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MOG The Real Triad - May/June 2018
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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
Slow Down And GodOrToButs Catch Up It! There Are NoAllow If, Ands, About A Letter from the Editor
A Letter From The Editor
A Letter from the Editor
Nowadays, to move faster pacehopes when What ifeverything tomorrow seems didn’t arrive? Allat ofayour plans, compared to years before.have Weaeat faster, carson. are What sleeker and dreams wouldn’t street to park if and packed with zoom; even the least expensive ones. The internet everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes has played a significant role inbeaccelerating way we process, happened? There would reason tothe save for a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have ano street to park on. What if day, and you could someone the trouble of The making share, and obtain information amongst each other. time everything that youspare decided to put off until tomorrow never promises. What yourhomes last required to construct been reduced weeks. happened? Thereifnew would be opportunity nohas reason toseemingly save for to aexpired rainy today? wouldspare you do? day, and you could someone the trouble making foot Students areWhat graduating from high school, withoutofstepping What if your last opportunity seemingly expired into promises. a classroom, or even attending high school. We are truly been that I often Whattold would you do? seem like I do too much. livingtoday? inI’ve a microwave society. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer inhustle knowing that God seem wouldn’t on me I’ve been told and that I often like put I we do anything too much. With all the bustle, and while attempt to do that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm more with less, we don’t allow ourselves an opportunity to be if I chose to increase. sit idle and accept what it presented to believer in this knowing that God wouldn’t anything onme. me I accommodate Our hustle is put inefficient in many have that to be very In my opinion, opportunity that I found couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would ways, meaning that though ourboring. feet is moving, we are not is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge be ifanywhere. I chose to sit idlemore and accept it presented our to me. I getting Even we failwhat to acknowledge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity regressions, both physically and emotionally, and don’t become If aIof do nothing, fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI our isn’tsystems afforded to everyone. challenge aware them until fail. By then, forA some of us it is something new about myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure. What is Relinquish the worst that happen? too late. 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 We must learn to make time for the simple things and The best advice return acquire life.ever given to me happened when someone move our lives into the proper lane on the expressway of life. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so Everything that glitters isn’tthrough gold and what works forthat others I have pressed myever way doors with a key only may The best advice given to me happened when someone not always for you. My grandmother is 96 years young and she hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between told to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so didn’t make it here by me running a race that she suitme upwith for. God blesses and what life candidn’t Iwhat have pressed my waywith through doors with a burden key that only as well. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between We must learn to slow and God to up with us. when tocan becatch quiet, because what God blesses me do with andallow what life burden me with I believe thatI He wantsittotobless us but if we outrunning our someone may get it confused as well. compare knowing when toare be confident and purpose, it will impossible to answerwhen His calling upon our lives. with being to bearrogant. quiet, because If what we do is not done in accordance with God’s timing, it is someone may get it confused “played out”, meaning that it’s out with dated, out oftomorrow order, out of Make youarrogant. being season.happen Whentoday, this happens, but mostwe subjectimportantly ourselves unnecessary make it count. Make youto tomorrow stress happen and troubles that Life is but a whisper and today, but will most we must ourselves inOnly a ultimately steerput usmake of course. importantly it count. position what it iswe by God’s grace and mercy will Life is butto a hear whisper and telling we must putaourselves in a He allow us tous.get realignment position to hear what it isfirst and rejoin the race. Seek God telling in all that youus. do and remember to Terry Watson make frequent pitL. stops so that you may obtain Editor/Founder His instruction for your Terry L. Watson next journey.
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Triad - May/June 2018
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CONTENTS
MAY/JUNE 2018
TRIAD EDITION
Off The Hook Seafood
Barrington Riddick
On The Cover
A New Flavor of Gospel MOG The Real
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Have You Heard It
Christian Anderson
44
NASHVILLE
From Crack To Christ Tanya Davis
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RICHMOND
Essentially Aysha LLC Aysha Ives
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RALEIGH/DURHAM
Invisilace Hair & Wigs Gail Bernardo
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MEMPHIS
Curvy Chic Boutique Erica Gray
CHARLOTTE
A Hero’s B.A.L.L. at Johnson C. Smith University Joie Cook
CHARLOTTE It’s Not How You Start. It’s How You Respond Tamika Chisholm
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The Life Nation
Apostle Nicole Bonds
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Twenty One Years .........
Elois Lettley
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Also Featured Dr. Erika Hendrix A Letter To The Black Church
39 Purdue Peace Project Establishing Peace in Our Communities with Purdue University
28 NC A&T Visual Arts The 2018 Senior Projects Exhibition
34 HuamiMagazine.com
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Tamika Chisholm By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood She was a mother at 14 years old, a runaway, a group home alumni, and the target of a scam artist. But failing doesn’t become her. Tamika Chisholm has been challenged all her life, and she always finds a way to win. She had a less than loving upbringing. She’s always been a fan of fashion, styling her dolls as a child, so it was only fitting that Tamika invest her money in something she was passionate about. She initially planned to open a small clothing boutique and had hired a contractor (recommended by a friend) to help redesign and build out the space. After handing over thousands of dollars to pay for what she thought was building materials, permits, and other necessary costs, the contractor ultimately took off, and left her with no business, no money, and a broken spirit. “I was depressed. I was going to give all my stuff away, but I just didn’t do it. I just couldn’t let go of it,” says Tamika. When she realized the boutique that she hoped for wouldn’t be, she placed her merchandise in a storage unit until she figured out another plan. This set-back almost ruined her completely. She gained more than 50 pounds as a result. One day, she stumbled upon an article online about someone who owned a fashion truck and a lightbulb went off in her head. Initially she could only find trucks for sale several states away, potentially forcing her to travel to purchase one. ‘Something told me to look for a truck here in Charlotte. I found a truck and I initially was going to rebrand it to the name of my boutique, but after doing research, I realized the one I found already had a following and was well-known. So, I wanted all of it. The trademark, the name, everything. It was God’s plan.” It took her a mere week to actually find the truck and when she saw it and met the owner, she purchased it on the spot. Tamika has only owned her new wheels for three months, but she’s steadily picking up speed with customers and sales. The most recent event she participated in was in Spartanburg, SC and it attracted almost 75,000 people. Instead of attending the fling for two days, she was motivated to stay for three. By the time she returned home to Charlotte, she was completely burned out. But that’s normal when you have a dream and are working to fulfill it. On the days she’s not driving and promoting her new brand, she’s buying inventory, tagging and stocking merchandise, and reviewing her books to make sure her dollars make sense. Curvaceous Closet doesn’t just cater to plus size women like the name suggests. But when a plus size woman steps on the truck, she will be able to find the right fit, up to size 24. Tamika enjoys showing women with any number of curves how beautiful and appealing they are. “Low selfesteem comes in all sizes. I like motivating a woman and letting her know to love herself, period,” Tamika explains. If it sounds like she is handling this busy life like a pro, you should know that she also has a home healthcare business that she has run for eight years, along with being a mom to two adult daughters, ages 29 and 24, and grandmother to two grandsons. She hesitates for a brief moment when I ask her age. She has a youthful voice. Then she laughs, “I’m 45. I don’t really care!” It doesn’t take long for her to own it. During her 45 years, she’s experienced more than some have. She freely admits to having a troublesome few years as a teenager. She attended three different high schools as she moved from her mom’s home, to her aunt’s house, to a group home, and back with her mother. She ran away at age 17. She eventually obtained a GED at the age of 19. She decided to change her habits when her immediate family was involved in a horrific car accident and needed her to care for them. Her 13-year-old daughter sustained a brain injury during the accident. Considering all the dangerous decisions she made growing up, Tamika knew she wanted to succeed. She was confident, that she would fail, but she simply had to restructure her path. Now her paths lead to anywhere her mobile boutique will allow her to go. She loves being on the road in her fashion truck. She still has her sights set on having her salon one day, but she hopes her daughters will take over Curvaceous Closet and make it their own. h
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2018 Change Award of The Year Masquerade Ball Since 2013 Transitioning Minds is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization has served over 275 youth throughout Guilford County through a continuum of life-changing behavioral health and child welfare programs and services. Transitioning Minds is proud to present the Transitioning Minds “2018 Change Award of the Year” Masquerade Ball on August 25, 2018 at The Khalif Event Center 2000 Wendover Ave E, Greensboro, NC 27405. This black-tie ball will be Greensboro’s/ High Point’s largest charity event for at-risk children and families served by Transitioning Minds. This black tie event begins with a VIP reception where guests can network with the community’s most prominent and influential business and community leaders. Once inside, guests will be treated to an unforgettable evening which includes; dinner, live entertainment, and a silent auction. Admission to this ball is $50.00 per person. This is an exclusive event that may sell out quickly, so please make your reservation early. The Transitioning Minds “2018 Change Award of the Year” Masquerade Ball will be the premier event in Guilford County. This event will raise needed funds to support our mission of serving vulnerable and disadvantaged youth. All proceeds will go to benefit at-risk youth that Transitioning Minds serves in, the Greensboro and High Point communities. Your contribution can make a huge difference to a child in need by providing necessary tools that help guide our youth on a path of success. These opportunities may include but are not limited to academic and vocational resources, and transportation assistance. Enclosed you will find a nomination letter to nominate a person that have devoted time, talent, and treasure to the community. The attached letter describes the nomination in detail. We are looking to local businesses and the community to help achieve this goal and support the youth we serve. Attendance is not necessary to be considered a friend of Transitioning Minds. All donations are appreciated. h For more information, please call (336) 907-7819.
First Time Home Buyers Money Available Call Me For More Details
James Davis
Realtor/Broker Keller Williams Realty North 336 681-8653 james.davis@kw.com www.jamesdavisreal.com
MOG The Real By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Shaw Photography Group
Transplanted from Dayton, Ohio and rooted in Saint James Hampton Homes in Greensboro, NC rapper, singer, and song writer Kyle Carver, The Real M. O. G., is creating some serious buzz in the Christian music industry. With his newest release, “G Praise” having well over 349 thousand views and comments and over 2,900 shares on Face Book, Kyle is certainly turning the heads of Christian and secular music listeners alike. With his closed posture, submitted demeanor, and humble smile one would find it difficult to believe that he bellows out inspirational and rhythmical raps to what sounds like hard core gangsta beats; but this is exactly what he does. According to Kyle, “G Praise is a street praise. It’s a crazy praise like David when he got the ark of the covenant back. It’s that shower praise when you don’t care about what notes you’ve missed or what tune you’re singing in or even if you got all the words right. It just feels good to praise GOD regardless of what other people think.” Kyle hasn’t always lived this life of praise and worship, so he doesn’t down play his past. Instead he uses his testimony by being the bridge that links the streets to the church. He shares, “My language is versatile, you know, I can talk street and I can talk Bible.” When speaking about recidivism he acknowledges that he repeated the same cycle his father did, but he vowed it was going to stop with him. He knew he had to focus his time on something different - -something positive. He says, “You know you have to seek God and ask Him what your gift is, so you can get focused on something positive. I knew mine was music because I enjoy it and it comes effortlessly for me. It’s crazy because I almost let it all go because I despised my father. He was locked up for most of my life. He wasn’t here to teach me how to navigate life as a man, but the one thing I always heard people say about him was that he loved to sing. So, since that’s what he loved that’s what I hated.” Nonetheless, the passing of his father touched his heart and made him realize that he had a choice. He could either chose to harden his heart toward his father and his music or he could embrace it. Kyle shares, “You know death has a way of turning your heart. So instead of being hardcore and choosing to hate I chose to embrace him and his music. I give all the glory to God for that because if I hadn’t forgiven him I would have blocked my own blessing and I wouldn’t have been able to use the gift that God gave me to bring the people from the streets to Him.”
“You know you have to seek God and ask Him what your gift is, so you can get focused on something positive. I knew mine was rapping and singing because I enjoy it and it comes effortlessly for me.”
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Continued from page 8 From his realistic lyrics to the tranquil musical bass he plans to inspire this millennial generation to seek after God. Being consistent with his music, Kyle’s perspective on praise is also unique. He says, “All praise is acceptable. If I was an organ player and I am playing for the Lord, then that’s my acceptable praise. If I were a tap dancer I would praise God through my ability to tap dance. If I was a freestyle dancer and the Spirit of God moved me then my free style would be my authentic praise.” Kyle considers his musical praise as a sacrificial offering; however, he explains it like this, “My music is my sacrifice unto God. I look at praise like Cain and Able. To me, Cain presented his offering unto God with a bad attitude. Like he didn’t really want to do it but then you have Able who reflected on the best thing he could give to God and presented it to Him with a good attitude and a clean heart. That’s how I see my music. It’s an offering to God. I mean that’s pure and real and that’s all I have to give Him where it’s just all about Him. It’s void of me; but it’s everything about Him. I give God my Able sacrifice and praise.”
“If I were a tap dancer I would praise God through my ability to tap dance. If I was a freestyle dancer and the Spirit of God moved me then my free style would be my authentic praise.”
Kyle will be the first to admit that transitioning from street life to the church is not such an easy thing to do. He shares, “You know most people don’t know that there’s a difference when you’re locked up for a couple of years verses those in there for life. The life timers are very serious about God and they minister to the younger ones. So, if you can feel the presence of God in a place like that then I know you can experience Him anywhere. That’s why I titled my album, G Praise which stands for Gangsta Praise. I wanted to show the different aspects of praise. God is different for everybody and there’s not just one way you can praise God. Some people clap their hands while some stomp their feet while some people run. I can use myself as an example. My wife, Kimberly, introduced me to church. When I first started going to church with her I sat there for maybe two or three years feeling the Holy Spirit, but I didn’t want to jump up and praise Him because I didn’t want everybody to think I was this crazy dude who just did a back flip down the aisle. I know there are people out there that think like that. They want to give God praise but they don’t know how. They want to let go but they’re afraid of being judged. When they feel the Holy Spirit, I want them to know that they can do what they feel as long as it’s an Able praise offering and not a Cain offering. True praise is always pleasing and acceptable unto the Lord. Through my music I want to let the street person know that they’re welcomed in the house of God, too. That’s basically what G Praise is all about; it’s all about hearing the Word of God through the music.”
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John 12:32 clearly says, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” This Biblical verse is one of the corner stones of his music. Kyles’ main passion is to turn the tides of the dark streets by sharing the Light of the World with those who reside there. His inspirational music has been supported by the Ali and Tyson of Christian hip hop pioneering artists, Canton Jones and Da’ T. R. U. T. H. who are both rapping on his new cd. Notwithstanding, Petey Pablo is also featured. According to Kyle, “A lot of people don’t know that Petey was raised in church.” Canton, Da’ T. R. U. T. H. and Petey sing and rap about street life with hip hop flavor and fashionable appeal. Kyle has tapped into this genera of music because the millennials who follow him and others like him adamantly confess Jesus Christ as their Personal Lord and Savior. They just so happen to confess it with a hip hop feel. According to Kyle, The Real M.O.G., “I have a strong passion for people who find it difficult to change their mindset of doing certain things that will put them back in prison. I just feel like it’s my duty to help them change. I want to spark the minds of this generation and challenge them to be positive; instead of being who the world has told them they had to be. They need to know that God is the beginning of it all and without Him nothing is possible. I know it can be done because I’m an example of being changed by listening to the Word of God. If God can change me He can change anybody.”
To listen to “I Give It All To You God” and “G Praise” or to contact Kyle Carver for booking engagements, go to The Real M.O.G. on FaceBook. To purchase and follow his release dates, please visit www.mogthereal.com
Quite often when people utilize the acronym MOG most Christians equate it to a pastor; however, that is not what Kyle is referring to. Instead, he has taken a more simplistic approach. He says, “I’ve always believed that when you’re dealing with God you want to be title-less. A lot of people want a title, but I don’t need a title to praise God. I had a title for years in the street and I found it to be a burden. When I decided that I wanted to get married and have children I knew I had to shed that title because it was related to my past. The Real M.O.G. simply means I’m just a man who loves God. I’m really nobody. I was made from dirt and I’m just trying to walk this truth and bring as many people with me as I can through the gift that God gave me and that’s my music.” Check out Kyle Carvers new album which will officially be released on Sunday, May 20, 2018. He also encourages others to listen to his singles on Facebook. He can also be followed on Instagram at mogthereal and thereal_m.o.g. His music is also available for purchase on iTunes, Tidal and all major digital streaming services. h
Apostle
Favor Looks So Good
By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Still Shots Photography
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rowing up, Nicole Bonds was surrounded by faith. Both parents served as youth leaders in their home church so she was privy to believing early on. Her late mother felt so strongly about the power of Christ, that she would drive a bus around and pick up the neighborhood children to transport them to church just to ensure they attended. There, she would teach them how to dress and the importance of having manners, among other things. Both parents would try and keep the community busy and involved, so they’d stay out of trouble. Her mother was also responsible for hundreds of people getting saved. It was a natural progression for her father to eventually become a head pastor (of several different churches) and her mother to claim her role as First Lady. “My parents even ran a soft ball team just so others would have something to do,” Nicole remembers. She wasn’t too far behind with allowing God to use her and the talents he gave her. She started playing classical piano at the age five, which later led her to become a youth leader. She maintained her involvement in music throughout college, serving as the music director at Lynchburg College, in Lynchburg, VA. Years later, Nicole married a pastor, and just like her mother, settled into her role as a First Lady. Through a few rough patches, she and her husband stood strong working on their union and their ministry side-by-side. One weekend, in 2013, Nicole attended an out of state work conference. It wasn’t the conference that changed her life, but God’s presence during the brief time away from her husband of 15 years. “The Lord showed me these visions of me traveling but my husband at the time was not in those visions. He said to me, ‘There are things you’re gonna do that your husband won’t be able to do with you.’ And I didn’t understand that. He told me I was very pregnant in the spirit but you cannot deliver in this toxic environment.” People often say, when God tells you to move, you move. Nicole didn’t know what she was supposed to do with the information God was feeding her, but she obeyed. She ultimately relocated back to Virginia, moved in with her sister, divorced her husband, and started manifesting the plan God put on her spirit.
“The Lord showed me these visions of me traveling but my husband at the time was not in those visions.”
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“Sometimes, as Christians, we can get so wrapped up in someone else’s dream and someone else’s vision that we lose ourselves by supporting them. Even in the church, we join a ministry and learn that ministry and build that ministry. But then, we forget about our own talents sometimes.” By 2014 Nicole founded The Life Church in Lynchburg and a year later opened The Life Center in Greensboro. In 2017, she opened The Life Center in Martinsville, VA with a similar center in Roanoke, VA later that year. Most recently, she launched The Life Center Concord. It goes without saying that Nicole and her team have been working tirelessly to share God’s word and grow her team’s talent along the way. “God told me there was a gap in churches helping people grow in their purpose. So, Life Nation seeks to help the person learn what their purpose is and then we give them a platform to be able to excel in it,” Nicole explains. Each campus has its own pastor, with her serving as the head pastor of them all. And they all have the same vision and mission – “Christ-centered and community-focused”, but tend to have a slightly different ‘flavor’, as Nicole calls it. She describes the Greensboro sight as the ‘Millennial Hub’, with most of its partners being younger, but equally divided between men and women. The Martinsville location is more traditional, with Thursday bible study, church service on Sunday. All centers are involved in their communities, but the Roanoke and Concord locations focus more on outreach to the underprivileged community. The centers also collaborate and work together on projects inside and outside the center walls. “I’m big on family so we get together often to do retreats, to do community service, or just to love on each other. Because we’re growing so rapidly, we want everyone to know their [Life Nation] family,” Nicole says.
The Life Nation
Apostle Nicole Bonds Founder and Senior Pastor
Anytime there is a new launch, partners from all other sites come and support them and are representatives from their site. The beauty of The Life Nation ministry is that there are people from all walks of life interacting with each other. One of the ministers serving in the Lynchburg site is in her sixties and is a retired attorney. Nicole explains that each site is small, with approximately 40-50 partners. They develop each person and then move them on to another area or site once their plan has been fulfilled. As of May, Nicole has made Greensboro her home and ministers there full time, teaching the non-denominational congregation the three stages of their Life Cycle – to connect, grow, and serve. “Our goal is to equip every believer with what they need so they can go out and share the message of Christ with the world. We feel that we’re the hands and feet of Jesus,” Nicole professes. This radical way of spreading the gospel and nurturing souls isn’t for everyone, but teaching the word absolutely should be. And it seems that Apostle Nicole Bonds is the right one to do it. h
1030 McConville Road Unit 8 - Lynchburg, Virginia (434) 515-0868 16
Barrington Riddick 18
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Off The Hook Seafood & Chicken Sweet Cold Treats By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Shaw Photography Group
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Photo by George Curtis
t’s officially spring and summer will soon be around the corner. With both comes weather just perfect for a cup of delicious Philadelphia Water Ice and a fresh “straight out the hot grease” “Around The World” fried fish plate accompanied with an addictive cup of strawberry lemonade. Meet Barrington Riddick, owner and operator of Sweet Cold Treats and Off the Hook Seafood and Chicken. Home grown in Bertie County, North Carolina, Barrington’s entrepreneurial spirit was put to task by his mother at an early age. He says, “My mother was the reason I started my first business. I asked her for some money one day and instead of her giving it to me, she gave me the best piece of advice of my life. What she told me to do was - save up my allowance, go buy some candy and sell it instead of coming and asking her for money every day. So that’s what I did. I would go to the store and buy some lollipops and Jolly Ranchers and sell them at school and around the neighborhood. I came from an entrepreneur family, so they taught me how to reinvest the money back into my business and I saved the profit. That’s how all of this got started because my mama wouldn’t give me any more money,” he laughs. It suffices that Barrington was reared by Proverbs 22:6 which states, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Barrington is so grateful his parents set his mind and his feet on a positive path.
Photo by George Curtis
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Pictured above are the team members of Off the Hook
Pictured with Barrington are his parents, Barron and Beverly Riddick 20 20 HuamiMagazine.com
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Another lesson he gleaned from his father and mother, who is a math teacher, was to complete his education. After graduating high school Barrington moved to Greensboro and attended Guilford Technical Community College and majored in Auto Body Repair. After graduation he worked at Crown Paint and Body for a while, but realized that he really enjoyed working for himself. With some patience and dedication, he found himself selling Italian ice from the Philadelphia Water Ice Franchise. This business picked up relatively quickly and Barrington saw he was earning more money selling the ice part-time than working a fulltime job. The math didn’t add up for him, so he developed a plan to branch out on his own. He shares, “I worked at Crown Paint and Body for years and I really loved my job, but my side business started growing. I knew I was going to have to let Crown go because I had three ice carts going at the same time that needed my attention. So, in 2006 I finally saved up enough money to get my license and began my own business debt free,” he said with a smile. “I remember the days when I had to drive to Philadelphia, pick up the ice, then turn around and drive back to Greensboro, and still be on time for work. This wasn’t easy. A lot of hard work went into the birth of Sweet Cold Treats.” Though some say Sweet Cold Treats’ water ice taste better than ice cream, Barrington realized that his sales reduced significantly during the colder months. Being the entrepreneur, Barrington knew that he needed his carts and truck to work for him regardless of the weather. He shares, “I branched out into selling hot food because of the cold weather, it’s harder to sell Italian ice in the winter, so I had to figure out a way to still make my truck work for me. Well, I started going to a lot of beauty shops and barber shops where people congregated during the winter time, you know. The women would be under the hair dryer and you know it’s hot under there and so they would buy a cup of Italian ice to keep their minds cool,” he laughs jovially. “So, they started calling me the Icey Man. I knew that wasn’t going to work for long because they have to come out from under that dryer at some point! So that’s when I started to think about selling hot food. As a result, I rented my uncle’s food trunk during the weekdays when he wasn’t using it for his own catering business. Over time using the same model, I saved up enough money to purchase my own food truck, and Off The Hook was born.”
Barrington advises anyone wanting to begin a business to do their research, first. He admits that he started his business completely backwards. He shares, “I kind of started my business backwards, but I knew enough that I had to make my business pay for itself. I had a full-time job and when I got paid I would use my entire check to buy my products, make my money, and then pay my bills. That’s how I operated. I mean looking back on it now that’s not what I should’ve done, but it actually worked for me. I wouldn’t tell anybody to do that though because it’s backwards, but I’ve also learned that you have to do what’s right for you. At the time my responsibility level was different. I’m disciplined and I’m a hardworking man. I’m always trying to be innovative and find ways that work better.” And yes, he certainly found a way to make his mobile truck work for him when he created Off the Hook Seafood and Chicken. This mouthwatering southern fried menu is best known for its delectable signature “Around the World” plate that consists of market fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, and oysters. He also caters to the person who enjoys fried chicken with all the extra trimmings.
“I remember the days when I had to drive to Philadelphia, pick up the ice, then turn around and drive back to Greensboro, and still be on time for work. This wasn’t easy. A lot of hard work went into the beginning of Sweet Cold Treats.”
Barrington knows that he’s fortunate to have two thriving businesses. When asked if there were plans to establish a brick and mortar location Barrington said, “Well it’s not really in my plans, but whatever God has for me is what I want. I don’t want to say no because I really enjoy going to the different events and meeting different people, but at the same time I don’t want to block my blessings. I just want what God has for me, so I guess the answer to that question remains open. What I do know for certain is that I want to do the right thing with what God has given me now. Everything else will come in due time.” Whether Barrington is catering a special event at church or a family reunion, he is genuine in his belief that these are opportunities to foster relationships and build bridges. He also enjoys being mobile because he can participate with community activities, such as festivals in the park, NC A&T State University Homecoming, Aggie Fest, and their Health Fair, the fundraiser for “Kids on Wheels Foundation”, National Night Out in the Community, the Annual Run for the Red (American Red Cross), The Community Theatre of Greensboro, and the Lexington Barbeque Festival, just to name a few. He also enjoys servicing the different area colleges and high schools when they have their annual carnivals. Continued on the next page
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So how can you find Sweet Cold Treats and Off the Hook Seafood and Chicken when you go to an event? Just look for the longest lines. Anyone who has indulged in his delectable delights will volunteer that “It’s worth the wait!” Barrington believes people wait in line because his water ice and food are not only ‘Off the Hook,’ but the customer service is second to none. He is firm in his belief that people don’t have to patronize you no matter how good your food might be. According to Barrington, “People spend their money where they feel appreciated. I’m grateful for my clientele because a lot of them have been faithful and loyal. When I’m at a festival, they come looking for my truck and it’s like seeing old friends. They do that because the food is good, hot, and seasoned with love, and they also know they’re going to be treated right. That’s how I was raised.” Barrington is grateful for the support of his family because they have taught him a lot about preparing food; they have also been some of his biggest supporters; and they show their support by working right by his side as his establishments continue to grow. He says, “I’m thankful that I have my family as a support team. They know me, and they know how I operate. I’m also grateful to God who is first in my life for making all of this possible. I don’t ever think that this is all about me. I know who really makes this happen.”
“I’m grateful for my clientele because a lot of them have been faithful and loyal. When I’m at a festival, they come looking for my truck and it’s like seeing old friends. They do that because the food is good, hot, and seasoned with love, and they also know they’re going to be treated right.”
Barrington believes in giving back to the community from his home town to Greensboro. He offers job opportunities to those who don’t mind working hard and to those who are dependable. He also mentors youth in becoming entrepreneurs. “I don’t mind giving back to the communities that have blessed me.” Most recently Barrington was featured on ABC News for providing over 500 hot fish dinners to those in need on the East Side of Greensboro after the tornado ravaged that community. According to Barrington, “It was just the right thing to do.” h
www.sweetcoldtreats.com 336-209-8724 23
Christian Anderson J Girl Entertainment
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By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Shaw Photography Group
Nurse by professional trade but music manager by God’s design. Meet Jessica Williams, owner and operator of J Girl Entertainment a Christian based music entertainment company that specializes in promoting gospel artists and coordinating quality events. They are located in Greensboro, NC. Its mission is to bring national and local gospel artists together. Their goal is to uplift the Christian music entertainment industry and inspire people from all walks of life towards the kingdom of God. Jessica’s intention is to utilize her platform for “changing the lives of people using gospel music, spoken word, and comedy to turn them in the direction of God.” Through this venue she aspires to build meaningful community relationships and support local charities. So, what inspired Jessica to create J Girl Entertainment when initially she began her professional career as a nurse? Jessica reveals that it was birthed from adversity in her life. She shares, “God really provided this vehicle for me. Before I launched my company, I was a nurse but then I lost my job and my life took a spiral downward. I wasn’t worried at first because I’m a nurse and nurses are always in high demand or so I thought. For an entire year I sought employment, but nothing ever came. It was tough. I couldn’t pay my mortgage and I almost went into foreclosure. I had to utilize the Urban Ministry and public assistance. All of this was a very humbling experience for me. But all that changed in 2012 when the Lord stepped in and blessed me with not one but two jobs. I was so grateful when He delivered me out of that season. I wanted to do something to honor Him so I thought a gospel concert would be the way to show my appreciation.” Jessica says that she only knew one gospel artist from her church and fortunately he was able to assist her. Jessica held her celebratory gospel concert during NC A&T State University’s Homecoming celebration. Since then she’s been building her brand and clientele. Jessica wants people to know that people are aware that there are quality gospel artists and entertainment venues right here in this area. “I want people to be as equally enthused about going to a Christian venue just like they are about going to a secular club. I want to reach those millennials who think they can’t have fun at a Christian event. I want them to understand that they can dance listening to gospel music and laugh just as hard at Christian comedy. The only difference is that God is in it.” Though Jessica tried to maintain her faith walking down this unfamiliar path she admits that her faith began to waiver; however, she relied on the fact that God had not failed her in the past and she was also reminded that Philippians 4:19 tells us that, “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” and that’s exactly what God did when He brought Christian and Karyress into her life. According to Jessica, “I wasn’t receiving the support that I needed to keep going and I wondered how I was going to make this all work. Then God stepped in, again, and reminded me that I wasn’t doing this, but He was. Then out of the blue here comes Christian asking me to produce a live DVD recording for her. Honestly, I almost told her no, but I realized that was the spark I needed to get back on track again. Then here comes Karyress. She called and asked if I could be her manager. I told her that I would have to really pray about that because being a manager would be a new role for me. You know that’s something so important because you have their careers in your hands and you’re responsible for helping them meet their goals and vision. But I felt in my spirit that I could do it so I said yes. Now that I think about it they were my Philippians 4:19.” All believers should know that God is an on-time God. He will give you what you need when you need it.
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By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Howard Gaither
Poochie’s Hair and Nails is not just a salon, it’s purposed. It’s a light, an opportunity, and a place for individuals to feed their soul. According to owner Brenda Ferrell, Poochie’s is all about the people. “When you walk in, you’re walking into a space of comfort. We want you to feel at home or as close to home as you can get. We want you to feel like family, because that is what we were built on,” she says. In addition to leading the staff at her salon, Brenda is also a wife, mother, and grandmother. “I’d like to think I am ambitious, dedicated, and sometimes overly cautious. Although I have an eye for beauty, I do not indulge in its craft and rather sit behind the scenes,” she says. However, she does offer 100% Human Virgin Hair by way of her own line of products, Poochie’s Bundles. Brenda is also an advocate for domestic violence and a published author. Brenda is a humbled individual and rarely takes any credit for her success. She often reflects on the love poured into her by mother, Mary ‘Poochie’ Ferrell-Jones who was a victim of ‘family’ domestic violence and violently killed in October of 2009, a day before her youngest daughter’s birthday. Her mother is the namesake of Poochie’s and even in death, she is the one thing that keeps Brenda striving. “My girls have always been taught to do what they love. After my mom passed, my husband and I thought it’ll be a great idea for the girls to pursue their craft while honoring my mother,” she says.
Icesis Mayo
Icesis Mayo is the daughter of Brenda and stylist at Poochie’s. She is a native of South Boston, Virginia and after graduating from high school in 2012, she enrolled in Leon’s Beauty School, eventually obtaining her cosmetology license in 2014. She then opened Poochie’s Hair and Nails alongside her mother and sister in 2016. Icesis says what she loves most about styling hair is the overall manipulation of different styles and hair textures. My strongest skill sets are natural hair, weave installation and locs, yet I also offer services for sew-ins, braids, twists, dreads, protective styles, color, and cuts. Icesis chose a career as a hair stylist because of a genuine love for styling hair. She took an interest in hair at a young age, from styling my dolls to practicing on her younger sister. Choosing a career as a stylist Icesis says was one of the easiest decisions she has made in life. Nail Technician Aajha Redd, Brenda’s other daughter, is also from South Boston, Virginia. At the age of 21 she started showing an interest in nails. “Every time my mom went to the nail salon to get her nails done, the nail techs saw my interest and would let me help with their customer. I would remove their polish or file their nails. When I moved to Greensboro, N.C., I graduated from high school a year early and immediately enrolled in Henderson Nail Academy.
Brenda Ferrell
“It’s all about the customers reaction once I am done. That is what I love most about what I do. My strongest skills are my creativity and the ability to turn something as simple as a fingernail into something extraordinary” she says. Aajha currently uses the Tammy Taylor, Young Nails, and Valentino Beauty line of products. Braider Jasmine Selby is also a Virginia native and obtained her license to style hair at Jasmine obtained her styling license at Steppin’ Out Hair Designs Academy in Virginia. With four years of professional experience now, Jasmine however has been braiding hair since she was thirteen years of age. “I was basically born into the salon as my mother, Darlene Terry is a stylist and currently owns her own salon. I loved watching her transform each client and during the process, make each session for the client therapeutic. That has always stuck with me. Now, as a mother of daughter who is only five, I am teaching her to follow her dreams and passion as I did,” she says. Jasmine chose a career as a hair stylist because of her passion and love for it. She also enjoys being her own boss and setting her own schedule and styling individuals from various demographics. Her strongest skills are with locs, natural hair and braids. In the future she hopes to eventually open her own Brading Studio. Though Poochie’s is a fairly “new” establishment, Brenda has experienced her share of challenges. She remains sure about completing the mission bestowed upon her. “I am thankful for the struggles. I wouldn’t change the sleepless nights while I wondered if we could pay the rent. I am thankful for he the blood, sweat and tears. As hard as I have cried and as bad as my heart has ached, I wouldn’t change how we got here. After tragedy comes triumph and I wouldn’t change that for the world,” she says.
Jasmine Selby
In the future, Brenda hopes to expand and be able to help stylists or nail technicians by giving them an affordable place to work while building their brand. She will also continue to offer free basic services to domestic violence victims and survivors. “We advocate for these women because I know first-hand what they are experiencing. More importantly, when you are in those situations, you don’t want to look how you feel or feel how you look. My plan is to grow and eventually offer more than just basic services and see Poochie’s become more than a household name. h
Poochie’s Hair & Nails
7 E Dundas Circle - Greensboro, North Carolina 27407 336-709-6321 www.poochieshairandnails.com Triad - May/June 2018
Aajha Redd HuamiMagazine.com
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PART ONE
By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Mykel Media Company
Huami Magazine would like to introduce you to an international project that will be coming to the Greensboro community known as the Purdue Peace Project (PPP). With a four-part series beginning with the May/June 2018 edition, you will learn about the origin of the Purdue Peace Project; what its mission and purpose are, and how the plan will be implemented in our community. You will learn of the community leader who invited the Purdue Peace Project to bring their unique life altering project to the Greensboro community to help eradicate the Black on Black crime rate that is growing at an alarming rate. You will also have a brief introduction to the facilitators of this project. The July/August 2018 edition will feature the individuals who are involved with establishing the local peacebuilding initiatives. During the September/October 2018 edition, we will highlight some of the local citizens and community leaders who have responded to the invitation to become involved. We will also feature other organizations within our community who are in alignment with the purpose of building a local peace committee. The November/December 2018 edition will share the results of the PPP and highlight many of the individuals who have been impacted by the Project. We ask for your prayers and support as this life changing initiative goes forth.
PURDUE PEACE PROJECT What is The Purdue Peace Project? So, you may wonder what exactly is the Purdue Peace Project; who invited them to bring their initiatives to our community; and how will their mission and purpose will be implemented within our community? Well, let us assist you with the answers to those questions. The idea for the PPP began in 2011, following a meeting of the minds between Milt Lauenstein, a Renaissance Man, CEO, Consultant, Educator, Author, Artist, Activist for peace and of course, a Philanthropist and then Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education, Dr. Mohan Dutta. Both men shared the belief that social change should originate within the local communities themselves which would inspire positive change in the world. At the time their initial mindset was to concentrate on eradicating political violence in West Africa. Their mantra is a simple one, “Promoting Peace Through Local Action.” This is done through peacebuilding work on the local and Dr. Kurt Lauenstein and Rev. Odell Cleveland community level. To orchestrate this endeavor PPP will organize everyday citizens to help them address immediate threats of violence within their own communities. They continually monitor and evaluate their projects to maximize their impact worldwide. Then, they share these experiences and best practices with practitioners and scholars around the world to strengthen and promote world peace through local action.
How will this international project transition to Greensboro?
This transition would take place and be implemented by convening groups of local citizens and leaders in community areas where clearly, identified situations threaten to lead to violence, and to encourage and assist these citizens in their efforts to bring about peaceful solutions. In promoting locally driven and inclusive approaches to peacebuilding, PPP believes that it is essential that the participants of the groups be inclusive of the local citizens and leaders within that community because they are the individuals living and working in that culture and already know what it would take for their community to thrive peacefully. Therefore, the Purdue Peace Project desires that their peacebuilding initiatives be locally led.
What is Locally Led Peacebuilding? I’m glad you asked that question. Locally Lead Peacebuilding is an approach in which the people involved in, and most affected by, violent conflict work together to create and enact “their own” solutions to prevent, reduce, and/or transform the conflict, with the support they desire from outsiders. 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. In essence, the Purdue Peace Project is not the outsider coming into your community and telling you how to solve your problems. In fact, they are quite the opposite. What they actually do is “ask you to tell them” what it will take for you to live safely, peacefully and productively within your own neighborhoods. They want to help you by providing the resources that you determine you need to live holistic and progressive lives. Sounds to good to be true - - but it is true.
The faciliators of the Purdue Peace Project are Dr. Stacey Connaughton (above), an Associate Professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University and the Principal Investigator and Project Director and Daniel Kamal (below), a Ph.D. student at Purdue University also in the Brian Lamb School of Communication and works primarily in the area of Health Communication.
PPP’s locally driven initiatives have saved countless lives in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, and in El Salvador where tribal warfare is real and lasts for unforeseeable years. Greensboro is experiencing its own “tribal wars” with it’s Black on Black crimes. Most of these crimes can be prevented if in fact basic and socioeconomic needs are met. It’s time for the African American to truly “Be Our Brothers and Sisters Keeper.” The Purdue Peace Project is asking us how they can help make that happen. Think about it Greensboro. What would it take for you to feel safe living in your community and what do you believe is lacking? What do you want to see when you walk out of your front door? Write it down and share your thoughts, your dreams, your desires. How do you want to live? Huami Magazine believes you have BIG dreams, BIG wants, and BIG desires for your sons, your daughters, your grandchildren, your nieces and your nephews. Write it down and make the vision plain. Now that you have been introduced to the Purdue Peace Project and have a better understanding of how it intends to impact the Greensboro community let’s look at the person who implored them to come and implement this project. Most of the local readers may already be familiar with this community leader but for those who are not Huami Magazine would like to introduce you to, Rev. Odell Cleveland, Chief Administrative Officer of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Greensboro and founder of America’s first faith-based community action agency, the Welfare Reform Liaison Project. What started Continued on the next page
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Rev. Odell Cleveland Captain Nathaniel Davis Greensboro Police Department out twenty years ago in Greensboro,NC in a side annex of Mount Zion Baptist Church has grown into a nationally recognized nonprofit organization with an outsized impact on North Carolina’s most marginalized. Promoting selfsufficiency for low-income families through employment training and the distribution of donated products, Rev. Cleveland built a solutions-driven agency that would come to be heralded as a pioneering model by the head of President Obama’s Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. According to Rev. Cleveland, “The majority of the people who are victims in Greensboro come from the African American community. No matter how we look at it, what makes these crimes even worst is that these are Black people killing Black people. Being my brother’s keeper is more than a proverbial saying to me. What’s happening in our communities’ grieves my soul. So, when God says Odell, what happened to your brother? His blood is crying out to me from the ground I don’t want to have to tell Him I don’t know. I must do my part in being accountable. That’s why I asked the Purdue Peace Project to come here. The wars that are going on in those villages in Africa are the same one’s going on here in our communities. Those tribal wars are our neighborhood gangs. If Purdue can foster peace in Africa then they can do it here, too. We’re not looking for a hand out. We’re looking for a hand up.” Next, we would like to introduce you to the key players of the Purdue Peace Project who will be instrumental in facilitating these locally led peacebuilding groups and collect the necessary data for PPP‘s constituents so they can have a clear understanding of the community’s needs. Meet Dr. Kurt Lauenstein, the son of one of the founding fathers of the PPP and a practitioner of family medicine in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dr. Lauenstein shares, “In Africa and El Salvador they’re called war lords and
“The majority of the people who are victims in Greensboro come from the African American community. No matter how we look at it, what makes these crimes even worst is that these are Black people killing Black people. Being my brother’s keeper is more than a proverbial saying to me. What’s happening in our communities’ grieves my soul.” eventually these groups rise to the top and control the whole government but if you look at American society we have the same issues they’re just not as obvious in the same way, but what’s happening is universal and anyone who can’t see that is blind. Once PPP goes into a community they bring awareness through conversations that you can’t keep killing each other and destroying where you live because nothing gets resolved. In order to build harmony, you must feel safe, first. And those who live in the community must be the ones to decide what it means to be safe, what that looks like for them, and how they can make that happen. If you look at the history of the Black community, it’s so rich in culture and it has so much to tell the world about life. PPP is trying to bring the culture of peace back so that the African American community can be the thriving communities they once were. It’s time for Greensboro to change. The suffering and lack has got to stop so humanity can move forward and there are a lot of good people in Greensboro who want to see that happen. They want to see holistic and progressive living, nice restaurants, shops, and public services in East Greensboro
that aren’t there now. We need for the community to buy into this concept.” Dr. Lauenstein is sincere when he shares that neither he, his father, nor Purdue are interested in telling the African American community what’s best for them or what this process should look like. What he is offering; is the implementation of the collectives’ ideas by providing the resources through the Purdue Peace Project. The facilitators of the Purdue Peace Project are Dr. Stacey Connaughton, an Associate Professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication at Purdue University and the Principal Investigator and Project Director and Daniel Kamal, a Ph.D. student at Purdue University also in the Brian Lamb School of Communication and works primarily in the area of Health Communication. Both work together with international peacebuilding teams in West Africa and El Salvador. According to Dr. Connaughton, “All of us associated with the Purdue Peace Project are extremely grateful for the opportunity to help local citizens prevent violence and to contribute new knowledge on locally driven effective peacebuilding.” Dr. Connaughton says that she has witnessed successful outcomes and is hopeful that the same positive talks will go forward with the local citizens and leaders in Greensboro. Huami Magazine has high hopes that the citizens in Greensboro will come together and help make the Purdue Peace Project one that will begin a legacy in our community. Huami Magazine is fortunate to work alongside Milt Lauenstein, Dr. Kurt Lauenstein, Rev. Odell Cleveland, and the members of the Purdue Peace Project to spread the word about this phenomenal peacebuilding initiative. Milt Lauenstin once wrote, “I believe that while money and rewards motivate us to strive for more, this happens only up to a point. … When I found that I had more than I needed, I decided to use the surplus for a worthy cause.” He also added, “The satisfaction gained from giving financial support to good causes is huge — and multiplied by actively participating in the work.” Due to the good works and unselfishness of philanthropic people Greensboro may have a fighting chance.
Tifanie Rudd of M8de 2 Rise, Inc.
Adrian Martinca - President of Technology For The Future
Thank you for reading this article and reflecting critically within yourselves what it all means to you. Remember, Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, “2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” It’s our time Greensboro. We look forward to the outpour of local citizens desiring to bring their dreams and vision to the table. h
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Elois Lettley Occasions II Catering Where Every Event Is Special
By Junious Smith III - Photos by TMF Photography
In 1998, Elois Lettley founded Occasions II Catering in Burlington. Despite having a natural talent towards cooking great meals, she was nervous because she had never done something of quite a magnitude. “I started this with very little restaurant experience,” she said. “I worked in a hospital and a friend of mine knew I had a passion for cooking, so he asked if I would lease a building and start this business. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but nearly 20 years later I’m still here.” Not only is Elois’s organization still here, it has become a staple in Alamance County. The Burlington-based restaurant was previously a car dealership, but with her drive, Occasions II Catering has become known as a strong staple in the area. The Caswell County native has been able to provide a great soul food experience through the highs and lows. “I love what I do. It’s not as easy as people think and there are a lot of challenges. The hardest thing has been turning my mom and grandmother’s recipes from serving 20 people to 400 while keeping it the same taste. I’m also dealing with budgets and payrolls for others while also trying out different recipes of my own. I’ll let my family test them out first before I put them on the menu for the customers,” she says.
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After moving to New York, she found the love of her life George. They were soon married and had two children, Fraizer and Gregory. While their children were beginning to sprout up, they decided to move back to her home of North Carolina. “We came back here to raise our children because the big city wasn’t really working for me. George is originally a native of Wilmington, so it was easy to come back home,” she said. While in New York, Elois worked full-time for the Bank of Toyko on Wall Street for several years. She also worked part-time at a restaurant called Muffin Burger. Prior to that she didn’t have much experience professionally, other than cooking for her family, friends and church members. This is where she got her first opportunity to work in the food service industry and has been hooked ever since. Back in North Carolina Elois got a job working at Wachovia Bank in Winston Salem. She then tranisitioned into a skilled nursing role at nursing home before obtaining employment at Alamance Memorial Hospital (now Alamance Regional Hospital). Twelve years later, she answered her calling and opended the doors of Occasions II Catering on Front Street. Twenty years later Elois and her team is still serving delicious food. “I think one of the reasons we’ve been able to keep our doors open for so long is because we keep the country cooking aspect in focus and offer it at an affordable price,” she says. “Although the menu changes regularly, there are some staples such as fried chicken, corn bread and macaroni and cheese. I try to change up the routine, but the demand for some of the dishes require me to keep them on the buffet. I also have a Soul Food buffet on Friday nights where we offer chitterlings and pig feet, along with my special barbecue sauces. I think there’s a great blend of food here that you don’t see at a lot of other restaurants in the area.” It took a bit of time to build, but as the reputation grew, so have Occasion’s supporters. “I remember the first Sunday we opened up there were only 30 people who came and I didn’t know what to make of it,” Elois said. “Now, there’s an average of about 500 people who come in and there have been some Sunday’s where we’ll seat about 800 people. We were open for Mother’s Day last year and had about 1,000 people come in, and we’re expecting the same this year.” The restaurant is able to hold up to 400 people, with the area available to rent for private events. Numerous local organizations host monthly lunch or dinner meetings inside and can be done simultaneously in some cases. The restaurant is closed on Saturday to accommodate for bookings. In addition to Burlington, they’ve also done events in WinstonSalem, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro and Yanceyville and are fully capable of cooking on site with grills if needed. Occasions II Catering has been blessed to provide a location to host weddings, banquets, dinner parties and family reunions. With great food and customer service the future looks just as promising in the years to come. Stop by today and treat yourself to the wonderful Occasions II experience. h
Occasions II Catering is opened Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They offer a special Soul Food Buffet from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday evenings. On Sunday, they are opened from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
286 E. Front Street - Burlington, NC 27215 - 336-227-9887 - www.occasionscateringnc.com Triad - May/June 2018
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NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
Visual Arts Program 2018 Senior Projects Exhibition
On April 26th, 2018 the students of the Visual Arts Program of North Carolina A&T State University participated in a Senior Projects Exhibition in the Dudley Memorial Building located on A&T’s campus. They showcased their works of art and gave viewers the chance to talk directly to the artists. Amongst the students that participated were Mireyah Muniz, a self-described fireball of energy who loves being creatively alive. Any art that she makes is intended to send a message. Whether it be a simple idea or a racial stance, Mireyah hopes the viewer will walk away with something new. Her life, and art career has been impacted by life experiences. “Everything hasn’t always been cookie cutter perfect and I’ve hit some speed bumps in life, but it hasn’t stopped me from being the best I can be,” she says. “I put personal things in my art the reflect me and my culture and where I come from. I reflect on what I see in the world around me and what it has to say about me. Being a student at NC A&T has helped to elevate me as a person and artist. The professors really care and take me seriously as an artist. Clarence Clemons is a senior student at North Carolina A&T State University. He is originally from Jacksonville, FL and moved to Charlotte, N.C. in 2010. Creativity has always been a passion for him and Clarence states it’s wonderful to find a career focusing on just that. His style of art exists in the subject matter more than the visual aesthetic. He is big on morals and themes mainly because, if implemented right, he says these can be subjects that can encourage and inspire viewers on a stronger level. “My piece called ‘Faithful’ is about standing strong, even when the odds don’t seem to work in your favor. This isn’t it out of ignorance, but out of courage and confidence. Usually, my work will be slightly abstracted to exaggerate certain things such as using caricatured proportions or dashing strikes to depict motion. This is usually done to help viewers mentally depart from the constraints of real life and open their minds to a new way of seeing the world we live in,” Clarence says. Somewhat different than most other artist, Clarence’s inspiration for both art and design came from the video game industry, more specifically Sonic the Hedgehog 2. “It came out in 1992, the year I was born, but I didn’t get to play it until I was four years old. The art direction and setting in that game was the first time I ever saw anything as artful, creative, and almost entirely out of the box. It showed me that life can be more than how we see it with our own eyes. That’s the feeling I hope others will have when they see my work,” he says.
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“Shakur”
“Solitary Terror”
Jessica Townsend
“The Element of Air”
Jarrett Brown
Claire Rogers
Claire Rogers is a graduating senior from Charlotte, N.C. She is soft-spoken and a lover of art and culture. She is drawn to all things expressive, artistic, and innovative, and anything else that falls in between. She is also a collector of random information and is most comfortable when sketching or reading a good book. Claire describes her style of art as Afrocentric. “I draw influence from ancestral and alchemic symbols as well as concepts from multiple cultural spiritual backgrounds. I have a free-flowing approach to the style of mark making that I use within my work. I always tend to use similar color palettes throughout my work which is one of the underlying strings that connect my work aesthetically. From an early age, Claire’s parents have allowed her siblings and herself to be expressive and explorative within the arts. Her family and friends have also been her biggest supporters. She declares that NC A&T’s art instruction has helped her to become the artist she has always seen herself as. “My gift is constantly improving and evolving, and I am learning to use everything around me, and everything within me to create,” she says. Mary Brown is a 28-year-old Greensboro native who enjoys gardening, creating art, the mountains, and hanging out with her animals. She is a double major in Environmental Science and Visual Art. Over the years, Mary has learned how to love Greensboro and its sense of community and hopes to continue growing with it. As an artist, she often starts a piece not knowing visually where she is going with it. “Generally, I start with one idea or subject. That is usually a person or a mood I want to portray. As I focus on developing the initial subject the rest falls into place. Sometimes it’s as simple as wanting the portrait to convey boldness and happiness through color and pattern, and other times the concept of sorrow is carried out through pattern and imagery before creating a face that conveys the mood. Ultimately, while each piece has a unique personal mood or idea behind it, I want the viewer to experience their own version of joy, confidence, or sorrow and allow the art to draw them to their own memories of those feelings,” she says. As a younger adult, Mary experienced many rough times, some self-inflicted. Coming to the NC A&T Visual Art’s department and having Dr. Hooker as her first professor allowed her to utilize my past struggles as a asset and gave her the freedom and encouragement she had not found elsewhere previously. “NC A&T art instructors gave me the freedom to create as I saw fit and provided constructive critiques of how to grow and develop my personal style,” says Mary. “Often my biggest inspirations are not the people themselves I convey, but a universal feeling they are expressing, that is unique to them, yet others have also felt on their own. I am also inspired by stories, feelings, memories, empathy, and the diversity and similarities that lie with them.” Continued on the next page
“Faithful”
Clarence N. Branch
“Flint Stoned” Mimi Muniz
Triad - May/June 2018
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As the Program Director within the Visual Arts department, Roymieco Carter’s duties can be simple to state, but also difficult to execute at times. Every day, the goal is to focus on the relevant improvements needed for excellence, whether it be today, the near future, or for possibilities of the distant future. It would not be a challenge if that was the only aspect. “It gets challenging because when I have to juggle the needs and expectations of our student population, our greatest asset along with meeting the needs and expectations of the faculty. I must align the universities goals with those within our Visual Arts program. The expectations are great but whenever you get and email form a student thanking the program for helping become a creative professional, it’s all worth it,” he says. The students that enter the Visual Arts program come from various backgrounds. Some come from a family of artist who have encouraged their artistic aspirations. Some are under their own drive and determination. “We embrace every student and offer guidance to help them be successful. It is amazing how many of our students end up in leadership positions because of the organization, discipline, and focus skills they acquired as a student,” says Roymieco.
Roymeico Carter, MFA Program Director
As an artist, Roymieco reflects on the historical accounts of creativity playing key roles in the shaping of our society. “Of course, I am focused on the creative contributions of the arts in the world and I understand how the arts have embraced science, nature and the spiritual and allowed us to explore the opportunities of the ‘new’. We don’t know what the ‘new’ looks like but sometimes we can see our influence on the thinking of others,” he says. Amy Schwartzott serves as Assistant Professor of Art History and Curator of University Galleries. She is curious and deeply invested in the arts, its history, media. The overall framework continues to fascinate her on a daily basis, enriching all aspects of her life. Amy teaches Art History classes at NC A&T and works with logistics connected to the University Galleries, including the historic African collection of the Mattye Reed Collection and the African American collection of the H. Clinton Taylor Gallery. She is involved with the organization, presentation, and curation of ongoing art exhibitions at NC A&T and gives community and university tours. Amy was drawn to her current position because of its hybridity, teaching and curating. Her goal is to connect the outstanding art collection at NC A&T with the classroom, creating a platform to explore object context by linking the didactic opportunity of “real art” to the learning that incorporates these themes and helps to create more potent connections between students and art.
Amy Schwartzott
Assistant Professor of Art History & Curator of University Galleries
Amy is an art historian, so not a plastic artist in the true sense. However, she has an innate passion and calling for the history of art, akin to what artists relate to their chosen profession. “I am inspired by artists who create art from recycled materials. The notion of transformation of objects and the innate biography of their materiality is especially exciting to me. This has led me to investigate the role recyclia has made in the media of Mozambican contemporary artists. “I understand the students exhibit many diverse talents, abilities, and skills. The diversity of our student population provides a rich offering to the Visual Arts Department, as we focus on nurturing and supporting many divergent interests in media, subject matter, and technical style. The greatest feature of our students is their ability and interest in learning from each other,” says Amy. Dr. Willie Hooker is a Professor of Art with the Visual Arts program at NC A&T. His goal is to immense professional development opportunities for the visual arts faculty and students concerning art curricular materials, interdisciplinary art research, and global art exhibitions. His twenty years as a tenure full-professor at NC A&T has motivated Dr. Hooker with passion for studio art and African American art history that extends beyond his own art studio. “I believe one of the best ways to produce art is to see art on a global scale. The university has given some of the art students the opportunity to travel with me internationally, visiting some of the world’s greatest art museums and art galleries,” he says. “Pushing art students past boundaries and honing and developing their artistic skills for graduate school, and obtaining a Master of Fine Arts Degree after graduating from NC A&T.” Dr. Hooker considers himself a serious studio artist and scholar in African-American art history. “I want people, especially blacks to feel a sense of pride when they look at my African-American art work and interpret it. It should produce a respect for Africa. As a scholar in the visual arts my mission is to cultivate the international global community about the historical aspects of African - American Art History,” he says. h
Dr. Willie Hooker Professor of Art
“Self Portrait”
“Self Portrait”
“Raven Maker 1”
“Lonely Is Normal”
Jihad Evans
Algie Jordan
“Love & War” Erin Eley
“Unity”
Amada Altnor
Jihad Evans
“Self Portrait”
Jazmen Barnes
“Self Portrait”
Antonio Selby
Dalila Durham
“All Saints”
Mykaela Brevard
“Amiya”
Mary Kate Brown
Realizing that God was working on her behalf, Jessica consented to produce Christian’s live DVD and they have been working together ever since. Christian shared that she has been reared in the church from the womb and she cannot ever remember a time when she wasn’t singing. She shares, “Singing is my life. When I was small I would even sing to the preschoolers,” she chuckles. “Actually, my father was really the one who motivated me to sing because he was a Blues singer and traveled all over the world. He was also my choir director at the church I grew up in back home in Tennessee.” Counting adversity all joy is not as easily done as it is to speak those words. Christian has a story like so many people who have an anointing on their lives. That anointing is going to be tested just like oil is squeezed and pressed from the olive. Christian recalls, “When I moved to Greensboro two years ago I was going through a really tough time. I had gotten married to a man who wound up having complete control over my life. I couldn’t travel or sing at different events anymore. Then I realized I was four months pregnant and that’s when he left me. Nobody could have ever told me that my marriage would have turned out the way it did especially since I married a church man. I thought I had done everything right.” Matthew 7:7 tells us to “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Well, Christian reflected upon this scripture and received revelation. “I just look at that part of my life as a testimony. The enemy saw a glimpse of my future and he utilized my ex-husband to try and stop my ministry. Looking back on it God told me not to marry him, but I just didn’t listen to His voice, so I had to suffer the consequences of my disobedience, but the best part is my beautiful daughter. God is so faithful. He’s opening doors again through J Girl Entertainment. I believe this is something that God wants me to do and so I’m going to be obedient this time and I’m stepping out on faith to make sure it gets done.” Another person stepping out on faith with J Girl Entertainment is First Lady Karyress Calloway. She shares, “I met Ms. Jessica a few months ago and I believe she’s the platform I need to help bring awareness to epilepsy. I’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy since I was two years old. I’ve always struggled with insecurity and anxiety issues because of it especially since you never know when the seizures are going to come - - it’s really difficult.” Karyress has been singing professionally for seven years, but it wasn’t until recently when she realized that her writing songs and singing actually turned out to be a way to help her combat this condition. She shares, “I’m able to find peace in my spirit through writing and singing. I believe my mission is to help others find that creative piece that will help them deal with their difficult moments.” Karyress informs us that most people don’t understand that there are 40 different types of epilepsy and the seizures are different too. She says, “Just because you don’t see people falling out and foaming at the mouth doesn’t mean they aren’t having a seizure. I used to have them while I was sitting at my desk at school and I just couldn’t move, or I could be walking home from the store and wake up laying in the street. Nobody would help me because they didn’t know what was going on with me. People need to be aware of this condition and I see my music as a way to bring awareness to it.”
To connect with Jessica Williams and become a part of J Girl Entertainment, or if you need assistance promoting your event please visit
www.jgirlentertainment.com
You may also contact her via email and by phone at
jgirlentertainment@hotmail.com (336) 988-1124
Jessica is encouraged with both Christian’s and Karyress’s future. She is well on her way making connections with local and national recording artists promoting events. She is also welcoming new artists and is enthused about taking them from start to finish in their new careers. Jessica says, “I enjoy finding out what their expectations are and where they want to go. They should come to the table with a mission and vision. The Bible say’s to write the vision and make it plain. Once that piece is done then we can make the plan.” J Girl Entertainment does promotions and a variety of community events. They are about building relationships and serving God. Jessica desires all to know that she loves God first and foremost. She’s also says, “I’m not perfect and I don’t always say or do everything right, but I love God and I want to see others love Him too. I see J Girl Entertainment as a way to make that happen.” h
A Letter to the Black Church “Reclaiming Our Time” Dear Black Church, this letter addresses the need to reclaim our church and our time for such as time as this. We must provide direction and insight to a lost world that has ensnared us in a world and has smothered us from reaching our goal of being soul winners. It time for us to go back to how and why we exist. In the film Mahogany the legendary Diana Ross sang with exuberance these lyrics: “Do you know where you’re going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know? Do you get what you’re hoping for? When you look behind you there’s no open door, what are you hoping for? Do you know? Diana Ross starred as the leading role of Tracy Chambers a woman who becomes a glamourous fashion model. The song gives a candied evaluation of life’s journey and what lies ahead. The song alludes that money cannot buy happiness or love. This song did not qualify for an Oscar even though it was the most popular song of 1976; that decision was over turned it was nominated, but the song lost in the final vote. The other interesting thing about the song it was considered to have bad grammar, because it ended with, Do you Know? This song broke through the glass ceiling, because Diana Ross was the first artist to perform via telecast she was currently on tour in Europe (Wikipedia-Theme from Mahogany). The certitude of this song and performance provided an all-encompassing release that life has its ups and down, but you must know where you are going and what you are going after. The Black Church must redefine its mission of Matthew 28:16-20. The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages of the bible. Our mission is to go into the community and evangelize. We have a responsibility to compel those who are lost and those who have walked away for the faith to “Come Back Home.” The world has divided the church by placing labels on the things that we do and say. As a result, we must reclaim our time back. The Black Church was birthed out of suffrage and songs. The oppression that was plaguing the black community; especially slavery was a foreshadowing of what was to come. The face of slavery represented a movement that gives us light that trouble doesn’t last always. For the African Americans who were looking for a way out it was songs they used to communicate that provided them with a code for the path to freedom. The black culture has always been embodied in music. Music was their get-a-away imagery that allowed their minds to see a way out. The fundamental experience of the Black Church was the pillar of the community. There were not a lot of places that slaves could go to for safety; therefore, in their songs it provided a safe house and route for their families to escape. So, music was more than a sound, it was a muse for creative artistry and expression. So, I ask the questions what message is music giving to our community? Could it be that music has left out the true message? Music is our resting place not a hiding place. Music is our sundry of various kinds, but the artistry has been left out. We need to reclaim our true meaning of the black community the message is in the music. How do we refortify the Black Church and bring it to the 2K18? How do we reach millennials and Gen-X? Research has shown that the world’s trends change every four years, but the church changes every twenty years. Therefore, by time the church changes the world system would have changed four times, and the church will
Dr. Erika Hendrix B.S., M. Div., D.D.
still be behind. So, the time-tested questions are where do we go from here? How do we right our wrongs? How do we become more transformative in forward thinking? How do we move the church from a moral crisis to a more kingdom minded atmosphere? Millennials and Gen-X are forward thinkers, so how are you going to bring them back to the church? The church for millennials is not a physical building, they feel a freedom to think outside of the box. The Black Church has a responsibility to embrace and to mentor Millennials and Gen-X to a familiar place, but not to a traditional place. There is a famous saying that, “home is where the heart is.” There worship experience is much different from baby boomers. So, where do we go from here? There is a sense of urgency to allow the voice of the Black Church to be more resounding and not hidden in the shadows. This letter to the Black Church is more than a letter it is a prophetic call to the urgency of NOW. The writer of the book of Hebrews, Apostle Paul gave credence that Now faith is our substance for the evidence; and the Old Testament Prophet Amos gives us hope in chapter 9:13-it want be long Now! Things are changing right before you. So, I leave you with this letter that the season of “Now” is here and we have been called to be h soul repairers and not soul breakers. 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
Triad - May/June 2018
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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood
Creativity runs through Jai (pronounced Jay) Duncan’s veins. Her mom is a furniture maker and her uncle crafts jewelry out of precious stones. The talent apparently settled on her too. She’s tried her hand at several different art forms, paring different materials, colors, and her own special techniques. Jai started designing jewelry a decade ago until she hit a rough patch in her life and took a break. When she was ready to crank it up again, she had an idea to buy pieces in bulk and sell them. After a few months, she realized she wasn’t dedicated to it and stopped. Another idea was to take pictures of her uncles’ jewelry and put the images on drinking mugs. “That didn’t work too well because you couldn’t really see some of the pictures very good,” she explains. The self-taught artist went back to the drawing board to figure out exactly what her niche would be. She discovered a site that allowed its customers to purchase images without being subject to copyright infringement as well as a program that would allow her to create her own abstract designs, allowing her to reinvent her mugs. Her love for wood sparked an idea to put ethnic images on different pieces too.
When Jai is not gluing, printing, or crafting, she works as a Billing Supervisor at a publishing company. Her team makes sure all magazine advertisements are correct, including coloration, price, and size of ads, prior to the issue being printed. “I started out as an Administrative Assistant at this company in New York and have been at the Charlotte location for 11 years now.” Considering her day job, there are times when Jai has to pace herself and step away from her art. She suffers from Fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by chronic muscle pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues, according to mayoclinic.org. “Although it is somewhat managed, it’s still a struggle at times. Sometimes, I’m in so much pain, I’m unable to create things I want to,” says Jai. At one point, she also suffered from Carpel Tunnel and had to resort to painting t-shirts with one hand.
Although she has been creative all her life, Jai was inspired to pursue her art when she noticed a coworker selling her handmade jewelry at work. The wheels in her brain started flowing and she began crafting afro-centric medallion necklaces, rings, and other pieces. She has most recently added sculptures constructed from rocks, glass, and beads to her list of items she offers. Jai credits ‘You Tube’ for helping teach her how to create many of her pieces.
Growing up in her hometown of Harlem, the mother of two reminisces on her teenage years, being a free spirit, dancing at different parties around the city to house music, and even appearing in a rock video. Her formative years are long gone, but the results of those times have had a great impact on her current lifestyle. Raising two sons who may ultimately follow in her footsteps has been personally rewarding. Her oldest son lives in New York and is forging a career in music while also designing a clothing line. Her youngest, a high school senior graduating in June, also dabbles with t-shirt designs. When asked about the investment needed to begin, she quickly laughs, “Blood, sweat, and tears! But it’s all been worth it.” It goes without saying that oftentimes art is a labor of love, because the items you’ve spent time pouring into won’t appeal to everyone. The sculptures she creates are her pride and joy. “I’m literally creating something from scratch so there’s no telling what direction it could go in. No two pieces are the same,” says Jai. h
“Last year was a really good year for me. I met so many people and attended lots of street fairs and it’s helping me build my brand,” says Jai. She was recently invited to an art show and is excited to display her art to the community in May.
Jai’tique Designs
www.jaitiquedesigns.wixsite.com/jaitiquedesigns 704-659-5254
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
Shaun Knight Order Online, Available For Pick Up & Delivery
www.eatstumps.com For more information, please call 336-451-9885
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huami MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
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Kinsley & Kingston Jones-Brown
The children of Lakisha Jones and Kendrick Brown Photo provided by Michael Garris
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
Want To Advertise? Call 336-340-7844
Aysha Ives
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Aysha Ives Aysha Ives is multifaceted. Externally, Aysha is a woman who is often somewhere between being an entrepreneur and taking care of her family, two roles of which she loves tremendously. Then there’s the internal Aysha; the rainbow haired woman who is often found somewhere in the metaphysical world. Either way, she has found herself deeply involved with her business, Essentially Aysha, LLC. After being in business for several years as a coach, author, and publisher, the Richmond, VA resident decided to launch her very own business. As the mother of a high achieving athlete, she has seen how grueling athletics can be on the body of young athletes. She watched tournaments after tournament and cringe at the impact that competitive sports bring. So, rather than just watch (and cringe) from afar, Aysha began seeking solutions that would ward off some of these negative consequences and concluded with Essentially Aysha, LLC. Aysha was determined to find high quality, effective products that would meet the specific needs of her highly athletic son. She came across some products that worked but she had concerns with putting certain kind of chemicals into his body. It helped to ease his pain and discomfort but at what expense. She was focused on nutrition and recovery and trying to prevent dumping some potentially harmful into his bloodstream. Aysha knew there had to be something better. “I kept looking for something better and my search eventually brought me to the world of essential oils, and I haven’t turned back ever since,” she says. After being introduced to essential oils and seeing first hand, the incredible benefits they provide, it began to dawn on Aysha the oils would benefit more than just her son and her family. It became her mission to share the resources with other athletic families. Essentially Aysha, LLC was born.
Essentially Aysha, LLC offers essential oil blends that are formulated to meet the specific needs of high achieving athletes in the competitive youth sports www.essentiallyaysha.com sector. They currently have two products on the market and another that has just finished the product testing phase. “Our Athlete’s Balm is designed to soothe sore muscles and joints after intense workouts, games, and tournaments. Young players are constantly pushing their limits in the competitive sports world and our Balm helps to soothe and cool those overworked muscles,” she says.
804-525-9846
The Soothe blend is designed to help ease head tension. When it’s time to play, the last thing a player needs is a headache or migraine. Soothe contains six crucial essential oils known for helping to relieve head and neck tension and discomfort. The other product, Relieve, is made up of a blend of essential oils that are known to ease the discomfort of seasonal allergies. This is especially helpful during the Spring and Fall sports seasons when allergens are at their worst. It’s designed to help players go harder than their allergies so they can have their best season yet. “Our products are all natural and our roller bottles offer quick, on-the-go access,” she says. “I love that I can bring awareness about the efficacy of essential oils to the sports world. It’s competitive and there are bumps, bruises, and soreness that come with the grind. Knowing that I have the tools to help young athletes, blows my mind. The oils are great individually, but they are blended together based upon their individual therapeutic qualities, the potency is unparalleled. Being able to offer these blends to sports families, that’s what is most important to me when it comes to my business. Contact Aysha Ives to learn more about Essentially Aysha and her products. h
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From Crack To Christ
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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Johnathan Snorton anya Davis of Detroit, MI is a perfect example of how God’s grace and mercy works. It is impossible to understand her pains and pitfalls just by looking at her outward exterior. You would have to pierce quite a bit more and listen to her soul sing the praises of God and how He saved her from a life of despair and hopelessness.
Tanya is a mother, wife, grandmother, and friend to many. She is also a overcomer, motivator, faith walker, and mentor. Though what she is most proud of is her 28 years of being sober.
Tanya is driven by an incredible passion for self-expression through hair. Her works are often noted for their unique style, elegance, and her signature techniques in blending traditional methods as well as modern techniques especially when it comes to hair care. She has also served as a Glam Professional working with many celebrities during Stellar Awards of gospel music. She has helped to produce hair shows in Detroit, Dallas, and Chicago, with audiences of over 10,000 people. In 2010, at The Hutton, one of the most prestigious hotels in Nashville, TN she produced and created “Rip the Runway Awards,” a show highlighting Nashville’s best in the Hair and beauty Industry. Tanya has also developed a passion for helping new and transitioning salons through her consulting business. Her experiences, vibrant personality and strong strength of faith has secured her for
Tanya’s life took a dark turn while she lived dangerously on the streets of Detroit. She was a drug addict, plagued with drug use, prostitution, domestic violence, and homelessness. Her habits led to crime and eventually incarceration. Her life changed when she opened her eyes to God. She confesses that He met her in her jail cell and began to change her life, freeing her from addiction, crime and the binds of wickedness. Today, she is an entrepreneur, consultant, producer, professional hair stylist, writer, and is a witness to the love and redemption of God. Though she isn’t an ordained minister, she does her share of ministry work. Lives have been saved through her testimony and she has shown many how to overcome obstacles merely by living as an example. “I often tell others that I know a man and He’s not from Detroit or Nashville – but He’s from Galilee,” she says. “I love to show others who are suffering with addiction how to succeed in recovery. When asked, “What’s next?”, her answer is always, “Wherever God leads me because I know it is His purpose. Tanya has a long list of accomplishments. She is the 2006 Recipient of the Phenomenal Woman Distinguished Award and the 2009 Who’s Who Award. Additionally, she is founder of Ice Media Group, and publisher of Ice Magazine – a cross-cultural lifestyle magazine and Focus On This International Hair Magazine. She is also the owner of Salon ICE in Nashville, TN and directs From Crack to Christ Ministries. She is the Executive Producer of “I Just Got My Hair Did” talk show on 92Q cumulus station, and a National Spokesperson for Beauty Behind Bars.
a wide range of projects and purposes. Presently she is the Founder of ABA American Beauty Awards, and Co-Founder of I Love To Battle Hair Competition. Tanya credits her mother’s constant prayers for keeping her sane through everything she has faced. She also credits her mentor, Jacqueline Kelly, who has opened many salons and also has a commercial real estate firm in Nashville for providing her with insight and direction. Her number greatest supporters are her husband Kenneth, daughter, and granddaughter. h
www.FromCrackToChrist.net www.tanyadavisallthingsbeauty.com www.ijustgotmyhairdid.com 45
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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Erica Gray rica Gray is the owner of Curvy Chic Boutique, an online boutique based out of Carthage, Mississippi. What was first established in 2014 as Erica’s Closet transitioned into something more personable and capable to meet their customer’s needs. “I dress women with curves so that they feel empowered about the way they look and feel,” Erica says.
“I sell women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes. I also host business brunches and small business expos for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners. My services are geared toward anyone looking to start a business or progress in their current business,” she says. “I love fashion, period. My mother was an entrepreneur and she stirred a passion for clothes in me. She was pretty good at sewing and made a lot of my clothes when I was a young child. She also was a creative person who often sold her crafts to others.” Though she has faced her share of challenges, Erica has learned how to survive. She is a divorced mother of two boys and Jackson State University graduate. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority. Erica was born and raised in Gary, Indiana but has lived in Carthage most of her adult life. She has worked in the education and social services fields and utilizes those skill sets to empower women and others in becoming entrepreneurs.
Erica Gray
Curvy Chic Boutique is a result of Erica’s drive to be successful. She wanted to do something different with her career and set an example for her children. “My testimony is sacrifice. There are a lot of personal and professional sacrifices you must make as a business owner. I learned that you’re going to lose friends, maybe even some family members along the way. There’s going to be some things you can’t do because you’d rather spend that money and time on your business. I also learned how to do without so that I will be able to meet my customers and needs,” she says. Erica is quick to point out that there wouldn’t be a Curvy Chic Boutique without the support from her core circle. “They keep me motivated and keep me going. The fashion community in Jackson, MS has always given my business and brand a lot of love and support,” she says. Erica is inspired by seeing women embrace their curves and not afraid to flaunt them. While mainstream society is slowly starting to accept the fullfigured woman, Erica wants to make sure she gets her due recognition. “I hope to become a small business coach and consultant. I believe I can help upcoming business owners with my knowledge and experience. h
www.curvychicllc.com
Gail Bernardo 48
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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Shanitra Dixon n January 24, 2018, Gail Bernardo invited her family, close friends, and a few special clients to her home for an impromptu get together. Both Christmas and the New Year had passed, and it certainly wasn’t her birthday. So, when people arrived, they saw a cake, balloons, and other celebratory décor. They were all confused as to what was going on. Years prior, Gail had been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, and had endured rounds of chemotherapy. In the process, she lost her energy, her ability to work for several months, and her hair. Considering she’s the owner of Invisilace Hair Spa, shedding her hair was a struggle she had only treated others for, not experienced herself. When everyone arrived, she proudly revealed that on the previous day, her doctors notified her that she was cancer-free. Her health was on the mend and she could finally lead a life void of chemo treatments and worry. Needless to say, her loved ones were all overjoyed. The ones that showed support by transporting her to doctor visits, calling to check on her, or just spending time with her while she was out of work, could now celebrate and rejoice. “I had lots of support from everyone. But Nikki Brown and Flora Jones ran the business while I was out. They kept it going and I can’t thank them enough,” says Gail. Throughout the process, Gail was on leave from her business for only six months. When she returned, she had a new appreciation for her clients and the struggles they face. The 57-year-old survivor confesses, when her clients would tell her how they felt after losing their hair, that she never took it seriously. She would simply say, “Oh you’ll be ok. As long as you have your lace wig, you’ll be fine.” But later she clearly understood that it’s more about self-esteem, confidence, and how you feel. She felt sad when she lost her hair. She took her lengthy mane for granted, until she couldn’t anymore. That’s when she knew she had not connected with her clients and decided to apologize to them. “I often wondered why God does the things he does, such as putting me in the position to be without hair, letting me see what my clients go through everyday. And how he put me where they were. It was so that I could get a chance to experience the people that I service,” Gail realizes. For most people, hair is usually worn like a crown; One they cherish, maintain, and style with pride. What the licensed natural hair stylist takes pride in, is making her clients feel normal. Within the last several years, Gail has secured contracts with the VA Hospital to supply veterans who have battled hair loss as well as donated hair units to the Alopecia Foundation. It’s obvious that she enjoys what she does and now that she has been this road, she can truly say, “I understand.” Now she does more outreach; she educates others and shares her story of survival. She has also vowed to help more people learn about hair loss of all kinds and travels all over the country to train others on the business. A large majority of her classes are held locally and can be completed within two days or 15 hours. At $1400, Gail teaches how to install (and remove), care for, select products, and run a business, among other skills. After successful completion of the course, the student becomes a certified Lacetition and receives a hair unit of their choice. Gail doesn’t stop there, she can also serve as a distributor to ensure the client is receiving quality products. She is currently preparing to travel more and spread her love of alternative hair options, so she’d like to increase the support at her spa and add more natural stylists. “I’m looking for someone who has a passion for hair who is already licensed or who I can train to help them get licensed,” she explains. Gail knows she can’t overdo it though. Taking on less clients and having more time to herself helps her maintain a healthy lifestyle. She remembers what it felt like when her body was crying out for help on the medication during her illness. She is grateful to be rid of the side effects she experienced. Tingling in her feet plagued her often. She also experienced weight gain and retained fluid. All the while, her closest family members were there. Her husband, two daughters, and a special cousin, Lorna, never left her side. I can tell that she appreciates the strife God placed in her path. Her love for herself and the clients she serviced were magnified beyond what she could have ever imagined. Now when she encounters someone new she can embrace them with deeper awareness. She views her business in a new light. In fact, her motto is, “Faith goes beyond what your eyes can see.” In hearing Gail Bernardo’s story, I can certainly attest to that. h
Invisilace Front Wigs
www.invisilacefrontwigs.com 1029 Dresser Ct. - Raleigh, NC 27609 919 -521-4864
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Joie Cook A Hero’s B.A.L.L. 50
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Triad - May/June 2018
By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Todd Youngblood On February 20, 2008, Joie Cook intently watched the rise and fall of her father’s chest as he lay in a hospital bed. Initially she didn’t notice the change in his breathing but her significant other, who was also present, brought it to her attention. It was no less than heart-wrenching seeing her hero, the dedicated Marine, battling for his life. At 2:20 p.m., her world was almost destroyed. The love of her life took his last breath and lost his battle with lung cancer. I say ‘almost’ destroyed, because there is light at the end of this tunnel.
child dependent, and the spouse, are all different and are serviced differently. Her organization assists everyone needing to overcome an obstacle, no matter how they are connected. They’ve paid household bills, for funerals, and even assisted with job searches. They also partner with other non-profits like Goodwill (Operation Good Jobs 3.0) if they can’t help. This year the expo will be June 23 – June 24 at Johnson C. Smith University and will feature Branches of Success, a panel made up of veterans. They will be discussing the effects of the military both personally and professionally, and “When The Military Hit Me”, a panel discussion that will educate and compare domestic violence between the military and the civilian worlds. On the last day of the celebration, there will be The Salute to Soldiers Jazz and Inspirational Benefit Concert featuring Dante Lewis and Stellar Award Winning Gospel Artist
“It just didn’t make sense because he didn’t even smoke. He was healthy, he juiced, and he ran marathons,” Joie still struggles with the loss. Prior to the cancer diagnosis, the doctors mentioned that the patriarch of the Cook family simply had pneumonia. When the cancer was finally found, it took less than six months to metastasize and take over his body. Joie prayed, she bargained with God, and listened to others who told her he would get better. But he didn’t. “It hasn’t been the same since,” Joie confesses through a trembling voice. The only girl of three children shares fond memories of the life she led as a military kid, moving from state to state, with time in Hawaii and Savannah, Georgia, where she was born and is currently assigned. Joie has spent, collectively, over a decade serving her country in the Army, the Air Force Reserves, and now the Air Guard. Emerging from a family full of soldiers, her father was her biggest influence. She later learned that he too, served in the Army first, then the Air Force. She feels even more connected to him because of this path. The first year after her father’s passing, Joie and her family decided to get together for dinner in her father’s honor. Every February for the next five years, they broke bread together, until a close family friend, Nadine Henry, and Sandra Cook, suggested that she explore other ideas. Since her dad was a veteran and she currently serves, they decided to pay tribute to him and others in the armed forces by hosting a dinner along with vendors from various aspects of the community. In May 2013, A Hero’s B.A.L.L. (Building Around Life’s Lessons) was born and held at the University Hilton Hotel, in Charlotte. “The first ball hosted approximately 80 people and six vendors, which was great,” Joie says. She credits Los Bravos, Inc. with much of the inaugural balls success. They allowed her to shadow them and learn how to foster a non-profit organization, which helped her tremendously. By the third year, the event had grown so much, they were forced to create two separate events to properly connect with those in attendance. That’s how the vendor expo was formed. Now the expo attracts more than 50 vendors offering valuable information in education, employment, serving in the military, health and welfare, housing, products and services, and veteran services such as NABVETS (National Association of Black Veterans) headed up by Commander David L. Graves, Jr. The charity organization targets anyone who can benefit from their services, but especially focuses on women veterans and their families. Joie feels like women veterans are typically underserved because they’re the minority within all four branches. When they’re in need of diapers, feminine products, and other items most take for granted, her organization can help. “One time a female client came in and needed a bra. That’s simple but she didn’t have one,” she explains. This year the expo will offer workshops on VA claims, business financial literacy, financial literacy for kids and teens, home ownership, and the importance of sisterhood. A big supporter of the charity is the Charlotte Chapter of Woven, a curriculum-based support group made up of all women veterans. The organization is run by Tina Bryce and Cat Corchado and aids women in coping with everyday issues, such as how to manage stress, transition, job loss, suicide, divorce, and a host of other set-backs. “There is a misconception that the VA blankets everyone with help, and that isn’t the case,” says Joie. She explains that the actual veteran, the
Isabel Davis. The concert is a ticketed event($10 donation for the general public, vets w/ID and kids are free). The event is open to the public. Sunday June 24 at 3:00 pm in Biddie Hall Auditorium. Exhibitors that will be present include T-Mobile, Zurvita (Zeal For Life), NC A&T State University, Charlotte Area Fund, AARP, Authors, and Paparazzi. The Cook Family has poured their energy into keeping their father’s legacy alive and worked tirelessly to serve the community that gives so much, veterans. I’m sure they believe that their fallen one is proudly looking down, marveling at their dedication and strength, possibly saying “This, is the light.” The events of AHB are held in memory of Nathaniel S. Cook-USMC (May 4, 1955 - February 20, 2018). Upcoming events include the Annual Black Tie Fundraising Gala on July 21 at the Crown Plaza, featuring guest speakers Army Captain Ty Young, Author Lila Holley, and Boot and Color, and educational guide for women of color in the military. h
5th Annual Carolina Veterans Appreciation Expo June 23-24th, 2018
Grimes Hall Charlotte, North Carolina www.ahb220.org Register Today www.2018ahnexpojcsu.eventbrite.com Vets w/ID and Kids, General Public $5 704-380-7686
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Dates: June 13th – August24th jjjjjj
Both Camps: Date: June 13 – August 24th Time: 7am- 6pm 3 meals a day Daily field trips & activities included