Huami Magazine St. Louis May/June 2023

May/June 2023

Volume 2 Issue 2

The Kamera Boss

What Else Could I Say?

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

On a recent evening, I was invited to sit on a panel alongside a couple of other gentlemen. Our mission was to share our experiences and answer a few questions on the challenges and joys of being a black man and father. Though some questions were shared with us beforehand, I hadn’t prepared much for the event. Little did I know, the night would be full of surprises and lessons learned.

What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All of your plans, hopes and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never happened? There would be no reason to save for a rainy day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired today? What would you do?

One panelist sitting beside me appeared to be great at public speaking. I determined this by how he held the microphone close to his face so that his voice would project throughout the room of people with clarity and precision. He was good. For me, I consider myself to be an average speaker, and I am not often intimidated when faced with the challenge of speaking publicly. Well, all of that was off the table that evening. While I knew what I wanted to share, I felt a little speechless when it was my turn to speak.

I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. Honestly, I feel like I am not doing enough and I’m a firm believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me that I couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to me. I have found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge to me is an adventure. What is the worst that can happen? If I do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn something new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in return acquire life.

As the evening came to an end, a feeling of regret washed over me. Despite being invited as a panelist to share my thoughts and experiences, I couldn’t help but feel that I had left a lot unsaid. It’s a shame, really, because I know what I felt inside could resonate with someone in that room. After all, isn’t that why we were all there? To share our unique perspectives and shed some light on what being a black man and father is like.

The best advice ever given to me happened when someone told me to make my tomorrow happen today. In doing so I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only hope provided. I have also learned the difference between what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and when to be quiet, because someone may get it confused with being arrogant.

That evening was a valuable lesson in many ways. One of the key takeaways was the importance of preparation before speaking. Another lesson learned was the need to seize every opportunity and own the moment. As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Most importantly, I was reminded of the power of sharing my experiences and how it can change someone’s perspective. It was a great reminder not to waste any opportunity to connect with others and make a positive impact.

Make you tomorrow happen today, but most importantly make it count. Life is but a whisper and we must put ourselves in a position to hear what it is telling us.

Imagine that, me at a loss for words.

Terry L. Watson

Las Amigas Incorporated

The 62nd Annual Conclave takes place in the Triad. Learn more about what they are doing.

Greensboro, NC

28

It is a very personal experience with her company. Learn more about Unique Flowers and Gifts.

Philadelphia, PA

Her life is consumed with being a wife, and running several businesses. Learn more about who she is.

Richmond, VA

Dr. Samenia Mayer

Brandi Johnson-Harris

Racquel Kamera Boss Photography

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Kamera Boss Photography

Racquel Charles reflects on when she was only a seventh grader. That is around the time when her interest in photography revealed itself. “I can remember taking a disposable camera to school for career day. I wanted to take photos. Almost every year after that, my parents bought me digital cameras, but I didn’t keep up with them, of course. Once I made it to high school, I would take pictures of all my classmates and post them online,” she says.

Racquel’s senior year in high school occurred at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts in Kansas City. She shares how her friend and artist, Marichelle, introduced her to the art teacher, as they both recognized Racquel’s budding potential. “I started building my portfolio soon after that, just from photos I took on my phone. Shortly after graduating high school, I had my first daughter Kendal, and put photography on the back burner. I decided to try the nursing field and ended up going to college and getting my Medical Assistant and Associates degree. My passion for photography never left, and soon my boyfriend bought my first DSLR Canon Camera as a Christmas present in 2015. I was a little intimidated with using the camera at first but soon got the hang of it,” she shares.

In 2017, Racquel gave birth to her 2nd daughter Kammy. By the time her first birthday arrived, she’d made up her mind that photography would be her career choice, and the rest is history.

She eventually left her job in nursing. This was around the same time the country was dealing with the Covid pandemic in 2020. She set her sights on succeeding in photography but lost a little confidence in herself and soon returned back to work. She jumped into photography with laser-sharp focus and tried some things to make it work this time.

“I worked on scheduling my clients accordingly, so I wouldn’t have to run around all day. I would rent studios for half days to get more clients in one place. I would have at least 3-5 weekly shoots, so I felt I was doing great for myself. In 2022, I began to get bookings out of state and eventually became a traveling photographer and created my website. Everyone loved it,” she says.

Things were improving for Racque. Her website was up, and she had developed a more efficient way to communicate with her clients. Now she needed a studio.

“I had been looking for a studio to move into all of 2022. I was at a point where my clients and myself deserved a place to call home. I only had a little success, as I was even going to settle for a shared space. I gave the studio search one more try before I planned my 30th birthday trip to Jamaica. I said a nice long intentional prayer and went on my search. Amazingly, this time was different, as I got a callback. I got approved for the space. I ended up canceling my 30th birthday trip to Jamaica and celebrated my 30th birthday at my studio. Since then, I have made some changes and additions; This is my dream studio.”

Today, Racquel is the owner and face of Kamera Boss Photography. She offers various shoot options such as maternity, weddings, headshots, family photos, boudoirs, graduation photos, creative photos, and birthday shoots. Her ability to create lifelong memories is what she loves most about being a photographer. “At some point in our lives, photos will be all we have, and I take so much pride in being able to create memories for families,” Racquel shares.

While her talent speaks for itself, Raquel has dealt with confidence issues. “When I’m feeling discouraged like I’m not doing enough, or I’m not where I’m supposed to be, I have to sit back and realize that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I have to remind myself that I’ve come so far from renting studios and having to shoot outside. I am so very proud of myself,” she says.

There have been some ups and downs, yet Racquel says she wouldn’t change much about how things happened. She only points out, “I wish more people would have supported me more in the beginning instead of waiting till now. I needed every challenge that I faced. I needed to go through everything I did to appreciate where I am today.”

As the future happens for Racquel, her plans are to become a celebrity personal photographer. Until that day, I will continue to offer beautiful photos to people in her city and other states.

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www.KameraBossPhotography.com

By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided by The Juneteenth GVL Inc.

Juneteenth is a holiday that, until recent years, only a few cities or states outside of Texas celebrated. What is Juneteenth? It is the commemoration of the actual end of legalized slavery in the United States. Texas declared June 19th, or Juneteenth, “Emancipation Day in Texas,” a legal state holiday in 1980. Over the years, African-American communities have worked to educate and promote the acknowledgment of Juneteenth.

While visiting Dallas for work, Rueben Hayes first encountered a Juneteenth celebration in all its grandeur. “I didn’t learn about Juneteenth until 2013. I was on a work assignment for a hospital in Dallas, Texas. I had the opportunity to attend a Juneteenth festival, and I was blown away by how beautiful and culturally rich the event was,” Rueben Hayes explains. “There was music, art, dancing, food, oh my goodness, the food! I was just in awe of it all.”

Rueben was so impacted by what he experienced at his first Juneteenth festival in Dallas that he traveled to different Juneteenth festivals around the country for the four years that followed. “I’ve been to Atlanta, Nashville, and Columbia, and each festival was as amazing and impressive as the next,” Hayes shares.

Over the years, Rueben’s interest, knowledge, and excitement grew regarding the Juneteenth festivals, but starting a commemoration festival in Greenville, South Carolina, wasn’t in the plans. “As much as I enjoyed the commemoration celebrations, I never considered doing something like that in Greenville. The reason was that when I returned home, most people weren’t familiar with what Juneteenth really was in 2014 and 2015. Again, I didn’t learn the history of Juneteenth and how significant it was to African American culture as well as American history until I attended the Dallas festival in 2013,” Rueben confessed. Like so many, Rueben had heard the name Juneteenth but did not know its history, never making the connection to its significance as the actual moment of African-American independence in the U.S.

As an entrepreneur, one of the businesses Rueben owned was an entertainment company. “In the past, I had worked with large events and festivals. Organizing events is something I loved doing, but nothing on the scale of what was to come.” Yet in 2017, Rueben felt compelled to organize a Juneteenth commemoration festival in Greenville, South Carolina.

“I started contacting and making connections to make a Juneteenth festival a reality in 2018. But my surgical supply business experienced tremendous growth, and my priorities shifted,” Rueben explained. “I decided to put the festival plans on hold, believing I could pick them back up in 2018 or 2019 and launch the Greenville Juneteenth festival in 2020. Then the pandemic hit.”

What initially appeared to be a setback was just another example of time and season. “The world shutting down due to the Covid pandemic sidelined us. But when President Biden made Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021, we knew it was the perfect time to get the plans for the festival back on track.”

Monopolizing on the momentum of Biden’s monuments decision to acknowledge June 19th as “African-American Independence Day,” Rueben and his partners began to plan and organize a festival unlike anything the city of Greenville had ever seen.

Rueben is the Executive Director and founder of Juneteenth GVL. His friend and partner in this venture, Vandavid Vernon, is the co-founder. Vandavid, CEO of Vernon Veteran Services, worked alongside Rueben to make the Greenville Juneteenth celebration a reality. “From the start, we knew there was a demand for what we were preparing, but we were still surprised at the level of support we received from the city of Greenville and sponsors,” Rueben explained.

Rueben and his team didn’t just want to celebrate Juneteenth; they wanted to educate their community and give them a cultural platform and experience; unlike anything they had ever seen. “It was important that we hold the festival here in Greenville and the upstate,” Rueben explained. “We wanted to expose our community to what Juneteenth means to Americans, not just African-Americans.”

The heart of the Juneteenth GVL Festival is based on these five pillars: Educate, Enhance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “We want people from every race, creed, and color to come out and take part. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the good in our shared history and educate and unite people,” Vandavid explained.

The inaugural 2022 Juneteenth GVL Festival was a three-day event that kicked off with the Juneteenth Gala. “One of my directors came up with a Juneteenth Gala. Since we had never attempted anything like that, we did extensive research to find a model for what we were trying to achieve. We found that there hadn’t been an event like it anywhere in the country,” Rueben explained. “The gala’s purpose was to raise funds so that the festival would be free to the community, but we could achieve so much more.”

There were over six-hundred attendees at the 2022 Juneteenth Gala. Patrons were treated to the crowning of the first Mr. and Ms. Juneteenth GVL, a fashion show, exhibits from local artists, and live music and dancing. “In addition to meeting our goal for the festival, the success of the 2022 Juneteenth Gala allowed the foundation to give two $2,500 scholarships and donate $20,000 to non-profit African American organizations,” Rueben shared.

Vandavid Vernon Co-Founder of Juneteenth GVL Inc.

The Juneteenth GVL Inc. Committee

The Emerald Flame Robin Shipp

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Robin Shipp

What does she not do? That is a fair and appropriate question that can be asked about Maryland resident Robin Annette Shipp. On the one hand, the 44-year-old is a multiethnic Creole woman who is an accomplished chef. On another, Robin brandishes a professional career in dance. It is clear that regardless of what arena, she does what is needed to succeed.

Robin says that around the young age of 18, she realized her love for cooking. “I used to watch television cooking programs like Julia Child, Justin Wilson (I Guarantee), and more. As I got older, the watching quickly turned into study sessions of all the famous cooks that were showcased on cooking programs and networks,” she says. By age 25, Robin began freelance modeling and acting in auditions for small roles and commercial print work modeling such as Model Inc, Audition America, and more.

Robin’s connection to food and all things delicious began to take shape in 2018. Around that time, she started a vendor networking and health and wellness umbrella company entitled “MotherShipp Productions”, also known as MotherShipp Global. MotherShipp Global has a focus on black business recognition.

Robin is the mother to her daughter, Harmony. She graduated from Rockville High School in Rockville, MD. She also attended Savannah State University and studied Industrial Psychology. “I thought it was a good fit for me, but it didn’t sit right. When I put myself back into school online for Information Technology in Visual Communication, I wanted something I could be happy with. However, I never finished those degrees. It took years to decide on what I wanted as a degree or certification. In 2022, I successfully registered and finished my certification as a Clinical (Board Certified) Master Herbalist from Trinity School of Natural Health. I returned the following month to obtain my certification as a personal chef from International Professions Career College,” she shares. “I incorporate both into my food as I feel that food is supposed to taste, look, and feel good. It’s healing. It should bring comfort to all levels. Healthier foods can also be comfort food. It’s meant to heal your mind, body, and spirit.”

“I thought it was a good fit for me, but it didn’t sit right. When I put myself back into school online for Information Technology in Visual Communication, I wanted something I could be happy with. However, I never finished those degrees. It took years to decide on what I wanted as a degree or certification.”

Currently, Robin owns Emerald Flame L.L.C. Her company offers catering and personal chef service for all events. These include breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and small desserts. It also has a focus on certain mini catering items and big pot items. Emerald Flame, L.L.C., ships certain food items and seasonings nationwide. The seasoning brand is called Gyrnd Seasonings. Salad dressings and other sauces, and medicinal food products are soon coming.

The Grynd Health offers a variety of flavors such as Garlic Pepper5, Spicy Turmeric, Lemon-Sage, Honey-Butter, Mushroom-Shallot, and Brown Sugar-Cinnamon-Clove. The Grynd Originals include Robin’s Rajun Cajun, Southwest Smoke, White-Hot Garlic Herb, and Creole Royalty Seafood Boil. Grynd Sauces include Creamy Cajun White Wine Sauce and Applewood Mesquite Whiskey. There is also the Cane City Rubs, named after the city sections of Louisiana that the Creole population mostly lived in. The flavors include Flamin Maple, Spikes Brown Sugar, Mesquite Citrus, and Island Heat.

“I love what I do because food brings people together. From birthdays and whatever holidays people celebrate, a celebration of life ceremony, corporate parties/networking parties, romantic dinners, or the cookout, it starts with food. When you break bread with someone, you come to the table to share each other’s presents. Even when it comes to food, just being in the background while a conference or event takes place, food makes everything better,” Robin says. “My slogan is ‘Food for the soul and health for the body”.

Robin shares that most of her challenges have been financially related as a business owner. “I have learned to keep pushing and believing in my dreams. I want to continue to be the best chef I can be and possibly heal those with my culinary and medicinal products and talents.”

As Robin’s future unravels, she says she plans to concentrate on being a traveling chef. “That is my intention. Even further, being a celebrity and semicelebrity chef. I’ve always wanted to connect with motivational speakers for many reasons besides being their chef. I would also like to start my own foundation to give food to those in need. I love what I do, and my journey has been long. Yet, it continues to strive for heights that I haven’t even thought of, but I know it is on the way.”

Robin Shipp

Unique Gifts & Flowers Samenia Mayer

By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Dr. Samenia L. Mayer

Dr. Samenia L. Mayer, a renowned celebrity florist and a proud single parent residing in the heart of Philadelphia, PA, owns Unique Gifts & Flowers. Her company offers delightful floral experiences tailored to each customer’s unique desires.

Dr. Mayer, the creative force behind this thriving fresh floral delivery service, brings her passion for design and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction to every arrangement she crafts. Whether it’s a wedding celebration or a solemn farewell, her expertise extends to all occasions, ensuring that her client’s needs are met and their cherished memories are adorned. “We are very passionate about what we offer our customers, as we aim to exceed their expectations with each experience,” she says.

Dr. Mayer says her journey in business began in October 2005. A seed that would blossom into an extraordinary journey of Unique Gifts & Flowers was planted. Now 18 years later, her heart exudes excitement and gratitude for the countless memories she has helped create. Her company has delivered over 50,000 breathtaking arrangements, each a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence. “When I lost my job working for a construction company, I was left with a sense of failure, and that wasn’t an option for me, especially being a single parent of four children. So as I walked home, I prayed and asked God to diversify my income streams to endless opportunities. God answered my prayers. I’ve never taken out any loans and saved up my money before starting my business. My steps have truly been ordered into this industry.”

When asked what she loves most about her business, Dr. Mayer offers a warm response. “Amidst the shadows of my own personal struggles, including overcoming obstacles in abusive relationships and navigating the challenges of single parenthood, my business has emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. While meticulously arranging and personally delivering beautiful flower arrangements, a profound rejuvenation takes hold of my spirit. Witnessing the transformation that occurs on the faces of recipients as they are greeted is nothing short of miraculous. It is in those moments that a ray of hope pierces through the clouds, reminding me of what unwavering faith can produce. While serving my clients, I am filled with deep gratitude. As I continue on this remarkable journey, I am eternally grateful that the beauty of floral gifts has become a profound win-win for my cherished customers and myself. Each delivery is an opportunity to ignite hope, spread joy, and remind us all of the transformative power of a single act of kindness. With every floral smile shared, I am reminded that I am living my purpose, and I am blessed beyond measure,” she says.

“So as I walked home, I prayed and asked God to diversify my income streams to endless opportunities. God answered my prayers.”

Dr. Mayer often credits her children with inspiring and impacting her life the most. She says, “The presence of my children has profoundly shaped every aspect of my life and career, leaving an indelible impact that resonates deeply within my being. Their unwavering trust in me as their provider, mother, and protector has fueled my drive to become the best version of myself and be an actively involved parent in their lives.” She also adds, “In my earlier years, I harbored aspirations of becoming a judge, knowing that pursuing a career in law would be the necessary stepping stone. However, the beautiful responsibility of motherhood prompted a shift in my path as I put that dream on hold to embrace the unique gifts and talents that flowed through my veins. The urge to create, to bring beauty into the world, was imprinted in my DNA. The creative arts and crafts became my chosen avenue for self-expression, woven intricately into the fabric of my being.”

Dr Mayer also acknowledges the impact her mother had on life. “I owe a debt of gratitude to my remarkable mother, who, through her nurturing guidance, exposed me to many extracurricular activities. From the tender age of 11, I began the entrepreneurial journey, crafting and selling pillows and cookies made from cake mix. This early experience kindled within me the realization that I possessed the innate ability to survive and thrive, utilizing the unique gifts bestowed upon me by a higher power.”

To learn more about Dr. Mayer and her company, please visit their website.

www.uniqueflowersandgifts.com

“In my earlier years, I harbored aspirations of becoming a judge, knowing that pursuing a career in law would be the necessary stepping stone. However, the beautiful responsibility of motherhood prompted a shift in my path as I put that dream on hold to embrace the unique gifts and talents that flowed through my veins.”

Bridgette Williams

By Monica Montgomery Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

Demhaj Poetry Lounge is a spot where coffee and community collide.

Bridgette Williams is an entrepreneur who allows divine inspiration to guide her, and it hasn’t steered her wrong yet. Currently, she owns two thriving businesses. Bridgette’s latest product of divine intervention is Demhaj Poetry Lounge, located in High Point, NC.

The name Demhaj is significant for many reasons. “When I first conceived the idea of the coffee shop, I remember thinking about how much love and joy my son brought me so that I would name the business after him. I wanted people to feel what I felt in a way. My son’s name is Jahmed, so I said I would name the shop Demhaj (Dem-hage),” Bridgette said with a little lift.

“The first time the idea about a poetry lounge and coffee shop came to me, I was a young mother and met a woman named Teresa at the social services department,” Bridgette shared. “I was sitting in the waiting room, and there was this older woman staring at me. So, I smiled and introduced myself. We started talking, and she told me she was a poet.” This intrigued Bridgette because she had been writing poetry since she was thirteen years old.

When I first conceived the idea of the coffee shop, I remember thinking about how much love and joy my son brought me. I knew I would name the business after him. I wanted people to feel what I felt in a way.”

“Writing was a therapeutic outlet for me. I have drawers full of poems I’ve written over the years.” As a result of Bridgette’s passion for poetry, she and Teresa found an instant kinship that exists to this day. “Teresa was one of the first people I shared my vision about the poetry lounge with. I told her I wanted to create a space where people could come together and express themselves while enjoying each other’s company. I asked myself, ‘What brings people together? Coffee.’” The idea came to Bridgette in 2003, but it would be eighteen years before she would see it come to life.

“It’s funny how you plan to do something, and God redirects you,” Bridget laughed. “In middle school, I was part of a mentorship program. A young lady from North Carolina A&T State University came, and she had such a positive effect on me. She made me want to do something with my life. I was so inspired by her that I wanted to become a mentor.”

After graduating high school, Bridgette started at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC. Still very passionate about helping others through mentorship, she enrolled in a program to become a certified mentor. “Rebuilding the Walls of Hope was the name of the faith-based mentorship training program I attended. Marie Carter led it,” Bridgette explained. Her goal was to start her own mentorship program for troubled teens eventually. But when she started planning, Bridgette was led in a different direction.

“When I say led, I mean God literally redirected me to something completely different from what I thought I wanted to do. I was playing around with names for the mentorship program, and God started dealing with me about a home health care agency,” Bridgette said, laughing as she remembered the unexpected and confusing shift. “Before I knew it, God had given me a name and a plan on how to start a home healthcare agency. I knew it was God because I had no idea how to start or run this kind of business.”

The Demjah Lounge Barista, John Finley

In 2006 Faithful Nurses Healthcare Inc. was born. It’s been seventeen years since Bridgette followed God and launched her first business, and it’s still going strong. After starting the home healthcare agency, Bridgette switched her degree to nursing. But the demands of being a young wife and mother caused her to leave college a year short of graduating.

“Life was very demanding during that time. Anyone who knew me before then knew the “happy, fun-loving, and easy-going” Bridgette, but I think somewhere along the way, I lost my spark,” Bridgette admits.

In 2021 Bridgette found herself as a single parent. Bridgette was living life with no net or restraints for the first time in over twenty years. Over the years, she continued to share with her family and friends her vision for the poetry and coffee shop she had affectionately named after her son all those years ago.

Newly single, with her only son in college, Bridgette was in unfamiliar territory. “Everything was different. I was on my own, my son was independent, and for the first time in twenty-one years, I could think about what I wanted and what would make me happy. I won’t say it was easy,” Bridgette admitted. “I had to overcome the fear of failing. This would be the first time I did something like this alone. After what I’d gone through, I wasn’t ready to have one of my lifelong dreams fail.”

Bridgette decided to step out on faith, putting everything she had behind her new business venture. Since her son had heard her say for years that she would open this café, he didn’t take her seriously initially, but after seeing the energy she was putting out, he soon got on board.

“It seemed as if as soon as I chose to trust God with my dream, he put everything into place,” Bridgette shared. “Since opening the Demhaj Poetry Lounge, I have my smile back. The spark that made me, me, is back, and I’m grateful. From the moment a customer walks in, I pray they can feel the love, peace, and genuine joy I feel daily. Demhaj is not just a place to get great coffee. It’s a place where people from every walk of life can come and feel comfortable expressing themselves, meet new people, and enjoy being part of something beautiful.”

To learn more about Bridgette Williams and the Demhaj Poetry Lounge, please visit their website.

May 08, 2023

The Greensboro Chapter and the Southeast Region are excited to serve as hosts for Las Amigas, Incorporated’s 62nd Annual National Conclave in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro is the residence of their 21st National President, Agatha Bouvìer Martin Grimes, and their Southeast Regional Director, Faye Stanley. The chapters in the Southeast Region are Cumberland, Fayetteville Elite, Greensboro, Lumberton Robeson County, Raeford, Raleigh Durham, Red Springs, St. Pauls/Bladen County, Whiteville, and Wilmington. This is the first time the National Conclave has been held in the city of Greensboro since 1991. We will not have an opportunity to showcase our city, Greensboro, for another 30-plus years. Sisters from the states of Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia will convene to manage the business of the organization. The Conclave will be held at the Embassy Suites located at 204 Centreport Drive from June 21 – June 25, 2023.

Las Amigas, Incorporated is a 501c3 organization of women founded by two educators, Mary Q. Moore and Dora R. Mason. The organization was founded on the principles of Sisterhood and Service. The Greensboro Chapter has been known in the city since 1967. The chapter continues to keep the legacy of the Co-Founders alive and address the organization’s five programmatic thrusts: Education, Economic Development, Health, Family, and Political Awareness, by providing numerous community service projects, including serving meals, providing tutoring, awarding scholarships, participating in COVID-19 vaccination programs and projects, voter registration drives, Comfort of Love blanket donations, supporting the annual MLK Breakfast and Lupus projects and programs, street cleaning in the Fisher Park Neighborhood, and supporting Hayes Taylor YMCA and Bennett College.

The public is cordially invited to join us at the following Conclave activities as we paint the town pink and orchid:

Thursday, June 22, 2023, Opening Town Hall Meeting from 6 pm to 9 pm at the International Civil Rights Museum (ICRM). It includes a museum tour, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, and greetings by City Officials. The cost is $50.00.

Friday, June 23, 2023, Las Amigas Got Talent Show from 8 pm to 11 pm. The cost is $70, and it includes entertainment, music, a talent show, and dinner. Our distinguished panel of judges will be First Lady Debra Pierce, Ms. Shayla Thompson, and Ms. Tam Yelverton.

Saturday, June 24, 2023, Dora R. Mason Awards Luncheon from noon-3 pm. The cost is $75.00 and includes an awards luncheon, a stellar speaker, Bishop Valerie Melvin, recognition of Las Amigas Most Outstanding Chapter and Most Outstanding Member Awards, Humanitarian Award, and Community Service Award recipients. Our judges for the Most Outstanding Chapter and Most Outstanding Member Awards are Mrs. Beverly Cleveland, Dr. Michele Eley, Mrs. Bettye Jenkins, and Ms. Linda Wilson.

Saturday, June 24, 2023, Mary Q. Moore Orchid Gala from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The cost is $125.00 for this formal affair which includes a live band, the naming of three Honorary Members, Honorable Congresswoman Alma Adams, North Carolina Senator Gladys Robinson, and the Honorable Judge Diane Surgeon.

Saturday, June 24, 2023, The After Party from 11 pm to 1:00 am. The cost is $50.00 and the attire for this affair is Sweat Suits and Sneakers and includes music, dancing, and games.

Co-chairs for Conclave 2023 are Felicia Andrews, LaSonya Holmes-Boulware, and Brenda James.

If you have any inquiries or if you would like to purchase tickets, you may contact LaSonya Holmes-Boulware, Greensboro Chapter President - (336-580-2306). h

GREENSBORO CHAPTER MEMBERS

AGATHA BOUVIER MARTIN GRIMES

LASONYA HOLMES-BOULWARE

TINA GRAHAM

JAMILLA UPCHURCH

ADRIENNE WOODS

DR. AISHA MILLER

LOLA ANNE MCADOO

RUTH GOLDSTON

BRENDA JAMES

FAYE P. STANLEY

FELICIA ANDREWS

BIANCA WOODS

RHONDA WILSON-HENRY

CHANDRA GREEN

EVELYN FARMER

JOANN W. WILLIAMS

www.lasamigasincorporated.org

Facebook @ Las Amigas Incorporated

Instagram @ lasamigasinc

Brandi Johnson-Harris Lotus Sewcial Club

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Brandi Johnson-Harris

While Brandi Johnson-Harris of Richmond, VA can do a whole lot of things, sewing is something she finds the most enjoyment with.

She is a wife and Realtor, and was educated in both private schools and the Richmond Public Schools system, before graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 2003. She is the owner of A Touch of Lotus & Lotus Sewcial Club, which incorporates both sewing and real estate under one umbrella.

In 2019, Brandi started her journey in real estate. She says, “It wasn’t something that I was looking to get into, but it just happened that a family member was selling a property and needed some additional assistance. I helped, and that was pretty much all she wrote. I fell in love with helping people and assisting them with one of their life’s largest and scariest purchases,” she says.

Her venture into sewing happened in 2020 during the initial COVID lockdown. “My intention was to make masks to support my community and keep my family safe. However, that turned into a love for this new craft, and I began soaking up everything sewing. That included collecting notions and taking classes virtually. We were in a lockdown COVID, and since the craft store was deemed essential, I was able to go down a rabbit hole of sewing patterns,” Brandi shared.

She later decided to venture into garment making due to “cheesy date” that she went on with her husband, James. “I had the amazing idea to create one-of-a-kind matching outfits for us. Initially, my garments weren’t the best, but he has been a true sport in wearing my garments with pride. I can say I’ve come a long way with garment construction.” Bag-making came into play when Brandi saw a really expensive purse and focused on its construction. “I knew that it was something I could make. So with that, I set out to gain the skills essential for bag making and made it. I have been making bags ever since.”

As a realtor, Brandi helps people buy and sell homes and educates them on the process. She works with buyers who want to purchase by going the traditional route but also those who are wondering if owning a home is something they truly want to do. She also offers a lease-to-own program.

What does she love most about real estate? Her response is, “I love being able to help people educate themselves at one of the most pivotal points in their lives, along with seeing the joy that comes with purchasing a home. Whether it’s your first home or your fifth, the excitement of the new adventure and memories always await them.”

Regarding sewing, Brandi says she loves the ability to get lost in the creative process, allowing herself to make her creations come to life. “I enjoy knowing that each piece is one of a kind. It gives me a sense of confidence knowing that I’m wearing something I created custom for me, and I didn’t have to go to a thousand stores looking for that perfect piece.”

Real Estate, Brandi says, is a learn-as-you-go career. She decided to commit to it and asked her broker and seasoned agent many questions. “If there was something I didn’t know, I found out the answer, that helped build my confidence in my ability to be this essential business partner for my clients.,” she explains. Some of the challenges she faced with sewing are connected to her belief that she is qualified to perform at the current level. “I overcome these things by taking a deep inner look and knowing that my work is of a professional quality that any consumer would expect. Even though it may be a short timeframe, I have taken steps to work on my craft, and my work shows that.”

If she could rewrite the way things have happened for her with real estate, Brandi says she would have started with a larger brokerage. “I initially began with a broker who had no other agents or systems to help me succeed. It took me a lot longer to get my business off the ground while trying to figure things out on my own. For sewing, she appreciates the way things have happened thus far.

To learn more about Brandi and her brands, please visit her website.

“I enjoy knowing that each piece is one of a kind. It gives me a sense of confidence knowing that I’m wearing something I created custom for me, and I didn’t have to go to a thousand stores looking for that perfect piece.”

MAGAZINE Zoelle Alaiya Scott

Cutest Baby

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

The daughter of Charita Jackson