Huami Magazine for Mississippi Jan./Feb. 2022 by Terry Watson

MISSISSIPPI

Jan./Feb. 2022 Vol. 1 Issue 6

Sassy Me Bowtique Mississippi - Jan./Feb. 2022

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There No If, Ands, About It! MyAre Expectations andOr TheButs Truth There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It! A Letter From The Editor A Letter from the Editor

I would have to say that I grew up poor by world standards. A Letter Editor my mother constantly poured I never feltfrom like itthebecause What if tomorrow didn’t arrive? All and of your hopes unconditional love into my other siblings me.plans, Her love and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on. What if wouldn’t allow me to focus on what I didn’t have or anything everything that However, you decided to off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t All of your plans, hopes I could be missing. asarrive? lifeput happened, I realized happened? There would beano reason to save for a rainy and dreams wouldn’t have street to park on. What if that when compared to others, my experiences were more day, and you could spare someone theuntil trouble of making everything decided to put off tomorrow never complex. Eventhat still,you I had the opportunity to overcome them. promises. What your last happened? Thereif would be opportunity no reason toseemingly save for aexpired rainy today? wouldspare you do? day, andWhat you could someone the trouble of making One of the most important things I learned from my promises. What if your last opportunity seemingly expired upbringing is that thethat truth will always override my I’ve been I often today? Whattold would you do? seem like I do too much. expectations. car doing that I owned, I purchased Honestly, IThe feelvery like Ifirst am not enough and I’m a firm for myself. It wasn’t a new vehicle, but it was mine. It had a believer in knowing that God wouldn’t put anything on me I’ve been told that I often seem like I do too much. fewHonestly, dents, and thehandle. tires didn’t match either. The heat air that I couldn’t I not sometimes wonder how would I feel like I am doing enough and I’mlife aor firm conditioning didn’t work, and the exhaust pipe would shake be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I like that a leaf when I started the car, probably because it was haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity couldn’t handle. I sometimes wonder how life would being held in place by the wiring of a close hanger. With is a blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge be if I chose to sit idle and accept what it presented to all me.ofI its imperfections, my car was a beauty in my sight, and I was to mefound is an adventure. What is the In worst that can opportunity happen? have that to be very boring. my opinion, veryis to own it. Ifappreciative Ia do nothing, I fail, and if I try I don’t, but instead learn blessing that isn’t afforded to everyone. A challenge something new about myself. yourcan pride and in to me is an adventure. What is Relinquish the worst that happen? Though it seemed likeand I drove car for eternity, it only return acquire life. If I do nothing, I fail, if I trythat I don’t, butall instead learn survived one year me. I didn’tRelinquish keep gas your in thepride fueland tank, something newwith about myself. in andreturn I never changed either. I drove it fast,when and on cold The best advice everoilgiven to me happened someone acquire life.the told me to make my it tomorrow today. doing so mornings I didn’t allow to warm happen up. Rarely did I In bathe it or pressed myroutine way given through doors withmaintenance, a key thatsomeone only The best ever to me happened when evenI have provide itadvice with or preventative and hope provided. have alsoonly learned the today. difference between told to make tomorrow happen In doing so before I me knew it, myImy first and method of transportation what God blesses me with and what life can burden me with I have pressed my way through doors with a key that only slowed down and shut off in the middle of the road. as well. I compare it toalso knowing when be confident and hope provided. I have learned the to difference between when to be quiet, because what God blesses me with and what life can burden me See, I expected my car to run forever, but the truth is with may get it confused as well. I compare to knowing to be confident and I never did anything toitensure that someone itwhen would. I expected with being arrogant. when to be quiet, because my car to go when I needed it to but never considered my may it confused thoughtless and erratic treatment’ssomeone impact on it. get I expected to Make you tomorrow with being arrogant. ride forever, but the truth is I never invested in my cars’ future. happen today, but most importantly make it count. Make you I’m saying that wetomorrow will only get Life is but a whisper and happen today, but most out of life what we put into it. How we must putmake ourselves in a importantly it count. will we ever expect to know God position to hear what it Life is but a whisper andis if we never spend time with Him? telling us.put ourselves in a we must My goal in life is to win. For this position to hear what it is to happen, I must be willing to do telling us. what is necessary to win and align Terry L. Watson myself with what is true, which is Editor/Founder God’s expectations.

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CONTENTS

JAN./FEB. 2022

MISSISSIPPI

Kay’s Complete Care

Kanya Ford

On The Cover

Sassy Me Bowtique Chantal Taylor

The Confidence Coach

Brian K. McNeill

Allure Teeth Whitening

Chiquita Jordan

Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Railyn Kate

Also Featured

Attorney Justin Camper If you are in business, you will need a business lawyer. Learn more about his journey of becoming an attorney. Indianapolis, IN

Celia Newman She has a passion for helping and serving others. Meet the founder of She Got Game League. Memphis, TN Mississippi - Jan./Feb. 2022

Alonzo Stallworth Learn how he is rebuilding the community that helped to raise him. Th3 Block Development Philadelphia, PA

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Sassy Me Bowtique

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Mississippi - Jan./Feb. 2022

By Arielle Kilgore Photos Provided by Chantal Taylor As the chemotherapy treatments began to change Chantal Taylor’s body, she would grasp that her normal would become unusual as her body could no longer withstand marketed beauty products. For some cancer patients, the effects of cancer treatment can circumcise a lifestyle that most aren’t used to. In this sense, Sassy Me Bowtique was established to care for sensitive skin like hers and clients of other epidermis skin conditions. Sassy Me Bowtique was founded in 2018 in Jackson, MS. The business takes raw ingredients from nature and molds them into skincare products useable by different skin types. The majority of her products are made from ingredients catered to improving the skin, like sea moss, turmeric, and oatmeal. The products range from body butter, soaps, and daily vitamins that help build up the derma layer and improve exasperated skin. Sassy Me Boutique products cater to the sensitive side of feminine needs like yoni bars or bath bombs that won’t irritate her clients but give the luxurious feeling every woman wants. “My products aim towards people with sensitive skin. That’s my main focus,” Chantal says. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Chantal’s ambitions were not always in skincare, though she says her purpose never wavered. She always needed to help the ones around her even after her diagnosis. Chantal’s business started as a hair bow company because her nieces would always need bows. “I originally started out selling hair bows. That’s why the name of my business is Sassy Me Bowtique,” Chantal explained. After a year, she decided to change avenues. Chantal did not realize that a business change would not be the only switch in her life. In 2019, she was diagnosed with desmoid fibromatosis. Chantal would need to undergo chemotherapy and radiation, which would cause breakouts and rashes in her skin. Thus, she eventually reasoned what her business would be next. “So, I started making soaps and body butters with shea butter to see how that would work. It worked out pretty fine,” she says. Chantal, also known as the “Soap Lady,” has been known to change put a lot of love in her products that keep her clients coming back. She began to use some of her products on her children, who also suffered skin conditions like eczema. Her business would gain an enormous following with orders from all types of clients like other cancer patients and women who wanted unique body products without all the harsh chemicals.

Another major inspiration was her grandmother. Chantal and her grandmother started the business together intending to develop formulas for sensitive skin. In Chantal’s adolescent years, her grandmother was the one that raised her after her mother’s passing. Together they would form an unbreakable bond lasting until her passing in August. Chantal shares that her grandmother remains a leading inspiration in her business today. Although her business has created various breakthroughs and heartfelt skin redemption stories, Chantal sometimes gets overwhelmed by the continuous circumstances she faces presently. “It’s hard operating three businesses, doing chemo, going to school, and taking care of my children. It’s hard, but I always keep in the back of my mind that if I don’t do it, who else will do it for them? Even more, operating my business helps keep my mind off of cancer,” she says. It is the momentum to keep her moving forward and continue making a difference in the lives of other women.

“It’s hard operating three businesses, doing chemo, going to school, and taking care of my children. It’s hard, but I always keep in the back of my mind that if I don’t do it, who else will do it for them?”

Chantal directly correlates with the needs of her clients, mainly due to her family’s skin issues. One of her customers has psoriasis and continues to share her improvement and progress due to using her products. She says it’s one of the main reasons they keep coming back. It is because of testimonies like these that Chantal keeps pushing. Also, knowing that she has three children to care for, who need her, makes her strive to be the best version of herself every day. Chantal also gives back by providing sample bars on her trips to chemo. For her, money isn’t the motive. Her purpose is to make sure everyone is comfortable and that she is doing all that she can to change at least one person’s life. In the future, Chantal would love to have her warehouse. It would be a building that would create revolutionary skin products that all women could access. This would eventually lead to a storefront. “I feel like I’m a millionaire already. So, in the future, I can see that I’m going to be a millionaire. That’s how I look at it. I’m aiming to be a millionaire.” To learn more about Sassy Me Bowtique or support Chantal’s business you can visit her Facebook page at Sassy Me Bowtique.

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She Got Game League By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Celia Newman

One thing is for sure, Celia Newman has a special love for serving and helping others. She also has got game. The Dyersburg, TN native has faced a few challenges in her life such as abuse and depression, though, with resilience, she has prevailed to be a woman who many depend on. Currently, Celia heads the She Got Game League, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the world of sports. Their focus is to expose and encourage female basketball players, school-age to college and provide personal and career development tools to excel at the next level. “Our mission is to create a support system and platform to give them the tools necessary to be the best they can be in life,” Celia says. Ceia launched SGG in January 2019 after noticing a lack of competitive organized women’s league in Memphis. “I wanted to give female basketball players the opportunity to not only play competitively but also provide them with a platform to gain exposure, play overseas, and acquire professional contracts. We started with six teams, and have since expanded in three years to a total of ten teams in other areas, including Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN, Huntsville, AL, and Houston, TX,” she says.

“I wanted to give female basketball players the opportunity to not only play competitively but also provide them with a platform to gain exposure, play overseas, and acquire professional contracts.” Mississippi - Jan./Feb. 2022

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Celia has a strong background in athletics. She was a high school standout with the 2005 State Runner-Up, Dyersburg Lady Trojans, and a former college student-athlete at Bethel University. Additionally, Celia has over ten years of experience working with athletes, both academically and athletically, in her role as an Athletic Trainer. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master’s Degree in Sports and Wellness Leadership from Austin Peay State University. She worked at the University of Memphis for two years as a Student Athlete Development Mentor for at-risk student athletes, and founded the Elite Level Prep in April 2015. She also co-founded the UpNext Sports Consulting Firm with her business partner Christian Ross-Francis in May 2020. In her career, Celia has mentored and assisted over 100 athletes. Celia is very passionate about helping athletes succeed, not just in athletics, but more importantly life. She fuels her passion by serving others, specifically within her community. She is an active member of the Big Brother Big Sister organization and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. “I love seeing women play the game they love and have fun doing it. I get to give back to my community by helping others become the best version of themselves. The women athletes in the SGG league inspire me with their stories of triumph. That alone motivates me to continue to give them the platform and environment to compete at a high level,” she shares. She credits former WNBA Champion and Memphis Hall of Famer Ashley Shields with believing in the vision of SGG. “ I was struggling to get people to sign up in the beginning, and she spread the word and ignited the fire of what SGG has become. I am also grateful for the great sponsors that believed in me when SGG was small. These include Grind City Kicks, For The Kingdom Memphis, Building Blocks Mentoring Program, and The Awkward Agency. Their continued support has helped SGG become the hottest semi-pro women’s league in the MidSouth and beyond. Celia has plans to expand the SGG league but admits she can’t do it alone. She is currently in the process of building her staff and acquiring more interns. Moving forward, she plans to reach more professional athletes and entrepreneurs with her partnership with UpNext Sports Consulting and continue to be a voice for women’s sports.

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To learn more about the She Got Game League, please visit their website. h

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Justin Camper Law, LLC By Terry L Watson Photos Provided by Justin Camper Attorney Justin Camper says his life’s mission is to be a “Champion of Purpose”. He believes God created everyone for a purpose to do something to make the world better. Justin is known from his clients for being a genuine and passionate advocate, who goes above and beyond to provide the best results possible. He is a small business and trademark attorney located in Northwest Indiana. Justin completed his educational journer through Purdue University Northwest and obtained an undergraduate degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from Valparaiso University Law School. Next, Justin began practicing law as a Lake County Prosecutor in Indiana. He worked in the Prosecutor Office for one and a half years before transtioning to several law firms ranging in the areas of business, criminal defense, civil litigation, and municipal law. He also briefly worked as an Administrative Law Judge for unemployment. Today, he works in his own practice, Justin Camper Law, LLC, which he started in August 2020. He also works with Stidham Legal, P.C. as a contract attorney assisting with criminal cases. Within his practice, Justin says his main area of law is to provide small business legal services. These include, but are not limited to, LLC/nonprofit formation, contracts (drafting and reviewing), online legal protection, trademarks, copyrights, and business litigation.

Justin shares he knows the process of hiring an attorney is often accompanied with many questions, and that is why he firm works to ensure every clients understands the services they are being provided with. “The first step is for us to work with our clients and come up with a plan to get the results they need. Through our understanding of the law and your understanding of the circumstances, we will craft a path to success,” he says. As an attorney, Justin shares he loves being able to help small business owners fulfill their dreams. “I am a small business owner, so I know what it is like to have a dream and vision of building a business. It gives me so much passion to help future entrepreneurs and current business owners protect and grow their business using legal strategies from my firm,” he says. “I’m inspired and motivated by small business owners who pursue an idea that helps change the lives of people. My vision is to live in a world where people can use their gifts and talents to create products and services that enable them to live in their God-given purpose.” Justin shares he truly grateful for all that he has encountered as an attorney, including the many ups and dows. He also shares if he could change anything about his journey, he would have focused more on business law from law school and taken on opportunities that would have given him experience for the type of law he practices now.,” he says.

www.justincamperlaw.com 219-281-6166 Facebook: Attorney Justin Camper Instagram @justincamperlaw

To anyone who is thinking of pursuing a career as an attorney, specifically business attorney, Justin offers some helpful advice. He says, “Fearlessly pursue your goal. If you want to be a small business attorney, do your best in law school and make great relationships with your colleagues, professors, lawyers, and businesses in your area.” In the future, Justin hopes to eventually expand his law firm and focus on different practice areas such as real estate and entertainment law. He also would like to advocate for small businesses and nonprofits continually through the government. Additionally, he hopes to create and invest into his own small businesses and nonprofits that are designed to help transform people’s lives. To learn more about Attorney Justin Camper, please contact him directly or visit his website. h

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Kay’s Complete Care By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Kanya Ford Who is Kanya Ford? When asked that question, she offers several titles. She is a life coach and certified clinical sexologist for the most part. She is also a business coach and mentor and a certified Birth Doula under K’Doula, LLC. While she has many other ventures, Kanya primarily focuses on those mentioned to complete her coaching circle, Kay’s Complete Care. Kanya is a married mother of five. She was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. “I was the young Black girl with two children, working a minimum wage job, surviving on Food Stamps and Medicaid, and living in Section 8 housing. Things didn’t look so promising, but I knew that was not what my family deserved. I began to build myself from the inside out, and in doing so, it allowed me to meet my husband. Together we purchased our family home, I acquired my AAS, BBA, and MS degree in Business, and started climbing the corporate ladder,” she says. “It was while climbing that corporate ladder that I realized I wanted to help others make their own ladders, and I soon decided to engage in the world of entrepreneurship.” Kanya’s road to entrepreneurship happened almost by accident. Her first taste was that of a licensed Zumba instructor in 2015. That venture was followed by her being an independent consultant with Bedroom Kandi in 2016. Through that venture, she was introduced to the Dr. Rachael Institute. There she obtained her certification as a Clinical Sexologist and Master Sexologist in 2018. Having a background in Human Resources, Kanya transitioned into being a life coach and sexologist. In May 2020, she became a full-time serial entrepreneur.

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As a life coach and certified sexologist, Kanya operates with two main focal areas. “I work with women who have been too busy living for the world and forgot about themselves. I support women in understanding their value and worth and assist them with setting personal boundaries through self-love, self-accountability, and owning their sexuality. My second area of focus is helping couples with their intimacy literacy. Within this realm, I offer annual retreat and intimacy masterclasses. I have even published a relationship guide and will soon introduce two new products, The Intimacy in Motion and The She Care Self-Care gift sets,” she says. With sex being the focal point of one of Kanya’s brands, it’s understandable how it may not be an easy product to discuss and promote. She shares that it has been challenging, especially with finding her comfort level. Once she resolved that, the next challenge was not being able to clone herself. “I have a million ideas written down that I would love to implement, but I am only one person. I get so many ideas in my head that my brain tends to turn off in order to reset. If I had more versions of myself, I would be a bit further than I am,” she says. Kanya’s other product, Business Solutionz, LLC offers new entrepreneurs and business owners guidance in building their foundation. She assists business owners by creating the ideal client, finding their niche, and building effective marketing strategies. “My goal is to teach the business owner how to do it versus showing or doing it for them. Everything that I gave to corporate America I am teaching to entrepreneurs and small business owners.”

Kanya Ford

Kay’s Complete Care

www.kayscompletecare.com 804-967-4551

While Kanya appears to have found her footing, she admits it wouldn’t have happened without the experiences and challenges she has faced. “My biggest inspiration has been my journey in life. As a mother, I always want to influence their lives positively. I am creating the support that I needed when I was a potential statistic of my environment. I faced federal prison time and put myself on the back burner with no self-respect. I needed a system like the one I am creating,” she shares. It was her battles that ultimately created her opportunities. For others who may follow a similar path as Kanya has, she offers some advice. “Just do it! The worst thing that can happen is someone telling you no or your plans not to happen the way you envisioned. You must be resilient and get back up when you’re knocked down,” she says. To learn more about Kay’s Complete Care, please visit their website. h

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The Sales Confidence Coach By Terry L. Watson Photos Provided by Brian K. McNeill Brian K. McNeill of Charlotte, NC, is Brian K. McNeill is a true champion in the arena of “how to sell”. He has accumulated over 30 years of study and practice of professional selling. By his own count he has read over 700 books on Sales, Sales Management and Self Development. Brian has produced coaching programs, published several Best-Selling Books, and is committed to helping and serving others. The loving, caring husband and father is also a proud veteran of the US Army. Brian is the founder of The Sales Confidence Academy. In this capacity, he provides training and certification for entrepreneurs. He is the current president of Virtual Team Network, a global online networking organization. Brian exhibited signs of effectively communicating with almost anyone at an early age. He shares, “I entered the wonderful world of professional selling at the age of 23. That was 31 years ago. I soon came across some books about selling. After reading the first book, my interest grew, and before long, I had read several hundred books about sales. Some of the other topics were about Sales Management and Personal Development. The more I read, the better I became at selling. I eventually became a sales manager and my job. Sales and the knowledge and understanding of sales seemed easy to me, and soon I decided to start my own sales training company. Over the years, thousands of salespeople and entrepreneurs have benefited greatly from my sales training workshops, classes, and platform.” Today, he is recognized as Brian K. McNeill, the Sales Confidence Coach. In this role, he teaches entrepreneurs and salespeople what to say and do, to ensure they are confident and prosperous in selling themselves and their services. His services include Sales Coaching, Sales Training, Sales Speaking, and Sales Workshops.

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Some additional products include personalized and on-demand/self-paced sales training programs. He also has the Basic Essential Sales Training (BEST), a recorded seven-session curriculum covering the basic essentials entrepreneurs must know and the seven reasons why a client will say yes to you and your services. After completing the course, the entrepreneurs will have the correct language and confidence to sell their services successfully. There is also Get Profitable/Stay Profitable (GPSP), which includes everything in (BEST) plus a curriculum that teaches the entrepreneurs what to do with their time. Then finally, there is the Sales Confidence Course, the complete and updated course on How to Sell Your Services in today’s marketplace. One of the books that Brian has published is The Shortcut! - The Fastest route to Selling You and Your Services so that you earn more money than ever before! Another book he has published is Asking for the Money - How anyone can close more Sales, even you! Another publication is a children’s book, Why Rhinos Make Great Sales People - Featuring Mr. Randall the Rhino. Many of Brian’s typical clients are service-based entrepreneurs, Coaches and Consultants, Insurance and Financial Services Professionals, Attorneys, Accountants, and Bookkeepers. Brian has also founded the M.E.N (Male Empowerment Networks of Charlotte). This organization is a Support Discussion group that meets virtually twice a month and has been doing so since August 2013. “We know that men need men, and teenage men need men. So we provide a safe and transparent space for men to talk about anything.,” he says.

Brian K. McNeill The Sales Confidence

www.briankmcneill.online

Brian says he loves it when people take what he teaches them and earn more money as a result. “It brings me joy. I believe that God has uniquely gifted and qualified me to help people sell themselves and their services. My work is a ministry, and I honor God by helping people sell better,” he says. Moving forward, Brian shares he will continue to make his workshops available, especially through online courses, so that people can take the training on demand. To learn more about Brian K. McNeill, please visit his website. h

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I Love To See You Smile By Arielle Kilgore Photos by Katrena Wize Artography As much as people hate to admit it, the one thing that everyone notices is someone’s smile. It can brighten a stranger’s day or be the key to securing an interview. Our teeth are the first thing we cleanse in the morning, and hopefully, the last thing we do at night. No matter the cause, our mouth’s health should be a top priority. For over 15 years, Chiquita Jordan has made sure that you’re putting your best smile forward. “I’ve always had a passion for caring and helping others,” she says” In 2019, Chiquita Jordan decided to open her own business, Allure Teeth Whitening in Greensboro, NC. She offers 30 to 60-minute teeth whitening sessions and also installs tooth gems for clients who want to add a little bling to their smile. As a part of her services, she offers lip fillers, a newer service in her toolbox that is gaining popularity. Chiquita is a Greensboro native and graduated high school as a single mother. Her personal challenges never stopped her from pursuing her purpose and dreams. After deciding not to finish her nursing pathway at North Carolina A&T State University, Jordan decided to pursue a career in Dentistry. She shares that Dentistry allowed her to do what she loved and still assist those around her. She received her certification as a Dental Assistant from Guilford Technical Community College in 2006. With well over 15 years of experience, her expertise ranges from working in pediatric, dental, and oral surgery. Mississippi - Jan./Feb. 2022

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Chiquita says her customers are always her top priority. She does acknowledge her soft spot for children and believes it is her responsibility to shape them and prepare them for a healthy smile for their future. “It is important to teach them the importance of good oral health at a young age. If they don’t take care of their baby teeth, they can affect their permanent teeth, something that will last for the rest of their life,” she says. Starting proper oral care at a young age is not just the right thing to do, but it can also save a life. Chiquita says the health of teeth goes beyond having a pretty smile. It can affect the health of your body as well. She says, “Lowerincome families don’t receive education on how to take care of their teeth. As a result, it creates a lack of importance or the disconnect of teeth to body health. They don’t see the connection to their health, so I strive to inform everyone about proper oral hygiene.” It is important to Chiquita to provide the clients of Allure Teeth Whitening with the best possible customer service experience. Her dedication is also the connecting tool that helps her clients trust her services. “The first thing you notice about someone is their smile. Someone always wants to make sure that their smile is always beautiful or white,” she explains. “I always wanted to help and care for others. That’s just mainly my passion.” As a business owner, Chiquita believes that everyone deserves the care and service they desire. She also believes in giving back to her community. That is why she makes her services affordable for almost anyone. “It doesn’t matter what situation that they come from, I am here to serve everyone,” she says. Throughout 2021, she taught children how to take care of their teeth and volunteered in community events to provide dental care. One of these programs was Giving A Kid A Smile Day. In the future, Chiquita plans to offer teeth whitening classes for those interested in learning more about the process. She also plans to bring her oldest daughter into the family business to keep her family close and provide them generational wealth and job security. When it’s all said and done, Chiquita says she hopes her legacy will be based on serving her community and providing everyone with a healthy smile. To learn about Allure Teeth Whitening, please visit their website. h

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MAGAZINE

Cutest Baby

Railyn Kate The daughter of Raisha Mercer and Dexter Bozeman

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

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By Arielle Kilgore Photos Provided by Alonzo Stallworth In life, people often chase the one thing they want the most. That is purpose. For Detroit, MI, native Alonzo Stallworth realized his purpose from years of strife and struggle and ultimately found his way to better ground. King Yadee is the name given to him by his community. Alonzo also describes himself as a builder, activist, creator, mentor, and child of God. Before he was anything, Alonzo was a lover and creator of music. Music moved and guided him and was a platform for expressing himself and his thoughts. Whatever was happening around Alonzo, music appeared to enhance it. While his passion for music grew, he would begin to see that his musical talents were not part of the plan that God had for him over time. God’s plan was for him to be a father, mentor, and advocate in his community. Today, Alonzo has found a way to give back to the District 2 Detroit community by way of Th3 Block Develop LLC. His company specializes in home improvement and renovation and educating new homeowners about the homebuying process. Their projects include commercial and residential properites, and mulit unit dwelling. To date, Th3 Block Development has renovated alot of homes, and obtain ownership of a few as well. They also educate anyone interested in learning about home construction and renovation. Some of the other services they offer are construction management, construction, training, and construction planning. Alonzo shares his company strives to deliver excellent workmanship every day. Their competitive fees and ability to provide outstanding results make their company stand out from others. “Since our founding, we’ve worked hard toward building and maintaining a stellar reputation,” he says. “We provide clients with a wide range of services to cover all their needs. No matter what the project might be, our team of professionals is ready to bring it to life.”

Th3 Block Development is rooted in the heart of the Detroit community. Many of its projects have taken place in Alonzo’s old neighborhood, which is directly tied to Alonzo’s purpose. “When I was a child, it was hard to find a good influence. After losing my parents when I was only five years old, and on my birthday, I became an orphan. I was unintentionally handed to the streets of Detroit. I witnessed homicides and suicides, and after losing my parents, it was hard for me to take the traditional in life. Fortunately, I learned that being in the streets doesn’t mean you have to adopt a life of the streets. I didn’t get involved with drugs, gangs, or any other criminal activity, but instead, I enveloped myself with good people who say my worth and pushed me to be great,” he shares. He credits his uncle, who raised him since he was 12 years old with having a huge impact on his life. His uncle was an entrpernuer and go getter, and made sure that everyone in his family was taken care of. His uncle was also the first person who introduced him to contracting. Around the time of his birthday in 2018, Stallworth had been receiving signs and messages from God about what he should be doing. This was around the same time the city was taking a turn due to the events that took place in 2008, which caused a lot of families to lose their homes. “We were on a downward spiral. Some blocks became vacant. The deaths and all the killings were adding up. I wanted to do my part to help. I was able to with entrepreneurship and following God’s word. I soon discovered I had the tools to save my city,” Enrolling in school to obtain his builder’s license was Alonzo’s next move.

“Fortunately, I learned that being in the streets doesn’t mean you have to adopt a life of the streets. I didn’t get involved with drugs, gangs, or any other criminal activity, but instead, I enveloped myself with good people who say my worth and pushed me to be great.” Alonzo Stallworth Founder Th3 Block Development 34

After three months of an extraneous process, Alonzo was licensed and ready to work. He came back to his community and gathered some people to help rebuild homes. He targeted his family home first, which was torn down many years before. After rebuilding that home, he opened a house for people to change their lives and learn construction in 2019. Th3 Block Development, which started with just wanting to help the community, was beginning to make a difference. “When we first arrived, it was three abandoned houses on the corner. Today, all three houses are fixed up with families living inside them. If I could grab one house and rebuild it, I think I can make a change,” he said. Well, change has happened as Alonzo’s company has fixed and repaired most of the houses on his block and placed families in them.

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Another part of his company is Th3 Stash House. This branch teaches troubled youth how to design clothes and produce music. He has also found time to mentor the next generation of builders. Alonzo says he loves seeing things completed. “Now the kids can come outside and play basketball on the corner. The corners are clean, and there is no more trash on them. It inspires me to show people the light in a dark place. I work hard to provide a future for my kids and other kids in my community so that can the opportunity of a new beginning. Alonzo also wants Th3 Block Development to be recognized as one that provides and cares for the wellbeing of its community. The opinions that others who may not live in Detroit varies Alonzo is aware that not all of them are good. He wants to change the narrative. Detroit gave him the grit, and now he can change it for the better since. “I am a diamond in the rough and Th3 Block Development is a company for the community. I am a product of the streets that became a gift to the world. I am Detroit,” he said. As life continues to happen for Alonzo and Th3 Block Development, he plans to continue to rebuild his community and plant seeds of hope into the lives of others. “I pray to God that I never do anything to stop the growth of this good energy and purpose, God-driven journey that I’m on,” he says. To learn more or volunteer with Th3 Block Development LLC, please visit their website. h

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