March/April 2020 Vol. 1 Issue 4 FREE

VAUGHN

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

What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do? I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life. The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant. A Letter From The Editor

The tougher the battle, the greater the reward. I have often had to remind myself of this, especially when the struggles and pains in my life appear to have no end. Just as the pressure intensifies, I have learned that my determination should as well. I must remember the reason why I started and what is promised for me at the finish line. God has promised me double for my trouble. Along my life’s journey, I have been presented with several options and avenues. I’ve had to carefully decide on which is the better path for me to travel, because not every road is connected to my purposed destination. The effects of making the wrong move can slow up the promises of God. Just as a person utilizes the assistance of a navigational system for directions while traveling in a vehicle, God expects for me to utilize the navigational system he created to direct me back to Him, ensuring that I will not encounter any unnecessary speed bumps. And that system can only be accessed through prayer and with conversations with God. God expects for us to seek His direction at the start of our days. He wants to provide direction for our lives all throughout the day, ensuring the steps and moves we take are in alignment with His plan. It can be a very risky experience when we make moves that are not God-planned. Only by God’s grace and mercy do we survive our wrong decisions, and often we may encounter painful lessons while we are off course. It is not like He doesn’t know where I am at. However, by checking in with God and making Him aware of my location at

all times such as sharing what I am thinking and how I am feeling, and asking for His help, lets Him know that I am trusting His word.

Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us. God is fully aware of every step we take. From the beginning and where we will end. Following the map He prepared is a lot easier than traveling through life without it. God wants to know your location.

Dallas/Fort Worth - March/April 2020 Editor/Founder www.huamimagazine.com

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson Publisher

Editor In Chief Terry L. Watson Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Writers Tonya Dixon Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Jeuron Dove Tamara Smith Dawn C. Thornton Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Junious Smith Writer Ashleigh Crawley Photographer JLG Photography Photographer Apollo Wonex Photographer

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HUAMI MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Mykel Media Company. Any reproduction of any portion of this publication is prohibited without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Mykel Media doesn’t accept responsibility for statements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication may be submitted to the editor by E-mail at terrywatson@huamimagazine.com terry.editor@yahoo.com or to Mykel Media Company, LLC P.O. Box 20102 Greensboro, NC 27420 HUAMI MAGAZINE 2014 All Rights Reserved 2020 All Rights Reserved bimonthly Email or Telephone terry.editor@yahoo.com 336-340-7844

VAUGHN

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Chastity Vaughn

She is an award winning stylist who owns the moment. Chastity Vaughn of Dallas, TX first and foremost is a child of God and work-a-holic. She is also a loving mother of three wonderful kids who prides herself on being determined.

“I come from humble means. And because of that, I believe that anything is possible if you work for it. As a business owner, I strive to be the best Entrepreneur I can be by providing quality work to each and every client that I have the privilege of servicing,” she says.

Chastity is the onwer of S2R Hair Studio LLC, (Something 2 Remember). There, along with her team of professional stylist, Chastity provides an array of services including but not limited to all types of natural hair, sister locks, traditional locs, updos, silk press (blowouts), hair tape extensions, and more. She explains how important versatility is in her industry. Natural hair and Sisterlocks are definitely two of Chastity’s specialties, and what she is widely known for.

“As a hairstylist, I would not want to limit myself. I want to be able to cater to my clients, on all fronts. It is my overall objective to create new and exciting looks for today’s modern woman, while offering a 5-star experience,” she says. Her versatility has eveolved to her now offering a Sisterlock Coaching Program and a Business 101 class.

“I am comfortable in my own skin. I am confident in all that I do, and it’s reflected in my work. I also have a fluid personality and the ability to work with almost any type of person. I don’t dictate what services I will provide to my clients. I am open to their ideas and so when they sit in my chair, I want them to understand that it takes a team effort and colloboration to produce the look they desire,” she states.

Chastity shares that she got her start styling hair early in life. Growing up as a child in Tupelo, Mississippi, she recalls her mother, who is also a hairstylist, styling hair. While watching her over the years, she found herself infatuated with hair as well. Once old enough to do so, Chastity says she registered and attended Foster’s Cosmetology in Ripley, MS in 1998. This is where she learned everything she needed to know about styling hair and the hair industry. “It was then that I decided to turn my dreams into reality. So, I took that knowledge, packed up and moved to Dallas in 2002, because I felt I could thrive as a young and new potential business owner,” she says.

After getting settled in Dallas, she purchased her first home and would eventually open Something2Remember Salon & Boutique. The first location Chastity operated out of her garage which was converted to a salon. As her business began to flourish she was afforded with an opportunity to branch out and expand to a salon suite setting. That transition brought about even more business for her. From there she was able to venture out on her own and into her own Salon Studio.

Facebook S2RHairstudio Instagram ChastityVaughn Linkedin Chastity Vaughn Twitter S2Rhairstudios Youtube Chastity Vaughn

2011 N Collins Blvd Ste 803 Richardson, TX 75080 (214) 620-5708 www.s2rhairstudio.com

While Chastity has proven herself to be a top tier stylist, there is still more that she hopes to accomplish and add to the profession overall. Some of these include education, excellent resources for live classes, and web-based tutorials and podcast. “I believe that selfinvesting in myself and my business is what has led to many doors opening up on my behalf. The struggles that I’ve endured have also played a major role. I am truly thankful for my struggles because without them, I would have never found my strength,” she confesses.

Another important ingredient for success Chasitiy shares is to surround herself with people who are smarter than she is. “It helps to push me. I am committed to pushing myself to stay ahead of the trends by taking tons of education classes that fall in line with my profession. Remaining humble helps me to remain grounded and focused and reminds me that no matter how successful I become as an entrepreneur, there is always room for improvement.”

Being a business onwer is very important and personal for Chastity. “It is something that I worked hard for, and no one can take it away from me. As a business woman, I wear different hats that influence my professional goals. I wear the hat of a mother first, and the hat of an entrepreneur, and mentor. As a strong business woman, I have not lost sight of the struggles and where I came from, because it was those trials that fueled me and instilled in me the drive and determination necessary to succeed,” she says.

Moving forward, Chastity has set her eyes on cementing her legacy by helping others. “Success and growth takes hard work, and not everyone understands this tough journey. At S2R Hair Studio, we welcome anyone who is looking to grow in their own personal journey. For those who are getting started, stay patient in your own journey. With growing your business from the ground up, one cannot expect to make money in the beginning. As a matter of fact you will probably spend more getting your business off the ground, but the key is to persevere and believe in your vision and mission. Keep working hard and Investing in yourself and your business and eventually things will pay off if you’re consistent,” she says. h

Black Murfreesboro

Black Culture Connected (dba) Black Murfreesboro is a non-profit organization located in Nashville, TN. Their mission is to connect people to businesses, events, and topics centered around black lifestyle. They hope to be the one-stop-shop for learning what is going on in the black community within Murfreesboro, TN and surrounding areas.

Black Murfreesboro was founded by power couple Mylikia Franklin and Germayle Franklin. The group’s administrators in addition to Mylikia and Germayle includes Corell Oglesby.

How the couple met and became one is by no means an accident. Germayle Franklin moved from Waycross, GA to Murfreesboro in 2002 on a full football scholarship from Middle Tennessee State University. Mylikia moved to Murfreesboro in 2005 from Detroit, MI. That is where they were acquainted. They both fell in love with Murfreesboro. Not long after he graduated, they were married and purchased their home in Murfreesboro. “We knew it was a great place to raise our four children and start a business,” they said.

Corell Oglesby grew up in Jackson, TN and came to Murfreesboro to attend MTSU. She is married to Jonas Oglesby, who attended MTSU, and they have two children. Their family recently chose Murfreesboro as home after living in surrounding cities.

Black Murfreesboro started in May 2019 while Germayle and I were working in their business, Franklin’s Fruit Tea. “We were on the square in downtown Murfreesboro vending and there weren’t many people at this particular festival. At a previous event, I had success posting our location on Facebook in various groups, so I told Germayle I was about to do just that. I went to Facebook groups and began to post. I then went to Black Nashville, then typed in Black Murfreesboro. Seeing we were in Murfreesboro, it just made sense. To my surprise, there was no group called Black Murfreesboro. So right there on the Square of Murfreesboro, I created the group. It wasn’t until around October and while talking to Corell did we start inviting members to the group. To all our surprise, the group began to grow at a fascinating rate,” Mylikia shares.

The focus of Black Murfreesboro is to be a source for people wanting to connect or simply find out what’s going on in the black community. The city of Murfreesboro’s population is more than 141,000 residents with African Americans making up 19% of its total population or nearly 26,790 black residents, and not including the surrounding areas. Mylikia says that unfortunately, when she opens a newspaper or look at local events, there’s not much highlighted that aligns with black culture. “Not seeing events, businesses and topics that are important to the black community can leave a feeling of void and isolation. A sense of community and belonging is essential to the soul and that’s just what we are focused on,” she says.

The success of Black Murfreesboro is directly connected to the actions of its leaders. Mylikia’s is somewhat of a social butterfly and according to her husband, she will talk down a wall if given the chance. She has a love for small business and is inspired by other entrepreneurs. “Watching people work on their craft is fascinating. The fact they can turn their passion into a business and thrive is nothing short of amazing,” she shares.

She credits her mother Carolyn Ross, “The Shea Butter Lady”, for impacting her life and business the most. “She has owned businesses ever since I can remember. Even today she owns African Shea Butter, Etc. She taught me how to run our family-owned Pet Shop in Detroit, MI when I was just eight years old. I watched her succeed, fail, and get

right back up and succeed again. Her spirit of entrepreneurship has helped me in each business I have owned. Her perseverance taught me to remove fear and step out on faith. Her motto is, ‘A scared man can’t win! Nothing beats a failure but a try!’ In other words, you will never know what you can do until you try,” she says.

Mylikia advises others who may follow in her footsteps to do what you love. “Stay true to your morals and core values. It’s easy to be persuaded by others but be sure you always keep your personal brand in perspective. Win or fail, if you stay true to yourself you have succeeded,” she says.

In the future the Black Murfreesboro group would like to have more events on an even larger scale. They are looking to create a membership site for people who would like to be supporters and are aligned with the mission of Black Murfreesboro. “We are excited to meet the challenge of promoting Black Culture Connected!” they shared. h

Follow Black Murfreesboro on Facebook

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