NASHVILLE
®
Jan./Feb. 2019 Vol. 1 Issue 9 FREE
Christina
Hairston
Art Gives Me Life
Nashville - Jan./Feb. 2019
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Nashville - Jan./Feb. 2019
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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
You’re Responsible Your There Are No If, For Ands, OrOwn Buts Happiness About It! A Letter from the Editor
A Letter From The Editor
A Letter from the Editor
According a definition provided What ifto tomorrow didn’t arrive? by AllMerriam-Webster’s of your plans, hopes online the word joya is defined by an anddictionary, dreams wouldn’t have street to park on.emotion What if evoked by well being, success or good fortune, or the hopes everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, prospect of possessing what one desires. The same happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if dictionary happiness asto a state ofuntil welltomorrow being andnever day, anddefines you could someone the trouble of making everything that youspare decided put off contentment. For many presence offor joyaand promises. What if would yourpeople, last expired happened? There be opportunity nothe reason toseemingly save rainy happiness justcould as significant as air and is of to making their today? What would you do? day, andis you spare someone thewater trouble survival, for itWhat can be hard last andopportunity impossible to move orexpired promises. if your seemingly I’vewithout been that I often function them. today? Whattold would you do? 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 anything on me I’vepeople been told I often seem like put I do too also much. Many seekthat others to fulfill them. They seek that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm the assistance of things and objects for happiness. I don’t be if there I chose to sit idle and accept it presented to believer in is knowing that God wouldn’t put anything onme. me believe anything wrong withwhat doing this, however I I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would know first hand that things and people can leave you feeling is aifblessing that toOthers everyone. Atheir challenge be I chose to sitisn’t idle afforded and accept what it have presented to me. I empty and lonely in their absence. own to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity agenda and purpose, and putting someone else’s needs If aI do nothing, I fail, and I try to I don’t, but instead is blessing that isn’t afforded everyone. A challenge before theirs can be quite aifchallenge, especially if it learn requires something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? for them to surrender their joy in the process. return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish pridethere and in While many people may get married to beyour happy, The best advice ever given to me happened when someone acquire life. arereturn some who eventually find themselves in a strenuous told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so situation, mainly because they didn’t possess any joy before. I have pressed myever way given through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice to me happened when It is impossible to be the sunshine in someone else’s world if hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between told to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so are internally consumed with darkness and pain. Ultimately, what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only you are responsible for your own happiness. as well. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between when to be quiet, because what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with Happiness is obtained by spending time with yourself. may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowingsomeone when to be confident and You must learn who you are and what you like and dislike with being arrogant. when to be quiet, because about “you”. If you are unaware of your strengths, someone may get it confused tolerances, limits, and Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being weaknesses, it is impossible to happen today, but most help another importantly makemanage it count. Makeindividual you tomorrow theirs. happen Once you identify the Life is but a whisper and today, but most sourceimportantly of your happiness, we mustjoy putand ourselves in a make it count. develop a plan or strategy to position what it is Life is buttoa hear whisper and make them a us. constant in yourin a telling we must put ourselves life. Inposition this newtoyear, hearyour whatjoy it is and happiness telling us.may be connected to the amount youL. share with Terry Watson others. Editor/Founder
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NASHVILLE
CONTENTS
JAN./FEB. 2019
Giving God All Of The Glory
Rachel Snipes
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On The Cover
Art Gives Me Life Christina Hairston
Church Child Care
Theressa Stephens
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Bowties and Style
DeJaBo Designs
Huami Magazine Cutest Baby
Braylen King Cooper
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Also Featured
Eddie Surratt Committed To Serving His Community in South Caroliina
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Betina and Erika Tune in to their new radio show and Experience Live
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Toni Alanda M. Winston and Javan Posey Follow They are Theproving Pink Squirrel that it all is the easier waytofrom do more Richmond, with two. VA.
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and more..... Nashville - Jan./Feb. 2019
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Christina Hairston Art Gives Me Life
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By Terry L. Watson Photos provided by CNH hristina Hairston is an artist and activist that strongly believes in the power of creating her own spaces. As an alumna of VCUarts with a degree in Communication Arts her visual art investigates the beauty, struggle, and intersectionality of black people. Christina uses art and design as a platform to inform and unite her community. Her most recent design work can be found at the Institute for Contemporary Art. There she has designed the newspaper accompanying Paul Rucker’s exhibit “Storm in the Time of Shelter”.
“I am a motivated artist that strives to help others. I’ve always been involved with activism. Art and activism go hand in hand because art is a medium for communication, expression and a tool to inform. I have always strived to help others in any way I can,” she shares. Christina is also someone who sets goals and pursues them, without failing. She admits there have been times when she didn’t get exactly what she expected, but understands by not doing so, that it is part of the growing and learning process of life. With her business, CNH Visual Art & Design, she offers an array of services and products. With a fine arts background from Virginia Commonwealth University, specifically In Communication Arts, her services range from custom illustrations, paintings, digital art and branding. She also offers paint sessions for groups, training and classes for design, and also sell prints of her most popular work. Continued on the next page
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Her interests in art began at an early age around, ten years old. Many artists in her family specifically her father, have encouraged and supported my interest in art. When she originally deciding on a career path, she planned to become a nurse through the support of the A.V.I.D program at Locust Grove Middle School. She obtained her CNA license in 2012 from Orange County High School and was eager to purse nursing professionally. When it was time to attend college, she found herself at Longwood University as an undeclared major because their nursing program was full, with a two-year waiting list. During that first semester she soon drifted to her creative habits and signed up to take a few art classes in the spring semester of 2013. It was then she realized her true passion was to be an artist. “After two years at Longwood, I decided I needed a change and transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue art school. After meeting some like-minded friends, I was encouraged to get out and promote myself and my art. I started small by selling prints here and there in Richmond and began creating a fan-base of friends and professional colleagues. Now, I continually sell my work and do Graphic Design professionally for the Richmond Symphony,” she says. Christina has many inspirations and influencers. Artistically, close friend and colleague Paul Rucker is one of her mentors who inspires her to work hard and stand for what she believes in. Professionally, her supervisor and friend Erin Frye, is one of her biggest influencers who also inspires her through her positive attitude and sound work ethic. “I honestly find inspiration in people I encounter every day, so many of us lead exemplary lives in one way or another,” she shares. h
www.cnhairston.com 8
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RachelSnipes “God Has Made A Way” By Terry L. Watson Photos by Andy Smith Photography
Rachel Snipes is a mother of two adult sons and a person who loves to do anything creative. “I sing. I dance. I teach. I like to sketch, enjoy listening to music and cooking a great meal,” she says. Aside from her creativity, she also likes to read and learn new things.
School of Law Small Business and Entrepreneurship Clinic that helped to move her forward with legalization and educated her on everything she needed to know. The clinic discussed the pros and cons of various business structure formats and helped Rachel make her decision to move forward.
As a child, she was physically and emotionally neglected, and even molested. “I had low self- esteem and found myself in one failed relationship after another. I was in a very dark place, drowning in poverty, debt, and homelessness. The homelessness only lasted for five years, but I remember not knowing where I was going to sleep, or what I was going to eat. I went from house to house sleeping on floors, taking showers and living in shelters. Though at times it felt as if I was about to lose everything, God kept me though,” she declares. Those experiences brought Rachel closer to the Lord in ways that she never thought of. She developed a compassion for people who are lost and broken.
As BCA began to develop, she made a personal promise to the Lord. “I promised Him that I will share my testimony with every person that He allows me to meet in the market place,” she says. “The greatest impact in my life is the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him I am nothing. It is the Lord who gives me the gifts and talent to create, the wisdom to run a business, and the opportunity to live a wonderful life. All of my praise and worship belongs only to Him because He truly changed my life.” She also credits her mom and dad, Apostle Bobby Mack and Almetia for being a tremendous spiritual influence in her life. In the darkest moments of her transition, it was their love and support that kept her steady.
Self described as intelligent but not arrogant, Rachel shares that she can be silly at times. “I love to work hard and play even harder. I am known for doing things off the cuff, just to get a laugh from people,” she shares. She is a nature lover as well and says “there is nothing more peaceful than sitting out on her back porch, listening to the birds singing in the trees and spending time with the Lord.” She is also the owner of Berachiah Consulting Agency, LLC. Pronounced “Bear-a-ki-a” the word’s origin is Jewish and is derived from Berakhah which means ‘blessing’. The name also has roots in the Hebrew culture, meaning “whom God has blessed”. She shares when she found the name of the business, it really spoke to her heart. “I feel that it really describes the altruistic core of my spirit.” BCA is a party planning and event services company. The services provided involve helping their clients find a venue for their event, and connecting them with vendors who can meet their individual needs for music, food, and transportation. They are capable of producing baby showers, birthday parties, family celebrations, anniversaries, and romance packages. They also provide their own ‘in-house’ designs for every event. Rachel recently released a project called, “Tablescapes” which allow them to offer online design concepts through Tumblr. BCA was legally formed on April 30, 2015. Rachel had attended a free workshop hosted by the Greensboro Public Library and the Small Business Administration, “How to Write a Business Plan”. It took her about ten months to write the business plan. Next she wanted to make the plan official and began inquiring about legalization. She found information at the Elon University
Like most small business owners, Rachel has faced a few challenges. One has been finding enough operating capital. When the business began to take shape, she declares she only had a few hundred dollars, and spent them very quickly. She didn’t have any investors, nor did participate in any loan programs for small businesses. Her second challenge has been marketing her business. “It takes a budget to market your products and services. My ‘go-to’ resource for this is Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and any other forms of social media to get the word out about what my business is, and what it does,” she says. Rachel has also been challenged with developing a committed client base. She has done lots of pro bono work, and is patiently waiting for that client who feels the services she provides are worth paying for. Yet she remains focused and certain the day will come when she will be able to serve the public in a greater capacity. In the future, Rachel plans to continue developing the ‘Tablescapes project,’ and expand her online presence through social media and develop a marketing campaign to sell custom designed centerpieces on a digital platform. She also intends to join a local merchants association and continue to educate herself on business management issues. “I also plan to host HATTACULAR III in 2020. HATTACULAR is an exclusive fundraising event held every two years to raise money for programs doing vital work around the issue of domestic violence. h
Rachel Snipes - Berachiah Consulting Agency, LLC
Nashville - Jan./Feb. 2019
(336) 954-6289 HuamiMagazine.com
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By Terry L. Watson Photos by DeJaBo Designs Devona Boyd is a 38 year old entrepreneur who is fully committed to a wholistic way of life. He was born in the small town of Whitmire, South Carolina. It was there that he learned how to be an entrepreneur. His mom is a seamstress and owns her own business providing sewing and alteration needs. His father owned a lawn care service and it’s obvious he inherited the entrepreneurial spirit from the both.
“I am fortunate enough to do all of these businesses simultaneously. It’s a lot to juggle but I enjoy what I do and I hope that my passion comes across in all of my work,” he says. “I have always been a creator. I remember even as a child building and creating things out of all types of material,” he says. Devona became more focused on his artistic abilities as an undergrad at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.”
Devona’s primary profession is serving as the Director of Music and Worship at the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte. He is also the owner of DejaBo Designs, a business with two focuses. DeJaBo Ties offers various styles of bow ties using creative and practical materials such as cotton, silk, leather, and wood. Some ties are reversible and some have a pre-fitted neck fixer, ideal for those who aren’t comfortable tying yet. Besides bow ties, he also offers neckties, pocket squares, cuff links, dress socks, arm wear, lapel flowers, and pins.
Devona began both businesses in 2013 as a ‘home-based’ entity. He states the ‘when and how’ was pretty simple. “I tell others who ask me how to start a business, to just start it. In the beginning you’re not going to know all of the answers or know exactly what to do. You’re going to make a ton of mistakes, but the key is to learn from them because they will make you better. As a small business owner, we have to be very cautions of the overhead we take on and be creative in how to manage our resources given.”
The decorating side of his business was created for special events as well as interior decorating. He is able to meet any party planning need, from helping someone find a venue, to preparing the event, to executing day of particulars. He provides event rentals and perform onsite set-up of linen, lighting, table decor, center pieces, and more.
The future is looking bright for Devona. With the arrival of each new day, he strives to be a better person and business owner. “I never want to get comfortable with my artistry and always remain in a posture of learning. Moving forward he hopes to change Dejabo’s web presence and hire someone to manage his websites. He also hopes to have a showroom and location to sell items. h
The DeJaBo brand is taken from the first two letters of each part of Devona’s name, DeVona Jaworski Boyd. His mother named him after a famous boxer and football player. All of his items are made in the Carolinas. Customers can shop directly from the company’s website and also find them at local pop-up events. Devona also offers private showings of his inventory by appointment.
Devona Boyds 909-333-5226 www.dejaboties.com www.dejabodesigns.com
Theressa Stephens
Church Child Care Plus
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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Luguzy Atkins
In the Bible, God says, ‘be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth’. There is nothing greater than knowing you have had the most important role in a young life by growing, nurturing, and teaching that child to become a productive citizen. In addition to parents, children are influenced by the people they spend an abundance of time with, such as childcare providers and school teachers. Before many children enroll in school, they first attend some sort of childcare facility. While in high school and throughout college, Theressa Stephens worked in childcare but transitioned to corporate America after she graduated from Winston Salem State University with a degree in business. After years in banking and other areas, she realized she wasn’t fulfilled. She wanted to get back to what and who she loved, children. In 1998 Theressa opened Church Daycare in her home with only two children. Within two months, six more children enrolled. Over the next few years she continued to admit children until she was at capacity and was forced to start a waitlist. In 2005, Theressa expanded even more and was fortunate enough to build Church Childcare Center, Inc. As the student population grew, so did her staff. The new facility allowed for new classrooms to be added as well as more programs such as a before and after-school area for children in grades kindergarten through 8th. In the spring of 2017, Theressa celebrated her first high school graduates that attended her daycare when it was still located in her home. She even sent care packages to help get them ready for college or the workforce. Soon she’ll prepare her own high school aged children, who attended her daycare, to enter the world as adults. Theressa credits her and her husband’s dedication and that of her 27 staff members for the success of her business. “I work every day. I’m highly involved in what happens on a day-to-day basis. I hire the staff and monitor the classrooms so I’ll know what’s going on at all times.” Her husband Maurice is part owner and also involved with his wife’s passion. “When I asked my husband all those years ago if it was alright for me to quit my job to start a daycare, he immediately said he doesn’t mind. He was very supportive. He even does repairs when we need them. “
“I work every day. I’m highly involved in what happens on a day-to-day basis. I hire the staff and monitor the classrooms so I’ll know what’s going on at all times.”
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“I know this is what God wanted me to do. And that’s very important to me. I’m building relationships with hundreds of people and I’m helping mold children’s minds.”
In September of 2018, Church Childcare Center Plus was opened across the street from the original location, with a capacity of 150 children. Considering 2018 is the 20-year anniversary of the family business, opening another location makes the new location even more special. The entrepreneur prides herself on having a positive relationship with the parents. For the last three years she has hosted a Christmas Social for the parents to connect with them on a more personal level. She has also sponsored families in need, from her daycare, with their permission.
Theressa and Maurice Stephens Owners of Church Child Care Plus
To run two successful childcare facilities one must have a big heart and a love of making a difference. Theressa currently volunteers her time with the nationally recognized organization, Top Ladies of Distinction, as the Treasurer. They mentor young teenagers and motivate them to be leaders, to go to college, and to maintain a high GPA, among other things. To continue her dedication to the well-being of children, Theressa is one of two childcare providers who serve as board members of Smart Start of Forsyth County. This non-profit organization provides scholarships for children to attend childcare facilities.
4400 and 4421 Poindexter Road Walkertown, NC 336-595-4451 www.churchchild.com Infant Care Toddlers Pre-K Afterschool Providing Transportation to Walkertown, Prince Ibraham, Cash, Piney Grove, and Middle Fork 16
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This business owner seems to know what it takes to sustain in a world that see operations come and go. When asked about her longevity and the advice she would give others aspiring to walk in her shoes, she offers, “You have to invest the time to learn how to run your business. You almost have to be a perfectionist, an overachiever. You also have to listen and make your customer feel valued.” Theressa also acknowledges the idea of finding one’s purpose. “Millennials seem to find jobs that they love to do. People my age don’t always do that. I know this is what God wanted me to do. And that’s very important to me. I’m building relationships with hundreds of people and I’m helping mold children’s minds.” h
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X L perience ive
Dr. Erika Hendrix
& Pastor Betina Moffitt Host of Experience Live
Co-host of Experience Live
By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Still Shots Photography
It’s a known fact that friends can have the same goal, can be equally intelligent, possess the same drive, but travel opposite paths on their journey to the same destination. Dr. Erika Hendrix and Pastor Betina Moffitt, the hosts of 107.9 FM’s, ‘The Xperience Live’ radio show, are perfect proof. At the age of seven, Betina Moffitt gave her life to Christ. Her father, Charlie Watson, is a pastor, having been saved on the street, so she knew the power of following God’s word. The same night she was saved, young Betina began laying hands and prophesying. And she found joy in passing out miniature Bibles to whomever would take one. Erika Hendrix bloomed a little later but still knew when it was the right time in her life to embrace the change. And she had to fight for it. As teens, her twin brother was called to serve God and was fully embraced and praised for his gift. A few years later, Dr. Hendrix had a dream that it was her time, and felt she was ready. Her family felt otherwise. “Growing up in a Baptist family, it was unheard of for women to be called to preach, as men were. But I knew I was ready,” she confirms. In 1995, both aspiring ministers experienced major shifts. Pastor Moffitt was in the process of nurturing a relationship that would later lead to marriage and motherhood, while Dr. Hendrix continued to explore her singleness and figure out where her life, career, and spirituality were headed. That year, they were both being called to do the Lord’s work and their mentor Bishop Donnie Graves was there to guide them through it all. He noticed contrasting qualities in each of them and set out to nurture them individually. While Erika received frequent phone calls and coaching sessions, Betina received words of encouragement and minimal guidance. In December of that year, they were both ordained as ministers on the same night during the same service. Continued on the next page Nashville - Jan./Feb. 2019
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“I believe the radio program removes an intimidating factor because we don’t do hard preaching. We sit down and talk.” On the night of the sermon, Dr. Hendrix’s family arrived at the church to cheer her on. Unfortunately, before entering the church, her grandfather had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. Dr. Hendrix forged ahead, delivering the sermon that would ordain her as a minister, but she knew from that moment on she wouldn’t be able to rely on anything but her faith. Even if her family couldn’t be there, she had to continue. Their paths moved in opposite directions over the years; Pastor Moffitt continued to breathe life into her family unit to strengthen it while Erika decided that her five-year plan would not involve a committed relationship, avoiding any deterrents. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from N.C. A&T, a master’s degree from Hood University, and a doctorate from ITC Seminary. Both always kept their eyes on the prize and never lost their faith. “This past summer God put it on my heart to do a radio show. But I didn’t know where to go. I remember I had used 107.9, which is a non-profit radio station, to do advertisement for our summer camp. He was looking to add more people, so I reached out to him,” explains Dr. Hendrix. Their goal wasn’t to deliver an ‘all-out’ preaching show, but to offer practical principles to live by while sharing their personal life experiences. In the fall of 2018, Pastor Bettina Moffitt and Dr. Erika Hendrix made history with the radio station, by being the first females to go live and have their own talk show. Because it has been such a hit, the station has gotten flocked with calls from others interested in following in their footsteps.
Pastor Betina Moffitt be.moffittministries@yahoo.com
336-954-6816
@ Betina Moffitt 20
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“We take for granted that people know how to pray, or study the bible, or even live life on a daily basis,” says Dr. Hendrix. The show’s inaugural topic in October was ‘How to finish strong, specifically, how to finish what you start.’ The topic in November focused on personal vision. Many churches focus on goals for their entity but may forget about the vision of their worshippers. The two ladies want to promote thoughts on their individual lives and that of their families. Their most recent conversation was ‘Promises of God’. They pride themselves on using scripture and the word of God to teach these lessons and they encourage their listeners to actually use a physical Bible.
“This past summer God put it on my heart to do a radio show. But I didn’t know where to go.” “I believe the radio program removes an intimidating factor because we don’t do hard preaching. We sit down and talk. I think what we have that others may not, is, we’re transparent. Sometimes the church misses that,” says Pastor Moffitt. In 2019, the duo plan to offer more conversations surrounding women’s issues, including, the wife’s role in a marriage, what place do single women have in the church, specifically women of color in ministry. Early on, the ladies were not always welcomed with open arms in a male-dominated field but they both feel that now is the perfect time for women to claim a firm stance at the podium and hold other visible roles. “Women need to know that they can pastor more than just women. What makes them more well-rounded is when they can pastor men, families, singles, seniors, and anyone else,” Dr. Hendrix affirms. And because there are so few women, she wants to stress the need to encourage each other’s gifts and not compete. Listeners will hear them expound on these topics much more on the weekly program that airs on Thursdays from 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Additionally, the show has been a vehicle to promote what they’re doing individually. Pastor Moffitt is growing her church, Overcoming Deliverance Center, alongside her father, who serves as the Overseer. They’ve implemented an initiative penned ‘Restore 1 Win 1’ hoping to serve and build the community and the families that live in it. Dr. Hendrix lends her time to assist the pastor wherever she needs it. This year will also see Dr. Hendrix publish a book entitled “An Open Letter to the Black Church”, and later, a workbook on moving from discipleship to mentorship. But the connection doesn’t stop there with these two. Dr. Hendrix is the pastor’s instructor at Apex School of Theology, as the pastor works towards her first bachelor’s degree. Dr. Erika Hendrix and Pastor Betina Moffitt are busy ministering, teaching, and serving their communities in multiple capacities. They’ve touched many lives through radio frequency for the last three months and they can’t wait to minister to even more and have a greater impact on their growing audience. h
Dr. Erika Hendrix hendrixerika@gmail.com
336-587-8876
@ Erika Hendrix Nashville - Jan./Feb. 2019
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Expect Greater 22
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By Toya Moore Photos by Edward L. Surratt Be impactful, be in demand. Be international. That is the dream of Edward Surratt. Originally from Lincolnton, N.C., Edward is on a mission to educate and motivate as many people as he can. He wears many different hats, but with one consistent message; Expect Greater. Those words are more than a catch phrase or a business tagline Edward shares. “It’s a movement and a part of my ministry, and my motivation. Edward is one of the state’s greatest movers and shakers and a highly sought-after speaker who not only empowers but engages audiences on a national level. Edward has been an ordained pastor since 2002, and is also a husband, mentor, author, and motivational speaker. Throughout his life he has used the word of God to bring a simple message to anyone who would listen. That practice developed into what is his personal mantra; his business and a way of life which is Expect Greater. There have been many things that have steered Edward to where he is today. He shares one experience that occurred while he was pastoring in a local housing authority community. There he met a young male who approached him and shared his salvation and love for God. However, the young man asked Edward to teach him how to live today. “Teach me how to survive where I am today,” Edward says the young man said. “I had to take a step back and realize that I was doing a disservice by trying to win young souls over to Christ without teaching them how to live on a day to day basis. I had to change that mindset and by doing so I was able to capture more young people and help them survive. I was also able to help lead them to Christ. This experience really changed my life and open the door to motivational speaking.”
Michael Anderson, a gospel rapper. Everyone’s spouse is also considered a part of the team, as they provide logistical support, encouragement, and the missing details needed to maintain a rigorous travel schedule. The Expect Greater team has traveled to Cuba, Uganda and Amsterdam to participate in youth activities and do motivational and inspirational concerts and preach the word of God. The team is currently in negotiations to travel to the Philippines and Ghana, and other international locations. Edward offers his motivational services to anyone who seeks them. He also hopes to continue to impact and change the lives of others with his message. “No matter how bad your situation is or how tough things may appear, If you believe that God has placed greatness on the inside of you, then you should Expect Greater,” he says. To schedule a date and time for him to speak at your next event, please contact him. h
Even before the Expect Greater brand, Edward has always been involved in ministering and giving back to his community. For the past 20 years, he has been mentoring youth. “I truly believe it is important to give time, encouragement and support to young people. At one point I even had my own mentoring program. If it was up to me, I would try mentor everyone, but time and resources doesn’t allow for that,” he says. “Expect Greater is for all ages,” says Edward. “Many of my workshops are youth focused, but the topics are not limited to youth and youth programs. I often conduct group coaching sessions for youth programs, schools or church groups. As a result of these sessions, many of the participants have expressed how impactful the information has been in their lives. They have also requested more. It’s almost as if my participants - Expect Greater.” In a response his students request for something tangible from the workshops, Edward has written a book, “Three Weeks to A Focused Future”. In it, he takes the concepts and messages used in his workshops to create daily principles to help workshop participants and readers stay encouraged and focused on their dreams or goals. He is currently working on his second and third which are scheduled to be released in 2019. There are certain attributes that one must possess in order to be an effective motivational speaker. For Edward, it’s his calm approach. He also speaks with confidence about his challenges and successes. “I am never surprised at the blessings God has bestowed upon me, my business, and this ministry. I have learned to expect nothing but the greatness of God. I expect to get invited to speak. I expect to meet people and connect with others. I expect for people to read my books and attend my workshops,” he says. His ministry and teachings have allowed to travel throughout the United States and overseas, spreading the Expect Greater message. The Expect Greater team includes promoter Bernard Pitts, and
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Huami Magazine Celebrates
Before there was Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin Information provided by www.pbs.org
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ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY Most people think of Rosa Parks as the first person to refuse to give up their seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. There were actually several women who came before her; one of whom was Claudette Colvin. It was March 2, 1955, when the fifteen-year-old schoolgirl refused to move to the back of the bus, nine months before Rosa Parks’ stand that launched the Montgomery bus boycott. Claudette had been studying Black leaders like Harriet Tubman in her segregated school, those conversations had led to discussions around the current day Jim Crow laws they were all experiencing. When the bus driver ordered Claudette to get up, she refused, “It felt like Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down, and Harriet Tubman was on the other side of me pushing me down. I couldn’t get up.” Claudette Colvin’s stand didn’t stop there. Arrested and thrown in jail, she was one of four women who challenged the segregation law in court. If Browder v. Gayle became the court case that successfully overturned bus segregation laws in both Montgomery and Alabama, why has Claudette’s story been largely forgotten? At the time, the NAACP and other Black organizations felt Rosa Parks made a better icon for the movement than a teenager. As an adult with the right look, Rosa Parks was also the secretary of the NAACP, and was both well-known and respected – people would associate her with the middle class and that would attract support for the cause. But the struggle to end segregation was often fought by young people, more than half of which were women. h
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Cutest Baby
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By Tonya Tolson Photos by Kimie James, IYQ Phogtography Toni M. Winston wears many hats—digital media strategist, brand coach, author, blogger, corporate worker, wife, and mom. Some might wonder how she manages to do it all or encourage her to take one thing at a time, but Toni has no intentions of slowing down or scaling back. She believes that many people, herself included, work better by staying busy on a number of projects. In fact, she refers to herself as a Multi-Passionate Creative. “It’s okay to navigate the world working on several interest sequentially or simultaneously. But the goal is not to just be “busy”. We want to accomplish things.” Moving into 2019 Toni is shifting her focus from being busy to creating an atmosphere, for herself and her clients, of productivity and profitability. Affectionately known as Ms. Toni Moni or “girl Toni” (since she and her husband both share the name, Tony), she was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia where she attended John Marshall High School and Virginia Commonwealth University. Toni also earned an Event Management Certification from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. For over 24 years she has worked in corporate America which she feels has equipped her with effective leadership, strategy planning, project management, and communication and organizational skills—the very skills she uses in her entrepreneurial endeavors and with her clients. Toni began her entrepreneurial career with an event management company called Memorable Moments and Events where she planned social, corporate and religious conferences and events. It was during a client meeting that she was asked to describe herself as a color and an animal, Toni chose the color pink because it was cute and a squirrel because sometimes, she was just all over the place working on different things. For those that chuckle, Toni reminds them that even squirrels have a backstory. “To a casual observer squirrels may appear to be all over the place, but they are actually gathering and storing up for times of need.” She says there are a couple of lesson to be learned here for entrepreneurs who are overly concerned about what people say. “First, having goals is the key to your success. Secondly, doing what works best for your brand and your business may not look smooth or logical. But when you do the work that needs to be done, your productivity will pay off.”
Not long after, Toni along with two girlfriends, appeared on the Dr. Oz show tasked to drop two dress sizes in 90 days. At the end of the 90 days, Dr. Oz requested she blog on his website and share, inspire and coach others towards their weight loss goals. This allowed her to blog on a national platform and helped to kick off her blog ‘Follow the Pink Squirrel’— covering a variety of topics and a behind-the-scene look at her life. With topics ranging from weight loss and meal prep to gardening, readers can find a topic that relates to their lives. No matter the topic at hand, Toni always circles back to goal setting, following dreams and overall mindset. She has followers from all walks of life and is confident that her strategies can help anyone create a roadmap for their own life. She credits her family as her strength and for being a source of inspiration. Toni hadn’t set out to become an author, but it came about through a conversation with her then, four-year-old daughter. While at a doctor’s appointment, her daughter, who talked about wanting hair like that of her classmates said, “But mom my hair is fuzzy”. To which Toni replied, “But your hair is cute”. With that one conversation the poem “My Hair is Fuzzy, My Hair is Cute” was composed on Toni’s then blackberry. In 2014 Toni secured an illustrator which took “My Hair is Fuzzy, My Hair is Cute” from a poem to a full-fledge children’s book. She learned the ins and outs of self-publishing so that she would be prepared to publish her own materials and assist others when the time was right. ‘My Hair is Fuzzy’ would later become a 2015 Best Seller in Children’s Books on Amazon. Her next book ‘Caroline’s Hair’, is scheduled to be released in 2019. This writing was born out of her daughter stating she wanted hair like that of her classmate named Caroline. Although children’s books have been Toni’s niche, she is looking to expand her audience and will soon release another project, ‘21-Day for Moving You from Vision to Victory’ which will focus on goal setting, action steps, and success mantras.
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As if she wasn’t already busy, Toni also specializes in digital media creation which includes brand coaching, website enhancements, social media marketing, and more. In this role, she takes her client’s current brand and moves it to the next level by helping them gain brand clarity and online visibility. “You improve your social media presence by first, clarifying your goals, setting a strategy and creating content. That’s where I come in. I help my clients define those goals, build the strategies and refine those processes which leads to amazing content and success,” she says. Having this strategy to be successful for so many of her clients, Toni created her signature Victory Board Events. “That is my mission, to take clients from Vision to Victory. It’s a vision board on steroids,” she says. The workshop assists her clients with creating a road map to chart goals and dreams. The vision board process paired with practical application, goal setting and mindset applications propels their vision board to a “victory board”. Combined with additional one-on-one or group coaching, Toni is able to develop a plan that is able to point them in the right direction. For those who may have a road map or vision board in place but not active, she offers a ‘Resuscitate Your Vision’ session to help bring it back to life. It is done by revisiting concepts taught in her other sessions, intended to help clarify someone’s focus and reengage their efforts. All of her services are available for presentations at Girls Night h Out, church groups, and social clubs.
Having goals is the key to your success. Doing what works best for your brand and your business may not look smooth or logical. However, when you do the work that needs to be done, your productivity will pay off. Interested in working with Toni M. Winston or hosting an event? Contact her for more information. www.tonimwinston.com tonim.winston@gmail.com 804-467-5517 Nashville - Jan./Feb. 2019
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