Aug./Sept. 2024
Volume 2 Issue 2
essica Currie A ChangeMaker
Your Purpose and Promise; It’s All God
A Letter From The Editor
There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!
In the midst of whatever you are going through, one thing that you must always remember to do is keep your eyes on the prize. By doing so, you are able to avoid any unnecessary distractions. Outside noise and distractions can be dream destroyers. Something else that we must be mindful of is understanding the purpose of our fight. Are you fighting for a prize, or are you fighting just by fighting? The funny thing is that God gives us all a warrior spirit, yet knowing when and how to brawl is key.
A Letter from the Editor
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 me, I hope that when it is all said and done, God sees things the way that I do. That is meant to be funny, but honestly, I am truly grateful for the life He has blessed me with. While everything hasn’t happened as I thought that it would, it’s only by God’s grace that I am here. I would believe this is the testament shared by many, as God shines his love on all of us, without prejudice.
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.
I also appreciate the times He saved me, even in the midst of wars and battles that I initiated. I realize now that I was actually misusing the benefits of that warrior spirit and following my own direction instead of allowing God to lead me to where the fight would be appropriate and beneficial to His plan. Championship fighters all have something in common: they have someone in their corner to coach and direct them throughout their fights. When I was fighting my own fight and not listening to what God wanted me to do, I really didn’t give myself a fighting chance to win, and I didn’t.
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.
Our primary goal in life should always be to please God and do what He expects us to do in all situations. It’s ok to be firm and resilient. However, we must always incorporate wisdom into our decision-making. Even when we believe no one is looking, God is always there, in our corner, offering direction and encouragement. Yet, if we can’t hear Him, or if He is tuned out by the things that we allow to distract us, we’re actually denying ourselves access to His promises of triumph.
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.
Terry L. Watson
Terry L. Watson Editor/Founder
Photo by Shaw Photography Group
Missionary Currie for Women and Children Jessica Currie
Milwaukee, WI
Focus on Youth and Public Safety
Milwaukee County Credible Messengers
Bowie, MD
Lindsay Tutor Academy
Rev. Dr. Haile Lindsay
Greensboro, NC
Caring For My Mother Becoming A Caregiver
06
Calvin Johnson is the Mayor for The City of Milwaukee. Learn more about who he is.
Milwaukee, WI
18 26
She is Huami Magazine’s Cutest Baby. Introducing one cute kid. Her name is Aubree Henry.
Black Business Hub Opens Rep. Shelia Stubbs
Walker Skin Care & Aesthetics
Tenisha Walker
The Mayor of The Town of Walls Keidron Henderson
The Peach Cobbler Factory Wendy Ladd
Milwaukee County Credible Messengers Program Delivers Results in Supporting Youth and Enhancing Public Safety
Information obtained from online source @ www.county.milwaukee.gov
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are highlighting the continued success of the Credible Messengers Program through the recentlyreleased 2023 Impact Report. Since its inception in 2020, this innovative multi-disciplinary approach has made significant strides in improving public safety and supporting Milwaukee County youth involved in the justice system or referred by community partners through expanding mentorship, resources, and job opportunities.
“My administration is investing in efforts like Credible Messengers, as this program aligns with our vision to make Milwaukee the healthiest county in Wisconsin by achieving racial equity,” said County Executive Crowley. “By focusing our efforts upstream, we’re not only preventing youth from entering the criminal justice system, but also putting young people on a path to success and fostering a stronger, healthier community. This proactive approach demonstrates how strategic investments can yield significant benefits, creating lasting positive impacts for our youth, families, and neighborhoods.”
In 2023, the Credible Messengers Program served 130 youth, including 76 referrals from Milwaukee County Children, Youth, and Family Services (CYFS) and 54 from community partners. Outcomes have shown that 78% of those served in 2023 had no new offenses while involved with the program, consistent with the program’s pilot evaluation results in 2021. The outcomes were higher for non-justice involved youth referred by community partners, at 87% with no new offenses or system involvement.
“Since 2020, the Credible Messengers Program has made a tremendous impact on at-risk youth in Milwaukee. By providing crucial support and mentorship, this program transforms lives, strengthens families, and enhances community safety,” said Kelly Pethke, Children, Youth and Family Services Administrator at Milwaukee County DHHS. “This program highlights the powerful outcomes that result from dedicated community collaboration.”
The continued success of the Credible Messengers Program was expanded in 2023 with a team focused on girls, a housing navigator for youth and families in crisis, the Milwaukee County Trauma Response Team to provide mental health support, and additional behavioral health resources.
The program’s focus on transformative mentorship has been notably effective, with 66% of the youth receiving at least 26 weeks of mentoring—essential for positive outcomes according to research, delivering more than 2,000 combined hours of mentoring in 2023. The collaborative effort includes the Milwaukee Christian Center, Youth Advocate Program, GLOW414, Running Rebels, Westcare Wisconsin, and 414Life.
In 2024, Milwaukee County is expanding this effort with the addition of the Advance Peace Model, a leading evidence-based violence prevention effort for young people involved in firearm offenses by placing them in a high-touch, personalized peacemaker fellowship.
The success of the Credible Messengers Program underscores the value of community-based approaches in creating safer, more supportive environments for Milwaukee’s youth. h
Representative Shelia Stubbs Attends Ribbon Cutting For Black Business Hub
On August 26, 2024, Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Black Business Hub. Following the ceremony and the Urban League of Madison’s 10th Annual Unity Picnic, Representative Shelia Stubbs (D – Madison) released the following statement:
“Today I had the honor of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Urban League of Greater Madison’s brand-new Black Business Hub. As the Representative for South Madison, one of the most diverse areas in our city, I am excited to see how this beautiful new space dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and building community will become an asset to our district. I would like to recognize Dr. Ruben Anthony Jr., CEO and President of Urban League of Greater Madison and CoFounder of the Black Business Hub, for his truly incredible work and vision in developing an innovative space that will elevate and celebrate Black-owned businesses in Madison. As a former County Board Supervisor, I assisted with the initial process of supporting this monumental project.
According to the Urban League of Greater Madison, it is estimated that the Black Business Hub will support at least 100 Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs and create or relocate over 150 jobs. In addition to hosting new local offices for the Department of Workforce Development, the Department of Motor Vehicles, Exact Sciences, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, and the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce, the Hub will also house a mix of retail businesses, dining opportunities, co-working spaces, a rentable commercial kitchen, event spaces, a barber shop, a beauty school, and much more.
The Hub’s holistic and place-based approach to creating opportunity and resources for Black professionals and entrepreneurs will make success accessible to all. Mentorship programs, financial services, networking systems, expansion opportunities, and location along Madison’s new Bus Rapid Transit line will ensure that everyone can take part in this collaborative, community-driven space. The Hub is dedicated to helping Black business owners in all stages of development, from startups to established enterprises.
The Black Business Hub represents a huge step forward in developing a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive business environment in South Madison and beyond. This versatile, stateof-the-art center for commerce and economic development will foster opportunities not only for Black entrepreneurs, but for the whole community. I cannot wait to see how the Hub will change lives and shape future success in my district and across our state.”
essica Currie A ChangeMaker
By Terry L. Watson
The journey for Milwaukee, WI, resident Jessica Currie has been marked by faith and determination. At one point in her life, she was a homeless teen mom and high school dropout, but through perseverance, God has transformed her into a beacon of hope and inspiration for others.
Today, Jessica serves as the executive director of Missionary Currie for Women and Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving women fleeing domestic violence and providing emergency services to families. “We are here to share God’s love and care by strengthening the community by providing emergency shelter and supportive services to women and children who are homeless, fleeing domestic/sexual violence, or in need of emergency shelter. Clients receive essential hygiene products, baby items, and emergency clothing. All services are free of charge,” Jessica says.
In addition to providing free supportive services to moms, the organization also offers its clients a wide variety of programs and necessary tools to help them overcome the causes of homelessness. They offer classes in parenting, life skills, anger management, proper nutrition and food preparation, conflict resolution, financial literacy, and spiritual development. These services are offered on a regular basis, and volunteers are available to provide one-onone mommy mentor support.
We are here to share God’s love and care by strengthening the community by providing emergency shelter and supportive services to women and children who are homeless,
fleeing domestic/sexual violence, or in need of emergency shelter.
Photos Provided by Jessica Currie
Jessica’s testimony is one of overcoming adversity through faith and determination. Being a homeless teen mom was incredibly challenging, but she refused to let her circumstances define her future. With the support of her family and community, Jessica was able to rebuild her life and dedicate it to helping others. “My journey has taught me that with resilience and support, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges,” she says.
Jessica attended UW-Parkside and studied Nonprofit Management. She also graduated from MATC with her high school diploma and pursued Community Health Services at UW-Madison. “My personal experiences have fueled my passion for helping others and advocating for families,” she adds.
Missionary Currie for Women and Children began in 2018. The vision stemmed from Jessica’s own experiences as a homeless teen mom. She says, “I understood firsthand the struggles that women and children face in crisis situations. This motivated me to create an organization that provides not only immediate support but also longterm solutions for those in need. My goal was to offer a safe haven and a pathway to stability for women and children in distress.”
When asked what she loves most about what she does, Jessica response is seeing the transformation in the lives of the women and children her programs serve. Additionally, she says witnessing their journey from crisis to stability and empowerment is incredibly rewarding. “Every success story reinforces my commitment to our mission and drives me to continue advocating for those in need.”
She is inspired by her family, specifically her grandmother, whom she says taught her to put others before myself. She also credits her husband and children for being a source of inspiration and says that when all odds are against her, they are there with her. “I also draw inspiration from community leaders and families who tirelessly work towards a better tomorrow,” she says.
One of the biggest challenges Jessica’s program has faced is securing sustainable funding. She says, “We developed strong relationships with donors and community partners.” Another challenge has been addressing the diverse and complex needs of the families they serve. “We tackle this by continuously adapting our services and collaborating with other organizations to provide comprehensive support.” It is very clear that there is no quit in Jessica, and the members of her community are direct beneficiaries of her resilience.
Moving forward, Jessica plans to expand the services offered by Missionary Currie for Women and Children. She also plans to reach more families in need. “We aim to establish additional shelters and create more educational and job training programs and supportive services. Our goal is to continue advocating for policy changes that protect and empower women and children. We are committed to building a future where every woman and child can live free from violence and achieve their full potential.”
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WendyLadd The Peach Cobbler Factory - CLE
By Terry L. Watson
Ladd
Wendy Ladd is the franchise owner of two Peach Cobbler Factory locations. One is in Cleveland, OH, and the second is in Clarksville, TN. The Peach Cobbler Factory franchise is the second fastest-growing franchise across the nation. “We are a unique dessert spot. We aim to be the best desert bar in the country. We sell 12 flavors of banana pudding and 12 flavors of cobbler; we sell waffles, bigger and better brownies and cookies, churros, pudding shakes, and cobble shakes. We also make our very own peach tea and cold-brew coffee. Our goal is to make a great experience for the customers who grace our door, she says.
Wendy Ladd describes herself as a follower of Jesus Christ. Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, Wendy grew up in a two-parent household with one sibling. Of her immediate family, she is the only living member. “At my core, I am purpose-driven in Christ,” she says.
Wendy graduated from high school tenth in class. Later she attended college, and obtained her bachelors degree in Nursing from the University of Indianapolis. Her next move found her at Indiana Wesleyan University, where she got her Master’s Degree in business. In addition, Wendy spent about 15 and a half years in the United States Military, serving in the US Navy and the Air Force.
In August of this year, Wendy celebrated 28 years of marriage to her husband, Philip. She has two children: one daughter, who is currently in college and working towards her graduate degree in Speech Pathology, and her son, who is a junior in college and studying Communication.
Her path to entrepreneurship has been sort of unconventional. When she got out of the military as a Nurse Corps Officer, she became a Director of Nursing at a small critical care hospital. When that opportunity went away due to downsizing, she found herself at home with nothing to do. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I thought about opening a same-day surgery practice, amongst other things, and learned about an opportunity on a job posting site that catapulted her into the pharmaceutical industry. I stayed in this industry for twenty years before the dynamics changed and found myself looking for new opportunities,” she says.
Photos Provided by Wendy
In the past, Wendy had no challenges finding new employment opportunities, yet time passed, and nothing happened. “I asked God for direction. I didn’t know what to do. A good friend told me that maybe God wanted me to do something different,” she says. Wendy would soon learn about the franchise opportunities with The Peach Cobbler Factory from a friend. There was a location opening in Charlotte, NC. She visited the location and brought some desserts home for her husband. They both loved them, and Wendy later told him the good news that she had an interest in them becoming a franchisee with the company. Her husband was on board. Next, they would meet with the company’s CEO, who was also a franchisee at his store location. They had a lot of questions about operations, how to build the business, and more. The CEO shared the origins of how The Peach Cobbler Factory began. “It started from an African American couple from New Orleans that had been disenfranchised from Hurricane Katrina. They moved from New Orleans to Nashville and began selling their desserts out of their car. They later moved to Louisville, KY, and opened their first brick-and-mortar location. Our CEO found out about the location in Louisville. He was sold, and the franchise was born,” Wendy says. Today, more than 100 peach Cobbler Factory locations are open around the country, with many more going through the process to get started.
“I feel like I am on an assignment.” That is Wendy’s response when asked what she loves most about what she does. “I feel like this is a place where people can come in and forget about the things that are happening outside. There is so much going on, and a lot of it is not positive. Inside our businesses, we have music playing, we have smiles on our faces that greet each customer, and, more importantly, we have an outstanding menu. You will not see a menu like ours anywhere else. People have brought me to tears talking about how good our Peach Cobbler is and how it reminds them of the cobbler they used to eat with their grandmother. It brings people back to the memory of when life was a lot easier, and folks were a lot kinder. We put a lot of love into what we do. We actually have a shirt here that says “Love In A Cup, That’s what we are serving here,” Wendy says.
Wendy and her company are committed to supporting the interests of members of her community, and she has formed various partnerships with individuals and organizations in and around Cleveland. One is The Spirit of Excellence, which works with highfunctioning, mentally challenged adults. Wendy is able to offer the organizations’ clients a place to come and help contribute to what they do. “Being able to work with them brings me great joy, and I look forward to working with them each week they come,” she says. Additionally, many of the employees at Wendy’s are high school students. “I am able to speak into them. We assume these young minds are getting this at home, but it’s an assumption, and oftentimes, it’s a wrong assumption. Not only can their teachers speak to them, but they have an employer that can do the same. Many of our young employees are African Americans, and that brings me joy as well. That is why I feel that I am on an assignment by God, and I am trying to fulfill that assignment to the best of my ability.”
Named by her mother, Wendy says she didn’t like the name as a young girl. “I associated my name with someone who doesn’t look like me,” she says. Her mother is also the person who impacted Wendy’s life the most. Growing up, Wendy’s mother had her involved in many activities, such as figure skating, gymnastics, and swimming. “She was imparting into me at a young age and I didn’t realize what she was doing for me at the time. I would be the only black girl in these programs. I sang in a group called “The Singing Angels” and went all around the world. By the time I was in the sixth grade, I had already traveled to Rome and Germany. She also had my brother involved in hockey. I recall her telling us not to close ourselves off just because of where we live. She foresaw some things in our lives that would help us as adults.”
When asked if there is anything she would change about how things have happened for her in life, Wendy says there are so many things that have happened, but she is unsure about changing anything. “Experience. That is the only way you are going to grow and develop. If I came into this knowing everything, what is the point? I would have never imagined that after 36 years of being a healthcare professional, I would be in the dessert business,” she states.
Looking ahead, Wendy plans to continue building up business for The Peach Cobbler Factory. She hopes to open another location in Cleveland and form additional partnerships with community stakeholders. She also plans to start a podcast that will allow women of color who are in their mature seasons of life to discuss issues that matter to them. If you are in Cleveland, OH, or Clarksville, TN, stop by The Peach Cobbler Factory and enjoy some of their delicious desserts. h
Dr. Lindsay Tutoring Services
By Terry L. Watson
Lindsay Tutoring Services moves by the motto “Providing tutoring excellence in the subjects of science, math, and engineering.” Owned and founded by Rev. Dr. Haile K. Lindsay, Lindsay Tutoring Services focuses on serving students of all types, from children to adults, from elementary school to college. They offer a variety of services that focus on the following topics: Math, Science, Engineering, and Standardized Test Preparation.
Math: These services include Elementary School Math, Middle School Math, Middle School/High School Algebra I, High School Algebra II, High School Geometry, High School Trigonometry, High School/College Precalculus, High School/ College Calculus, and College Calculus.
Science: These services include Elementary School Science, Middle School Science, High School Physics, High School Chemistry, College Physics, and College Chemistry.
General Engineering: The services offered include General Engineering, Statics, Mechanical Engineering Design, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, and Thermodynamics.
Standardized Test Preparation: Services offered include SAT Prep for Mathematics and ACT Prep for Mathematics.
Dr. Lindsay is a native of Greensboro, NC, and resides in Bowie, Maryland. He is the only child of the late Janice Foust and the youngest of two of Michael Friday. Dr. Lindsay matriculated through Guilford County Schools and graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1997. After Dudley, he attended NC A&T State University in Greensboro, NC, and majored in Mechanical Engineering. Due to the favor of God, the support of his family and hard work, Dr. Lindsay earned a B.S. (summa cum laude) in 2001, a M.S. in 2003, and a PhD in 2007.
After completing his studies at NC A&T, Dr. Lindsay accepted a job with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), where he has been employed since 2008. While at the NRC, some of his accolades include the Special Recognition Award at the Black Engineer of the Year Awards in February 2013, the NRC’s EEO Award for African Americans in 2014, and the NRC’s Meritorious Service Award for EEO Excellence in 2021.
Dr. Lindsay has been happily married to his wife, Pamela, for almost 20 years, and they have three children, Tory, Tiras, and Tierra, and four grandchildren: Micah, Kassius, Victoria,
and Tory, Jr. Additionally, Dr. Lindsay serves as an associate minister at The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square in Upper Marlboro, MD, and has been a member there since 2009. He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in 2015.
After years of serving as a tutor for a couple of companies in the area, Dr. Lindsay made the decision to launch Lindsay Tutor Services in 2016. He shares he knew that all he had to do was trust God in the process. “Lindsay Tutoring Services is grateful to God for providing us the opportunity to tutor some great young men, women, and adults. We have had numerous students matriculate through high school and onto college. Over this past year, we’ve had a hand in two young men who graduated from high school and now are headed to Morgan State University and Virginia State University, respectively,” he says.
When asked what he loves most about what he does, Dr. Lindsay says it’s the opportunity to see his clients excel and gain confidence in the work they are doing. He also loves the opportunity to serve and mentor others. Those are understandable joys of success. However, with success also comes challenges. Lindsay Tutoring Services has been forced to learn how to manage a flow of steady clientele coupled with having so many other responsibilities; though challenging, it appears that he has adapted quite well.
Moving forward, Dr. Lindsay shares that he plans to continue to impact lives by providing tutoring excellence to clients in the subjects of science, math, and engineering. He also plans to continue to make a digital footprint on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. “Our company will continue to grow thanks in large part to the parents and clients who believed in Lindsay Tutoring Services,” he says.
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Photos by Dr. Haile Lindsay
Calvin Johnson The Mayor for The City of Milwaukee
Information obtained from online source @ www.city.milwaukee.gov
Mayor Cavalier Johnson took office as Acting Mayor of the City of Milwaukee in late 2021 and set out immediately to build a safer city. He has prioritized violence reduction, economic development, and roadway safety. Before taking on his role as Acting Mayor, Johnson served as Common Council President while representing the city’s 2nd Aldermanic District.
In April of 2022, Mayor Johnson was elected as the forty-fifth chief executive of the City of Milwaukee, winning with more than seventy percent of the vote. He is the first Black Mayor elected in the city and only the fourth elected mayor in the past sixty-two years.
Mayor Johnson’s commitment to public service began at an early age when he was selected by the YMCA to participate in a precollege program for low-income Milwaukee Public School students. That program, Sponsor-A-Scholar, instilled in him a passion to make Milwaukee better for future generations.
Mayor Johnson was born on November 5th, 1986, in the 53206 zip code of Milwaukee. Growing up, his family moved frequently until middle school. Mayor Johnson attended a different Milwaukee Public School almost every year. He has seen violence, evictions, and food insecurity — challenges common in urban poverty. He brings that lived experience to his work as Mayor.
After graduating from Bay View High School, Mayor Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and returned home to work for the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB), now Employ Milwaukee. His focus included working with at-risk youth, youth entering the workforce for the first time, and adults retooling to enter the workforce.
Before his election as Alderman, he served as a staff assistant in the Mayor’s Office, where he worked with community and faith leaders to find creative solutions to pressing issues facing families.
Mayor Johnson remains deeply committed to the community, having served on the boards of the Milwaukee YMCA, ACLU-Wisconsin and Milwaukee Community Brainstorming Conference.
He and his wife, Dominique, have one son and twin daughters and live in the Near West Side Neighborhood of Milwaukee. h
Walker Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic
By Terry L. Watson
Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, Taneka Walker has committed her life to serving and helping others.
Taneka is a dedicated family nurse practitioner. After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and served her country while simultaneously pursuing her passion for nursing. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wright State University. She added to her educational merits and obtained two graduate degrees: a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Nursing. Beyond her professional achievements, Taneka is a loving mother of two. She retired from the military in April 2023 after serving for 25 years. “My commitment to both my family and career exemplifies my dedication to helping others and living life to the fullest,” she says.
Today, Taneka is the owner of Walker Wellness & Aesthetics Clinic, based in Houston, TX. The Brand is wellness and aesthetics, and their tagline is “Experience Wellness The Walker Way”. Her company began in 2022 under the parent name of The Scalp Boss. Taneka shares that The Scalp Boss was founded based on the personal challenges she faced in her everyday life, such as alopecia and the pressure and stress of maintaining military weight standards. These experiences fueled her passion to create solutions that help others overcome similar struggles. “Our mission is to provide support and effective treatments for those dealing with hair loss and weight management issues, empowering them to lead more confident and fulfilling lives.”
Now operating under the name Walker Wellness and Aesthetics Clinic, her goal is to provide a range of services tailored for individuals looking to regain their lost confidence, whether due to hair loss, weight gain, aging, or the challenges of everyday life. Their offerings include Hair Restoration, Medical Wigs, Medical Weight Loss programs, Botox and Aesthetic treatments, and DOT examinations.
Our mission is to provide support and effective treatments for those dealing with hair loss and weight management issues, empowering them to lead more confident and fulfilling lives.
Photos by Taneka Walker
As a nurse practitioner and business owner, Taneka admits that she loves restoring confidence in her clients. She also professes to be a firm believer in the power of knowledge and takes great joy in educating her clients and empowering them to become the best version of themselves.
Taneka adds that her original focus was on aesthetics and hair loss services, but the services that have garnered the most attention have been weight loss services. “Despite it being my passion, I realized the need and started to provide the services that made a difference for my clients. It forced me to look at the market differently, and due to an agile business response, I was able to re-brand and offer the original service but put more focus on overall wellness. Developing that service line forced me to pivot and adjust to the needs of others. One of my slogans was restoring confidence one strand at a time. Now I’m restoring health one pound at a time. Learning to be agile has been one of the best moves I have made as a small business owner,” she says.
Developing a business from the ground up has been very challenging, Taneka says. “My challenge was developing an entire business model revolving around aesthetics and hair loss. I learned that when you have created a business model around one aspect and another aspect takes off, it creates challenges. Resources were tied into that promotion, but the other services that were not as funded started to take off. As a business owner, I learned to adjust and start to do what the customer requests. I made changes and started to market appropriately out of my own pocket to fund this new line of business. What I learned from this is to adjust and understand what to put the resources on and make changes that keep you afloat. You can be stubborn and close, or you can be agile and adaptable; making the changes and becoming Walker Wellness has been a move that has positioned me for sustainability moving forward.”
Branding and marketing are some other consistent challenges that Taneka has faced. From navigating ever-changing algorithms to keeping up with the latest social media trends. She says, “The digital landscape evolves rapidly, requiring constant adaptation and creativity to stay relevant. It can be overwhelming to manage these demands while also focusing on providing top-notch services to clients. However, these challenges also present opportunities to connect with a broader audience and showcase the unique value our clinic offers. By staying agile and embracing innovative marketing strategies, I aim to build a strong, recognizable brand that resonates with our community.”
Looking ahead, Taneka plans to expand her practice by opening several locations throughout the Houston and Dallas areas. This growth will allow her to serve more clients and bring herr specialized care to a wider community. Additionally, she plans to introduce new services and innovative treatments to stay at the forefront of wellness and aesthetics. “By continually evolving and improving, I aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of even more individuals seeking to regain their confidence and well-being.”
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Learn More About My Experience of Being A Caregiver For My Mother
By Terry L. Watson
CHAPTER FIVE: Adapting To New Difficulties
Throughout the caregiving experience for my Mother, one thing has always been consistent: one day is never the same as the day before.
Adapting to the constant change has also helped me to learn a lot of new things about myself. I have been known to be a little anxious and impatient; however, while caring for my Mother, that responsibility has always required a new level of patience. Furthermore, while watching others care for her, some professionally trained, some serving from the depths of their hearts, I have always measured their efforts by how they respond during difficult moments. Being a caregiver requires that the person administering the care possesses one important gift: the ability to care for someone just as much or even more than they would care for themselves.
When I decided to bring my Mother into my home to live, I admit that I didn’t fully understand what I was getting myself into. (For details about my thoughts at the time, please read Chapter One of this series.) It’s Mom, and I am here for whatever she needs, yet caring for her needs has been so much more than that.
To know my Mom, I mean to truly understand her; you also understand the significance and importance of her visits to the hair salon. Within the first month of arriving at my home, I was seeking ways to help make her feel more like her old self. Her physicians had informed our family that Mom would never be the old version of herself, and due to the damage of the brain injury she endured, she would have little or no memory of what life used to be for her. Still, getting her to the salon, I thought, would provide a place to connect, socialize, and embrace her womanness among other women. For the most part, my Mother spent a lot of time with me, her grown son, and by God’s grace, she didn’t lose her genuine self. Getting her to a former place where she blossomed into her full beauty, I believed, would be good for her.
The day arrived for Mom to visit her stylist, and when presence was made inside the building, her emotions began to rise from within. There were some tears, but I processed those to be representatives of some emotions that had been silenced for nearly four months. Her stylist was happy to see her, and my Mom was even happier to see her, but I was more astonished by the first thing that my Mother said to her stylist. “Look what happened to me?” I knew then it was my time to sit in the waiting room as she had arrived in her element, and she was about to receive some much-needed healing and therapy from her personal hairstylist.
When my Mother’s session was complete, we got back into my car and headed back home. Of course, I took some photos of her fresh, new style. She was popping, and I was sure to capture this moment for her and my family, who weren’t there. It was refreshing to see her look sort of like her old self but even more beautiful. I felt as if I was looking at a new version of her, free of the toxins that played a role in leading up to her stroke. I also realized that ensuring that each day for the rest of her days is better and more memorable than each day before. I am a son first and then a caregiver. 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!
Mayor
Town of Walls - Desoto County
By Terry L. Watson
Keidron Henderson
Keidron Henderson has a strong affinity for the Town of Walls, MS, one of the main reasons why he became Mayor. “I just wanted to serve,” he says.
Upon being elected, Keidron Henderson rewrote the history books. He is not only the first African American Mayor in the town of Walls but also the first African American Mayor of any municipality in DeSoto County’s history. In the mid-90s, Desoto County became the third fastest-growing county in the United States, and even today, it remains the fastestgrowing county in the state of Mississippi. With a population of nearly 1,300, Walls is the slowest-growing part of Desoto County, and Mayor Keidron has made a commitment to serve and do what is needed to move his county forward.
That commitment was made in 2020 when he was elected Mayor, and in five years, things have happened. Before being elected, Walls did not have a new subdivision to break ground in over a decade. Under his leadership, they have broken ground on four new subdivisions, they have the largest Solar Farm in Mississippi, and the town’s Fire Station is vamping up its training to accommodate its staff in-house. They have also added more officers to the Police Department and additional MTE’s to the Municipal Office. Even today, they do not have a bank or grocery store, but Mayor Henderson remains optimistic. In all of their growth and changes, Keidron has kept his focus on maintaining his town’s quality of life.
Keidron Henderson is a native of Walls, Mississippi. He attended Horn Lake High School and later went on to attend The University of Mississippi. His ultimate goal was to play professional football in the National Football League, though his dream was sidelined due to injuries he suffered in high school and college. He is a husband, a father of four, and has two grandchildren.
Mayor Henderson is a “casino guy.” He has worked in the casino business for over 20 years, which was his first job after graduating college. While the compensation for being Mayor doesn’t cover all of his family’s needs, Mayor Henderson continues to work in the casino industry today.
Photos by Mayor
When asked what he loves most about what he does, Mayor Henderson says it’s the service part of it. “We have spearheaded some great events. The senior population is often left out of the equation when communities plan grandiose events. We have made it a priority not to exclude this portion of our population and create activities and opportunities just for them. Our youth are very important as well. Recently, we gave away free backpacks and free haircuts, as well as lunch during an event. We were also able to partner with the YMCA and their Delivering Smiles program. Parents were able to get free meals for their kids. Being a part of programs such as these and bringing stakeholders together makes it all worth it,” he shares.
Recently, Mayor Henderson lost his mother, Betty J. Henderson. That loss is something that he continues to deal with, and he says she had the most significant impact on his life. “When you are seventeen years old, and you see your dreams dissipate from your eyes, your mother will say some encouraging things to you. She told me that God didn’t probably have the NFL in my plan, but He had great things in my plan. My mother spent thirty-three days in the hospital, and we talked about some great things in her final days. She reminded me of the conversation we had about me doing great things. Being Mayor is an example of having the opportunity to do great things in terms of service. She taught me to love people and always to be humble. She taught me that no matter what type of success I was able to be blessed with, always to be humble and love people. That skill has served me well, not only in being Mayor but also in my professional career. It’s not easy, but it is a learnable skill that my mama taught me,” he shares.
When you are seventeen years old, and you see your dreams dissipate from your eyes, your mother will say some encouraging things to you. She told me that God didn’t probably have the NFL in my plan, but He had great things in my plan.
Mayor Henderson also credits Gary Anderson with having a significant impact on his life. Gary was the Vice President of Start Operations at Horse Shoe Casino. He moved to Mississippi to open a new market in the early 90s. “He took me under his wing and became my personal mentor. He taught me how to protect margins, financial attributes, casino design, budgeting, forecasting; Literally everything that I know about the Casino industry, he taught me,” Mayor Henderson shares.
It is apparent that Mayor Henderson’s journey has been full of twists and turns, and he professes there isn’t much that he would change about the way things have happened. “You learn something from every fork in the road that you take. God has given me this journey, and it is designed to fulfill His purpose in my life. Every challenge and every setback is already written. If I had the power to change anything, it would be for my mother to be healthy. I wouldn’t have wanted for her to develop her sickness, and she would be here to see the things that I am doing. This is my journey, and I just want to make sure that when God comes for me, I don’t have any music left in my music box,” he says.
Looking ahead, Mayor Henderson says that he is looking forward to making the Town of Walls, MS, better for all citizens. Due to its geographical location and close relationship to Memphis, TN, Walls has a lot of potential on various fronts. “My focus as Mayor is to move our town forward. I want to do more of what we have already been doing. I want to provide access to all citizens. For any stakeholders in our community who want to be a part of furthering our town forward, the door is wide open for them. The door is wide open for everyone, and no one has to look in the peephole.”
