Nov./Dec. 2024
Vol. 3 Issue 9
God Doesn’t Expect For You To Do it All
Regardless of what anyone else says, I am a natural introvert. Amazingly, I publish a magazine and talk to people, many of who are strangers, and yet I find comfort in not saying anything. However, God often creates scenarios that push me out of my comfort zone. Whether He calls for me to speak to a group of young minds or even a large audience, with obedience, I must meet the assignment. I appreciate each opportunity as they have opened my mind to accepting the assistance for my destiny.
Ask anyone who really knows me, and they will tell you that I am someone who tries to do a lot on my own. I don’t know why; maybe it has something to do with the way my brain is programmed. Yet, with managing the assignment of the company I run, God has frequently reminded me that He doesn’t expect me to do it all by myself.
While the capability of what I can do is extensive, the limits of where I am able to take the messages and voices of my community are far out of my reach. A community is only as strong as the input and participation that each member offers. The beauty in the message that God intends to bring forth is a unifying one, and I only hope that I do my part to persuade and inspire others in their journey.
God has planted gifts in all of us. My gifts are mine, and whenever I am able to cross paths with others who share a similar passion, I receive that as God expects more to be done. If you see me working alone, don’t mnd me, just know that I am actually trying to find the next opportunity to connect my gifts with others.
Terry L. Watson
Memphis, TN
Federal Accountability Report
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Memphis, TN
RISE Memphis
Malcom Rawls
Greenville, SC
Effectual Concepts
Tammy Carpenter
She has goals to build up her community. Learn more about who she is and what she is doing.
Huntsville, AL
He is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one beautiful baby. He name is Silas Cade Gibson.
1 0f 1’s by Jolie
Angelique Walker
On The Cover
First Baptist Church-Broad Dr. Keith Norman
Boys & Girls Club of N. Alabama Patrick Wynn
SugaRee Cookies Sharita M. Shortey
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Makes Big Strides with “Advancing” Designation in Federal Accountability Report
Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) proudly announces the district’s “Advancing” designation released in the latest federal accountability report from the Tennessee Department of Education. The achievement is an improvement from last year’s “Satisfactory” rating and reflects the progress happening in Tennessee’s largest school system.
Here are the areas included to receive the designation:
Comprehension: How well students learn reading and math across elementary, middle, and high school.
Attendance: How consistently students show up for school.
Support for English learners: Skill improvement amongst students who are learning English.
Graduation rates: Students who complete high school on time.
Our Schools Are Making Progress
Five schools worked their way off the state’s list of underperforming schools needing the most improvement: B. T. Washington High, Cherokee Elementary, Kingsbury High, KIPP Memphis Collegiate High, and Manassas High. Four schools made significant strides for groups of students who faced challenges in the past, such as those with disabilities or English learners: Kate Bond Middle School, Sherwood Elementary, South Park Elementary, and Treadwell Elementary School.
“This recognition proves that the hard work of our teachers, staff, students, and families is paying off,” said Board Member Tamarques Porter. “We’re making progress together, and this is just the beginning of what we can achieve as a community.”
Celebrating Excellence
This year, 34 MSCS schools were honored as Reward Schools—an elite recognition for schools showing exceptional results: This achievement signifies that brighter days are ahead for our children and schools and MSCS is committed to building on this momentum. “We know that we still have great work to do, but we are proud of how far our schools have come,” said Dr. Marie Feagins, Superintendent of MSCS. “We’re chasing excellence, and together, we will continue to rise.”
Malcom Rawls - Executive Director - RISE Memphis
Informat ion Obtained from Online Source
Malcom Rawls, the new Executive Director of RISE Memphis, brings over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a lifelong dedication to empowering communities through education and support. A University of Memphis alumnus, Malcom holds a degree in Spanish and later earned his master’s in Leadership and Public Service from Lipscomb University, strengthening his commitment to service and civic leadership.
His leadership journey is shaped by his participation in programs like Leadership Memphis and the Nexus Leadership Program, which provided opportunities to enhance his skills in community development and strategic leadership. Malcom is currently a member of the MOSAIC Changemakers cohort of 2024, where he continues to engage in meaningful work that drives social change in the Memphis area.
Passionate about youth development, Malcom partners with Playbook for Success, where he dedicates his free time to reading to elementary students across Memphis and giving them books to start their own personal libraries—helping to inspire a love for literacy and learning at an early age. Malcom is also a proud father to his daughter, Mela, a student at Idlewild Elementary, whose growth and education motivate his work in empowering the city’s youth.
As Executive Director of RISE Memphis, Malcom’s vision is to build on the organization’s mission of fostering financial literacy, empowerment, and self-sufficiency for all Memphis communities. RISE, originally founded to assist public housing residents in achieving financial self-sufficiency, has evolved to serve a wider demographic across the city. With a focus on programs that help individuals budget, save, and accumulate assets, RISE has established itself as a vital force in breaking cycles of poverty and enhancing economic stability in Memphis and Shelby County.
Malcom is committed to supporting and expanding RISE’s current programs, ensuring they reach a broader audience and continue to have a transformative impact. His vision is to see a Memphis where every individual has access to the financial education and tools necessary to achieve economic mobility and build a brighter, more prosperous future for themselves and their families. By fostering a culture of responsibility, initiative, solutions, and empowerment, he aims to create lasting change that aligns with RISE’s core values and the needs of the Memphis community.
Informat ion Obtained from Online Press Release
Dr. Keith Norman First Baptist Church Broad
Informat ion Obtained from Online Source at www.fbcbroad.org
Dr. Keith Norman is the Pastor of First Baptist Church Broad, located in the Binghampton community of Memphis, Tennessee. He accepted the pastorate, offering a ministry dedicated to serving a predominantly African-American community in transition, one currently targeted for revitalization in housing, education, and crime prevention.
A native Memphian born to Zella Cathey, Pastor Norman is a graduate of Morehouse College and the Memphis Theological Seminary, where he earned a Doctorate in the Ministry Program – Leadership. In addition to his pastoral duties, Pastor Norman is a guest speaker, evangelist, and lecturer with an extensive speaking schedule throughout the United States and abroad. During his career, he has served on or led numerous boards and organizations across the region. Pastor Norman’s long history of service aims to promote social justice, reduce healthcare disparities, and increase civic participation for underrepresented residents.
AUTHOR OF THE NUBIAN ROMANCE NOVELS
The mission of First Baptist Church Broad is the same mission Jesus gave his followers: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The vision of First Baptist Church Broad is create a community of authentic believers and to witness a city transformed by the life changing reality of the gospel, as people come to know Jesus as their lord and savior.
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Information and Photos Provided by Angelique Walker
Angelique Walker of Memphis, TN, is a strong, God fearing, fearless, hard working woman. She is also a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend and loves designing clothes, and making her own lane and rules.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she migrated to Memphis in hopes of making her impression in both business and personally. Business-wise, she has made her mark as the owner of 1 of 1 by Jolie, a fashion boutique that specializes in creating quality and luxury denim pieces for the everyday woman. “I curate Luxury quality denim pieces for women and men,” she says. There is no coincidence how Angelique’s career started. While she was working in the lady’s shoe department for Dillards in 2013. “There was a huge event that was taking place in Memphis at the time. I seen a lot of women purchasing the same pieces, from dresses to shoes. I also wanted to go to the event but I wanted to wear something no one else had,” she shares. She’d always been obsessed with Beyoncé, and was fond of a red Robert Cavalli dress the star wore to the 2009 MTV VMA awards. She decided to make that same dress but in white, with custom shoes to match. The day after Angelique shared, people began messaging her on Facebook, asking where and how to order the same things. As a result, 1 of 1’s by Jolie was born on July 20, 2013.
In 2020, her husband, Marcus, officially became her business partner. “He’s everything. He keeps up with all invoices and books. We are a team and I owe everything to him,” she shares. Some of her clients include Cardi B, Aja Wilson, Simone Biles, Taraji P. Henson, Issa Rae, Lil’ Mama, Keyshia Kior, Zendaya, Justina Skye, Jade Cargill, Tae Heckard, Draya, and host of influential people.
For Angelique, her connection to fashion is genuine. “I love that people love what I create. I try my best to stay authentic and make my own fashion trends and I believe the success of my business is directly tied to my creativity. I try to do the opposite of what everybody else is doing, and it always works for me. I try my best to create a piece that will get stares all night, and in a good way,” she says.
Like most other businesses, Angelique has faced her share of challenges as well. One is learning to say no and being organized. “I had to learn that the hard way. I gain local attention fast and global attention, mainly due to social media. My inability to say no during the moments when I couldn’t keep up with demand caused my customer service to plummet. I always tell people I never got the chance to learn how to operate my business as a business. I just knew how to make clothes and that was it. I did everything by myself, from making clothes and shipping to answering emails. I failed miserably. It took me almost seven years to realize I was in my own way. I finally have help and a team of people who are eager and willing to help me grow,” she says.
One might ask what motivates this ambitious and outgo- ing woman. “My children are my drive. I have an eight-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter. I want to give my business to them when they are of age. They created this competitiveness inside me to never give up and keep going regardless of the challenges that come. My children keep me humble. They motivate me. They are my everything!,” Angelique shares.
Moving forward, Angelique’s social media following has grown tremendously to over 200K followers on Instagram only. She has covered New York Fashion Week in September 2022. She has recently collaborated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her collaboration was able to bring patients’ artwork to life through unique denim jeans. Together, they are merging #Philanthropy and #Fashion with wearable art. She was able to promote the new collaboration at Essence Fest in New Orleans in July 2024 by raising up to $5,000 in sales/ donations. That experience alone was unforgettable. “This is the most profound work she has ever done!” said Angelique. h
Shonte Baltes
She Has Goals For Her Community
By Terry L. Watson
Shonte Baltes is the owner of Shonni B. Realty, which is powered by One Key Realty Brokerage.
Shonte describes herself as a full-fledged entrepreneur. Born in Kissimmee, Florida, Shonte has called Atmore, AL, home for the greater part of her life. “I have the luxury of having country roots with a global mindset,” she says. She completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, and is currently finishing her Doctoral degree in Leadership at Regent University.
Originally an aspiring publicist turned realtor, Shonte has chartered entrepreneurial waters for the last decade. She adds, “I am a believer in Christ and try to implement those principles in the way I do business. I love meeting new people and enjoy helping individuals reach their greatest potential.”
Shonte originally began as a makeup artist and later transitioned into real estate as an investor circa 2011. She says, “The vision to work in real estate came through prayer, coupled with an internal desire to be in real estate. I have had the privilege to be owner and operator of BonMercy Beauty Bar. In 2023, I became a full-time real estate investor. I was able to begin my first endeavors in real estate by partnering with my mom and we started with one contractor. We found our first foreclosure property moved strategically with one property at a time.”
Provided by Shonte Baltes h
More than anything, Shonte loves what she does. She says, “I have always desired to change the lives of people and found that providing integral experiences in home buying fulfilled that desire.” She also says that she finds inspiration in offering change to others. “I am inspired when evolution takes place. I am inspired when cities grow and when people grow. Whether it be through generational wealth or realizing the possibilities of life. I am inspired by seeing people succeed. No matter what that looks like. To see others excel inspires me to keep going. That takes the pain out of the process of entrepreneurship.”
Her life she says has been mostly impacted by God. “I know that sounds churchy and mystical, however God does not let me settle. For every new achievement, it becomes my new floor. God gives me a vision beyond what I comprehend at times. His standard for people is something I strive to produce daily.”
Moving forward, Shonte has her eyes set on doing greater things. “The goal is to build an enterprise. I ultimately want to build affordable housing for seniors and build communities. My long-term goal is to become a builder.”
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SharitaShortey SugaRee Cookies
By Terry L. Watson
Huami Magazine is very excited to reconnect with Kansas City’s very own, Sharita Shortey, owner of Sugaree Cookies.
Sugaree Cookies is an independently self-taught Cookie business that focuses more on the artistic side of the craft than the baking side. Sharita shares how she has worked day in and day out to make all her flavors taste amazing. However, she is quick to let people be aware that she is not a baker; instead, she resides in being an artist who has chosen cookies to be her canvas of choice to express herself.
With her cookies being custom, Sharita says sometimes they are so customized that the creations mean more to the recipient than being just cookies. “I have a lot of clients that have come to me months later stating they just couldn’t eat them, and they have kept them in the freezer as a keepsake. That gave me the idea to try something new, and so I have started preserving some cookies and making cookie magnets that can be saved forever. I call them the forever gift,” she says. Sharita has also begun making Cookie Cakes, both single-layer and tiered versions.
Photos Provided by Jill of All Trades KC
Sharita has been married for years to her loving husband, Ayran. Together they have five children ranging in age from 8 to 22. After quitting her nursing job of 15 years in 2020, Sharita says she has found peace in doing something that she loves. “I have always had a passion for art, and that has allowed me to wake up and enjoy what I do every day. It is convenient and allows me to create my own schedule and be available to enjoy the growing up of my children,” she says. Sharita also appreciates how her creations put smiles on people’s faces and help them to escape from whatever they are going through at that moment. “The joy radiates, and it is SOULfull. I’m a lover at heart, and I have enjoyed gaining lasting relationships with so many different wonderful souls.”
As an entrepreneur, Sharita aspires to scale and grow her business, but doing so has been challenging. She says, “The goal is to always scale my company. Nothing grows by staying the same, and I have new thoughts and changes to bring to the table. I’m working on a few new items, such as cookie butter, cookie soap, and cookie candles. I think these will allow people to enjoy the smell of their favorite flavor cookies fresh from the oven.” As she is family-oriented, Sharita’s focus is to keep the business within her family and allow her children to reap the benefits that it offers.
Another challenge she faces is the stress of juggling business and personal life. She says that keeping her professionalism through personal seasons of life has been hard to do. “Having a small independent business requires a certain level of commitment. There is no clock-out time. There’s always a message to be answered, a call to be returned, an order to write down. Taking care of yourself is key to a successful business, and sometimes I forget how important that is.” Sharita has managed this by continuing to face diversity headon, putting fear to the side and navigating through it to the best of her ability. This also involves learning new ways to grow her mental strength and allowing room for trial and error. Ultimately, she says it is her goal to create a stable and organized business and home environment.
As the new year approaches, Sharita has some exciting goals in place. One is to mentor and conduct one-on-one classes with those who are on the same path as she is but may not know the right steps to take with their business. “Having the proper knowledge and the right support can change a person’s life, and if I can help in any positive way, sign me up,” she says.
“I used to be a perfectionist,” Sharita states. “However, I have realized that it’s easier to accept that things are not always going to go as planned all the time. When you start giving yourself the same grace you give others, it allows you to continue to work through imperfections. It will also put you in incredible positions for growth, and soon, everything will become easier, softer, and put together.”
Looking ahead, Sharita shares her plans to make a name for herself. “One of my goals, with God’s will, is to open a cookie and sip studio. This will be a place where people can open up to be themselves, put their problems to the side, and create their own cookie masterpieces while getting to know others with no judgment. This will be a safe space to be yourself.” she says. For three years in a row, Sharita has also been invited to the Christmas Cookie Challenge on The Food Network but has always let her anxiety and belief of not being ready discourage her. Upon producing this feature, Sharita has recently mourned the loss of her father. With that experience, Sharita is determined to do everything within her to make her name seen in honor of him. “I am no longer doing this on my own; I have an angel to help me get through the hard parts of not believing that I’m good enough,” she says.
In closing, Sharita sends a few words of encouragement to whoever needs it. “Never doubt yourself. Always put faith first, and you will be guided to the right paths in your destiny.
of North Alabama Boys & Girls Club
By Terry L. Watson
Provided by Patrick Wynn
Patrick Wynn is the Chief Executive Officer of The Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama. The areas the organization serves are Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Athens, Ardmore, and Pineville, AL.
The mission of the organization is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need them the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The organization’s code says, “I believe in God and the right to worship according to my own faith and religion. I believe in America and the American way of life, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I believe in fair play, honesty, and sportsmanship. I believe in my Boys & Girls Club, which stands for these things.”
Born and raised in Huntsville, AL, Patrick attended and graduated from Southern Mississippi University. After college, he returned to Huntsville to provide leadership to the community that helped to raise him. “I felt like I had a real tangible role model in my mom, Janice Fletcher. She was a single parent, worked, went to college, and raised three kids. I was able to avoid many of the pitfalls that many of my friends endured due to how she raised and provided for us,” he says.
Coming back to Huntsville is something that Patrick believes he was destined to do. For 26 years, Patrick has worked with the Boys & Girls Club. For the last 16 years, he has served as the organization’s CEO. In his role, Patrick is charged with setting a vision and leading the organization. He adds, “I am required to work with our Board of Directors to ensure that fiscal responsibility and policies and procedures are intact. Ensuring safety and the quality of our program is one of my primary objectives. One thing that I learned is that many people in our community are familiar with the name of the Boys and Girls Club, but many are not aware of the depth of our organization. It is my goal to educate others about our depth and how vital we are to the communities that we serve.”
By design, Boys & Girls Clubs work in and with communities where there is a void of males, fathers, mentors, and role models. These could be rural communities, low-income communities, Indian bases, and military bases. The organization provided essential care for the young people there. The care in mind may consist of education and career development, workforce readiness, ACT prep, public speaking, arts and crafts, drivers’ education, and more.
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“I believe that I am successful in my role as CEO because I can relate to those that we serve. I have walked the same path they have. With the help and guidance of God, along with a very special mom, I was able to navigate through tumultuous situations that exist in the areas where I grew up.”
Patrick says that he is a firm believer that there is no coincidence. “I believe that God aligned the stars for me to work at the Boys and Girls Club,” he says. Before coming there, Patrick worked as a Therapeutic Group Counselor, and a high school teammate informed him about opportunities at the Boys & Girls Club. “I was ready to get out of my role as a Therapeutic Group Counselor because I felt that wasn’t serving my community.”
What Patrick says he loves most about what he does is the opportunity to work with young people. “I see myself in each kid that walks through our doors. Again, I was a product of single parenting, and I also grew up in public housing, and even more, my mother was a teenage parent. I believe that I am successful in my role as CEO because I can relate to those that we serve. I have walked the same path they have. With the help and guidance of God, along with a very special mom, I was able to navigate through tumultuous situations that exist in the areas where I grew up. I was able to excel despite being in disadvantaged circumstances. Amazingly, I never felt disadvantaged because of the guidance that I had. I believe that God put me in those situations so that I can help the people that I do today.”
As the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club, Patrick shares that he has faced a few challenges and has found ways to overcome them. “Being an African American and wearing a CEO title in the nonprofit space, I have always strived to help people understand that this is a business,” he says. “When I first began, my goal was to understand the business aspect of the organization, and I surrounded myself with people who ran companies. There have been people who have taught me some things and may not realize they have. I am inquisitive by nature, and I ask questions because I want to learn. Over 26 years, I have won many awards, but if you come to my office, you will not see any of them. They are in boxes because I feel that I haven’t arrived and that I am still hungry. I believe that when you stop learning, you stop living. That is why I continue to ask questions and pick others’ brains; I want to get better. I believe that success breeds success. If you are not watching what other successful people are doing, then you don’t want to be successful. I want to pick up successful habits and be the best version of myself.”
Patrick credits many individuals with inspiring and impacting his life. Obviously, his mom has, and Patrick also credits his wife, Kecia, with whom he has shared 20 years of marriage. Together, they have three boys. “My wife is always looking for greatness.” Patrick also finds inspiration in his community. “There are things that were built to stop us from being successful, but still, we rose like a rose from concrete. There are so many people who come from our communities who didn’t begin with an advantage, but we still have found a way to succeed. That is what I love about the communities we serve. It is not about the position you hold or what you own; it is about where you come from. It is also about how many lives you’ve touched,” he says.
It is obvious that Patrick has a genuine desire to help and serve others and being in the role of CEO for the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama appears to be the perfect fit for him. When asked if there is anything that he would change about the way things have happened along his journey in life, Patrick’s response is very concise. “Your journey makes you who you are. If some of the things that happened to me hadn’t happened, I would be where I am today. I also wish I would have read more when I was a child,” he says.
Looking ahead, Patrick is eager to continue to lead the Boys & Girls Club into greater places. In 2021, he led the organization with its Comprehensive Capital Campaign. A first for them, they were able to raise $13 million dollars, and those funds are being used to build new facilities throughout North Alabama.
Patrick concludes by offering a bit of sound wisdom. “I want to be an airplane. People of great height don’t go backward. Airplanes don’t fly backward. I want to go to great heights like an airplane. We all will make mistakes, but when I make them, I write them down to ensure that it will not happen to me again,” he says.
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Ef fectual Concepts
By Terry L. Watson
Tammy Carpenter of Greenville, SC, discovered her love for equipping and empowering others almost 20 years ago. It was around that time when she began her career as a Software Trainer & Implementation Consultant. Her profession connects with her passion to help others embrace change, and her faith in God fuels her to use her platforms and voice to teach and share truths that inspire.
Tammy is a published Author, a licensed Minister, and a certified Life Coach. The three books that Tammy has published are Life Speaks, Life Moments, and Church Hurt Healed Me. Tammy is also the Founder of the non-profit organization, enLife, and the CEO of her own consulting and coaching business, Effectual Concepts.
Besides all of her professional accomplishments and accolades, Tammy is certain that one of her assignments is to help others celebrate and share their journeys. Using her brand name, Simply Tammy, she launched the Women Who Win vodcast in 2020, where she interviewed over forty women across the country who were transparent about their journey with the aim of encouraging and inspiring others. Earlier this year, she launched The Simply Tammy Show. This production showcases a variety of stories and includes segments such as Life Speaks, and The Beat Lives On, and Great Grace. These interviews and more content is available on her YouTube channel, @SimplyTammy543.
Photos Provided by Tammy Carpenter
Whether through a message, conversation, coaching session, forum, or her inspirational products, Tammy desires to encourage others to LIVE and LOVE. More than anything, she is grateful to God for transforming her life, and that posture of gratitude fuels her desire to share God’s love with others.
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Tammy shares, “I believe there’s beauty in every story, and having the privilege of being a safe space where others feel the freedom to share their stories brings great joy.” She is appreciative for being a part of the journey of the many women she has had the privilege to serve. Their testimonials have greatly impacted her life and encourage her to keep going.
As Tammy has built her brand and business, she has faced a few challenges. One was dealing with expanding by building an effective team to aide with the vision, as well as knowing when to pivot. She was able to manage this challenge by consistently weighing her works against the instructions from God to ensure she remained aligned with her purpose and to know when to connect and with whom.
For others whose journey in life and business may align with that of Tammy’s, her advice is very clear. “Trust the journey and pay attention to God’s work in your life and continue to follow His leading. Don’t allow discouragement to make you stall and continue to move forward, even in uncertain times, because it’s all working for your good.
In regards to her future, Tammy plans to continue to expand her coaching business through classes and forums. She’s honored to serve as a host to help audiences navigate necessary conversations and also as a Coach and Mentor to women during various life transitions. She also plans to continue to highlight stories of others through interviews and conversations. h
Testimonials
CJ - South Carolina
“In the past, lack of trust enabled me to carry feelings of shame and pride. In turn, it was a determining factor of losing my voice and developing a mentality to hide which can impede living life abundantly. Though there still has been some challenges in the journey of life, Tammy has been a constant reminder, and she has helped me find my voice and come from the shadow of my fears. She listens attentively to give insightful feedback to situations encountered. Her way of questioning allows me to ponder circumstances on a deeper level. I respect her and her willingness to have those necessary and candid conversations.”
AS - South Carolina
“Tammy is a very welcoming person which opens up the space to be comfortable sharing concerns with her. I have always felt like she listens carefully and always provides effective solutions. She doesn’t just give advice and send people on their way, she will meet you and show how something is done. She’s always
willing to share her wisdom. Tammy has advised me on many personal issues and obstacles that are still carrying me, such as understanding that there is risk and reward in letting people in and letting them go. That quote has carried me!”
Huami Magazine Community Awards 2025
Charlotte Marriott Center City - Charlotte, NC
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
Silas Cade Gibson
The son of Corey Gibson and S’Mia Davidson
Learn More About My Experience of Being A Caregiver For My Mother
By Terry L. Watson
CHAPTER EIGHT: The Measurement of Love for Mom
One of the hardest things I have experienced while caring for my mother was accepting the fact that she would forever be totally dependent on the care and assistance of others. For all of my life, I had been used to seeing her go, go, and go, and just like that, things changed. One Sunday morning, I stopped by my mother’s home to eat dinner, and the following day, I got a call that she had suffered a stroke. Things changed so fast.
Over the past eight years, I have slowly and stubbornly adapted to meeting my mother exactly where she is. Any success in my ability to adapt to these changes has been connected to my ability to find hope in her—I mean, our situation. Any opportunity that I have to make her smile, I have taken advantage of it, whether it be by saying something silly or reminding her of the things that I know she loves to hear. Seeing and feeling the joy in her smile has been therapeutic for me and her, I do believe.
For anyone who has experienced having a loved one suffer a stroke, one that was debilitating and disabling, you may understand the bucket of emotions that accompany it. My first response was to make life as normal as possible for my mother. I soon realized that would be mission impossible. My advice to others who may find themselves in this place is always to strive to make the most of each situation every day. On some days, my mother could pronounce her words more clearly than the day before. On other days, she seemed so drained from the effects of her brain injury that all she could do was rest. Regardless of what was presented, I had to find a way to prepare my mind to handle it. And I did.
When you truly love someone, the amount is impossible to quantify. It’s just love. My love for my mother is absolutely unconditional, and I am committed to being there for her needs for the rest of our days together. I have also found resolve in learning that she is really aware of my commitment to serving her, and she lets me know in her own way of appreciation.
I have been told that it’s not often that you find a man who cares for his mother as I do as a Caregiver. To be honest, I am surprised to learn that more are not showing up. I have a ton of memories, some great ones, of my mother before she suffered her stroke. However, the memories I have created while caring for her after the stroke are so much more meaningful. God has blessed me to be able to do something for someone that I feel like I owe the world to, and yet, they have never asked for anything in return. That is love. 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!
