Huami Magazine Indianapolis March/April 2021 by Terry Watson

INDIANAPOLIS

March/April 2021 Volume 1 Issue 3 FREE

Branding 4 Success LLC Indianapolis - March/April 2021

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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

Your Purpose Is Not A Laughing Matter

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

A Letter From Thethe Editor A Letter from Editor

A long time ago, when I was a much younger man, and a student at A Letter from the Editor the mostWhat prestigious high school in the city of something if tomorrow didn’t arrive? AllGreensboro, of your plans, hopes happened to me that would change my life forever. This segment and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if of time was during my fourth period English class, and the first week of a new everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes school year.

happened? would beano reason to save a rainy and dreams There wouldn’t have street to park on. for What if day, and you could someone theand trouble of making everything that youspare decided to put off until never Back then I was mischievous, very sarcastic, a tomorrow self-proclaimed promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy ‘class clown’. I would try to set the tone for my classroom amongst my today? What would do? day, and you could someone the trouble of making classmates with jokes, andspare Iyou thought, the bigger the audience, the grander promises. could What be. if your last opportunity seemingly expired my performance However, in this particular class, the teacher I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. What would you was atoday? formidable opponent. Shedo? was short in stature, very elegant and full of finesse, and seemed to lock on doing me likeenough a torpedo before Honestly, I feel like I aminnot and I’m athe firmtardy bell even sounded. Her name was Mrs. Kerr, and I would soon learn believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on meshe I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. that wasn’t one to play around. that I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would Honestly, I feelhandle. like I amI not doing enough I’mlife a firm be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything onme. me I One day while in English class, I began to get comfortable and execute haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would my form of cheap humor. I led off withto a cough, and a A slight sneeze; silly is a blessing that isn’t afforded everyone. challenge be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I acts that usually worked pretty well with getting my audience into position. to mefound is an adventure. What is the In worst that can opportunity happen? have that to be very boring. my opinion, But my act was snuffed out immediately. “Don’t you sneeze or cough in If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn is a blessing that isn’t afforded towords everyone. challenge my. Take that outside”. Those were the spokenAdirectly to me and I something newby about myself. Relinquish yourmy pride and in that is serious an adventure. What the worst can happen? knewto sheme was the way Mrs.isKerr stared that into eyes. From return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn point on, I never laughed in her class unless I was led by her permission to new about myself. your and in do so.something I must admit that my ego was a Relinquish little bruised, butpride I would eventually The best advice ever given to me happened when someone return acquire life. get over it. told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so In soI have many words, she me to purpose in no pressed myhelped way given through doors withmy a key thatsomeone only The best advice ever tounderstand me happened when laughing matter. I genuinely appreciate Mrs. Kerr. She helped me to hopeme provided. have also learned the today. difference between told to makeImy tomorrow happen In doing so understand the English instruction she provided was laughing matter, blesses me and what cananot burden me with Iwhat haveGod pressed my waywith through doorslife with keyathat only and I or anyone else wouldn’t prevent the learning and growth of other as well. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between students. whenlife tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what burdenbecause me with may get it confused as well. I compare it to knowingsomeone when to be confident and As the school year progressed, I began to look forward to my fourth with being arrogant. when to be quiet, because period English class and spending time with Mrs. Kerr. I soaked up every bit someone get it recited confused of information that she had to offer, studied every may poem, and them Make you tomorrow with being arrogant. back to her with precision, and made it a today, butchanged most my point tohappen show her that she importantly make it count. Make you tomorrow life by stopping me from robbing myself of Life is but a whisper and happen today, but most sound instruction. we must putmake ourselves in a importantly it count. Mrs. Life Kerr obviously loved me and position to hear what it is but a whisper andis her other students, telling us.putthousands we must ourselvesofinthem a she encountered for several decades position to hear what it is of teaching. She is telling us.my hero. Students like me all deserve a hero such as Mrs. Kerr in their Terry L. Watson classrooms, either in the form of a peer or Editor/Founder instructor. She helped me to understand Terry that my purpose wasL.noWatson laughing matter.

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CONTENTS

MARCH/APRIL 2021

INDIANAPOLIS

God God, Almighty

Jarell Smalls

On The Cover

Branding 4 Success LLC Yolanda Smith

Serial Entrepreneur

Lakeisha Bradley

CDB Foundation

Khadijah Butler

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Izabella McDonald

Also Featured

Brandon Emmitt Cooking has opened many doors in his life. Learn more about his journey of becoming a chef and entrepreneur. Southland, TX

Cierra De’Shae She uses her platform as a hair stylist to minister and spread the love of God. Huntsville, AL

Indianapolis - March/April 2021

Terra Cornelius She has a heart and eye for fashion. Learn more about how she started her online fashion boutique. Durham, NC HuamiMagazine.com

22 5

Branding 4 Success LLC 6

HuamiMagazine.com

Indianapolis - March/April 2021

By Dorjae’ McClammey Photos by Faith Blackwell Photography Introducing, Yolanda M. Smith, a people growth leader, and brandthrupist. As a personal branding expert and career coach, Yolanda has a passion for helping others achieve their highest potential by unleashing the power of personal branding. She teaches her clients how to articulate their value, live authentically, and stand out so they can earn, lead, and win more. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Yolanda grew up in a singleparent household with her brother and was blessed to never want for anything. Her mother, an amazing woman who did everything for her children, always told her that she can be anything she wanted to be as long as she worked hard for it. Her mother instilled this mindset into Yolanda giving her the power and courage to make whatever she wanted, a reality. Yolanda attended St. Rita Catholic School for elementary, and there she had a community of people that cared for her. Her mother was adamant about making sure she received the best education so, when it was time for her to attend high school, they moved out to the suburbs which opened the opportunity for her to enroll at North Central High School, a township school. “There I received a sort of culture shock with only 10% of the population being African American, and realized I had to learn how to assimilate with others, she says. While this was easy for my brother, it took me a minute to adjust, then finally, I guess I realized well, if you’re going to have fun, if you’re going to live fulfilled, you’re going to have to figure this one out.” Her next move landed her at Indiana University - Kelly School of Business which she paid for herself, in full, without taking out a single loan. While in school, she and a friend started their own business, a clothing line of imprinted sportswear called Yotra Designs. Once she graduated, the duo shut their business down and Yolanda moved to Tennessee after accepting a job in pharmaceutical sales. She would eventually hold different roles in the industry, but soon focused on expanding her education and went back to school to obtain her master’s in business administration at Indiana Wesleyan University, and in true Yolanda fashion, paid for it herself. She now lives in Indianapolis and is married with two children. This is also where Branding 4 Success, LLC was born. Back in 2009, Yolanda was asked to be a part of a team that would help create employee engagement strategies. One day, she was in a meeting and in walked the CEO of the company she worked for. He was going around the room Yolanda shares, asking everyone who they were and what they did. When he got to her, she choked. At that moment she knew

she had blown the opportunity to tell the single most highest-ranking man in the company, something interesting about herself, and not just her job title. She took that as a learning experience. Fast forward to 2013, she is now the chairman of the board of the non-profit organization, Girl Talk Incorporated. While brainstorming on how the organization could do more for the girls in programming (ages of 10 to 18), she started researching topics and came upon the idea of, you guessed it, personal branding. After doing more research, she ended up creating a personal branding workshop. While presenting these workshops to the girls, she noticed that their mothers would stay for the sessions, and told her how they need the information as well. Yolanda took that as an opportunity to take her workshop to the next level and serve corporate professionals. She held two workshops during one of the employee resource group forums at her company, both packed with hundreds of participants and when she took the stage, she knew she was in her element. In that moment, she knew this was her calling. “That’s when I knew, I have something here. I just knew...this was my purpose, to help others build a powerful personal brand” she says. The real magic of Branding 4 Success happens when Yolanda and her team help others discover their true self, their superpower and passion. Now let it be known that the difference between Yolanda and other motivational speakers is that she follows up with action. While some motivational speakers inspire you in that moment, Branding 4 Success not only inspires, but offers practical solutions to get you into action through classes, workshops, coaching, and more. Yolanda helps people take the journey of not only branding themselves, but also bringing their vision to reality, “I take people through a process to help them understand what their purpose and values are, know their why, and then know their worth. Because once someone gets this, they acquire a level of courage and confidence that is unwavering,” she says. Along with her business, Yolanda has authored a best-selling book called Reputation to Reward: Mastering Your Brand Signature to Earn More, Lead More, Win More. She also facilitates masterclasses to corporate and non-profit organizations, and associations. She has an online course called Reputation to Reward: Creating and Maximizing Your Brand Signature and provides individual and group coaching programs which are customized based on the client’s needs. One of her popular programs is the Brand Assessment Survey, where she uses a validated tool to assess people’s brands. Her other coaching programs are customized to ensure she helps clients brand themselves and strategize to accomplish their goals. She is also a National Public Speaker available for booking. Yolanda emphasizes the importance of having a powerful personal brand, especially during the uncertain times the world is currently experiencing. People are starting to feel invisible due to the isolation from the pandemic. “How do you maintain and elevate your visibility so you can continue to achieve the reward you desire?”. She states you must use the best of what you have, to keep moving forward.

“It’s not about getting back to normal; we won’t be going back to normal, and who wants to go back anyways. Who said it was all that great,” she says? “I like the idea of getting to a better place, something new and exciting. Now is the opportunity that individuals have to be able to transition and reinvent themselves and start doing what they are passionate about.” Yolanda teaches her clients everything she has learned through her own trial and error, so they will not make the same mistakes. Fortunately, she has experienced success, despite not having any mentors or coaches until she was mid-career. “I often stop and think about how much further I could have gone faster if I had guidance. When I was faced with certain obstacles, I realized I could have navigated through them better if I knew the protocols of corporate America,” she says. She learned that you must be strategic and intentional with the things you do to ensure you get results, and that not everyone is interested in your opinion, so think before you speak. “Influential people are not concerned with always being right; they are concerned with being effective,” she says. A major situation that helped push Branding 4 Success forward happened when her job underwent a massive restructuring. All her coaches, mentors, and sponsors were gone. Team Yolanda was out the door and the replacement boss was not exactly her cheerleader. It seemed like they made it a mission to bring Yolanda down and she took the wait and see approach. “I knew I had not done anything wrong,” she shares. That was a huge mistake as the narrative they created resulted in Yolanda being demoted, and the remainder of her team were taken away. This became a true nightmare for her. Yet, Yolanda stated that she knew in the end, she had no one to blame but herself. “I knew how to brand myself. I knew the importance of telling your story because if you don’t tell your story someone else will and it may not be the story you want to have told. The reason I didn’t crumble is I already had built my brand, I was confident in myself, and when you build your brand, you know who you are,” she said. She has also made it clear that just because she is an entrepreneur, she wasn’t going to stop generating multiple streams of income. She didn’t leave her employer, and now, as a parallel-prenuer she still works in the corporate setting, and her employer is a big consumer of her branding services. “They utilize me to teach employees how to be visible and gain recognition for the expertise they have to advance their careers. Yolanda notes that her greatest satisfaction comes from seeing others succeed, “working with other people and seeing their successes is one of my greatest accomplishments.” It should also be mentioned that she has many awards under her belt, including the LRL President’s Award for Diversity, the 360PM Elite Award for Transformational Leadership, and the Indianapolis Business Journal named her one of the 2017 Women of Influence. She admits that receiving external rewards and recognition is awesome because it lets her know the work she’s doing truly matters. Yolanda has shown us that she is a non-stop woman of motivation. In January, she experienced a few nights of restlessness and was constantly awoken out of her sleep, and hearing the words, “Look Up, Get Up, Level Up.” At first, she ignored it, but once it happened the second night, she realized she wasn’t going to get any sleep until she figured out what this meant. So, she looked up, got up, and went to her office, and she began brain dumping. “Within two hours, I had a full-blown 4-week group coaching curriculum outlined to be conducted on a specified day for 2-hours, each week,” she says. The program sold-out in 2 weeks and launched in February and she is hosting the monthly series for individuals who want to achieve next-level excellence by building a brand, creating strategies, and developing a positive digital footprint. Can you guess the name of it? If you said anything other than “Look Up -Get Up -Level Up” I’d be disappointed. I would join quickly because her classes are filling up fast. Looking forward to the future, Yolanda is currently working on her next book. As she continues her journey, she plans to invest in Branding 4 Success full time. Her end goal is to be a premier branding and career coaching company, helping people around the world discover their passion and purpose to reach their highest potential. If you are interested in connecting or learning more about Yolanda and Branding 4 Success check out her social media handles and website, LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/branding4success, Twitter - @_YolandaSmith, Instagram - branding4success, www.Yolandamsmith.com, or contact her at yolanda@yolanda-smith.com

Helping Client’s Unleash The Power of Personal Branding www.yolandamsmith.com 10

MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Izabella McDonald The daughter of Shantell McDonald and Gary McDonald

To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com

Craig D. Butler Scholarship Foundation

By Gamal Williams Photo by CDB Scholarship Foundation Inc

How does one turn tragedy into legacy? When the Butler family experienced the tragic murder of her father, the question wasn’t first and foremost in Khadijah Butler’s mind. Craig Butler’s life was an inspiration to Khadijah. Her face lights up when speaking about him. “My father was a family man; he was the life of the party. He was big on having a moral compass, and how my sister and I were to be perceived in the world. He was also a very giving man. He was murdered when I was 19, shot in the groin by a 14-year-old boy over a dispute. Yet, in that short amount of time in my life, he dropped so many jewels on me,” she shares. The trial of her father’s murderer took a toll on Khadijah. “My first year at Temple University was tough. The trial was over the summer; it was on television and in the newspapers,” she says. She remembered her father’s lessons on education and fearlessness and stayed the course. After graduating summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (the study of the mechanics of body movements), the native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, saw herself working for her hometown team. “I initially wanted to be an athletic trainer for the Eagles! I thought it would be such a cool thing not only as a woman, but as an African-American woman,” she says. When Khadijah went to ply her craft, the hurdles necessary to break into the NFL as an athletic trainer left her a bit discouraged. “I had to decide and learn how do I pivot. Initially, I though about nursing, but then an old friend said ‘Why don’t you get into clinical research? You have such a big heart and already give back so much. That is an industry you don’t see us in,’” Khadijah says. The idea intrigued her. “I thought ‘Okay. I could still use my degree. I could still focus on science. I could be a part of a new medical treatment or medication that could help people, especially with what’s going on today with COVID-19. Plus, I saw that there wasn’t really a lot of African-American women in that field.” Undeterred and renewed, she decided to recommit herself to school and obtained her Master of Science in Management from Rosemont College. “I get my work ethic from my father, my fearlessness from him,” she shares. Khadijah accepted a position as a Project Data Manager for Clinical Research Organization, an opportunity that became extremely fulfilling for her. Yet, despite all of her success, Khadijah felt she could be doing more. It was then she remembered the life of someone that molded her into the strong, black woman she is today, her father.

“My father was a family man; he was the life of the party. He was big on having a moral compass, and how my sister and I were to be perceived in the world. He was also a very giving man.” Khadijah Butler 13

Khadijah wanted to honor her father’s memory while helping the youth of Philadelphia. “We all know the gun violence that occurs in Philly, the educational gaps that exist in America, and when I think of the 14-year-old boy, who is now a man and still in prison, I wondered how could I tie all of that together to honor him? I wanted to redirect our youth on education and not gun violence,” she says. In January 2020, Khadijah started the Craig D. Butler Scholarship Foundation with the goal of providing scholarships to deserving students. According to the Craig D. Butler Scholarship Foundation website, the CDB aims to aid young adults from under-served populations to pursue higher education. Each year, the CDB Scholarship Foundation will seek future high school graduates to offer financial support as they pursue their dreams in the aftermath of gun violence. The CDB Scholarship is an annual, meritbased competition, that focuses on instilling philanthropic values in ambitious, driven, goaloriented individuals. “I didn’t want to make the scholarship centered around what happened to my dad,” Khadijah explains, “but so many people became connected to my story. I decided if I was going to start a business, I wanted to do something to memorialize him. I toyed with the idea for years, then finally decided to just do it. I said, ‘This is the time!’ I wanted to do something to give back and build our family legacy,” she says.

www.craigdbutlerscholarship.com

Khadijah smiles now when she talks about her father, because it always leads to discussions of the CDB and how his legacy lives on. “It’s been twenty years since his death, and I miss him, but I am giving back to Philly and getting his name out there in a positive light through the scholarship,” she says. Hard work. Sound morals. Giving back. Principles that define who Craig D. Butler was as a man, husband, and father, and now his legacy lives on thanks to his daughter for future generations to emulate. To learn more about the Craig D. Butler Foundation, visit www.craigdbutlerscholarship. com or you can email Khadijah at info@ craigdbutlerscholarship.com. h

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Indianapolis - March/April 2021

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Indianapolis - March/April 2021

Good God, Almighty “I came from a single parent home and I was raised by my grandmother and mother who are both great women of faith. They raised me and my siblings through difficult circumstances ...... Even though I didn’t grow up with a father in the home I still had a great covering because my grandmother really stressed the importance of being in church and prayer.” By Marrissa Dick - Photos by Jarell Smalls Music is an important part of our daily lives. Many people listen to music from the time they wake up in the morning to the time they go to bed. Through music, artists write stories that cause you to become emotional because the listener can identify with the words. It would be fair to say that music is a cultural way of relating to people and its variety of sounds are endless; however, no genera of music has the rich history of Gospel music. Gospel music has been relevant in American society for over a century and its impact is still prevalent till this very day. An English playwriter, William Congreve, once wrote, “Music has charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” This famous quote has been put to the test in the medical community with both humans and animals alike to witness the calming affect that music has on the brain and the body. Research has shown that music has both calming and healing properties. These healing properties can be seen in Gospel music as people have been known to fall down on their knees in worship to release their heartache, pain, fear, and even their joy. Gospel music could possibly have this type of affect because it was born from “Negro Spirituals” which were hymns that were sung by slaves in the South. Such songs as “Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd”, “Wade in the Water”, and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” were bellowed aloud while working in the fields to send coded messages to runaway slaves on how to get to freedom - - the Underground Railroad. Gospel music is so inspirational that it can invite The Holy Trinity to “come on in the room” and He will indeed enter. Meet Jarell J. Smalls, Gospel singer extraordinaire, minister, COVID-19 survivor, author, and one who pays homage to his ancestorial Gospel roots. Minister Jarell is a native of (downtown) Charleston, South Carolina and was raised by his grandmother and mother in The New MaryAnn Missionary Baptist Church located in unincorporated towns of Cainhoy, Wando, and Huger South Carolina also known as DC or “Deep Country”. It is through this ministry where he initially gained an appreciation for “Good Old Fashion Church”. He shares, “I came from a single parent home and I was raised by my grandmother and mother who are both great women of faith. They raised me and my siblings through difficult circumstances. I mean we lived in the projects and we survived off of government assistance. Even though I didn’t grow up with a father in the home I still had a great covering because my grandmother really stressed the importance of being in church and prayer. So, I grew up in a little church called The New Continued on the next page

MaryAnn Missionary Baptist Church and that’s where my gifts were founded. I remember always getting in trouble at church because I would tear up fans so I could use the wooden handles for drumsticks. It was my grandmother who would tell everybody to leave me alone because I was going to be somebody one day and she was right. And so, the drums became my passion and eventually I got my first drum set and I went down in the church history as the first recorded drummer ever in the church.” Being a survivor isn’t new to Jarell. In 1989 when hurricane Hugo made his presence known Jarell can remember “wading through the water” with his family to reach the Gilyard Auditorium which had been converted to an evacuation shelter. Like most who survived Hurricane Hugo, the Smalls family lost everything but St. James 5:16 tells us, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” and it was being immersed in prayer that he and his family came through by always keeping God first in their lives in good and bad times. In the mid-1930’s Black churches began using the Hammond organ, a cheaper version of the pipe organ, during its services. This newly invent organ afforded musicians the opportunity to control melodies while simultaneously being able to play the bass using their feet. Soon the Hammond organ became an essential companion to the rhythmical preacher and forged the sound of praise break music. Jarell recalls, “I worked at a music store in Charleston called Fox Music House. I had a wonderful mentor there by the name of Mr. Charles Fox. Mr. Fox trained and taught me how to sell drums, keyboards, and he also taught me how to demo the Hammond organ. One of my strategies was to demo the organ at the church that wanted to buy it. So, when I arrived at that particular church, I would play that Hammond organ like I was in church and they would fall in love with the organ. In 2009 I was voted the top Hammond salesman in the USA.” This is one of Jarell’s first accomplishments, but it was one that could have made or broken his musical career. He shares, “I was doing really well still playing the drums and the Hammond and then I had an opportunity with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Well, I didn’t have formal training in any of the instruments I played so I couldn’t read music; I played by ear. I was always able to slip through the cracks until one day the gig was up. The Official Conductor, Mr. Vincent Dan, came in, we went over a song, and I missed one chop on the song. It was scripted by notes, but I didn’t know that because I couldn’t read music. Of course, he caught it, stopped the rehearsal, and threatened to sue me because he thought I would mess up his show. But God is good, and he gave me another chance. I will never forget what he said to me. Mr. Dan said, “It’s okay to fake your way through, but it’s even better to know your way through”. That experience and those inspirational words helped shaped who I am as an artist today.” Constructive feedback when given in the right spirit can be appreciated by anyone. Thank goodness Jarell Smalls was humble and emotionally mature enough to accept it. As Gospel music progressed it did so initially with male dominated quartets singing a cappella. The similarities of how Gospel music has emerged throughout history certainly parallels Jarell’s beginnings. “My family had a Gospel group called, The Sensational Gospel Singers, but all I did with them was play the drums. I was introduced to Huilo Johnson and we started a group called, The Gospel Inspirations. When we got together, we recorded our first cd entitled, “Get Ready”. Now that song became very popular, and it afforded us the opportunity to travel all over the country performing it.” Jarell credits his time with the quarte as one that matured him as an artist. After a prosperous season of performing with the quartet, Minister Jarell, eventually embraced his calling as a solo artist in the Gospel industry. He credits Lee Williams and The Spiritual

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Indianapolis - March/April 2021

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Indianapolis - March/April 2021

QC’s for his style of singing. “I grew up listening to his music on the radio. Everybody called me little Lee Williams he was my mentor, and he didn’t even know it. Then one day I was afforded the opportunity to meet Mr. Williams and sing for him and it’s been a blessing ever since. Through that meeting the doors were opened for me to meet other Gospel bedrock groups such as Darrell McFadden, the Canton Spirituals, and Doc and the Hi-Lites. We all know that favor ain’t fair, but it’s certainly a blessing for the person that the favor is bestowed upon. Throughout his career Jarell has recorded many notable songs that have gone viral. Such songs as “We Wish You A Merry Christmas in July” and “Mary Rock The Baby” afforded him the opportunity to travel overseas and throughout Europe singing those coveted titles. When he returned home those songs were even more popular and still today are the most requested songs. In 2016, Jarell recorded a song entitled, “Prayer Room” a remix rendition of “Come On In The Room” originally sung by the Georgia Mass Choir. He put his own spin on the old Gospel song then gave it away for free. How many of us know that when you plant good seed in healthy soil and water it with a truthful heart it will not return to you void. Jarell also gave that song away and his harvest returned like a boomerang as that song went viral, too. Throughout his career his music has garnered national acclaims as his music has been considered for both the Grammy and Stellar Awards. Jarell Smalls and Company has currently released another hit single entitled, “We Need Your Power” which is steadily climbing the Gospel Billboard charts. Jarell’s musical career has also allowed him to sing for many notable people. He shares, “I’ve sang for events with the NAACP. I even sang for Senator Burnie Saunders campaign. I’ve played for then vice president, Joe Biden, and I’ve sung for Hillary Clinton. My music career has allowed me to work with and learn from notable singers like Ty Trippet, Hezekiah Walker, and Anthony Brown. I mean from Pastor Kim Burrell to Leandra Johnson. All of these Gospel giants support my work.” So, what makes these Gospel greats so enticed by Jarell’s music? “I’m told that people enjoy my music because my style of singing separates me from everybody else. I just call it Gullah Geechee Gospel. I have an accent that causes a lot of people to mistake me for being Caribbean or Jamaican, but I’m neither. I’m from downtown Charleston so I sing the way I talk. I don’t try to add any bells and whistles or runs. When I sing my intent is for you to keep your mind on Jesus. That’s probably why I really appeal to the great aunts and uncles, the grandparents, you know that generation because they can relate to the sound and the words.” Thank goodness for The New MaryAnn Missionary Baptist Church. It was on those hollowed and prayed up grounds where the Spirit moved over his body, went underneath his skin, ebbed through his bones, and rested in the marrow for such a time this.

better. So, I went to the hospital and I was told that I had pneumonia. I was given antibiotics and a steroid, and they sent me home but that next day I took a turn for the worst. I called my sister because I was having difficulty catching my breath. She suggested that I go back to the hospital, but I didn’t want to do that because I was there the day before. Well, she came over, took a look at me and called 911. When the paramedics arrived, they looked at me the same way my sister did, and they rushed me to the hospital. I must have passed out because the next thing I remember is being in a glass room and feeling pain shooting through my leg. I understand now that the doctors were trying to drill a path for an IV to be inserted through my bones, but because I was fighting, they couldn’t finish the procedure. I remember seeing the doctor throw up his hands and I heard him say, ‘We’ve done all we can do,’ and then I was left there by myself. It was like they were waiting for me to die. When I woke up again it was three weeks later, and I was strapped down. I was told by Nurse Charles that I had died three times and had been placed on a ventilator to keep me breathing. Spiritually I must have known something was happening because I kept telling myself that I wasn’t dead I just couldn’t accept that but at the same time I still see things going on, but nobody could hear me. I was in the hospital for almost a month before I could even speak to anyone. After I was released, I started having panic attacks so I had to go to therapy which was the best thing that could have ever happened. Through counseling I gained an understanding of what happened to me. I learned what panic attacks actually are, why I was having them, and I learned how to handle them. I was also able to gain clarity on other things in my life.” It suffices to say that freely sowing musical seeds paved the way for Minister Jarell Smalls to find favor with the Roper Charity Foundation because he was blessed to have his $300,000 hospital bill paid in full. You see, when you give out of the abundance of your heart you shall reap the reward. Jarell Smalls has made significant deposits into the lives of many congregations throughout the land. He is a man full of wisdom, strength, faith, and power. He desires to continue traveling the world singing and preaching the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ. Be on the lookout for his first book entitled, “I HAVE A REASON TO LIVE: Surviving COVID-19” which is soon to be released. You may want to purchase an advanced copy because everything he does in the Kingdom has the tendency to go viral. h

Often times when people start out with humble beginnings and they achieve financial success some have a tendency to squander their monies, but that was not going to be Jarell Smalls story. Instead, he thought about investing his monies, so he opened a restaurant in 2019 called, Mama Pearls Kitchen in Allensville, South Carolina. The restaurant became a success as it served southern cuisine like your grandmother used to make until COVID-19 forced it to close its doors. Jarell shares, “The pandemic didn’t just shut down the restaurant, it shut me down too. It almost took my life. When I first started not feeling well, I quarantined myself for 11 days, but I wasn’t getting any

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For Booking Info Jarell Smalls www.jarellsmalls.com

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www.terrasboutiquestore.com By Terry L. Watson Photos by Still Shots Photography

The world of fashion is constantly evolving. There is glitz, glamor, and gorgeousness, all of which assume new definitions, every day. For Terra Cornelius, change is another in-demand and exquisite ‘new arrival’ piece; she is ready for it and always up for the challenge. She is a woman full of pizazz and has an effervescent personality that’s reflected in her personal style. Accompanied with her sincere aim to please her clientele, the result has impacted her fashion business, Terra’s Online Boutique, with loyal patronage. She consistently leads with her personal mantra, “What Matters to You, Matters to Us.” Terra quenches her thirst for fashion by offering an extraordinarily colorful experience through her online clothing boutique, where she showcases multiple, curated collections. In the aesthetically pleasing platform, one will find an array of multi-seasonal garments which can be worn on several different occasions. To complete the ensemble, elegant and chic accessories are available — from rhinestone earrings to cow-print fedoras, one might discover their true style through Terra’s eclectic selections. “One of my personal beliefs about clothing is they should align with your personality and aspirations,” she boldly remarks. April 2018 marked the much-anticipated birth of Terra’s Online Boutique. Opening her own store, she says, is something she has always desired to do. Everyone knew Terra was meant for it; the only thing she needed was a slight push which she had received the previous year.

She shared, “I will never forget. I was serving as an adjutant for my cousin, Pastor Bridgett Battles one night. She started pushing me around the church and then suddenly, she stopped, turned me around, and looked me square in the eyes and said, ‘You help push everyone else with their dreams and visions. Tonight, God told me to push you!’ That prophecy hit me like a ton of bricks and it never left. I was in the office one day thinking about that conversation and decided to start my boutique. I began messaging website designers while at lunch to see who would respond, to no avail, but I kept pushing. I called my goddaughter, Ariel Thomas, and asked if she could create a website for me. She said yes; So, I gave her my credit card and told her to get started. I added that I needed it to go live by midnight and she went right to work on it. When I got home, we worked on it together and had it published at the exact time I wanted it to be. We created the collections with only one item in them, but it was finally live! After that, I went into my closet and pulled out all of my boutique items. These were the brands I contacted and started shopping with.” Terra genuinely finds joy in being a boutique owner. She expressed, “I love seeing and hearing about my clients lighting up when they try on something from the boutique, affirming their inherent beauty and worth. My boutique has been a source of inspiration, affirmation, and motivation for countless women. It’s not just about selling a product; it’ my ministry. I realized that the most seemingly well put together women didn’t actually feel good about themselves. I wanted Terra’s Boutique to serve as a vehicle of inspiration and recognition of personal power; mainly because I hadn’t always felt good about myself. I knew this wouldn’t just be an on-line boutique, it would be a platform to elevate and affirm women.’ Born and raised in High Point, N.C., she is the youngest of four siblings. Contrary to the stylish woman that we see right now, image wasn’t important to young Terra. She stated, “I wasn’t a tomboy, but I wasn’t overly concerned with what I wore. My clothing didn’t need to be pressed. My Mom picked out all my outfits and even took care of the ironing until I was in the ninth grade. She wanted to make sure my clothes matched and looked neat.” Things began to change as Terra navigated her way through high school at High Point Central. “I became more interested in dressing well and looking nice. I’d never been into luxury brands, but I knew that I liked quality,” Terra recalls. Growing up, her family did not have a lot of money—however, her mother, Frankie Pike Indianapolis - March/April 2021

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was a gifted seamstress. She made a lot of Terra’s clothing which contributed to her developing style. Terra shared, “Once I was set to go on a field trip. That morning, mom got up early and made me an outfit.” Terra’s Mother worked for a company that made denim wears, particularly trousers. Whenever they had employee sales, she would be able to get some Calvin Klein, Texas, and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans for her daughters. Other times, she would just opt for cheaper jeans. To make them look expensive, she would bring home labels from work and put them on the jeans. Terra’s journey to success has been a bumpy ride. She’s had her share of personal challenges from divorce to not being able to have children of her own. She’s relied heavily on her faith to get her through life’s ups and downs. “I have allowed my faith in God to inspire me, and I clearly understand that I’m only in competition with myself. A friend, Angela Briggs told me once, I had to know I was a “winning hand”. That affirmation took me to a whole new place, mentally. I knew then who I was, and whose I was, and knew I could not lose or fail,” she shares. Photo by Ward Legacy Studios

In candidness, Terra reveals, “I love God, family, friends, and fashion, a good laugh, success, and money. I’m an unapologetic money lover. It’s not everything, but we all need it to survive.” Although earning is a remarkable motivator, Terra discusses that what makes her work harder is her love for the clients. Moreover, her primary focus remains to be her ‘why’—her reasons for sharing her passion for fashion to the world. “I want this to be my retirement plan, so it needs to be successful.” When it’s all said and done, Terra shares, “Don’t be afraid to be yourself. This is your superpower. There will be many folks doing the same thing or something similar; however, your personality will set you apart. You must be willing to be accountable for your mistakes and treat people well. Often, people will remember their experience with you and not the product or service. Therefore, you must always be kind.” Terra is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and has been employed for more than 25 years in the field of Human Resources. In addition to being a boutique owner, she also owns T&T Tax and Notary. She’s also an illustrious member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The future looks very bright for Terra and her boutique. She plans to add more styles and variety to her collection which will provide her clients with a more enriching experience. To learn more about Terra, please visit her website. h

Photo by India Reaves

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Alex D. Banks II, Saxophonist FB: Alex D. Banks II IG: @alexdbanksii Contact Information: Phone: 256-631-1268 Email: info@alexdbanksii.com

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By Fanta Dorley - Photos by Michael Duncan “The community was always supporting me, but I know it was God that was guiding me” From the family kitchen to kitchens around the world, Chef Brandon Emmitt has earned his place as one of the nation’s premier Chefs. If you ask him, he’d say, “I’m just doing what I love to do”. With an armor of modesty and humility, along with a spirit of curiosity and skill, Chef Brandon shows us how carving a path can be all that it’s cooked up to be. Brandon Emmitt was born and raised in the Dallas/Frisco area of Texas. Being the younger brother of the five children, he was the recipient of life’s lessons and benefits. “My dad kept us in church and busy with school so there wasn’t much room for anything else,” he says. “As a rising high school football star, many of the community supported my journey, and even encouraged me to pursue a professional career in the NFL,” Brandon shares. At the time, that did not seem too far-fetched to achieve being that Brandon had begun receiving awards and was looking forward to landing a full athletic scholarship at a local university. As the young NFL grew into adulthood, he began to develop strong morals and values which placed him in a dilemma with his environment. He remembers, “As I grew older, I realized that I couldn’t be in the NFL, because It directly went against my spiritual values of working on Sunday,” he says. Brandon believes Sunday is sacred and should be used to spend time with God and family. So, he had to find something else to do.

Just about that time, tragedy struck his childhood. His parents decided to get a divorce which hit him emotionally hard. “I thought what am I going to do? So much is going on and I just don’t know what to do,” he says. During this time, his mother became sick and most of his family was scattered around the country, and Brandon found himself in a position to make some tough, life decisions. However, he did what he knew best. He got down on his needs and began to pray. Through his increased prayer-life, he was able to reflect on things that molded and shaped his values in order to give him direction. So instead of going to college as planned, life’s challenges took him on a path of self-reflection and seeking direction. First, he reflected on his father. He shares, “I watched my father work 12-hour days and still came home and cooked for us. And when he cooked, he threw down”. Being from Louisiana, you can just imagine the various dishes that grazed the table. Hot water cornbread, black eyed peas, and fried chicken. He next reflected on head culinary chef instructor and school mentor, Robert Bifulco. When Brandon’s parents divorced in 2002, he decided to stick around and help his mom out instead of going away to school. While working odd jobs, Brandon was encouraged to take advantage of a program offered at a local community college that provided him with an Associate of Applied Science Culinary Arts Degree. “That’s when I came across Mr. Bifulco. He stayed on me and kept me grounded,” he says. Brandon realized that he not only needed skill development, but also personal development. That’s what Robert Bifulco provided. After finishing at the top of his class in the Culinary program, Brandon worked at a major hotel kitchen and that was the beginning of his of his life’s career. “I decided, I wanted to travel the world and learn how to make dishes from other cultures,” he says. After starting at a

hotel with a friend in California, he sought opportunities that was posted through the hotel. The position allowed him to make bold and risky moves like transferring to the hotel’s location in South Beach Florida. After he learned all that he could from the Floridian culture, he traveled to Puerto Rico and worked there for one year. Next of the map, Chef Brandon travelled to San Bernardino, CA but didn’t stay long due to a great opportunity to work in the Dominican Republic, after a short stay there, he moved back to Dallas. By 2014, He reunited with his old childhood friend and got married. In addition to having his son that year, he also gave birth to his dream of catering. Unfortunately, in 2016 he had to start all over after going through a divorce. “God got my attention. I began to pray more and ask God for direction,” he says. He felt like God was punishing him for not being obedient, but soon came to realize the bad experiences were just inspiration and motivation. In the beginning of March 2020, he decided to make a post on social media of a dish he made. He posted a dish online every day for five months. His consistency paid off. “I can remember God saying, ‘You post your food, and I will send them to your page Next, he rented community kitchen spaces to prepare meals and Emmitt’s Catering was born. His niche is not having a set menu. “When a client calls to tell me what they want to eat, it is a good challenge for me to create that experience for them,” he says. Although based in Southland, TX, Emmitt’s Catering is open to travel and has a staff of six people and can offer services as a personal chef, meal prepping, and online cooking classes. Chef Brandon also finds time to give back to the community by providing meals from frontline workers as well as those experiencing homelessness. He has developed a go fund me page called “Ware Against Hunger since November 2020. Cooking for other gives him a level of satisfaction and pleasure that is indescribable. “When I see the happiness, my food brings to people, I can’t pick a favorite dish because it’s trumped by the common feeling of providing their favorite experience,” he shares. “With everything I do, I want people to know that their food was made with love. So, I tell them that with every delivery.” Moving forward, Chef Brandon plans to take his “experience” around the globe. He is not sure how God is going to connect all those dots, but he knows it will happen. Currently, he is the number one ranked in a nationwide contest called “Favorite Chef”. This win will catapult his vision into place by awarding him a $50,000 cash prize, as well as a feature in Bon Appetite Magazine. When asked how the ranking makes him feel, he responded, “It is not about titles but more about the inboxes that I am getting with people honoring me and asking my opinion.” Chef Brandon understands that when God gives to you, the more you must give to others. With all of his life experiences, he rose beyond the concrete and proved that all experiences do make you stronger and all gifts will make room for you. You just must keep focused and stick with it. To learn more about Chef Brandon, please contact him directly.

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Emmitts Catering www.emmittscatering.com 817-993-9731 Indianapolis - March/April 2021

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More Than Hair 32

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By Terry L. Watson

Come on in and rest your feet, and while you’re at it, leave your worries and burdens on the outside, and allow your mind to rest as well. This is the kind of peace and comfort that is offered at More Than Hair, a salon nestled comfortably in Huntsville, AL.

Jerome Coverson Productions

The leader and face of More Than Hair is Cierra De’Shae, a New Market, AL native. She is the oldest of four girls and describes herself as a leader and influencer to others. Most importantly, Cierra is a believer in God. She has been a professionally licensed cosmetologist for five years, and a business owner for nearly two years. “I’m an entrepreneur or Godpreneur, that is what I like to call it,” she says. “I love to empower and inspire people through my gifts and skills as a hairstylist. They all come from God, and I am only doing what He expects of me with them.” More Than Hair is a beauty brand that aspires to inspire others beyond what’s on their crown, but also what’s inside of it. “We strive to give you an experience that shows beauty to the eye while helping to motivate your heart. We provide hair care services for our community while providing a space for them to be encouraged and empowered through whatever they may be facing,” Cierra states. For her, it’s all about making a connection, a divine connection. Being a devout Christian herself, she always carries the word of God with her, so when the opportunity arises for her to pour into someone, she is prepared. “Often times a normal service will turn into a prayer session, right at my styling station,” she says. “I love that my business is a place where people can come and receive care for their hair, but also get an experience that leaves them feeling refreshed. “Many of my clients have walked in one way and left completely transformed.” Cierra’s journey began as a young girl. She always had a passion for hair care and styling. This passion would carry on even after graduating high school. “I originally went to college to be a psychologist, but halfway through that journey I made the decision to pursue what I loved. I attended J.F. Drake State Technical and Community College in 2014 and graduated in 2016 and became a licensed cosmetologist shortly after. I started out with a salon in my home but later transitioned into working in commission based and sole proprietor salons. In 2019, God told me it was time to step out on my own. So, obediently, I started looking for a place that would be a good fit for me and the business that I was birthing. On June 17, 2019. More Than Hair officially opened its doors to the public,” she says.

Photo by Shuneil Gadsen Photography

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The path of an entrepreneur isn’t an easy one. She has faced some challenges here and there, but mostly she has relied on the support of a few to make it through. Going to college to channel my craft, literally saved my life. My mother passed away during my first semester of college. Six months later we lost our home to a tornado while we were inside. Those experiences sent me spiraling down a dark path until I made the decision to go to school and focus on doing what I loved the most. Going into the hair industry gave me a new start, and a new discipline. I’m not sure where I would be if I didn’t have my business. This journey into this industry helped me to discover purpose beyond the pain I’d experienced. My prayer is that my business can provide that same kind of impact for all who encounter it,” she shares.

Photo by Shuneil Gadsen Photography

One might ask where one gets so much drive to do the things that Cierra does. She shares, “I have been encouraged by my family, friends, and mentors; they have all pushed and encouraged me. It’s because of them that my business is what it is today. I have also been favored with constant support of loyal clientele, and that alone is enough for me to stand on.” Cierra says that even during the loss of her mother, and the tornado ravishing her family’s home, there isn’t much she would change about her journey. “If I could, I would focus more on the business aspect of being a salon owner and not just the skill. As a business owner, it is so important to be educated on financial literacy, because it can truly make or break your business, and significantly impacts its development and growth. I would’ve also learned more about marketing and content building. Living in a digital age has completely changed what networking looks like. Passing out business cards is only the beginning of what your marketing should look like. I would have invested in learning these things, which would have provided a better way to build my business. I’ve learned they are just as important as focusing on honing the skills you provide behind the chair,” she shares.

More Than Hair Salon

920 Bob Wallace Avenue Southwest Suite 325 Huntsville, AL 35801 (256) 658-1566 www.cierradeshae.com 34

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Moving forward, Cierra plans to continue to grow her business into a place that offers more than just hair services. “I hope to eventually be a full-service salon that provides facials, nail care, and more. I also hope to be able to have my own building of suites, where I can employ women and men like me that have a passion to serve the community, and the beauty industry. Additionally, I desire to provide training and business workshops for new people coming into the industry and create environments for stylists to come together as a community and build each other up,” she says. There are also plans of launching a product line for healthy hair of all ethnicities. Above all, Cierra will continue to use her God-given gift to reach and touch the lives of others. She shares, this is the true focus of More Than Hair. h

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It’s Only Because of God 36

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by B Smith Photography

It is impossible to judge a book by its cover. When looking at Lakeshia Bradley, this applies just as well. One would have to peel back the layers of her life in order to get a glimpse of what she has endured, survived, overcome, and triumphed through. Lakeisha is a well-known entrepreneur in the Upstate area of South Carolina. Born and raised in Kingstree, S.C., she describes her native home as a city with few opportunities available. Yet, she managed to beat the odds and made it out later relocating to Greenville SC. There, her dreams became a reality. In Greenville, Lakeisha has established herself to be a successful businesswoman. Her portfolio is very diverse in that she offers tax services, childcare services, and health care. Through LM Tax Service, Lakeisha assists clients with every tax related need such as starting their professional tax practice, tax preparation and planning; individual, partnership, and corporate returns, including S Corporations. Lakeisha shares, “We have been providing personalized tax and accounting services throughout South Carolina since 2000. With our certified training and expansive financial knowledge, we are equipped to handle all accounting needs, no matter how complex they may be. Whether someone requires assistance at the personal or corporate level, we are ready to serve tax planners and accounting advisors.” As the founder of Little Wonders Learning Center, Lakeisha shares their goal is to create an environment that both nurtures and educates children. “With our experience and knowledge, we help children feel safe and cared for while the parents are away. Unlike other types of childcare, we provide your child with the individual care and attention they deserve. Each child may have different needs, so we emphasize individualized care as much as possible,” she says.

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Through her third business, Care for All, Lakeisha ensures client medical needs are met with the help of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs). Lakeisha has seen her share of trials and tribulations. She has seen more rejection than acceptance also. “The testimony I live by every day is no matter how many doors may close, keep pushing until the ones who turned you down ask you for a job,” she says. Lakeisha’s entrepreneurial journey began when she started to focus more on her personal growth than the opinion of others. “Learning to become comfortable in my own skin was very important and it’s one of the things I always speak to my clients about.” True joy started to find its way into my life when I stopped denying what I was here for, my purpose,” she says. “I am inspired mostly by my mother. She was always determined and dedicated and gave me the best life possible. There was never a time my mother gave up and that motivated me to keep pushing even when the job seemed too hard to handle.”

“It’s only because of God that I am able to do what I can. Because His love fills my heart, I am committed to sharing that same love with those who are connected to me, both professionally and personally.”

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Those examples of determination and diligence continue to play a huge role in Lakeisha’s life. It would be too easy to just walk away and call it quits, plus that wouldn’t please God. “It’s only because of God that I am able to do what I can. Because His love fills my heart, I am committed to sharing that same love with those who are connected to me, both professionally and personally,” she says. Moving forward, Lakeisha plans to expand her business to other areas and give her daughters the rope. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to never give up. “Always remember that Amazon was once small, but now it’s our everyday source of online shopping. Keep pushing,” she says.

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