Huami Magazine Greenville/Spartanburg Jan./Feb. 2021

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Jan./Feb. 2021 Volume 3 Issue 9 FREE

Little Learners Academy LLC Greenville/Spartanburg - 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 tomorrow didn’t arrive?

All ofinyour afflictionsWhat have ifmade me appreciate being alive 2021.plans, hopes

and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything thatthis youopportunity decided to put off until tomorrow never I would like to take to encourage every listener to would nogo reason save forthat a rainy make happened? this year yourThere best one yet.beLet of theto baggage you have day, andaround you could spare someone the trouble of making been carrying for all too long.

Unnecessary baggage has the What if your last opportunity seemingly expired abilitypromises. to adversely affect our futures.

What is the use in starting fresh and new, if weWhat continue to share our lives with things that don’t add today? would you do?

value, things that depress us, and the things that want to remind of who we used to bebeen and who tryingseem to move from.

This may I’ve told we thatare I often likeaway I do too much. involve people, material things, and even some parts about Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m aourselves firm that you instinctively know doesn’t It isput notanything a part ofon who believer in knowing that Godbelong. wouldn’t mewe are becoming. 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

In this new year,that let’sto dobe the unthinkable. youopinion, have been setting on have found very boring. InIfmy opportunity a dream, why not give that dream some life and work towards making it is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge become more than just a dream. Bring it to life.

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 Clean up your mess. In my home, one of the ugliest sights for me something new about myself.

Relinquish your pride and inin is a sink full of dirty dishes.

God expects for his children to operate returnIfacquire life. excellence. you have any unfinished business, try cleaning it up. For me personally,, I am not going to attempt to try and clean my mess up all in bestItadvice ever given to me happened when one day.The I know will take some time.

I also understand thatsomeone it will never told me to make my tomorrow happen today.

In doing so become complete without an effort on my part.

I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only

hopeinprovided.

I have also learned difference between Finally, this new year I have decided tothe forgive.

It starts with what God blesses and what life can burden forgiving myself for all ofme my with self inflicted problems.

Instead me of with blaming I have decided to hold my ownto self as others, well. I compare it to knowing when beaccountable. confident and “Terry, Iwhen am sorry. have to beI should quiet, because known better.

I promise toitlove myself someone may get confused unconditionally and without reservations with being arrogant. for the rest of my life.” I owe it to myself to do so. Make you tomorrow happen today, but most

I will also forgive others who have been importantly make it count. a problem for me in my life. Allowing Life is but a whisper and their infractions to occupy space in my we must put ourselves in a life will only rob me of the opportunity to position hear what is will live. Letting go oftothe hurt anditpain telling us. add years to your life. It’s 2021 and there is a whole world to conquer. Open your heart to what God is doing in your life and Terry have your best year L. yet!Watson

Editor/Founder Terry L. Watson

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HuamiMagazine.com

November/December 2014

www.huamimagazine.com Terry L. Watson

Publisher

www.huamimagazine.com Dawn C. Thornton Editor In Chief Writer Terry L. Watson Writer Terry L. Watson Alana Allen Dr. Marrisa Dick - Deputy Editor Writer Writers

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GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG

CONTENTS

Author

Gamal Williams

On The Cover

Little Learners Academy LLC Kendra McKinney

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More Than A Conqueror

Stacy Bryant

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JAN./FEB. 2021

Lead(H)er

Tyneka Howard

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Kross Alexander Gattis

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Also Featured

Tasha Johnson-King She continues to hold onto hope while in need of a kidney donor and transplant.

Atlanta, GA

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Timothy M. Joe This professional artist has magic in his hands and brushes.

Huntsville, AL

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Darnita and Nzinga Meet the faces of Theralit: 2 Dope Therapist.

Charlotte, NC

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Little Learners Academy LLC 6

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Greenville/Spartanburg - Jan./Feb. 2021

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Bernard Smith Photography For Kendra McKinney, it all begins with a genuine love for children. As the owner of Little Learners Academy, she is helping to shape and mold the lives of her young students into phenomenal individuals.

A native of Belton, S.C., Kendra holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of South Carolina Upstate, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.

“I love everything about what I do. I love the opportunity that I have to witness children learn and grow. I also love the look on parent’s faces when they see their child accomplish goals,” she says.

Located in Maudlin, SC, Little Learner Academy operates under a simple Christian based philosophy that’s based on the elements of student success.

Little Learners Academy understands that there are several different learning methods, which may hinder levels of achievement in a traditional academic setting. They offer activities and individual attention to ensure all students achieve academic success and positively build self-esteem. “The students are taught to thrive spiritually, emotionally, and academically,” Kendra says.

The system of Little Learner Academy is a multifaceted approach to education, including a spread of academic courses, plus a variety of extra-curricular activities and enrichment programs. Small class sizes enhance the academic experience, and their graduates will be educated spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially. Furthermore, Kendra shares her students will be motivated to go out into the world to duplicate what they’ve learned and pursue their purpose in life.

Kendra’s educational journey began in 2013. ‘I was a teacher at the SC School for the Deaf and Blind when the decision was made to transition out of the public school system. As a parent of a special needs child and other children, who needed childcare and attended the public school system, I decided to begin an in-home daycare. I had a vision that would allow parents to be comfortable with dropping their children off in a home like environment, where they would grow and learn safely,” she says.

The vision was large, but the start was very small, Kendra shares. “I began at my home in the Blue Ridge Area of Greer, S.C., with seven children which grew to more than 14. I gave myself a two-year window to transition into a center or return to work. I knew that was not in God’s plan or my plan,” Kendra says.

Continued on the next page

“I love everything about what I do.

I love the opportunity that I have to witness children learn and grow.

I also love the look on parent’s faces when they see their child accomplish goals.”

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She continued to press on. In 2015, doors would eventually open for Kendra at a new location, 102 Pinecrest Drive in Mauldin, S.C., and Little Learners Academy LLC was born.

That building had a capacity to accommodate 58 students and six teachers, and that number was reached within nine months. Kendra says they found themselves searching for another location.

“Growth, understanding, and pruning happened at 102 Pinecrest Drive but in 2019, we were introduced to another location at 437 W. Butler Road. We grew to 8,000 square feet, as opposed to 2500 at our previous location. God had yet again shown His favor and proven to me I was indeed walking in purpose,” Kendra says.

After nine months of renovation, Little Learners Academy moved into their new location in January 2020. Their enrollment grew to 75 children and then came the Corona Virus pandemic. They closed their doors by choice for a period in March 25, until April 27, 2020.

Kendra shares their faith didn’t allow them to miss a beat. “We currently are not back at the number of 75 enrolled students, but we have exceeded that mark and are at 98. We have also applied to become an independent private school,” she says.

Presently, Little Learner Academy has 45 school age children enrolled, and are successfully completing virtual schooling each day. They also have two clinical therapists on site that offer individual, group, and family sessions along with play therapy for children to develop socially. There is also a coach that teaches Mindful Kids through meditation.

Little Learner Academy also offers Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy through Tri County Therapy. In 2021, they will begin a Home school Co-op.

Pictured with Kendra is her husband Marquee.

Though the road hasn’t always been easy, Kendra says she wouldn’t change anything about her journey. “Everything has purpose. Everything that has happened was to sharpen me for my next step into my destiny,” she says.

The future appears to be very bright for Kendra McKinney and Little Learners Academy. “This is not a job it’s my calling, and I’m walking in purpose. I am inspired every day, knowing that God is going to reveal another part of my vision. My plans are to have an accredited independent private school that serves all children. I also hope to franchise Little Learners Academy LLC. I have a special place in my journey for children with special needs and I want to incorporate them in all areas including education and childcare. This is my testimony. Believe, have faith, run toward your destiny, pray for purpose, and live life on purpose,” she says. h

437 West Butler Road Mauldin, SC 29662 (864) 568-5200 www.littlelearners.one

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Timothy M. Joe I Love Art......Really

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.

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.”

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.

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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.

“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.”

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 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.

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.

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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.”

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.

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.

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 M. Joe Fine Art www.timothymjoe.com

To learn more about Timothy M. Joe, please visit his website. h

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Tasha Hope Continues To Carry Her

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Tasha Johnson-King For Tasha Johnson-King, giving up has no place in her life. Currently residing in Saint Stephens, S.C., the 44-year-old wife and mother of three is great need of a kidney donation and transplant. She has been on dialysis since March 23,2005 and has been waitlisted for a kidney donor at three hospitals and is currently waiting to be waitlisted at four others in the state of South Carolina.

For anyone who knows Tasha, they would say that despite of every challenge that she is facing, her outlook on life remains loving and optimistic.

“I’m a very kind person and love to donate to others, especially to children,” she says.

Her journey began in 1995 after she found out that she was born with only one kidney. “The whole time I was pregnant I didn’t have any complications or negative symptoms of only having one kidney. That changed when I went for my six weeks checkup after giving birth. My protein levels were through the roof. From there I had extensive tests done. Soon the news arrived that I only had one kidney,” she says.

From that point on, life began to change for Tasha.

“I was only 20 years old at that time and in 1998, I found out my kidneys were failing. I was given medicines to help slow the failing process. The medicines did work for a long time, but as years passed my medicines didn’t work as well as they once did. I was getting sicker and sicker. I was only 28 years old and wasn’t ready to start dialysis. I already knew what the treatment would be like and I was scared to start. I also knew that it would make me feel better,” she says.

As time passed, Tasha shares that couldn’t take the misery of being sick and made the decision to start. “I was so sick and tired until I just couldn’t do anything, and I knew that it was passed by time for me to begin.

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Life has happened for Tasha in even more ways.

While on dialysis treatment, she gave birth to a son.

Understandably, the pregnancy was challenging but her baby was born healthy and breathing on his own. “God is awesome. I was my doctors first patient who got pregnant while on dialysis. Not only that, but my tubes were also cut, tied, and burned for seven years and I still got pregnant. Only God can perform these kinds of miracles,” she shares.

Today, Tasha is full of life. “I love the fact that I’m still alive and able to raise my 22-year-old daughter who is intellectually disable, and my nine-year-old son. My life inspires me the most because I’m still living and know that others have lost their battles,” she says.

She’s had to have a Thigh Graft, which is her last lifeline.

Often, she is drained after dialysis sessions and unable to play with her nine-year-old son. She also suffers from low blood pressure. After that happens the only thing she can do is go straight to bed. That is not a good position to be in because after treatments, it’s required that she run so that she can flush the toxins and fluid out of her body. Not doing so can make her sicker and swell up with fluid. “All I can do is pray that I feel better,” she says.

Even though her journey has been challenging, Tasha says there isn’t much she would change. “I would have like to have more kids closer together in age. I always wanted a big family but what I have is what God wanted me to have. This journey has made me a stronger person and made my faith even stronger,” she says.

“It was very rough for me from the beginning. I was in and out of the hospitals. I had access infections and access clotting. I also had to endure surgeries to repair or replace my accesses. I kept reminding myself that life does get better.”

On MARCH 23, 2005 Tasha’s journey began. “It was very rough for me from the beginning. I was in and out of the hospitals. I had access infections and access clotting. I also had to endure surgeries to repair or replace my accesses. I kept reminding myself that life does get better,” Tasha says.

After all that she has experienced and been through, Tasha professes that she is still healthy. She doesn’t have heart damage from all the perm catheters that have been placed in her neck and chest. Even more, the rest of her organs are in good shape and working well. “This is a blessing, especially after almost 16 years of being on dialysis,” she says.

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Today, Tasha needs a kidney transplant. For this to happen she will have to be connected with someone who is a match for her. “Donating gives us a better chance to live longer and be healthy. No more machines to keep us alive, no more being drained and sick. Donating a kidney or any other organs would be the best gift you could ever give to someone to live. Donating is never a little gift it’s always a big gift and a huge blessing to do for anyone,” she says.

For others who are in a similar situation as she is, Tasha advises them to stay strong and to not give up.

In the future, she plans to continue to help others who need guidance before, and while on dialysis. Obtaining information about dialysis from someone who has gone through the experience can help someone deal with the process a lot better. Her plans are to be off dialysis and have a new kidney soon. She also plans to and live a healthier life with her family. Additionally, she has plans to travel more, especially out of the country. h

To learn more about how to assist Tasha Johnson-King with her search of finding a mathing kidney donor, please contact at: tashajohnsonking@gmail.com

Kross Alexander Gattis MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

The son of Aliyza Aa’Veonne Cotton and Christopher Tyrick Gattis

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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Tyneka Howard Faith, Fitness, Relationships, & Career

By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Nick F. Nelson Instagram @Brandpreneur

Tyneka Howard started her military career at 19, and last fall, retired after 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force. During her tenure, she spent most of her time guiding, mentoring, directing, and leading airmen, both men and women. In the last few years of her military career, she would meet young female soldiers who looked at her as a mentor and someone they aspired to be – confident, assertive, and successful. The majority of women felt misplaced and unsure if they had made the right decision in joining the armed forces. Navigating within a maledominated organization was oftentimes quite challenging so Howard would ‘adopt’ several ladies and mentor them on how to effectively adapt to military life.

“I knew exactly what they were going through because I started at the same place they did. I knew they felt displaced and were trying to find themselves. Many also struggled with how to carry themselves as a lady. Because, uniform aside, we’re ladies first,” Howard confirms.

The veteran grew up a preacher’s kid, a lifestyle that presented her with a strong foundation and an environment that others may not always experience; Not better, but different. I’ve heard testaments that children of the clergy are usually raised at the hands of solid God-fearing parents and they must answer to everyone in the church. A few stray from the path, like anyone else, and others grow to be strong, faith-filled servants with direction and purpose.

Howard proved to be the latter. And her peers apparently saw that leadership quality in her. As she approached the last five years of her military tenure she began mentoring high school students, mainly girls, who were facing real challenges that she was unaware of.

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“I would just go in with a servant heart and want to work with people. It didn’t matter who it was, it was just where I was supposed to be.”

A lightbulb went off in Howard’s head with the realization that there was a huge void in the community and help was needed to guide the younger generation. Howard looks youthful and she feels that contributed to young women seeking her out for advice. She attests that her youthful look is achieved by living a stress free life.

Last year, the Martinsville , VA native sought to start her organization, Lead(H)er under her parent company H2G Leadership Group, which stands for Howard 2nd Generation. Lead(H) er focuses on Faith, Fitness, Relationships, and Career. This summer she plans to host more workshops and social media live events for her clients and those she hopes to attract. She’s also planning to increase her website and blog posts to grow her following and reach more people.

“For ladies, the leadership will come after the knowledge and education. But I also like to focus on communication and how people are receiving your message. Are you just talking or are you communicating? There is a difference.

You have to be able to articulate what you want and not be shy about it.”

With Covid-19 affecting all of us in different ways, Howard crafted a previous workshop entitled “Covid is making me crazy”. The attendees log into a video conference platform with a code and simply talk and help each other work through their thoughts. They attempt to uncover their dilemmas and help fill each other’s voids. It’s no surprise that many are having a tough time with the lack of social interaction and physical touch. Howard aims to help them work through their feelings.

“There was a huge void in the community and help was needed to guide the younger generation.”

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The ladies Howard mentors tend to be between 14 year to 25 years of age. “The biggest issue I’m seeing is the lack of direction and foundation in the home. And because homelife and it’s makeup looks a lot different, children are exposed to certain topics and conversations much sooner than they should be.

This year Howard plans to also incorporate families into her organizations structure.

Focusing on communication within the family unit can aid in building the foundation that the younger members need. Within her own family unit, her 13 year old son has taught her how much different boys and girls tend to communicate. “My son is quiet and calm. I can tell him something and he’s okay. He’s easy with lots of patience.” Studies show that girls tend to have more words in their vocabulary by a certain age and tend to react to news differently.

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“My five year plan is to create a camp-style Lead(H)er lock-in at different locations to serve my community in Raleigh, NC. Think 4-H camps.�

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“My five year plan is to create a camp-style Lead(H)er lock-in at different locations to serve her community in Raleigh, NC. Think 4-H camps,” she says. The unfortunate introduction of our current pandemic forced Howard to tap into her ideas sooner than she expected and take a look at her business plans to see how she should operate. Instead of opening in June, H2G was introduced in April. “God works in such a way and I became restless enough to start working on and refining my idea. I was able to meditate and have such a clear headspace of where I wanted to see my business.

She simultaneously started the corporate side of her business that handles communications and marketing for companies and how they can better communicate with their employees and clients.

Continuing her quest to bridge the gap and network with other ladies to bring the second generation along and add value to their lives is at the forefront of Howards mind. At the rate she’s moving, it seems that she’ll accomplish that goal in no time. h

Tyneka Howard H2G Leadership Group

Lead(H)er – Faith, Fitness, Relationships, & Career 202-709-6447 www.h2gleadher.net Email: tyneka@h2gleadher.net Instagram/Facebook: @leadher10 LinkedIn: Tyneka Howard

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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 intervein 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 Ripley. 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 white boy, 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, Simba. 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.”

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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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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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I’m A Boss, Coach, and Cancer

Conqueror

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.

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Stacy Bryant

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.

“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,” h she says. To learn more about the services offered by Coach Stacy, please visit her website.

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www.stacybryant.com

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