,” he says. To learn more about Prestige Barber College, please visit their location, or contact the school directly. h
Many of the goals for Prestige is to increase enrollment and grow their scholarship fund to assist others. They also offer in house financing, which enables them to meet the needs of almost who is interested in attending. “Prestige is for the community. We are a resource that offers hope. We offer haircuts and mentorship, but also work vigorously to meet the needs of our community,” Gene says.
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Prestige Barber College 2006 Phillips Avenue Greensboro, NC 27405 336-398-7537 www.prestigebarbercollege.org
##theblacklegacymatters
Huami Magazine Celebrates Black History Month Dallas/Fort Worth - Jan./Feb. 2021
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