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July/August 2018 Vol. 5 Issue 9 FREE
TRISTAN JACKSON MOE JOE’S SWEET TREATS
Anything Is Possible Triad - July/August 2018
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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
Forget They Know ThereWhat Are No If, Said, Ands,I Or ButsBetter About It! A Letter from the Editor
A Letter From The Editor
A Letter from the Editor
if tomorrow arrive? of your plans, In myWhat family, I share thedidn’t title of “the All baby” along withhopes my twin and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if brother. Still, I proudly and boastfully state my position as big everything that you to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t All of your plans, brother because after all,decided I am aarrive? few minutes older thanhopes he is. happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if Even as a young child I was just as stubborn and unmovable as day, and you could spare someone theuntil trouble of making that you decided put difficult off tomorrow never I caneverything be today. One would find ittovery to talk me out of promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy anything; candy, games, toys, or anything else. today? wouldspare you do? day, andWhat you could someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last seemingly expired When it came to competing opportunity against others in sports, I couldn’t I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. today? What would you do? be talked out of the game. I had to be given a fair chance to I feel like own. I am not doing enough and I’mfor a firm play Honestly, and lose all on my It was also very difficult anyone believer in knowing that God seem wouldn’t put anything on me I’ve been told that I often like I do too much. to make me feel as if I was anything less than a child of God that I couldn’t I not sometimes wonderand how would Honestly, I feelhandle. likeaI am doing enough I’mlife a firm because my mama did great job of making my siblings and I be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything onme. me I believe that we were the best, each day. Even during the time haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would when I wore my brand-new pair of white sneakers to school and is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I a neighborhood bully stepped on them, turning the top of them to mefound is an adventure. What is the In worst that can opportunity happen? have that to be very boring. my opinion, brown. I still walked in confidence because ofinstead what I had If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but learnplanted is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge on the inside ofnew me. about It didn’t matter what others tried to make something myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure. What is Relinquish the worst that happen? me be or act like, I knew better. return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in Those arelife. still used today by those whowhen want someone to stop Thetactics best advice ever given to me happened return acquire others from “out and becoming what they are so told me living to make myloud” tomorrow happen today. In doing purposed Iadvice wasmy once that Magazine was nothing I have pressed waytold through doors with a key that only The for. best ever given to Huami me happened when someone moretold than a newsletter. I knew better. I was once denied hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so acceptance into anmy organization because I didn’t fit that theme mold. blesses me and what cana burden with Iwhat haveGod pressed waywith through doorslife with key only Yearshope that same organization came againbetween andand invited aslater, well. I compare it toalso knowing when to be confident provided. I have learned thecalling difference me to participate at a me much more than I initially whenlife tocan belevel quiet, because what God blesses with andprestigious what burden me with showed interest in. I knew I belonged from very someone may getbeginning. it confused as well. I compare it to knowing when tothe be confident and with being when to bearrogant. quiet, because Even today, doors are sometimessomeone shut in my face. still may get Iitam confused Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being subjected to rejection by those happen most who think theytoday, are inbut more control importantly make it count. Make you tomorrow of my destiny than God is. I know Life is but a whisper and and today, but most betterhappen because I’ve been tried we must put ourselves in a importantly make it count. tested and weathered a few storms position toa hear it is Life isIbut whisper and for myself. have also what learned telling us. we must put ourselves in the a that dream killers arise early in position to hear what But it is if morning with one agenda. telling us. I keep God as my source for life, it Terry L. Watson doesn’t matter what they may say, because I already know better. Editor/Founder
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CONTENTS
JULY/AUGUST 2018
TRIAD EDITION
MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats
Monica Moyer
On The Cover
Ready 4 Change, Inc. Christal Vincent
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The Purdue Peace Project
Dr. James (Jay) Wyatt
36
NASHVILLE
Nashville’s Best Kept Musical Secret Larysa Jaye
TRIAD
Something Delicious Comes To Revolution Mills WOW What A Drink, LLC
RALEIGH/DURHAM
Kween Kare Cosmetics Kween Love
MEMPHIS
The Medicine Man of Memphis Dr. John E. Bell
GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG Bringing Professionalism Back Tristan Jackson
24 40 14 33
18
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DunAmis Gospel Awards
Bishop Terry L. Young
Things Will Get Better
Maya Bowen
42
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Also Featured Dr. Erika Hendrix
My Limp is My Scare I’m Surviving
38 Giving Back With Pics
Robert Jeffers shares the gift of Photography with aspiring youth
26 Cutest Baby Photo
Zaheir Kaiden Reed is quite the subject
35 Triad - July/August 2018
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Robert Jeffers is Reaching Tomorrow’s Photographers By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jeffers Photography Group
Robert Jeffers has a love for photography and a love for youth. He has found a way to combine the two in a program he has developed which will teach young and aspiring photographers the craft. As an accomplished photographer himself, he is also an entrepreneur, father, and overly ambitious individual who believes there is an opportunity to establish a Black Wall Street in every major city in America. He is also someone who wants to see others succeed and pursue their passions. Robert’s original idea for the project was “Shoot 4 The Stars” or “Shoot for Greatness”. He wanted the name to be catchy and easy to remember, and still be able to connect with his young audience. “The purpose of this program is to help develop inner city children’s love for photography,” he says. “It’s also an art. Think about it, there are a lot of sports programs for inner city youth but few arts programs. There are acting, music and even painting but you rarely hear about a photography program for kids. We could possibly be living next door to the next Anne Leibovitz or David Lachapelle, yet we will never know it if there are no programs to open them to the art.”
Robert says another photographer he works with brought up the idea of creating a photography camp for kids. While participating in a career day event at an elementary school, the interest the students had in photography amused him. “They were asking very good and thoughtprovoking questions. I remember showing them the lighting effects that ISO has on an object, and they were astonished,” he said. To make the program a success, Robert is asking others to donate their old digital cameras. They will used by the young student to learn. “My objective is to spark something in a child that will ignite a fire and a yearning for them to learn more. At the very least, I hope they will learn the art and appreciation for photography. I’m hoping to sow a seed that will potentially change someone’s life. God gives everyone a gift and a passion for something, not just to profit from. I can’t think of any group of individuals that are more deserving of this type of blessing than our h youth,” says Robert.
To Learn How To Donate, Please Contact Robert Jeffers rajeffersphotography@gmail.com
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Cedric Hester The Essence of Hip-Hop: An Urban Gospel Party
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By Alana Allen Photos by Cedric Hester
Cedric Hester is the founder and CEO of MG Music Group, a Christian-based music label in Greensboro, N.C. The company recently launched in June 2018, “The Essence of Hip-Hop: An Urban Gospel Party,” an event series for gospel hip-hop lovers taking place monthly on the third Sunday at Lounge 3722. “As a Christian and hip-hop lover, I wanted to create a space for music lovers who want to be in a good environment, and that allows them to have fun and worship at the same time. This event was a no-brainer and the support has been tremendous and definitely appreciated,” said Hester. Every month audience members will have a chance to hear live performances from professional artists from up and down the east coast. In addition, Lounge 3722 is owned by a professional chef and event participants will have the opportunity to experience the restaurant southern cuisine. “It’s honestly a party for God and an awesome opportunity to spend time praising God for who he is,” said Hester. Hester, a native of Roxboro, N.C., started MG Music Group in 2013 as a music label that produces and records music for artists and offers multi-media, sound, lighting, DJ services for concerts and special events. The company also has a top hit featuring Hester, “Mighty God,” that has been seen on television and heard on the several syndicated radio stations. In 2018, MG Music Group was afforded the opportunity to perform at the pre-Stellar Award showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada. To find out more information about “The Essence of Hip Hop,” please go to MG Music Group’s Facebook Page to contact Cedric Hester for event inquiries. In addition, the company’s music can be found on all music outlets such as iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Amazon. h
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Anything Is Possible
By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Still Shots Photography Many of us have heard the all too familiar “teenage mom” story. In fact, MTV had a reality series 16 and Pregnant which captivated a large rural viewership. From that series several other reality spinoffs were also highly successful. In these segments the young girl was often cared for in her home by a parent with other siblings around for emotional support. These teen moms were also able to continue their high school education - - if they desired. Unfortunately, these television series often ‘glamorize’ this real-life situation. There are some situations where the teen mom is fortunate to receive this type of support but what about the mouthy teenage girl whose parents put her out of the house because she has a rebellious spirit? What happens to her when she conceives because she must sleep on someone’s couch because she has nowhere else to go? Where are the television production crews to highlight these teen mom stories? Well here’s one story that can be highlighted. Meet Christal Vincent, a survivor, a phenomenal multifaceted entrepreneur, a successful life coach, a professional consultant, an author, and owner of Ready 4 Change Inc., Transitioning Minds and Transitioning Home Care, respectively. Both entities work in conjunction with one another as each provides individualized, family, and comprehensive therapeutic life changing services in a holistic environment. A native of Newark, NJ, Christal was a 16-year-old single mother who was told that she would end up in jail or wouldn’t make it past the tender age of 17. Though she was raised in a two-parent home her parents were unable to provide her with the mental, emotional, and spiritual support that she needed. She shares, “I was what everyone called the ‘bad seed.’ My mother put me out of the house when I was 15 and in the midst of that I became a teenage mom at 16.” Unlike reality television, Christal didn’t have parents who supported her. She recalls, “I wasn’t able to do life the traditional way because I didn’t have parents who knew how to nurture me and speak positively into my life but it’s funny while I was in the streets I wound up meeting people who encouraged me. One of my best friends said, ‘I’m going to pay for whatever you need for school because I want you to get up out of here.’ Here I am thinking I’m grown doing my thing and I’m saying no I want to hang with them, but they said, ‘no, you have to much in you. You don’t need to be here. I had friends that encouraged me to become a business owner and assisted with supporting me toward those goals. That’s how I learned my lesson about friendship and loyalty. Here are people with no blood ties to me, but God chose them to help me. Even though I had help financially I still did my part by working. I knew I needed money to provide for my son because I wanted him to have everything I didn’t have. And there were times when I had to take my son to school with me and I sat in the back of the classroom breast feeding him because I was determined that I wasn’t going to buy into being a statistic.” To meet her goals, Christal knew that she would have to make some major changes when it came to her life style and her thought process. She shares, “My son was an unexpected blessing. When I had him I realized that I had to change everything about myself because I had another life, another person depending on me.” Defying her naysayers, Christal graduated from high school, married at the age of 20, had another child at 21, then divorced at 24. Not too bad for a young woman who wasn’t supposed to survive past the age of 17. Continued on the next page
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 9
As believers we often espouse the phrase, God is good, but do we ever stop to truly understand what that means? In Christal Vincent’s case He’s been “really good” because she has defied the statistical odds spoken over her life. Without a personal mentor; instead, relying on her God given discernment, she has been able to fashionably pull it all together from the inside out. In essence, she doesn’t look like where she came from. Unless she shared her personal testimony with you no one would be able to tell that once upon a time she struggled with making commitments and needed help with her diction. On the contrary, she has been gifted with eloquence and grace, enveloped in poise, and has garnered excellent command of the English language. Christal recalls, “I didn’t come from a family who had a strong educational background or even from a family with good diction. Growing up I had dreams of becoming a lawyer but all I was ever told was that I couldn’t be one because I wasn’t smart enough; I didn’t speak or spell well enough; and you’re not good in school - - you know all the negative stuff. So, when I finally had the opportunity to attend college I had a teacher who gave me constructive feedback instead of criticizing me. When people speak to me I immediately begin processing their words to see if it makes sense and how it makes me feel. For example, I remember distinctly working at a shoe store and I went outside during one of my breaks to smoke a cigarette. Well, a lady walked by and said, ‘you’re so beautiful why would you want to put that cigarette in your mouth?’ and then she walked away. Instantly I put it out and never looked at a cigarette again. That made sense to me. So, it’s moments like these that have pushed me to be a better person. I don’t believe in making the same mistakes twice. There was a lot of stuff that I just didn’t know. Stuff that I had to figure out on my own. Well now I understand it was with God’s divine help but back then I didn’t know that. But when you know better you can do better. God loved me enough to send strangers or maybe I should say, angels along the way to impart His will inside of me. So even though earlier on in my life I didn’t always have the best experiences, but the experiences I did have were enough for me to know that I desired something more for my children. I knew I had to be a better parent for my children, so they could have the opportunity to be greater.” Ultimately, Proverbs 22:6 is what most parents intend to do for their children and that is to “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
“God loved me enough to send strangers or maybe I should say, angels along the way to impart His will inside of me. So even though earlier on in my life I didn’t always have the best experiences, but the experiences I did have were enough for me to know that I desired something more for my children.” 10
So how does a woman who experienced grave disappointments in life, who at one time struggled with being on her own, had trust issues, and survived a major accident that almost stole her life end up becoming a professional business woman and life coach? A prayerful woman, Christal believes that her journey began when God placed Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” inside of her heart. She is adamant that besides her degrees, professional certifications and licensures, her life experiences qualify her to connect with the clientele she serves on multiple levels. The impetus for Ready 4 Change Inc. came out of her establishing personal and therapeutic foster care relationships with the children she has taken inside of her home over the years. She shares, “I love helping each child learn how to walk with dignity, pride, and love. Which is why I started Ready 4 Change Inc. and Transitioning Minds.” Ready 4 Change Inc. offers a flexible curriculum designed to meet the evolving and individualized needs and demands of the client. Their passion is to help turn dreams into reality, fears into strength, objections into subjections, and turn isolation into belonging. Ready 4 Change Inc. is committed to helping people achieve and transcend above any hurdles that might get in their way of recovery and growth. Likewise, Transitioning Minds exists to assist, edify and cultivate all individuals, and families that are transitioning in life; challenged with mental health, substance abuse, addiction, and/or overwhelming life challenges that may be causing unmanageable problems in their day-to-day functions. Transitioning Minds also works to reduce and alleviate problematic concerns that affect the families and children transitioning from the family home to foster care or homelessness or Continued on page 12
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transitioning back into families or back to the care givers home. They also have a collective of community-based constituents working cohesively to connect each client with the necessary resources to succeed in their lives. According to Christal, “I’m inspired and motivated when I see a client go from a defeated life style to one that’s filled with promise, forgiveness, self-esteem, and relationship building. Their success reminds me ‘why’ I do this type of work.” Though her current businesses are flourishing in Greensboro, Asheboro, and Virginia, Christal is never complacent. It is her desire to expand her services on an international scale by combining her businesses under one umbrella - - ChrisSherell. She shares, “When I set out to do something I’m committed to it. I had to go to God and ask Him what my purpose was, and he gave me Ephesian 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” I understand that ChrisSherell is supposed to coach people about starting and building a business, as well as having effective leadership in their business, and offering training sessions in the areas of emotional and mental health. You know, I’m not just transforming the minds of my clients for success, I’m speaking to myself as well. Ultimately, my goal for ChrisSherell is to travel around the world to countries like Africa and Afghanistan where women are oppressed simply because of their gender and minister to them so they understand how valuable they are. I also want to teach people how to collaboratively effect change in themselves and in their communities. ChrisSherell is so much greater than me.” So, what makes her businesses unique from the many other agencies in the community offering similar services? Christal will tell you that she is coming from a “more authentic and genuine place” because she is able to sympathize and emphasize with her clients. She has been where they are and understands what it takes to find the strength to come out of it. She shares, “Just because you don’t look like it doesn’t mean you haven’t gone through anything. You know people look at me and think wow she’s really got it together but they’re looking at my flesh. They’re looking on the
outside, but they didn’t fight my war physically or spiritually. Since God allowed me to live through it all I know I have purpose and I know I’m not alone in my story. Teenagers and adults need to be healed from their past. I want to pre-expose people to what’s really out there, so they don’t make my mistakes. I told my children I want them to experience their own mistakes, but I also tell them that everybody doesn’t get to bounce back from their mistakes. There are just some experiences you don’t need to have. Basic life experiences yes, but some of these other things absolutely not. So, from a coach’s perspective I want to teach people how to process those poor experiences or those poor choices. So, when clients come to me I understand what most of them have gone through emotionally, mentally, and physically and that’s why we are able to facilitate their care. My staff and I are licensed from accredited educational institutions and we have also been licensed by life. Life is a great teacher.” Christal firmly believes that success is a conscious decision. She also believes that the keys to generating success are transitioning your mind, remaining persistent and being determined. Christal earned her undergraduate degree from Kaplan University in Early Childhood Development with a minor in Psychology. She also holds the master’s degree from Winston Salem State University in Rehabilitation Counseling. h
Christal Vincent Ready 4 Change Inc www.ready4changeinc.org (336) 907-7819
Dr. John E. Bell
The Medicine Man of Memphis
W
By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Clearwater Photography
ho do you get when you combine a Surgical Podiatrist, a 1991 United States Navy Gulf War Veteran, a Soulful R&B Recording Artist, a Director and Producer of Award Winning Independent Films, an author, and someone who mirrors the motto of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity?” Exactly, you get Dr. John E. Bell, CEO of Excelsior Podiatry Clinic LLC in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Bell specializes in limb salvage and the prevention of amputation for those who suffer from lower limb complications due to diabetes and other foot and ankle ailments. According to Dr. Bell, “Basically what I do is prevent limb loss. When patients have poor circulation, diabetics in particular, they can develop ulcerations and experience all kinds of issues associated with lack of healthy blood flow to their limbs. As a boardcertified podiatrist I specialize in diabetic limb ailments, provide foot and ankle pain relief associated with joint pain from various forms of arthritis, and I also treat your more common foot ailments from ingrown nails to contracted digits to ulcers, and bunions.” Parents and teachers often ask children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Often times children have an answer ready. Most shout a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher or maybe even an athlete. If someone had asked Dr. Bell that question he may not have had any of those aspirations because his most immediate thoughts centered around living in abject poverty with his single mother and siblings. He shares, “My father died when I was really young leaving my mother a single parent. She worked very hard to raise us as best she could but those living conditions were not thriving. We knew poverty and the projects, and we didn’t have most things. I knew early on what it was like to be an African American male living in an urban and decaying city, so my focus wasn’t necessarily on what I wanted to be when I grew up. In truth, I really struggled in school. My thoughts were mostly on wondering if I was going to make it out of my circumstance. Realistically, I only had two options. I either was going to make it out of that environment or I wasn’t. There was no grey area or middle ground for me. What I did know was that I didn’t want to fail, and I carry that same thought process with me today. I still don’t want to fail. I do everything to the best of my ability so I’m accountable to myself, not to anyone else. I’m my own critic when it comes to achieving personal goals because I hold myself to a higher standard that I’ve set for my personal life. Maybe it’s because of my primary years, but I just believe that there’s always room for improvement in everything I do. I’m antiignorant and I’m also anti-cultural genocide of urban communities.” The late and great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once declared, “Whatever your life’s work is do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.” I’m sure Dr. Bell’s patients would agree that he is indeed holding true to this civil rights leader’s mantra. What was it that could have caused a young man to finally decide that he wanted to become a surgical podiatrist? According to Dr. Bell, “As soon as I graduated from high school in 1989 I enlisted in the United States Navy, so I could serve my country and tour the world. Then two years later it wasn’t just drills anymore. My ship was the first to be employed in the Gulf War because we were on the coast of Kuwait. I’ll never forget it for as long as I live. My captain said, “This is not a drill all hands, man your battle stations! This is not a drill!” And before I knew it everything that I had been trained to do automatically kicked in - - I had been trained for war but I never really thought I’d actually be in one. It became more and more real for me every time a tomahawk left the ship. I’ll never ever forget the sound or the feel of it because every time a tomahawk was fired the entire ship would rock. Can you imagine being 19 years old in the midst of a war? I knew if I could survive where I on theonnext page grew up and this war then I knew in my heart there had to beContinued a special calling my life. I promised myself that if I lived through this moment I was going to make
“I knew early on what it was like to be an African American male living in an urban and decaying city, so my focus wasn’t necessarily on what I wanted to be when I grew up. My thoughts were mostly on wondering if I was going to make it out of my circumstance.” 15
“I became a doctor because I like to help people heal. I hate seeing someone in pain. I love the physical interaction of health care and I also love the fact that a patient can come into my practice with a wound or with a lesion and leave out feeling better than when they came in.”
something of myself. I mean death was knocking at my door; it was coming for me, but I had no intentions of answering it. I made up my mind that night that I was going to survive. I can’t explain to you how it feels when you can hear your own heart beating in your ears because of fear. I lived through all of that so I’m no longer afraid of death. Thank God the war was over, and I lived through it. After that I decided to enroll in an online sociology course and I earned an A which really motivated me because I struggled academically in high school. After that school became the springboard for my life.” Dr. Bell’s initial experience with death is part of the reason he desires to help others live a purposeful and healthy life. “I became a doctor because I like to help people heal. I hate seeing someone in pain. I love the physical interaction of health care and I also love the fact that a patient can come into my practice with a wound or a lesion and leave out feeling better than when they came in.” His four clinics offer the state of the art ultrasound technology for diagnosing joint inflammation, plantar fasciitis, and tendonitis along with other problems. His practices also house a Nerve Conduction Study Unit for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy due to Diabetic Neuropathy and trauma and nerve loss. His clinics also offer the Arterial Doppler Machine which measures the Ankle Brachial Index and tests for peripheral vascular disease of the lower limb. Dr. Bell also performs Electrocorporal heel shock therapy (ESWT) which is a noninvasive therapeutic procedure to help with heel pain. Most of these procedures can be performed in his office or can be done on an outpatient basis which is more conducive for his patients. Notwithstanding, Dr. Bell also offers front line educational prevention to his patients. He shares, “I really enjoy my job because I’m protecting my community by helping to lower the percentage rate of amputations and limb loss. You know I believe if you don’t love humanity and you don’t love everyone that God created then you’re just not going to do very well. So, I pray daily for my passion to increase for the compassion of others. I am passionate about helping everyone because medicine is not just a Black issue, it’s not a White issue, it’s not a Latin or even an Asian issue. I’m a firm believer in 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth,” so I aspire to do the best I can on a daily basis to help others. After traveling the world and America what made him settle on Tennessee? “After I did my surgical training I received a letter from Tennessee stating that they were looking for a surgical podiatrist for this area. All four of my practices are centered in the tri-state area between Memphis, Mississippi, and Arkansas. I feel good in knowing that over the past 15 years I’ve made an impact in reducing the number of health-related amputations plaguing these rural communities.”
Dr. John E. Bell D.P.M
Excelsior Multispcialty Clinic MHSA Podiatry Surgery and Diabetic Foot Care 305 Lake Road Somerville, TN 38068
(866) 476-7944 www.excelsiorpodiatryclinic.com Serving The Following Comunities Memphis, Somerville, Bolivar Selmer, Brownsville, Whiteville Bartlett, and Cordova 16
With so many patients and practices it seems almost impossible that he would have time to pursue any personal endeavors but that thought would be a mistake. Dr. Bell finds time to thoroughly enjoy all facets of his life from being a R&B recording artist to directing and producing award winning independent films. He shares, “I work hard as a physician but that’s not all that I am. I’m also a father and an uncle and I love my family dearly. I’ve actually been able to travel internationally on music tours and I’ve had a lot of fun doing that. I fully believe in fulfilling your dreams. I’m always the doctor though because where ever I am I always promote health because that’s vitally important.” Dr. Bell is a graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, and he is also a Member of the Bluff City Medical Society in Memphis, TN. His hospital affiliations are with Saint Francis-Bartlett Hospital, Methodist South Fayette Hospital, Bolivar General Hospital, the Med Regional Hospital in Memphis, TN and also the McNairy Regional hospital in Selmer, TN. Dr. Bell is Board Certified by the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery and is a Member of American Podiatric Medical Association and the Tennessee Podiatric Medical Associations, respectively. He has one daughter and resides in the Greater Metro area of West Tennessee. h
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MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Still Shots Photography
Being in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother as a child, is a memorable time for Monica Moyer. She would enjoy watching them bake all types of desserts for the family. At one point, she tried her hand at making candy apples, but it didn’t quite work out. In October 2017, she was informed that a friend was hosting a candy apple decorating class and she jumped at the chance and enrolled. Monica had always been a creative person, and this was one more thing to add to her list of talents, especially because she hadn’t been so lucky with the fruit in the past. Besides, she knew her children would have fun getting their hands sticky making treats out of sugar. Upon completion of the class, Monica and her two little ones, Jayden, 9, and Chloe, 4, immediately started crafting crunchy apples layered with delicious candy, cake, and all sorts of colorful drizzles for themselves. She took pictures of her creations and posted them to her social media accounts, and just like that, Monica started getting requests from her friends and family to make her treats for birthdays, holidays, and other events. That led to others requesting decorated cakes and cookies and various desserts so she enrolled in a cookie decorating class that taught her other techniques her customers were in search of. “After I took the class I started following other sweet treats people and looking at different posts for ideas. Then I started buying different molds, doing chocolate covered oreos, chocolate covered pretzels, then the gourmet apples stuffed with strawberry cheesecake, turtle candy and other flavors,” explains Monica. By Christmas, Monica and her husband realized her new hobby was something serious and devised a plan to start a dessert business. By the beginning of 2018 MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats was born. She didn’t waste any time filling her calendar with birthday parties, baby showers, and weddings, ultimately creating almost 200 apples each weekend. “I also have a few friends that do event planning. When someone does a consultation and if they need treats, they recommend me. And I do the same. We link together and make the customer’s event work.”
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When Monica isn’t thinking of new confections to create, she manages a team of 10 associates in the banking industry, and uses them as taste-testers. “I’m a full time manager, a full time wife, and a full time mother so I do my treat-making at night and on the weekends,” says Monica. It gets difficult at times, juggling her load, but she has accepted a certain level of responsibility as the matriarch of her family. She’s not simply the matriarch but also one of the first role models for her children. Now, nine year old Jayden wants to follow in his mother’s footsteps and create his own gourmet popcorn. Chloe is too young to maneuver around an oven where most of the action happens, but she helps package the items and gives her mom ideas on treats to experiment with. Monica and her husband, Miguel are making plans to one day have a storefront so that MoeJoe’s can be a one-stop shop for party treats. “As a mom who plans parties for my children, it’s tough going one place to get this and another place to get that. I want to be able to offer several different things. Especially since the treat tables are very popular now,” says Monica. She doesn’t just want to stop at edible goods, Monica wants that same location to house full events such as gaming parties and spa days for children. Her ultimate goal is to leave her current full time job, step out on faith, and make her idea a reality.
Pictured with Monica is her husband Miguel, daughter Chloe and son Jayden.
With all the hats she wears, there are times that her own adverse thoughts get the best of her when it comes to her business. “My self doubt can sometimes bother me. Am I charging the right price, am I making the right treats? Then my husband, who is my biggest supporter, will say, ‘there are hundreds of barbershops and beauty salons and they all still get business. Nobody has the heart and the passion that you do.” To keep her grounded but motivated, the Martinsville, VA native relies on her church family at Oak Ridge First Baptist Church, especially the first family, with whom she is very close. “My daughter takes dance there and both children currently attend their Vacation Bible School,” Monica says. She considers her friends and church members her family, her village. She feels fortunate to be able to call on them whenever she needs an extra pair of hands or even just a prayer to get her through.
MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats 336-944-7151 20
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MoeJoe’s Sweet Treats has grown tremendously with the help of social media and friends and family spreading the word. One day, when God says move, they’ll expand into four walls and serve the community one party at a time. h
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Things Will Get Better
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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by JLG Photography
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rouble doesn’t last always, and Maya Bowen is a true testament to that. On July 7, Maya will finally see the fruits of her labor when her longawaited, Marks of Beauty Hair Studio has its grand opening. She’s ready to show the world that just because she was down for a moment, does not mean she’s out forever.
As a preteen, Maya’s brother would consistently beg her to braid his hair and that of his friends. She didn’t enjoy it, but she would do it. One evening, she had planned to attend her 8th grade prom, but she had no idea what to do with her hair. She figured out a style within minutes and was pleased with the outcome, considering it only took her a few minutes, it was free, and she created it herself. Even then, being a hairstylist was the furthest thing from her mind. Getting along with her mother and her abusive step-father was more important and nothing seemed to be working.
a person she never thought he would be. He was jealous, abusive, and manipulative, to say the least. He tried everything in his power to break her spirit, and for a while he succeeded. Maya remembers the two years she was his wife as the worst time in her life. However, God gave her a precious daughter to show her that beauty and love always prevails. Now with three children and her supportive mother and children by her side, Maya is ready to embark on her new adventure as a business owner. She’s ready to show others how to claim their beauty and regain their confidence, just as she had to do less than a year ago. She has battled many health issues, including a fibromyalgia diagnosis, knee problems, and mental illness but now knows how to manage them all with God and a stable home life. She lost a few friends during this rollercoaster but cherishes all the relationships that have carried her along the way and is grateful for those that didn’t give up on her. She can’t wait to show them the results of their unconditional support. h
At the young age of 15, Maya became pregnant with her first child. By 18, she had welcomed a second. She was young, single, and struggling. Luckily, around the same time, her mother ended the relationship with her stepfather and things began to turn around. A once troubled existence with her mother, changed for the better and she finally had the mother-daughter bond that she’d always prayed for. Raising two young children and creating a better life for them was Maya’s first priority. At one point, she attended nursing school with plans to become a nurse. When that interest faded, she enrolled in an information systems course and even landed a job as a technician at a popular company in the area. “After I started working, I realized that women don’t always want to listen to other women, and men don’t want to listen to women in the tech field. They would get a man to say the exact same thing I just said, and it became really frustrating,” explained Maya. Discouraged, she asked to change her role, but stayed with the company. In 2014, Maya decided to explore cosmetology, the one thing she had been steering clear of for years. She visited Empire Beauty School, enjoyed the instructor, and decided that day that she wanted to be a hairstylist. Her mother and children all encouraged her, picking up the slack while she worked during the day and attended class at night. To make extra money as well as perfect her techniques, she would take on clients on the weekend at her home. It took several months of around-the-clock running for the busy mother of two to feel the effects. Her health was already questionable because of an artery disease she had, and her body just couldn’t keep up. “I kept telling everyone that I was tired, but no one really listened,” she sighed. Maya’s voice gets more intense as she explains how she’d resolved that she was ready to ‘take herself out’. She dropped her children off at church with her mother but didn’t come inside like she normally does. As she was driving, she sent her mother a text that she had planned to be her last. “I can’t do it anymore. I’m sorry. Please take care of my kids,” the text read. Her mother started calling her cell phone relentlessly but couldn’t get an answer. One of the children tracked her by using her computer tablet that was connected to her cell phone. By the time her family located her, she had ingested several pills and was immediately transported to the hospital. By the grace of God, she lived. Whether she wanted to still be on this earth or not, she was. By now, her brother was in the military and doing well for himself, so he offered his sister and her children the opportunity to come and live with him while she attempted to get back on her feet. “After I moved with my brother in 2015, I met one of his friends who seemed to be so perfect for me. He was very calming and said all the right things,” Maya reflects. After a few weeks of meeting this gentleman, they fell in love, decided to get married and make a life together. It didn’t take long for her new husband to change and transform into
“Imperfections Are What Defines Your Beauty” 23
Something
Deliciously Good Is Happening At
Revolution Mills
By Dr. Marrissa Dick - Photos by Howard Gaither hat do you do when you have a Malachi 3:10 experience and the windows of heaven open and God starts throwing lemons and coffee beans at you? You catch the lemons and make anointed lemonade, use the beans to make premier coffee and open the first African American juice and coffee shop in Greensboro, NC. That’s what you do. Meet Erika, Kim, Brian, and Elliott proud owners of WOW What A Drink, LLC and Café Revolution. When God is ready for your season to begin He will make the crooked path straight despite what others may believe. Erika shares, “We actually started making drinks back in 2010. We always wanted to participate in NC A&T’s Homecoming. I called the City of Greensboro to get a vendor license and the gentlemen said, ‘tell me what you’re selling?’ so literally just off the tops of our heads we thought of different types of lemonades and teas. Now understand we had never made or tasted any of these drinks before but that’s what came to us so that’s what we told him. He said he didn’t think we were going to make any money, but we got our license. From Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we made $5,000! I called him back and I said well you’re right we didn’t “make” any money but we did make this amount and he laughed and congratulated us.” So, we realize that God does have a funny sense of humor but it’s always good when the joke is on someone else.
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This family’s story runs parallel with the 1989 movie, Field of Dreams. You know where Kevin Costner hears a voice whispering, “If you build it, he will come” while he’s walking through his corn field. Costner goes through great lengths to understand what he’s hearing and wonders if he should step out on faith and adhere to the instructions. Thank goodness Brian listened to what God whispered to him, “If you taste it, you will buy it” and people have been doing just that ever since. Erika shares, “So my brother came up with this slogan, ‘If you taste it, you will buy it’ and that is the slogan we use to get people to try our product and it works!” Since that first vending opportunity WOW What A Drink has been selling their special lemonades and teas locally and they regularly travel from the East Coast of North Carolina to South Carolina and Georgia. Currently, their drink menu consists of strawberry lemonade, passion fruit lemonade, fresh squeezed lemonade, blackberry lemonade, mango tea, southern tea, peach tea, blueberry basil tea, and orange pineapple tea. You can also customize and sample any of these drinks. The family is proud of the fact that they “don’t use any powder, corn syrup or extra additives.” Their drinks are organic because they puree fresh fruits and utilize other natural secret and exotic blends to make up their unique drinks. I can assure you that I was literally WOW’d by these drinks as Brian shared delicious samples. I honestly couldn’t choose a favorite as each one easily stood distinctly on its own merit. These drinks are authentic in every way. I guess the customers will just have to taste and see the goodness of WOW What A Drink and make up their minds for themselves. When God has a divine plan for you nothing can stop it from happening. Literally this family clearly understands what the devil meant for your bad God means for your good. Erika shares, “In 2016 we were asked to come to the Revolution Mill, so we started attending all of the meetings with different architects and engineers, so we could have our space tailored to our specifications. Then when it was time to occupy the space in June we didn’t hear back from anybody. So, I called and was informed that that another vendor had already moved in the space because they “heard” we didn’t want it and that wasn’t true. So, we came over here and everything was already painted, and the signage had already been done all without our knowledge, but our money had been utilized to purchase the equipment. So that shop owner offered to sell our product, but we were against it. So, we just said give us our money back but instead of that happening we were offered a small section of the space and we just made it work. After a while everything that could have gone wrong for him did and before we knew it he just gave us the entire space that really belonged to us anyway. We didn’t act out while we were in the situation we showed our Christian side and we let God fight that battle and of course He always wins in the end. I mean he paid for everything to be repainted
WOW What A Drink, LLC
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the way we wanted it even down to our signage and he taught us how to make the coffee, too. The Bible says that your blessings will come after you and they will over take you. All of this was just placed in our lap. We didn’t have to fight for it or ask for anything. We were happy with doing our juices, but God said no I’m going to give you this whole space and you’re going to make coffee too.” Talk about a Luke 20:43 experience, “until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Already firm in their beliefs that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance they knew that they would continue to be challenged in their blessings and they were. Since being at the Revolution Mill they have experienced some racism but they leave that in the hands of the Lord, too. They already knew being the first African American Juice and Coffee shop in Greensboro would foster some ill will. Instead, they focused their energies on supporting their community by purchasing their grab and go products through their local Resonance store off Phillips Avenue. They sell fresh bagels, muffins, and salads. Shop owners can go downstairs and purchase healthy snacks and drinks then go back to their office. I had the opportunity to taste Brian’s Redeye (dark roast with a shot of expresso). Not only was it the best I’ve ever tasted but I had energy to last for the rest of the day. Consumers would find it even more pleasurable to support this establishment because they are going to be greeted by professional and friendly staff who possess an abundance of personality. Café Revolution offers much more than a familyoriented environment. They have teamed with other shop owners such as Natty Greens and the Revolution Mill to host a Second Saturday event where all local vendors can sell their products. Kim shares, “We envisioned our Second Saturday at Café Revolution as a way for the community to come out and not only see what we’re all about, but for them to learn about what the local citizens are out here doing, too. You know Greensboro has so many creative and talented people living here. We welcome the clothing vendors, the jewelry vendors, the homemade soap vendors, and the bakery vendors. We also want to invite the Yanceyville Farmers Market vendors to come and finish selling their produce and their crafts because we vend until 6:00 p.m. So, working collaboratively is a win-win situation because this gives everybody a platform for success. We’re also trying to change the way the community sees the facility. There’s a lot of people who know this place has been remodeled, but they don’t really know what’s in here so what we’re trying to do is have them come and see for themselves.” Despite some pushback from shop owners at the Mill, Erika shares that, “the owners have been really good to us and have blessed us in so many ways because they want us to be successful. I mean when you have people asking you what else can they do to help you it makes all the other negative words, comments,
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and experiences insignificant. When I tell you, we’ve watched God move and we have seen Him in operation here. I mean who knew that what happened at Starbucks would be the impetus for us to open our own coffee and juice shop? When you patronize us, you can feel comfortable in knowing that you’re wanted here. You can catch-up on the news with our HD televisions, you can charge your phone, use the Wi-Fi and enjoy the comfortable atmosphere. Café Revolution is a wonderful place to be.” So why should you drive past other coffee and juice shops to support Café Revolution? Kim reminds us that, “We’re different from the traditional juice or coffee shops because our atmosphere is more intimate and family oriented. We even offer a game room for the children. Here at Café Revolution we cater to customizing your drink for you. If you want to add a touch of almond or soy milk to this or that you can. Of course, we offer the traditional drinks too. Other shops are only going to give you what’s on their menu. We just have an opportunity to do it a little bit different here.” WOW What A Drink, LLC and Café Revolution are minority owned family-oriented businesses located on the lower-level of the Revolution Mill. h
Pictured from left to right are Elliott, Kimberly, Warren, Erika, and Brian Seated in the front is Barbara
1250 Revolution Mill Drive Greensboro, NC. (336) 587-8876 Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Every 2nd Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
NOW IS THE TIME
To List Your Home Homes Are At Their Highest Values They’ve Been in 10 Years Days On The Market Are Down
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PART TWO
By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Mykel Media Company
PURDUE PEACE PROJECT Our Community Leaders Speakout In the May/June issue of Huami Magazine you were introduced to the Purdue Peace Project (PPP). As a reminder we’ll just share a little information about what PPP is and what they will be bringing to our community. The purpose of this locally led peace building initiative is to invite and involve the people who are most affected by violence and crime within their community to work together to create “their own” solutions to prevent, reduce, and/or transform the conflict around them so they can live in a thriving and holistic environment. PPP offers an inside-out, bottomup approach that involves mobilizing local capacities, knowledge, and resources. It is an approach to peacebuilding that aims to amplify local ownership of conflict transformation. The Purdue Peace Project is not the outsider coming into your community and telling you how to solve your problems. What they do is create the space for you to tell them and each other what it will take for you to live safely and peacefully within your own neighborhoods. They will journey with you as you identify and implement the strategies you determine you need to live holistic and progressive lives within your own community. Remember, they have been successful in facilitating locally driven initiatives in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, and in El Salvador where intergroup violence is real and lasts for unforeseeable years. The data has shown that Greensboro is experiencing its own violent conflict with its’ rising Black on Black crimes. With the help of this initiative it is the hope that those numbers can decrease.
Now that you have been reminded of what the Purdue Peace Project is we would like to introduce you to five of the community leaders who have high aspirations of how they believe PPP can be beneficial in our community. Meet Tifanie Rudd, Founder and CEO of M8de2rise, a community organization that offers Supported Employment & Life Coaching Services. Like so many others, she has been affected by crime and violence within our community. She shares, “My heart is heavy for our community. Seeing the increase in homicides and hearing about how violence is rising. In serving individuals whose lives have been affected by the crime, I have also witnessed their struggles to survive. I often listen to countess stories about how the justice system keeps them paralyzed. My goal is to change their way of thinking. However, if the system is contrary to our teaching, they can become confused, discombobulated, and frustrated and we will not see change.” Rudd believes that by working with the PPP, our community will be able to be restored within the city. “This can be done by learning that there is a caring community, not just a caring person who is willing to join hands. This belief inspires me to push a little harder, bend a little lower, and reach out a little farther. We all know there is power in unity. We’ve seen it in our ancestors and learned about it through history, but now it’s our turn to join forces to create history for the better of our community,” she says. When asked why she believes crime and violence is so prevalent in African American communities, Rudd offered a clear and precise explanation. “Unfortunately, the Black community has been victimized for far too long and we’ve adopted that same behavior toward ourselves which causes self-destruction. Yes, we’ve learned that we are powerful as a people; however, we have yet to master the ways to use our power in ways that can affect legislative change for our benefit. We need to ask why our young brothers and sisters are joining gangs. If we can find the root cause to that then we can make a change.”
Tifanie Rudd Founder and CEO of M8de2rise, Inc.
“Unfortunately, the Black community has been victimized for far too long and we’ve adopted that same self destriuctive behaviors.”
To bring that necessary change, Walker Sanders, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Inc. works with other community organizations whose missions are working with families affected by crime and violence. These organizations include neighborhood groups, nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations, as well our police department. “In my role at the Foundation, I’ve had the unique opportunity to interact with people in all parts of the city. I have seen firsthand the many challenges families face and their serious economic realities. Despite these dire economic circumstance, I am always inspired by people’s overwhelmingly positive attitude and resilience to move forward,” Sanders said. When asked why he believes crime and violence is so prevalent in African American communities, Saunders response was very compelling. He says, “I don’t feel I am qualified to answer this question. I believe the media does a terrible job of grouping African Americans as only living in communities with high crime and violence. There are many African Americans living in safe communities with low or no crime and violence. In various communities where there is more reported violence, there seems to be a common theme of lower educational attainment figures, higher rates of unhealthy behaviors, large numbers of sub-standard rental housing, and high unemployment. These factors contribute to higher crime and violence. We can; however, work together to change these conditions.” Walker is hopeful that working alongside of PPP some constructive and honest dialogues can take place.
Walker Sanders
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Inc
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One way of achieving and maintaining constructive dialogue would be through adventurous measures. Britt Lassiter is the Founder and Executive Director of Peak Adventure Ministries where adventure and trust are utilized as a bridge to build relationships with individuals, groups and communities. Like his constituents, Britt is also aware of the rising crime and violence that is spreading throughout the Greensboro community. “I live in a quiet, middle-class development in southwest Greensboro and honestly, crime and violence are not much of an issue where I live or where I worship. I don’t have any personal experience with crime and/or violence but for whatever reason, God called me and PEAK Adventures to serve kids from some of the most underserved, economically challenged neighborhoods in the city. These are great kids, and some have been directly impacted by crime and/or violence. Since it impacts the children we serve by extension, it impacts me, too.”
Britt Lassister Founder and Executive Director of Peak Adventure Ministries
“I believe PPP can help us bring that difference inside of our community. We just need to bring the need to the table.”
Britt believes the more we focus on the question of why crime and violence is happening, the less we’re able to come together with a solution. He shares, “This is completely counterintuitive for me. When I was in the IT biz, if there was a major network outage, we would have a Root Cause Analysis meeting to determine exactly what happened and come up with a fix, so it would not happen again. I don’t think we, as a society or as a community, are ready for a Root Cause Analysis meeting. There is just too much mistrust, too many misunderstandings. Nonetheless, I believe the experience and success of the Purdue Peace Project may help us get to the root causes,” he says. “That probably will not be pretty in the beginning but if we cannot communicate across the lines that divide us then solutions will remain elusive.” In making sure that situations don’t remain elusive Bernita Sims, Executive Director of Welfare Reform Liaison Project, Inc. (WRLP) leads the charge by providing services that will enable economically disadvantaged individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency through collaboration with the federal and state agencies, the faith community, corporations, other agencies from both public and private sectors, as well as the local citizenry. Bernita shares, “Our agency addresses the small needs cause folk who come to us don’t want much. It’s all about what we do with the least of these in our community and the “Returning Citizens” (ex-offenders) coming back into the community. Our society hasn’t caught up with the fact that there shouldn’t be any barriers once an ex-offender has paid his/her debt. Instead, once these Returning Citizens are released they are unable to get back on track because they really don’t have any skills and they are unable to find employment because of their record. They are not integrated back into the community as productive and viable citizens. Instead, they are black balled and are made to feel as though they have no value. So, if you can’t be productive, if you can’t find a job and you can’t support yourself and on top of that you feel worthless inside what else are you going to do except be destructive to yourself and to your community. WRLP is here to provide that training and that job, so the ex-offender can be re-entered into the community with skills knowing that they don’t have to resort to the same measures that sent them away initially. Regarding the Purdue Peace Project, “We’re really hoping that they can provide the resources, so we can make a greater impact in the service that we provide so we can reach a larger amount of people. We all can’t be Steve Jobs or Bill Gates but in our little itty-bitty way we can all be impactful and do some things that make a difference. I believe PPP can help us bring that difference inside of our community. We just need to bring the need to the table.”
Bernita Sims
Executive Director of Welfare Reform Liaison Project, Inc.
In desiring to bring a positive difference inside of our community Captain Nathaniel Davis evokes that same passion. A third-generation police officer and ordained minister he is in great hopes that the PPP will get to the root cause of what’s plaguing our community. He shares, “I’ve often struggled with the law enforcement role in the
community and how it addresses different trends that are plaguing the community like violence and crime. The traditional police tactic is to arrest but part of what makes me a minister doesn’t always jell with that. Not that I reject it or think it’s wrong it’s just that its often tough to arrest our way out of a problem. I think with the PPP being involved we can repair the people and the community in a holistic way.” Unfortunately, Captain Davis has witnessed the rising crime and violence in the Black community. He says, “In 2017 we had 42 homicides in Greensboro and of the 42 homicides 36 of the victims were African American males. There were 23 suspects and 19 of those suspects were African Americans so you see the disproportionality with race. I’m tired of seeing young African American boys be homicide victims and I’m tired of young African American boys being suspects. I must acknowledge that there are some systemic issues like poverty and socioeconomic issues and there is a great deal of disenfranchisement when it comes to people reentering the community once they have been released from jail or probation. We must be able to come together and find out what’s causing young Black men to pick up a gun and shoot another young Black man. Why are we being plagued by violence like this in the Black community? We must start inquiring of the people who are within these communities who see these issues. When we sit at the table with the PPP the table cannot be full of people who have political interest. We must have the people who live inside of that community because they’re the ones who really knows what it’s going to take to move the needle.” In moving that needle in the vein of positivity, Dr. James (Jay) Wyatt, Director of Moses Cone Health Trauma Department, is doing his best to save the lives of the victims being rushed through the emergency room doors. In his 18-years of service as the Director of the Trauma Unit, he has witnessed the increase in violence and crime. According to Dr. Wyatt, “We’ve seen a mark increase in the amount of violent crime related injuries. The striking part to me is that most of the people that come in are young Black males either teenagers or young adults. It’s not like I’m seeing a lot of the same kids coming repeatedly these are all different people getting shot but it also seems like it’s some of the same areas when you look at the zip codes.” Dr. Wyatt says that he attempts to reach out to them, so he can get a sense of what’s happening. He earnestly desires to discover what the driving force is behind the violence he sees. While caring for his patients he asks, “Don’t you realize that you’re all Black and you’re killing each other?” He recognizes that his question falls on deaf ears because though he is an African American male he is a physician and he doesn’t reside in their community. “You know I’m just the doctor and the only thing I can do for them is repair their wounds if they’re lucky enough to live. That’s the easy part for me and my team to do but this other part of trying to figure out why this is happing is the difficult part because it’s at another level. To me their concern about life and death is not even relevant. If it’s their time to go then it’s their time to go. Where did that mentality come from? What’s the driving force behind that way of thinking? So, I’m looking forward to working with the PPP, so we can do something concrete in changing that mindset. I’m disgusted with seeing our teenagers die.” h
Nathaniel Davis Captain, Greensboro Police Department
“I’m tired of seeing young African American boys be homicide victims and I’m tired of young African American boys being suspects.”
Our community leaders have come together and shared their thoughts on the violence and crime growing in our community. They are all looking forward to the PPP working collaboratively with local citizens across sectors in our community to help reduce violence. What we need from you is your commitment to sit at the table and tell your stories. Share what you believe will enable East Greensboro to once again be the thriving hub of the community as it was many years ago. Remember, Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Dr. James (Jay) Wyatt Director of Moses Cone Health Trauma Department
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MASTER BARBER
TRISTANJACKSON Born 2 Style Barbershop and Hair Salon Greenville, SC By Junious Smith III - Photos by Apollo Wonex
MRA1KUTz MRA1KUTz
Tristan Jackson may not have gone the conventional route, but it suits him just fine. Jackson has been a Master Barber at Born 2 Style Barbershop and Hair Salon in Greenville, S.C. for the past eight years. For Jackson, this was the opportunity of a lifetime to fulfill a dream he had ever since he was a child. “I got intrigued watching barbers cutting hair when I was younger,” Jackson said. “Most people around my age were more into video games, but I was mesmerized by the movement of the clippers and the smell of talcum powder. Both sparked my interest in becoming a barber.” They have also transformed Jackson into one of the premier and highly sought-after barbers in the Upstate region. A native of Greenville, Jackson graduated from Woodmont High School in 2006 and later transitioned to Benedict College in Columbia, about 90 minutes away from his hometown. After one year at Benedict, Jackson knew there was another calling upon his life. “I began to focus my heart towards doing something else,” he says. “It really started with watching my mother work two and three jobs. I saw her hustle and that made me want to hustle just as hard as she did. Even more, this was pretty much my only option. I was in a situation where I couldn’t get a nine to five. I worked a job at a manufacturing plant for a little while, but I really wanted to make things shake for myself. I have always had an entrepreneurial mentality and never grasped the idea of working for someone other than myself,” he says. As life would happen, so would things for Jackson as well. Though he had been cutting hair for quite a while, he would be certified as a professional barber in 2010, starting at Born 2 Style shortly after. “I had cut hair some in high school and college,” Jackson said. “When I first began, I had a small, yet devoted client list who followed and supported me. During football and basketball season, there were a lot of players who hit me up. I received a lot of positive feedback from those services and it encouraged me to push myself even more.” “Being an entrepreneur is more so an investment in yourself,” Jackson said. “You get out of it, what you put into it, so if you’re really interested in entrepreneurship, you have to be wholeheartedly committed. It’s getting up knowing what you must do to put things together, but you also have more freedom. From a financial standpoint it can be difficult, but you make your own schedule and can take a vacation whenever you like. Ultimately, you’re working for yourself and that is always a blessing.” Throughout the Greenville and Spartanburg area, Jackson is known as “MRA1KUTZ”. This title itself represents who he is as a barber, and what Jackson strives to be in his chosen profession. “I try to bring a level of professionalism to my craft. It’s like going to the doctor’s office — you can’t just go in there, you must set an appointment. I believe most barbers should do the same thing. The reason why I charge extra for early and late sessions is because you’re not only paying for the services, you are also paying for my time as well,” he says. Some of the services offered by Jackson include those for adults and kids such as design haircuts, shape ups, and more. He also offers VIP services and on-location services which include “house calls” and hotels. His advances services, which are geared towards those who seek a more detailed and personal experience, include Thermal Scrub Therapy Treatments, Scalp Exfoliation, Neck and Chin, Alaskan Mask Facials, Beard Luster Wash, and Hydrotherapy Bald Treatments. Jackson plans to increase his line of available services while continuing to make the MRA1KUTZ brand a household name. He is aware of the constant change in the barbering landscape, still he believes that by being a trailblazer and staying in tune with the needs of his clients, he will also be successful. Though barbering has become a popular and crowded profession, Jackson has distanced himself by utilizing the one skill his chosen trade needs more than anything. Professionalism. h
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huami MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
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Zaheir Kaiden Reed The son of Creg Anthony Reed and Briana Eller Photo provided by JLG Photography
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
www.larysajaye.com
Nashville’s Best Kept Secret By Terry L. Watson Photos by Larysa Jaye
Larysa Jaye is an everyday woman. She’s energetic, charismatic, loving, and passionate. Mostly, she’s an individualist at the core. Being fully supported to be herself at a young age, she thrives when she is able to find her own lane and commit to it. She carries a number of duties, with the most important ones being a wife and mom. Without these roles Larysa wouldn’t be who she is today. She has a contagious joy that spreads to everyone that she comes into contact with, including family and friends. And through her gifts and talents, she gives joy, encouragement, and inspiration. Larysa is a Nashville, TN-based soul artist who synthesizes a broad range of influences in her performances. “I have a very eclectic style that I like to believe reaches every person in the room, regardless of background or music preference. There’s this “girl next door” feel that I have and I think that’s what draws audiences in. I’ll flow from genre to genre seamlessly, throughout a show without losing the essence of my artistry,” she says. Larysa grew up playing piano around her house and singing at church and school. She picked up the guitar when she was 16 and started leaning heavier on that instrument after moving to Nashville. “I was a PK (pastor’s kid) growing up. So, although I don’t proclaim to be a Christian artist, that still weighs heavily in my songwriting. My songwriting is a blend of life experiences and creative release. I am a talker, but I’m not big on trying to explain my feelings. So, songwriting is an outlet for me,” she says. “My music is a blend of Soul, Indie Folk, Americana, and even elements of Country when it comes to story telling. It’s definitely been a process discovering where to focus my concentration as an artist.”
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The story of how she began is quite interesting. There’s no logical explanation for a little, black girl out of Wyandotte County in Kansas City, Kansas to have made it all the way to Nashville and somehow make a name for herself, with a guitar no less. She even had three children out of wedlock, but with a support system who provided constant encouragement, Larysa never gave up on her dreams. “It wasn’t easy and there were many times I couldn’t make gigs or couldn’t make music because of a lack of money and baby-sitters, and who knows what else. Thankfully, every time I wanted to have a pity party the Lord would place someone in my life at the just the right time to remind me that I wasn’t forgotten,” she said. “I remember back around 2009-2010, an event was held in Nashville every Sunday called Lovenoise that featured local artists. They also had an open mic. I remember getting my guitar and finally convincing myself to participate. I performed and was surprised at how supportive everyone was. Eventually one of the producers asked me if I wanted to perform my own show. I agreed, while not even knowing where to start. My first show was packed and very successful. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was pregnant with twins. All of the momentum from the show dropped off and I took a year off from everything to focus on being a mom. Then, around 2012, I got back into the swing of things but focused more on the singer/songwriter scene. I attended a lot of Caucasian venues and learned how to captivate an audience with just me and my guitar. I also learned how to talk to the audience and introduce myself and songs.” As of late, Larysa has been using a more simplistic instrumentation to bring focus to her lyrics. She has birthed another child just this past January, and has found a joy in being able to perform a variety of styles and entertaining various audiences in many different places. She has also found peace in getting back to why she started performing music. “I initially wanted to share my story. By returning to my roots, I have began playing those songs that pull on ones heartstrings. In Nashville, a lot of times the shows are a mix of people coming to support, catch up with friends, or grab some food and socialize. All that means is that they came for a party or a good time. Although I love being the highlight of a good dancing and bumping show, I am finding so much fulfillment in getting back to me,” she stated. h
Sean Stimpson (new page)
@Sean Stimpson MrCutNLine
My Limp is My Scare I am Surviving
at times the pressure is heavy and at times the struggle is real. The origin of our pain comes out of the sin of Adam in the garden, and now we have to live with profound pain. The pains for all us come in stages, Erick Erikson in his profound exposition of stages of development unfold the following:
Dr. Erika Hendrix
Stage One: Trust vs Mistrust, Stage Two: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt, Stage Three: Initiative vs Guilt, Stage Four: Industry vs Inferiority, Stage Five: Identity vs Role Confusion, Stage Six: Intimacy vs Isolation, Stage Seven: Generativity vs Stagnation, Stage Eight: Ego Integrity versus Despair. At some point in our lives we find ourselves stuck in one of these stages, therefore we grow up, but the pain that we experienced during our stages of development impedes who we are. We began to mask ourselves as great pretenders. There is a theology that I believe gets overlooked and misplaced in the church. The Theology of Sufferings has long been connected to those who are poor and needy or who have taken a vow of poverty. Attached to suffering is the matter of sin, but for the sake of this article our focus will be on the sufferings and the world. This worlds system’s brings with it suffering in many ways. “The worldly temptations do not remove responsibility from people who choose to sin, but it creates a context of suffering.” For the believer we are hated by the world, because they hated Christ. John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Therefore, at times we feel the hatred of the worlds system which can be great and the pressure of stability can be questionable. Symptoms of mental illness are an ignored signed and often looked upon as the silent killer. Especially, in the Black church we have shied away from it, but we are moving forward to wholeness in: wellness of mind, body, soul and financial health. There are times that our parishioners are suffering in silent and they are walking with a limp or a thorn in their side. We find ourselves living in a cave among the dead, and the irony is it feels comfortable. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”-Matthew 9:12
The late great Dr. Gardner C. Taylor often pinned for clergy that pain and preaching how oddly they may go together. For those of us who are carriers of the Word of God on a, “regular basis understand that pain has a way of finding them.” Pain is sometimes the catalyst of our call, and it’s problematic and it’s liberating. We have become great pretenders just to make it one more day. Personally, I have experienced pain and wore a mask just to make it through my next teaching or preaching engagement. If the truth be told many carriers on the Word of God are not transparent enough, but we have learned to live in a dark cave with no lights on until it’s time to put your game face on for the next assignment. Dr. Taylor provides us with insight concerning the connection between pain and preaching. One of the warnings Dr. Taylor addresses is the onset of “pain.” Taylor does not mean unethical or immoral behavior; rather by pain he means the heartbreak and sorrow that comes as a result of living in a fallen world.” First pain helps us, “moves toward a greater authenticity and authority.” Secondly, “pain helps preachers build bridges into other people’s lives.” Thirdly, “preachers who’ve gone through pain or are going through pain can still preach with power.” Pain doesn’t make us powerless, but it makes us powerful. I am reminded of an old Negro Spiritual: “Sometimes I feel discouraged, and feel my work’s in vain. But, then, the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.” Finally, Dr. Taylor bridges the baffling connections between the following: “in being emptied, we are filled, and in being broken we are made whole.” With great sorrow and pain it births a sermon that will pierce the hearts of others. In the last two weeks two high profile celebrities took their own lives due to the unsurmountable pressure with depression signs. The irony of these two deaths is could they have been prevented or at least where the signs there or were they ignored? The mind is very fragile at times; it’s an incubator of our thoughts. At any given time in our lives we are going to have ups and downs,
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In the Gospel of Mark 5:1-9 Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man. The man was an outcast in the region Gerasenes and he was possessed by an evil spirit. He lived in a burial cave with the dead; he could not be restrained not even with chains. His evil spirit was so powerful that he snapped chains and the shackles. There was not anyone strong enough to overtake him. He suffered day and night and wandered in a state of delusion and their where multiple voices crying out for help. Not only where their multiple personality he was self-injurious to himself cutting with sharp stones. He was so delusional that he perceived that Jesus was coming to torment him. Jesus gave two declarations, He commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man first, and then He asked him what your name is? He responds by saying legions, that interprets and many. Many can be overwhelming and tormenting to our inner-self and the internal struggles that we face daily. Legions in today’s terms may be interrupted as Multiple Personalities Disorder or Paranoia Schizophrenia, in others words there are levels to these types of disorders. We must be patience with the process and the victory of it all, you can learn to manage it and live a normal live to the best of your ability. The best care is self-care. There are a few signs that you may be suffering in pain or silent and you need to seek help: (1)If you find yourself always in a dark place and isolated from others, (2) If you find yourself in an environment where nothing is growing, it’s dead and you keep trying to making what is dead real. You may find yourself with delusional thoughts trying to make them reality. (3) If the pressure or the pain is so great that you may be entertaining the thoughts of suicide seek help. If you find yourself feeling suicidal seek help through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255, or contact your local Mental Health Association in Greensboro, NC at (336)373-1402. h For engagements please contact Dr. Erika Hendrix by telephone at 336-587-8876 or by email me at erikahe29@ bellsouth.net. Please follow her on Facebook @Erika Hendrix, Instagram @drerikahendrix and on Twitter @drerikahendrix
Stump’s Perfect Portions
“Preparing Healthy Meals So You Don’t Have To”
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Stumps Perfect Portions
Lets face it. With the hectic lives that we all live, it’s hard to eat healthy. Not only does it take time and money to shop for quality ingredients, but the cooking process can be time consuming as well. Fortunately, there is someone who has come up with a solution for these challenges. Stump’s Perfect Portions is a small meal prep company that was created to help individuals and families maintain a healthy lifestyle. Helping people make better choices based on nutritional information and portion sizes is what Knight says they do best. Their goal is to save you time and money while taking away the stress of grocery shopping and cooking. Their meals come freshly prepared and prepackaged. All that they ask you to do is heat and eat! The menu offers a special that is changed weekly along with a variety of proteins, vegetables and carbs. There is definitely something for everyone. Stump’s prices range from $6.50 to $8.00 per meal. Whether you are looking for a healthier option, a home cooked meal, or just looking for convenience, Stump’s will be glad to cook meals for you! When it comes to Stump’s Perfect Portions, they offer much more than meal prep services. They offer full service catering as well. No matter the size of your event or the venue, Stump’s will meet the demand. They are truly about creating memorable experiences for you and your guest. Stump’s catering is known for its tasty menu and trust worthy service. They strive for excellence and going beyond our clients’ expectations. Knight says he believes in fresh, quality ingredients, and use locally sourced meats and vegetables as much as possible. Their attention to detail along with their presentation is backed 100% by the Stump’s brand. We proudly serve Greensboro and the surrounding areas of the Triad. h
Triad - July/August 2018
Shaun Knight Order Online, Available For Pick Up & Delivery
www.eatstumps.com For more information, please call 336-451-9885
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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by J Humble Photography
According to Tociana ‘Kween Love’ Watley, every woman should be treated like royalty. She has a special affinity for her African American sisters who tend to carry the world on their shoulders. We assume roles as activists, caretakers, confidantes, counselors, and teachers, just to name a few. With all the colorful crowns we adorn, who wouldn’t want to be pampered from time to time? Kween Kare Cosmetics was created on a whim, but has turned into so much more. Tociana has always thought of herself as a hustler. In addition to the countless unpaid roles she’s had, she was also a babysitter, a special needs teacher, a nanny, and a Uber/Lyft driver. She even attended nail school at one point. For some time, she flourished in her individual jobs, but an unfortunate incident while driving Lyft caused her to question working for others and her sense of freedom. “This older man white assaulted me so I pepper-sprayed him and I ended up getting a charge instead,” she remembers. Because she had recently joined a nanny service with many potential clients, the unresolved charge resulted in her losing the clients and forced her to reevaluate her career path. While in between jobs, she had extra time on her hands and decided to research ingredients in the bath and body products she used daily. She discovered that many of them are unhealthy, so she sprang into action. “I started making my own toothpaste, and my boyfriend and I started using it,” says Tociana. She noticed her teeth were gradually becoming whiter, even though she already considered them to be a healthy shade of white. She also noticed that they weren’t as gritty and grimy after eating. They stayed clean throughout the day. Forging ahead, Tociana researched how to make her own face mask and was again pleased with the result. In conversation, she mentioned her new endeavor to close friends and family members and they inquired about purchasing her products. The 23-year-old expressed to her boyfriend, Markise White that she wanted to consider starting a business. He simply said, “Go for it!” Tociana could not have been more excited. With an investment from him, she quickly took to Fiverr to create her first logo, started building
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a website, and browsed sites for packaging. In January 2017, “Kween Kare Cosmetics, LLC” was born. The logo includes a crown atop the ‘K’ in Kween because Tociana wants her customers to think of themselves with high distinction. She makes a point to practice self-love and encourages her customers to do the same. “I refer to most people as queens and kings because that’s what we are. And that’s the way they should think of themselves,” says the young entrepreneur. She has adopted the name ‘Kween Love’ to promote the feeling within herself and to lift others with the same ideals. During the creative process, Tociana still juggled babysitting jobs around the clock and eventually landed a job at a call center that seemed too good to be true. It paid well, but to her, it felt like a prison environment after some time, with no windows, scheduled eating times, and security equal to ‘Fort Knox’. That job didn’t last long, and leaving would allow her more time to cultivate her growing passion. When she was ready for her line to expand, Tociana tapped her Chemical Engineer mom to assist in selecting the best organic ingredients to use. And because she’s a graduate of Meredith College, she is privy to certain published research that helps with the process To date her bestsellers are the toothpaste and the body butters, though her line includes mouthwash, lip balm, and hair and face masks. Her first event was in Burlington and was a complete success, selling out of most products. “There were people arguing over the toothpaste because I didn’t bring enough. I was able to take their names and ship it to them later,” she laughs. Tociana’s current adventure is far from her original goal of owning a practice dedicated to children with autism with her younger sister. She attended Meredith College and graduated in 2016 with a degree in psychology. In the fall, she will attend North Carolina Central University in Durham to work towards obtaining her MSW (Masters of Social Work) while her sister attends Columbia University in New York City, aiming for the same degree. It’s evident that this young businesswoman has a promising future. She’s faced a few hurdles but that doesn’t stop her from stretching her legs to jump over them. She encourages anyone with an idea to move on it. “Don’t short yourself. Shoot for the stars,” she advises. With the support of God, her village of family and friends, including her king, Kween Love is spreading healthy products to as many people as she can and she won’t stop until everyone feels like royalty. h
www.kweenkarecosmetics.com @kweenkarecosmetics
919-576-0304 @kweenkarecos
Bishop Terry L. Young, Founder It is my esteemed pleasure to welcome you to the 2018 DunAmis Gospel Awards. We are delighted that you have the opportunity to share your time and gifts with us as we congratulate, celebrate, and recognize new and established artist during this event. It is my aspiration, as well as my staff to elevate DunAmis Gospel Awards to higher heights, and to allow God to enlarge our territory. DunAmis is the Greek word that means “Power”. It is a power source that reproduces itself without reduction in intensity- “Power in Action” The DunAmis Gospel Awards honors outstanding Independent Gospel Artist, Pastors, First Ladies, Churches, and others for their contributions in their churches and communities. As one of the fastest growing awards show in the Southeast, we are focused on building a network of Independent Artist, Pastors, and Churches to come together and encourage each other for their contributions towards Kingdom Building.
Pictured with Bishop Young is his wife Geneva 42
DunAmis Gospel Awards Show is an annual event filled with a variety of innovative and exciting showcases, choirs, and achievement awards. The vision of the DunAmis Gospel Awards is to honor and recognize and encourage local talent. DunAmis Gospel Awards will spotlight more than 22 categories and three special tributes through various churches religious groups and independent gospel music artist, giving them the opportunity to network and display their ministry gifts. I am delighted to congratulate all the nominees and honorees for a job well done. As for all the supporters I deeply thank you for your time to participate in this occasion. I would like to give a special thanks to my awesome staff for your dedication and hard work. Lastly, I thank you for all of your prayers and support. Thank you for all you do for DunAmis Gospel Awards. The best is yet to come! h
Greensboro Manager, Santos Aghamkar, was invited to attend DunAmis Gospel Awards. His enthusiasm for the Vision of DunAmis Gospel Awards to give independent Gospel Artists and ministry gifts a platform led him to interview Bishop Terry L. Young. Mr. Santos wanted to highlight some of the DunAmis performers. Total Christian Television, TCT corporate headquarters agreed to air the DunAmis Gospel Awards nationally, three times and free of charge.
Santos Aghamkar, TCT
2018 Dunamis Gospel Awards Power In Action October 27, 2018 Cornerstone Conference IPHC Greensboro, NC www.dunamisgospelawards.org
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Triad - July/August 2018
PROFESSIONAL Licensed Massage Therapist
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620 104 S Elm St - Suite 151 Barnhardt Street Greensboro, 27406 Greensboro, NCNC 27406 www.jazzydesigngraphic.com
336-412-0012
Author
Latisha R. Stuckey Motivational Speaker Inspirational Speaker Human Services Life Coach Writer & Poet Singer, Dancer & Model Radio Broadcast Host Cast Down, But Not Destroyed Chosen to inspire, motivate and encourage. Latisha knows what it is like to be broken. She has experienced abandonment, confusion, and rejection through a troubled childhood. Now healed, delivered, and set free, she commits to sharing her story of being cast down but not destroyed by abuse, anger, bitterness, fear, low self-esteem, neglect, poverty, and unforgivingness in order to promote total healing and complete recovery.
castdownatruestory@gmail.com
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BARBERS NEEDED Must Be: Licensed, Skilled and Passionate
www.sweetcoldtreats.com 336-209-8724
maxx Great Opportunity For A Responsible & Registered Barber Jay Maxwell, Owner
2916 W. Gate City Blvd. Greensboro, NC
336-933-1086
New Shop
Grand Opening
July 21, 2018 2pm - 4pm
4000-D Spring Garden Street Greensboro, NC 27407
STATE BOARD PREP QUALITY SERVICE & EDUCATION BUSINESS & ENTRPRENUERSHIP Day Classes
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Sat 8am - 3pm
2006 Phillips Avenue Greensboro, NC 27405 336-389-7537
Night Classes
Mon-Fri 5pm - 9pm
www.prestigebarbercollege.com