Focus is Lost When It Becomes Inward
A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
A Letter from the Editor
The greatest thing about life is that it’s a gift God blesses us with. Of course, we have all heard that before we were even born, God had us in mind. It is all part of His master plan, and we each have an assignment and purpose. I also believe that God doesn’t assign us a purpose without an expectation of obedience and fulfillment, and to do that has often proven to be a daunting task.
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?
For those who follow the publication of my editorial letters, you may find that I often reflect on my childhood to describe experiences that have shaped my life, more specifically, my life as a Christian and believer. It was as a child that I established a life of prayer, and as an adult, I learned that prayer with God gives me free access to talk and converse with Him, regardless of the day, time, or place. The further that I walk with God, I learn that He wants me to seek Him for all things, as God desires to be included in all aspects of my life, the life that He blessed me with. His word confirms this in the book of Matthew 6:33, which says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
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.
Life is full of distractions, yet we do not have to allow ourselves to be distracted by them. Our ability to focus on what is important and the tasks ahead of us can ultimately determine our successes and failures. Remember what God shared in Matthew 6:33: He wants His children to stay focused on Him. We must continue to talk to God and listen for His voice in all situations; by doing so, we are able to walk the path designed just for us by Him. I admit that I have experienced my greatest share of defeats during the moments when I turn away from God or look inwardly for direction. God’s direction comes from God, and we do not possess the ability to lead ourselves as He does.
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.
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.
Looking inwardly for direction can mute what God is telling and showing us and expose us to outside noises that ordinarily wouldn’t exist or have an impact or effect. Connect to the fact that God has prepared for us, and trust in His plan always. One of the greatest things I have ever been told that has always been proven correct is that man will always let you down. Trust God and Him alone.
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Terry L. Watson
Photo by Shaw Photography Group
Lexington, KY
Monument Honoring Black Doctors Norton West Louisville Hospital
Art Time Studio Teedgra Carter
Greensboro, NC
Raleigh, NC Charlotte, NC
Caring and Comfort Becoming A Caregiver We Are Headed to the Queen City
Learn more about the 2024 HBCU Scholar Recognition Program Recepient for Kentucky State University. Frankfort, KY
She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one cute kid. Her name is Aubree Henry.
The Real Shea Queen LLC Paula Farve
Simmons College of Kentucky Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Crosby
Zion Baptist Church Inc. Rev. Gerald J. Joiner
Houston’s Caribbean Realtor Monique Hoggard
Monument Honoring Early Louisville’s Black Doctors Unveiled At Norton West Louisville Hospital
By Maggie Roetker (Information provided by Online Press Release @ www.nortonhealthcare.com
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a group of men and women in West Louisville dedicated their lives to providing medical care to people of color. For many who lived west of Ninth Street, these health care pioneers were the difference between life and death — during a time of legalized segregation, and in an area with no hospitals or medical practices for people of color.
As Norton Healthcare prepares to open the first new hospital west of Ninth Street in 150 years, these early medical pioneers are being honored with a special monument on the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus.
The monument was funded by the family of Richard S. Wolf, M.D., through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, in memory of Dr. Wolf’s life and work as a pediatrician in our community. As the former medical director at Norton Children’s Hospital and Mayor of Safety City, Dr. Wolf was a passionate advocate for access, prevention and wellness for children in our region.
“When we began researching this project, we uncovered so many stories that needed to be told,” said Corenza Townsend, chief administrative officer, Norton West Louisville Hospital. “Those featured were some of the first to treat citizens in West Louisville or they established a hospital, a medical school and practices that forged a path where none existed.”
These providers include:
Henry Fitzbutler, M.D., the first Black doctor in Louisville, the first Black student to earn a medical degree from the University of Michigan and founder of Louisville National Medical College. Sarah Fitzbutler, M.D., the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in Kentucky after graduating from Louisville National Medical College.
Artishia Gilbert Wilkerson, M.D., the first Black woman to pass the medical boards and and become a doctor in Kentucky. Mary E. Merritt, R.N., the first registered nurse of any race to work in Kentucky, and the recipient of a certificate of merit from President Woodrow Wilson for her service during World War I.
Mary Etta Porter Potter, M.D., a physician who provided women’s and children’s care out of her home and established the Fraternal Hospital Training School for Nurses.
John A.C. Lattimore, M.D., a physician as well as organizer
of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Louisville Urban League.
Physicians involved in chartering Louisville National Medical College, the only school that accepted Black students. It became known as one of the best U.S. African American medical colleges and the only one owned and operated entirely by African Americans. It later merged with Simmons University, which is now Simmons College of Kentucky.
Physicians involved in the creation of Red Cross Hospital, a four-bed hospital originally located on Sixth and Walnut streets. It went without gas or electricity for many years and was the only Kentucky hospital to educate Black nurses in the early 1900s.
The monument is on the corner of 28th Street and Garland Avenue, and is surrounded by bricks that were purchased by those interested in providing support to the hospital and this project. In addition to a monument, stories of these pioneers and others can be found at NortonWestLouisvilleHospital.com.
This project also was made possible through input from Berea College Special Collections & Archives, Filson Historical Society, Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, Norton Healthcare Archives, UofL Kornhauser Health Sciences Library and UofL Libraries Archives & Special Collections.
Kentucky State University’s Joshua Claybrooks
Information provided by Online Press Release @ www.cflouisville.org
Kentucky State University’s student Joshua Claybrooks has been accepted into the U.S. Department of Education White House Initiative on Advancing Equity, Educational Excellence and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities - 2024 HBCU Scholar Recognition Program. Claybrooks is a junior majoring in math education and is the president of the Kentucky State University Education Association.
Photo of Joshua Claybrooks“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Kentucky State University (KSU) and serve as a connection between the White House and KSU,” said Claybrooks. “I am most excited about networking with other scholars and working with NASA, while finding creative ideas to help KSU and my future endeavors.”
The program recognizes outstanding student leaders and further empowers them with tools for excellence. Scholars were picked from a talented group of students, and their selections were informed by presidential recommendation and endorsement by HBCU faculty. They were chosen due to a unique combination of academic achievements, campus leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurial spirit.
As an HBCU scholar, Claybrooks will:
· Serve as a student ambassador for the Initiative and KSU, ensure information, resources and opportunities and distributed throughout the campus community.
· Be invited to attend the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference workshops, designed to help scholars learn and adopt promising practices in areas such as leadership, professional development, HBCU excellence and workforce development.
· Be invited to participate in monthly masterclasses hosted by the Initiative and various partners. · Network with other scholars, federal agencies and private partners to showcase their collective talent across the HBCU community.
“Participating in this program is meaningful because I can make the change I wanted to see and strive for anything I want in life and receive help with kickstarting my career,” said Claybrooks. h
TAR Syndrome Associat ion Jylan M. Ross
By Terry L. Watson
Jylan Ross of Lexington, KY, is the founder of the worldwide TAR Syndrome Awareness movement. This movement is now nationally recognized during the month of April and is directly connected to an organization that he also leads, TAR Syndrome Association.
Jylan himself has TAR, and according to information taken from the online source, wwwrarediseases.info.nih.gov, TAR is defined as the Thrombocytopenia-absent radius syndrome (TAR syndrome) is characterized by the absence of a bone called the radius in each forearm, short stature, and thrombocytopenia. The thrombocytopenia often appears first in infancy but becomes less severe or returns to normal over time. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to episodes of severe bleeding which may occur in the brain and other organs. Other signs and symptoms vary but may include heart defects, kidney defects, and other skeletal abnormalities. About half of people with TAR syndrome also have difficulty digesting cow’s milk.
The TAR Syndrome Association was founded on March 10th, 2022. The vision of the nonprofit was sparked by a conversation that Jylan had with his friend Morgan Robinson in regard to starting an online petition to raise more awareness for TA. “She has been my right-hand person since the beginning. She saw the vision and helped turn the vision into reality,” Jylan says of Morgan. She was eventually appointed the organization’s president, and today, it offers financial assistance to TAR Syndrome patients who need help paying for surgeries, medical equipment, etc.
“I love giving people with TAR Syndrome a voice. These are individuals who may have been pushed to the back burner for so long.”
Photos by Jylan Ross
Jylan describes himself as a family-oriented man who loves people. He loves to put other people before himself, which has shaped his character. His motto is, “Use whatever you have, and make the best of it.” Jylan shares, “I love giving people with TAR Syndrome a voice. These are individuals who may have been pushed to the back burner for so long. I am inspired when my fellow TAR brothers and sisters feel included by having their voices heard. Some have come out of their shyness, and because of the movement, they are ready to share their stories. This inspires me to keep going.”
Some of the challenges that Jylan has faced with his organization is racial and medical discrimination. He says, “There have been doctors who didn’t want to do medical research regarding TAR Syndrome because they didn’t feel it was relevant enough. Hearing those words was very hurtful and disappointing, but it sparked a fire within me to do more so that the TAR Syndrome community will always be relevant.” The racial challenges he’s faced Jylan describes as when medical facilities learn TAR Syndrome Association is run by a person of color; they tend to shy away from supporting it.
Moving forward, Jylan says he intends to make sure that his TAR brothers and sisters will forever be relevant. “I will fight for disability inclusion because it’s time for a change.”
Ross TAR Syndrome Association h
Jylan
Houston’s Caribbean Realtor
By Terry L. Watson
by Monique Hoggard
Monique Hoggard is a Caribbean Realtor representing the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago. Monique has worked as a mobile personal trainer since 2014. She has also worked as a travel agent for five years and wears many hats in business. Yet, her main goal is to help people and bridge the gap between the Caribbean Community and the African Diaspora.
Monique is originally from Brooklyn, NY. Now firmly planted in the heart of Houston, TX, Monique shares that she appreciates Houston’s Caribbean community. Monique sits on the Executive Board of the Houston Caribbean Professionals Association. She is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Texas, Grenada Houston Association, and Nigerian American Multicultural Council.
Monique shares that she and her partner lender have been working to inform others about the free grant money available through Harris County. “Many of the black and brown communities aren’t aware because we’re the last to get the information. I am helping to change that. I’ve been partnering with churches, radio stations, television stations, festivals, and just talking to individuals. If I’m at dinner, getting my car serviced, setting up at mixers as a vendor, or sitting next to someone on the plane, I am sharing information. I’m a people person, so it doesn’t take much for me to speak to anyone, especially if there’s good energy present. As long as people are willing to listen, I’ll continue to find a way to be a resource,” she says.
Many of the black and brown communities aren’t aware because we’re the last to get the information. I am helping to change that. I’ve been partnering with churches, radio stations, television stations, festivals, and just talking to individuals.
Photos
Monique started her career in real estate a little over two and a half years ago. She credits her ex-husband, who is in the same business, for creating the spark. Additionally, she shares that helping families who thought home ownership wasn’t a possibility is what she loves most about her career. “When my clients get their keys and see that smile on their faces, it’s an amazing feeling for me. I know I was meant to be doing this.”
One of the most interesting and impactful parts of Monique’s career, she says, is dealing with investors. “I’ve had my share of shady experiences.. So now I know how to approach investors and wholesalers. It’s funny because many don’t believe I understand the business until we really started talking.”
Monique’s advice for others who may follow a similar path to her is to know that real estate isn’t always easy, but it can be rewarding. “Everyone has a niche; you just have to figure out what yours is and what works for you! Don’t chase the money. This is a people business, so you definitely have to be creative. Also, know that this business is going to take you out of your comfort zone, and being shy doesn’t get you far,” she says. Monique says that international business is in the near future. h
Learn More About My Experience of Being A Caregiver For My Mother
By Terry L. Watson
CHAPTER SEVEN: Caring and Comfort
The truth about being a caregiver for my mother is being comfortable, for both she and I, has never been something that we’ve truly experienced. From the very beginning, when the decision was made for her to live with me in my home, an adjustment was required from both of us and even to this day, we are still working on adjusting.
When the word comfort comes to mind, one might think that I may be referring to its physical relevance. Regarding caregiving, comfort is associated with various topics. For my Mom, it has always been my goal to ensure she has all that is needed to give her the best opportunity to thrive. While she may suffer from being a stroke victim, that doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. I faithfully believe that her full recovery is within reach, and with proper care, love, and support, it’s very attainable. While we travel this journey together, as her caregiver, I believe the least that I can do is make the most of what we face.
As Mom is confined to a wheelchair, it makes it very difficult to properly position her. This applies to when she is sitting in her recliner or resting in bed; finding the best comfortable position is something that we strive for and pray for. If Mom is not comfortable while sitting in her recliner, it can affect how she enjoys watching television, talking on the phone, and even interacting with others. As her caregiver, I pay attention to how she reacts to what is provided for her. I can imagine this is something that other caregivers encounter as well.
Another area of comfortability that presents itself as a challenge happens when it’s time to take Mom to the doctor or when she has visitors inside our home. I have noticed that Mom doesn’t always appear to be happy when she has to interact with someone other than her immediate family. I get it and understand that she lost a great deal of independence as a result of suffering her stroke. Even more, Mom is a very classy woman with a lot of sophistication, and having to depend on someone for her very basic needs can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing.
Just as little kids might stare at something that they see for the first time and find interesting, my Mom and I have experienced that type of behavior from other adults while out in public. I don’t know if it is because they are surprised to see a grown man care for his mother; I would do it a thousand times again if I had to. I don’t know if it is because they are intrigued by seeing my Mom in her condition. Regardless, over time, we have adjusted and settled into the pockets of joy that our situation provides.
It’s not easy being a caregiver, and I know it’s not easy for my Mom either. This assignment isn’t something that everyone can handle, and I have learned to understand that it is not about being comfortable. Caring for someone in a manner that my mother requires doesn’t always allow for us to be comfortable. h
I decided to share my experience as a full-time caregiver for my mother to consult, console, and inform other families who may be going through a similar situation. As a son, caring for my mother never feels like work; if so, it is a labor of love. Please continue to follow this message, Becoming A Caregiver, in Huami Magazine. I hope that sharing my experience will help others. From one caregiver to the next, God Bless You!
By Terry L. Watson
Teedgra Carter of Raleigh, NC, is the owner of Art Time Studio, which is located in Garner, NC. Her company offers highquality acrylic painting and drawing classes, watercolor workshops, and paint parties. Teedgra says, “ is all about creativity and excitement, where you can express your ideas and let your imagination run wild. We offer a wide variety of events that will get your creative juices flowing.”
She is married to Clovis Carter, and together they have four children. Teedgra has over 20 years of teaching experience and has a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Art Education and Fine Arts. She is also passionate about helping individuals find their creative side and fostering their love for art. She adds, “Art Time Studio LLC. is an art studio that focuses on bringing out the creativity in adults and children. Our unique flair helps bring out your artistic confidence by drawing guidelines on the canvas for individuals who are nervous about painting for the first time.”
Teedgra’s sessions are two hours long and are designed to allow her clients to immerse themselves in their art and achieve their creative goals. “Bring a friend or come solo and join our community of art lovers,” she says. “Our mission is to inspire and empower you to create your masterpieces, even if you are a complete beginner. At Art Time Studio, we know how to have fun!”
Art Time Studio
Photos by Teedgra Carter
Teedgra says she has always had a love for art and teaching. With this love, it made perfect sense for her to open a business that offers paint parties. Additionally, she has a natural knack for meeting people, and with Art Time Studio, it provides a space to help others discover their creative skills.
As a small business owner, Teedgra faces some small challenges. One, she says, is finding customers. She counters this by advertising on social media and using word-of-mouth advertising. That method has proven to be effective as her clients often post and share their experiences online.
Looking ahead, Teedgra hopes to continue sharing her creative juices with other creatives. The beauty and honesty about art is that it provides freedom to create whatever the imagination allows. At Art Time Studio, there is room just for that. h
PaulaFarve
The Real Shea Queen, LLC
By Terry L. Watson
Paula Farve
Paula “Shea Queen” Farve is a native of Bay St. Louis, MS. She is the lucky number 13 of 14 kids. She comes from a diverse background and culture. Her mom is of African descent and Creole, and her dad is of Choctaw and French descent. Paula is a mother of two adult kids and grandmother of five beautiful grandchildren. She is also the owner of The Real Shea Queen, LLC dba Shea Queen Organics, a skincare company that produces handmade, allnatural hair, skin, and body care products.
Paula is a natural beauty enthusiast. Blended with her cultural upbringing and expertise in becoming a Master Herbalist, she incorporated growing her own herbs and formulating organic, chemical-free products that hydrate, repair, and protect the whole body from head to toe. As a child, Paula says that she and her siblings were never sick and never missed school. “My Mom and Dad were always like, here, drink this. We did, and we got up and went to school the following day,” she says. Paula’s products embody a commitment to sustainability and holistic wellness, providing cruelty-free alternatives for personal care. She says, “My products are formulated for healthconscious individuals seeking nontoxic ingredients, as well as eco-conscious consumers who prioritize sustainability, cruelty, and environmentally friendly practices. I also cater to those with sensitive skin and certain allergies and skin conditions.”
Paula has an Associates Degree of Occupational Science. She is also a Certified Phlebotomist, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Business Administration Degree, and Master Herbalist. She is also studying to become a Master Gardener through the Mississippi State Extension Program.
“My products are formulated for healthconscious individuals seeking nontoxic ingredients, as well as eco-conscious consumers who prioritize sustainability, cruelty, and environmentally friendly practices.”
Photos by
So, how did Paula begin her business? She refers to her son, who is 25 now. He suffered from Eczema as a child. The chemicals from the topical ointment contained steroids and, therefore, caused hyperpigmentation of his skin. Paula visited an internal medicine doctor, and it changed their lives, as this was her introduction to shea butter. Fast forward to 2015, when she faced divorce and had to find a way to supplement her income, Paula was serving as a coordinator for an assisted living facility. She began using shea butter on her patients. The staff saw a huge difference in the patient’s skin and encouraged Paula to market it, and things took off from there. She also joined a community garden and made it her mission to educate her community on the power of plants.
Paula says her ability to overcome, as well as her self-healing journey of her past, inspires her. “My transgressions have enabled me to pivot and change when deemed necessary. I have faced repossessions, homelessness, divorce, and PTSD, which I have overcome to become a better version of myself. Knowing oneself is knowing what you represent and stand for. Accountability is everything. I just roll with the punches and take every day as another opportunity to be not only great but yet greater,” she shares. “I get to wake up every day and create at my own will. I get lost in the passion to create products.”
While things haven’t been perfect, Paula says that she would not change how things have transpired. From the mistakes came powerful lessons that, in turn, are blessings. She only adds that she would have started earlier but admits that everything happens in its timing.
Moving forward, Paula says her vision is to replace harmful products one household at a time. “I am committed to teaching my community the power of plants. I also look forward to becoming a household name and being marketed on a franchise level,” she says.
Rev. Gerald J. Joiner
Ballet Jazz Dance
West African Dance Hip Hop Dance Modern Dance & More
Pastor Gerald J. Joiner is the youngest son of the late Cleo and Doris Joiner of Louisville; KY. He is the husband of First Lady Lynne C. Joiner and proud father of two sons - Taurean Delon (Jona L. Fogle) and Gemayel Jerome Joiner, from the late Luevern T. Joiner. The family previously resided in Roswell, GA. and attended the Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Roswell, where Reverend Joiner served as an associate minister, under the Pastorate of Dr. Frank Lewis.
His spiritual upbringing, however, is duly credited to the God-sent, God-gifted and God-centered tutelage of the late Rev. Dr. C. B. Lucas of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Louisville, KY. Reverend Joiner is a graduate of Campbellsville University and has attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
From a secular employment perspective, Reverend Joiner was employed as the National Sales Personnel & Organizational Manager of the M&M/Mars Company (M&M candies, etc.). From a spiritual employment perspective, he is the former Pastor of Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While serving as Pastor of Redeemer, God blessed the church with exponential growth in membership and tithes. His leadership emphasized both domestic and international missions. Domestically, Pastor Joiner developed a cooperative ministry with the Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter, a substance abuse recovery program, a tutoring program and a juvenile diversion program designed to keep our youth off the streets. Internationally, he developed a cooperative ministry with Pastor Shadrack Mutombella of Maranatha Ministries in South Africa. In 1996, Pastor Joiner led the effort to initiate the foundation of a $2.8 million dollar renovation campaign for the church and in August of 2003, he was invited to return to Redeemer, preach and participate in the burning of the same mortgage.
Pastor Joiner is an appointed missionary of the Southern Baptist Convention and served on the mission field in Kenya Africa in 1986. He also served as the Director of the Baptist Fellowship Center, Louisville, KY and as the Superintendent of Missions for the Central District Baptist Association of Kentucky from 1986 through 1988.
As a bi-vocational Pastor, preacher, teacher and minister of the Gospel, Pastor Joiner has had the opportunity to live and minister to God’s people in eight different states. His charge as he sees it is to carry God’s Word into corporate America and demonstrate the principles of Christian living everywhere he goes.
Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Cosby Simmons College of Kentucky
A staunch proponent of education, Dr. Cosby earned a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, a Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Most recently, President Cosby earned a second doctorate – a Ph.D. in Public Policy (as a Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar) from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, OH. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from Eastern Kentucky University, Bellarmine University, and Campbellsville University. Dr. Cosby has held administrative and teaching assignments at Kentucky State University, the University of Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and United Theological Seminary. His exceptional oratory skills have led to lecture engagements at universities and institutions worldwide, including Harvard University.
In 2005, Dr. Cosby was inaugurated as the 13th President of Simmons College of Kentucky. In 2007, he led the oncefledgling college to reclaim its original campus, lost during the Great Depression, and has since expanded to multiple campus locations. From 1879 to 1930, Simmons College was a national leader in higher education for African Americans. Established by formerly enslaved Kentucky Baptists, Simmons became a full university with a law school and a medical school. But during the Great Depression, its campuses suffered foreclosure, and as its programs were scaled back, it became a small Bible college in a remote part of the city’s poorest area.
Dr. Cosby has refused nearly $1,000,000 in compensation that would otherwise be due to someone of his stature to ensure the college’s economic stability and build a comprehensive curriculum. Under Dr. Cosby’s visionary leadership, Simmons gained accreditation by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education granted Simmons status as the nation’s 107th Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
He is one of our nation’s most influential leaders: He was inducted into the Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians at the Kentucky State Capitol (2015); at the request of Muhammad Ali, he served as one of the eulogists at his funeral (2016); and he was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College (2017). Dr. Cosby is the author of six books, including a Biblical commentary on the American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) entitled: “Getting to the Promise Land,” published by Westminster John Knox Press in the Spring of 2021. Dr. Cosby is married to Barnetta Cosby. They have two adult children (Dr. Christine Cosby-Gaither and Kevin Christopher). h
Huami Magazine Community Awards 2025
Charlotte Marriott Center City - Charlotte, NC
June 7th, 2025
We are coming to the Queen City of Charlotte, NC.
Please mark your calendars for June 7th, 2025, as the Huami Magazine Community Awards will take place at the Charlotte Marriott City Center. Following up on our first gala of 2023, we are excited for the opportunity to present Black Excellence from various parts of the Huami Magazine network, which covers more than 23 states around the country.
Community Leaders, Business Leaders, and NonProfit Organizations will be honored and recognized for the great work they have done and continue to do in their respective communities. There will also be some great speakers, good food, and entertainment. This a formal, black tie event, and one that you don’t want to miss.
The evening will begin with a Red Carpet Reception at 5:30 pm. The Gala Reception will start at 6:30pm
For more information, please call 336-340-7844. Seating is limited and group packages are available. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the link listed below. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For sponsorship information, please send a detailed email to mykelmediaco@gmail.com h
www.read-huamimagazine.com/awards-gala-2025
Cameron Pennix
The son of Crystal Adkins-Pennix
