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God Wants To Know Your Location A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
The tougher the battle, the greater the reward. I have often had to remind myself of this, especially when the struggles and pains in my life appear to have no end. Just as the pressure intensifies, I have A Letter from thelearned Editor that my determination should as well. I must remember the reason why I started and what is promised for me at the finish line. God has promised me double for my What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes trouble. and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything thatjourney, you decided put off until tomorrow never Along my life’s I havetobeen presented with several happened? There would be to nocarefully reason todecide save for rainy options and avenues. I’ve had on awhich day, and you spare someone the trouble of making is the better pathcould for me to travel, because not every road is promises. What if your last opportunity connected to my purposed destination. Theseemingly effects ofexpired making youup do? thetoday? wrong What movewould can slow the promises of God. Just as a person utilizes the assistance of a navigational system for I’ve been that I in often seem God like Iexpects do too much. directions whiletold traveling a vehicle, for me to Honestly, I feel like I system am not he doing enough and I’m firm to utilize the navigational created to direct mea back believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me Him, ensuring that I will not encounter any unnecessary speed that IAnd couldn’t I sometimes wonder through how life would bumps. that handle. system can only be accessed prayer be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I and with conversations with God. have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing isn’t afforded to everyone. challenge God expects that for us to seek His direction at theAstart of our to me is an adventure. is thefor worst that all canthroughout happen? days. He wants to provideWhat direction our lives I doensuring nothing,the I fail, and and if I try I don’t, instead theIfday, steps moves webut take are in learn alignment something myself. your pride in with His plan. new It canabout be a very riskyRelinquish experience when weand make return acquire life. moves that are not God-planned. Only by God’s grace and mercy do we survive our wrong decisions, and often we may The best advice ever given when someone encounter painful lessons while to weme arehappened off course. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so my way know through doors with key that only ItI have is notpressed like He doesn’t where I am at.a However, by hope provided. I have also learned the difference between checking in with God and making Him aware of my location at what God blesses me withall and what life can burden me with times such as sharing what I am as well. I compare it to knowing when beIconfident and thinking and to how am feeling, and when to be quiet, because asking for His help, lets Him know someone may it confused that I am trusting Hisget word. with being arrogant. God is fully aware of every step we take.Make Fromyou thetomorrow beginning and happen today, but most the where we will end. Following importantly make count. map He prepared is a lotiteasier Life is but a whisper than traveling through life and without we must put ourselves it. God wants to know your in a position to hear what it is location. telling us.
www.huamimagazine.com Terry L Watson Publisher www.huamimagazine.com Editor In Chief Writer Dawn C. Thornton Terry L. Watson Terry L. Watson Writer Alana Allen - Deputy Editor Junious Smith Writer Writers
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Terry L. Watson 4
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Terry L. Watson HuntsvilleEditor/Founder - March/April 2020
On The Cover
Photo by Shaw Photography Group
CONTENTS
MARCH/APRIL 2020
HUNTSVILLE
A Way With Words
Moody Black
On The Cover
Beautified
Tushundra Owens
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Precious G.E.M.S
Devona Boone
SR2 Hair Studio Meet the face of SR2 Hair Studio in Dallas, TX
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Mariah Taylor She is the cutest, and has been selected as Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby.
Huntsville - March/April 2020
Her Time To Shine
Dianne Lofton
Level Up Parenting
Tamica Hughes
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Tushundra Owens
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Tushundra Owens Tushundra Owens of Huntsville, AL describes herself as an imperfect woman who is striving to be the best she can be. “I’m a loving person. I love to laugh and goof off. I’m also head strong and I’m handy with my hands,” she says. “I love taking things apart and putting them back together. That’s the engineer in me. Besides that I love to travel, read, listen to music, and write.” Tushundra is always discovering different parts of herself, likes and dislikes, and what she is willing to compromise on and what not to compromise. She utilizes all of her s2kill sets and talents to assist with running her business, My Beautified. My Beautified began in the Fall of 2018. The idea to start her business came while she was writing and praying to God. “Honestly I was at place where I was battling low self esteem. As a result, I would study scriptures about confidence. I would also read books and search Youtube videos on low self esteem and confidence. There was one particular woman on Youtube, Lisa Nichols who talked about what she went through with her son and her son’s father. I remember her explaining this exercise where she intentionally looked herself in the mirror everyday and said something positive about herself. At first I thought, yeah right, what’s that going to do? I decided to try it. That was a hard for me to look at myself in the mirror and try to believe what I positively said about myself. As time passed it got easier. Through those affirmations, God gave me the idea of putting together a beautified event and that’s how My Beautified was formed and got started. Tushundra says she strives to always be authentic as a business person and author. “Writing gives me the freedom to vent, express my feelings, and express my gratitude while being free from judgement. When I write it’s between me and God, unless He prompts me to share. Writing in different seasons of my life. It
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“Her selflessness, strength, and work ethic always amazes me. I’m always fussing to her about slowing down and taking breaks. But nonetheless she amazes me.” took me possibly four years to complete my book. So in those four years my seasons changed. What I did differently in year one when I started writing, I did differently in year four. As my life changed over the course of those four years, the authenticity of my beliefs changed. I had to make sure that was known,” she says. While God has impacted her life and career the most, she acknowledges her mom for being the driving force in her life. “Her selflessness, strength, and work ethic always amazes me. I’m always fussing to her about slowing down and taking breaks. But nonetheless she amazes me.” Tushundra offers some advice to those who may follow in your footsteps. “Be yourself. Only you are good at being you. Set your own tone. Add your own twist to things. That’s when you create the most amazing and beautiful things. Moving forward Tushundra has a few projects in the works. She has started designing her own journal. The design is complete and has to go through the publishing process. She is also coming up with ideas for the next Beautified event, which she anticipates will take place. h
www.mybeautified.com
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Moody Black I Manifest, I Inspire,
I Motivate
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Ian Curcio Aunt Norahs House Photography and John Gallager He is something like a homegrown talent that hails from Spartanburg, S.C. Moody Black is the face and founder of Moody Black Enterprises. He is also a TEDx performer that brings a whole lot more to the table. He is a national Award-Winning Poet and host, a Smart Arts Teaching Artist, Motivational Speaker, SpokenWord and Visual Artist, Actor/Voice Over Artist, Chess Instructor, Storyteller, and Comedian. Moody Black has been a performing artist since the age of eleven. “I found a book on my mom’s shelf in the hallway of our house entitled “This Time Called Life” by Walter Rinder. It was about being young and free. The book spoke to me. It allowed me to go back and appreciate the greats (Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, etc). After that, I began writing more in school and entering contests. In junior high school, the students would ridicule me for reading out loud and sharing poems. However, by high school poetry all sudden became cool. Guys would ask me to write poems for their girlfriends. That’s how I learned to enterprise. I would charge money to write poems. I felt like I had won in the end. And here I am now, doing poetry for a living,” he shares. He has become a prominent force across the nation through his enthusiastic live shows and strong work ethic. Currently residing in Greenville, S.C. Moody Black focus is to electrify audiences across the country with his original poems and energetic performances. Fusing a blend of Hip-Hop, Soul, and Poetry, the talented artist delivers a unique rhythmic message in which each new listener finds common ground.
Moody Black has performed at several elementary, junior and senior high schools, universities, and colleges. He is a Poetry Slam Master and Coach Poem with works published in Still Home (Book of Spartanburg Poets). He has been a featured artist at dozens of festivals including the Travelers Rest Arts Commission annual Arts Festival, North Charleston Arts Festival, Stone Soup Story Telling Festival in Woodruff, S.C., the Annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the Peace Day Festival in Charleston, S.C., the annual Chautaugua Festival, and the 3rd Annual Millican Festival in Sumter, S.C. Even more, Moody Black has opened for multi-platinum recording artists Trey Songz and Lyfe Jennings. Continued on the next page
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Moody shares what she loves most about his chosen path is the ability to create for a living. “I get a rush when I perform, and people connect. Then, I love the grind. The whole process is exciting. It can be nail biting at times and somewhat nervewracking, but I love the result. I know the outcome is going to be positive,” he says. “Life inspires me, every aspect of it. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Everything is my muse!” Moody says his biggest inspirations are his parents. “My father was a boxer, and my mom worked and was into theater. Everything they’ve been through (divorce, not accomplishing their dreams) somehow, they instilled in me to fight and create. Even though they’re from a different time where doing what I do is insanity to them, I continue to look at them for motivation. I want to take off from where they felt they couldn’t continue. I’m going to show them I can make it happen.”
Some of the challenges Moody has faced is filling up his calendar. “It’s a constant grind of having to knock on virtual doors. Hoping to get booked to teach poetry in as many schools as I can is also challenging. The summertime is rough since school is out. So, I spend a lot of time on the road touring which means a lot of time away from my family,” he says. In the future, Moody has plans is to apply his arts integration across the globe. In addition, he wants to perform his art everywhere. He also hopes to finish his Hip-Hop project “Manifest”, a compilation of personal stories and inspiration and eventually establish a business where I can make money while I sleep. And not to mention his aspirations to serve as a professor at a university, teaching poetry. Finally, Moody Black is a brand ambassador for Empire Limited (Men’s Consignment Store) in Greer, SC. He was recently nominated for “Best Male Model” and “Best Male Entrepreneur” for the South Carolina Music Awards. He was also nominated as the “Smart Arts Teacher of the Year” for the Smart Arts Program through the Metropolitan Arts Council of Greenville. h
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Huntsville - March/April 2020
Black
Murfreesboro
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Black Murfreesboro
Black Culture Connected (dba) Black Murfreesboro is a non-profit organization located in Nashville, TN. Their mission is to connect people to businesses, events, and topics centered around black lifestyle. In essence, they hope to be the one-stop-shop for learning what is going on in the black community within Murfreesboro, TN and surrounding areas. Black Murfreesboro was founded by power couple Mylikia Franklin and Germayle Franklin. The group’s administrators in addition to Mylikia and Germayle includes Corell Oglesby. How they couple met and became one is by no means an accident. Germayle Franklin moved from Waycross, GA to Murfreesboro in 2001 on a full football scholarship from Middle Tennessee State University. Mylikia moved to Murfreesboro in 2005 from Detroit, MI. That is where they were acquainted. They both fell in love with Murfreesboro. Not long after he graduated they were married and purchased their home in Murfreesboro. “We knew it was a great place to raise our four children and start a business,” they said. Corell Oglesby grew up in Jackson, TN and came to Murfreesboro to attend MTSU. She is married to Jonas Oglesby and they have two children. Their family recently chose Murfreesboro as home after living in surrounding cities. Black Murfreesboro started in May 2019 while Germayle and I were working in their business, Franklin’s Fruit Tea. “We were on the square in downtown Murfreesboro vending and there weren’t many people at this particular festival. At a previous event, I had success posting our location on Facebook in various groups, so I told Germayle I was about to do just that. I went to Facebook groups and began to post. I then went to Black Nashville, then typed in Black Murfreesboro. Seeing we were in Murfreesboro, it just made sense. To my surprise, there was no group called Black Murfreesboro. So right there on the Square of Murfreesboro, I created the group. It wasn’t until around October and while talking to Corell did we start inviting members to the group. To all of our surprise, the group began to grow at a fascinating rate,” Mylikia shares.
The focus of Black Murfreesboro is to be a source for people wanting to connect or simply find out what’s going on in the black community. The city of Murfreesboro’s population is more than 141 thousand residents with African Americans making up 19% of its total population or nearly 26,790 black residents, and not including the surrounding areas. Mylikia says that unfortunately, when she opens a newspaper or look at local events, there’s not much highlighted that aligns with black culture. “Not seeing events, businesses and topics that are important to the black community can leave a feeling of void and isolation. A sense of community and belonging is essential to the soul and that’s just what we are focused on,” she says. The success of Black Murfreesboro is directly connected to the actions of its leaders. Mylikia’s is somewhat of a social butterfly and according to her husband, she will talk down a wall if giving the chance. She has a love for small business and is inspired by I am inspired by other entrepreneurs. “Watching people work on their craft is fascinating. The fact they can turn their passion into a business and thrive is nothing short of amazing,” she shares. She credits her mother Carolyn Ross, “The Shea Butter Lady”, for impacting her life and business the most. “She has owned businesses every since I can remember. Even today she owns African Shea Butter, Etc. She taught me how to run our family-owned Pet Shop in Detroit, MI when I was just eight years old. I watched her succeed, fail, and get right back up and succeed again. Her spirit of entrepreneurship has helped me in each business I have owned. Her perseverance taught me to remove fear and step out on faith. Her motto is, ‘A scared man can’t win! Nothing beats a failure but a try!’ In other words, you will never know what you can do until you try,” she says. Mylikia advises others who may follow in her footsteps to do what you love. “Stay true to your morals and core values. It’s easy to be persuaded by others but be sure you always keep your personal brand in perspective. Win or fail, if you stay true to yourself you have succeeded,” she says. In the future the Black Murfreesboro group would like to have more events on an even larger scale. They are looking to create a membership site for people who would like to be sponsors and are aligned with the mission of Black Murfreesboro. “We are excited to meet the challenge of promoting Black Culture Connected!” they shared.
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Tiffany Draper 18
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Huntsville - March/April 2020
By Terry L. Watson Photos by TIffany Draper Tiffany Draper of Huntsville, AL is not allowing any grass to grown under her feet. This young and beautiful lady embodies the absolute meaning of what ambitious means.
Tiffany offers some advice to others who may have similar experiences, “Stay humble, and don’t quit! Quitting is not an option. God will never give you an assignment if He believed that you couldn’t handle it. Stay the course and most of all, trust God,” she says. h
In business, and especially for those who are self-employed, it can be hard to get people to support you. Not having money or supporters can be tough for a business owner, however it’s during those tough moments, character is developed, and survival is dependent upon determination. This is what Tiffany Draper is all about. She is an entrepreneur who is passionate about generational wealth and encouraging other black women. “As a survivor of many things, I want to reach as many women in the world and encourage them to love themselves and never give up on their life or dreams. I love people and I believe that God has called me to serve His people,” she says. One of the businesses she owns is a women’s empowerment business, Tea With Tiffany. Tea With Tiffany is a platform she started to give women hope and to empower one another. “In 2016, I remember waking by a mirror and not recognizing myself. As a result of this I decided to write about it publicly on Facebook. Women from all backgrounds started to follow and write me. It was a coming to terms with myself kind of moment. I believe that you must bring your whole self to the table if you want to succeed in life, your personality, your sense of humor, and most importantly, your heart. All these elements help to build your character. And so, in that same year of 2016, God gave me a vision to launch Tea With Tiffany. I started out writing posts on Facebook and trying to grow my audience through social media. Writing became second nature to me and from there the blog was birthed,” she says. Another business owned by Tiffany is the event center, Studio 53. Opened in November 2019, it is available to meet the needs of anyone in the Huntsville area. Their spacious facility is capable of being the host location of parties, special events, and much more. As if Tiffany hadn’t enough on her plate, she has found time to author and publish her first book, But She Didn’t Quit Though. “I wrote my very first book in September 2018. It’s basically an open letter to myself, apologizing to myself for how I mishandled myself. I was free from bondage after that,” Tiffany shares. While there could several reasons as to why Tiffany pushes herself to do so much, it’s obvious she genuinely loves people and enjoys seeing them happy. Furthermore, she shares how the impact that her mother and kids have on her life, and the influence they have in her business. “My mom was a single parent and I remember promising myself that I would take care of her one day if I could. She sacrificed so much for my brother and I, and I knew I needed to be successful and show her that she had done a great job with us,” she says.
“As a survivor of many things, I want to reach as many women in the world and encourage them to love themselves and never give up on their life or dreams”. www.teawithtiffany.org
As a businesswoman, Tiffany draws strength from other people who have made it and reached back into their community. Like others, she hopes that will be her story as well. Huntsville - March/April 2020
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By Laci Ollison Photos by Katrena Wize Artography
“If we speak life to a thing and we believe what we say, it’s going to come to pass and it’s going to happen.” In life, there things that happen that cause us to question what it is that we believe in. We find ourselves in situations that can shake our faith and push us past our limits. In those moments, we may also begin to wonder why certain things have to transpire. Who or what can you trust when your world is suddenly turned upside down? While some people might put their trust in horses and chariots, Dianne Lofton has chosen to put her trust in someone much higher than herself. Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Dianne is a wife, mother, associate pastor, prophet, and author. She has traveled various states as a motivational speaker, including New York, South Carolina, and Virginia. For ten years, she managed a radio broadcast called “Signs of the Times” which aired on WEAL, WQMG, and WGHP. Along with her husband, she founded Sings of the Times Evangelistic and Missionary Association. This organization serves as a training and licensing hub for pastors, evangelists, teachers, and missionaries. Dianne has also studied at both Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina and John Wesley University in High Point, North Carolina. But while this woman of God holds many titles, she is most proud of how God has chosen to use her to speak life into dead situations; both literally and figuratively. It was her obedience to the “still small voice” she heard that led Dianne to become an instrument for God to perform a supernatural miracle in the life of her husband. Dianne’s husband, Pastor Johnnie T. Lofton III, was hospitalized for 112 days. He spent 84 of those days in the intensive care unit. As Pastor Lofton’s health declined, doctors gave up hope twice and advised his family to say their final goodbyes. But it was Dianne who refused to believe what the doctors said about her husband both times. “I laid in his bed next to him and spoke to his spirit, just as Elijah did,” said Dianne. Doctors remained hopeless, unsure of what medical treatment or course of action would even work for this man of God. In their professional medical opinion, there were no other options for Pastor Lofton. But Dianne was sure of the word and the promise that God had spoken to her. Although her husband’s situation did not look good, Dianne knew that she had to remain steadfast and unmovable in her faith.
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So, while the healthcare providers did what they could, Dianne did the only thing she knew to do: she prayed. “If we speak life to a thing,” said Dianne, “and we believe what we say, it’s going to come to pass and it’s going to happen.” For three days, Dianne prayed and fasted. She remained by her husband’s bedside pleading with God and reminding Him of every promise that He spoke concerning her husband. After days of praying that her husband would regain consciousness and live, Pastor Lofton opened his eyes. Even after the doctors said that it wasn’t possible, this small physical activity was God’s way of saying yes. “Hezekiah cried to the Lord and for 15 more years of life,” Dianne recounted, “and January of this year made 15 years.” After having to re-learn how to speak, walk, read, and use basic motor skills, Pastor Lofton and Evangelist Lofton now travel together sharing their testimony of grace and healing to people around the world. The anointed couple have a deep passion for seeing people healed, delivered, and set free. Together they have cast out many evil spirits in the Name of Jesus. Their hope is to be examples of leaders who exemplify unconditional love. Dianne also transformed the story of her husband’s testimony, among others, in a book entitled “Shine: Unlocking the Door to Your Miracle.” In this book, Dianne shares a collection of true short stories of miracles that are written to inspire the reader to increase their faith in God. The book talks about how her obedience to the Holy Spirit has allowed her to be a first-hand witness to numerous miracles, signs, and wonders. She also writes of a woman who was called to rescue her child out of the morgue. In addition to being a woman of faith, Dianne is a proud mother of four and grandmother of five. She says that her family is her greatest motivation. Dianne and her husband, Pastor Lofton, currently co-pastor Bethlehem Baptist church in High Point, North Carolina where they have been serving in ministry for 34 years. You can also find Dianne working tirelessly in the cities of High Point and Greensboro. She is an active mentor for the Weed and Seed Project and serves in the prison and nursing home ministries. She also has affiliations with Total Christian TV and Morning Alive in Graham, North Carolina where she acted as a prayer partner and co-host. When Dianne isn’t doing ministry work, she loves to sing and dance, no matter who is watching. She is inspired by music of all genres. Dianne also loves to admire nature and calls it “God’s work.” The best art to her is when God paints the sky with beautifully colored hues in a cloudy day or starry night. “Lady Di,” as she is often called, believes that her mission is to “rescue the underdog.” She has a genuine drive to see others succeed. h
Dianne’s book “Shine” is available for purchase on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
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Level Up Parenting 22
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Huntsville - March/April 2020
By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Still Shots Photography
Transforming the thought process of a teen or preteen girl, is at the forefront of Tamica Hughes’ mind. Especially if they’re pregnant or expecting. They’re often broken, confused, and unsure of their future and that of their unborn child. The nonprofit organization, Level-Up Parenting, was created in 2019, by Hughes, to tackle the daily struggles these young girls face as they’re preparing for the most important role of their lives. “Our purpose is to do community outreach, literacy, charitable contributions, and provide educational resources that will help them as a teen parent. That includes an eight-week program teaching them parenting skills, money management, computer literacy and interview preparation, breastfeeding, career and college readiness, self-care and post-partum depression, pregnancy prevention, and how to plan for the future,” Hughes explains. The Greensboro native knows first-hand how challenging being a teen mom can be, because she was one. As a 16-year-old student at Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, NC, she admittedly struggled. Although her mentor, Michelle Graves, was by her side, she didn’t have a particular person to introduce her to the resources that are readily available today. She depended on her mother often but found a small bit of relief when she began working at a day care facility as an after-school teacher at age 17. After graduation, she moved on to cosmetology school while her toddler son attended the Headstart program. Now, she offers a $1,000 scholarship to a student in her program each year that would like to further their education, just as she did. She plans to host a community fundraiser to raise more money for this effort. “Since I used some of these resources, I’ll be able to link the teens to exactly where they need to go. I’ve also partnered with Nurse Partnership that will administer check-ups in their homes and other things they need,” Hughes says.
“Our purpose is to do community outreach, literacy, charitable contributions, and provide educational resources that will help them as a teen parent.” Tamica Hughes Founder & Director 23
If Level Up Parenting sounds like social services, that’s because it is. But while they serve everyone in the community, this organization focuses on moms ages 10 to 19. When the babies arrive, Hughes provides essentials like, pampers, baby clothes, and women’s clothes from Niko’s Closet, an extension of Level Up Parenting. She is always accepting donations and stores the items in a storage facility that she personally pays for. Hughes’ long-term goal is to purchase a location and provide transitional housing to the girls she helps and permanent place to store the donations she receives. On March 28th, the visionary is planning a community day with speakers and resources as well as an intake process for girls who need assistance. The organization adopted two teen moms this past Christmas and provided needed items for them and plans to do the same annually. “I help people daily. If they call me, I’ll provide whatever I can or send them somewhere else if I can’t,” says Hughes.
Prayer Warriors For Level Up Parenting Erica Reeves, Anyua Clark, and Robin Hill-Tucker
The organizations all-female team of board members helps Hughes make the decisions to move the organization forward as her prayer team helps the teens stay faithful in their beliefs of obtaining a better life for their families. “I want them to know that just because they’re young mothers doesn’t mean they don’t have opportunities.” She stresses to the girls that having a trade or furthering their education is key to being successful in the future. Hughes is currently searching for volunteers to mentor the young ladies that will participate in Level Up Parenting’s upcoming 8-week session. “They may be spending time with the girls, sitting and talking to them, and possibly purchasing a few items that they need.” She’ll soon offer internships to college students majoring in a social science as well.
“I want them to know that just because they’re young mothers doesn’t mean they don’t have opportunities.” Tamica Hughes Founder & Director
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HuamiMagazine.com Triad - March/April 2020 HuamiMagazine.com Huntsville - March/April 2020
Considering Hughes was a teen mom, she shed the statistic early on, that most would become victim to. She utilized many of the programs offered and created a new legacy for herself and her children. Though they’re not involved in the Level Up Parenting, her two sons and husband Christopher are her biggest supporters. Early on she saw that young women on the southside of Greensboro needed help and decided to make a change. One day she plans to serve the entire city, but for now, she’s starting small, but making a huge impact. h
Upcoming Events For Level Up Parenting TScholarship Fundraiser April 10,2020 7pm - 11pm
Teen Mom Intake March 28,2020 11am - 1pm Warnersville Recreation Center 601 Doak St. Greensboro NC 27406
Paint & Giggles With Comedian Eli Southern Jr. The Khalif Event Center 2000 Wendover Ave. Greensboro NC 27405
www.levelupptg.com lvluparenting@gmail.com 336-866-0022 P.O. Box 1851 Greensboro, NC 27402 Huntsville - March/April 2020
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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Devona Boone
I Am A Hope Dealer
Devona Boone of Hampton Roads, VA describes herself as a “Hope Dealer”. She is a country girl who is confident, powerful, anointed, caring, nurturing, and God fearing. Besides being an author, she is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Precious G.E.M.S Inc. Her mission is to empower young girls by teaching them resilience, promote positive self- awareness, sisterhood, and the power that is within. “We know that girls who do not have positive role models and mentors are three times more likely to experience a myriad of emotional, physical, mental and spiritual delays and deficiencies. Our job is to empower the young ladies and show them the endless possibilities for their lives. Our Motto is, ‘Every young lady has a gift to offer the world,’” she says. Devona founded her nonprofit organization at the age of 25. As she began to empower young ladies, in return I empowered myself. Over the course of five years of telling them they can do anything and be anything they wanted, she realized she wasn’t fully living up to what she was preaching. “I knew I had a story to tell and I knew it could help many women, but I was fearful of not having enough to say to even be printed in a book. However, I pressed on and in 2018, I started to write a memoir. The entire process took me five months. During that time, I found my voice and courage to share my story in hopes to offer strength, healing, and hope to other women. I am a woman of grace and resilience. Many of life’s difficult moments has given me courage, strength, and healing.” Precious G.E.M.S offers three programs. First is the My Life Foundation which promotes the importance of positive self-image and respect for self and others. It also prepares young girls to succeed by teaching them decision making and problem-solving skills and helps young ladies make independent life decisions to overcome past mistakes that altered their lives. Next is Community Service Learning. This tool provides young ladies with meaningful community service and incorporates instruction and reflection. It also teaches girls civic responsibility and the importance of strengthening their community. The third product is Natalie’s Closet. It provides clothing, shoes, accessories and outerwear and more to girls at discounted prices. The goal is to inspire girls to care about their appearance but also educates them on how to work with budgets to obtain the things they desire. Devona’s book, “A Precious Gem: The Journey of My Shaping” is a direct compliment to her organization. It is her story, and her testimony of how she made it through some of the traumatizing times of her life from childhood to present day. “As an author, I found my voice. I found my strength. I found a new purpose. Writing my story gave me a sense of freedom which made me fearless. I began to encourage,
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motivate, and inspire people by being transparent and sharing my life lessons. I became the me I always wanted to be,” she shared. Devona says her mother, Eunice Boone is the reason she has such a passion for serving others. “At the age of 10 I witnessed my mom’s murder at the hands of her abusive boyfriend. That tragedy shaped my life in so many ways, and when I became an adult, I knew I had to make an impact with our young girls and women in order to create a change with the statistics of domestic violence,” she said. She also draws inspiration through obedience to God’s will for her life and through her mother’s death. “In my life I am intentional in making sure I am in alignment with what is purposed for me. I do not want my mother’s death to be in vain. Her life will leave a legacy.” h
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Mariah Taylor
MAGAZINE
Cutest Baby
The daughter of D’lantia and Shoneka Taylor
Huntsville - March/April 2020
To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com
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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Andre Carter and Kauwuane Burton She is an award-winning stylist who owns the moment. Chastity Vaughn of Dallas, TX first and foremost is a child of God and work-a-holmic. She is also a loving mother of three wonderful kids who prides herself on being determined. “I come from humble means. And because of that, I believe that anything is possible if you work for it. As a business owner, I strive to be the best Entrepreneur I can be by providing quality work to each client that I have the privilege of servicing,” she says. Chastity is the owner of S2R Hair Studio LLC, (Something 2 Remember). There, along with her team of professional stylist, Chastity provides an array of services including but not limited to all types of natural hair, sister locks, traditional locs, updos, silk press (blowouts), hair tape extensions, and more. She explains how important versatility is in her industry. Natural hair and Sisterlocks are two of Chastity’s specialties, and what she is widely known for. “As a hairstylist, I would not want to limit myself. I want to be able to cater to my clients, on all fronts. It is my overall objective to create new and exciting looks for today’s modern woman, while offering a 5-star experience,” she says. Her versatility has evolved to her now offering a Sisterlock Coaching Program and a Business 101 class.
While Chastity has proven herself to be a top tier stylist, there is still more that she hopes to accomplish and add to the profession overall. Some of these include education, excellent resources for live classes, and web-based tutorials and podcast. “I believe that investing in myself and my business is what has led to the many open doors. The struggles that I’ve endured have also played a major role. I am truly thankful for my struggles because without them, I would have never found my strength,” she confesses. Another important ingredient for success Chastity shares is to surround herself with people who are smarter than she is. “It helps to push me. I am committed to pushing myself to stay ahead of the trends by taking tons of education classes that fall in line with my profession. Remaining humble helps me to remain grounded and focused and reminds me that no matter how successful I become as an entrepreneur, there is always room for improvement.” Being a business owner is very important and personal for Chastity. “It is something that I worked hard for, and no one can take it away from me. As a businesswoman, I wear different hats that influence my professional goals. I wear the hat of a mother first, and the hat of an entrepreneur, and mentor. As a strong businesswoman, I have not lost sight of the struggles and where I came from, because it was those trials that fueled me and instilled in me the drive and determination necessary to succeed,” she says. h
“I am comfortable in my own skin. I am confident in all that I do, and it’s reflected in my work. I also have a fluid personality and the ability to work with almost any type of person. I don’t dictate what services I will provide to my clients. I am open to their ideas and so when they sit in my chair, I want them to understand that it takes a team effort and collaboration to produce the look they desire,” she states. Chastity shares that she got her start styling hair early in life. Growing up as a child in Tupelo, Mississippi, she recalls her mother, who is also a hairstylist, styling hair. While watching her over the years, she found herself infatuated with hair as well. Once old enough to do so, Chastity says she registered and attended Foster’s Cosmetology in Ripley, MS in 1998. This is where she learned everything, she needed to know about styling hair and the hair industry. “It was then that I decided to turn my dreams into reality. So, I took that knowledge, packed up and moved to Dallas in 2002, because I felt I could thrive as a young and new potential business owner,” she says. After getting settled in Dallas, she purchased her first home and would eventually open Something2Remember Salon & Boutique. The first location Chastity operated out of her garage which was converted to a salon. As her business began to flourish, she was afforded with an opportunity to branch out and expand to a salon suite setting. That transition brought about even more business for her. From there she was able to venture out on her own and into her own Salon Studio. “What I love most about my business are the opportunities it provides. I love catering to the needs of my clients and giving them a comfortable home away from home environment, with a touch of class and elegance,” she says. Being a mentor to others is also a passion for Chastity. She loves to share the knowledge she has obtained to help others along their journey. Huntsville - March/April 2020
2011 N Collins Blvd Ste 803 Richardson, TX 75080 (214) 620-5708 www.s2rhairstudio.com HuamiMagazine.com
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